[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 149 (Monday, August 3, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46700-46701]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-16849]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2020-0075; FXIA16710900000-201-FF09A30000]


Foreign Endangered Species; 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, invite the public to 
comment on applications to conduct certain activities with foreign 
species that are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act 
(ESA). With some exceptions, the ESA prohibits activities with listed 
species unless Federal authorization is issued that allows such 
activities. The ESA also requires that we invite public comment before 
issuing permits for any activity otherwise prohibited by the ESA with 
respect to any endangered species.

DATES: We must receive comments by September 2, 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-2020-0075.
    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-2020-0075.
     U.S. Mail: Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. 
FWS-HQ-IA-2020-0075; 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

[[Page 46701]]

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.), we 
invite public comments on permit applications before final action is 
taken. With some exceptions, the ESA prohibits 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.

III. Permit Applications

    We invite comments on the following applications.

Applicant: Luke Michael Wildenberg, Oak Grove, MN; Permit No. 59836D

    The applicant requests a permit to import a sport-hunted Cape 
Mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra) from a captive herd, Swartberg 
Private Wildlife Estate, South Africa, for the purpose of enhancing the 
propagation or survival of the species. This notification is for a 
single import activity.

Applicant: Wade Harrell, Whooping Crane Recovery Plan Coordinator, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, Southwest Region, Austwell, TX; PRT-93380C

    The applicant requests renewal of a permit to export/re-export 
captive-held/captive hatched and wild live specimens, captive-bred/wild 
collected viable eggs, biological samples and salvaged materials from 
captive-bred/wild specimens of whooping cranes (Grus americana) to 
Canada, for completion of identified tasks and objectives mandated 
under the Whooping Crane Recovery Plan. Salvaged materials may include, 
but are not limited to, whole or partial specimens, feathers, eggs, and 
egg shell fragments. This notification covers activities to be 
conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

Applicant: Priour Brothers Ranch, Mountain Home, TX; Permit No. 672849

    The applicant requests an amendment to their captive-bred wildlife 
registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for 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 2-year 
period.

Applicant: Steven Wierzgacz, Mesa, AZ; Permit No. 35231A

    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 
50 CFR 17.21(g) for radiated tortoises (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: Priour Brothers Ranch, Mountain Home, TX; Permit No. 707102

    The applicant requests an amendment to their permit authorizing the 
culling of excess 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 2-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.

Brenda Tapia,
Management Analyst/Program Analyst, Branch of Permits, Division of 
Management Authority.
[FR Doc. 2020-16849 Filed 7-31-20; 8:45 am]
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