[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 193 (Friday, October 6, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69649-69653]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-22278]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R8-ES-2023-N080; FXES11130800000-234-FF08E00000]


Endangered and Threatened Species; Receipt of Recovery 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, have received 
applications for permits to conduct activities intended to enhance the 
propagation or survival of endangered or threatened species under the 
Endangered Species Act. 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.

DATES: We must receive your written comments on or before November 6, 
2023.

ADDRESSES: Document availability and comment submission: Submit 
requests for copies of the applications and related documents and 
submit any comments by one of the following methods. All requests and 
comments should specify the applicant name(s) and application number(s) 
(e.g., XXXXXX or PER0001234).
     Email: [email protected].
     U.S. Mail: Susie Tharratt, Regional Recovery Permit 
Coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2800 Cottage Way, Room W-
2606, Sacramento, CA 95825.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susie Tharratt, via phone at 916-414-
6561, or via email at [email protected]. Individuals in the United 
States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech 
disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access 
telecommunications relay services. Individuals outside the United 
States should use the relay services offered within their country to 
make international calls to the point-of-contact in the United States.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
invite the public to comment on applications for permits under section 
10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 
1531 et seq.). The requested permits would allow the applicants to 
conduct activities intended to promote recovery of species that are 
listed as endangered or threatened under the ESA.

Background

    With some exceptions, the ESA prohibits activities that constitute 
take of listed species unless a Federal permit is issued that allows 
such activity. The ESA's definition of ``take'' includes such 
activities as pursuing, harassing, trapping, capturing, or collecting, 
in addition to hunting, shooting, harming, wounding, or killing.
    A recovery permit issued by us under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA 
authorizes the permittee to conduct activities with endangered or 
threatened species for scientific purposes that promote recovery or for 
enhancement of propagation or survival of the species. These activities 
often include such prohibited actions as capture and collection. Our 
regulations implementing section 10(a)(1)(A) for these permits are 
found in the Code of Federal Regulations 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.

Permit Applications Available for Review and Comment

    Proposed activities in the following permit requests are for the 
recovery and enhancement of propagation or survival of the species in 
the wild. The ESA requires that we invite public comment before issuing 
these permits. Accordingly, we invite local, State, Tribal, and Federal 
agencies and the public to submit written data, views, or arguments 
with respect to these applications. The comments and recommendations 
that will be most useful and likely to influence agency decisions are 
those supported by quantitative information or studies.

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                                Applicant, city,
      Application No.                state                 Species                   Location               Take activity            Permit action
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
799568.....................  Dana Kamada, San       Southwestern willow    CA.........................  Survey, locate and    Renew.
                              Clemente, California.  flycatcher                                          monitor nests;
                                                     (Empidonax traillii                                 remove brown-headed
                                                     extimus) Least                                      cowbird chicks and
                                                     Bell's vireo (Vireo                                 eggs from
                                                     bellii pusillus).                                   parasitized nests;
                                                                                                         capture, handle,
                                                                                                         measure, weigh,
                                                                                                         band, color-band,
                                                                                                         and release.
08086D.....................  Santa Clara Valley     California Ridgway's   CA.........................  Survey using          Renew.
                              Water District, San    rail (Rallus                                        recorded
                              Jose, California.      obsoletus obsoletus).                               vocalizations.
200339.....................  Sarah Foster,          California Ridgway's   CA.........................  Survey using          Renew.
                              Sacramento,            rail (Rallus                                        recorded
                              California.            obsoletus obsoletus)                                vocalizations;
                                                     California tiger                                    survey, capture,
                                                     salamander                                          handle, and release.
                                                     (Ambystoma
                                                     californiense),
                                                     Sonoma County and
                                                     Santa Barbara County
                                                     distinct population
                                                     segments.

[[Page 69650]]

