[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 151 (Friday, August 5, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51926-51927]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-18587]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2016-0098: FXIA16710900000-156-FF09A30000]
Endangered Species; Marine Mammals; Receipt of Applications for
Permit
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of receipt of applications for permit.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to
comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities
with endangered species, marine mammals, or both. With some exceptions,
the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Marine Mammal Protection Act
(MMPA) prohibit activities with listed species unless Federal
authorization is acquired that allows such activities.
DATES: We must receive comments or requests for documents on or before
September 6, 2016. We must receive requests for marine mammal permit
public hearings, in writing, at the address shown in the ADDRESSES
section by September 6, 2016.
ADDRESSES: Submitting Comments: You may submit comments by one of the
following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Follow the instructions for submitting comments on Docket No. FWS-HQ-
IA-2016-0098.
U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing,
Attn: Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2016-0098; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Headquarters, MS: BPHC; 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-
3803.
When submitting comments, please indicate the name of the applicant
and the PRT# you are commenting on. We will post all comments on http://www.regulations.gov. This generally means that we will post any
personal information you provide us (see the Public Comments section
below for more information).
Viewing Comments: Comments and materials we receive will be
available for public inspection on http://www.regulations.gov, or by
appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays, at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of
Management Authority, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803;
telephone 703-358-2095.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brenda Tapia, (703) 358-2104
(telephone); (703) 358-2281 (fax); DMAFR@fws.gov (email).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Public Comment Procedures
A. How do I request copies of applications or comment on submitted
applications?
Send your request for copies of applications or comments and
materials concerning any of the applications to the contact listed
under ADDRESSES. Please include the Federal Register notice publication
date, the PRT-number, and the name of the applicant in your request or
submission. We will not consider requests or comments sent to an email
or address not listed under ADDRESSES. If you provide an email address
in your request for copies of applications, we will attempt to respond
to your request electronically.
Please make your requests or comments as specific as possible.
Please confine your comments to issues for which we seek comments in
this notice, and explain the basis for your comments. Include
sufficient information with your comments to allow us to authenticate
any scientific or commercial data you include.
The comments and recommendations that will be most useful and
likely to influence agency decisions are: (1) Those supported by
quantitative information or studies; and (2) Those that include
citations to, and analyses of, the applicable laws and regulations. We
will not consider or include in our administrative record comments we
receive after the close of the comment period (see DATES) or comments
delivered to an address other than those listed above (see ADDRESSES).
B. May I review comments submitted by others?
Comments, including names and street addresses of respondents, will
be available for public review at the street address listed under
ADDRESSES. The public may review documents and other information
applicants have sent in support of the application unless our allowing
viewing would violate the Privacy Act or Freedom of Information Act.
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.
II. Background
To help us carry out our conservation responsibilities for affected
species, and in consideration of section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the
Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et
seq.), along with Executive Order 13576, ``Delivering an Efficient,
Effective, and Accountable Government,'' and the President's Memorandum
for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies of January 21,
2009--Transparency and Open Government (74 FR 4685; January 26, 2009),
which call on all Federal agencies to promote openness and transparency
in Government by disclosing information to the public, we invite public
comment on these permit applications before final action is taken.
Under the MMPA, you may request a hearing on any MMPA application
received. If you request a hearing, give specific reasons why a hearing
would be appropriate. The holding of such a hearing is at the
discretion of the Service Director.
[[Page 51927]]
III. Permit Applications
A. Endangered Species
Applicant: Duke University, Durham, NC; PRT-92458B
The applicant requests a permit to import biological samples from
wild kakapo (strigops habroptilus) for the purpose of scientific
research. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the
applicant over a 2-year period.
Multiple Applicants
The following applicants each request a permit to import the sport-
hunted trophy of one male bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus pygargus)
culled from a captive herd maintained under the management program of
the Republic of South Africa, for the purpose of enhancement of the
survival of the species.
Applicant: Edwin Andrew, Frederica, DE; PRT-00500C
Applicant: Guy Maranga, Neponsit, NY; PRT-98444B
Applicant: Donald Bitz, West Palm Beach, FL; PRT-00209C
Applicant: Christopher Sibert, Midland, TX; PRT-98815B
B. Endangered Marine Mammals and Marine Mammals
Applicant: University of California, Santa Cruz, CA; PRT-83954B
The applicant requests a permit to import blood and tissue samples
collected from wild polar bears in Manitoba, Canada, for purposes of
scientific research. The goal of this study is to create an improved
reference genome for polar bears (Ursus maritimus) and investigate the
genetic diversity and unique adaptations of polar bears. Samples to be
imported have been collected under Manitoba Wildlife Research permits
for a study assessing the status of the wild population for
conservation and ecological purposes. This notification covers
activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
Applicant: Passion Planet, London, UK; PRT-01370C
The applicant requests a permit for Level B Harassment of northern
sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) and southern sea otters (Enhydra
lutris nereis) for purposes of photography for educational and
commercial purposes. Filming will occur along the Washington State and
California State coastlines. The filming is part of a documentary
explaining the importance of sea otters to marine ecosystems. This
notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a
2-year period.
Concurrent with publishing this notice in the Federal Register, we
are forwarding copies of the above applications to the Marine Mammal
Commission and the Committee of Scientific Advisors for their review.
Brenda Tapia,
Program Analyst/Data Administrator, Branch of Permits, Division of
Management Authority.
[FR Doc. 2016-18587 Filed 8-4-16; 8:45 am]
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