[Federal Register: April 11, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 71)]
[Notices]
[Page 19868-19869]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11ap08-75]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R2-ES-2008-N0071; 20124-1113-0000-F2]
Draft Safe Harbor Agreement and Application for an Enhancement of
Survival Permit for the Beautiful Shiner, Chiricahua Leopard Frog,
Huachuca Water Umbel, Yaqui Catfish, Yaqui Chub, and Yaqui Topminnow in
Cochise County, Arizona
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability; receipt of application.
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SUMMARY: Alysa F. Bennett, 99 Bar Ranch Limited Liability Limited
Partnership, and Mr. Josiah and Mrs. Valer Austin, owners of the Bar
Boot Ranch (Applicants), have applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (Service) for an enhancement of survival permit (TE-160629-
0)pursuant to Section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act (Act),
as amended. The requested permit, which is for a period of 50 years,
would authorize incidental take of the threatened beautiful shiner
(Cyprinella formosa), threatened Chiricahua leopard frog (Rana
chiricahuensis), endangered Huachuca water umbel (Lilaeopsis
schaffneriana var. recurva), threatened Yaqui catfish (Ictalurus
pricei), endangered Yaqui chub (Gila purpurea), and endangered Yaqui
topminnow (Poeciliopsis occidentalis sonoriensis) as a result of
conservation actions, on-going livestock operations, recreation, land
treatments, and other existing land-
[[Page 19869]]
use activities. We invite public comment.
DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be received on or
before June 10, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the application, draft Safe Harbor
Agreement (SHA), or other related documents may obtain a copy by
written or telephone request to the Refuge Manager, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, San Bernardino/Leslie Canyon National Wildlife
Refuges, P.O. Box 3509, Douglas, Arizona 85608 (520-364-2104).
Electronic copies of these documents will also be available for review
on the Arizona Ecological Services Field Office Web site, http://
www.fws.gov/southwest/es/arizona/. The application and documents
related to application will be available for public inspection, by
appointment only, during normal business hours (7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.)
at the San Bernardino/Leslie Canyon National Wildlife Refuges office.
Comments concerning the application, draft SHA, or other related
documents should be submitted in writing to the Refuge Manager, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, San Bernardino/Leslie Canyon National
Wildlife Refuges, P.O. Box 3509, Douglas, Arizona 85608. Please refer
to permit number TE-160629-0 when submitting comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marty Tuegel at the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service Tucson office, 201 N. Bonita Avenue, Suite 141,
Tucson, Arizona, 85745 (520-670-6150) ext. 232, or by e-mail at Marty--
Tuegel@fws.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Applicants plan to implement watershed
improvements that are expected to improve soil stability and hydrologic
function in the Leslie Canyon Watershed above the Leslie Canyon
National Wildlife Refuge. These watershed improvements, will enhance
and maintain existing habitat, create additional habitats, and
reestablish populations of the beautiful shiner, Chiricahua leopard
frog, Huachuca water umbel, Yaqui catfish, Yaqui chub, and Yaqui
topminnow on the Applicants'private lands (approximately 9,050 mi\2\
[23,440 km\2\]) in Cochise County, Arizona. The SHA is expected to
provide a net conservation benefit to the beautiful shiner, Chiricahua
leopard frog, Huachuca water umbel, Yaqui catfish, Yaqui chub, and
Yaqui topminnow.
The draft SHA and permit application are eligible for categorical
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, based
upon completion of a draft Environmental Assessment.
Section 9 of the Act prohibits the ``taking'' of threatened or
endangered species. However, the Service, under limited circumstances,
may issue permits to take threatened and endangered wildlife species
incidental to, and not the purpose of, otherwise lawful activities.
We provide this notice under section 10(c) of the Act (16 U.S.C.
1531 et seq.) and its implementing regulations (50 CFR 17.22), and the
National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4371 et seq.) and its
implementing regulations (40 CFR 1506.6).
Christopher T. Jones,
Acting Regional Director, Region 2, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. E8-7690 Filed 4-10-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-55-P