[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 58 (Wednesday, March 26, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16814-16816]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-06633]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R2-ES-2013-N041; FXES11130200000-145-FF02ENEH00]


Endangered and Threatened Species Permit Applications

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of receipt of applications; request for public comment.

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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 or threatened species. The Endangered Species Act of 
1973, as amended (Act), prohibits activities with endangered and 
threatened species unless a Federal permit allows such activities. Both 
the Act and the National Environmental Policy Act require that we 
invite public comment before issuing these permits.

DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be received on or 
before April 25, 2014.

[[Page 16815]]


ADDRESSES: Wendy Brown, Chief, Recovery and Restoration Branch, by U.S. 
mail at Division of Classification and Recovery, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, NM 87103; or by telephone at 505-
248-6920. Please refer to the respective permit number for each 
application when submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Jacobsen, Chief, Division of 
Classification and Restoration, by U.S. mail at P.O. Box 1306, 
Albuquerque, NM 87103; or by telephone at 505-248-6665.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Public Availability of Comments

    The Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) prohibits activities with 
endangered and threatened species unless a Federal permit allows such 
activities. Along with our implementing regulations in the Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR part 17, the Act provides for 
permits, and requires that we invite public comment before issuing 
these permits. A permit granted by us under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the 
Act authorizes applicants to conduct activities with U.S. endangered or 
threatened species for scientific purposes, enhancement of survival or 
propagation, or interstate commerce. Our regulations regarding 
implementation of section 10(a)(1)(A) 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.

Applications Available for Review and Comment

    We invite local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies, and the 
public to comment on the following applications. Please refer to the 
appropriate permit number (e.g., Permit No. TE-123456) when requesting 
application documents and when submitting comments.
    Documents and other information the applicants have submitted with 
these applications are available for review, subject to the 
requirements of the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) and Freedom of 
Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552).

Permit TE-813088

    Applicant: Bureau of Reclamation, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
    Applicant requests a renewal to a current permit for research and 
recovery purposes to conduct presence/absence surveys of Comanche 
Springs pupfish (Cyprinodon elegans) and Pecos gambusia (Gambusia 
nobilis) within Texas, and Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus 
amarus) within New Mexico.

Permit TE-207369

    Applicant: U.S. Army Garrison-Fort Huachuca, Fort Huachuca, 
Arizona.
    Applicant requests a renewal to a current permit for research and 
recovery purposes to conduct presence/absence surveys of lesser long-
nosed bat (Leptonycteris yerbabuenae), southwestern willow flycatcher 
(Empidonax traillii extimus), and Sonoran tiger salamander (Ambystoma 
tigrinum stebbinsi); and to survey for, collect, propagate, and 
transplant Huachuca water umbel (Lilaeopsis schaffneriana var. recurva) 
within Arizona.

Permit TE-27791B

    Applicant: National Park Service-Montezuma Castle and Tuzigoot 
Monuments, Campe Verde, Arizona.
    Applicant requests a new permit for research and recovery purposes 
to conduct presence/absence surveys for southwestern willow flycatcher 
(Empidonax traillii extimus) within Arizona.

Permit TE-160521

    Applicant: Tetra Tech, Salt Lake City, Utah.
    Applicant requests a renewal to a current permit for research and 
recovery purposes to conduct presence/absence surveys of southwestern 
willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) within Arizona and Utah.

Permit TE-27797B

    Applicant: Robin Laine, Austin, Texas.
    Applicant requests a new permit for research and recovery purposes 
to conduct presence/absence surveys of golden-cheeked warbler 
(Dendroica chrysoparia) within Texas.

Permit TE-27804B

    Applicant: Paige Anderson, Yutan, Nebraska.
    Applicant requests a new permit for research and recovery purposes 
to conduct presence/absence surveys of gray bat (Myotis grisescens), 
Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), and Ozark big-eared bat (Corynorhinus 
townsendii ingens) using mist netting techniques within Oklahoma.

Permit TE-28782B

    Applicant: Brian Early, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
    Applicant requests a new permit for research and recovery purposes 
to conduct presence/absence surveys of American burying beetle 
(Nicrophorus americanus) within Arkansas, Kansas, Maine, Missouri, 
Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Permit TE-88512A

    Applicant: New Mexico Department of Transportation, Santa Fe, New 
Mexico.
    Applicant requests an amendment to a current permit for research 
and recovery purposes to conduct presence/absence surveys of Jemez 
Mountain salamander (Plethodon neomexicanus) within New Mexico.

Permit TE-07308A

    Applicant: Debbie Buecher, Tucson, Arizona.
    Applicant requests a renewal to a current permit for research and 
recovery purposes to conduct presence/absence surveys of lesser long-
nosed bat (Leptonycteris yerbabuenae) in Arizona, and Mexican long-
nosed bat (Leptonycteris nivalis) within New Mexico.

