Public Comment Sought on Proposal to Develop Habitat Conservation Plan for the Lake Erie Water Snake

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service invites the public to comment on a proposal to develop a Habitat Conservation Plan for the Lake Erie water snake, a non-poisonous species listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The Services action is prompted by a private landowners wish to develop residential sites on Long Point on Kelleys in Erie County, Ohio.

Notice of a 30-day comment period on the proposal appears in the July 26, 2001, Federal Register. Public comments will be accepted through August 27, 2001. The Service is asking for input from the public to help determine the appropriate level of review necessary under the National Environmental Policy Act for this proposal. The Service is currently considering whether to develop an Environmental Assessment as part of this action. If no substantive environmental issues are identified, the Service may determine that issuance of an Incidental Take Permit can be done as a categorical exclusion, which means that no environmental document would be prepared.

The Endangered Species Act prohibits take