[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 119 (Tuesday, June 21, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40341-40344]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-14622]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R3-ES-2016-N106; FXES11130300000-167-FF03E00000]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Permit 
Applications

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability; 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 for a permit to conduct 
activities intended to enhance the survival of endangered or threatened 
species. Federal law prohibits certain activities with endangered 
species unless a permit is obtained.

DATES: We must receive any written comments on or before July 21, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments by U.S. mail to the Regional Director, 
Attn: Carlita Payne, 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: Carlita Payne, (612) 713-5343.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), as amended (16 U.S.C. 
1531 et seq.), prohibits certain activities with endangered and 
threatened species unless the activities are specifically authorized by 
a Federal permit. The ESA and our implementing regulations in part 17 
of title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) provide for the 
issuance of such permits and require that we invite public comment 
before issuing permits for activities involving endangered species.
    A permit granted by us under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA 
authorizes the permittee to conduct activities with U.S. endangered or 
threatened species for scientific purposes, enhancement of propagation 
or survival, or interstate commerce (the latter only in the event that 
it facilitates scientific purposes or enhancement of propagation or 
survival). Our regulations implementing section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA 
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.

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 permit 
number when you submit comments. Documents and other information the 
applicants have submitted with the 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 Applications

Permit Application Number: TE06820A

Applicant: Russell Benedict, Central College, Pella, IA
    The applicant requests a permit renewal, with amendment to take 
(capture and release, and radio-tag) Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), gray 
bat (Myotis grisescens), and northern long-eared bat (Myotis 
septentrionalis) for presence/absence surveys, studies to document 
habitat use, and population monitoring in the States of Illinois, Iowa, 
Missouri, and Nebraska. Proposed activities are for the recovery and 
enhancement of survival of the species in the wild.

Permit Application Number: TE88224B

Applicant: Joseph Snavely IV, Chambersburg, PA
    The applicant requests a permit to take (capture and release) 
Higgins eye (pearlymussel) (Lampsilis higginsii), snuffbox mussel 
(Epioblasma triquetra), sheepnose mussel (Plethobasus cyphyus), 
spectaclecase (mussel) (Cumberlandia monodonta), purple cat's paw 
pearlymussel (Epioblasma obliquata obliquata), pink mucket 
(pearlymussel) (Lampsilis abrupta),

[[Page 40342]]

clubshell (Pleurobema clava), fanshell (Cyprogenia stegaria), fat 
pocketbook (Potamilus capax), rabbitsfoot (Quadrula cylindrica 
cylindrica), rayed bean (Villosa fabalis), scaleshell mussel (Leptodea 
leptodon), winged mapleleaf (Quadrula fragosa), and northern 
riffleshell (Epioblasma torulosa rangiana), for presence/absence 
surveys, studies to document habitat use, and population monitoring in 
the States of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and 
Wisconsin. Proposed activities are for the recovery and enhancement of 
survival of the species in the wild.

Permit Application Number: TE88353B

Applicant: Jesse De La Cruz, Fairmont, WV
    The applicant requests a permit to take (capture and release, trap, 
and radio-tag) Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), gray bat (Myotis 
grisescens), northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis), and 
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus) for 
presence/absence surveys, studies to document habitat use, and 
population monitoring in the States of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, 
Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. 
Proposed activities are for the recovery and enhancement of survival of 
the species in the wild.

Permit Application Number: TE113009

Applicant: Steven Ahlstedt, Norris, TN
    The applicant requests a permit renewal to take (capture and 
release) clubshell (Pleurobema clava), Cumberland bean (pearlymussel) 
(Villosa trabalis), Cumberland elktoe (Alasmidonta atropurpurea), 
Cumberlandian combshell (Epioblasma brevidens), dromedary pearlymussel 
(Dromus dromas), fluted kidneyshell (Ptychobranchus subtentum), 
littlewing pearlymussel (Pegias fabula), oyster mussel (Epioblasma 
capsaeformis), purple cat's paw pearlymussel (Epioblasma obliquata 
obliquata), rayed bean (Villosa fabalis), spectaclecase (mussel) 
(Cumberlandia monodonta), tan riffleshell (Epioblasma florentina 
walkeri = E. walkeri), and white catspaw (pearlymussel) (Epioblasma 
obliquata perobliqua) for presence/absence surveys, studies to document 
habitat use, and population monitoring in the States of Indiana, Ohio, 
and Kentucky. Proposed activities are for the recovery and enhancement 
of survival of the species in the wild.

