[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 188 (Thursday, September 26, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50503-50504]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24677]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Notice of Decision and Availability of Decision Documents on the
Issuance of Permits for Incidental Take of Threatened and Endangered
Species
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that a decision has been made,
incidental take permits have been issued, and decision documents are
available, upon request, for 11 applications for permits to
incidentally take threatened and endangered species, pursuant to the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. Take would occur incidental
to otherwise lawful land use activitities (planned urban growth and
associated infrastructure) within the planning area of the Natural
Community Conservation Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan for the Central
and Coastal Subregion of Orange County, California.
ADDRESSES: Individuals wishing copies of the Record of Decision,
Biological/Conference Opinion, or Findings and Recommendations should
contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Carlsbad Field Office, 2730
Loker Avenue West, Carlsbad, California 92008.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Gail Kobetich, Field Supervisor,
at the
[[Page 50504]]
above address; telephone (619) 431-9440.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Decision
Based on the Natural Community Conservation Plan/Habitat
Conservation Plan for the Central and Coastal Subregion of Orange
County, California, as described in the Final Environmental Impact
Report/Environmental Impact Statement, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service has adopted the Preferred Alternative and issued incidental
take permits to the following 11 applicants, subject to certain
conditions therein:
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Issuance
Name Permit No. date
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The Irvine Company............................ 810191 7/10/96
Irvine Ranch Water District................... 810567 7/10/96
Orange County................................. 810569 7/10/96
Southern California Edison Company............ 810572 7/10/96
Transportation Corridor Agencies.............. 810574 7/10/96
University of California-Irvine............... 810575 7/10/96
Metropolitan Water District of Southern
California................................... 810579 7/10/96
Santiago Water District....................... 810580 7/10/96
Chandis Securities Company.................... 810581 7/10/96
M.H. Sherman Company.......................... 810582 7/10/96
Sherman Foundation............................ 810583 7/10/96
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These permits authorize the incidental take of seven species listed
as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act, of 1973,
as amended: the threatened coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila
californica californica), and the endangered American peregrine falcon
(Falco peregrinus anatum), least Bell's vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus),
southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax trailliiextimus), Arroyo toad
(Bufo microscaphus californicus), Riverside fairy shrimp
(Streptocephalus wootoni), and Pacific pocket mouse (Perognathus
longimembris pacificus). These permits also authorize the future
incidental take, should it be necessary, of 37 currently unlisted
species, effective upon listing.
Rationale for Decision
This decision is based on a thorough review of the environmental
consequences of the action and three alternatives. Implementation of
the Natural Community Conservation Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan for
the Central and Coastal Subregion of Orange County was selected as the
Preferred Alternative based on consideration of environmental, social,
and economic factors. This alternative provides for the establishment
of a comprehensive 37,378-acre reserve system for the coastal sage
scrub ecosystem in the subregion which will be managed in perpetuity to
provide long-term benefits to 44 species and their habitats. This
alternative also accommodates necessary and compatible land uses within
the subregion while avoiding significant environmental impacts.
Implementation of this alternative is assured through an Implementation
Agreement (legal contract) among the 11 permittees, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, and California Department of Fish and Game. By
adopting the Preferred Alternative with its assurances that the Natural
Community Conservation Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan for the Central
and Coastal Subregion of Orange County will be implemented, all
practicable means to avoid or minimize the impacts of the taking have
been adopted.
The permits were granted only after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service determined that each permit was applied for in good faith; that
all permit issuance criteria were met, including the requirement that
granting the permits will not jeopardize the continued existence of the
species; and that the permits are consistent with the purposes and
policies set forth in the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.
Dated: September 13, 1996.
Thomas Dwyer,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 96-24677 Filed 9-25-96; 8:45 am]
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