[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 2 (Monday, January 5, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 249-250]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-078]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Availability of an Environmental Assessment/Habitat Conservation 
Plan and Receipt of Application for Incidental Take Permit for Ranching 
and Related Activities on El Coronado Ranch (1,920 Acres) and 
Associated Grazing Allotments (13,284 Acres)(PRT-837858), on West 
Turkey Creek, Cochise County, Arizona

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The El Coronado Ranch (Applicant) has applied to the Fish and 
Wildlife Service (Service) for an incidental take permit pursuant to 
Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act (Act). The Applicant 
has also requested unlisted-species provisions in an Implementing 
Agreement (Agreement) to cover species of concern found in the planning 
area. The Applicant has been assigned permit number PRT-837858. The 
requested permit, which is for a period of 25 years, would authorize 
incidental take of the endangered Yaqui chub (Gila purpurea) and the 
threatened Yaqui catfish (Ictalurus pricei). The unlisted species 
provision provides for the issuance of further permits for the 
incidental take of species not presently listed under the Act, but 
which might become listed during the term of the proposed permit. The 
unlisted species covered by the Habitat Conservation Plan is the Yaqui 
form of longfin dace (Agosia chrysogaster). The proposed take is on the 
1,920 acres of private land and would occur from ranching and related 
activities on the El Coronado Ranch, Cochise County, Arizona. 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<Copyright> 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 February 4, 1998.

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 Doug Duncan, Tucson 
Suboffice, Arizona

[[Page 250]]

Ecological Services Field Office, 300 West Congress, Room 4D, Tucson, 
Arizona 85701 (520-670-4860), or Angie Brooks, Arizona Ecological 
Services Field Office, 2321 West Royal Palm Road, Suite 103, Phoenix, 
Arizona 85021, (602-640-2720; Fax 602-640-2730). Documents will be 
available for public inspection by written request, by appointment 
only, during normal business hours (7:30 to 4:30), U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Tucson or Phoenix, Arizona. Written data or comments 
concerning the application and EA/HCP should be submitted to the Field 
Supervisor, Ecological Services Field Office, Phoenix, Arizona (see 
address above). Please refer to permit number PRT-837858 when 
submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doug Duncan at the above Tucson 
Suboffice.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 9 of the Act prohibits the 
``taking'' of threatened and endangered species such as the Yaqui 
catfish and Yaqui chub. However, the Service, under limited 
circumstances, may issue permits to take threatened or 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.
    The EA considers the environmental consequences of two 
alternatives, including the proposed action. Three other alternatives 
were explored, but were rejected as unworkable. The proposed action 
alternative is issuance of the incidental take permit and 
implementation of the HCP as submitted by the Applicant. The HCP 
provides for a strategy to conserve the listed and unlisted Plan 
Species and to restore watershed health in the West Turkey Creek 
drainage. The HCP is designed to provide a net benefit to the Plan 
Species. The HCP has stipulations for monitoring of species populations 
and habitats and functioning of the HCP. The HCP also provides for 
funding the mitigation measures and monitoring. The Service 
specifically requests comment on the appropriateness of the ``No 
Surprises'' assurances contained in this application.
    Applicant: El Coronado Ranch plans to pursue ranching and related 
activities on 1,920 acres of private land and 13,284 acres of leased 
grazing allotments. The anticipated incidental take will occur on 
ponds, ditches, and associated structures on private land. El Coronado 
Ranch is located in the West Turkey Creek watershed of the Chiricahua 
Mountains, Cochise County, Arizona.
Renne Lohoefener,
Acting Regional Director, Region 2, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 98-078 Filed 1-2-98; 8:45 am]
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