Receipt of Application for an Incidental Take Permit by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for Proposed Improvements to Gulf State Park Hotel/Convention Center & Pavilion, Gulf Shores, Baldwin County, AL

Resumo

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Applicant) has applied to the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an incidental take permit [ITP] under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 United States Code [U.S.C.] 1531 et seq.), as amended (Act) for the take of Alabama beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus ammobates) (ABM). The proposed take would be incidental to otherwise lawful activities, including the demolition of the current facility, site grading, and construction and development of a new facility. The proposed facility would consist of a seven-story hotel with a total of 350 guest rooms, a beach inn with 100 guest rooms, four beach side cottages with a total of 16 rooms, a new beach pavilion, and other amenities. The proposed project would result in a net gain of 3.16 acres of ABM habitat. The proposed action would involve approval of the Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) developed by the applicant, as required by section 10(a)(2)(B) of the Act, to minimize and mitigate for incidental take of the federally listed endangered Alabama beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus ammobates) (ABM), the threatened green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas),