Da Beetles and Da Skinks
Today, Tuesday, April 24, 2018, postings on the Federal Register under the Fish and Wildlife Service inform the American public what important work they are up to. Keep in mind, these are full grown adults with Federal paychecks, Vacation Time, Sick Time, and Pensions involved in writing these reports and others complying with the government by asking for Incidental Take Permits.
Requested Renewal of Incidental Take Permit (ITP) for the Endangered Mount Hermon June beetle and Ben Lomond Spineflower.
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2018-08499
“Take” is defined under the Act to include the following activities: “[T]o harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct” (16 U.S.C. 1532); however, under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Act, we may issue permits to authorize incidental take of listed wildlife species. “Incidental Take” is defined by the Act as take that is incidental to, and not the purpose of, carrying out of an otherwise lawful activity.
Commentary: Who is going to count the June Beetles that were exposed to, “Harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct?” Is there to be a Federal Beetle Counter?
Public Comments
If you wish to comment on the permit applications, plans, and associated documents, you may submit comments by any one of the methods in ADDRESSES. (see link above)
Commentary: Well, I’m glad the Federal Government is asking for the public’s opinion.
Application for an Incidental Take Permit (ITP) Of The Federally Listed Sand Skink
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2018-08494
Orange County Public Schools is requesting an incidental take permit (ITP) to take sand skinks (Neoseps reynoldsi) through the permanent destruction of approximately 5.3 acres (ac) of occupied foraging and sheltering habitat. The take would be incidental to the construction of a school and associated facilities in Orange County, Florida. The 26.0-ac habitat conservation plan (HCP) project site is located on Orange County Parcel No. 27232500000004, within Section 25, Township 23 South, Range 27 East. The project activities also include clearing, infrastructure building, and landscaping associated with constructing a school and associated facilities. The applicant proposes to mitigate for the take of the species by purchasing 10.6 mitigation credits within a Service-approved sand skink conservation bank.
You may submit written comments and request copies of the application
Email: northflorida@fws.gov. Use “Attn: Permit number TE74732C-0” as your subject line.
U.S. Mail: Field Supervisor, Jacksonville Ecological Services Field Office, Attn: Permit number TE74732C-0, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 7915 Baymeadows Way, Suite 200, Jacksonville, FL 32256.
Commentary: Another important facet to this is the introduction of the term “Mitigation Credits“. How much is 10.6 Mitigation Credits from a {stifles a chortle} “sand skink conservation bank“? Do a Google search on [ mitigation credit cost ] and the results show each Mitigation Credit runs from $10,000 on up to over $100,000; with the explanation the Mitigation Credits are customized for the thing being mitigated.
Commentary: I guess the Federal Beetle Counter could take on the additional responsibility of being the Federal Sand Skinks Counter to make sure the Incidental Take Permit is not exceeded.
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