 
74785A.....................  Barry Nerhus,          light-footed           CA.........................  Survey using          Renew.
                              Fullerton,             Ridgway's rail                                      recorded
                              California.            (Rallus obsoletus                                   vocalizations.
                                                     levipes).
77123D.....................  Pim Laulikitnont-Lee,  California Ridgway's   CA.........................  Survey using          Amend
                              San Francisco,         rail (Rallus                                        recorded
                              California.            obsoletus obsoletus).                               vocalizations.
PER4319410.................  Tito Abbo, Riverside,  Del Mar manzanita      CA.........................  Remove and reduce to  New.
                              California.            (Arctostaphylos                                     possession.
                                                     glandulosa ssp.
                                                     crassifolia).
073205.....................  Cristina Sandoval,     California least tern  CA.........................  Survey, locate and    Renew.
                              Goleta, California.    (Sternula antillarum                                monitor nests; use
                                                     browni).                                            decoys; and play
                                                                                                         recorded
                                                                                                         vocalizations.
053598.....................  Nicole Kimball,        Conservancy fairy      CA.........................  Survey, capture,      Renew.
                              Twentynine Palms,      shrimp (Branchinecta                                handle, release,
                              California.            conservatio)                                        collect adult
                                                     Longhorn fairy                                      vouchers, and
                                                     shrimp (Branchinecta                                collect branchiopod
                                                     longiantenna) Vernal                                resting eggs.
                                                     pool tadpole shrimp
                                                     (Lepidurus packardi)
                                                     Riverside fairy
                                                     shrimp
                                                     (Streptocephalus
                                                     woottoni) San Diego
                                                     fairy shrimp
                                                     (Branchinecta
                                                     sandiegonensis)
                                                     Quino checkerspot
                                                     butterfly
                                                     (Euphydryas editha
                                                     quino).
039640.....................  Kristopher Alberts,    Conservancy fairy      CA, NV.....................  Survey, survey using  Renew.
                              Carlsbad, California.  shrimp (Branchinecta                                recorded
                                                     conservatio)                                        vocalizations,
                                                     Longhorn fairy                                      capture, handle,
                                                     shrimp (Branchinecta                                release, collect
                                                     longiantenna) Vernal                                adult vouchers, and
                                                     pool tadpole shrimp                                 collect branchiopod
                                                     (Lepidurus packardi)                                resting eggs.
                                                     Riverside fairy
                                                     shrimp
                                                     (Streptocephalus
                                                     woottoni) San Diego
                                                     fairy shrimp
                                                     (Branchinecta
                                                     sandiegonensis)
                                                     Southwestern willow
                                                     flycatcher
                                                     (Empidonax traillii
                                                     extimus) Quino
                                                     checkerspot
                                                     butterfly
                                                     (Euphydryas editha
                                                     quino).
051248.....................  Paul Lemons, San       Conservancy fairy      CA.........................  Survey, survey using  Renew.
                              Diego, California.     shrimp (Branchinecta                                recorded
                                                     conservatio)                                        vocalizations,
                                                     Longhorn fairy                                      capture, handle,
                                                     shrimp (Branchinecta                                release, collect
                                                     longiantenna) Vernal                                adult vouchers, and
                                                     pool tadpole shrimp                                 collect branchiopod
                                                     (Lepidurus packardi)                                resting eggs.
                                                     Riverside fairy
                                                     shrimp
                                                     (Streptocephalus
                                                     woottoni) San Diego
                                                     fairy shrimp
                                                     (Branchinecta
                                                     sandiegonensis)
                                                     Southwestern willow
                                                     flycatcher
                                                     (Empidonax traillii
                                                     extimus) Quino
                                                     checkerspot
                                                     butterfly
                                                     (Euphydryas editha
                                                     quino).
053379.....................  Christine Tischer,     California least tern  CA.........................  Survey, locate and    Renew and amend.
                              Orange, California.    (Sternula antillarum                                monitor nests,
                                                     browni) Conservancy                                 capture, handle,
                                                     fairy shrimp                                        release, collect
                                                     (Branchinecta                                       adult vouchers, and
                                                     conservatio) Least                                  collect branchiopod
                                                     Bell's vireo (Vireo                                 resting eggs.
                                                     bellii pusillus)
                                                     Longhorn fairy
                                                     shrimp (Branchinecta
                                                     longiantenna) Vernal
                                                     pool tadpole shrimp
                                                     (Lepidurus packardi)
                                                     Riverside fairy
                                                     shrimp
                                                     (Streptocephalus
                                                     woottoni) San Diego
                                                     fairy shrimp
                                                     (Branchinecta
                                                     sandiegonensis)
                                                     Quino checkerspot
                                                     butterfly
                                                     (Euphydryas editha
                                                     quino).
082237.....................  California State       Morro Bay kangaroo     CA.........................  Survey, capture,      Renew.
                              Parks, San Luis        rat (Dipodomys                                      handle, and release.
                              Obispo Coast           heermanni
                              District, San          morroensis).
                              Simeon, California.

