[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 216 (Wednesday, November 7, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55735-55736]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-24280]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2018-0084; FXIA16710900000-178-FF09A30000]


Foreign Endangered Species; Receipt of Permit Applications

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of receipt of permit applications.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to 
comment on applications to conduct certain activities with foreign 
species that are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act 
(ESA). With some exceptions, the ESA prohibits activities with listed 
species unless Federal authorization is issued that allows such 
activities. The ESA also requires that we invite public comment before 
issuing permits for activities involving endangered species.

DATES: We must receive comments by December 7, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Obtaining Documents: The applications, application 
supporting materials, and any comments and other materials that we 
receive will be available for public inspection at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2018-0084.
    Submitting Comments: When submitting comments, please specify the 
name of the applicant and the permit number at the beginning of your 
comment. You may submit comments by one of the following methods:
     Internet: http://www.regulations.gov. Search for and 
submit comments on Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2018-0084.
     U.S. Mail or Hand-Delivery: Public Comments Processing, 
Attn: Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2018-0084; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
Headquarters, MS: BPHC; 5275 Leesburg Pike; Falls Church, VA 22041-
3803.
    For more information, see Public Comment Procedures under 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

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: 

I. Public Comment Procedures

A. How do I comment on submitted applications?

    You may submit your comments and materials by one of the methods in 
ADDRESSES. We will not consider comments sent by email or fax, or to an 
address not in ADDRESSES. We will not consider or include in our 
administrative record comments we receive after the close of the 
comment period (see DATES).
    When submitting comments, please specify the name of the applicant 
and the permit number at the beginning of your comment. Provide 
sufficient information 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.

B. May I review comments submitted by others?

    You may view and comment on others' public comments on http://www.regulations.gov, unless our allowing so would violate the Privacy 
Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) or Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552).

C. Who will see my comments?

    If you submit a comment at http://www.regulations.gov, your entire 
comment, including any personal identifying information, will be posted 
on the website. If you submit a hardcopy comment that includes personal 
identifying information, such as your address, phone number, or email 
address, you may request at the top of your document that we withhold 
this information from public review. However, we cannot guarantee that 
we will be able to do so. Moreover, all submissions from organizations 
or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as 
representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be 
made available for public disclosure in their entirety.

II. Background

    To help us carry out our conservation responsibilities for affected 
species, and

[[Page 55736]]

in consideration of section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act 
of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), we invite public 
comments on permit applications before final action is taken. With some 
exceptions, the ESA prohibits activities with listed species unless 
Federal authorization is issued that allows such activities. Permits 
issued under section 10 of the ESA allow activities for scientific 
purposes or to enhance the propagation or survival of the affected 
species. Regulations regarding permit issuance under the ESA are in 
title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations in part 17. ESA permits 
cover a wide range of activities pertaining to foreign listed species, 
including import, export, and activities in the United States.

III. Permit Applications

    We invite comments on the following applications.

Applicant: Safari Game Search Foundation, Winston, OR; Permit No. 
79703C

    The applicant requests a permit to import two captive-born cheetahs 
(Acinonyx jubatus) from Parc Safari in Quebec, Canada, to enhance the 
propagation or survival of the species. This notification is for a 
single import.

Applicant: Zoological Society of San Diego, San Diego, CA; Permit No. 
86442C

    The applicant requests a permit to authorize the import of wild 
live specimens, viable and non-viable eggs, biological samples, and 
salvaged materials of California condors (Gymnogyps californianus) 
originating in Mexico, as well as the re-import of captive-bred/
captive-hatched live specimens, viable and non-viable eggs, biological 
samples, and salvaged materials of California condors originating in 
the United States, to enhance the survival of the species through 
completion of identified tasks and objectives mandated under the U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service California Condor Recovery Plan. This 
notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 
5-year period.

Applicant: Memphis Zoo, Memphis, TN; Permit No. 66689C

    The applicant requests a permit to import captive-bred, live, dusky 
gopher frogs (Rana capito sevosa) to enhance the survival of the 
species through completion of identified tasks and objectives mandated 
under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Dusky Gopher Frog Recovery 
Plan. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the 
applicant over a 5-year period.

IV. Next Steps

    If we issue a permit to any of the applicants listed in this 
notice, we will publish a notice in the Federal Register. You may 
locate the notice announcing the permit issuance by searching http://www.regulations.gov for the permit number listed above in this 
document. For example, to find information about the potential issuance 
of Permit No. 79703C, you would go to http://www.regulations.gov and 
search for ``79703C''.

V. Authority

    We issue this notice under the authority of the Endangered Species 
Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and its implementing 
regulations.

Brenda Tapia,
Program Analyst/Data Administrator, Branch of Permits, Division of 
Management Authority.
[FR Doc. 2018-24280 Filed 11-6-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P