[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 141 (Wednesday, July 22, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44316-44318]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-15801]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R2-ES-2020-N086; 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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 
August 21, 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 
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.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Application No.             Applicant                 Species                  Location          Activity        Type of take      Permit action
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TE066550.....................  Logan Simpson     Black-footed ferret (Mustela     Arizona, New      Presence/absence  Capture, harm,    Renew.
                                Design, Inc.;     nigripes), southwestern willow   Mexico, Utah.     surveys,          harass, injury,
                                Tempe, Arizona.   flycatcher (Empidonax traillii                     habitat           death.
                                                  extimus), Yuma clapper rail                        surveys, nest
                                                  (Rallus longirostris                               monitoring.
                                                  yumanensis), razorback sucker
                                                  (Xyrauchen texanus), Gila
                                                  topminnow (Poeciliopsis
                                                  occidentalis).

[[Page 44317]]

 
TE028605.....................  SWCA; Flagstaff,  Black-footed ferret (Mustela     Arizona, New      Presence/absence  Harm, harass,     Renew.
                                Arizona.          nigripes), southwestern willow   Mexico.           surveys,          injury, death.
                                                  flycatcher (Empidonax traillii                     habitat
                                                  extimus), Yuma clapper rail                        surveys, nest
                                                  (Rallus longirostris                               monitoring.
                                                  yumanensis), razorback sucker
                                                  (Xyrauchen texanus), Gila
                                                  topminnow (Poeciliopsis
                                                  occidentalis), Spikedace (Mega
                                                  fulgida), loach minnow
                                                  (Tiaroga cobitis), Sonoyta mud
                                                  turtle (Kinosternon sonoriense
                                                  longifemorale), Virgin River
                                                  chub (Gila seminuda
                                                  (=robusta)).
TE822998.....................  USDA, Coronado    Southwestern willow flycatcher   Arizona, New      Presence/absence  Harm, harass....  Renew.
                                National          (Empidonax traillii extimus),    Mexico.           surveys.
                                Forest; Tucson,   Yuma clapper rail (Rallus
                                Arizona.          longirostris yumanensis),
                                                  Mexican long-nosed bat
                                                  (Leptonycteris nivalis),
                                                  ocelot (Leopardus pardalis),
                                                  jaguar (Panthera onca), Mount
                                                  Graham red squirrel
                                                  (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
                                                  grahamensis), Northern
                                                  aplomado falcon (Falco
                                                  femoralis septentrionalis),
                                                  masked bobwhite quail (Colinus
                                                  virginianus ridgwayi), Sonora
                                                  tiger salamander (Ambystoma
                                                  tigrinum stebbinsi), Gila
                                                  topminnow (Poeciliopsis
                                                  occidentalis), desert pupfish
                                                  (Cyprinodon macularius), Yaqui
                                                  chub (Gila purpurea), Gila
                                                  chub (Gila intermedia).
TE43777A.....................  Sea Life          Kemp's ridley sea turtle         Texas...........  Captive           Harm, harass....  Renew.
                                Aquarium;         (Lepidochelys kempii),                             breeding,
                                Grapevine,        hawksbill sea turtle                               rehabilitation.
                                Texas.            (Eretmochelys imbricata),
                                                  green sea turtle (Chelonia
                                                  mydas).
TE155413.....................  Sonoran           Gila topminnow (Poeciliopsis     Arizona.........  Presence/absence  Harass, harm,     New.
                                Institute;        occidentalis).                                     surveys;          capture,
                                Tucson, Arizona.                                                     collection.       injury, death.
TE28787B.....................  Lawrence, Cindy;  Southwestern willow flycatcher   New Mexico, Utah  Presence/absence  Harm, harass....  Renew.
                                Buena Vista,      (Empidonax traillii extimus).                      surveys.
                                Colorado.
TE75679D.....................  Ramirez, Alex;    Golden-cheeked warbler           Texas...........  Presence/absence  Harm, harass....  New.
                                Katy, Texas.      (Setophaga chrysoparia).                           surveys.
TE091552.....................  Homesley, Zane;   American burying beetle          Texas...........  Presence/absence  Harm, harass....  Renew.
                                Austin, Texas.    (Nicrophorus americanus),                          surveys.
                                                  golden-cheeked warbler
                                                  (Setophaga chrysoparia),
                                                  southwestern willow flycatcher
                                                  (Empidonax traillii extimus),
                                                  Houston toad (Bufo
                                                  houstonensis).
TE584243B....................  Hill, Austin;     American burying beetle          Arkansas,         Presence/absence  Harass, harm....  Renew.
                                Richardson,       (Nicrophorus americanus).        Kansas,           surveys.
                                Texas.                                             Oklahoma, Texas.
TE54802B.....................  Philips-Schaap,   American burying beetle          Arkansas,         Presence/absence  Harm, harass....  Renew.
                                Megan; Tulsa,     (Nicrophorus americanus).        Kansas,           surveys.
                                Oklahoma.                                          Missouri, Ohio,
                                                                                   Oklahoma,
                                                                                   Nebraska, Texas.
TE74315D.....................  Hogue, Chaylum;   American burying beetle          Oklahoma........  Presence/absence  Harm, harass....  Renew.
                                Ada, Oklahoma.    (Nicrophorus americanus).                          surveys.
TE75601D.....................  Horner, Kaitlyn;  Southwestern willow flycatcher   Arizona.........  Presence/absence  Harm, harass....  New.
                                Goodyear,         (Empidonax traillii extimus).                      surveys.
                                Arizona.
TE52561B.....................  Teague, Trevor;   American burying beetle          Arkansas,         Presence/absence  Harass, harm....  Renew.
                                Bixby, Oklahoma.  (Nicrophorus americanus).        Kansas,           surveys.
                                                                                   Oklahoma, Texas.
TE053104.....................  ACI Group, LLC.;  Golden-cheeked warbler           Texas...........  Presence/absence  Harass, harm....  Renew.
                                Austin, Texas.    (Setophaga chrysoparia),                           surveys.
                                                  Houston toad (Bufo
                                                  houstonensis), Coffin Cave
                                                  mold beetle (Batrisodes
                                                  texanus), Helotes 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), 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).
TE233205.....................  Bonn, Thomas;     Golden-cheeked warbler           Texas...........  Presence/absence  Harm, harass,...  Renew.
                                Lockhart, Texas.  (Setophaga chrysoparia).                           surveys.
TE43746A.....................  Johnson,          Southwestern willow flycatcher   Arizona,          Presence/absence  Harm, harass,...  Renew.
                                Matthew;          (Empidonax traillii extimus).    Colorado, New     surveys.
                                Flagstaff,                                         Mexico, Utah.
                                Arizona.
TE043399.....................  Eagle             American burying beetle          Arkansas,         Presence/absence  Harm, harass....  Renew.
                                Environmental;    (Nicrophorus americanus),        Kansas,           surveys,.
                                Vinita,           interior least tern (Sterna      Louisiana,
                                Oklahoma.         antillarum athalassos).          Oklahoma, Texas.

