TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- Pima County plans to apply for a federal permit by December that would allow - with detailed restrictions and monitoring - the harming or killing of endangered species in the course of legal endeavors, such as development.

The county is moving forward with the stalled key aspect of its ambitious Sonoran Desert Conservation Plan now that the cactus ferruginous pygmy owl is again an endangered species list candidate.

Pima County delayed the bid for a permit under Section 10 of the Endangered Species Act in 2006 after the pygmy owl was removed from the list.

"Since we didn't need a permit, we held it. Eventually we will need a permit," said Maeveen Behan, deputy director of Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation.

County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry cited the high potential for endangered species listings in a memo to county supervisors last month as a reason for renewing the permit effort.

"It is reasonable to anticipate that wildlife species will continue to be listed. ... As long as growth continues in Pima County there will be a need for a Section 10 permit," Huckelberry wrote in the Aug. 18 memo.

The endangered species list includes 19 plants and animals found in Pima County, and decisions are expected next year on whether to list the pygmy owl and the Tucson shovel-nosed snake.

The permit application is among the final pieces of Pima County's conservation plan, which is aimed at managing growth while protecting the environment.

The county began the effort in 1999 and has been making zoning and other land-use decisions since 2001 as if the permit were already in place.

The Section 10 permit would cover the 608,000 acres under the county's land-use regulatory authority. It would allow development in sensitive areas if other areas are preserved to offset the "taking" of endangered species.

"It doesn't mean there won't be development," Behan said.

The Fish & Wildlife Service would issue the permit.

The public will have 90 days to comment after the county submits the application. Fish & Wildlife decisions normally come about a year after application.

---

Information from: Tucson Citizen, http://www.tucsoncitizen.com

© 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy.