The Federal Register

California Aqueduct Operation and Maintenance Project in Kings and Kern County, San Joaquin Valley, CA

Thu, Dec 13 2007 11:00:00 GMT

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce that the California Department of Water Resources San Joaquin Field Division (Applicant) has applied for an incidental take permit pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We are considering the issuance of a 30year permit to the Applicant that would authorize take of 20 species incidental to the Applicant's proposed operation and maintenance activities on sections of the California Aqueduct and Coastal Branch Phase 1 canal, as well as seven pumping plants and two Operations and Maintenance centers within the San Joaquin Field Divisions jurisdiction in Kern and Kings County, California. These activities within the 11,816acre project area would result in the loss of up to 360 acres of permanent habitat loss to covered species habitat and 935 acres of temporary impacts to covered species habitat.

We request comments from the public on the permit application and an Environmental Assessmen

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Permits

Thu, Dec 13 2007 11:00:00 GMT

Between June 1, 2005, and September 30, 2007, the Pacific Region of the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) issued 18 permits for enhancement of survival or incidental take of threatened and endangered species. These permits were issued pursuant to sections 10(a)(1)(A) and 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Copies of the permits and associated decision documents are available upon request.

Notice of Intent To Conduct a Public Scoping Meeting and Perform an Environmental Review for the Kaua`i Island

Thu, Dec 13 2007 11:00:00 GMT

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) intends to conduct public scoping necessary to gather information to prepare an environmental assessment (EA) or environmental impact statement (EIS) (collectively referred to as ``environmental document'') for a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) being prepared by the Kaua`i Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC). The draft HCP is being prepared under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). KIUC intends to apply for an incidental take permit under the ESA to authorize take of the federally endangered Hawaiian Petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis), the federally threatened Newell's Shearwater (Puffinus auricularis newelli), and the Bandrumped Storm Petrel (Oceanodroma castro), a Federal candidate for listing that could become listed during the term of the permit (collectively referred to as the ``Covered Species''). This notice is provided to (1) describe the proposed action and possible altern