[[Page 69651]]

 
PER4316473.................  Scott Lindemann,       California tiger       CA.........................  Survey, capture,      New.
                              Oakland, California.   salamander                                          handle, and release.
                                                     (Ambystoma
                                                     californiense)
                                                     Sonoma County and
                                                     Santa Barbara County
                                                     distinct population
                                                     segments.
PER0004121.................  Mulligan Biological    Quino checkerspot      CA.........................  Pursue and remove     Renew and amend.
                              Consulting, San        butterfly                                           and reduce to
                              Diego, California.     (Euphydryas editha                                  possession.
                                                     quino) San Diego
                                                     ambrosia (Ambrosia
                                                     pumila).
83958B.....................  Jared Elia, Concord,   California tiger       CA.........................  Survey, capture,      Renew.
                              California.            salamander                                          handle, release,
                                                     (Ambystoma                                          and collect adult
                                                     californiense)                                      vouchers.
                                                     Sonoma County and
                                                     Santa Barbara County
                                                     distinct population
                                                     segments Conservancy
                                                     fairy shrimp
                                                     (Branchinecta
                                                     conservatio)
                                                     Longhorn fairy
                                                     shrimp (Branchinecta
                                                     longiantenna) Vernal
                                                     pool tadpole shrimp
                                                     (Lepidurus packardi)
                                                     Riverside fairy
                                                     shrimp
                                                     (Streptocephalus
                                                     woottoni) San Diego
                                                     fairy shrimp
                                                     (Branchinecta
                                                     sandiegonensis).
02474D.....................  Gaylene Tupen,         Conservancy fairy      CA.........................  Survey, capture,      Renew.
                              Lincoln, California.   shrimp (Branchinecta                                handle, release,
                                                     conservatio)                                        and collect adult
                                                     Longhorn fairy                                      vouchers.
                                                     shrimp (Branchinecta
                                                     longiantenna) Vernal
                                                     pool tadpole shrimp
                                                     (Lepidurus packardi).
PER4319678.................  Bret Robinson, San     Conservancy fairy      CA.........................  Survey, capture,      New.
                              Luis Obispo,           shrimp (Branchinecta                                handle, release,
                              California.            conservatio)                                        and collect adult
                                                     Longhorn fairy                                      vouchers.
                                                     shrimp (Branchinecta
                                                     longiantenna) Vernal
                                                     pool tadpole shrimp
                                                     (Lepidurus packardi)
                                                     Riverside fairy
                                                     shrimp
                                                     (Streptocephalus
                                                     woottoni) San Diego
                                                     fairy shrimp
                                                     (Branchinecta
                                                     sandiegonensis).
99114C.....................  RES Environmental      Conservancy fairy      CA, OR.....................  Survey, capture,      Renew.
                              Operating Company,     shrimp (Branchinecta                                handle, release,
                              LLC, Sacramento,       conservatio)                                        and collect adult
                              California.            Longhorn fairy                                      vouchers.
                                                     shrimp (Branchinecta
                                                     longiantenna) Vernal
                                                     pool tadpole shrimp
                                                     (Lepidurus packardi)
                                                     Riverside fairy
                                                     shrimp
                                                     (Streptocephalus
                                                     woottoni) San Diego
                                                     fairy shrimp
                                                     (Branchinecta
                                                     sandiegonensis).
08087D.....................  Jonathan Walker, San   Conservancy fairy      CA.........................  Survey, capture,      Amend.
                              Diego, California.     shrimp (Branchinecta                                handle, release,
                                                     conservatio)                                        and collect adult
                                                     Longhorn fairy                                      vouchers.
                                                     shrimp (Branchinecta
                                                     longiantenna) Vernal
                                                     pool tadpole shrimp
                                                     (Lepidurus packardi)
                                                     Riverside fairy
                                                     shrimp
                                                     (Streptocephalus
                                                     woottoni) San Diego
                                                     fairy shrimp
                                                     (Branchinecta
                                                     sandiegonensis).
PER0121456.................  Tara Collins, Penryn,  Conservancy fairy      CA.........................  Survey, capture,      Amend.
                              California.            shrimp (Branchinecta                                handle, release,
                                                     conservatio)                                        collect adult
                                                     Longhorn fairy                                      vouchers, and
                                                     shrimp (Branchinecta                                collect branchiopod
                                                     longiantenna) Vernal                                resting eggs.
                                                     pool tadpole shrimp
                                                     (Lepidurus packardi)
                                                     Riverside fairy
                                                     shrimp
                                                     (Streptocephalus
                                                     woottoni) San Diego
                                                     fairy shrimp
                                                     (Branchinecta
                                                     sandiegonensis).

