[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 89 (Wednesday, May 8, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20159-20160]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-09432]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R1-ES-2019-N031; FXES11140100000-190-FF01E00000]
Capitol Boulevard Infrastructure Improvements Habitat
Conservation Plan and Environmental Assessment for the Olympia
Subspecies of the Mazama Pocket Gopher, Thurston County, Washington;
Reopening of the Public Comment Period
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of availability; reopening of the public comment period.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are
announcing a new deadline for submittal of public comments on draft
documents prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Service received
an application from the City of Tumwater Public Works Department for an
incidental take permit pursuant to the ESA. The applicant has requested
a permit that would authorize ``take'' of the threatened Olympia pocket
gopher incidental to construction of safety and infrastructure
improvements in Thurston County, Washington. The application includes a
HCP that describes the actions the applicant will take to minimize and
mitigate the impacts of the taking on the covered species. A Federal
Register notice of availability for the HCP and the draft environmental
assessment (EA) addressing the HCP was published on December 26, 2018.
As a result of the U.S. government partial lapse in appropriations, the
website cited in the notice was not updated during the
[[Page 20160]]
entire comment period. In response, we are allowing additional time for
public input on these draft documents. If you submitted a comment
already, you need not resubmit it.
DATES: To ensure consideration, please submit written comments by May
23, 2019.
ADDRESSES: To request further information or submit written comments,
please use one of the following methods:
Internet: You may view or download copies of the HCP and
draft EA and obtain additional information on the internet at http://www.fws.gov/wafwo/.
Email: wfwocomments@fws.gov. Include ``Tumwater Capitol
Boulevard Safety and Infrastructure Improvements HCP/EA'' in the
subject line of the message.
U.S. Mail: Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-R1-ES-
2019-N031; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Washington Fish and Wildlife
Office; 510 Desmond Drive SE, Suite 102; Lacey, WA 98503.
In-Person Drop-off, Viewing, or Pickup: Call 360-753-5823
to make an appointment (necessary for viewing or picking up documents
only) during regular business hours at the above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Romanski, Conservation Planning
and Hydropower Branch Manager, Washington Fish and Wildlife Office (see
ADDRESSES); 360-753-5823 (telephone). If you use a telecommunications
device for the deaf, please call the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-
8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We are announcing a new deadline for
submittal of public comments on two draft documents prepared in
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C.
4321 et seq.) and section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act
(ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). A Federal Register notice of
availability for a draft environmental assessment (EA) addressing a
habitat conservation plan (HCP) being developed by the City of Tumwater
Public Works Department in support of its application for an ESA
incidental take permit was published on December 26, 2018 (83 FR
66292). Public comments on these documents were due by January 25,
2019. However, due to a partial lapse in Federal budget appropriations,
the draft HCP and EA were not made available to the public on the
website referenced in the notice of availability. Consequently, we are
reopening the public comment period for an additional 15 calendar days.
Reopening the comment period will allow the public an opportunity to
review the proposed HCP and EA, which are now available on the
referenced website, which is http://www.fws.gov/wafwo/. We invite the
public to review and comment on both documents. The notice of
availability contains additional background information, which is not
repeated here.
Authority
We provide this notice in accordance with the requirements of
section 10 of the ESA and NEPA and their implementing regulations (50
CFR 17.22 and 40 CFR 1506.6, respectively).
Mary M. Abrams,
Deputy Regional Director, Pacific Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-09432 Filed 5-7-19; 8:45 am]
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