[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 79 (Tuesday, April 24, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20675-20676]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-10063]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Environmental Statements; Availability, etc: Incidental Take 
Permits--Travis County, TX; Golden Cheeked Warbler

    Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment/Habitat 
Conservation Plan and Receipt of Application for Incidental Take Permit 
for Construction and Occupation of Residential and Commercial 
Development on Portions of the Approximately 740-acre Ribelin Ranch 
Property, Austin, Travis County, Texas.

SUMMARY: Ribelin Ranch Partners, Ltd., Lucia Francis, and Charles 
Ribelin (Applicants) have applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
(Service) for an incidental take permit pursuant to Section 10(a) of 
the Endangered Species Act (Act). The Application has been assigned 
permit number TE-040090-0. The requested permit, which is for a period 
of 30 years, would authorize the incidental take of the endangered 
golden-cheeked warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia). The proposed take would 
occur as a result of the construction and occupation of residential and 
commercial development on portions of the approximately 740-acre 
Ribelin Ranch Property on R.M. 2222, Austin, Travis County, Texas.
    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 60 days from the date of 
publication of this notice. 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 June 25, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the application may obtain a copy 
by writing to the Regional Director, U.S.

[[Page 20676]]

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 Sybil Vosler, Ecological Services Field Office, 10711 Burnet 
Road, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78758 (512/490-0063). Documents will be 
available for public inspection by written request, by appointment 
only, during normal business hours (8 to 4:30) U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Austin, Texas. Written data or comments concerning the 
application(s) and EA/HCPs should be submitted to the Field Supervisor, 
Ecological Field Office, Austin, Texas at the above address. Please 
refer to permit number TE-040090-0 when submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sybil Vosler at the above Austin 
Ecological Service Field Office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 9 of the Act prohibits the 
``taking'' of endangered species such as the golden-cheeked warbler. 
However, the Service, under limited circumstances, may issue permits to 
take 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.
    Applicant: Ribelin Ranch Partners, Ltd., Lucia Francis, and Charles 
Ribelin plan to construct residential and commercial development on 160 
acres of the approximately 740-acre Ribelin Ranch Property on R.M. 
2222, Austin, Travis County, Texas. This action will indirectly impact 
the habitat of the golden-cheeked warbler. The development will 
eliminate approximately 168 acres of golden-cheeked warbler habitat 
which may result in the take of 10 to 12 golden-cheeked warbler 
territories. The applicant proposes to compensate for this incidental 
take of golden-cheeked warbler habitat by preserving 240 acres of GCW 
habitat in perpetuity; minimization of on-site habitat destruction; 
education and encouragement of the homeowners in the use of 
xeriscaping, clearing only between August 1 to March 1 when the 
warblers are not present; and prohibition of deer and bird feeders that 
encourage the growth of populations of species that parasitize, predate 
or out-compete the golden-cheeked warbler or destroy its habitat. 
Alternatives to this action were rejected because not developing the 
subject property with federally listed species present was not 
economically feasible and alteration of the project design would 
increase the impacts.

Geoffrey L. Haskett,
Acting Regional Director, Region 2, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 01-10063 Filed 4-23-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-55-P