[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 79 (Thursday, April 23, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22744-22748]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-08570]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R2-ES-2020-N054; FXES11130200000-201-FF02ENEH00]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Recovery Permit 
Applications

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of receipt of permit applications; 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 recover and enhance endangered species survival. 
With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended 
(ESA), prohibits certain activities that may impact endangered species 
unless a Federal permit allows such activity. The ESA also requires 
that we invite public comment before issuing these permits.

DATES: To ensure consideration, please submit your written comments by 
May 26, 2020.

ADDRESSES: 
    Document availability: Request documents by phone or email: Susan 
Jacobsen, 505-248-6641, [email protected].
    Comment submission: Submit comments by email to 
[email protected]. Please specify the permit you are interested in 
by number (e.g., Permit No. TE-123456).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Jacobsen, Chief, Classification

[[Page 22745]]

and Restoration Division, 505-248-6641. Individuals who are hearing or 
speech impaired may call the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 
for TTY assistance.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    With some exceptions, the ESA prohibits activities that constitute 
take of listed species unless a Federal permit is issued that allows 
such activity. The ESA's definition of ``take'' includes hunting, 
shooting, harming, wounding, or killing but also such activities as 
pursuing, harassing, trapping, capturing, or collecting.
    The ESA and our implementing regulations in the Code of Federal 
Regulations (CFR) at title 50, part 17, provide for issuing such 
permits and require that we invite public comment before issuing 
permits for activities involving endangered species.
    A recovery permit we issue under the ESA, section 10(a)(1)(A), 
authorizes the permittee to conduct activities with endangered or 
threatened species for scientific purposes that promote recovery or 
enhance the species' propagation or survival. These activities often 
include such prohibited actions as capture and collection. Our 
regulations implementing section 10(a)(1)(A) 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.

Permit Applications Available for Review and Comment

    Documents and other information submitted with these applications 
are available for review by any party who submits a request as 
specified in ADDRESSES. Releasing documents is subject to Privacy Act 
(5 U.S.C. 552a) and Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) 
requirements.
    Proposed activities in the following permit requests are for the 
recovery and enhancement of propagation or survival of the species in 
the wild. We invite local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies and the 
public to submit written data, views, or arguments with respect to 
these applications. The comments and recommendations that will be most 
useful and likely to influence agency decisions are those supported by 
quantitative information or studies. Please refer to the application 
number when submitting comments.

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   Application No.           Applicant                Species                Location              Activity            Type of take       Permit action
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TE802211.............  Texas State            Coffin Cave mold        Texas................  Presence/absence      Capture, harm,        Renew.
                        University; Austin,    beetle (Batrisodes                             surveys, habitat      harass, injury,
                        Texas.                 texanus), Helotes                              surveys, increase     death.
                                               mold beetle                                    in speciments
                                               (Batrisodes venyivi),                          requested.
                                               Robber Baron Cave
                                               meshweaver (Cicurina
                                               baronia), Madla Cave
                                               meshweaver (Cicurina
                                               madla), Bracken Bat
                                               Cave meshweaver
                                               (Cicurina venii),
                                               Government Canyon Bat
                                               Cave meshweaver
                                               (Cicurina vespera),
                                               Government Canyon Bat
                                               Cave spider
                                               (Neoleptoneta
                                               microps), Tooth Cave
                                               spider (Neoleptoneta
                                               myopica), Ground
                                               beetle (Rhadine
                                               exilis), Ground
                                               beetle (Rhadine
                                               infernalis), Tooth
                                               Cave ground beetle
                                               (Rhadine persephone),
                                               Tooth Cave
                                               pseudoscorpion
                                               (Tartarocreagris
                                               texana), Kretschmarr
                                               Cave mold beetle
                                               (Texamaurops
                                               reddelli),
                                               Cokendolpher cave
                                               harvestman (Texella
                                               cokendolpheri), Bee
                                               Creek Cave harvestman
                                               (Texella reddilli),
                                               Bone Cave harvestman
                                               (Texella reyesi),
                                               Diminutive amphipod
                                               (Gammarus
                                               hyalleloides), Pecos
                                               amphipod (Gammarus
                                               pecos), Comal Springs
                                               riffle beetle
                                               (Heterelmis
                                               comalensis), Peck's
                                               Cave amphipod
                                               (Stygobromus pecki),
                                               Comal Springs dryopid
                                               beetle (Stygoparnus
                                               comalensis).
TE63904D.............  Lewis, Chancey D.;     Houston toad (Bufo      Louisiana, Texas.....  Presence/absence      Harm, harass........  New.
                        Cameron, Texas.        houstonensis), red-                            surveys.
                                               cockaded woodpecker
                                               (Picoides borealis).
TE51928B.............  Moczygema, Kevin       Golden-cheeked warbler  Texas................  Presence/absence      Harm, harass........  Renew.
                        John; San Antonio,     (Setophaga                                     surveys.
                        Texas.                 chrysoparia).
TE195248.............  Morrison, Michael L.;  Golden-cheeked warbler  Texas................  Presence/absence      Harm, harass........  Renew.
                        College Station,       (Setophaga                                     surveys.
                        Texas.                 chrysoparia).
TE155413.............  Itzkowitz, Murray;     Leon Spring pupfish     Texas................  Presence/absence      Harass, harm,         Renew.
                        Bethlehem,             (Cyprinodon bovinus).                          surveys; collection.  capture, injury,
                        Pennsylvania.                                                                               death.
TE67302D.............  Edwards, Christine     Texas trailing phlox    Texas................  Presence/absence      removal.............  New.
                        E.; St. Louis,         (Phlox nivalis spp.                            surveys, sample
                        Missouri.              texensis).                                     leaf/stem tissue
                                                                                              for genetic
                                                                                              analysis.
TE63202B.............  Chambers, Carol L.;    New Mexico meadow       Arizona, Colorado,     Presence/absence      Capture, injury,      Renew.
                        Flagstaff, Arizona.    jumping mouse (Zapus    New Mexico.            surveys, PIT          death.
                                               hudsonius luteus).                             tagging.