[[Page 44318]]

 
TE820730.....................  New Mexico        Sacramento prickly poppy         New Mexico......  Seed collection.  Harm, harass....  Renew.
                                Energy,           (Argemone pinnatisecta),
                                Minerals, and     Mancos milk-vetch (Astragalus
                                Natural           humillimus), Sacramento
                                Resources         Mountains thistle (Cirsium
                                Department;       vinaceum), Lee's pincushion
                                Santa Fe, New     cactus (Coryphantha sneedii
                                Mexico.           var. leei), Sneed's pincushion
                                                  cactus (Coryphantha sneedii
                                                  var. sneedii) gypsum wild
                                                  buckwheat (Erigonum
                                                  gypsophilum), Todsen's
                                                  pennyroyal (Hedeoma todsenii),
                                                  Pecos sunflower (Helianthus
                                                  paradoxus), Holy Ghost
                                                  ipomopsis (Ipomopsis sancti-
                                                  spiritus), Mesa Verde cactus
                                                  (Sclerocactus mesae-verdae).
TE27791B.....................  National Park     Southwestern willow flycatcher   Arizona.........  Presence/absence  Harm, harass....  Renew.
                                Service,          (Empidonax traillii extimus).                      surveys.
                                Montezuma
                                Castle and
                                Tuzigoot
                                National
                                Monuments; Camp
                                Verde, Arizona.
TE33889B.....................  Miami             Diminutive amphipod (Gammarus    New Mexico,       Presence/absence  Harm, harass....  Renew.
                                University;       hyalleloides), Noel's amphipod   Texas.            surveys.
                                Oxford, Ohio.     (Gammarus desperatus), Pecos
                                                  amphipod (Gammarus pecos),
                                                  Socorro isopod
                                                  (Thermosphaeroma
                                                  thermophilum), Chupadera
                                                  springsnail (Pyrgulopsis
                                                  chupaderae), Alamosa
                                                  springnail (Tryonia alamosae).
TE830213.....................  EcoPlan           Black-footed ferret (Mustela     Arizona.........  Presence/absence  Harm, harass....  Renew.
                                Associates,       nigripes), southwestern willow                     surveys.
                                Inc.; Mesa,       flycatcher (Empidonax traillii
                                Arizona.          extimus), Sonora tiger
                                                  salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum
                                                  stebbinsi), Mount Graham red
                                                  squirrel (Tamiasciurus
                                                  hudsonicus grahamensis),
                                                  Sonoran pronghorn (Antilocapra
                                                  americana sonoriensis), Gila
                                                  topminnow (Poeciliopsis
                                                  occidentalis), desert pupfish
                                                  (Cyprinodon macularius), Yaqui
                                                  chub (Gila purpurea), Gila
                                                  chub (Gila intermedia).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authority

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

Amy L. Lueders,
Regional Director, Southwest Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-15801 Filed 7-21-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P