Federal Register: October 3, 2000 (Volume 65, Number 192)
DOCID: FR Doc 00-25325
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
NOTICE: NOTICES
ACTION: Environmental statements; availability, etc.:
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Notice of Receipt of an Application and Availability of an Environmental Assessment/Habitat Conservation Plan for Issuance of an Endangered Species Act Section 10(a)(a)(B) Permit for a Permit for the Incidental Take of the Houston Toad (Bufo houstonensis) During Construction of One Permanent Single Family Residence and a Pond on Approximately 4.5 Acres of the 89-Acre Tract of Land Located Off of Cottletown Road, Bastrop County, Texas
DATES: Written comments on the application should be received on or before December 4, 2000.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
Robert Gilfillan (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 TE0338870. 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 permanent single family residence, one temporary home, and one pond on 4.5 acres of the 89acre tract of land located off of Cottletown Road, 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 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).
SUMMARY:
Incidental take permits—; Bastrop County, TX; Houston toad,
SUPPLEMENTAL 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
Robert Gilfillan plans to construct a permanent single family
residence, a temporary home (trailer/mobile home) and a pond on 4.5
acres of the 893acre tract of land located off of Cottletown Road,
Bastrop County, Texas. The temporary home will occupy approximately 0.5 acres and will be
[[Page 59011]]
used during construction of the permanent residence and pond. Once
completed it is anticipated the temporary home will be removed. This
action will eliminate 4.5 acres or less of Houston toad habitat and
result in indirect impacts within the property. The applicant proposes
to compensate for this incidental take of the Houston toad by providing
$6,000.00 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. 0025325 Filed 10200; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 451055U
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Scott Rowin at the above U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Austin Office.