Draft Environmental Assessment/Habitat Conservation Plan and Receipt of Applications for Incidental Take Permits for the Douglas County Board of Commissioners, the Town of Castle Rock and the Town of Parker for the Douglas County Habitat Conservation Plan, in Douglas County, CO

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The Board of Commissioners of the County of Douglas, the Town of Castle Rock and the Town of Parker (Applicants) have each separately applied for an incidental take permit pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended. The requested permits would authorize the incidental take of the federally threatened Preble's meadow jumping mouse, (Zapus hudsonius preblei) (Prebles), through the potential loss and modification of its habitat associated with the otherwise legal construction, use, maintenance, and repair of new and existing public facilities and with habitat improvements, along the mainstem and tributaries to the South Platte River, Plum Creek, and Cherry Creek, in Douglas County, Colorado. The duration of the permit would be 10 years from the date of issuance. We also announce the availability of a document combining the Service's Environmental Assessment (EA) and the Douglas County Habitat Conservation Plan (DCHCP) for public review and comment. The Service requests comments from the public on the permit applications and the EA. The permit applications include the proposed DCHCP and associated draft Implementing Agreement. The DCHCP desc