[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 79 (Tuesday, April 24, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24510-24513]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-9804]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R9-IA-2012-N097; FXIA16710900000P5-123-FF09A30000]


Endangered Species; Marine Mammals; Receipt of Applications for 
Permit

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of receipt of applications for permit.

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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, marine mammals, or both. With some exceptions, 
the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Marine Mammal Protection Act 
(MMPA) prohibit activities with listed

[[Page 24511]]

species unless Federal authorization is acquired that allows such 
activities.

DATES: We must receive comments or requests for documents on or before 
May 24, 2012. We must receive requests for marine mammal permit public 
hearings, in writing, at the address shown in the ADDRESSES section by 
May 24, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Brenda Tapia, Division of Management Authority, U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 212, Arlington, VA 
22203; fax (703) 358-2280; or email [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brenda Tapia, (703) 358-2104 
(telephone); (703) 358-2280 (fax); [email protected] (email).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Public Comment Procedures

A. How do I request copies of applications or comment on submitted 
applications?

    Send your request for copies of applications or comments and 
materials concerning any of the applications to the contact listed 
under ADDRESSES. Please include the Federal Register notice publication 
date, the PRT-number, and the name of the applicant in your request or 
submission. We will not consider requests or comments sent to an email 
or address not listed under ADDRESSES. If you provide an email address 
in your request for copies of applications, we will attempt to respond 
to your request electronically.
    Please make your requests or comments as specific as possible. 
Please confine your comments to issues for which we seek comments in 
this notice, and explain the basis for your comments. Include 
sufficient information with your comments 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. We 
will not consider or include in our administrative record comments we 
receive after the close of the comment period (see DATES) or comments 
delivered to an address other than those listed above (see ADDRESSES).

B. May I review comments submitted by others?

    Comments, including names and street addresses of respondents, will 
be available for public review at the street address listed under 
ADDRESSES. The public may review documents and other information 
applicants have sent in support of the application unless our allowing 
viewing would violate the Privacy Act or Freedom of Information Act. 
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.

II. Background

    To help us carry out our conservation responsibilities for affected 
species, and in consideration of section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the 
Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et 
seq.), along with Executive Order 13576, ``Delivering an Efficient, 
Effective, and Accountable Government,'' and the President's Memorandum 
for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies of January 21, 
2009--Transparency and Open Government (74 FR 4685; January 26, 2009), 
which call on all Federal agencies to promote openness and transparency 
in Government by disclosing information to the public, we invite public 
comment on these permit applications before final action is taken. 
Under the MMPA, you may request a hearing on any MMPA application 
received. If you request a hearing, give specific reasons why a hearing 
would be appropriate. The holding of such a hearing is at the 
discretion of the Service Director.

III. Permit Applications

A. Endangered Species

Applicant: Global Viral Forecasting Initiative, San Francisco, CA; PRT-
63801A
    The applicant requests a permit to import biological samples from 
wild and captive-born lowland gorilla, (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), 
chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), drill (Mandrillus leucophaeus), mandrill 
(Mandrillus sphinx), collared mangabey (Cercocebus torquatus), and red-
eared monkey (Cercopithecus erythrotis) for the purpose of enhancement 
of the survival of the species.
Applicant: Racine Zoological Society, Racine, WI; PRT-761357
    The applicant requests renewal and amendment of their captive-bred 
wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for the following families, 
genus, and species, to enhance their propagation or survival. This 
notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 
5-year period.

Families:
Callitrichinae
Lemuridae
Species:
Pudu (Pudu puda)
Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris altaica)
Indochinese tiger (Panthera tigris corbetti)
Snow leopard (Uncia uncia)
Black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis)
White-handed gibbon (Hylobates lar)
Applicant: Jerry Holly, Micanopy, FL; PRT-074189
    The applicant requests renewal and amendment of their captive-bred 
wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for Grevy's zebra (Equus 
grevyi) and bontebok (damaliscus pygargus pygargus), to enhance their 
propagation or survival. This notification covers activities to be 
conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
Applicant: Miami Metrozoo, Miami, FL; PRT-681592
    The applicant requests renewal of their captive-bred wildlife 
registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for the following families, genus, 
and species, to enhance their propagation or survival. This 
notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 
5-year period.
Families:
Bovidae
Equidae
Felidae (does not include jaguar, margay or ocelot)
Hominidae
Hylobatidae
Lemuridae
Rhinocerotidae
Tapiridae
Gruidae
Psittacidae (does not include thick-billed parrot)
Crocodylidae (does not include American crocodile)
Testudinidae
Species:
Asian elephant (Elephas maximus)
Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)
African wild dog (Lycaon pictus)
Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) Komodo island monitor (Varanus 
komodoensis)

[[Page 24512]]

