Habitat Conservation Plan for the Mount Hermon June Beetle; Categorical Exclusion for the Encore Development Project; Santa Cruz County, California

Issuing agencies

Abstract

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a draft habitat conservation plan (HCP) and draft categorical exclusion (CatEx) for activities associated with an application for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The ITP would authorize take of the federally endangered Mount Hermon June beetle incidental to activities associated with the Encore Development Project. The applicant developed the draft HCP as part of their application for an ITP. The Service prepared a draft low-effect screening form and environmental action statement in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act to evaluate the potential effects to the natural and human environment resulting from issuing an ITP to the applicant. We invite public comment on these documents.