Jump to main content.

Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment/Habitat Conservation Plan for Issuance of an Endangered Species Act Section 10(a)(1)(B) Permit for the Incidental Take of the Houston Toad During Construction of a Single Family Residence on Two Lots in the Circle D Country Acres Subdivision, Bastrop County, Texas

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

 




[Federal Register: February 4, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 24)]
[Notices]
[Page 5653-5654]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04fe00-103]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE


Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment/Habitat
Conservation Plan for Issuance of an Endangered Species Act Section
10(a)(1)(B) Permit for the Incidental Take of the Houston Toad During
Construction of a Single Family Residence on Two Lots in the Circle D
Country Acres Subdivision, Bastrop County, Texas

SUMMARY: Cornerstone Construction (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-021793. 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 one single family residence on Lot 17, Section 5 and Lot
21, Section 6 in the Circle D Country Acres Subdivision, Bastrop
County, Texas.
    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 before 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 March 6, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the application may obtain a copy
by writing to the Regional Director, US 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, Ecological
Services Field Office, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, Texas
78758 (512/490-0057). Documents will be available for public inspection
by written request or by appointment only during normal business hours
(8:00 to 4:30) at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Austin, Texas.
Written data or comments concerning the application and EA/HCP should
be submitted to the Field Supervisor, Ecological Services Field Office,
Austin, Texas at the above address. Please refer to permit number TE-
021793 when submitting comments.

[[Page 5654]]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tannika Engelhard at the above Austin
Ecological Service Field 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

    Cornerstone Construction plans to construct one single family
residence each on Lot 17, Section 5 and Lot 21, Section 6 in the Circle
D Country Acres Subdivision, Bastrop County, Texas. This action will
eliminate less than one acre of habitat and result in an unquantifiable
amount of indirect impact. The applicant proposes to compensate for
this incidental take of the Houston Toad by contributing $3,000.00
($1,500.00 for each 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.
    Alternatives to this action were rejected because not developing
the subject property with federally listed species present was not
economically feasible and alteration of the project design would not
alter the level of impacts.

Thomas L. Bauer,
Regional Director, Region 2, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 00-2462 Filed 2-3-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-55-U

 
 

Local Navigation

Jump to main content.