[[Page 22746]]

 
TE68530D.............  Dewitt, Thomas J.;     Georgetown salamander   Texas................  Presence/absence      Capture, harm,        New.
                        Austin, Texas.         (Eurycea naufragia),                           surveys.              harass.
                                               Jollyville Plateau
                                               salamander (Eurycea
                                               tonkawae), Salado
                                               salamander (Eurycea
                                               chisholmensis), San
                                               Marcos salamander
                                               (Eurycea nana),
                                               Barton Springs
                                               salamander (Eurycea
                                               sosorum), Austin
                                               blind salamander
                                               (Eurycea
                                               waterlooensis).
TE819541.............  BRIC, LLC.;            Interior least tern     Arizona, New Mexico..  Presence/absence      Harass, harm........  Renew.
                        Albuquerque, New       (Sterna antillarum                             surveys.
                        Mexico.                athalassos), Black-
                                               footed ferret
                                               (Mustela nigripes),
                                               southwestern willow
                                               flycatcher (Empidonax
                                               traillii extimus),
                                               Northern aplomado
                                               falcon (Falco
                                               femoralis
                                               septentrionalis).
TE50643B.............  Weaver, Vaugh D.;      American burying        Arkansas, Kansas,      Presence/absence      Capture, harass,      Renew.
                        Wichita, Kansas.       beetle (Nicrophorus     Oklahoma.              surveys.              harm, injury, death.
                                               americanus), Neosho
                                               mucket (Lampsilis
                                               rafinesqueana),
                                               Topeka shiner
                                               (Notropis topeka
                                               (=tristis)).
TE060125.............  Salt River Project;    Southwestern willow     Arizona..............  Presence/absence      Capture, harm,        Renew.
                        Phoenix, Arizona.      flycatcher (Empidonax                          surveys.              harass.
                                               traillii extimus),
                                               Yuma clapper rail
                                               (Rallus longirostris
                                               yumanensis), Gila
                                               topminnow
                                               (Poeciliopsis
                                               occidentalis).
TE07059A.............  Marsh and Associates,  Spikedace (Mega         Arizona..............  Captive propagation.  Capture, harm,        Renew.
                        LLC.; Tempe, Arizona.  fulgida), loach                                                      harass, injury,
                                               minnow (Tiaroga                                                      death.
                                               cobitis), razorback
                                               sucker (Xyrauchen
                                               texanus), Gila
                                               topminnow
                                               (Poeciliopsis
                                               occidentalis), desert
                                               pupfish (Cyprinodon
                                               macularius).
TE004439.............  Albuquerque BioPark;   Interior least tern     New Mexico...........  Research, education,  Harass, harm,         Renew.
                        Albuquerque, New       (Sterna antillarum                             propagation.          injury, death.
                        Mexico.                athalassos), Rio
                                               Grande silvery minnow
                                               (Hybognathus amarus),
                                               Gila topminnow
                                               (Poeciliopsis
                                               occidentalis),
                                               razorback sucker
                                               (Xyrauchen texanus),
