[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 62 (Monday, April 1, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12268-12270]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-06212]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2019-0011; FXIA16710900000-178-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 May 1, 2019.
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-2019-0011.
Submitting Comments: When submitting comments, please specify the
name of the applicant and the permit number at the beginning of your
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-2019-0011.
U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing,
Attn: Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2019-0011; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Headquarters, MS: BPHC; 5275 Leesburg Pike; Falls Church, VA 22041-
3803.
For more information, see Public Comment Procedures under
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brenda Tapia, by phone at 703-358-
2104, 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 applications 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: Tony Goldberg, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI; Permit
No. 09881D
The applicant requests a permit to import biological samples of
wild-born and captive-born chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) from Ngamba
Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Uganda, for the
[[Page 12269]]
purpose of scientific research. This notification is for a single
import.
Applicant: Denver Zoological Foundation, Denver, CO; Permit No. 17573D
The applicant requests a permit to export one captive-born Malay
tapir (Tapirus indicus) to Africam, Mexico, for the purpose of
enhancing the propagation or survival of the species. This notification
is for a single export.
Applicant: University of Illinois, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory,
Brookfield, IL; Permit No. 21469B
The applicant requests to import biological samples from chimpanzee
(Pan troglodytes) in Tanzania for the purpose of scientific research.
This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant
over a 5-year period.
Applicant: LMBI, Fort Worth, TX; Permit No. 18708D
The applicant requests a permit to export one captive-born southern
black rhino (Diceros bicornis) to Taronga Zoo, Australia, for the
purpose of enhancing the propagation or survival of the species. This
notification is for a single export.
Applicant: Duke University Lemur Center, Durham, NC; Permit No. 21559D
The applicant requests a permit to export one male and one female
captive-born Coquerel's sifaka (Propithecus coquereli) to Tierpark
Berlin, Berlin, Germany, for the purpose of enhancing the propagation
or survival of the species. This notification is for a single export.
Applicant: Elliot Jacobson, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL;
Permit No. 21270D
The applicant requests a permit to import biological tissue samples
of Central American river turtle (Dermatemys mawii) from Unitedville,
Belize, for the purpose of scientific research. This notification is
for a single import.
Applicant: Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, Omaha, NE; Permit No.
22215D
The applicant requests a permit to import one live captive-bred
male Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) from Moscow Zoo, Moscow,
Russian Federation, for the purpose of enhancing the propagation or
survival of the species. This notification is for a single import.
Applicant: Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Cleveland, OH; Permit No. 04323D
The applicant requests a permit to import one female captive-born
Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) for the purpose of enhancing
the propagation or survival of the species. This notification is for a
single import.
Applicant: Seneca Park Zoo, Rochester, NY; Permit No. 02406D
The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under
50 CFR 17.21(g) for snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and African penguin
(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: Virginia Safari Park, Natural Bridge, VA; Permit No. 02395D
The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under
50 CFR 17.21(g) for African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) and southern
white rhino (Ceratotherium simum simum) 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: Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Garden, Los Angeles, CA;
Permit No. 11986D
The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under
50 CFR 17.21(g) for the following species listed in the table below, 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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African wild dog.......................... Lycaon pictus
Andean condor............................. Vultur gryphus
Anoa...................................... Bubalus depressicornis
Asian elephant............................ Elephas maximus
Baird's tapir............................. Tapirus bairdii
Bali mynah................................ Leucopsar rothschildi
Black lemur............................... Eulemur macaco
Blue-billed curassow...................... Crax alberti
Blue-throated macaw....................... Ara glaucogularis
Bornean orangutan......................... Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus
Buru babirusa............................. Babyrousa celebensus
Chimpanzee................................ Pan troglodytes
Francois' langur.......................... Trachypithecus francoisi
Giant otter............................... Pteronura brasiliensis
Golden-lion tamarin....................... Leontopithecus rosalia
Grevy's zebra............................. Equus grevyi
Harpy eagle............................... Harpia harpyja
Komodo monitor............................ Varanus komodoensis
Mandrill.................................. Mandrillus sphinx
Maned wolf................................ Chrysocyon brachyurus
Peninsular pronghorn...................... Antilocapra americana
peninsularis
Radiated tortoise......................... Astrochelys radiata
Ring-tailed lemur......................... Lemur catta
San Esteban Island chuckwalla............. Sauromalus varius
Siamang................................... Symphalangus syndactylus
Snow leopard.............................. Uncia uncia
Southern pudu............................. Pudu puda
Tiger..................................... Panthera tigris
Tomistoma................................. Tomistoma schlegeli
Verreaux's sifaka......................... Propithecus verreauxi
Western gorilla........................... Gorilla gorilla
Woylie.................................... Bettongia penicillata
Yellow-footed rock wallaby................ Petrogale xanthopus
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Applicant: William Tatom, Amarillo, TX; Permit No. 98275C
The applicant requests a permit to import the sport-hunted trophy
of one scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah) culled from a captive herd in
Mexico, for the purpose of enhancing the propagation or survival of the
species.
Applicant: Rita Kalmon, Medford, WI; Permit No. 98276C
The applicant requests a permit to import the sport-hunted trophy
of one scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah) culled from a captive herd in
Mexico, for the purpose of enhancing the propagation or survival of the
species.
Applicant: Nathan Somero, New Ipswich, NH; Permit No. 98249C
The applicant requests a permit to import the sport-hunted trophy
of one scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah) culled from a captive herd in
Mexico, for the purpose of enhancing the propagation or survival of the
species.
Applicant: David Baldauf., Gilbert, AZ; Permit No. 98253C
The applicant requests a permit to import the sport-hunted trophy
of one scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah) culled from a captive herd in
Mexico, for the purpose of enhancing the propagation or survival of the
species.
Applicant: Anthony Deshaw, Rochester Hills, MI; Permit No. 14599D
The applicant requests a permit to import the sport-hunted trophy
of one scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah) culled from a captive herd in
Mexico, for the purpose of enhancing the propagation or survival of the
species.
Multiple Trophy Applicants
The following applicants request permits to import sport-hunted
trophies
[[Page 12270]]
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.
Applicant: Steven Crews, Natchitoches, LA; Permit No. 15034D
Applicant: Donald Youngblood, Keizer, OR; Permit No. 17070D
Applicant: Donald Wehmeyer, Abilene, TX; Permit No. 17570D
Applicant: Scott Ames, Tulsa, OK; Permit No. 21256D
B. Endangered Marine Mammals and Marine Mammals
Applicant: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Admin, Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response
Program, Silver Spring, MD; Permit No. 009526
NMFS, the applicant, requests renewal of their permit in order to
salvage, receive, possess, analyze, transfer, import, and export
samples and parts of all marine mammal species under U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS) jurisdiction and also for incidental take of
all marine mammals under USFWS jurisdiction that may occur while NMFS
is performing research or emergency response activities on marine
mammals under NMFS jurisdiction under NMFS permit no. 18786-02. They
are also requesting Level B coverage for incidental harassment that may
occur to the four marine mammal species that are found in U.S. waters;
the possible incidental harassment would occur as a result of
activities conducted under NMFS's Marine Mammal Health and Stranding
Response Program permit for the purpose of enhancement of the survival
of the species. This notification covers activities to be conducted by
the applicant over a 5-year period.
Applicant: U.S. Geological Survey, National Wildlife Health Center,
Madison, WI; Permit No. 51164C
The applicant requests authorization for the following activities,
for the purpose of scientific research (in order to determine possible
causes of disease and mortality):
To receive and process northern sea otter (NSO) carcasses stranded
in Washington and Alaska;
To transport tissue samples from these NSO carcasses to other lab
facilities within the United States for diagnostic testing; and
To export biological specimens to the Department of Fisheries and
Oceans in Canada of northern sea otter (Enhydra lutris kenyoni),
Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus), West Indian manatee (Trichechus
manatus), and polar bear (Ursus maritimus).
This notification covers activities to be conducted by the
applicant over a 5-year period.
Applicant: Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, St.
Petersburg, FL; Permit No. 773494
The applicant requests renewal of their research permit to conduct
aerial surveys on West Indian Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus).
They are also requesting to import, export, or re-export biological
samples (tissues, parts, samples, or carcasses) of West Indian manatee,
Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis), African manatee (Trichechus
senegalensis), and dugong (Dugong dugon) for the purpose of scientific
research. 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.
Brenda Tapia,
Program Analyst/Data Administrator, Branch of Permits, Division of
Management Authority.
[FR Doc. 2019-06212 Filed 3-29-19; 8:45 am]
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