[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 54 (Tuesday, March 20, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16252-16253]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-6535]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R6-ES-2012-N054; FXES11130600000D2-123-FF06E00000]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Recovery Permit 
Applications

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), invite the 
public to comment on the following applications to conduct certain 
activities with endangered or threatened species. The Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), prohibits activities with 
endangered and threatened species unless a Federal permit allows such 
activity. The Act also requires that we invite public comment before 
issuing these permits.

DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by 
April 19, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments or requests for copies or more 
information by any of the following methods. Alternatively, you may use 
one of the following methods to request hard copies or a CD-ROM of the 
documents. Please specify the permit you are interested in by number 
(e.g., Permit No. TE-123456).
     Email: permitsR6ES@fws.gov. Please refer to the respective 
permit number (e.g., Permit No. TE-123456) in the subject line of the 
message.
     U.S. Mail: Ecological Services, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, P.O. Box 25486-DFC, Denver, CO 80225
     In-Person Drop-off, Viewing, or Pickup: Call (303) 236-
4256 to make an appointment during regular business hours at 134 Union 
Blvd., Suite 645, Lakewood, CO 80228.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kris Olsen, Permit Coordinator 
Ecological Services, (303) 236-4256 (phone); permitsR6ES@fws.gov 
(email).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) prohibits certain activities with 
endangered and threatened species unless a Federal permit allows such 
activity. Along with our implementing regulations in the Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR part 17, the Act provides for 
permits to allow such otherwise prohibited activities, and requires 
that we invite public comment before issuing these permits.
    A permit granted by the Service under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the 
Act authorizes you to conduct activities with U.S. endangered or 
threatened species for scientific purposes, enhancement of propagation 
or survival, or interstate commerce (the latter only in the event that 
it facilitates scientific purposes or enhancement of propagation or 
survival). Our regulations implementing section 10(a)(1)(A) for these 
permits are found at 50 CFR 17.22 for endangered wildlife species, 50 
CFR 17.32 for threatened wildlife species, 50 CFR 17.62 for endangered 
plant species, and 50 CFR 17.72 for threatened plant species.

Applications Available for Review and Comment

    We invite local, State, and Federal agencies, and the public to 
comment on the following applications. Please refer to the appropriate 
permit number (e.g., Permit No. TE-123456) for the application when 
submitting comments.
    Documents and other information the applicants have submitted with 
these applications are available for review, subject to the 
requirements of the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) and Freedom of 
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552).

Permit Application Number: TE-015150

Applicant: Wyatt Hoback, University of Nebraska, Kearney, Nebraska.

    The applicant requests renewal of an existing permit to take 
(capture, hold, tag, and propagate) American burying beetle 
(Nicrophorus americanus) in conjunction with surveys and population 
monitoring activities in Nebraska, South Dakota, Kansas, Oklahoma, 
Arkansas, and Texas for the purpose of enhancing the species' survival.

Permit Application Number: TE-056165

Applicant: Patricia Buys, Kleinfelder, Littleton, Colorado.

    The applicant requests renewal of an existing permit to take 
(harass by survey) Southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii 
extimus)in conjunction with surveys and population monitoring 
activities in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming for the purpose of enhancing 
the species' survival.

Permit Application Number: TE-050704

Applicant: T. Michael Phelan, Cedar Creek Associates, Ft. Collins, 
Colorado.

    The applicant requests renewal of an existing permit to take 
(harass by survey) Southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii 
extimus) in conjunction with surveys and population monitoring 
activities in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming for the purpose of enhancing 
the species' survival.

Permit Application Number: TE-051841

Applicant: William Rapley, Toronto Zoo, Ontario, Canada.

    The applicant requests renewal of an existing permit to take 
(display and propagate) captive-bred black-footed ferret (Mustela 
nigripes) in Ontario, Canada, for the purpose of enhancing the species' 
survival.

Permit Application Number: TE-051826

Applicant: John Walczak, Louisville Zoo, Louisville, Kentucky.

    The applicant requests renewal of an existing permit to take 
(display) captive-bred black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) in 
Louisville, Kentucky, for the educational purposes to enhance the 
species' survival.

Permit Application Number: TE-085324

Applicant: Bonnie Heidel, Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, Laramie, 
Wyoming.

    The applicant requests renewal of an existing permit to take 
(harass by survey) Penstemon haydenii (Blowout penstemon) in 
conjunction with surveys and population monitoring activities 
throughout the range of each species in Wyoming for the purpose of 
enhancing the species' survival.

Permit Application Number: TE-052627

Applicant: Anne Baker, Toledo Zoological Gardens, Toledo, Ohio 43614.

    The applicant requests renewal of an existing permit to take 
(capture, hold, tag, and propagate) Wyoming toad (Bufo baxteri) in 
conjunction with surveys and population monitoring activities in Ohio 
for the purpose of enhancing the species' survival.

Permit Application Number: TE-145090

Applicant: Daniel Roddy, Wind Cave National Park, Hot Springs, South 
Dakota.

    The applicant requests renewal of an existing permit to take 
(survey, tag, and reintroduce) black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) 
in conjunction with

[[Page 16253]]

population monitoring activities in South Dakota for the purpose of 
enhancing the species' survival.

