[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 123 (Thursday, June 25, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38152-38154]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-13743]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2020-0064; 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 July 27, 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-2020-0064.
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-2020-0064.
U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing,
Attn: Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2020-0064; 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
[[Page 38153]]
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: L.A. Waters Ranch, LLC, Utopia, TX; Permit No. 16883D
The applicant requests a permit to export samples derived from
captive African wild ass (Equus africanus) for the purpose of enhancing
the propagation or survival of the species through scientific research.
This notification is for a single export.
Applicant: Toledo Zoological Gardens, Toledo, OH; Permit No. 49147D
The applicant requests a permit to import one female captive-born
Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) from Thrigby Hall Wildlife
Gardens, Great Yarmouth, United Kingdom, to Toledo Zoological Gardens,
Toledo, OH, with immediate transport to the Niabi Zoo, Coal Valley, IL,
for the purpose of enhancing the propagation or survival of the
species. This notification is for a single import.
Applicant: Institute for the Conservation of Tropical Environments,
Stony Brook, NY; Permit No. 56547D
The applicant requests authorization to import biological samples
derived from wild golden bamboo lemurs (Hapalemur aureus), greater
bamboo lemurs (Prolemur simus), and red-fronted lemurs (Eulemur rufus),
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: Columbian Park Zoo/City of Lafayette, Lafayette, IN; Permit
No. 60773D
The applicant requests a permit to acquire six male and two female
captive-bred African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) in interstate
commerce from Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Vallejo, California, for the
purpose of enhancing the propagation or survival of the species. This
notification is for a single interstate commerce activity.
Applicant: Fort Worth Zoological Association, Inc., Fort Worth, TX;
Permit No. 65855D
The applicant requests a permit to import two female captive-born
Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) from African Lion Safari, Ontario,
Canada, for the purpose of enhancing the propagation or survival of the
species. This notification is for a single import.
Applicant: Minnesota Zoological Gardens, Apple Valley, MN; Permit No.
60225D
The applicant requests a permit to import one female captive-born
Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) from Thrigby Hall Wildlife
Gardens, Great Yarmouth, United Kingdom, for the purpose of enhancing
the propagation or survival of the species. This notification is for a
single import.
Applicant: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Carlsbad Field Office,
Carlsbad, CA; Permit No. 69406D
The applicant requests a permit to export biological samples
derived from nonviable eggs of California least terns (Sterna
antillarum browni) to AXYS Analytical Services, Sidney, Canada, for the
purpose of scientific research. This notification is for a single
export.
Applicant: Royal Botanic Gardens, KEW, c/o U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service Field Office, Boquer[oacute]n, Puerto Rico; Permit No. 76438D
The applicant requests authorization to export dried/preserved
leaves, floral structures, and vegetative material of (Zanthoxylum
thomasianum) for the purpose of scientific research. This notification
covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year
period.
Applicant: International Center for the Preservation of Wild Animals
dba The Wilds, Cumberland, OH; Permit No. 56752D
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: African wild dog (Lycaon pictus), Asian
wild ass (Equus hemionus), Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus),
Bactrian deer (Cervus elaphus bactrianus), banteng (Bos javanicus),
cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), dhole (Cuon alpinus), goral (Naemorhedus
goral), great Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis), Przewalski's
horse (Equus przewalskii), and red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis).
This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant
over a 5-year period.
Applicant: The Condor Fund, Las Vegas, NV; Permit No. 54520D
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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Andean condor........................... Vultur gryphus
Blue-throated macaw..................... Ara glaucogularis
Great green macaw....................... Ara ambiguous
Military macaw.......................... Ara militaris
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Applicant: John Grigus, Lemont, IL; Permit No. 25262B
The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under
50 CFR 17.21(g) for Madagascar radiated tortoise (Geochelone radiata)
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: Lonesome Bull Ranch, Sardia, TX; Permit No. 60507D
[[Page 38154]]
The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under
50 CFR 17.21(g) for barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelli) and Arabian oryx
(Oryx leucoryx) 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: Saint Louis Zoo, Saint Louis, MO; Permit No. 66451D
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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Amur tiger.............................. Panthera tigris altaica
Amur leopard............................ Panthera pardus orientalis
Snow leopard............................ Uncia
African wild dog........................ Lycaon pictus
Cheetah................................. Acinonyx jubatus
Asian elephant.......................... Elephas maximus
Black rhinoceros........................ Diceros bicornis
Addax................................... Addax nasomaculatus
Babirusa................................ Babyrousa babyrussa
Banteng................................. Bos javanicus
African wild ass........................ Equus africanus
Dama gazelle............................ Gazelle dama
White-nape crane........................ Grus vipio
Bali mynah.............................. Leucopsar rothschildi
Horned guan............................. Oreophasis derbianus
Cabot's tragopan........................ Tragopan caboti
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Applicant: Charles Musgrave, Pilot Point, TX; Permit No. 67131D
The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under
50 CFR 17.21(g) for Galapagos tortoise (Chelonoidis niger) and radiated
tortoise (Astrochelys radiata) 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: Fascination Herpetoculture, Thicket, TX; Permit No. 28941B
The applicant requests renewal of a captive-bred wildlife
registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for Galapagos tortoise (Chelonoidis
niger), radiated tortoise (Astrochelys radiata), dwarf crocodile
(Osteolaemus tetraspis tetraspis), yacare caiman (Caiman yacare),
common caiman (Caiman crocodylus crocodylus), and broad-snouted caiman
(Caiman latirostris), 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: Peter M. Stein, Manchester, CT; Permit No. 76702D
The applicant requests renewal of a captive-bred wildlife
registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for radiated tortoise (Astrochelys
radiata), yellow-spotted river turtle (Podocnemis unifilis), and
spotted pond turtle (Geoclemys hamiltonii) 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: Lonesome Bull Ranch, Sardia, TX; Permit No. 68664D
The applicant requests a permit authorizing the culling of excess
barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelli) and Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) 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: Lucky 7 Exotics Ranch, Eden, TX; Permit No. 70466A
The applicant requests a permit authorizing the culling of excess
Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) and barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelli) 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 2-year period.
B. Endangered Marine Mammals and Marine Mammals
Applicant: USGS C/O Joseph Tomoleoni, Santa Cruz, CA; Permit No. 672624
The applicant requests to renew their permit to take Southern sea
otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) 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.
Monica Thomas,
Management Analyst, Branch of Permits, Division of Management
Authority.
[FR Doc. 2020-13743 Filed 6-24-20; 8:45 am]
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