The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California State Parks invite public input in the preparation of an environmental analysis for a proposed Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), which would be a collaborative and comprehensive strategy to balance recreational opportunities with the conservation of rare wildlife, plants, and their habitats at three state park units in the Oceano Dunes District: Pismo State Beach, Ocean Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, and Pismo Lake.
The Service and California State Parks also invite the public to an informational open house at Ramona Garden Park at N 10th St. in Grover Beach on February 7, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The open house will provide an opportunity to meet with Service and State Parks personnel, learn about the HCP and NEPA processes, and provide input.
Habitat conservation plans are required under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for issuance of an incidental take permit. Once finalized, the HCP would outline measures designed to avoid, minimize, and mitigate the effects of covered activities to ensure the conservation, protection, and contributions to the recovery of the federally threatened western snowy plover and California red-legged frog, and the federally endangered California least tern, tidewater goby, Gambel’s watercress, La Graciosa thistle, marsh sandwort, and Nipomo Mesa lupine. The incidental take permit would authorize take of the four animal species listed above.
The Service will accept written comments from January 11 to March 12, 2018 to identify potential issues and concerns, potential impacts, and possible alternatives to be considered to determine whether an Environmental Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is appropriate for our environmental analysis, as required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), based on the complexity of issues identified during and following the public scoping period.
A notice of intent to prepare the environmental analysis including an overview of the proposed action is available for public inspection in the Federal Register Reading Room today and will publish in the Federal Register under Docket No. FWS—R8—ES—2017—N115 on January 11, 2018. The notice will also be available at http://fws.gov/ventura.
The public may submit written comments by one of the following methods:
The Service regularly engages conservation partners, the public, landowners, government agencies, and other stakeholders in our ongoing effort to identify innovative strategies for conserving and recovering species at risk. Working with others is essential to protecting ecosystems that benefit society as a whole.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov/ventura. Connect with our Facebook page, follow our tweets, watch our YouTube Channel, and download photos from our Flickr page.
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