[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 100 (Friday, May 22, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31204-31207]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-11078]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2020-0031; FXIA16710900000-201-FF09A30000]
Foreign Endangered Species; Marine Mammals; Receipt of Permit
Applications
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of receipt of permit applications; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), invite the
public to comment on applications to conduct certain activities with
foreign species that are listed as endangered under the Endangered
Species Act (ESA) and foreign or native species for which the Service
has jurisdiction under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). With
some exceptions, the ESA and the MMPA prohibit activities with listed
species unless Federal authorization is issued that allows such
activities. The ESA and MMPA also require that we invite public comment
before issuing permits for any activity otherwise prohibited by the ESA
or MMPA with respect to any endangered species or marine mammals.
DATES: We must receive comments by June 22, 2020.
ADDRESSES:
Obtaining Documents: The applications, application supporting
materials, and any comments and other materials that we receive will be
available for public inspection at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket
No. FWS-HQ-IA-2020-0031.
Submitting Comments: When submitting comments, please specify the
name of the applicant and the permit number at the beginning of your
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comment. You may submit comments by one of the following methods:
Internet: http://www.regulations.gov. Search for and
submit comments on Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2020-0031.
U.S. mail: Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No.
FWS-HQ-IA-2020-0031; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters, MS:
PRB/3W; 5275 Leesburg Pike; Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.
For more information, see Public Comment Procedures under SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Monica Thomas, by phone at 703-358-
2185, via email at DMAFR@fws.gov, or via the Federal Relay Service at
800-877-8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Public Comment Procedures
A. How do I comment on submitted applications?
We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies
to comment on these applications. Before issuing any of the requested
permits, we will take into consideration any information that we
receive during the public comment period.
You may submit your comments and materials by one of the methods in
ADDRESSES. We will not consider comments sent by email or fax, or to an
address not in ADDRESSES. We will not consider or include in our
administrative record comments we receive after the close of the
comment period (see DATES).
When submitting comments, please specify the name of the applicant
and the permit number at the beginning of your comment. Provide
sufficient information 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.
B. May I review comments submitted by others?
You may view and comment on others' public comments at http://www.regulations.gov, unless our allowing so would violate the Privacy
Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) or Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552).
C. Who will see my comments?
If you submit a comment at http://www.regulations.gov, your entire
comment, including any personal identifying information, will be posted
on the website. If you submit a hardcopy comment that includes personal
identifying information, such as your address, phone number, or email
address, you may request at the top of your document that we withhold
this information from public review. However, we cannot guarantee that
we will be able to do so. Moreover, all submissions from organizations
or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as
representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be
made available for public disclosure in their entirety.
II. Background
To help us carry out our conservation responsibilities for affected
species, and in consideration of section 10(c) of the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and
section 104(c) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended
(MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), we invite public comments on permit
applications before final action is taken. With some exceptions, the
ESA and MMPA prohibit certain activities with listed species unless
Federal authorization is issued that allows such activities. Permits
issued under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA allow otherwise prohibited
activities for scientific purposes or to enhance the propagation or
survival of the affected species. Service regulations regarding
prohibited activities with endangered species, captive-bred wildlife
registrations, and permits for any activity otherwise prohibited by the
ESA with respect to any endangered species are available in title 50 of
the Code of Federal Regulations in part 17. Service regulations
regarding permits for any activity otherwise prohibited by the MMPA
with respect to any marine mammals are available in title 50 of the
Code of Federal Regulations in part 18. Concurrent with publishing this
notice in the Federal Register, we are forwarding copies of the marine
mammal application to the Marine Mammal Commission and the Committee of
Scientific Advisors for their review.
III. Permit Applications
We invite comments on the following applications.
A. Endangered Species
Applicant: NRCAN Natural Resource Canada c/o U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service Maine Field Office, East Orland, ME; Permit No. 53601D
The applicant requests authorization to export to Canada wild
furbish lousewort (Pedicularis furbishiae) seeds collected in Maine for
the purpose of enhancing the propagation or survival of the species.
This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant
over a 5-year period.
Applicant: Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL; Permit No. 69662D
The applicant requests authorization to import seed and pollen of
the Olulu plant (Brighamia insignis) from multiple botanic institutions
for the purpose of enhancing the propagation or survival of the
species. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the
applicant over a 5-year period.
