Federal Register #2026-09093

Incidental Take Permit for Residential Development Impacting Skink Habitat in Polk County, FL

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public input on an application for an Incidental Take Permit (ITP) related to a large residential development in Polk County, Florida. - Government Buyer: - Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service - Florida Ecological Services Field Office - Applicant proposes a 10-year ITP for the incidental take of two federally threatened species: sand skink (Neoseps reynoldsi) and blue-tailed mole skink (Eumeces egregius lividus) - Project Scope: - Multi-phase residential development and associated infrastructure on approximately 553.64 acres - Impacts about 8.28 acres of occupied skink habitat - Mitigation Requirements: - Applicant will purchase conservation credits for 16.56 acres of skink-occupied habitat from the Lake Wales Ridge Conservation Bank or another Service-approved conservation bank - Services Requested: - Habitat conservation planning and mitigation services, including preparation and implementation of a habitat conservation plan, purchase of conservation credits, and compliance with NEPA and ESA requirements - Notable Requirements: - Permit duration is 10 years, covering both construction and operation phases - Compliance with Endangered Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) - Public comment period is open - No specific product OEMs are named; opportunity is relevant for environmental consultants, mitigation bankers, and habitat conservation planners

Description

The Fish and Wildlife Service has received an application from FLLWCC, LLC/FLOW CC, LLC for an incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act. The permit is requested to allow the incidental take of the federally listed threatened sand skink and blue-tailed mole skink during the construction of a multi-phase residential development and associated infrastructure in Polk County, Florida. The applicant proposes mitigation by purchasing conservation credits for skink habitat. The Service has preliminarily determined the project may qualify for a categorical exclusion under NEPA and is requesting public comments on the application and proposed habitat conservation plan.

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