Extension of Comment Period for an Amendment to the Permit Allowing Incidental Take of the Threatened Desert Tortoise by Clark County and the Cities of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, and Boulder City, NV

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Extension of Comment Period for an Amendment to the Permit

Allowing Incidental Take of the Threatened Desert Tortoise by Clark

County and the Cities of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, and

Boulder City, NV

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service (Service), Clark County, and the cities of Las Vegas, North Las

Vegas, Henderson, and Boulder City, Nevada, (applicants) have extended

the comment period for an amendment to their existing permit (PRT

756260) authorizing incidental take of desert tortoises (Gopherus

agassizii), pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species

Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The proposed amendment would extend the

term of the existing permit 1 year, to July 31, 1995, and allow

disturbance of 8,000 additional acres within the existing permit area.

The number of desert tortoises taken would not increase above what is

currently authorized under the existing permit, which is up to 3,710

tortoises. The permit application is accompanied by amendments to the

Habitat Conservation Plan and Implementing Agreement. The Service also

extends the comment period for an environmental assessment (EA) for the

proposed amendment to the permit. This notice supplements the notice

for the Availability of an EA and Receipt of an Application for an

Amendment to the Permit Allowing Incidental Take of the Threatened

Desert Tortoise by Clark County and the cities of Las Vegas, North Las

Vegas, Henderson, and Boulder City, Nevada, published in the Federal

Register on May 26, 1994 (59 FR 27295).

DATES: Written comments on the permit amendment application and EA

should be received on or before July 11, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments regarding the application or adequacy of the EA

should be addressed to Mr. David Harlow, Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish

and Wildlife Service, Reno Field Office, 4600 Kietzke Lane, Building C,

room 125, Reno, Nevada 89502. Please refer to permit No. PRT 756260

when submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. Sheryl Barrett, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Reno Field Office,

4600 Kietzke Lane, Building C, Room 125, Reno, Nevada 89502 (702-784-

5227). Individuals wishing copies of the application or EA for review

should immediately contact the above individual. Documents will be

available for public inspection, by appointment, and during normal

business hours at the Reno Field Office (address given above).

Documents will also be available for review at the reference desks of

all public libraries in Clark County, Nevada.

Dated: June 20, 1994.

Marvin L. Plenert,

Regional Director, Region 1, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

[FR Doc. 94-15438 Filed 6-23-94; 8:45 am]

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