[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 23, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4329-4333]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-01258]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R3-ES-2023-N004; FXES11130300000-234-FF03E00000]
Endangered and Threatened Species; Receipt of 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, have received
applications for permits to conduct activities intended to enhance the
propagation or survival of endangered or threatened species under the
Endangered Species Act. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal,
and Federal agencies to comment on these
[[Page 4330]]
applications. Before issuing any of the requested permits, we will take
into consideration any information that we receive during the public
comment period.
DATES: We must receive your written comments on or before February 22,
2024.
ADDRESSES: Document availability and comment submission: Submit
requests for copies of the applications and related documents, as well
as any comments, by one of the following methods. All requests and
comments should specify the applicant name(s) and application number(s)
(e.g., ESXXXXXX; see table in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION):
Email (preferred method): [email protected]. Please
refer to the respective application number (e.g., Application No.
ESXXXXXX) in the subject line of your email message.
U.S. Mail: Regional Director, Attn: Nathan Rathbun, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services, 5600 American Blvd.
West, Suite 990, Bloomington, MN 55437-1458.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nathan Rathbun, 612-713-5343 (phone);
[email protected] (email). Individuals in the United States who are
deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may dial
711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay
services. Individuals outside the United States should use the relay
services offered within their country to make international calls to
the point-of-contact in the United States.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
invite review and comment from the public and local, State, Tribal, and
Federal agencies on applications we have received for permits to
conduct certain activities with endangered and threatened species under
section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended
(ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and our regulations in the Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR part 17. Documents and other
information submitted with the applications are available for review,
subject to the requirements of the Privacy Act and the Freedom of
Information Act.
Background
The ESA prohibits certain activities with endangered and threatened
species unless authorized by a Federal permit. The ESA and our
implementing regulations in part 17 of title 50 of the Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) provide for the issuance of such permits and require
that we invite public comment before issuing permits for activities
involving endangered species.
A recovery permit issued by us under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA
authorizes the permittee to conduct activities with endangered species
for scientific purposes that promote recovery or for enhancement of
propagation or survival of the species. 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
The ESA requires that we invite public comment before issuing these
permits. Accordingly, 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. Proposed
activities in the following permit requests are for the recovery and
enhancement of propagation or survival of the species in the wild.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Application No. Applicant Species Location Activity Type of take Permit action
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ESPER5565041.................. Julia Leone, Saint Rusty patched MN................ Conduct presence/ Capture, handle, New.
Paul, MN. bumble bee (Bombus absence surveys, and release.
affinis). document habitat
use, conduct
population
monitoring, and
evaluate impacts.
ES64079B...................... Minnesota Zoo, Dakota skipper MI, MN, ND, SD, WI Conduct presence/ Capture, handle, Renew and amend.
Apple Valley, MN. (Hesperia absence surveys, identify, mark,
dacotae), document habitat monitor and
poweshiek use, conduct survey, captive
skipperling population rearing,
(Oarisma monitoring, and propagation, and
poweshiek), rusty evaluate impacts. release.
patched bumble bee
(Bombus affinis).
TE06845A...................... Lochmueller Group, Add new species-- GA, IL, IN, KY, Conduct presence/ Capture with mist Renew and amend.
Evansville, IN. tricolored bat OH; add: AL, AR, absence surveys, nets, identify,
(Perimyotis CO, DC, FL, IA, document habitat handle, collect
subflavus)--to KS, LA, MA, MD, use, conduct non-intrusive
existing ME, MI, MN, MS, population measurements,
authorized MO, MT, NE, NC, monitoring, and band, radio-tag,
species: Indiana NH, NJ, NY, ND, evaluate impacts. and release.
bat (Myotis OK, PA, RI, SD,
sodalis), northern TN, TX, UT, VI,
long-eared bat (M. VT, WI, WY, WV.
septentrionalis),
and gray bat (M.
grisescens).
ESPER5664139.................. Kevyn Juneau, River Rusty patched WI................ Conduct presence/ Capture, handle, New.
Falls, WI. bumble bee (Bombus absence surveys, hold, and release.
affinis). document habitat
use, conduct
population
monitoring, and
evaluate impacts.
[[Page 4331]]
ES08501D...................... Alyssa Roberts, Rusty patched IA, IL, IN, MI, Conduct presence/ Capture, handle, Renew.
Grand Rapids, MN. bumble bee (Bombus MN, MO, OH, WI. absence surveys, hold, and release.
affinis). document habitat
use, conduct
population
monitoring, and
evaluate impacts.
ES81122C...................... Three Rivers Park Rusty patched MN................ Conduct presence/ Capture, handle, Renew.