                                               Gila trout
                                               (Oncorhynchus gilae),
                                               Soccoro isopod
                                               (Thermosphaeroma
                                               thermophilum),
                                               Socorro springnsail
                                               (Pyrgulopsis
                                               neomexicana),
                                               Colorado pikeminnow
                                               (Ptychocheilus
                                               lucius), Green sea
                                               turtle (Chelonia
                                               mydas).
TE65027D.............  McBride Biotracking,   Gierisch mallow         Arizona..............  Seed collection.....  Harm................  New.
                        LLC.; Flagstaff,       (Sphaeralcea
                        Arizona.               gierischii).
TE57462D.............  U.S. Army Corps of     Interior least tern     Arizona, Colorado,     Presence/absence      Harm, harass,         Renew.
                        Engineers-ABQ          (Sterna antillarum      New Mexico.            surveys.              injury, death.
                        District;              athalassos),
                        Albuquerque, New       southwestern willow
                        Mexico.                flycatcher (Empidonax
                                               traillii extimus),
                                               Rio Grande silvery
                                               minnow (Hybognathus
                                               amarus).
TE67183D.............  Gido, Keith B.;        Spikedace (Mega         Arizona, New Mexico..  Presence/absence      Harm, harass,         New.
                        Manhattan, Kansas.     fulgida), loach                                surveys.              injury, death.
                                               minnow (Tiaroga
                                               cobitis).
TE69973D.............  Whitney, James E.;     Razorback sucker        Colorado, New Mexico,  Presence/absence      Harm, harass,         New.
                        Pittsburg, Kansas.     (Xyrauchen texanus),    Utah.                  surveys,              injury, death.
                                               Colorado pikeminnow                            electroshocking.
                                               (Ptychocheilus
                                               lucius).
TE091551.............  U.S. Fish and          Mexican gray wolf       Arizona, New Mexico..  Presence/absence      Harm, harass,         Renew.
                        Wildlife Service,      (Canus lupis baileyi).                         surveys,              injury, death.
                        Mexican Wolf                                                          management,
                        Recovery Program,                                                     capture, transport,
                        Albuquerque, New                                                      handling.
                        Mexico.
TE168185.............  Cox McLain             Golden-cheeked warbler  New Mexico, Oklahoma,  Presence/absence      Harm, harass........  Renew.
                        Environmental          (Setophaga              Texas.                 surveys.
                        Consultants; Austin,   chrysoparia),
                        Texas.                 interior least tern
                                               (Sterna antillarum
                                               athalassos), Houston
                                               toad (Bufo
                                               houstonensis),
                                               Atwatter's prairie
                                               chicken (Tympanuchus
                                               cupido attwateri),
                                               gray bat (Myotis
                                               griscescens), red-
                                               cockaded woodpecker
                                               (Leuconotopicus
                                               borealis), Ozark big-
                                               eared bat
                                               (Corynorhinus
                                               (=plecotus)
                                               townsendii ingens),
                                               piping plover
                                               (Charadrius melodus),
                                               northern aplomado
                                               falcon (Falco
                                               femoralis
                                               septentrionalis).

[[Page 22747]]

