Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement for Issuance of an Incidental Take Permit for the Proposed Kauai Seabird Habitat Conservation Plan on Kauai, HI

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), advise the public that we intend to prepare a joint Federal/State Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), in coordination with the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), for the proposed Kauai Seabird Habitat Conservation Plan (KSHCP) and the expected applications from public and private entities on Kaua'i for incidental take permits (ITPs, or permits). The proposed KSHCP is being prepared under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The ITPs would authorize incidental take of the Federally endangered Hawaiian petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis), the Federally threatened Newell's (Townsends) shearwater (Puffinus auricularis newelli), and the band-rumped storm-petrel (Oceanodroma castro), a Federal candidate species that could become listed during the term of the permit (collectively, these three species are hereafter referred to as the "Covered Species"). The DLNR is preparing the KSHCP under which numerous applicants are anticipated to apply for incidental take of the Covered Species due to adverse effects of light attraction and these birds colliding with utility lines and associated structures. We provide this notice to announce the initiation of a public scoping period during which we invite other agencies and the public to attend a public meeting and submit oral and written comments that provide suggestions and information on the scope of issues and alternatives to be addressed in the joint EIS.