Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Notice of Receipt of an Application for an Incidental Take Permit and Availability and Opening of Comment Period for an Environmental Assessment/Habitat Conservation Plan (EA/HCP) for the West Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel in Association With Camp Wilderness Development Project at Snowshoe Mountain Resort, Pocahontas County, WV

Résumé

This notice advises the public that Intrawest Resorts, Inc. (IRI) and Snowshoe Mountain, Inc. (SMI), an affiliate of IRI have applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an incidental take permit (ITP) pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended. The application has been assigned permit number TE-065121. The proposed permit would authorize the incidental take of a federally endangered species, the West Virginia northern flying squirrel (WVNFS) (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus), known to occur on property owned by the Applicants at Snowshoe Mountain Resort, Pocahontas County, West Virginia. The proposed taking is incidental to the planned construction of approximately 55 buildings, access road, shuttle terminal, ski trail and associated infrastructure of Camp Wilderness Development on approximately 51 acres owned by IRI. The permit would be in effect for up to 24 years depending on completion of final build out. The Service announces the receipt of the IRI/SMI ITP application and the availability of the proposed Camp Wilderness Development HCP which accompanies the ITP application, for public comment. In addition, the Service als