Extension of the Public Comment PeriodAvailability of an Environmental Assessment and Receipt of an Application for an Incidental Take Permit from Mr. D. Gregory Luce, in Baldwin County, Alabama

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Extension of the Public Comment Period--Availability of an

Environmental Assessment and Receipt of an Application for an

Incidental Take Permit from Mr. D. Gregory Luce, in Baldwin County,

Alabama

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 gives notice that the pubilc

comment period on the environmental assessment/habitat conservation

plan for Mr. D. Gregory Luce's (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-797979. The original 30-day comment period closed on

February 8, 1995 (Federal Register 60:2400-2401). During the original

comment period, numerous public commentors requested an extension to

more fully address the potential impacts to the Bon Secour National

Wildlife Refuge.

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

closed on February 8, 1995, is now extended until March 10, 1995.

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

by writing the Service's Southeast Regional Office, Atlanta, Georgia.

Persons wishing to review the EA or HCP may obtain a copy by writing

the Regional Office or the Jackson, Mississippi, Field Office.

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, EA, or HCP

should be submitted to the Regional Office. Please reference permit

under PRT-797979 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: Will McDearman at the above Jackson,

Mississippi, Field Office.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Alabama Beach Mouse (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.

The sand dune systems 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 have not

been conducted on the Applicant's property. The ABM occupied adjacent

and nearby dunes of the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. Suitable

habitat in the form of secondary and scrub dunes exist on the

Applicant's property. These habitats are likely to be occupied by ABM.

None of the Applicant's property resides in designated critical habitat

for the ABM. Construction of the single family residence on about 0.1-

0.2 acres of the Applicant's property 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.

The EA considers the environmental consequences of three

alternatives. The proposed action alternative is the issuance of the

incidental take permit. This provided for restrictions that include

house placement landward of the frontal crest of the scrub dune line,

establishment of a walkover structure across that scrub dune, a

prohibition against housing or keeping pet cats, scavenger-proof

garbage containers, no landscaping, and the minimization and control of

outdoor lighting. The HCP provides a funding source for these

mitigation measures.

Dated: February 16, 1995.

Noreen K. Clough,

Acting Regional Director.

[FR Doc. 95-4542 Filed 2-23-95; 8:45 am]

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