[Federal Register: January 20, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 12)]
[Notices]               
[Page 3133]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20ja99-87]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

 
Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment/Habitat 
Conservation Plan and Receipt of Application for Incidental Take Permit 
for Construction of One Single Family Residence on 0.75 Acre of the 
10.117 Acres on City Park Road in Travis County, TX

SUMMARY: Mark A. and Brenda J. Hogan (Applicants) have applied to the 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an incidental take permit 
pursuant to Section 10(a) of the Endangered Species Act (Act). The 
Applicant has been assigned permit number TE-005497-0. The requested 
permit, which is for a period of 5 years, would authorize the 
incidental take of the endangered golden-cheeked warbler (Dendroica 
chrysoparia). The proposed take would occur as a result of the 
construction of one single family residence on City Park Road, Austin, 
Travis County, Texas.
    The Service has prepared the Environmental Assessment/Habitat 
Conservation Plan (EA/HCP) for the incidental take application. A 
determination of jeopardy to the species or a Finding of No Significant 
Impact (FONSI) will not be made until at least 30 days from the date of 
publication of this notice. This notice is provided pursuant to Section 
10(c) of the Act and National Environmental Policy Act regulations (40 
CFR 1506.6).

DATES: Written comments on the application should be received on or 
before February 19, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the application may obtain a copy 
by writing to the Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103. Persons wishing to review 
the EA/HCP may obtain a copy by contacting Christina Longacre, 
Ecological Services Field Office, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, 
Texas 78758 (512/490-0063). Documents will be available for public 
inspection by written request, by appointment only, during normal 
business hours (8:00 to 4:30) at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
Austin, Texas. Written data or comments concerning the application and 
EA/HCP should be submitted to the Field Supervisor, Ecological Field 
Office, Austin, Texas at the above address. Please refer to permit 
number TE-005497-0 when submitting written comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christina Longacre at the above Austin 
Ecological Service Field Office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 9 of the Act prohibits the 
``taking'' of endangered species such as the golden-cheeked warbler. 
However, the Service, under limited circumstances, may issue permits to 
take endangered wildlife species incidental to, and not the purpose of, 
otherwise lawful activities. Regulations governing permits for 
endangered species are at 50 CFR 17.22.

APPLICANT: Mark A. and Brenda J. Hogan plan to construct a single 
family residence on City Park Road, Austin, Travis County, Texas. This 
action will eliminate less than one acre of habitat and indirectly 
impact less than four additional acres of golden-cheeked warbler 
habitat. The applicant proposes to compensate for this incidental take 
of golden-cheeked warbler habitat by donating $1,500 into the Balcones 
Canyonlands Preserve to acquire/manage lands for the conservation of 
the golden-cheeked warbler and place the remaining balance of the 
property in a conservation easement in perpetuity.
    Alternatives to this action were rejected because not developing 
the subject property with federally listed species present was not 
economically feasible and alteration of the project design would not 
decrease the impacts.
Geoffrey L. Haskett,
Acting Regional Director, Region 2, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 99-1188 Filed 1-19-99; 8:45 am]
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