Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants: Notice of Receipt of an Application for an Incidental Take Permit (ITP) and Availability and Opening of Comment Period for a Draft Environment Assessment (EA) Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) for the West Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel in Association With Snowshoe Mountain, Incorporated, Pocahontas County, WV

Résumé

This notice advises the public that Snowshoe Mountain, Incorporated (SMI) has applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an ITP pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), as amended. The application has been assigned permit number TE-102380. 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 throughout the property owned by the applicant at Snowshoe Mountain Resort, Pocahontas County, West Virginia. The proposed taking is incidental to a planned recreation and infrastructure expansion project on approximately 43 acres owned by SMI. The permit would be in effect for up to 10 years depending on completion of the proposed activities. The Service announces the receipt of the SMI ITP application and the availability of the proposed Recreation and Infrastructure Expansion at Snowshoe Mountain HCP which accompanies the ITP application, for public comment. In addition, the Service also announces the availability of a draft EA for the proposed issuance of the ITP. This notice is provided pursuant to the sect