[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 137 (Wednesday, July 17, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58169-58171]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-15661]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R2-ES-2024-N030; FXES11130200000-245-FF02ENEH00]


Endangered Wildlife; Recovery 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 the following applications for a permit to conduct 
activities intended to recover and enhance endangered species survival. 
With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act (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 16, 2024.

ADDRESSES: 
    Document availability: Request documents from the contact in the 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
    Comment submission: Submit comments by email to 
[email protected]. Please specify the permit application you are 
interested in by number (e.g., Permit Record No. PER1234567).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marty Tuegel, Supervisor, 
Environmental Review Division, by phone at 505-248-6651, or via email 
at [email protected]. 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:

Background

    With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 
amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), 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, and 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 listed 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. Our release of 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 permit record 
number when submitting comments.

[[Page 58170]]



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   Permit record No.          Applicant                Species                Location             Activity           Type of take       Permit  action
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PER9229823.............  Albuquerque          Sacramento Mountains      New Mexico.........  Capture, captive     Harass, harm,        Renew/amend.
                          Biological Park;     checkerspot butterfly                          rearing, holding,    capture.
                          Albuquerque, New     (Euphydryas anicia                             educational
                          Mexico.              cloudcrofti), Koster's                         display, captive
                                               springsnail (Juturnia                          propagation,
                                               kosteri), Roswell                              headstarting.
                                               springsnail
                                               (Pyrgulopsis
                                               roswellensis), Pecos
                                               gambusia (Gambusia
                                               nobilis), Zuni bluehead
                                               sucker (Catostomus
                                               discobolus yarrowi),
                                               Colorado pikeminnow
                                               (Ptychocheilus lucius),
                                               razorback sucker
                                               (Xyrauchen texanus),
                                               Gila topminnow
                                               (Poeciliopsis
                                               occidentalis), Rio
                                               Grande silvery minnow
                                               (Hybognathus amarus),
                                               Bolson tortoise
                                               (Gopherus
                                               flavomarginatus),
                                               Kemp's ridley sea
                                               turtle (Lepidochelys
                                               kempii), hawksbill sea
                                               turtle (Eretmochelys
                                               imbricata).
PER2182167.............  Johnson, Kevin;      Gray bat (Myotis          Alabama, Arkansas,   Presence/absence     Harass, harm.......  New.
                          Oklahoma City,       grisescens), lesser       Colorado, Florida,   surveys.
                          Oklahoma.            prairie-chicken           Georgia, Kansas,
                                               (Tympanuchus              Kentucky,
                                               pallidicinctus), red-     Louisiana,
                                               cockaded woodpecker       Mississippi, New
                                               (Picoides borealis).      Mexico, North
                                                                         Carolina,
                                                                         Oklahoma, South
                                                                         Carolina,
                                                                         Tennessee, Texas,
                                                                         Virginia.
PER2333296.............  Haverland, Matthew;  Golden-cheeked warbler    New Mexico, Texas..  Presence/absence     Harass, harm.......  Renew/amend.
                          San Marcos, Texas.   (Setophaga                                     surveys.
                                               chrysoparia), lesser
                                               prairie-chicken
                                               (Tympanuchus
                                               pallidicinctus).
PER10451034............  The Peregrine Fund   Northern aplomado falcon  Idaho, Texas.......  Capture, captive     Harass, harm,        Amend.
                          Inc.; Boise, Idaho.  (Falco femoralis                               propagation,         capture.
                                               septentrionalis).                              release.
PER10643788............  U.S. Army Garrison-- Southwestern willow       Arizona............  Presence/absence     Harass, harm.......  Renew/amend.
                          Ft. Huachuca; Ft.    flycatcher (Empidonax                          surveys.
                          Huachuca, Arizona.   traillii extimus),
                                               Sonoran tiger
                                               salamander (Ambystoma
                                               mavortium stebbinsi).
PER10081279............  University of Texas  Kemp's ridley sea turtle  Texas..............  Rehabilitate,        Harass, harm,        Renew.
                          at Austin--Marine    (Lepidochelys kempii),                         release,             capture.
                          Science Institute;   hawksbill sea turtle                           educational
                          Port Aransas,        (Eretmochelys                                  display, hold,
                          Texas.               imbricata), leatherback                        tag, bio-sample,
                                               sea turtle (Dermochelys                        capture.
                                               coriacea).
PER10644977............  ACI Environmental    Texas hornshell           Texas..............  Presence/absence     Harass, harm,        Amend.
                          Consulting;          (Popenaias popeii).                            surveys,             capture.
                          Austin, Texas.                                                      relocations.
PER10660560............  University of New    Rio Grande silvery        Arizona, New Mexico  Presence/absence     Harass, harm,        Renew/amend.
                          Mexico, Department   minnow (Hybognathus                            surveys, bio-        capture.
                          of Biology;          amarus), spikedace                             sample.
                          Albuquerque, New     (Meda fulgida), loach
                          Mexico.              minnow (Tiaroga
                                               cobitis).
PER10147575............  Tetra Tech, Inc.;    Southwestern willow       Arizona, Colorado,   Nest monitoring....  Harass, harm.......  Amend.
                          Albuquerque, New     flycatcher (Empidonax     New Mexico, Texas.
                          Mexico.              traillii extimus).
PER9518898.............  Texas A&M--          Big bend gambusia         Texas..............  Voucher specimen,    Harass, harm,        New.
                          Department of        (Gambusia gaigei),                             bio-sample.          capture, kill.
                          Ecology and          Clear Creek gambusia
                          Conservation         (Gambusia heterochir),
                          Biology--Conway      Comanche Springs
                          Lab; College         pupfish (Cyprinodon
                          Station, Texas.      elegans), fountain
                                               darter (Etheostoma
                                               fonticola), Leon
                                               Springs pupfish
                                               (Cyprinodon bovinus),
                                               Mexican blindcat
                                               (Prietella
                                               phreatophila), pecos
                                               gambusia (Gambusia
                                               nobilis), peppered chub
                                               (Macrhybopsis
                                               tetranema), sharpnose
                                               shiner (Notropis
                                               oxyrhynchus), smalleye
                                               shiner (Notropis
                                               buccula).
PER9357062.............  Hardin, Alliah;      Lesser prairie-chicken    Colorado, Kansas,    Presence/absence     Harass, harm.......  New.
                          Oklahoma City,       (Tympanuchus              New Mexico,          surveys.
                          Oklahoma.            pallidicinctus).          Oklahoma, Texas.
PER3115167.............  Beauregard,          Southwestern willow       Arizona............  Presence/absence     Harass, harm.......  Amend.
                          Nicholas;            flycatcher (Empidonax                          surveys, nest
                          Flagstaff, Arizona.  traillii extimus).                             monitoring.
PER9548837.............  La Tierra            Northern aplomado falcon  Arizona, New         Presence/absence     Harass, harm.......  Renew/amend.
                          Environmental        (Falco femoralis          Mexico, Texas.       surveys.
                          Consulting; Las      septentrionalis),
                          Cruces, New Mexico.  southwestern willow
                                               flycatcher (Empidonax
                                               traillii extimus).

