Proposed Low Effect Habitat Conservation Plan for Washington Department of Natural Resources' Commercial Geoduck Fishery

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We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), advise the public that the Washington Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) has applied for an incidental take permit (ITP), pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The requested 50- year permit would authorize the incidental take of covered species associated with WDNR's management of the State's Commercial Geoduck Fishery. We are requesting comments on the permit application and on whether the proposed Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) qualifies as a "low-effect" HCP, eligible for a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended. We explain the basis for this possible determination in a draft environmental action statement (EAS), which is also available for public review.