The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), in collaboration with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), announced today in the Federal Register the availability for public review of the combined draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) addressing applications by the Broughton Land Company for incidental take permits (ITPs) for three federally listed aquatic species (bull trout, Chinook salmon, and steelhead).
Publication of these documents opens a 30 day public comment period. All comments must be received on or before April 4, 2008.
"We applaud the Broughton Land Company for doing the difficult yet important work of developing this HCP", said Susan Martin, Supervisor of the FWSs Upper Columbia Fish and Wildlife Office. "This is an important example of good stewardship that will aid in the recovery of the listed species affected. We believe that HCPs are an important tool to conserve endangered species on private lands in the 21st century."
Under section 10 of the Endangered Species Act, private companies whose normal operations could result in the take of a federally listed species may enter into an agreement, called a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). An HCP allows the company to conduct its business with the possibility that listed species may be harmed, but in exchange critical elements of healthy ecosystems are retained. These healthy ecosystems provide habitat for the continued existence of listed and unlisted species.
The Broughton Land Company draft EA/HCP addresses the proposed issuance of ITPs by both Services for farming, grazing, and forestry activities identified in the HCP portion of the draft document. The proposed ITPs would authorize take of three federally listed fish species; bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus), Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), and steelhead (O. mykiss), that may occur incidental to those normal business operations including: (1) agricultural practices, including dry land and irrigated crop production, (2) livestock grazing, and (3) timber harvesting.
The draft EA/HCP identifies HCP alternatives considered by the applicant and under the National Environmental Policy Act, and explains why those alternatives were not selected. The proposed alternative covers approximately 38,000 acres on lands in Columbia County, Washington.
The proposed duration of the ITPs and HCP would be 25 years. Many aspects of the plans conservation strategy are intended to benefit aquatic species and their habitat long into the future. Should the permits be issued, they would include assurances under the Services "No Surprises" regulations. The No Surprises policy assures landowners with approved HCPs that they will not be subject to new regulations if additional species are listed in the future.
The Services request comments from the public on the permit application and the draft EA/HCP, both of which are available for review. The EA/HCP describes the proposed action and the measures the applicant will implement to minimize and mitigate take of the three federally listed fish species.
Please address written comments to the Field Supervisor, Upper Columbia Fish and Wildlife Office, 11103 East Montgomery Drive, Spokane, WA 99206. You may also send comments by facsimile to (509) 891-6748 or by e-mail to fw1broughtonhcp@fws.gov. For further information please contact Michelle Eames, Project Manager, FWS, (509) 893-8010; or Dennis Carlson, Project Manager, NMFS, (360) 753-5828.
Copies of the draft documents are available for public inspection and review during normal business hours at the Upper Columbia Fish and Wildlife Office and at the Dayton Public Library, 111 South 3rd Street, Dayton, WA 99382. You can also request copies by contacting the Services or at the following internet site: http://www.fws.gov/easternwashington. The Services are soliciting comments from State and other Federal agencies, Tribes, and the public on these documents. All comments received will become part of the public record for this proposed action.
