Incidental Take Permit and Habitat Conservation Plan for Cyanotech Corporation

Cyanotech Corporation (Cyanotech) has applied to the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an incidental take permit pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The Service proposes to issue a 3-year permit to Cyanotech that would authorize take (harm, harassment, death or injury) of the endangered Hawaiian stilt, (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni) incidental to otherwise lawful activities. Such take would occur as a result of ongoing operation and maintenance of Cyanotech Corporation's acquaculture facility at Keahole Point on the island of Hawaii. We request comments from the public on the permit application which includes a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) for the Hawaiian stilt. We also request comments on our preliminary determination that the Cyanotech HCP qualifies as a ``low-effect'' habitat conservation plan, eligible for a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act.