District, bumble bee (Bombus absence surveys, and release.
Plymouth, MN. affinis). document habitat
use, conduct
population
monitoring, and
evaluate impacts.
ES74742C...................... Benjamin Smith, Add new species-- AL, AR, CT, DC, Conduct presence/ Capture with mist Renew and amend.
Kearney, MO. Tricolored bat DE, FL, GA, KS, absence surveys, nets and harp
(Perimyotis KY, IA, IL, IN, document habitat traps, identify,
subflavus) and LA, MA, MD, ME, use, conduct handle, collect
Ozark big-eared MI, MN, MO, MS, population non-intrusive
bat (Corynorhinus NC, NE, ND, NH, monitoring, and measurements,
townsendii NJ, NY, OK, OH, evaluate impacts. band, radio-tag,
ingens)--to PA, RI, SC, SD, and release.
existing TN, TX, VA, VT,
authorized WI, WV, WY.
species: Indiana
bat (Myotis
sodalis), northern
long-eared bat (M.
septentrionalis),
and gray bat (M.
grisescens).
ES74592A...................... Robert Brown, Add new species-- AL, AR, CT, DE, Conduct presence/ Capture with mist Renew and amend.
Liberty Township, Tricolored bat DC, FL, GA, IL, absence surveys, nets and harp
OH. (Perimyotis IN, IA, KS, KY, document habitat traps, identify,
subflavus)--to LA, ME, MD, MA, use, conduct handle, collect
existing MI, MN, MO, MS, population non-intrusive
authorized MT, NE, NH, NJ, monitoring, and measurements,
species: Indiana NY, NC, ND, OK, evaluate impacts. band, enter
bat (Myotis OH, PA, RI, SC, hibernacula,
sodalis), northern SD, TN, VT, VA, radio-tag, and
long-eared bat (M. WV, WI, WY. release.
septentrionalis),
gray bat (M.
grisescens), Ozark
big-eared bat
(Corynorhinus
townsendii
ingens), Virginia
big-eared bat (C.
t. virginianus).
ES06452D...................... National Park Piping plover WI................ Conduct presence/ Capture, handle, Renew.
Service Apostle (Charadrius absence surveys, salvage, release,
Islands National melodus). document habitat and erect
Lakeshore, use, conduct exclosures.
Bayfield, WI. population
monitoring, and
evaluate impacts.
ES38842A...................... Sanders Indiana bat (Myotis Add new states-- Conduct presence/ Capture, handle, Amend.
Environmental, sodalis), northern TX--to existing absence surveys, radio-tag, band,
Inc., Bellefonte, long-eared bat (M. authorized document habitat and release.
PA. septentrionalis), states: AL, AR, use, conduct
gray bat (M. FL, GA, IL, IN, population
grisescens), Ozark IA, KS, KY, LA, monitoring, and
big-eared bat MI, MN, MO, MS, evaluate impacts.
(Corynorhinus MT, NC, ND, OK,
townsendii OH, SC, SD, TN,
ingens), Virginia WI, WY.
big-eared bat (C.
t. virginianus).
[[Page 4332]]
ES03494B...................... GAI Consultants, Add new species-- AL, AR, CO, CT, Conduct presence/ Capture with mist Renew and amend.
Florence, KY. Tricolored bat DC, DE, FL, GA, absence surveys, nets and harp
(Perimyotis KS, KY, IA, IL, document habitat traps, identify,
subflavus)--to IN, LA, MA, MD, use, conduct handle, collect
existing ME, MI, MN, MO, population non-intrusive
authorized MS, MT, NC, NE, monitoring, and measurements,
species: Indiana ND, NH, NJ, NM, evaluate impacts. band, radio-tag,
bat (Myotis NY, OK, OH, PA, and release.
sodalis), northern RI, SC, SD, TN,
long-eared bat (M. TX, VA, VT, WI,
septentrionalis), WV, WY.
gray bat (M.
grisescens), Ozark
big-eared bat
(Corynorhinus
townsendii
ingens), Virginia
big-eared bat (C.
t. virginianus).
ES24566D...................... Nicholas Smeenk, Eastern massasauga IA, IL, IN, MI, Conduct presence/ Capture, temporary Renew.
Columbus, OH. rattlesnake NY, OH, PA, WI. absence surveys, hold for
(Sistrurus document habitat processing,
catenatus) and use, conduct handle, collect
copperbelly water population tissue samples,
snake (Nerodia monitoring, and mark with PIT
erythrogaster evaluate impacts. tags and/or
neglecta). ventral scale
clips, and
release.
ES37065D...................... U.S. Army Corps of Eastern massasauga IL................ Conduct presence/ Capture, temporary Renew.
