[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 100 (Friday, May 22, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31204-31207]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-11078]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2020-0031; FXIA16710900000-201-FF09A30000]


Foreign Endangered Species; Marine Mammals; Receipt of 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 (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) and foreign or native species for which the Service 
has jurisdiction under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). With 
some exceptions, the ESA and the MMPA prohibit activities with listed 
species unless Federal authorization is issued that allows such 
activities. The ESA and MMPA also require that we invite public comment 
before issuing permits for any activity otherwise prohibited by the ESA 
or MMPA with respect to any endangered species or marine mammals.

DATES: We must receive comments by June 22, 2020.

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-2020-0031.
    Submitting Comments: When submitting comments, please specify the 
name of the applicant and the permit number at the beginning of your

[[Page 31205]]

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-2020-0031.
     U.S. mail: Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. 
FWS-HQ-IA-2020-0031; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters, MS: 
PRB/3W; 5275 Leesburg Pike; Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.

For more information, see Public Comment Procedures under SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Monica Thomas, by phone at 703-358-
2185, 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?

    We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies 
to comment on these applications. Before issuing any of the requested 
permits, we will take into consideration any information that we 
receive during the public comment period.
    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 at 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 in consideration of section 10(c) of the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and 
section 104(c) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended 
(MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), we invite public comments on permit 
applications before final action is taken. With some exceptions, the 
ESA and MMPA prohibit certain activities with listed species unless 
Federal authorization is issued that allows such activities. Permits 
issued under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA allow otherwise prohibited 
activities for scientific purposes or to enhance the propagation or 
survival of the affected species. Service regulations regarding 
prohibited activities with endangered species, captive-bred wildlife 
registrations, and permits for any activity otherwise prohibited by the 
ESA with respect to any endangered species are available in title 50 of 
the Code of Federal Regulations in part 17. Service regulations 
regarding permits for any activity otherwise prohibited by the MMPA 
with respect to any marine mammals are available in title 50 of the 
Code of Federal Regulations in part 18. Concurrent with publishing this 
notice in the Federal Register, we are forwarding copies of the marine 
mammal application to the Marine Mammal Commission and the Committee of 
Scientific Advisors for their review.

III. Permit Applications

    We invite comments on the following applications.

A. Endangered Species

Applicant: NRCAN Natural Resource Canada c/o U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service Maine Field Office, East Orland, ME; Permit No. 53601D
    The applicant requests authorization to export to Canada wild 
furbish lousewort (Pedicularis furbishiae) seeds collected in Maine for 
the purpose of enhancing the propagation or survival of the species. 
This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant 
over a 5-year period.
Applicant: Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL; Permit No. 69662D
    The applicant requests authorization to import seed and pollen of 
the Olulu plant (Brighamia insignis) from multiple botanic institutions 
for the purpose of enhancing the propagation or survival of the 
species. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the 
applicant over a 5-year period.
Applicant: University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA; Permit No. 
63307D
    The applicant requests authorization to import biological samples 
derived from wild Verreaux's sifakas (Propithecus verreauxi), ring-
tailed lemurs (Lemur catta), and red-and-gray mouse lemurs (Microcebus 
griseorufus), taken in Madagascar, for the purpose of scientific 
research. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the 
applicant over a 5-year period.
Applicant: Tony Goldberg, Madison, WI; Permit No. 56953D
    The applicant requests a permit to import biological samples 
derived from wild and captive-born common chimpanzees (Pan 
troglodytes), taken in the Republic of Congo, for the purpose of 
scientific research. This notification is for a single import.
Applicant: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Powell, OH; Permit No. 60002D
    The applicant requests authorization to import biological samples 
derived from wild black-and-white ruffed lemurs (Varecia variegata), 
taken in Madagascar, for the purpose of scientific research. This 
notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 
5-year period.
Applicant: Graham Banes, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI; 
Permit No. 93299C
    The applicant requests authorization to import biological samples 
from captive-bred and wild orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus and Pongo abelii)

[[Page 31206]]

from multiple locations for the purpose of enhancing the propagation or 
survival of the species through scientific research. This notification 
covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year 
period.
Applicant: Jordana Meyer, Stanford University, Stanford, CA; Permit No. 
55307D
    The applicant requests authorization to import biological samples 
from wild African elephants (Loxodonta africana) taken in Garamba 
National Park, Republic of Congo, for the purpose of enhancing the 
propagation or survival of the species through scientific research. 
This notification is for a single import.
Applicant: St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL; Permit No. 
15196D
    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 
50 CFR 17.21(g) for the following species, to enhance the propagation 
or survival of the species. This notification covers activities to be 
conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Common name                        Scientific name
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Cabot's tragopan pheasant.................  Tragopan caboti.
Komodo island monitor.....................  Varanus komodoensis.
Congo dwarf crocodile.....................  Osteolaemus tetraspis
                                             osborni.
African dwarf crocodile...................  Osteolaemus tetraspis.
Chinese alligator.........................  Alligator sinensis.
Blue-throated macaw.......................  Ara glaucogularis.
Siamese crocodile.........................  Crocodylus siamensis.
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Applicant: Bright and Associates, LLC, dba Bright's Zoo, Limestone, TN; 
Permit No. 51201D
    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 
50 CFR 17.21(g) for the following species, to enhance the propagation 
or survival of the species. This notification covers activities to be 
conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Common name                         Species name
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jackass penguin...........................  Spheniscus demersus.
Baird's tapir.............................  Tapirus bairdii.
Cotton-top tamarin........................  Saguinus oedipus.
Galapagos tortoise........................  Chelonoidis niger.
Radiated tortoise.........................  Astrochelys radiata.
Lar gibbon................................  Hylobates lar.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Applicant: Mississippi Aquarium, Gulfport, MS; Permit No. 59433D
    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 
50 CFR 17.21(g) for jackass penguins (Spheniscus demersus) to enhance 
the propagation or survival of the species. This notification covers 
activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
Applicant: Peoria Zoo at Glen Oak Park, Peoria, IL; Permit No. 59321D
    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 
50 CFR 17.21(g) for the following species, to enhance the propagation 
or survival of the species. This notification covers activities to be 
conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