 
TE144755.............  Reagan Smith Energy    Interior least tern     Arkansas, Colorado,    Presence/absence      Harm, harass........  Amend.
                        Solutions; Oklahoma    (Sterna antillarum      Kansas, Louisiana,     surveys.
                        City, Oklahoma.        athalassos).            Missouri, New
                                                                       Mexico, Oklahoma,
                                                                       Texas.
TE65030D.............  The Peregrine Fund;    Northern aplomado       Texas................  Presence/absence      Harm, harass........  New.
                        Boise, Idaho.          falcon (Falco                                  surveys.
                                               femoralis
                                               septentrionalis).
TE094365.............  National Cave and      Coffin Cave mold        Texas, New Mexico....  Presence/absence      Harm, harass,         New.
                        Karst Research         beetle (Batrisodes                             surveys, capture.     injury, death.
                        Institute; Carlsbad,   texanus), Helotes
                        New Mexico.            mold beetle
                                               (Batrisodes venyivi),
                                               Robber Baron Cave
                                               meshweaver (Cicurina
                                               baronia), Madla Cave
                                               meshweaver (Cicurina
                                               madla), Bracken Bat
                                               Cave meshweaver
                                               (Cicurina venii),
                                               Government Canyon Bat
                                               Cave meshweaver
                                               (Cicurina vespera),
                                               Government Canyon Bat
                                               Cave spider
                                               (Neoleptoneta
                                               microps), Tooth Cave
                                               spider (Neoleptoneta
                                               myopica), Ground
                                               beetle (Rhadine
                                               exilis), Ground
                                               beetle (Rhadine
                                               infernalis), Tooth
                                               Cave ground beetle
                                               (Rhadine persephone),
                                               Tooth Cave
                                               pseudoscorpion
                                               (Tartarocreagris
                                               texana), Kretschmarr
                                               Cave mold beetle
                                               (Texamaurops
                                               reddelli),
                                               Cokendolpher cave
                                               harvestman (Texella
                                               cokendolpheri), Bee
                                               Creek Cave harvestman
                                               (Texella reddilli),
                                               Bone Cave harvestman
                                               (Texella reyesi),
                                               Diminutive amphipod
                                               (Gammarus
                                               hyalleloides), Pecos
                                               amphipod (Gammarus
                                               pecos), Comal Springs
                                               riffle beetle
                                               (Heterelmis
                                               comalensis), Peck's
                                               Cave amphipod
                                               (Stygobromus pecki),
                                               Comal Springs dryopid
                                               beetle (Stygoparnus
                                               comalensis),
                                               Georgetown salamander
                                               (Eurycea naufragia),
                                               Jollyville Plateau
                                               salamander (Eurycea
                                               tonkawae), Salado
                                               salamander (Eurycea
                                               chisholmensis), San
                                               Marcos salamander
                                               (Eurycea nana),
                                               Barton Springs
                                               salamander (Eurycea
                                               sosorum), Austin
                                               blind salamander
                                               (Eurycea
                                               waterlooensis), Texas
                                               hornshell (Popenaias
                                               popeii), Leon Spring
                                               pupfish (Cyprinodon
                                               bovinus), Pecos
                                               pupfish (Cyprinodon
                                               pecosensis), fountain
                                               darter (Etheostoma
                                               fonticola).
TE815490.............  New Mexico Department  Black-footed ferret     New Mexico...........  Presence/absence      Harm; harass........  Renew.
                        of Game and Fish;      (Mustela nigripes).                            surveys.
                        Santa Fe, New Mexico.
TE08832A.............  Utah State             Rio Grande silvery      New Mexico...........  Presence/absence      Harm, harass,         Renew.
                        University; Logan,     minnow (Hybognathus                            surveys, capture.     injury, death.
                        Utah.                  amarus).
TE69747D.............  Sea Life US, LLC; San  Green sea turtle        Texas................  Public aquarium.....  Harm, harass........  New.
                        Antonio, Texas.        (Chelonia mydas).
TE69979D.............  Mata, Barbi; Houston,  Houston toad (Bufo      Alabama, Georgia,      Presence/absence      Harm, harass........  New.
                        Texas.                 houstonensis), Barton   Louisiana,             surveys; monitoring.
                                               Springs salamander      Mississippi, Texas.
                                               (Eurycea sosorum),
                                               Austin blind
                                               salamander (Eurycea
                                               waterlooensis), Texas
                                               blind salamander
                                               (Typhlomolge
                                               rathbuni).
TE226653.............  The Arboretum          Peebles Navajo cactus   Arizona..............  Collection,           Harm................  Amend.
                        Flagstaff; Flagstaff   (Pediocactus                                   propagation.
                        Arizona.               peeblesianus var.
                                               peeblesianus).
TE35147A.............  Newstead, David;       Piping plover           Texas................  Capture, band,        Harm, harass........  Amend.
                        Corpus Christi,        (Charadris melodus).                           presence/absence
                        Texas.                                                                surveys.
TE63522B.............  Laney, Everett;        American burying        Oklahoma.............  Presence/absence      Harm, harass........  Renew.
                        Muskogee, Oklahoma.    beetle (Nicrophorus                            surveys.
                                               americanus).