[[Page 69652]]

 
192702.....................  California State       Conservancy fairy      CA.........................  Survey, capture,      Renew and amend.
                              University             shrimp (Branchinecta                                handle, release,
                              Sacramento, Gold       conservatio)                                        collect adult
                              River, California.     Longhorn fairy                                      vouchers, collect
                                                     shrimp (Branchinecta                                branchiopod resting
                                                     longiantenna) Vernal                                eggs, and propagate.
                                                     pool tadpole shrimp
                                                     (Lepidurus packardi)
                                                     Riverside fairy
                                                     shrimp
                                                     (Streptocephalus
                                                     woottoni) San Diego
                                                     fairy shrimp
                                                     (Branchinecta
                                                     sandiegonensis).
09375A.....................  Laura Eliassen,        Conservancy fairy      CA.........................  Survey, capture,      Renew.
                              Bradley, California.   shrimp (Branchinecta                                handle, release,
                                                     conservatio)                                        collect adult
                                                     Longhorn fairy                                      vouchers, and
                                                     shrimp (Branchinecta                                collect branchiopod
                                                     longiantenna) Vernal                                resting eggs.
                                                     pool tadpole shrimp
                                                     (Lepidurus packardi)
                                                     Riverside fairy
                                                     shrimp
                                                     (Streptocephalus
                                                     woottoni) San Diego
                                                     fairy shrimp
                                                     (Branchinecta
                                                     sandiegonensis).
063427.....................  Sarah Powell,          Conservancy fairy      CA.........................  Survey, capture,      Renew.
                              Sacramento,            shrimp (Branchinecta                                handle, release,
                              California.            conservatio)                                        collect adult
                                                     Longhorn fairy                                      vouchers, and
                                                     shrimp (Branchinecta                                collect branchiopod
                                                     longiantenna) Vernal                                resting eggs.
                                                     pool tadpole shrimp
                                                     (Lepidurus packardi)
                                                     Riverside fairy
                                                     shrimp
                                                     (Streptocephalus
                                                     woottoni) San Diego
                                                     fairy shrimp
                                                     (Branchinecta
                                                     sandiegonensis).
PER4325342.................  Shaylea Stark,         California tiger       CA.........................  Survey, capture,      New.
                              Clovis, California.    salamander                                          handle, and release.
                                                     (Ambystoma
                                                     californiense),
                                                     Sonoma County and
                                                     Santa Barbara County
                                                     distinct population
                                                     segments.
34132C.....................  USDA Forest Service--  Foothill yellow-       CA.........................  Survey, capture,      Amend.
                              Pacific Southwest      legged frog (Rana                                   handle, measure,
                              Region, Vallejo,       boylii) South Sierra                                take skin swabs,
                              California.            and South Coast                                     clip toes, insert
                                                     distinct population                                 PIT tags,
                                                     segments.                                           transport,
                                                                                                         translocate, and
                                                                                                         release.
40087B.....................  USDA Forest Service,   Foothill yellow-       CA.........................  Survey, capture,      Amend.
                              Sonora, California.    legged frog (Rana                                   handle, measure,
                                                     boylii) South Sierra                                take skin swabs,
                                                     and South Coast                                     clip toes, insert
                                                     distinct population                                 PIT tags,
                                                     segments.                                           transport,
                                                                                                         translocate, and
                                                                                                         release.
48210A.....................  Area West              Foothill yellow-       CA.........................  Survey, capture,      Amend.
                              Environmental, Inc.,   legged frog (Rana                                   handle, and release.
                              Orangevale,            boylii) South Sierra
                              California.            and South Coast
                                                     distinct population
                                                     segments.
837574.....................  EREMICO Biological     Inyo California        CA.........................  Survey using          Renew.
                              Services, LLC,         towhee (Melozone                                    recorded
                              Weldon, California.    crissalis                                           vocalizations.
                                                     eremophila)
                                                     Southwestern willow
                                                     flycatcher
                                                     (Empidonax traillii
                                                     extimus).
98536C.....................  Stillwater Sciences,   Foothill yellow-       CA.........................  Survey, capture,      Amend.
                              Berkeley, California.  legged frog (Rana                                   handle, and release.
                                                     boylii) South Sierra
                                                     and South Coast
                                                     distinct population
                                                     segments.
778668.....................  Bryan Mori,            Foothill yellow-       CA.........................  Survey, capture,      Amend.
                              Watsonville,           legged frog (Rana                                   handle, and release.
                              California.            boylii) South Sierra
                                                     and South Coast
                                                     distinct population
                                                     segments.
60149A.....................  California Department  Tidewater goby         CA.........................  Survey, capture,      Renew.
                              of Fish and            (Eucyclogobius                                      hold, handle,
                              Wildlife, Fortuna,     newberryi).                                         measure, collect
                              California.                                                                photographic
                                                                                                         vouchers, and
                                                                                                         release.