Permit Application Number: TE35521B

Applicant: Western Ecosystems Technology, Inc., Cheyenne, WY
    The applicant requests a permit renewal to take (capture and 
release) 41 federally listed mussel species and 12 federally listed 
fish species for presence/absence surveys, studies to document habitat 
use, and population monitoring in the States of Alabama, Colorado, 
Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, 
Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, 
Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, 
Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Proposed activities are for the recovery and 
enhancement of survival of the species in the wild.

Permit Application Number: TE86150B

Applicant: Geoffrey Palmer, Liberty Township, OH
    The applicant requests a permit to take (capture and release, trap, 
and radio-tag) Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), gray bat (Myotis 
grisescens), and northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) for 
presence/absence surveys, studies to document habitat use, and 
population monitoring throughout these species' ranges. Proposed 
activities are for the recovery and enhancement of survival of the 
species in the wild.

Permit Application Number: TE94330A

Applicant: Robert Krebs, Cleveland, OH
    The applicant requests a permit renewal, with amendment to take 
(capture and release) pink mucket (pearlymussel) (Lampsilis abrupta), 
northern riffleshell (Epioblasma torulosa rangiana), purple cat's paw 
pearlymussel (Epioblasma obliquata obliquata), white catspaw 
(pearlymussel) (Epioblasma obliquata perobliqua), sheepnose mussel 
(Plethobasus cyphyus), orangefoot pimpleback (pearlymussel) 
(Plethobasus cooperianus), clubshell (Pleurobema clava), fanshell 
(Cyprogenia stegaria), rabbitsfoot (Quadrula cylindrica cylindrica), 
and rayed bean (Villosa fabalis), and to take (capture and release; 
temporary hold) snuffbox mussel (Epioblasma triquetra) for presence/
absence surveys, studies to document habitat use, and population 
monitoring in the State of Ohio. Proposed activities are for research 
and enhancement of propagation and survival of the species in the wild.

Permit Application Number: TE60999A

Applicant: Levi Miller, Logan, OH
    The applicant requests a permit amendment to take (capture and 
release, trap, and radio-tag) Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) and northern 
long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) for presence/absence surveys, 
studies to document habitat use, and population monitoring in the 
States of Kentucky and Ohio. Proposed activities are for the recovery 
and enhancement of survival of the species in the wild.

Permit Application Number: TE838715

Applicant: The Nature Conservancy, Ohio Operating Unit, Swanton, OH
    The applicant requests a permit renewal to take (harass and kill 
through habitat management) Karner blue butterfly (Lycaeides melissa 
samuelis) at the Kitty Todd Nature Preserve, in Lucas County, Ohio. 
Proposed activities are for the conservation of the species through 
habitat management.

Permit Application Number: TE43541A

Applicant: Dr. Francesca Cuthbert, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, 
MN
    The applicant requests a permit renewal, with amendment to take 
(capture and release; capture and rear) piping plover (Charadrius 
melodus) in the States of Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. The 
research entails capture and marking of piping plovers, erecting 
nesting exclosures to improve nesting success, salvaging orphaned eggs 
and nestlings, and captive rearing and release. Proposed activities are 
for the recovery and enhancement of survival of the species in the 
wild.

Permit Application Number: TE02365A

Applicant: Lynn Robbins, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
    The applicant requests a permit renewal, with amendment to take 
(capture and release, trap, and radio-tag) Indiana bat (Myotis 
sodalis), gray bat (Myotis grisescens), northern long-eared bat (Myotis 
septentrionalis), and Ozark big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii 
ingens) for presence/absence surveys, studies to document habitat use, 
and population monitoring throughout these species' ranges. Proposed 
activities are for the recovery and enhancement of survival of the 
species in the wild.

