[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 246 (Friday, December 21, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65981-65982]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-31422]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Receipt of a Permit Application (Nicholson) for Incidental Take 
of the Houston Toad

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: Bruce and Myra Nicholson (Applicants) have applied for an 
incidental take permit (TE-049665-0) pursuant to section 10(a) of the 
Endangered Species Act (Act). The requested permit would authorize the 
incidental take of the endangered Houston toad. The proposed take would 
occur as a result of the construction and occupation of a single-family 
residence on approximately 0.5 acres of a 16.652-acre property on FM 
2104, Bastrop County, Texas.

DATES: Written comments on the application should be received on or 
before January 22, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the application may obtain a copy 
by

[[Page 65982]]

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 Clayton Napier, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, 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 
(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-049665-0 
when submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Clayton Napier 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 
Fish and Wildlife Service (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.
    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).
    Applicant: Bruce and Myra Nicholson plan to construct a single-
family residence, within 5 years, on approximately 0.5 acres of a 
16.652-acre property on FM 2104, 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 Houston Toad Conservation Fund at the National Fish and Wildlife 
Foundation for the specific purpose of land acquisition and management 
within Houston toad habitat.

Bryan Arroyo,
Regional Director, Region 2.
[FR Doc. 01-31422 Filed 12-20-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-55-P