Engineers, Carlyle rattlesnake absence surveys, hold for
Lake Project (Sistrurus document habitat processing,
Office, Carlyle, catenatus). use, conduct handle, and
IL. population release.
monitoring, and
evaluate impacts.
ES14549C...................... Larissa Herrera, Add new species-- IA, IL, IN, MI, Conduct presence/ Capture, handle, Amend.
Belmont, MI. round hickorynut MN, OH, WI. absence surveys, release, and
(Obovaria document habitat relocate due to
subrotunda), to use, conduct stranding..
existing population
authorized monitoring, and
species: 11 evaluate impacts.
freshwater mussel
species.
TE90426C...................... Natalie Dingledine, Hungerford's MI................ Conduct presence/ Capture, handle, Renew.
Haslett, MI. crawling water absence surveys, temporarily hold,
beetle (Brychius document habitat handle, release,
hungerfordi). use, conduct relocate, and
population salvage.
monitoring,
conduct health
and disease
monitoring, and
evaluate impacts.
TE60958A...................... Bat Calls Indiana bat (Myotis AL, AR, CT, DE, Conduct presence/ Capture with mist Renew.
Identification, sodalis), northern FL, GA, IL, IN, absence surveys, nets, identify,
Inc. Kansas City, long-eared bat (M. IA, KS, KY, LA, document habitat handle, collect
MO. septentrionalis), ME, MD, MA, MI, use, conduct non-intrusive
gray bat (M. MN, MO, MS, MT, population measurements,
grisescens), Ozark NE, NH, NJ, NY, monitoring, and band, radio-tag,
big-eared bat NC, ND, OK, OH, evaluate impacts. and release.
(Corynorhinus PA, RI, SC, SD,
townsendii TN, VT, VA, WV,
ingens), Virginia WI, WY.
big-eared bat (C.
t. virginianus).
ES30472....................... Elaine Evans, St. Rusty patched MN, WI............ Conduct presence/ Capture, handle, Renew and Amend.
Paul, MN. bumble bee (Bombus absence surveys, identify, mark,
affinis). document habitat bio sample and
use, conduct release.
population
monitoring, and
evaluate impacts.
TE64073B...................... Ecological and GIS Dakota skipper IA, MN, SD........ Conduct presence/ Capture, handle, Renew.
Services, (Hesperia absence surveys, release.
Indianola, IA. dacotae), document habitat
Poweshiek use, conduct
skipperling population
(Oarisma monitoring, and
poweshiek). evaluate impacts.
[[Page 4333]]
ESPER1462021.................. Keystone Ecological Add new species-- Add new states-- Conduct presence/ Add new activity-- Amend.
Services, LLC, Gray bat (Myotis AL, AR, CO, GA, absence surveys, capture with harp
Wellsboro, PA. grisescens), IL, IN, KS, MO, document habitat traps--to
tricolored bat MS, NM, OK--to use, conduct existing
(Perimyotis existing population authorized
subflavus)--to authorized monitoring, and activities:
existing states: CT, DC, evaluate impacts. capture with mist
authorized DE, IA, KY, LA, nets, identify,
species: Indiana MA, MD, ME, MI, handle, collect
bat (M. sodalis), MN, MT, NC, ND, non-intrusive
northern long- NE, NH, NJ, NY, measurements,
eared bat (M. OH, PA, RI, SC, band, radio-tag,
septentrionalis), SD, TN, TX, VA, and release.
Virginia big-eared VT, WI, WV, WY.
bat (Corynorhinus
townsendii
virginianus).
ESPER0002430.................. David Ford, Spring, Add new species-- AL, AR, GA, IL, Conduct presence/ Capture, handle, Amend.
TX. Round hickorynut IN, IA, KS, KY, absence surveys, release, and
(Obovaria LA, MI, MN, MO, document habitat relocate.
subrotunda) and MS, NE, NM, NY, use, conduct
longsolid NC, OK, OH, PA, population
(Fusconaia SD, TN, TX, VA, monitoring, and
subrotunda), to WV, WI. evaluate impacts.
existing
authorized
species: 21
freshwater mussel
species.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Public Availability of Comments
Written comments we receive become part of the administrative
record associated with this action. Before including your address,
phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information
in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--
including your personal identifying information--may be made publicly
available at any time. While you can request in your comment that we
withhold your personal identifying information from public review, 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.
Next Steps
If we decide to issue permits to any of the applicants listed in
this notice, we will publish a notice in the Federal Register.
Authority
We publish this notice under section 10(c) of the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Lori Nordstrom,
Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Service, Midwest Region.
[FR Doc. 2024-01258 Filed 1-22-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P