[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 18, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23273-23275]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-9391]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R3-ES-2012-N088; FXES11130300000F3-123-FF03E00000]


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 (USFWS), 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 May 18, 2012.

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: TE71464A.
Applicant: Bishop Hill Energy LLC, Chicago, IL.
    The applicant requests a permit to take (salvage) the endangered 
Indiana

[[Page 23274]]

bat (Myotis sodalis) at the Bishop Hill Wind Energy Project, Henry 
County, IL. The applicant proposes a maximum take of two Indiana bats 
during proposed research to determine operating methods to avoid long-
term take of the species at the facility.
    Under the research proposal, Bishop Hill Energy would evaluate bat 
mortality and take avoidance at the facility to benefit listed and 
unlisted bat species. The primary goal of the research is to evaluate 
and devise biologically based operational protocols for turbines at the 
Henry County facility to successfully avoid take of listed bat species.
    In addition, information generated by the proposed research could 
be used to inform operational protocols at other operating wind energy 
projects within the range of Indiana bats, thereby enhancing the 
propagation and survival of the listed species. The proposed study is 
designed to research (1) effective methods to avoid mortality of listed 
bats through curtailment of turbines and (2) the relationship between 
temperature and risk of bat mortality. The applicant requests a permit 
term of two years.
    The environmental impacts of the proposed study have been evaluated 
in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA; 
42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). The USFWS has prepared an Environmental 
Assessment (EA) to conduct this evaluation prior to making its decision 
on permit issuance. The EA is available for public review concurrent 
with the permit application.
Permit Application Number: TE71680A.
Applicant: Megan Caylor, Indianapolis, IN.
    The applicant requests a permit to take (capture and release) 
Indiana bats and Gray bats (Myotis grisescens) throughout the range of 
the species. The applicant requests authority to conduct activities 
aimed at enhancement of survival of the species in the wild in Alabama, 
Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, 
Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, New Jersey, New 
York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South 
Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, DC, and West 
Virginia.
Permit Application Number: TE15027A.
Applicant: Stantec Consulting, Columbus, OH.
    The applicant requests a renewal of their permit, with an 
amendment, to take the following species: Indiana bats, gray bats, 
Hine's emerald dragonfly (Somatochlora hineana), American burying 
beetle (Nicrophorus americanus), and Mitchell's satyr butterfly 
(Neonympha mitchellii mitchellii) for the purpose of enhancement of the 
survival of the species in the wild. Proposed activities may occur 
within the following States: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, New 
Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Permit Application Number: TE71718A.
Applicant: Steffen J. Bradley, Finneytown, OH.
    The applicant requests a permit to take Indiana bats and gray bats 
within Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and 
Wisconsin. Proposed activities are for the recovery of the species and 
enhancement of survival of the species in the wild.
Permit Application Number: TE71720A.
Applicant: Forest Preserve District of Will County, Plainfield, IL.
    The applicant requests a permit to take (capture and release) 
Indiana bats and gray bats within the Forest Preserve District, Will 
County, IL, for the purpose of recovery and enhancement of survival of 
the species in the wild.
Permit Application Number: TE71730A.
Applicant: Missouri Department of Conservation, Lost Valley Hatchery, 
Warsaw, MO.
    The applicant requests a permit to take (capture and hold; 
propagate and release) the Topeka shiner (Notropis topeka) within the 
State of Missouri. Propagation activities will be conducted in 
accordance with the 10-year Strategic Plan for Recovery of the Topeka 
Shiner in Missouri. Proposed activities are for the enhancement of 
propagation and survival of the species in the wild.
Permit Application Number: TE00622A.
Applicant: Upper Peninsula Land Conservancy, Marquette, MI.
    The applicant requests a permit renewal to take Piping Plover 
(Charadrius melodus) within Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Proposed 
activities involve protection of nests and adults, collection, and 
participating in captive rearing/release in accordance with USFWS 
protocols. Activities proposed are for the recovery of the species in 
the wild.
Permit Application Number: TE06846A.
Applicant: Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, Washington, DC
    The applicant requests a permit renewal to take (capture, band/tag, 
and release) the Kirtland's warbler (Dendroica kirtlandii) throughout 
Michigan for scientific research aimed at recovery of the species.
Permit Application Number: TE71737A.
Applicant: Roger A. Klocek, Plainfield, IL.
    The applicant requests a permit to take (capture and release) 
Higgins' eye pearlymussel (Lampsilis higginsii), spectaclecase mussel 
(Cumberlandia monodonta), and sheepnose mussel (Plethobasus cyphus) 
within the Mississippi River in Iowa. Proposed activities are for the 
enhancement of survival of the species in the wild.
Permit Application Number: TE71819A.
Applicant: The University of Michigan, Dearborn, MI.
    The applicant requests a permit to take Karner blue butterfly 
(Lycaeides melissa samuelis) within Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. 
Proposed take involves capture and handling, nonlethal collection of 
tissue, and release. Activities are proposed to enhance the recovery of 
the species through research into genetic diversity.
Permit Application Number: TE08603A.
Applicant: Michelle Malcosky, Hudson, OH.
    The applicant requests a permit renewal to take (capture and 
release) Indiana bats throughout the species' range for the purpose of 
enhancement of survival of the species in the wild.
Permit Application Number: TE71821A.
Applicant: David T. Zanatta, Central Michigan University, Mount 
Pleasant, MI.
    The applicant requests a permit to take (capture and release; 
temporary holding) the following mussel species: Snuffbox (Epioblasma 
triquetra), rayed bean (Villosa fabalis), Clubshell (Pleurobema clava), 
and Northern riffleshell (Epioblasma torulosa rangiana). Proposed 
activities may occur within Michigan and Wisconsin for the purpose of 
research and enhancement of propagation and survival of the species in 
the wild.
Permit Application Number: TE71827A.
Applicant: Benjamin T. Hale, Jacksonville, IL.
    The applicant requests a permit to take (capture and release) 
Indiana bats, gray bats, Ozark big-eared bats (Corynorhinus townsendii 
ingens), and Virginia big-eared bats (Corynorhinus townsendii 
virginianus) throughout the States of Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, 
Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, 
Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, 
Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 
North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South 
Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and 
Wisconsin. Proposed activities are for the enhancement of survival of 
the species in the wild.
Permit Application Number: TE206778.

[[Page 23275]]

Applicant: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Field 
Office, Twin Cities, MN.
    The applicant requests a permit amendment to add snuffbox, 
spectaclecase, and sheepnose mussels to existing Fish and Wildlife 
Permit Number TE206778. Proposed activities would occur within 
Minnesota and Wisconsin for the enhancement of propagation and survival 
of the species in the wild.
Permit Application Number: TE71834A.
Applicant: Robert J. Welch, Waupaca Biological Field Station, Waupaca, 
WI.
    The applicant requests a permit to take (capture and release) 
snuffbox mussels within Wisconsin for the enhancement of survival of 
the species in the wild.
Permit Application Number: TE02360A.
Applicant: Sydney Morgan, Charleston, WV.
    The applicant requests a permit renewal to take (capture and 
release) Indiana bats, gray bats, and Virginia big-eared bats 
throughout the States of Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, 
Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, 
Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 
North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South 
Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and 
Wisconsin. Proposed activities are for the enhancement of survival of 
the species in the wild.

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, 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.

    Dated: April 12, 2012.
Sean Marsan,
Acting Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services, Region 3.
[FR Doc. 2012-9391 Filed 4-17-12; 8:45 am]
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