[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 196 (Wednesday, October 10, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 50951-50955] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2018-21968] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS-R2-ES-2018-N094; FXES11130200000-189-FF02ENEH00] U.S. Endangered Species; Recovery Permit Applications AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of receipt of permit applications; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following applications for a permit to conduct activities intended to recover and enhance endangered species survival. With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA), prohibits certain activities that may impact endangered species unless a Federal permit allows such activity. The ESA also requires that we invite public comment before issuing these permits. [[Page 50952]] DATES: To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by November 9, 2018. ADDRESSES: Document availability: Request documents by phone or email: Susan Jacobsen, 505-248-6641, susan_jacobsen@fws.gov. Comment submission: Submit comments by U.S. mail to Susan Jacobsen, Classification and Recovery Division, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, NM 87103. Please specify the permit you are interested in by number (e.g., Permit No. TE-123456). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Jacobsen, Chief, Classification and Restoration Division, 505-248-6641. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 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 hunting, shooting, harming, wounding, or killing but also such activities as pursuing, harassing, trapping, capturing, or collecting. The ESA and our implementing regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) title 50, part 17, provide for issuing such permits and require that we invite public comment before issuing permits for activities involving endangered species. A recovery permit we issue under the ESA, section 10(a)(1)(A), authorizes the permittee to conduct activities with endangered or threatened species for scientific purposes that promote recovery or enhance the species' propagation or survival. These activities often include such prohibited actions as capture and collection. Our regulations implementing section 10(a)(1)(A) for these permits are found 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 Documents and other information submitted with these applications are available for review by any party who submits a request as specified in ADDRESSES. Releasing documents is subject to the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) and Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) requirements. Proposed activities in the following permit requests are for the recovery and enhancement of propagation or survival of the species in the wild. 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. Please refer to the application number when submitting comments. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Application No. Applicant Species Location Activity Type of take Permit action -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TE-93531C............. Stewart, Justin; Golden-cheeked Texas................ Presence/absence Harm, harass........ New. Austin, Texas. Warbler (Setophaga surveys. chrysoparia). TE-85341C............. Ward, William A.; American Burying Oklahoma............. Presence/absence Capture, injury, New. Oklahoma City, Beetle (Nicrophorus surveys, habitat death. Oklahoma. americanus). surveys. TE-85337C............. Barnes, Bradley W.; American Burying Oklahoma............. Presence/absence Capture, injury, New. Moore, Oklahoma. Beetle (Nicrophorus surveys, habitat death. americanus). surveys. TE-85444C............. Chickasaw Nation; American Burying Oklahoma, Texas...... Presence/absence Capture, injury, New. Ada, Oklahoma. Beetle (Nicrophorus surveys. death. americanus). TE-038055............. University of New Rio Grande Silvery New Mexico, Arizona.. Aquatic sampling/ Capture, injury, Renew. Mexico, Dr. Turner; Minnow (Hybognathus surveying death, collect. Albuquerque, New amarus), Spikedace (electrofishing, Mexico. (Meda fulgida), seines, dip-nets, Loach Minnow block nets, and (Tiaroga cobitis). kick seines, others methods as approved), collect fin-clips. TE-023159B............ Southwestern Western Yellow-billed New Mexico, Texas.... Ground surveys, Harm, harass, Renew. Ornithological Cuckoo (Coccyzus presence/absence injury, death. Research and americanus), Lesser surveys, breeding Adventures (SORA), Prairie-Chicken surveys. Albuquerque, New (Tympanuchus Mexico. pallidicinctus), Mexican Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis lucida), Northern Aplomado Falcon (Falco femoralis septentrionalis), Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus). TE-082492............. Hancock, Charles Southwestern Willow New Mexico........... Presence/absence Capture, collect, Renew. Dean; Youngsville, Flycatcher surveys, mist- harm, harass, New Mexico. (Empidonax traillii netting, nest injury, death. extimus), Mexican boxes, hand capture. Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis lucida), Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus), Jemez Mountain Salamander (Plethodon neomexicanus). TE-85591C............. Jarrell, Jared M.; American Burying Oklahoma............. Presence/absence Capture, injury, New. Tulsa, Oklahoma. Beetle (Nicrophorus surveys. death. americanus). TE-001623............. American Southwest Arkansas River Shiner Arizona, Colorado, Population Capture, collect, Renewal. Ichthyological (Notropis girardi), New Mexico, Utah. monitoring, injury, death. Researchers (ASIR), Colorado Pikeminnow spawning Dr. Dudley; (Ptychocheilus activities, Albuquerque, New lucius), Razorback downstream Mexico. Sucker (Xyrauchen transport studies, texanus), Humpback surveys, Chub (Gila cypha), collection, fin Gila Chub (Gila clips, salvage, intermedia), Rio seines, dip nets, Grande Silvery electrofishing. Minnow (Hybognathus amarus), Spikedace (Meda fulgida), Loach Minnow (Tiaroga cobitis). [[Page 50953]] TE-837751............. U.S Bureau of Southwestern Willow Arizona.............. Surveys, Trapping, Collect, harass, Amend. Reclamation; Flycatcher Capture, injury, death. Glendale, Arizona. (Empidonax traillii Electrofishing. extimus), Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus), Northern Mexican gartersnake (Thamnophis eques megalops), Narrow- headed gartersnake (Thamnophis rufipunctatus), Chiricahua Leopard Frog (Lithobates chiricahuensis), Pima Pineapple Cactus (Coryphantha scheeri var. robustispina), Yuma Clapper Rail (Rallus obsoletus yumanensis), Desert Pupfish (Cyprinodon macularius), Gila Topminnow (Poeciliopsis occidentalis), Colorado Pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius), Spikedace (Meda fulgida), Loach Minnow (Tiaroga cobitis), Razorback Sucker (Xyrauchen texanus), Woundfin (Plagopterus argentissimus). TE-88641C............. Perkins, Steve; Knowlton's Cactus New Mexico........... Presense/absence N/A................. New. Farmington, New (Pediocacurs surveys. Mexico. knowltonii), Kuenzler Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus fendleri var. kuenzleri), Lee Pincushion Cactus (Escobaria sneedii var. leei), Mesa Verde Cactus (Sclerocactus mesae- verdae), Sneed Pincushion Cactus (Escobaria sneedii var. sneedii), Zuni Fleabane (Erigeron rhizomatus), Holy Ghost Ipomopsis (Ipomopsis sancti- spiritus), Mancos Milkvetch (Astragalus humillimus), Todsen's Pennyroyal (Hedeoma todsenii), Sacramento Prickly Poppy (Argemone pleiacantha ssp. pinnatisecta), Pecos Sunflower (Helianthus paradoxus), Sacramento Mountains Thistle (Cirsium vinaceum), Gypsum Wild-Buckwheat (Eriogonum gossypinum). TE-819458............. National Park Sonoyta Mud Turtle Arizona.............. Population surveys, Trap, injury, death. Amend. Service, Organ Pipe (Kinosternon trapping. Cactus National sonoriense Monument); Ajo, longifemorale). Arizona. TE-00974A............. McLean, Jesse M.; Golden-cheeked Texas................ Presence/absence Harass, injury, Renew. Dallas Texas. Warbler (Setophaga surveys. death. chrysoparia). TE-85338C............. McCoy, Chad B.; American Burying Oklahoma............. Presence/absence Capture, injury, New. Oklahoma City, Beetle (Nicrophorus surveys, habitat death. Oklahoma. americanus). surveys. TE-041875............. University of Sonoran Tiger Arizona.............. Trap, tissue sample, Capture, collect, Renew. Arizona, Dr. Salamander radio-collar, mark, injury, death. Koprowski; Tucson, (Ambystoma tigrinum release, monitor, Arizona. stebbinsi), Mount recapture. Graham Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis). TE-64710A............. Jackson, Jacob T.; Houston Toad (Bufo Texas................ Surveys, capture, Capture, collect, Renew. Austin, Texas. Houstontoadensis). relocation/salvage. injury, death. TE-90005C............. Patterson, Rande; American Burying Oklahoma, Texas...... Presence/absence Capture, injury, New. Houston, Texas. Beetle (Nicrophorus surveys. death. americanus). TE-93537C............. Turtle Island Kemp's Ridley Sea Texas................ Nesting surveys, Capture, collect, New. Restoration Network; Turtle (Lepidochelys capture, relocation injury, death. Galveston, Texas. kempii), Green Sea and release, sample Turtle (Chelonia collection. mydas), Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta), Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). TE-053109............. Stefferud, Sally E.; Desert Pupfish Arizona.............. Surveys, Trapping, Collect, harass, Renew. Phoenix, Arizona. (Cyprinodon Capture, injury, death. macularius), Gila Electrofishing. Topminnow (Poeciliopsis occidentalis). [[Page 50954]] TE-79697C............. Clark, Barrett R.; Coffin Cave mold Texas................ Presence/absence Harm and harass..... New. Kyle, Texas. beetle (Batrisodes surveys. texanus), Helotes mold beetle (B. venyivi), Robber Baron Cave meshweaver (Cicurina baronia), Madla Cave meshweaver (C. madla), Bracken Bat Cave meshweaver (C. venii), Government Canyon Bat Cave spider (Neoleptoneta microps), Tooth Cave spider (N. myopica), ground beetle (Rhadine exilis), ground beetle (R. infernalis), Kretschmarr Cave mold beetle (Tartarocregris texana), Cokendolpher Cave harvestman (Texella cokendolpheri), Bee Creek Cave harvestman (T. reddelli), Bone Cave harvestman (T. reyesi), diminutive amphipod (Gammarus hyalleloides), Pecos amphipod (G. pecos), Comal Springs riffle beetle (Heterlmis comalensis), Peck's Cave amphipod (Stygobromus pecki), Comal Springs dryopid beetle (S. comalensis). TE-833851............. City of Austin; Barton Springs Texas................ Surveys, Marking, Collect, harass, Renew. Austin, Texas. salamander (Eurycea Tail-clipping. injury, death. sosorum), Austin blind salamander (E. waterlooensis), Jollyville Plateau salamander (E. tonkawae), San Marcos salamander, (E. nana). TE-069320............. Groundwater and Interior least tern Arkansas, Kansas, Presence/absence Harm and Harass..... Renew. Environmental (Sterna antillarum Louisiana, Oklahoma, surveys. Services, Inc.; athalassos), piping South Dakota, Texas. Lewisville, Texas. plover (Charadrius melodus), red- cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis), American Burying Beetle (Nicrophorus americanus), fountain darter (Etheostoma fonticola). TE-00975A............. Osage Nation; American Burying Oklahoma............. Presence/absence Capture, injury, Renew. Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Beetle (Nicrophorus surveys. death. americanus). TE-800611............. SWCA; Austin, Texas.. Whooping Crane (Grus Arkansas, Kansas, Presence/absence Capture, collect, Amend. americana), Karst Massachusetts, surveys, habitat injury, death. Invertebrates, Red- Michigan, Missouri, assessments. Cockaded Woodpecker Nebraska, Ohio, (Leuconotopicus Oklahoma, Rhode borealis), American Island, South Burying Beetle Dakota, Texas. (Nicrophorus americanus), Louisiana Pine Snake (Pituophis ruthveni), Texas Hornshell (Popenaias popeii), Golden- cheeked Warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia), Interior Least Tern (Sterna antillarum athalassos), Houston Toad (Bufo houstonensis). TE-08832A............. Utah State Rio Grande Silvery New Mexico........... Surveys, Trapping, Collect, harass, Renew. University; Logan, Minnow (Hybognathus Capture, injury, death. Utah. amarus). Electrofishing. TE-86070C............. Cincinnati Zoo; Todsen's Pennyroyal New Mexico........... Presence/absence N/A................. New. Cincinnati, Ohio. (Hedeoma todsenii). surveys. TE-169770............. NMOSE/ISC; Los Lunas, Rio Grande Silvery New Mexico........... Captive propagation, Injury, death....... Renew. New Mexico. Minnow (Hybognathus culture, holding amarus). and research. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Public Availability of Comments All comments and materials we receive in response to these requests will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the address listed in ADDRESSES. 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 ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Authority We provide this notice under section 10 of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). [[Page 50955]] Dated: July 19, 2018. Amy Lueders, Regional Director, Southwest Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2018-21968 Filed 10-9-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333-15-P