Extension of the Public Comment PeriodAvailability of an Environmental Assessment and Receipt of an Application for an Incidental Take Permit From Aronov Realty and Management Inc., in Baldwin County, AL

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

Extension of the Public Comment Period--Availability of an

Environmental Assessment and Receipt of an Application for an

Incidental Take Permit From Aronov Realty and Management Inc., in

Baldwin County, AL

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of extension of the public comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) gives notice that the

public comment period on the environmental assessment/habitat

conservation plan for the Aronov Realty and Management Incorporated

(Applicant) application for an incidental take permit pursuant to

Section 10(a) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) is being extended.

The Applicant has been assigned permit number PRT-802986. The original

30-day comment period was to end on June 30, 1995 (Federal Register

60:28428). In the intervening period, the Applicant has proposed

certain additional mitigation and minimization measures to fully

address the potential impacts to the Bon Secour National Wildlife

Refuge and the endangered Alabama Beach mouse (ABM).

DATES: The public comment period for this proposal, which originally

closed on June 30, 1995, is now extended until July 14, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the application, Environmental

Assessment, or Habitat Conservation Plan may obtain a copy by writing

the Service's Southeast Regional Office, Atlanta, Georgia. 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, Environmental

Assessment, or Habitat Conservation Plan 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: Rick G. Gooch at the Atlanta, Georgia,

Regional Office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 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

[[Page 32162]] 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

than 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 Environmental Assessment 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,

creation of a mitigation endowment for offsite acquisition of suitable

ABM habitat, and the minimization and control of outdoor lighting. The

Habitat Conservation Plan 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: June 13, 1995.

Jerome M. Butler,

Acting Regional Director.

[FR Doc. 95-15012 Filed 6-19-95; 8:45 am]

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