Permit Application Number: TE182436

Applicant: Illinois Natural History Survey, Champaign, IL
    The applicant requests a permit to take (capture and release, trap, 
and radio-tag) Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis),

[[Page 40343]]

gray bat (Myotis grisescens), and northern long-eared bat (Myotis 
septentrionalis) for presence/absence surveys, studies to document 
habitat use, and population monitoring in the States of Illinois and 
Missouri. Proposed activities are for the recovery and enhancement of 
survival of the species in the wild.

Permit Application Number: TE98057A

Applicant: Lynda Mills, Whitley, KY
    The applicant requests a permit renewal, with amendment to take 
(capture and release, trap, and radio-tag) Indiana bat (Myotis 
sodalis), gray bat (Myotis grisescens), and northern long-eared bat 
(Myotis septentrionalis) for presence/absence surveys, studies to 
document habitat use, and population monitoring in the State of 
Missouri. Proposed activities are for the recovery and enhancement of 
survival of the species in the wild.

Permit Application Number: TE98673B

Applicant: Jason Layne, Spring Hill, KS
    The applicant requests a permit to take (capture and release, 
handle, and radio-tag) Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), gray bat (Myotis 
grisescens), northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis), Virginia 
big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus), and Ozark big-
eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii ingens) for presence/absence 
surveys, studies to document habitat use, and population monitoring 
throughout these species' ranges. Proposed activities are for the 
recovery and enhancement of survival of the species in the wild.

Permit Application Number: TE27915B

Applicant: Wildlife Specialists, LLC, Wellsboro, PA
    The applicant requests a permit renewal, with amendment to take 
(capture and release, handle, and radio-tag) Indiana bat (Myotis 
sodalis), northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis), and 
Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus) for 
presence/absence surveys, studies to document habitat use, and 
population monitoring throughout these species' ranges. Proposed 
activities are for the recovery and enhancement of survival of the 
species in the wild.

Permit Application Number: TE94321A

Applicant: Brian O'Neill, Oak Park, IL
    The applicant requests a permit renewal to take (capture and 
release) 28 federally listed mussel species and 7 federally listed fish 
species for presence/absence surveys, studies to document habitat use, 
and population monitoring in the States of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, 
Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, 
West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Proposed activities are for the recovery 
and enhancement of survival of the species in the wild.

Permit Application Number: TE98674B

Applicant: Cheyenne Gerdes, Springfield, MO
    The applicant requests a permit to take (capture and release, 
handle, trap, and radio-tag) Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), gray bat 
(Myotis grisescens), and northern long-eared bat (Myotis 
septentrionalis) for presence/absence surveys, studies to document 
habitat use, and population monitoring throughout these species' 
ranges. Proposed activities are for the recovery and enhancement of 
survival of the species in the wild.

Permit Application Number: TE99051B

Applicant: Goniela Iskali, Bloomington, IN
    The applicant requests a permit to take (capture and release, 
handle, trap and radio-tag) Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) and northern 
long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) for presence/absence surveys, 
studies to document habitat use, and population monitoring throughout 
these species' ranges. Proposed activities are for the recovery and 
enhancement of survival of the species in the wild.

Permit Application Number: TE99052B

Applicant: Eko Consulting LLC, Cobden, IL
    The applicant requests a permit to take (capture and release, 
handle, and radio-tag) Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), gray bat (Myotis 
grisescens), and northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) for 
presence/absence surveys, studies to document habitat use, and 
population monitoring throughout these species' ranges. Proposed 
activities are for the recovery and enhancement of survival of the 
species in the wild.

Permit Application Number: TE206781

Applicant: Ecological Specialists, Inc., O'Fallon, MO
    The applicant requests a permit amendment to take (capture and 
release, capture and relocate) 58 federally listed mussel species for 
presence/absence surveys, studies to document habitat use, and 
population monitoring throughout these species' ranges. Proposed 
activities are for the recovery and enhancement of survival of the 
species in the wild.

Permit Application Number: TE99055B

Applicant: Benjamin Smith, Springfield, MO
    The applicant requests a permit to take (capture and release, 
handle, trap, and radio-tag) Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), gray bat 
(Myotis grisescens), and northern long-eared bat (Myotis 
septentrionalis) for presence/absence surveys, studies to document 
habitat use, and population monitoring throughout these species' 
ranges. Proposed activities are for the recovery and enhancement of 
survival of the species in the wild.

