[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 104 (Wednesday, May 31, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Page 28428]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-13207]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service


Availability of an Environmental Assessment and Receipt of an 
Application for an Incidental Take Permit From Aronov Realty Management 
Incorporated, in Baldwin County, Alabama

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Aronov Realty Management Incorporated, (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 proposed permit would authorize for a period of 30 years 
the incidental take of an endangered species, the Alabama beach mouse 
(Peromyscus polionotus ammobates), known to occupy a 52-acre tract of 
land owned by the Applicant in Baldwin County, Alabama. The Application 
proposed to construct a project known as Martinique, which will include 
two 18-unit mid-rise residential buildings, their associated landscaped 
grounds and parking areas, a beach club recreation amenity, and two 
dune walkover structures (Project).
    The Service also announces the availability of an environmental 
assessment (EA) and habitat conservation plan (HCP) for the incidental 
take application. Copies of the EA or HCP may be obtained by making 
requests to the addresses below. 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 permit application, EA and HCP should be 
received on or before June 30, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the application may obtain a copy 
by writing the Service's Southeast Regional Office, Atlanta, Georgia. 
Persons wishing to review the EA or HCP may obtain a copy by writing 
the Regional Office or the Jackson, Mississippi, Field Office. Requests 
must be in writing to properly process requests. Documents will also be 
available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business 
hours at the Regional Office, or the Field Office. Written data or 
comments concerning the application, EA, or HCP should be submitted to 
the Regional Office. Please reference permit under PRT--802986 in such 
comments.
    Regional Permit Coordinator (TE), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
1875 Century Boulevard, Suite 210, Atlanta, Georgia 30345, (telephone 
404/679-7110, FAX 404/679-7280).
    Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 6578 Dogwood View 
Parkway, Suite A, Jackson, Mississippi 39213 (telephone 601/965-4900, 
FAX 601/965-4340).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Will McDearman at the above 
Jackson, Mississippi, Field Office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Alabama beach mouse (ABM), Peromyscus 
polionotus ammobates, is a subspecies of the common oldfield mouse 
Peromyscus polionotus and is restricted to the dune systems of the Gulf 
Coast of Alabama. The known current range of ABM extends from Fort 
Morgan eastward to the western terminus of Alabama Highway 182, 
including the Perdue Unit on the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge 
(BSNWR). The sand dune systems inhabited by this species are not 
uniform; several habitat types are distinguishable. The species 
inhabits primary dunes, interdune areas, secondary dunes, and scrub 
dunes. The depth and area of these habitats from the beach inland 
varies. Population surveys indicate that this subspecies is usually 
more abundant in primary dunes that in secondary dunes, and usually 
more abundant in secondary dunes than in scrub dunes. Optimal habitat 
consists of dune systems with all dune types. Though fewer ABM inhabit 
scrub dunes, these high dunes can serve as refugia during devastating 
hurricanes that overwash, flood, and destroy or alter secondary and 
frontal dunes. ABM surveys on the Applicant's property reveal habitat 
occupied by ABM. The Applicant's property contains designated critical 
habitat for the ABM. Construction of the Project may result in the 
death of, or injury to, ABM. Habitat alterations due to house placement 
and its subsequent use may reduce available habitat for food, shelter, 
and reproduction. Further, the Applicant's property borders the BSNWR, 
and is considered Priority I lands for inclusion into the Perdue Unit 
(of BSNWR).
    The EA considers the environmental consequences of several 
alternatives. One action proposed is the issuance of the incidental 
take permit. This alternative provides for restrictions that include 
placing landward of the designated ABM critical habitat, establishment 
of a walkover structure across that scrub dune, a prohibition against 
housing or keeping pet cats, ABM competitor control and monitoring 
measures, scavenger-proof garbage containers, restoration of dune 
systems impacted by the construction, and the minimization and control 
of outdoor lighting. The HCP provides a funding source for these 
mitigation measures. Another alternative is Service acquisition of the 
property for inclusion into the BSNWR. A third alternative is no-
action, or deny the request for authorization to incidentally take the 
ABM.

    Dated: May 23, 1995.
Noreen K. Clough,
Regional Director.
[FR Doc. 95-13207 Filed 5-30-95; 8:45 am]
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