[[Page 69653]]

 
06873C.....................  Environmental Science  Least Bell's vireo     CA.........................  Survey, locate and    Amend.
                              Associates, San        (Vireo bellii                                       monitor nests,
                              Diego, California.     pusillus) Pacific                                   capture, handle,
                                                     pocket mouse                                        and release.
                                                     (Perognathus
                                                     longimembris
                                                     pacificus) San
                                                     Bernardino Merriam's
                                                     kangaroo rat
                                                     (Dipodomys merriami
                                                     parvus).
166383.....................  Bureau of Land         California tiger       CA.........................  Survey, capture,      Renew and amend.
                              Managment, Hollister   salamander                                          handle, take tissue
                              Field Office,          (Ambystoma                                          samples, radio-tag,
                              Hollister,             californiense),                                     conduct thermal
                              California.            Sonoma County                                       ecology assays,
                                                     distinct population                                 collect blood
                                                     segment Blunt-nosed                                 samples, PIT
                                                     leopard lizard                                      tagging, and
                                                     (Gambelia silus).                                   release.
095896.....................  Phillip Richards,      Pacific pocket mouse   CA.........................  Survey, capture,      Renew.
                              Laguna Hills,          (Perognathus                                        handle, and release.
                              California.            longimembris
                                                     pacificus) San
                                                     Bernardino Merriam's
                                                     kangaroo rat
                                                     (Dipodomys merriami
                                                     parvus).
185595.....................  Kelly Bayne,           California tiger       CA.........................  Survey, capture,      Renew.
                              Sacramento,            salamander                                          handle, release,
                              California.            (Ambystoma                                          collect adult
                                                     californiense)                                      vouchers, and
                                                     Sonoma County and                                   collect branchiopod
                                                     Santa Barbara County                                resting eggs.
                                                     distinct population
                                                     segments Conservancy
                                                     fairy shrimp
                                                     (Branchinecta
                                                     conservatio)
                                                     Longhorn fairy
                                                     shrimp (Branchinecta
                                                     longiantenna) Vernal
                                                     pool tadpole shrimp
                                                     (Lepidurus packardi)
                                                     Riverside fairy
                                                     shrimp
                                                     (Streptocephalus
                                                     woottoni) San Diego
                                                     fairy shrimp
                                                     (Branchinecta
                                                     sandiegonensis).
PER4207925.................  Matt Shaffer,          Conservancy fairy      CA.........................  Survey, capture,      Renew.
                              Rocklin, California.   shrimp (Branchinecta                                handle, release,
                                                     conservatio)                                        collect adult
                                                     Longhorn fairy                                      vouchers, and
                                                     shrimp (Branchinecta                                collect branchiopod
                                                     longiantenna) Vernal                                resting eggs.
                                                     pool tadpole shrimp
                                                     (Lepidurus packardi)
                                                     Riverside fairy
                                                     shrimp
                                                     (Streptocephalus
                                                     woottoni) San Diego
                                                     fairy shrimp
                                                     (Branchinecta
                                                     sandiegonensis).
108507.....................  U.S. Fish and          All endangered         CA, NV, OR.................  All activities in     Amend.
                              Wildlife Service,      species in the                                      furtherance of the
                              Sacramento,            Pacific Southwest                                   U.S. Fish and
                              California.            Region.                                             Wildlife Service's
                                                                                                         mission to conserve
                                                                                                         endangered wildlife
                                                                                                         and plants and the
                                                                                                         ecosystems upon
                                                                                                         which they depend.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Public Availability of Comments

    Written comments we receive become part of the administrative 
record associated with this action. 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 request in your comment that we 
withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we 
cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. All submissions from 
organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying 
themselves as representatives or officials of be made available for 
public disclosure in their entirety.

Next Steps

    If we decide to issue permits to any of the applicants listed in 
this notice, we will publish a notice in the Federal Register.

Authority

    We publish this notice under section 10(c) of the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

Rachel Henry,
Acting Regional Ecological Services Program Manager, Pacific Southwest 
Region, Sacramento, California.
[FR Doc. 2023-22278 Filed 10-5-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P