[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 249 (Tuesday, December 30, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67887-67888]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33848]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Receipt of an 
Application for an Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit for 
the Meadowlark Estates Project in San Diego County, CA

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: SunCal Companies has applied to the Fish and Wildlife Service 
for a permit to incidentally take the threatened coastal California 
gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica) under the authority of 
section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. 
The permit would authorize the incidental take of one pair of 
gnatcatchers and 12.3 acres of its habitat in the City of San Marcos, 
San Diego County, California in conjunction with urban development. As 
part of its permit application, SunCal Companies has prepared a Habitat 
Conservation Plan (Plan). This notice announces the availability of the 
Plan and an Environmental Assessment, and describes the proposed action 
and possible alternatives, solicits written comments, and identifies 
the Service official to whom questions and comments concerning the 
Service's proposed action to issue the permit may be directed.
    This notice is provided pursuant to section 10(a) of the Endangered 
Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act regulations (40 CFR 
1506.6). All comments received, including names and addresses, will 
become part of the official administrative record and may be made 
available to the public.

DATES: Written comments on the Plan and Environmental Assessment should 
be received by the Service on or before January 29, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments regarding the permit application or adequacy of the 
Environmental Assessment should be addressed to the Field Supervisor, 
Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office, 2730 Loker Avenue West, Carlsbad, 
California 92008. Written comments may be sent by facsimile to 
telephone (760) 431-9618.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Julie Vanderwier, Fish and 
Wildlife Biologist, at the above Carlsbad address; telephone (760) 431-
9440. Individuals wishing copies of the permit application or 
Environmental Assessment for review should immediately contact the 
above office. Documents will also be available for public inspection by 
appointment during normal business hours (8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. 
to 5 p.m.) Monday through Friday at the above Carlsbad address.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 9 of the Endangered Species Act and 
Federal regulation prohibit the ``taking'' of a species listed as 
endangered or threatened. However, the Service, under limited 
circumstances, may issue permits to ``incidentally take'' listed 
species, which is take that is incidental to, and not the purpose of, 
otherwise lawful activities. Regulations governing permits for 
threatened species are promulgated in 50 CFR 17.32; regulations 
governing permits for endangered species are promulgated in 50 CFR 
17.22.
    The Service has under consideration the approval of the Plan and 
issuance of an Endangered Species Act incidental take permit for the 
Meadowlark Estates project, a 198.1-acre residential development, in 
the City of San Marcos, San Diego County, California. The Plan was 
prepared by HELIX Environmental Planning, Inc., and addresses the loss 
of 12.3 acres of Diegan coastal sage scrub habitat for up to one pair 
of coastal California gnatcatchers as a result of constructing 220 
single-family estates and 62 single-family homes on approximately 125 
acres. Mitigation measures in the Plan include on-site preservation of 
Diegan coastal sage scrub and other native plant communities, 
restoration of orchards and manufactured slopes by hydroseeding with 
coastal sage scrub plant species, and off-site acquisition of 16.35 
acres of land in a key location within a regional open space corridor. 
A Negative Declaration, prepared pursuant to the California 
Environmental Quality Act, was certified for this project by the City 
of San Marcos City Council on May 14, 1996.
    The Plan and Environmental Assessment consider six alternatives 
including the Plan Alternative, a No Action Alternative and 
alternatives of larger and lesser scope, four of which were selected 
for detailed analysis.
    This notice is provided pursuant to section 10(a) of the Endangered 
Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). The Service will evaluate the application, 
associated documents, and submitted comments to determine whether the 
application meets the requirements of the National Environmental Policy 
Act regulations and section 10(a) of the Endangered Species Act. If it 
is determined that the requirements are met, a permit will be issued 
for the incidental take of the

[[Page 67888]]

listed species. The final permit decision will be made no sooner than 
30 days from the date of this notice.

    Dated: December 22, 1997.
Thomas Dwyer,
Acting Regional Director, Region 1, Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 97-33848 Filed 12-29-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P