[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 178 (Friday, September 13, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 74977-74981]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-20786]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R4-ES-2024-N046; FXES11140400000-245-FF04E00000]


Endangered Species; 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, have received 
applications for permits to conduct activities intended to enhance the 
propagation or survival of endangered species under the Endangered 
Species Act. 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.

DATES: We must receive written data or comments on the applications by 
October 15, 2024.

ADDRESSES: 
    Reviewing Documents: Submit requests for copies of applications and 
other information submitted with the applications to Karen Marlowe (see 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). All requests and comments should 
specify the applicant's name and application number (e.g., Mary Smith, 
ESPER0001234).
    Submitting Comments: If you wish to comment, you may submit 
comments by one of the following methods:
     Email (preferred method): [email protected]. Please 
include your name and return address in your email message. If you do 
not receive a confirmation from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that 
we have received your email message, contact us directly at the 
telephone number listed in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
     U.S. mail: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Office, 
Ecological Services, 1875 Century Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 30345 (Attn: 
Karen Marlowe, Permit Coordinator).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Marlowe, Permit Coordinator, via 
telephone at 404-679-7097 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: 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 of 1974, as amended (5 
U.S.C. 552a), and the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552).

Background

    With some exceptions, the ESA prohibits take of listed species 
unless a federal permit is issued that authorizes such take. The 
definition of ``take'' in the ESA includes hunting, shooting, harming, 
wounding, or killing, and also such activities as pursuing, harassing, 
trapping, capturing, or collecting.
    A recovery permit issued by us under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA 
authorizes the permittee to take endangered or threatened species while 
engaging in activities that are conducted for scientific purposes that 
promote recovery of species or for enhancement of propagation or 
survival of species. These activities often include the capture and 
collection of species, which would result in prohibited take if a 
permit were not issued. Our regulations implementing section 
10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA 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.

[[Page 74978]]