[[Page 58171]]

 
PER9657818.............  U.S. Fish and        Gray wolf (Canis lupus),  Colorado, Utah.....  Presence/absence     Harass, harm,        Amend.
                          Wildlife Service,    Mexican wolf (Canis                            surveys,             capture.
                          Region 2--Mexican    lupus baileyi).                                management,
                          Wolf Recovery                                                       capture, handling,
                          Program;                                                            propagation, tag,
                          Albuquerque, New                                                    bio-sample,
                          Mexico.                                                             translocate.
PER9736936.............  Becker, Daniel;      Indiana bat (Myotis       Oklahoma...........  Presence/absence     Harass, harm,        New.
                          Norman, Oklahoma.    sodalis), gray bat                             surveys, bio-        capture.
                                               (Myotis grisescens).                           sample, capture.
PER9717409.............  Fort Worth           Black-footed ferret       Texas..............  Educational          Harass, harm.......  Renew/amend.
                          Zoological Park;     (Mustela nigripes),                            display, captive
                          Fort Worth, Texas.   Barton Springs                                 propagation,
                                               salamander (Eurycea                            reintroduction,
                                               sosorum), Austin blind                         headstarting.
                                               salamander (Eurycea
                                               waterlooensis), Houston
                                               toad (Bufo
                                               houstonensis),
                                               hawksbill sea turtle
                                               (Eretmochelys
                                               imbricata), Kemp's
                                               ridley sea turtle
                                               (Lepidochelys kempii).
PER9932736.............  Roistacher, Alicia;  Indiana bat (Myotis       Oklahoma...........  Presence/absence     Harass, harm,        New.
                          Norman, Oklahoma.    sodalis), gray bat                             surveys, bio-        capture.
                                               (Myotis grisescens).                           sample, capture.
PER10418800............  Troilo, Sarah; San   Golden-cheeked warbler    Texas..............  Presence/absence     Harass, harm.......  New.
                          Antonio, Texas.      (Setophaga chrysoparia).                       surveys.
PER10369722............  Ellisor, Samuel;     Golden-cheeked warbler    Texas..............  Presence/absence     Harass, harm.......  New.
                          Wimberley, Texas.    (Setophaga chrysoparia).                       surveys.
PER10693070............  Arizona Game and     Spikedace (Meda           Arizona............  Presence/absence     Harass, harm,        Amend.
                          Fish Department;     fulgida), loach minnow                         surveys, collect.    capture, kill.
                          Phoenix, Arizona.    (Tiaroga cobitis).
PER0036360.............  Aztec Engineering    Black-footed ferret       Arizona, New         Presence/absence     Harass, harm.......  Renew.
                          Group, Inc.;         (Mustela nigripes),       Mexico, Texas.       surveys, nest
                          Phoenix, Arizona.    southwestern willow                            monitoring.
                                               flycatcher (Empidonax
                                               traillii extimus), Yuma
                                               Ridgway's rail (Rallus
                                               obsoletus yumanensis).
PER10420481............  American Southwest   Colorado pikeminnow       Arizona, Colorado,   Presence/absence     Harass, harm.......  Renew/amend.
                          Ichthyological       (Ptychocheilus lucius),   New Mexico, Utah.    surveys, collect,
                          Researchers;         razorback sucker                               tag.
                          Albuquerque, New     (Xyrauchen texanus),
                          Mexico.              Gila chub (Gila
                                               intermedia), Rio Grande
                                               silvery minnow
                                               (Hybognathus amarus),
                                               spikedace (Meda
                                               fulgida), loach minnow
                                               (Tiaroga cobitis).
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Public Availability of Comments

    All comments we receive become part of the public record associated 
with this action. Requests for copies of comments will be handled in 
accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, National Environmental 
Policy Act, and Service and Department of the Interior policies and 
procedures. 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 
ask us to withhold your personal identifying information from public 
review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. 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.

Authority

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

Amy Lueders,
Regional Director, Southwest Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-15661 Filed 7-16-24; 8:45 am]
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