Applicant: Eric Meffre, New Haven, CT; PRT-187257
    The applicant requests renewal of their captive-bred wildlife 
registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for the radiated tortoise 
(Astrochelys radiata), to enhance their propagation or survival. This 
notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 
5-year period.
Applicant: Little Rock Zoological Gardens, Little Rock, AR; PRT-680316
    The applicant requests amendment of their captive-bred wildlife 
registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), to 
enhance their propagation or survival. This notification covers 
activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
Applicant: Rare Species Conservatory Foundation, Loxahatchee, FL; PRT-
756101
    The applicant requests renewal of their captive-bred wildlife 
registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for golden parakeet (Guarouba 
guarouba), red-browed amazon (Amazona rhodocorytha), and vinaceous 
parrot (Amazona vinacea), to enhance their propagation or survival. 
This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant 
over a 5-year period.
Applicant: Safeguard Investments Ltd., Sandia, TX; PRT-68176A
    The applicant requests a permit authorizing interstate and foreign 
commerce, export, and cull of excess barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelii), 
scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah), and addax (Addax nasomaculatus), 
from the captive herd maintained at their facility, 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: Lewis Henderson, Hamilton, TX; PRT-69106A
    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 
50 CFR 17.21(g) for the scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah) and addax 
(Addax nasomaculatus), to enhance their propagation or survival. This 
notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 
5-year period.
Applicant: Lewis Henderson, Hamilton, TX; PRT-65816A
    The applicant requests a permit authorizing interstate and foreign 
commerce, export, and cull of excess scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah) 
and addax (Addax nasomaculatus), from the captive herd maintained at 
their facility, 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: Pheenix Farms Exotics, Interlachen, FL; PRT-71445A
    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 
50 CFR 17.21(g) for the scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah), to enhance 
their propagation or survival. This notification covers activities to 
be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
Applicant: Liberty Hill Land Partnership Ltd., Liberty Hill, TX; PRT-
71521A
    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 
50 CFR 17.21(g) for the scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah), to enhance 
their propagation or survival. This notification covers activities to 
be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
Applicant: Liberty Hill Land Partnership Ltd., Liberty Hill, TX; PRT-
71523A
    The applicant requests a permit authorizing interstate and foreign 
commerce, export, and cull of excess scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx 
dammah), from the captive herd maintained at their facility, 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: Patterson Energy of Texas, LLC, Hondo, TX; PRT-71533A
    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 
50 CFR 17.21(g) for the scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah), to enhance 
their propagation or survival. This notification covers activities to 
be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
Applicant: Rattlesnake Springs Ranch, Camp Verde, TX; PRT-71661A
    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 
50 CFR 17.21(g) for the barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelii), Eld's deer 
(Rucervus eldii), Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx), scimitar-horned oryx 
(Oryx dammah), addax (Addax nasomaculatus), dama gazelle (Nanger dama), 
and red lechwe (Kobus leche), to enhance their propagation or survival. 
This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant 
over a 5-year period.
Applicant: Rattlesnake Springs Ranch, Camp Verde, TX; PRT-71660A
    The applicant requests a permit authorizing interstate and foreign 
commerce, export, and cull of excess Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx), 
scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah), addax (Addax nasomaculatus), and 
red lechwe (Kobus leche), from the captive herd maintained at their 
facility, 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: Edward Merritt, Fullerton, CA; PRT-71633A
    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 
50 CFR 17.21(g) for the radiated tortoise (Astrochelys radiata), to 
enhance their propagation or survival. This notification covers 
activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
Applicant: Chris Pannill, Kopperl, TX; PRT-71767A
    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 
50 CFR 17.21(g) for the barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelii), Eld's deer 
(Rucervus eldii), Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx), scimitar-horned oryx 
(Oryx dammah), addax (Addax nasomaculatus), dama gazelle (Nanger dama), 
and red lechwe (Kobus leche), to enhance their propagation or survival. 
This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant 
over a 5-year period.
Applicant: Chris Pannill, Kopperl, TX; PRT-71768A
    The applicant requests a permit authorizing interstate and foreign 
commerce, export, and cull of excess scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx 
dammah), addax (Addax nasomaculatus), and red lechwe (Kobus leche), 
from the captive herd maintained at their facility, 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: Texana Ranch, Blackwell, TX; PRT-72023A
    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 
50 CFR 17.21(g) for the scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah) and addax 
(Addax nasomaculatus), to enhance their propagation or survival. This 
notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 
5-year period.

[[Page 24513]]

Applicant: Texana Ranch, Blackwell, TX; PRT-72025A
    The applicant requests a permit authorizing interstate and foreign 
commerce, export, and cull of excess scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah) 
and addax (Addax nasomaculatus), from the captive herd maintained at 
their facility, 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: Hays City Ranch, Driftwood, TX; PRT-72017A
    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 
50 CFR 17.21(g) for the scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah), to enhance 
their propagation or survival. This notification covers activities to 
be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
Applicant: Dixon Land and Wildlife Co., Houston, TX; PRT-67537A
    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 
50 CFR 17.21(g) for the scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah), to enhance 
their propagation or survival. This notification covers activities to 
be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
Applicant: Arizona Tortoise Compound, Peoria, AZ; PRT-71315A
    The applicant requests renewal of their captive-bred wildlife 
registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for the radiated tortoise 
(Astrochelys radiata), to enhance their propagation or survival. This 
notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 
5-year period.
Applicant: Lonny Traweek, College Station, TX; PRT-72333A
    The applicant requests a permit to import a sport-hunted trophy of 
one 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 enhancement of the survival of the species.

B. Endangered Marine Mammals and Marine Mammals

Applicant: Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fairbanks, AK; PRT-
220876
    The applicant requests an amendment to the permit to authorize use 
of harpoons for tagging and biopsy of walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) for 
the purpose of scientific research. This notification covers activities 
to be conducted by the applicant over the remainder of the 5-year 
period of the issued permit.
    Concurrent with publishing this notice in the Federal Register, we 
are forwarding copies of the above application to the Marine Mammal 
Commission and the Committee of Scientific Advisors for their review.

Brenda Tapia,
Program Analyst/Data Administrator, Branch of Permits, Division of 
Management Authority.
[FR Doc. 2012-9804 Filed 4-23-12; 8:45 am]
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