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  Permit application No.        Applicant             Species              Location             Activity           Type of take         Permit action
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ES27608B-2...............  McGehee Engineering  Tricolored bat       Alabama,             Presence/probable    Enter hibernacula,   Renewal and
                            Corporation;         (Perimyotis          Mississippi, and     absence surveys.     capture, handle,     amendment.
                            Jasper, AL.          subflavus).          Tennessee.                                identify, band,
                                                                                                                radio tag, and
                                                                                                                release.
ES54578B-3...............  Mary Frazer;         Tricolored bat       Alabama, Arkansas,   Presence/probable    Enter hibernacula,   Renewal and
                            Raleigh, NC.         (Perimyotis          Connecticut,         absence surveys.     capture, handle,     amendment.
                                                 subflavus).          Delaware, District                        identify, band,
                                                                      of Columbia,                              radio tag, and
                                                                      Florida, Georgia,                         release.
                                                                      Illinois, Indiana,
                                                                      Iowa, Kansas,
                                                                      Kentucky,
                                                                      Louisiana, Maine,
                                                                      Maryland,
                                                                      Massachusetts,
                                                                      Michigan,
                                                                      Minnesota,
                                                                      Mississippi,
                                                                      Missouri, Montana,
                                                                      Nebraska, New
                                                                      Hampshire, New
                                                                      Jersey, New York.
                                                                      North Carolina,
                                                                      North Dakota,
                                                                      Ohio, Oklahoma,
                                                                      Pennsylvania,
                                                                      Rhode Island,
                                                                      South Carolina,
                                                                      South Dakota,
                                                                      Tennessee, Texas,
                                                                      Vermont, Virginia,
                                                                      West Virginia,
                                                                      Wisconsin, and
                                                                      Wyoming.
ES119937-5...............  Susan Loeb;          Gray bat (Myotis     Alabama, Arkansas,   Presence/probable    Enter hibernacula    Renewal and
                            Clemson, SC.         grisescens),         Colorado,            absence surveys      or maternity roost   amendment.
                                                 Indiana bat          Connecticut,         and scientific       caves, capture,
                                                 (Myotis sodalis),    Delaware, District   research.            handle, identify,
                                                 northern long-       of Columbia,                              band, radio tag,
                                                 eared bat (Myotis    Florida, Georgia,                         collect hair
                                                 septentrionalis),    Illinois, Indiana,                        samples, light
                                                 and tricolored bat   Iowa, Kansas,                             tag, wing punch,
                                                 (Perimyotis          Kentucky,                                 and release.
                                                 subflavus).          Louisiana, Maine,
                                                                      Maryland,
                                                                      Massachusetts,
                                                                      Michigan,
                                                                      Minnesota,
                                                                      Mississippi,
                                                                      Missouri,
                                                                      Nebraska, New
                                                                      Hampshire, New
                                                                      Jersey, New
                                                                      Mexico, New York,
                                                                      North Carolina,
                                                                      Ohio, Oklahoma,
                                                                      Pennsylvania,
                                                                      Rhode Island,
                                                                      South Carolina,
                                                                      South Dakota,
                                                                      Tennessee, Texas,
                                                                      Vermont, Virginia,
                                                                      West Virginia,
                                                                      Wisconsin, and
                                                                      Wyoming.
ES64393C-2...............  Vanasse Hangen       Gray bat (Myotis     Alabama, Arkansas,   Presence/probable    Enter hibernacula    Renewal and
                            Brustlin, Inc.;      grisescens),         Connecticut,         absence surveys.     or maternity         amendment.
                            Raleigh, NC.         Indiana bat          Delaware, District                        roosts, capture
                                                 (Myotis sodalis),    of Columbia,                              with mist nets or
                                                 northern long-       Florida, Georgia,                         harp traps,
                                                 eared bat (Myotis    Illinois, Indiana,                        handle, identify,
                                                 septentrionalis),    Iowa, Kansas,                             band, radio tag,
                                                 tricolored bat       Kentucky,                                 and release.
                                                 (Perimyotis          Louisiana, Maine,
                                                 subflavus), and      Maryland,
                                                 Virginia big-eared   Massachusetts,
                                                 bat (Corynorhinus    Michigan,
                                                 townsendii           Minnesota,
                                                 virginianus).        Mississippi,
                                                                      Missouri, Montana,
                                                                      Nebraska, New
                                                                      Hampshire, New
                                                                      Jersey, New York,
                                                                      North Carolina,
                                                                      North Dakota,
                                                                      Ohio, Oklahoma,
                                                                      Pennsylvania,
                                                                      Rhode Island,
                                                                      South Carolina,
                                                                      South Dakota,
                                                                      Tennessee,
                                                                      Vermont, Virginia,
                                                                      West Virginia,
                                                                      Wisconsin, and
                                                                      Wyoming.
PER0018443-1.............  U.S. Army Engineer   Balcones spike       Alabama, Kansas,     Presence/probable    Capture, handle,     Amendment.
                            Research and         (Fusconaia           Louisiana,           absence surveys.     identify, and
                            Development          iheringi), false     Missouri,                                 release.
                            Center; Vicksburg,   spike (Fusconaia     Oklahoma, and
                            MS.                  mitchelli),          Texas.
                                                 Guadalupe orb
                                                 (Cyclonaias
                                                 necki), Guadalupe
                                                 fatmucket
                                                 (Lampsilis
                                                 bergmanni),
                                                 Ouachita fanshell
                                                 (Cyprogenia sp.
                                                 cf. aberti), Texas
                                                 fatmucket
                                                 (Lampsilis
                                                 bracteata), Texas
                                                 fawnsfoot
                                                 (Truncilla
                                                 macrodon), Texas
                                                 pimpleback
                                                 (Cyclonaias
                                                 petrina), and
                                                 western fanshell
                                                 (Cyprogenia
                                                 aberti).

[[Page 74979]]