Permit TE-28787B

    Applicant: Cindy Lawrence, Durango, Colorado.
    Applicant requests a renewal to a current permit for research and 
recovery purposes to conduct presence/absence surveys of southwestern 
willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) within New Mexico.

Permit TE-039466

    Applicant: U.S. Geological Survey, Idaho Cooperative Fish and 
Wildlife Research Unit, Moscow, Idaho.
    Applicant requests a renewal to a current permit for research and 
recovery purposes to conduct presence/absence surveys of Yuma clapper 
rail (Rallus longirostris yumanensis) in Arizona and California, and 
light-footed clapper rail (Rallus longirostris levipes) and California 
clapper rail (Rallus longirostris obsoletus) within California.

Permit TE-35437A

    Applicant: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Tulsa District, Tulsa, 
Oklahoma.
    Applicant requests a renewal to a current permit for research and 
recovery purposes to conduct presence/absence surveys of the following 
species within Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas:

 American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus)
 Gray bat (Myotis grisescens)
 Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis)
 Interior least tern (Sterna antillarum)
 Leopard darter (Percina pantherina)
 Neosho madtom (Noturus placidus)
 Ouachita pocketbook (Arkansia wheeleri)

[[Page 16816]]

 Ozark big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii ingens)
 Winged mapleleaf (Quadrula fragosa)

Permit TE-837751

    Applicant: Bureau of Reclamation, Phoenix, Arizona.
    Applicant requests an amendment to a current permit for research 
and recovery purposes to conduct presence/absence surveys of Zuni 
bluehead sucker (Catostomus discobolus yarrow) within Arizona.

Permit TE-048806

    Applicant: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-Aransas National Wildlife 
Refuge, Austwell, Texas.
    Applicant requests a renewal to a current permit for research and 
recovery purposes to conduct the following activities for whooping 
crane (Grus americanus) nationwide: To conduct presence/absence 
surveys; to process and ship parts thereof; to raise, breed, display, 
and administer health care to captive birds at approved facilities; to 
ship live wild-captured or captive-reared whooping cranes and eggs to 
various sites for research, reintroductions, or rehabilitation or 
treatment of sick or injured individuals, or among captive sites for 
avicultural management; to capture, provide health care, put on 
tracking devices and/or identification bands, and do health screens, 
including blood collection; to re-introduce captive whooping cranes 
into central Florida, Louisiana, Wisconsin, or other States where 
whooping cranes have been designated experimental/nonessential and 
carry out research and monitoring associated with those 
reintroductions; and to carry out scientific research and management 
directly related to whooping crane recovery that is approved by the 
USFWS's Whooping Crane Coordinator.

Permit TE-821577

    Applicant: Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona.
    Applicant requests a renewal to a current permit for research and 
recovery purposes to conduct presence/absence surveys of the following 
species within Arizona:

 Black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes)
 Bonytail (Gila elegans)
 California condor (Gymnogyps californianus)
 Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius)
 Desert pupfish (Cyprinodon macularius macularius)
 Gila chub (Gila intermedia)
 Gila topminnow (Poeciliopsis occidentalis occidentalis)
 Hualapai Mexican vole (Microtus montanus [=mexicanus] 
hualpaiensis)
 Humpback chub (Gila cypha)
 Kanab ambersnail (Oxyloma haydeni kanabensis)
 Lesser long-nosed bat (Leptonycteris yerbabuenae)
 Loach minnow (Tiaroga cobitis)
 Masked bobwhite (Colinus virginianus ridgwayi)
 Mexican long-nosed bat (Leptonycteris nivalis)
 Mount Graham red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus 
grahamensis)
 Razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus)
 Rio Sonoyta (Quitobaquito) pupfish (Cyprinodon macularius 
eremus)
 Sonoran pronghorn (Antilocapra americana sonoriensis)
 Sonoran tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum [=mavortium] 
stebbinsi)
 Spikedace (Meda fulgida)
 Virgin River chub (Gila seminuda)
 Woundfin (Plagopterus argentissimus)
 Yaqui chub (Gila purpurea)
 Yaqui topminnow (Poeciliopsis occidentalis sonoriensis)
 Yuma clapper rail (Rallus longirostris yumanensis)

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)).

Public Availability of Comments

    All comments and materials we receive in response to this request 
will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal 
business hours at the address listed in the ADDRESSES section of this 
notice.
    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 Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 
et seq.)

    Dated: March 10, 2014.
Joy E. Nicholopoulos,
Acting Regional Director, Southwest Region.
[FR Doc. 2014-06633 Filed 3-25-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P