Endangered and Threatened Species; Receipt of Amended Incidental Take Permit Application and Amended Habitat Conservation Plan for the Proposed Rooney Ranch Wind Repowering Project, Alameda County, CA; Draft Environmental Assessment

Issuing agencies

Abstract

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application for an amended incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to conduct activities with the potential for take of endangered and threatened species that is incidental to, and not the purpose of, carrying out otherwise lawful activities. We invite comments on the applicant's amended permit application and amended habitat conservation plan (HCP), and the associated environmental assessment, which we have prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act. The amended incidental take permit (ITP) is necessary due to an increase in the project's temporary and permanent impacts and a new applicant for the ITP. In addition, the new applicant would like to add two additional species that have been proposed for Federal listing and request "take" coverage should the species become listed. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on the documents. Before issuing the requested permit, we will take into consideration all comments received.