 
ES02200B-5...............  Atlanta Botanical    Helonias bullata     Federal lands in     Long-term storage,   Remove and reduce    Renewal.
                            Garden; Atlanta,     (swamp pink),        Alabama, Georgia,    artificial           to possession
                            GA.                  Hudsonia montana     North Carolina,      propagation, ex      (collect) seeds,
                                                 (mountain golden     and Tennessee.       situ safeguarding,   leaves, root tips,
                                                 heather), Isotria                         and genomic          pollen, and stem
                                                 medeoloides (small                        studies.             cuttings.
                                                 whorled pogonia),
                                                 Platanthera
                                                 integrilabia
                                                 (white fringeless
                                                 orchid),
                                                 Sarracenia
                                                 oreophila (green
                                                 pitcher plant),
                                                 Spiraea virginiana
                                                 (Virginia
                                                 spiraea), Trillium
                                                 persistens
                                                 (persistent
                                                 trillium),
                                                 Trillium reliquum
                                                 (relict trillium),
                                                 and Xyris
                                                 tennesseensis
                                                 (Tennessee yellow-
                                                 eyed grass).
PER11488797-0............  North Carolina       Red wolf (Canis      Red Wolf SAFE        Evaluation of        Collect hair         New.
                            State University;    rufus).              facilities and       cortisol values.     samples.
                            Raleigh, NC.                              North Carolina.
PER3315996-0.............  Domonique DiLandro;  Indiana bat (Myotis  Alabama, Arkansas,   Presence/probable    Enter roosts         New.
                            Holly Springs, NC.   sodalis).            Connecticut,         absence surveys.     (bridges,
                                                                      Delaware, Georgia,                        culverts, and
                                                                      Illinois, Indiana,                        abandoned
                                                                      Iowa, Kansas,                             buildings),
                                                                      Kentucky,                                 capture, handle,
                                                                      Maryland,                                 identify, band,
                                                                      Michigan,                                 radio tag, and
                                                                      Mississippi,                              release.
                                                                      Missouri,
                                                                      Nebraska, New
                                                                      Jersey, New York,
                                                                      North Carolina,
                                                                      Ohio, Oklahoma,
                                                                      Pennsylvania,
                                                                      South Carolina,
                                                                      Tennessee,
                                                                      Vermont, Virginia,
                                                                      West Virginia, and
                                                                      Wisconsin.
ES88778B-3...............  John Lamb; Decherd,  Gray bat (Myotis     Tennessee..........  Presence/probable    Enter hibernacula    Renewal and
                            TN.                  grisescens),                              absence surveys.     or maternity roost   amendment.
                                                 Indiana bat                                                    caves, capture,
                                                 (Myotis sodalis),                                              handle, identify,
                                                 and northern long-                                             band, radio tag,
                                                 eared bat (Myotis                                              and release.
                                                 septentrionalis).
ES81492B-2...............  Biotope Forestry &   Tricolored bat       Alabama, Arkansas,   Presence/probable    Capture, handle,     Amendment.
                            Environmental,       (Perimyotis          Connecticut,         absence surveys.     identify, band,
                            LLC; Nacogdoches,    subflavus).          Delaware, District                        radio tag, and
                            TX.                                       of Columbia,                              release.
                                                                      Florida, Georgia,
                                                                      Illinois, Indiana,
                                                                      Iowa, Kansas,
                                                                      Kentucky,
                                                                      Louisiana, Maine,
                                                                      Maryland,
                                                                      Massachusetts,
                                                                      Michigan,
                                                                      Minnesota,
                                                                      Mississippi,
                                                                      Missouri, Montana,
                                                                      Nebraska, New
                                                                      Hampshire, New
                                                                      Jersey, New York,
                                                                      North Carolina,
                                                                      North Dakota,
                                                                      Ohio, Oklahoma,
                                                                      Pennsylvania,
                                                                      Rhode Island,
                                                                      South Carolina,
                                                                      South Dakota,
                                                                      Tennessee,
                                                                      Vermont, Virginia,
                                                                      West Virginia,
                                                                      Wisconsin, and
                                                                      Wyoming.
PER5292605-0.............  Amanda Miller;       Gray bat (Myotis     Arkansas, Colorado,  Presence/probable    Capture, handle,     New.
                            Winchester, TN.      grisescens),         Georgia, Florida,    absence surveys.     identify, band,
                                                 Indiana bat          Kansas, Kentucky,                         radio tag, and
                                                 (Myotis sodalis),    Louisiana,                                release.
                                                 and northern long-   Mississippi,
                                                 eared bat (Myotis    Missouri, North
                                                 septentrionalis).    Carolina,
                                                                      Oklahoma,
                                                                      Pennsylvania,
                                                                      South Carolina,
                                                                      Texas, and
                                                                      Virginia.
ES 75551C-1..............  Phillip Arant;       Tricolored bat       Alabama, Arkansas,   Presence/probable    Capture, handle,     Renewal and
                            Fairmont,WV.         (Perimyotis          Connecticut,         absence surveys.     identify, band,      amendment.
                                                 subflavus).          Delaware, District                        radio tag, and
                                                                      of Columbia,                              release.
                                                                      Florida, Georgia,
                                                                      Illinois, Indiana,
                                                                      Iowa, Kansas,
                                                                      Kentucky,
                                                                      Louisiana, Maine,
                                                                      Maryland,
                                                                      Massachusetts,
                                                                      Michigan,
                                                                      Minnesota,
                                                                      Mississippi,
                                                                      Missouri, Montana,
                                                                      Nebraska, New
                                                                      Hampshire, New
                                                                      Jersey, New York,
                                                                      North Carolina,
                                                                      North Dakota,
                                                                      Ohio, Oklahoma,
                                                                      Pennsylvania,
                                                                      Rhode Island,
                                                                      South Carolina,
                                                                      South Dakota,
                                                                      Tennessee,
                                                                      Vermont, Virginia,
                                                                      West Virginia,
                                                                      Wisconsin, and
                                                                      Wyoming.