[[Page 22748]]

 
TE71777D.............  Lisignoli, Jenny;      Yuma clapper rail       Arizona, New Mexico,   Presence/absence      Harm, harass........  New.
                        Albuquerque, New       (Rallus longirostris    California.            surveys.
                        Mexico.                yumanensis), interior
                                               least tern (Sterna
                                               antillarum
                                               athalassos),
                                               southwestern willow
                                               flycatcher (Empidonax
                                               traillii extimus),
                                               northern aplomado
                                               falcon (Falco
                                               femoralis
                                               septentrionalis).
TE71795D.............  Pittenger, Dan S.;     Southwestern willow     Arizona, New Mexico,   Presence/absence      Harm, harass........  New.
                        Three Rivers,          flycatcher (Empidonax   Utah, Nevada.          surveys.
                        California.            traillii extimus).
TE24625A.............  Weber, Sarah; San      Golden-cheeked warbler  Texas................  Presence/absence      Harm, harass........  Renew.
                        Antonio, Texas.        (Setophaga                                     surveys.
                                               chrysoparia).
TE60013D.............  Owen, Bryce; Wylie,    American burying        Kansas, Oklahoma,      Presence/absence      Harm, harass........  New.
                        Texas.                 beetle (Nicrophorus     Texas.                 surveys.
                                               americanus).
TE37418B.............  Brown and Gay          American burying        Oklahoma, Texas......  Presence/absence      Harm, harass........  Renew.
                        Engineers; Frisco,     beetle (Nicrophorus                            surveys.
                        Texas.                 americanus), Golden-
                                               cheeked warbler
                                               (Setophaga
                                               chrysoparia), red
                                               cockaded woodpecker.
TE776123.............  Texas A&M, Galveston,  Kemp's ridley sea       Texas................  Nest relocation,      Harm, harass........  Renew.
                        Texas.                 turtle (Lepidochelys                           rehabilitation.
                                               kempii), loggerhead
                                               sea turtle (Caretta
                                               caretta), hawksbill
                                               sea turtle
                                               (Eretmochelys
                                               imbricata),
                                               leatherback sea
                                               turtle (Dermochelys
                                               coriacea), green sea
                                               turtle (Chelonia
                                               mydas).
TE74321D.............  Weaver, Sara; San      Houston toad (Bufo      Texas................  Presence/absence      Harm, harass........  New.
                        Marcos, Texas.         houstonensis).                                 surveys.
TE22254B.............  Hanington, Michelle..  Southwestern willow     Arizona, New Mexico,   Presence/absence      Harm, harass........  Renew.
                                               flycatcher (Empidonax   Utah, Colorado.        surveys.
                                               traillii extimus).
TE835139.............  Hawks Aloft, Inc.;     Southwestern willow     Arizona, New Mexico,   Presence/absence      Harm, harass........  Renew.
                        Albuquerque, NM.       flycatcher (Empidonax   Colorado.              surveys.
                                               traillii extimus).
TE78959A.............  Weber, Sarah.........  Golden-cheeked warbler  Texas................  Presence/absence      Harm, harass........  Renew.
                                               (Setophaga                                     surveys.
                                               chrysoparia).
TE30430B.............  University of          Rio Grande silvery      New Mexico, Texas....  Presence/absence      Harm, harass........  Renew.
                        Houston, Clear Lake,   minnow (Hybognathus                            surveys.
                        Texas.                 amarus), Comanche
                                               Springs pupfish
                                               (Cyprinodon elegans),
                                               Pecos gambusia
                                               (Gambusia nobilis),
                                               Leon Springs pupfish
                                               (Cyprindodon
                                               bovinus), Big Bend
                                               gambusia (Gambusia
                                               gaigei), Devils River
                                               minnow (Dionda
                                               diaboli), Texas wild-
                                               rice (Zizania texana).
TE146407.............  Belaire                Golden-cheeked warbler  Texas................  Presence/absence      Harm, harass........  Renew.
                        Environmental, Inc.;   (Setophaga                                     surveys.
                        Rockport, Texas.       chrysoparia).
TE829995.............  Dallas Zoo; Dallas,    Houston toad (Bufo      Texas................  Captive breeding,     Harm, harass........  Renew.
                        Texas.                 houstonensis), Barton                          rehabilitation.
                                               springs salamander
                                               (Eurycea sosorum),
                                               loggerhead sea turtle
                                               (Caretta caretta),
                                               Texas blind
                                               salamander (Eurycea
                                               rathbuni).
TE28891A.............  Tristan, Timothy;      Kemp's ridley sea       Texas................  Captive breeding,     Harm, harass........  Renew.
                        Corpus Christi,        turtle (Lepidochelys                           rehabilitation.
                        Texas.                 kempii), loggerhead
                                               sea turtle (Caretta
                                               caretta), hawksbill
                                               sea turtle
                                               (Eretmochelys
                                               imbricata),
                                               leatherback sea
                                               turtle (Dermochelys
                                               coriacea), green sea
                                               turtle (Chelonia
                                               mydas).
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Authority

    We provide this notice under section 10 of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 
et seq.).

Amy Lueders,
Regional Director, Southwest Region. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-08570 Filed 4-22-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P