[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 156 (Friday, August 12, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50246-50247]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-20598]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R3-ES-2011-N160; 30120-1113-0000-F6]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Permit 
Applications

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of permit applications; request for 
comments.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to 
comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities 
with endangered species. With some exceptions, the Endangered Species 
Act (Act) prohibits activities with endangered and threatened species 
unless a Federal permit allows such activity. The Act requires that we 
invite public comment before issuing these permits.

DATES: We must receive any written comments on or before September 12, 
2011.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments by U.S. mail to the Regional Director, 
Attn: Lisa Mandell, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological 
Services, 5600 American Blvd. West, Suite 990, Bloomington, MN 55437-
1458; or by electronic mail to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa Mandell, (612) 713-5343.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    We invite public comment on the following permit applications for 
certain activities with endangered species authorized by section 
10(a)(1)(A) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and our regulations 
governing the taking of endangered species in the Code of Federal 
Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR 17. Submit your written data, comments, or 
request for a copy of the complete application to the address shown in 
ADDRESSES.

Permit Applications

    Permit Application Number: TE48832A.
    Applicant: Kevin J. Roe, Iowa State University, Ames, IA.
    The applicant requests a permit to take (capture and release; non-
destructive sampling) scaleshell mussel (Leptodea leptodon) and pink 
mucket (Lampsilis abrupta) in Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, 
Oklahoma, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Proposed activities are for the 
enhancement of survival of the species in the wild through scientific 
study.
    Permit Application Number: TE182436.
    Applicant: Illinois Natural History Survey, Champaign, IL.
    The applicant requests an amendment to permit number TE182436 to 
take (capture and release; capture and kill) Indiana bats (Myotis 
sodalis) throughout the State of Illinois. Proposed activities are to 
monitor and evaluate the

[[Page 50247]]

population to enhance the recovery and survival of the species in the 
wild. Proposed lethal take activities are associated with scientific 
research of white-nose syndrome in the Indiana bat and its habitats.

    Permit Application Number: TE48833A.
    Applicant: Dr. Brian Carver, Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville, 
TN.
    The applicant requests a permit to take (capture and release) 
Indiana bats and gray bats (Myotis grisescens) in the States of 
Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, 
North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and West 
Virginia. Proposed activities are aimed at enhancement of survival of 
the species in the wild.

    Permit Application Number: TE38856A.
    Applicant: Applicant: Skelly and Loy, Inc., Harrisburg, PA.
    The applicant requests a permit amendment to add the gray bat to 
the list of covered species on their Federal permit. Proposed take 
(capture and release) may occur throughout the range of the species 
within Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Arkansas, 
Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Connecticut, 
Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, and 
West Virginia. The proposed activities are for the enhancement of 
survival of the species in the wild.

    Permit Application Number: TE212427.
    Applicant: Ecology and Environment, Inc., Lancaster, NY.
    The applicant requests a permit amendment to add the Virginia Big-
Eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus) to the list of species 
covered under their permit. Proposed activities include surveys, 
population monitoring, and habitat evaluation for enhancement of 
survival of the species in the wild.

    Permit Application Number: TE48835A.
    Applicant: Applied Science & Technology, Inc., Brighton, MI.
    The applicant requests a permit to take (capture and release) 
Northern riffleshell mussel (Epioblasma torulosa rangiana) within the 
State of Michigan. Proposed activities are for the enhancement of 
survival of the species in the wild.

    Permit Application Number: TE206781.
    Applicant: Ecological Specialists, Inc., O'Fallon, MO.
    The applicant requests an amendment to permit number TE206781 to 
add the following mussel species to the permit: Ouachita rock 
pocketbook (Arkansia wheeleri), Speckled pocketbook (Lampsilis 
streckeri), Dwarf wedgemussel (Alasmidonta heterodon), rough pigtoe 
(Pleurobema plenum), and ring pink (Obovaria retusa). Proposed 
activities are for the enhancement of survival of the species in the 
wild.

    Permit Application Number: TE35503A.
    Applicants: Department of Natural Resources/Department of 
Conservation, States of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, 
Ohio and Wisconsin.
    In anticipation of the spread of white-nose syndrome and the 
possible issuance of permits under section 10(a)(1)(A), we announce the 
intention to issue such permits, including the possible use of lethal 
taking to address public health concerns and scientific research aimed 
at recovery of the species. These permits will address take of Indiana 
bats and gray bats in the Midwest for these purposes.

Public Comments

    We seek public review and comments on these permit applications. 
Please refer to the permit number when you submit comments. Comments 
and materials we receive are available for public inspection, by 
appointment, during normal business hours at the address shown in the 
ADDRESSES section. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail 
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.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

    In compliance with NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), we have made an 
initial determination that the proposed activities in these permits are 
categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare an environmental 
assessment or environmental impact statement (516 DM 6 Appendix 1, 
1.4C(1)).

    Dated: August 5, 2011.
Sean Marsan,
Acting Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services, Region 3.
[FR Doc. 2011-20598 Filed 8-11-11; 8:45 am]
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