Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 11 / Wednesday, January 17, 2001 / Notices 4035

Northern riffleshell (Epioblasma

torulosa rangiana), Orange-footed

pimpleback pearlymussel (Plethobasus

cooperianus), Pink mucket

pearlymussel (Lampsilis orbiculata),

Ring pink mussel (Obovaria retusa),

Rough pigtoe (Pleurobema plenum),

Tubercled-blossom pearlymussel

(Epioblasma torulosa torulosa), Purple

cat’s paw pearlymussel (Epioblasma

obliquata obliquata), White cat’s paw

pearlymussel (Epioblasma obliquata

perobliqua), and White wartyback

pearlymussel (Plethobasus cicatricosus).

The applicant requests the permit to

collect the threatened and endangered

mussel species in all areas located

within the Upper Mississippi, Illinois,

and Ohio River watersheds. Activities

are proposed for studies to identify

populations of listed mussel species,

develop methods to minimize or avoid

project related impacts to those

populations, and to identify new

populations of listed unionid species.

The scientific research is aimed at

enhancement of survival of the species

in the wild.

Written data or comments should be

submitted to the Regional Director, U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological

Services Operations, 1 Federal Drive,

Fort Snelling, Minnesota 55111–4056,

and must be received within 30 days of

the date of this publication.

Documents and other information

submitted with this application are

available for review by any party who

requests a copy of such documents from

the following office within 30 days of

the date of publication of this notice:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,

Ecological Services Operations, 1

Federal Drive, Fort Snelling, Minnesota

55111–4056, peter—fasbender@fws.gov,

telephone (612) 713–5343, or FAX (612)

713–5292.

Dated: January 8, 2001.

Charlie Wooley,

Assistant Regional Director, Ecological

Services, Region 3, Fort Snelling, Minnesota.

[FR Doc. 01–1300 Filed 1–16–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310–55–P

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

Notice of Availability of an

Environmental Assessment/Habitat

Conservation Plan

Notice of availability of an

environmental assessment/habitat

conservation plan and receipt of an

application for a permit for the

incidental take of the Houston toad

(Bufo houstonensis) during construction

of one single-Family residence on

approximately 0.5 acres of the 10.02-

Acre property out of the Daniel M.

Wisaman survey, abstract no. A–341,

Bastrop County, Texas (Vasquez).

SUMMARY: Arturo and Yolanda Vasquez

(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 Applicants have been

assigned permit number TE–037190–0.

The requested permit, which is for a

period of 5 years, would authorize the

incidental take of the endangered

Houston toad (Bufo houstonensis). The

proposed take would occur as a result

of the construction of one single-family

residence on approximately 0.5 acres of

the 10.02-acre property out of the Daniel

M. Wisaman Survey, Abstract No. A–

341, Bastrop 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 until at least

30 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 February 16, 2001.

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, Room 4102, Albuquerque, New

Mexico, 87103. Persons wishing to

review the EA/HCP may obtain a copy

by contacting Tannika Engelhard, U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service, 10711 Burnet

Road, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78758

(512/490–0057, Ex. 242). Documents

will be available for public inspection

by written request, by appointment

only, during normal business hours

(8:00 to 4:30) at the U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service, Austin, Texas. Written

data or comments concerning the

application and EA/HCP should be

submitted to the Supervisor, U.S. Fish

and Wildlife Service, Austin, Texas, at

the above address. Please refer to permit

number TE–037190–0 when submitting

comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Tannika Engelhard at the above U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service, Austin

Office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 9

of the Act prohibits the ‘‘taking’’ of

endangered species such as the Houston

toad. 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: Arturo and Yolanda

Vasquez plan to construct a singlefamily residence on approximately 0.5

acres of the 10.02-acre property out of

the Daniel M. Wisaman Survey, Abstract

No. A–341, Bastrop County, Texas. This

action will eliminate 0.5 acres or less of

Houston toad habitat and result in

indirect impacts within the lot. The

Applicants propose to compensate for

this incidental take of the Houston toad

by providing $2,000.00 to the National

Fish and Wildlife Foundation for the

specific purpose of land acquisition and

management within Houston toad

habitat, as identified by the Service.

Bryan Arroyo,

Acting Regional Director, Region 2,

Albuquerque, New Mexico.

[FR Doc. 01–1301 Filed 1–16–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510–55–U

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

Notice of Availability of an

Environmental Assessment/Habitat

Conservation Plan

Notice of availability of an

environmental assessment/habitat

conservation plan and receipt of an

application for a permit for the

incidental take of the Houston toad

(Bufo houstonensis) during construction

of one single-family residence on

approximately 0.5 acres of the 15.245-

acre property on McBride Lane, Bastrop

County, Texas (Wirries).

SUMMARY: James and Bernice Wirries

(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 Applicants have been

assigned permit number TE–037191–0.

The requested permit, which is for a

period of 7 years, would authorize the

incidental take of the endangered

Houston toad (Bufo houstonensis). The

proposed take would occur as a result

of the construction and occupation of

one single-family residence on

approximately 0.5 acres of the 15.245-

acre property on McBride Lane, Bastrop

County, Texas.

The Service has prepared the

Environmental Assessment/Habitat

Conservation Plan (EA/HCP) for the

incidental take application. A