[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 75 (Monday, April 20, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 19507]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-10065]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Extension of 
Comment Period for Availability of an Environmental Assessment/Habitat 
Conservation Plan and Receipt of Application for Incidental Take Permit 
for the City of Austin for the Operation and Maintenance of Barton 
Springs Pool and Adjacent Springs

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior

ACTION: Notice: extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) provides notice 
that the public comment period is extended for a Section 10(a)(1)(B) 
permit. The City of Austin has applied to the Service for an incidental 
take permit pursuant to Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species 
Act (Act). The applicant has been assigned permit number PRT-839031. 
The requested permit, which is for a period of 15 years, would 
authorize incidental take of the endangered Barton Springs salamander 
(Eurycea sosorum). The proposed take would occur as a result of the 
operation and maintenance of Barton Springs Pool and adjacent springs 
in Austin, Travis County, Texas.
    The City of Austin has prepared the Environmental Assessment/
Habitat Conservation Plan (EA/HCP) for the incidental take application. 
Neither a determination of whether jeopardy to the species is likely to 
occur, nor a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) will be made 
before April 30, 1998. 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 April 30, 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 Matthew Lechner, Austin 
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, by appointment only, during normal 
business hours (7:30 to 4:30) at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
Austin Ecological Services Office, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, 
Austin, Texas 78758 (512-490-0057). Written data or comments concerning 
the application and EA/HCP should be submitted to the Field Supervisor, 
Ecological Services Field Office, Austin, Texas (see address above). 
Please refer to permit number PRT-839031 when submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matthew Lechner at the above Austin 
Field Office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 9 of the Act prohibits the 
``taking'' of threatened and endangered species such as the Barton 
Springs salamander. However, the Service, under limited circumstances, 
may issue permits to take threatened or endangered wildlife species 
when such taking is incidental to, and not the purpose of, otherwise 
lawful activities. Regulations governing permits for endangered species 
are at 50 CFR 17.22.
    Applicant: The City of Austin plans to operate Barton Springs pool 
and the adjacent springs in Austin, Travis County, Texas. This action 
may cause the incidental take of less than 20 salamanders per year for 
the 15-year term of the permit. The applicant proposed to minimize and 
mitigate for the incidental take of the Barton Springs salamander by 
placing 10 percent of the total revenues generated at Barton Springs 
Pool into a conservation fund. The fund would be used for enhancing 
habitat and for ecological and biological research on the included 
habitat conservation plan. In addition, mitigation measures are 
included in the Habitat Conservation Plan.

Nancy M. Kaufman,
Regional Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 98-10065 Filed 4-17-98; 8:45 am]
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