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Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment/Habitat Conservation Plan and Receipt of an Application for a Permit for the Incidental Take of the Houston Toad (Bufo houstonensis) During Construction of Two Single Family Residences on up to 0.5 acres Each of the 0.567-acre Lot 48, Section 8, and of the 0.493-acre Lot 70, Section 8, in the Circle D Country Acres Subdivision, Bastrop County, Texas (Rush)

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.

 [Federal Register: July 17, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 137)]
[Notices]
[Page 44068]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17jy00-77]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment/Habitat
Conservation Plan and Receipt of an Application for a Permit for the
Incidental Take of the Houston Toad (Bufo houstonensis) During
Construction of Two Single Family Residences on up to 0.5 acres Each of
the 0.567-acre Lot 48, Section 8, and of the 0.493-acre Lot 70, Section
8, in the Circle D Country Acres Subdivision, Bastrop County, Texas
(Rush)

SUMMARY: Jim Rush, Green Builder Inc. (Applicant) has applied to the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an incidental take permit
pursuant to Section 10(a) of the Endangered Species Act (Act). The
Applicant has been assigned permit number TE-029949-0. The requested
permit, which is for a period of 5 years, would authorize the
incidental take of the endangered Houston toad (Bufo houstonensis). The
proposed take would occur as a result of the construction and
occupation of two single family residences on up to 0.5 acres each of
the following two lots in the Circle D Country Acres Subdivision,
Bastrop County, Texas: (1) the 0.567-acre Lot 48, Section 8, and, (2)
the 0.493-acre Lot 70, Section 8.
    The Service has prepared the Environmental Assessment/Habitat
Conservation Plan (EA/HCP) for the incidental take application. A
determination of jeopardy to the species or a Finding of No Significant
Impact (FONSI) will not be made until at least 30 days from the date of
publication of this notice. This notice is provided pursuant to Section
10(c) of the Act and National Environmental Policy Act regulations (40
CFR 1506.6).

DATES: Written comments on the application should be received on or
before August 16, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the application may obtain a copy
by writing to the Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103. Persons wishing to review
the EA/HCP may obtain a copy by contacting Tannika Engelhard, U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78758
(512/490-0057). Documents will be available for public inspection by
written request, by appointment only, during normal business hours
(8:00 to 4:30) at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Austin, Texas.
Written data or comments concerning the application and EA/HCP should
be submitted to the Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Austin,
Texas, at the above address. Please refer to permit number TE-029949-0
(Rush) when submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tannika Engelhard at the above U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Austin Office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 9 of the Act prohibits the
``taking'' of endangered species such as the Houston toad. However, the
Service, under limited circumstances, may issue permits to take
endangered wildlife species incidental to, and not the purpose of,
otherwise lawful activities. Regulations governing permits for
endangered species are at 50 CFR 17.22.

Applicant

    Jim Rush, Green Builder, Inc. plans to construct a single family
residence on up to 0.5 acres of the 0.567-acre Lot 48, Section 8 and of
the 0.493-acre Lot 70, Section 8 in the Circle D Country Acres
Subdivision, Bastrop County, Texas. This action will eliminate less
than 1.0 acre (0.5 acres or less per homesite) of Houston toad habitat
and result in indirect impacts within the lot. The Applicant proposes
to compensate for this incidental take of the Houston toad by providing
$3,000.00 ($1,500.00 per homesite) to the National Fish and Wildlife
Foundation for the specific purpose of land acquisition and management
within Houston toad habitat, as identified by the Service.

Renne Lohoefener,
Regional Director, Region 2, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 00-17985 Filed 7-14-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-55-U

 
 

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