DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR  

Fish and Wildlife Service

Notice of Intent to Prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement on a Proposed Incidental Take Permit for the Na Pua Makani Project, Kahuku, Hawaii  

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.  

ACTION: Notice of intent; announcement of public scoping meeting; request for comments.  

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to conduct public scoping under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to gather information to prepare a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) related to an incidental take permit (ITP) application that Champlin Hawaii Wind Holdings, LLC (Champlin) intends to submit to the Service pursuant to the requirements of section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The proposed permit would authorize the incidental take of listed species caused by the construction and operation of 2 Champlin’s proposed Na Pua Makani Project (Project) near Kahuku, Hawaii, for production of wind-generated electrical energy on the island of Oahu. In accordance with ESA requirements for an ITP, Champlin is preparing a habitat conservation plan (HCP) to minimize and mitigate the impacts of take of the covered species likely to be caused by the Project. The DEIS will address the impacts of, and alternatives to, issuance of the ITP and implementation of the HCP to determine if these actions may significantly affect the human environment. This notice initiates the public scoping period for the DEIS during which we invite other agencies and the public to attend a public meeting and submit oral and written comments that provide suggestions and information on the scope of issues and alternatives that should addressed in the DEIS. 

DATES: A public scoping meeting will be held on November 13, 2013, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Kahuku Village Association Community Center, 56576 Kamehameha Highway, Kahuku, Hawaii 96731. The public is invited to provide oral and written comments at this meeting related to our preparation of a DEIS for this proposed permit action. To ensure consideration of written comments, please send your written comments on or before [INSERT DATE 30 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].

ADDRESSES: Comments concerning the issuance of the ITP, the development of the Na Pua Makani HCP and the preparation of the associated DEIS should be identified as such, and may be submitted by one of the following methods: 3   

• Email: NaPuaMakanihcp@fws.gov. Include “Na Pua Makani HCP and DEIS” in the subject line of the message;

• U.S. Mail: Loyal Mehrhoff, Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Islands Fish and Wildlife Office, 300 Ala Moana Boulevard, Room 3-122, Honolulu, Hawaii 96850;

• In-Person Drop-off, Viewing, or Pickup: Written comments will be accepted at the public meeting on November 13, 2013, or can be dropped off during regular business hours at the above address on or before [INSERT DATE 30 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]; or

• Written comments can also be faxed (Fax: (808) 792–9581, Attn.: Loyal Mehrhoff) to the Service on or before [INSERT DATE 30 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Loyal Mehrhoff or Aaron Nadig, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (see ADDRESSES above); by telephone (808) 792–9400; or by email at NaPuaMakanihcp@fws.gov . If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf, please call the Federal Information Relay Service at (800) 877–8339.

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Covered Species

Champlin intends to seek incidental take coverage for the following five federally-listed threatened and endangered species:

• Newell’s shearwater (Puffinus auricularis newelli)–Threatened;

• Hawaiian coot (Fulica americana alai)–Endangered;

• Hawaiian common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus sandvicensis)–Endangered;

• Hawaiian stilt (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni)–Endangered; and

• Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus)–Endangered.  

The following State-listed endangered species may also be included as a covered species in Champlin’s proposed HCP:

• pueo or Hawaiian short-eared owl (Asio flammeus sandwichensis).  

The final list of covered species may include the above listed species, a subset, or additional species, based on the outcome of the planning process....

READ ... Entire Announcement

READ ... Federal Register Announcement (pg2)

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