Receipt of Enhancement of Survival Permit Application and Proposed Conservation Benefit Agreement for the benefit of the Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit in Washington; Categorical Exclusion

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is proposing to issue an enhancement of survival permit associated with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Conservation Benefit Agreement (CBA) for Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit in accordance with section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The permit would authorize take of the Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit as a result from otherwise lawful land-use activities including general farm and rangeland stewardship and recreation within suitable habitat, as well as ranching, farming, residential/commercial maintenance, and recreation within non-habitat for pygmy rabbit. The conservation measures described in the CBA are intended to provide a net conservation benefit for the species. The Service prepared a draft environmental action statement (EAS) for our preliminary determination that the CBA and our permit decision may be eligible for a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act. We invite public comments on the proposed CBA and EAS from the public and Federal, State, and local governments.