Permit Application Number: TE99056B

Applicant: Marion Wells, Miamisburg, OH
    The applicant requests a permit to take (capture and release, 
capture and relocate, and salvage) pink mucket (pearlymussel) 
(Lampsilis abrupta), northern riffleshell (Epioblasma torulosa 
rangiana), purple cat's paw pearlymussel (Epioblasma obliquata 
obliquata), white catspaw (pearlymussel) (Epioblasma obliquata 
perobliqua), sheepnose mussel (Plethobasus cyphyus), clubshell 
(Pleurobema clava), fanshell (Cyprogenia stegaria), snuffbox mussel 
(Epioblasma triquetra), and rayed bean (Villosa fabalis) for presence/
absence surveys, studies to document habitat use, and population 
monitoring throughout the State of Ohio. Proposed activities are for 
the recovery and enhancement of survival of the species in the wild.

Permit Application Number: TE99058B

Applicant: Joshua Flinn, Independence, MO
    The applicant requests a permit to take (capture and release, 
handle, and radio-tag) Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), gray bat (Myotis 
grisescens), northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis), Virginia 
big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus), and Ozark big-
eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii ingens) for presence/absence 
surveys, studies to document habitat use, and population monitoring 
throughout these species' ranges. Proposed activities are for the 
recovery and enhancement of survival of the species in the wild.

Permit Application Number: TE99055B

Applicant: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI
    The applicant requests a permit to take (capture and release; 
capture and

[[Page 40344]]

rear) Kirtland's warbler (Setophaga kirtlandii) in the State of 
Wisconsin. The research entails capture and release, attaching radio-
transmitters, tracking fledgling movements, and recording nesting 
activities and nest predation. Proposed activities are for the recovery 
and enhancement of survival of the species in the wild.

Permit Application Number: TE839763

Applicant: John Whitaker, Jr., Terre Haute, IN
    The applicant requests a permit renewal, with amendment to take 
(capture and release, handle, trap, and tag) Indiana bat (Myotis 
sodalis), gray bat (Myotis grisescens), and northern long-eared bat 
(Myotis septentrionalis) for presence/absence surveys, studies to 
document habitat use, and population monitoring throughout these 
species' ranges. Proposed activities are for the recovery and 
enhancement of survival of the species in the wild.

Permit Application Number: TE207523

Applicant: The Nature Conservancy--Michigan Chapter, Lansing, MI
    The applicant requests a permit renewal to take (harass/harm 
through habitat management; census and monitoring) Mitchell's satyr 
butterfly (Neonympha mitchellii mitchellii), Karner blue butterfly 
(Lycaeides melissa samuelis), and Pitcher's thistle (Cirsium pitcheri) 
within the State of Michigan. Proposed activities are for the 
conservation of the species through habitat management.

Permit Application Number: TE38842A

Applicant: Sanders Environmental Inc., Bellefonte, PA
    The applicant requests a permit amendment to take (capture and 
release, handle, and radio-tag) Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) and 
northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) for presence/absence 
surveys, studies to document habitat use, and population monitoring in 
the States of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, 
Ohio, Wisconsin, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, 
Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. 
Proposed activities are for the recovery and enhancement of survival of 
the species in the wild.

Permit Application Number: TE06778A

Applicant: Shawnee National Forest, Vienna, IL
    The applicant requests a permit renewal to take (capture and 
release, handle, trap and radio-tag) Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), gray 
bat (Myotis grisescens), and northern long-eared bat (Myotis 
septentrionalis) for presence/absence surveys, studies to document 
habitat use, and population monitoring in the States of Illinois, 
Indiana, Missouri, and Ohio. Proposed activities are for the recovery 
and enhancement of survival of the species in the wild.

National Environmental Policy Act

    The proposed activities in the requested permits qualify as 
categorical exclusions under the National Environmental Policy Act, as 
provided by Department of the Interior implementing regulations in part 
46 of title 43 of the CFR (43 CFR 46.205, 46.210, and 46.215).

Public Availability of 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 in response to this notice are available for 
public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the 
address listed above 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.).

    Dated: June 15, 2016.
Sean Marsan,
Acting Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services, Midwest 
Region.
[FR Doc. 2016-14622 Filed 6-20-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P