Applicant: University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA; Permit No.
63307D
The applicant requests authorization to import biological samples
derived from wild Verreaux's sifakas (Propithecus verreauxi), ring-
tailed lemurs (Lemur catta), and red-and-gray mouse lemurs (Microcebus
griseorufus), taken in Madagascar, for the purpose of scientific
research. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the
applicant over a 5-year period.
Applicant: Tony Goldberg, Madison, WI; Permit No. 56953D
The applicant requests a permit to import biological samples
derived from wild and captive-born common chimpanzees (Pan
troglodytes), taken in the Republic of Congo, for the purpose of
scientific research. This notification is for a single import.
Applicant: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Powell, OH; Permit No. 60002D
The applicant requests authorization to import biological samples
derived from wild black-and-white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata),
taken in Madagascar, for the purpose of scientific research. This
notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a
5-year period.
Applicant: Graham Banes, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI;
Permit No. 93299C
The applicant requests authorization to import biological samples
from captive-bred and wild orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus and Pongo abelii)
[[Page 31206]]
from multiple locations for the purpose of enhancing the propagation or
survival of the species through scientific research. This notification
covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year
period.
Applicant: Jordana Meyer, Stanford University, Stanford, CA; Permit No.
55307D
The applicant requests authorization to import biological samples
from wild African elephants (Loxodonta africana) taken in Garamba
National Park, Republic of Congo, for the purpose of enhancing the
propagation or survival of the species through scientific research.
This notification is for a single import.
Applicant: St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL; Permit No.
15196D
The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under
50 CFR 17.21(g) for the following species, to enhance the propagation
or survival of the species. This notification covers activities to be
conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
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Common name Scientific name
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Cabot's tragopan pheasant................. Tragopan caboti.
Komodo island monitor..................... Varanus komodoensis.
Congo dwarf crocodile..................... Osteolaemus tetraspis
osborni.
African dwarf crocodile................... Osteolaemus tetraspis.
Chinese alligator......................... Alligator sinensis.
Blue-throated macaw....................... Ara glaucogularis.
Siamese crocodile......................... Crocodylus siamensis.
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Applicant: Bright and Associates, LLC, dba Bright's Zoo, Limestone, TN;
Permit No. 51201D
The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under
50 CFR 17.21(g) for the following species, to enhance the propagation
or survival of the species. This notification covers activities to be
conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
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Common name Species name
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Jackass penguin........................... Spheniscus demersus.
Baird's tapir............................. Tapirus bairdii.
Cotton-top tamarin........................ Saguinus oedipus.
Galapagos tortoise........................ Chelonoidis niger.
Radiated tortoise......................... Astrochelys radiata.
Lar gibbon................................ Hylobates lar.
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Applicant: Mississippi Aquarium, Gulfport, MS; Permit No. 59433D
The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under
50 CFR 17.21(g) for jackass penguins (Spheniscus demersus) to enhance
the propagation or survival of the species. This notification covers
activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
Applicant: Peoria Zoo at Glen Oak Park, Peoria, IL; Permit No. 59321D
The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under
50 CFR 17.21(g) for the following species, to enhance the propagation
or survival of the species. This notification covers activities to be
conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
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Common name Species name
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Chinese alligator......................... Alligator sinensis.
Panamanian golden frog.................... Atelopus zeteki.
Mongoose lemur............................ Eulemur mongoz.
Galapagos tortoise........................ Chelonoidis niger.
Ring-tailed lemur......................... Lemur catta.
Mandrill.................................. Mandrillus sphinx.
Siberian tiger............................ Panthera tigris altaica.
Cotton-top tamarin........................ Saguinus oedipus.
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Applicant: Chattanooga Zoo, Chattanooga, TN; Permit No. 56470D
The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under
50 CFR 17.21(g) for snow leopards (Uncia uncia) to enhance the
propagation or survival of the species. This notification covers
activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
Applicant: Steve Martin's Natural Encounters, Inc., Winter Haven, FL;
Permit No. 42547B
The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under
50 CFR 17.21(g) for blue-throated macaw (Ara glaucogularis), to enhance
the propagation or survival of the species. This notification covers
activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
Applicant: Ox Ranch Investments LLC dba Ox Hunting Ranch, Uvalde, TX;
Permit No. 10867B
The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under
50 CFR 17.21(g) for the following species, to enhance the propagation
or survival of the species. This notification covers activities to be
conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
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Common name Species name
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Eld's brow-antlered deer.................. Cervus eldi.