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                Common name                         Species name
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Chinese alligator.........................  Alligator sinensis.
Panamanian golden frog....................  Atelopus zeteki.
Mongoose lemur............................  Eulemur mongoz.
Galapagos tortoise........................  Chelonoidis niger.
Ring-tailed lemur.........................  Lemur catta.
Mandrill..................................  Mandrillus sphinx.
Siberian tiger............................  Panthera tigris altaica.
Cotton-top tamarin........................  Saguinus oedipus.
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Applicant: Chattanooga Zoo, Chattanooga, TN; Permit No. 56470D
    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 
50 CFR 17.21(g) for snow leopards (Uncia uncia) to enhance the 
propagation or survival of the species. This notification covers 
activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
Applicant: Steve Martin's Natural Encounters, Inc., Winter Haven, FL; 
Permit No. 42547B
    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 
50 CFR 17.21(g) for blue-throated macaw (Ara glaucogularis), to enhance 
the propagation or survival of the species. This notification covers 
activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
Applicant: Ox Ranch Investments LLC dba Ox Hunting Ranch, Uvalde, TX; 
Permit No. 10867B
    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 
50 CFR 17.21(g) for the following species, to enhance the propagation 
or survival of the species. This notification covers activities to be 
conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Common name                         Species name
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Eld's brow-antlered deer..................  Cervus eldi.
Arabian oryx..............................  Oryx leucoryx.
Swamp deer................................  Cervus duvauceli.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Applicant: William Porter, Fort Denaud, FL; Permit No. 08333D
    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 
50 CFR 17.21(g) for the following species, to enhance the propagation 
or survival of the species. This notification covers activities to be 
conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Common name                        Scientific name
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Madagascar radiated tortoise..............  Geochelone radiata.
Galapagos tortoise........................  Geochelone nigra.
Blue-throated macaw.......................  Ara glaucogularis.
St. Vincent parrot........................  Amazona guildingii.
Cuban parrot..............................  Amazona leucocephala.
White cockatoo............................  Cacatua alba.
Philippine cockatoo.......................  Cacatua haematuropygia.
Salmon-crested cockatoo...................  Cacatua moluccensis.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Applicant: UC Davis Center for Plant Diversity, Davis, CA; Permit No. 
60226D
    The applicant requests authorization to export and reimport 
nonliving museum plant specimens of endangered species previously 
accessioned into the applicant's collection for scientific research. 
This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant 
over a 5-year period.
Applicant: Ox Ranch Investments LLC dba Ox Hunting Ranch, Uvalde, TX; 
Permit No. 10866B
    The applicant requests a permit authorizing the culling of excess 
Eld's brow-antlered deer (Rucervus eldi), Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx), 
and swamp deer (Rucervus duvauceli) from the captive herd maintained at 
their facility, to enhance the species' propagation and survival. This 
notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 
5-year period.
Applicant: Jeff Demaske, Greeley, CO; Permit No. 55199D
    The applicant requests a permit to import a sport hunted trophy of 
a hyena (Parahyaena brunnea) from Zimbabwe for the purpose of enhancing 
the propagation or survival of the species. This notification is for a 
single import.
Applicant: Wayne P. Johnson, Long Beach, MS; Permit No. 71738D
    The applicant requests a permit to import a sport-hunted trophy of 
a male scimitar-horned oryx (Oryx dammah) culled from a captive herd 
maintained in South Africa, to enhance the species' propagation and 
survival.
Richard Roark, Marshall, TX; Permit No. 72865D
    The applicant requests a permit to import a sport-hunted trophy of 
one sport-hunted trophy of male bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus pygargus) 
culled from a captive herd maintained under the management program of 
the Republic of South Africa, for the purpose of enhancing the 
propagation or survival of the species.

[[Page 31207]]

B. Endangered Marine Mammals and Marine Mammals

Applicant: Wild Space Productions, Pacific Grove, CA Permit No. 62285D
    The applicant requests a permit to photograph southern sea otters 
(Enhydra lutris nereis) along the coast of California, at the locations 
listed below, for the purpose of enhancement of the survival of the 
species through educational photography.

 Monterey Harbour
 Cannery Row, Pacific Grove stretch
 Monterey Bay Inn, Cannery Row
 Pebble Beach (Point Joe--within Pebble Beach)
 Point Lobos (using boat launch Whalers Cove)
 Monterey Bay Aquarium: Hopkins Marine Station
 Carmel Beach, Carmel-by-the-Sea
 Sandshell Beach--behind Cypress Point
 Otter Point--Perkins Park, Pacific Grove
 Berwick Park
 Elkhorn Slough
 Moss Landing Harbor
 Pescadero

This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant 
over a 5-year period.

IV. Next Steps

    After the comment period closes, we will make decisions regarding 
permit issuance. If we issue permits 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. 12345A, you would go to regulations.gov and search for 
``12345A''.

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, and the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended 
(16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and its implementing regulations.

Monica Thomas,
Management Analyst, Branch of Permits, Division of Management 
Authority.
[FR Doc. 2020-11078 Filed 5-21-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P