[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 180 (Monday, September 17, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46965-46966]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-20078]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2018-0054; FXIA16710900000-178-FF09A30000]
Foreign Endangered Species; Marine Mammals; Issuance of Permits
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of issuance of permits.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have issued permits to
conduct certain activities with endangered species under the Endangered
Species Act (ESA). With some exceptions, the ESA prohibits activities
involving listed species unless a Federal permit is issued to allow
such activity.
ADDRESSES: Information about the applications for the permits listed in
this notice is available online at www.regulations.gov. See
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for details.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brenda Tapia, by phone at 703-358-
2104, via email at [email protected], or via the Federal Relay Service at
800-877-8339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(Service), have issued permits to conduct certain activities with
endangered species in response to permit applications that we received
under the authority of section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species
Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
After considering the information submitted with each permit
application and the public comments received, we issued the requested
permits subject to certain conditions set forth in each permit. For
each application for an endangered species, we found that (1) the
application was filed in good faith, (2) the granted permit would not
operate to the disadvantage of the endangered species, and (3) the
granted permit would be consistent with the purposes and policy set
forth in section 2 of the ESA.
Availability of Documents
The permittees' original permit application materials, along with
public comments we received during public comment periods for the
applications,
[[Page 46966]]
are available for review. To locate the application materials and
received comments, go to www.regulations.gov and search for the
appropriate permit number (e.g., 12345C) provided in the following
table:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Permit No. Applicant Permit issuance date
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
115344................................ Forrest Simpson............... April 17, 2018.
58260C................................ Northeastern University/Ocean April 11, 2018.
Genome Legacy Center.
125284................................ Smithsonian Institution/ April 12, 2018.
National Museum of Natural
History.
42528C................................ Miami-Dade Zoological Park and March 20, 2018.
Gardens.
51951C................................ East Texas Ranch, LP.......... July 24, 2018.
37142A................................ East Texas Ranch, LP.......... July 24, 2018.
32977C................................ Denver Zoological Foundation, June 20, 2018.
d/b/a Denver Zoo.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Permit Issued Under Emergency Exemption
On May 23, 2017, the Service issued a permit (Permit No. 90984C) to
the Wildlife Conservation Society, New York, New York, to import
biological samples from confiscated wild-caught specimens of radiated
tortoise (Astrochelys radiata) in Madagascar, for the purpose of
enhancement of the survival of the species. This action was authorized
under section 10(c) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended
(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The Service determined that an emergency
affecting the health and well-being of these confiscated tortoises
existed, and that no reasonable alternative was available to the
applicant for the following reason:
The Wildlife Conservation Society requested a permit to import
biological samples from Dr. Randriamahazo Herilala in Analamanga,
Madagascar, due to the pending review of their request for a blanket
import permit covering biological samples from multiple species (Permit
No. 85317C) for scientific research and diagnostics purposes. The
length of time involved in reviewing this application, as well as the
regulatory requirement for a 30-day public comment period associated
with this proposed activity, would have caused an undue delay in
analyzing these samples for the presence of any potential pathogens,
diseases, or nutritional deficiencies relating to these confiscated
specimens. This analysis is needed to help facilitate the placement and
care of these confiscated specimens within Madagascar, mitigating
further mortalities and improving the conditions under which these
specimens are currently being held.
Authority
We issue this notice under the authority of the Endangered Species
Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and its implementing
regulations, and the Marine Mammal Protection Act, as amended (16
U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and its implementing regulations.
Brenda Tapia,
Program Analyst/Data Administrator, Branch of Permits, Division of
Management Authority.
[FR Doc. 2018-20078 Filed 9-14-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P