Arabian oryx.............................. Oryx leucoryx.
Swamp deer................................ Cervus duvauceli.
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Applicant: William Porter, Fort Denaud, FL; Permit No. 08333D
The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under
50 CFR 17.21(g) for the following species, to enhance the propagation
or survival of the species. This notification covers activities to be
conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
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Common name Scientific name
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Madagascar radiated tortoise.............. Geochelone radiata.
Galapagos tortoise........................ Geochelone nigra.
Blue-throated macaw....................... Ara glaucogularis.
St. Vincent parrot........................ Amazona guildingii.
Cuban parrot.............................. Amazona leucocephala.
White cockatoo............................ Cacatua alba.
Philippine cockatoo....................... Cacatua haematuropygia.
Salmon-crested cockatoo................... Cacatua moluccensis.
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Applicant: UC Davis Center for Plant Diversity, Davis, CA; Permit No.
60226D
The applicant requests authorization to export and reimport
nonliving museum plant specimens of endangered species previously
accessioned into the applicant's collection for scientific research.
This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant
over a 5-year period.
Applicant: Ox Ranch Investments LLC dba Ox Hunting Ranch, Uvalde, TX;
Permit No. 10866B
The applicant requests a permit authorizing the culling of excess
Eld's brow-antlered deer (Rucervus eldi), Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx),
and swamp deer (Rucervus duvauceli) from the captive herd maintained at
their facility, to enhance the species' propagation and survival. This
notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a
5-year period.
Applicant: Jeff Demaske, Greeley, CO; Permit No. 55199D
The applicant requests a permit to import a sport hunted trophy of
a hyena (Parahyaena brunnea) from Zimbabwe for the purpose of enhancing
the propagation or survival of the species. This notification is for a
single import.
Applicant: Wayne P. Johnson, Long Beach, MS; Permit No. 71738D
The applicant requests a permit to import a sport-hunted trophy of
a male scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah) culled from a captive herd
maintained in South Africa, to enhance the species' propagation and
survival.
Richard Roark, Marshall, TX; Permit No. 72865D
The applicant requests a permit to import a sport-hunted trophy of
one sport-hunted trophy of 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 enhancing the
propagation or survival of the species.
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B. Endangered Marine Mammals and Marine Mammals
Applicant: Wild Space Productions, Pacific Grove, CA Permit No. 62285D
The applicant requests a permit to photograph southern sea otters
(Enhydra lutris nereis) along the coast of California, at the locations
listed below, for the purpose of enhancement of the survival of the
species through educational photography.
Monterey Harbour
Cannery Row, Pacific Grove stretch
Monterey Bay Inn, Cannery Row
Pebble Beach (Point Joe--within Pebble Beach)
Point Lobos (using boat launch Whalers Cove)
Monterey Bay Aquarium: Hopkins Marine Station
Carmel Beach, Carmel-by-the-Sea
Sandshell Beach--behind Cypress Point
Otter Point--Perkins Park, Pacific Grove
Berwick Park
Elkhorn Slough
Moss Landing Harbor
Pescadero
This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant
over a 5-year period.
IV. Next Steps
After the comment period closes, we will make decisions regarding
permit issuance. If we issue permits to any of the applicants listed in
this notice, we will publish a notice in the Federal Register. You may
locate the notice announcing the permit issuance by searching http://www.regulations.gov for the permit number listed above in this
document. For example, to find information about the potential issuance
of Permit No. 12345A, you would go to regulations.gov and search for
``12345A''.
V. Authority
We issue this notice under the authority of the Endangered Species
Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and its implementing
regulations, and the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended
(16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and its implementing regulations.
Monica Thomas,
Management Analyst, Branch of Permits, Division of Management
Authority.
[FR Doc. 2020-11078 Filed 5-21-20; 8:45 am]
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