[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 123 (Thursday, June 25, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38152-38154]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-13743]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2020-0064; 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 July 27, 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-2020-0064.
    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-2020-0064.
     U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing, 
Attn: Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2020-0064; 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

[[Page 38153]]

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: L.A. Waters Ranch, LLC, Utopia, TX; Permit No. 16883D

    The applicant requests a permit to export samples derived from 
captive African wild ass (Equus africanus) for the purpose of enhancing 
the propagation or survival of the species through scientific research. 
This notification is for a single export.

Applicant: Toledo Zoological Gardens, Toledo, OH; Permit No. 49147D

    The applicant requests a permit to import one female captive-born 
Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) from Thrigby Hall Wildlife 
Gardens, Great Yarmouth, United Kingdom, to Toledo Zoological Gardens, 
Toledo, OH, with immediate transport to the Niabi Zoo, Coal Valley, IL, 
for the purpose of enhancing the propagation or survival of the 
species. This notification is for a single import.

Applicant: Institute for the Conservation of Tropical Environments, 
Stony Brook, NY; Permit No. 56547D

    The applicant requests authorization to import biological samples 
derived from wild golden bamboo lemurs (Hapalemur aureus), greater 
bamboo lemurs (Prolemur simus), and red-fronted lemurs (Eulemur rufus), 
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: Columbian Park Zoo/City of Lafayette, Lafayette, IN; Permit 
No. 60773D

    The applicant requests a permit to acquire six male and two female 
captive-bred African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) in interstate 
commerce from Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Vallejo, California, for the 
purpose of enhancing the propagation or survival of the species. This 
notification is for a single interstate commerce activity.

Applicant: Fort Worth Zoological Association, Inc., Fort Worth, TX; 
Permit No. 65855D

    The applicant requests a permit to import two female captive-born 
Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) from African Lion Safari, Ontario, 
Canada, for the purpose of enhancing the propagation or survival of the 
species. This notification is for a single import.

Applicant: Minnesota Zoological Gardens, Apple Valley, MN; Permit No. 
60225D

    The applicant requests a permit to import one female captive-born 
Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) from Thrigby Hall Wildlife 
Gardens, Great Yarmouth, United Kingdom, for the purpose of enhancing 
the propagation or survival of the species. This notification is for a 
single import.

Applicant: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Carlsbad Field Office, 
Carlsbad, CA; Permit No. 69406D

    The applicant requests a permit to export biological samples 
derived from nonviable eggs of California least terns (Sterna 
antillarum browni) to AXYS Analytical Services, Sidney, Canada, for the 
purpose of scientific research. This notification is for a single 
export.

Applicant: Royal Botanic Gardens, KEW, c/o U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service Field Office, Boquer[oacute]n, Puerto Rico; Permit No. 76438D

    The applicant requests authorization to export dried/preserved 
leaves, floral structures, and vegetative material of (Zanthoxylum 
thomasianum) for the purpose of scientific research. This notification 
covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year 
period.

Applicant: International Center for the Preservation of Wild Animals 
dba The Wilds, Cumberland, OH; Permit No. 56752D

    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: African wild dog (Lycaon pictus), Asian 
wild ass (Equus hemionus), Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus), 
Bactrian deer (Cervus elaphus bactrianus), banteng (Bos javanicus), 
cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus), dhole (Cuon alpinus), goral (Naemorhedus 
goral), great Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis), Przewalski's 
horse (Equus przewalskii), and red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis). 
This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant 
over a 5-year period.

Applicant: The Condor Fund, Las Vegas, NV; Permit No. 54520D

    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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Andean condor...........................  Vultur gryphus
Blue-throated macaw.....................  Ara glaucogularis
Great green macaw.......................  Ara ambiguous
Military macaw..........................  Ara militaris
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Applicant: John Grigus, Lemont, IL; Permit No. 25262B

    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 
50 CFR 17.21(g) for Madagascar radiated tortoise (Geochelone radiata) 
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: Lonesome Bull Ranch, Sardia, TX; Permit No. 60507D


[[Page 38154]]


    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 
50 CFR 17.21(g) for barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelli) and Arabian oryx 
(Oryx leucoryx) 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: Saint Louis Zoo, Saint Louis, MO; Permit No. 66451D

    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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Amur tiger..............................  Panthera tigris altaica
Amur leopard............................  Panthera pardus orientalis
Snow leopard............................  Uncia
African wild dog........................  Lycaon pictus
Cheetah.................................  Acinonyx jubatus
Asian elephant..........................  Elephas maximus
Black rhinoceros........................  Diceros bicornis
Addax...................................  Addax nasomaculatus
Babirusa................................  Babyrousa babyrussa
Banteng.................................  Bos javanicus
African wild ass........................  Equus africanus
Dama gazelle............................  Gazelle dama
White-nape crane........................  Grus vipio
Bali mynah..............................  Leucopsar rothschildi
Horned guan.............................  Oreophasis derbianus
Cabot's tragopan........................  Tragopan caboti
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Applicant: Charles Musgrave, Pilot Point, TX; Permit No. 67131D

    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 
50 CFR 17.21(g) for Galapagos tortoise (Chelonoidis niger) and radiated 
tortoise (Astrochelys radiata) 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: Fascination Herpetoculture, Thicket, TX; Permit No. 28941B

    The applicant requests renewal of a captive-bred wildlife 
registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for Galapagos tortoise (Chelonoidis 
niger), radiated tortoise (Astrochelys radiata), dwarf crocodile 
(Osteolaemus tetraspis tetraspis), yacare caiman (Caiman yacare), 
common caiman (Caiman crocodylus crocodylus), and broad-snouted caiman 
(Caiman latirostris), 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: Peter M. Stein, Manchester, CT; Permit No. 76702D

    The applicant requests renewal of a captive-bred wildlife 
registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for radiated tortoise (Astrochelys 
radiata), yellow-spotted river turtle (Podocnemis unifilis), and 
spotted pond turtle (Geoclemys hamiltonii) 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: Lonesome Bull Ranch, Sardia, TX; Permit No. 68664D

    The applicant requests a permit authorizing the culling of excess 
barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelli) and Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) 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: Lucky 7 Exotics Ranch, Eden, TX; Permit No. 70466A

    The applicant requests a permit authorizing the culling of excess 
Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) and barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelli) 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 2-year period.

B. Endangered Marine Mammals and Marine Mammals

Applicant: USGS C/O Joseph Tomoleoni, Santa Cruz, CA; Permit No. 672624

    The applicant requests to renew their permit to take Southern sea 
otters (Enhydra lutris nereis) for the purpose of scientific research. 
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. 2020-13743 Filed 6-24-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P