Permit Application Number: TE-051368

Applicant: Brian Kurzel, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Colorado Natural 
Areas Program, Denver, Colorado.

    The applicant requests renewal of an existing permit to remove and 
reduce to possession the following species, in conjunction with surveys 
and population monitoring for the purpose of enhancing each species' 
survival. Activities will occur on Federal lands in Colorado, 
throughout the range of each species.
    Eriogonum pelinophilum (Clay-loving wild-buckwheat).
    Astragalus humillimus (Mancos milk-vetch).
    Phacelia formosula (North Park phacelia).
    Astragalus osterhoutii (Osterhout milk-vetch).
    Ipomopsis polyantha (Pagosa skyrocket).
    Penstemon penlandii (Penland beardtongue).

Permit Application Number: TE-106182

Applicant: Brian Vogt, Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver, Colorado.

    The applicant requests renewal of an existing permit to remove and 
reduce to possession the following species, in conjunction with surveys 
and population monitoring for the purpose of enhancing each species' 
survival. Activities will occur on Federal lands in Colorado, New 
Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, throughout the range of each species.
    Eriogonum pelinophilum (Clay-loving wild-buckwheat).
    Pediocactus knowltonii (Knowlton cactus).
    Astragalus humillimus (Mancos milk-vetch).
    Phacelia formosula (North Park phacelia).
    Astragalus osterhoutii (Osterhout milk-vetch).
    Ipomopsis polyantha (Pagosa skyrocket).
    Penstemon penlandii (Penland beardtongue).
    Pediocactus despainii (San Rafael cactus).

Permit Application Number: TE-049109

Applicant: Rita Reisor, Red Butte Garden and Arboretum, Salt Lake City, 
Utah.

    The applicant requests renewal of an existing permit to remove and 
reduce to possession the following species, in conjunction with surveys 
and population monitoring for the purpose of enhancing each species' 
survival. Activities will occur on Federal lands in Utah and Wyoming, 
throughout the range of each species.
    Ranunculus acriformis aestivalis (Autumn buttercup).
    Schoenocrambe barnebyi (Barneby reed-mustard).
    Lepidium barnebyanum (Barneby ridge-cress).
    Astragalus holmgreniorum (Holmgren milk-vetch).
    Lesquerella tumulosa (Kodachrome bladderpod).
    Pediocactus despainii (San Rafael cactus).
    Astragalus ampullarioides (Shivwitz milk-vetch).
    Schoenocrambe suffrutescens (Shrubby reed-mustard).
    Sclerocactus wrightiae (Wright fishhook cactus).

Permit Application Number: TE-053925

Applicant: Lisa Yager, National Park Service, Missouri National 
Recreational River, Yankton, South Dakota.

    The applicant requests renewal of an existing permit to take 
(harass by survey) interior least tern (Sterna antillarum athalassos) 
and piping plover (Charadrius melodus) in conjunction with population 
monitoring activities in Nebraska and South Dakota for the purpose of 
enhancing the species' survival.

Permit Application Number: TE-053961

Applicant: Dennis Pate, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha, Nebraska.

    The applicant requests renewal of an existing permit to take 
(collect, reintroduce, propagate, and rear) Salt Creek tiger beetle 
(Cicindela nevadica lincolniana) in conjunction with surveys and 
population monitoring activities in Ohio for the purpose of enhancing 
the species' survival.

Permit Application Number: TE-051139

Applicant: Dustin Long, Turner Endangered Species Fund, Bozeman, 
Montana.

    The applicant requests renewal of an existing permit to take 
(survey, trap, tag, and propagate) black-footed ferret (Mustela 
nigripes) in conjunction with surveys and population monitoring 
activities in Montana for the purpose of enhancing the species' 
survival.

Permit Application Number: TE-121914

Applicant: Mark Sherfy, U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Prairie 
Wildlife Research Center, Jamestown, North Dakota.

    The applicant requests renewal of an existing permit to take 
(survey, handle, and band) interior least tern (Sterna antillarum 
athalassos) and piping plover (Charadrius melodus) in conjunction with 
surveys and population monitoring activities in Colorado, Kansas, 
Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota for the purpose of 
enhancing the species' survival.

Permit Application Number: TE-059105

Applicant: Pamela Riddle, Bureau of Land Management, Moab Field Office, 
Moab, Utah.

    The applicant request renewal of an existing permit to take (harass 
by survey) Mexican spotted owl (Strix occidentalis lucida) and 
Southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) in 
conjunction with surveys and population monitoring activities in Utah 
for the purpose of enhancing the species' survival.

National Environmental Policy Act

    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 
4321 et seq.), we have made an initial determination that the proposed 
activities in these permits are categorically excluded from the 
requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental 
impact statement (516 DM 6 Appendix 1, 1.4C(1)).

Public Availability of Comments

    All comments and materials we receive in response to this request 
will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal 
business hours at the address listed in the ADDRESSES section of this 
notice.
    Before including your address, phone number, email address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying 
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

Authority

    We provide this notice under section 10 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 
et seq.).

    Dated: March 7, 2012.
Michael G. Thabault,
Acting Regional Director, Mountain-Prairie Region.
[FR Doc. 2012-6535 Filed 3-19-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P