[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 8 (Thursday, January 11, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1378-1380]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-00321]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2017-0086; FXIA16710900000-178-FF09A30000]
Foreign Endangered and Threatened Species; Receipt of Permit
Applications
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of receipt of permit applications.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to
comment on applications to conduct certain activities with foreign
endangered and threatened species. With some exceptions, the Endangered
Species Act prohibits activities with listed species unless Federal
authorization is acquired that allows such activities. The ESA also
requires that we invite public comment before issuing these permits.
DATES: We must receive comments by February 12, 2018.
ADDRESSES:
Document availability: The applications, as well as any comments
and other materials that we receive, will be available for public
inspection online in Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2017-0086 at http://www.regulations.gov.
Submitting comments: You may submit comments by one of the
following methods:
[[Page 1379]]
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
Search for Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2017-0086 and follow the instructions
for submitting comments.
U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing,
Attn: Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2017-0086; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
MS: BPHC; 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.
When submitting comments, please include the name of the applicant and
the PRT# at the beginning of your comment. We will post all comments on
http://www.regulations.gov. This generally means that we will post any
personal information you provide (see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for
more information).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joyce Russell, 703-358-2023.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Public Comment Procedures
A. How do I comment on submitted applications?
You may submit your comments and materials by one of the methods
listed under Submitting Comments in the ADDRESSES section. We will not
consider comments sent by email or fax, or to an address not in the
ADDRESSES section.
Please make your comments as specific as possible, confine your
comments to issues for which we seek information as described 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 (DATES) or comments
delivered to an address other than those listed in ADDRESSES.
B. May I review comments submitted by others?
Comments, including names and street addresses of respondents, will
be available for public review online at http://www.regulations.gov and
at the street address in ADDRESSES. The public may review documents and
other information applicants have sent in support of their applications
unless our allowing such viewing would violate the Privacy Act (5
U.S.C. 552a) or the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552).
C. Who will see my comments?
If you submit a comment via 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.
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.; ESA), 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; Jan. 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.
III. Permit Applications
We invite the public to comment on applications to conduct certain
activities with endangered species. With some exceptions, the ESA
prohibits activities with listed species unless Federal authorization
is acquired that allows such activities.
Applicant: Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Washington, DC; PRT-
007870
The applicant requests reissuance of their permit for scientific
research with captive-born giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)
currently held under loan agreement with the Government of China and
under the provisions of the Service Giant Panda Policy. The proposed
research will cover all aspects of behavior, reproductive physiology,
genetics, nutrition, and animal health, and will be continuation of
activities currently in progress. This notification covers activities
conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
Applicant: Dawn Carone, Swarthmore, PA; PRT-40245C
The applicant requests a permit to import biological samples from
wild Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii) and western gorilla (gorilla
gorilla) for scientific research. This notification is for a single
import. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the
applicant over a 1-year period.
Applicant: University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine,
Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Athens, GA; PRT-45805C
The applicant requests authorization to import tissue or blood
samples of any avian species (class Aves), reptile species (class
Reptilia), and fish (within the taxonomic phylum Chordata) from
locations worldwide for the purpose of diagnostic testing for
infectious diseases/scientific research. This notification covers
activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
Applicant: Mr. Vincent Rose, American Crocodile Education Sanctuary,
North Fort Meyers, FL; PRT-44876C
The applicant requests authorization to import the skull of an
American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) from Belize to enhance the
propagation or survival of the species. This notification is for a
single import.
Trophy Applicants
The following applicants each request a permit to import a sport-
hunted trophy of a 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.
Applicant: Michael Kincaid, Mukilteo, WA; PRT-53993C
Applicant: Tim Brown, Oregon City, OR; PRT-52676C
Applicant: Christopher O'Connor, Dumfries, VA; PRT-55019C
Applicant: Verne Williamson, Ashland, VA; PRT-46104C
Applicant: Edward Aston, San Juan Capistrano, CA PRT-54247C
Applicant: Benard Calvin Hendrick VII, Odessa, TX; PRT 55894C
Applicant: Kevin H. Young, Chehalis, WA; PRT-57502C
Applicant: William S. Montgomery Jr., Dallas, TX; PRT-58300C
IV. Next Steps
If the Service decides to issue permits to any of the applicants
listed in this
[[Page 1380]]
notice, we will publish a notice in the Federal Register. You may
locate the Federal Register notice announcing the permit issuance date
by searching regulations.gov under the permit number listed in this
document (e.g., PRT-12345C).
V. Authority
The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 1973
(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Joyce Russell,
Government Information Specialist, Branch of Permits, Division of
Management Authority.
[FR Doc. 2018-00321 Filed 1-10-18; 8:45 am]
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