Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement in Anticipation of Receiving a Permit Application to Incidentally Take Threatened and Endangered Species in Association With the Kern County Valley Floor Habitat Conservation Plan for Kern County, California

Resumo

The Fish and Wildlife Service has under consideration for approval the draft Kern County Valley Floor Habitat Conservation Plan (Plan) submitted by Kern County, California. This 30-year Plan, developed by Kern County and six other participating agencies, is expected to accompany a future application to the Service for a permit under Section 10(a) of the Endangered Species Act that would authorize incidental take of listed species. In addition, it is expected the applicants will request implementing agreements. It is anticipated that the implementing agreements will include provisions for species that may be listed in the future. In response to the proposed Plan, the Service intends to prepare a joint Environmental Impact Statement/ Environmental Impact Report pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act and the California Environmental Quality Act. The Plan covers about 3,110 square miles of land with major uses including natural open space, oil and gas production, farming, ranching, agricultural water conveyance and storage, urban development and other activities. The Plan addresses various sensitive plant and animal species and their habitats. The Plan creates a framework fo