Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Issuance of Permits, to Incidentally Take Threatened and Endangered Species, to the City of Sacramento and Sutter County in Association with a revised Natomas Basin Habitat Conservation Plan, Sacramento and Sutter Counties, California

Resumen

The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), is considering approval of a revised Natomas Basin Habitat Conservation Plan (Plan) and re-issuance of an Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit (Permit), under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act, to the City of Sacramento (City) and issuing a Permit to Sutter County. These municipalities have the majority of land use authority in the Natomas Basin. The permit would authorize incidental take of listed species and unlisted species that may be listed in the future. Incidental take of listed species could occur as a result of urban development, certain on-going rice farming activities, and management of habitat reserves. Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act, the Service intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement addressing the proposed action of approving the Plan and issuing Permits. The Plan covers the entire 53,341-acre Natomas Basin, including portions of the City and Sacramento and Sutter Counties that occur within the basin. The Environmental Impact Statement will also serve as an Environmental Impact Report under the California Environmental Quality Act. The Plan addresses the incidental take