Texas Endangered Species Task Force Update

Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts sent this bulletin at 08/01/2011 08:44 AM CDT

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This email contains several important announcements and deadlines related to endangered species activities in Texas. For additional endangered species information and resources, please visit www.txendangeredspecies.org.

Mexican Spotted Owl Recovery Plan - Public Comments due Aug. 23, 2011

On June 24, 2011, FWS released an updated draft recovery plan for the federally threatened Mexican spotted owl. In Texas, this species occurs only in the Davis and Guadalupe Mountains. For more information, see the June 24, 2011, Federal Register notice (PDF).

Great Plains Wind Energy Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) – Public Comments due Oct. 12, 2011 by 4:30 p.m. CST

On July 14, 2011, FWS announced the agency intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the Great Plains Wind Energy HCP. The species considered for inclusion are the whooping crane, lesser-prairie chicken, piping plover and the interior least tern.

FWS will host three public scoping meetings in Texas:

  • Amarillo – Aug. 10, 2011, 6-8 p.m., Civic Center, Room B, 401 S. Buchanan St.
  • Austin – Sept. 7, 2011, 6-8 p.m., University of Texas, Thompson Conference Center, Room 2.102, 2405 Robert Dedman Dr.
  • Corpus Christi – Sept. 8, 2011, 6-8 p.m., American Bank Center, Room 225, 1901 N. Shoreline Blvd.

For more information, see the July 14, 2011, Federal Register notice (PDF) or www.fws.gov/southwest/es/wind.html.

Oncor Incidental Take Permit – Public Comments due Oct. 13, 2011

On July 15, 2011, FWS announced the availability of the draft EIS and draft HCP for Oncor Electric Delivery Company, LLC. Oncor applied for a permit to authorize the incidental take of 11 federally-listed species in 100 Texas counties.

FWS will host public meetings in Texas between Aug. 1 and Sept. 28, 2011, with exact dates to be announced.

For more information, see the July 15, 2011, Federal Register notice (PDF) or the FWS news release (PDF).

Texas Conservation Plan for the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard

On July 27, 2011, FWS met with dunes sagebrush lizard stakeholders and provided feedback on the draft Texas Conservation Plan for the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard that was developed by the working committees. The draft conservation plan and associated resources are available on the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard Conservation Plan web page.

Reminder - Other Deadlines and Activities