[[Page 74980]]

 
ES 88796C-3..............  Geological Survey    Fish: Blue shiner    Alabama............  Presence/probable    Fish: capture,       Renewal and
                            of Alabama;          (Cyprinella                               absence surveys      handle, identify     amendment.
                            Tuscaloosa, AL.      caerulea), Cahaba                         and monitoring.      and release;
                                                 shiner (Notropis                                               Mussels: capture,
                                                 cahabae), goldline                                             handle, identify,
                                                 darter (Percina                                                mark, release, and
                                                 aurolineata), rush                                             collect relic
                                                 darter (Etheostoma                                             shells.
                                                 phytophilum),
                                                 trispot darter (E.
                                                 trisella),
                                                 vermilion darter
                                                 (E. chermocki),
                                                 and watercress
                                                 darter (E.
                                                 nuchale); Mussels:
                                                 Alabama
                                                 moccasinshell
                                                 (Medionidus
                                                 acutissimus),
                                                 Coosa
                                                 moccasinshell (M.
                                                 parvulus), dark
                                                 pigtoe (Pleurobema
                                                 furvum), finelined
                                                 pocketbook
                                                 (Hamiota altilis),
                                                 Georgia pigtoe
                                                 (Pleurobema
                                                 hanleyianum),
                                                 heavy pigtoe (P.
                                                 taitianum),
                                                 inflated
                                                 heelsplitter
                                                 (Potamilus
                                                 inflatus),
                                                 orangenacre mucket
                                                 (Hamiota
                                                 perovalis), ovate
                                                 clubshell
                                                 (Pleurobema
                                                 perovatum),
                                                 southern
                                                 acornshell
                                                 (Epioblasma
                                                 othcaloogensis),
                                                 southern clubshell
                                                 (Pleurobema
                                                 decisum), southern
                                                 combshell
                                                 (Epioblasma
                                                 penita), southern
                                                 pigtoe (Pleurobema
                                                 georgianum),
                                                 triangular
                                                 kidneyshell
                                                 (Ptychobranchus
                                                 greenii), and
                                                 upland combshell
                                                 (Epioblasma
                                                 metastriata).
ES 824723-12.............  Archbold             Birds: Florida       Florida............  Population           Birds: Red-cockaded  Renewal and
                            Expeditions, Inc;    grasshopper                               management and       woodpeckers:         amendment.
                            Venus, FL.           sparrow                                   monitoring,          capture, band,
                                                 (Ammodramus                               genetic analyses,    construct and
                                                 savannarum                                studies on habitat   monitor artificial
                                                 floridanus),                              use, germination     nest cavities and
                                                 Florida scrub jay                         experiments,         restrictors,
                                                 (Aphelocoma                               propagation, and     translocate,
                                                 coerulescens), and                        reintroduction.      collect blood, and
                                                 red-cockaded                                                   salvage non-viable
                                                 woodpecker                                                     eggs; Florida
                                                 (Picoides                                                      scrub jays:
                                                 borealis);                                                     capture, band,
                                                 Reptile: Eastern                                               collect blood and
                                                 indigo snake                                                   feathers, radio-
                                                 (Drymarchon                                                    tag, provide
                                                 couperi); Plants:                                              supplemental food,
                                                 Cladonia perforata                                             and administer
                                                 (Florida perforate                                             Ivermectin;
                                                 cladonia),                                                     Florida
                                                 Dicerandra                                                     grasshopper
                                                 christmanii                                                    sparrows: capture,
                                                 (Garrett's mint),                                              band, collect
                                                 Polygala lewtonii                                              blood, salvage non-
                                                 (Lewton's                                                      viable eggs,
                                                 milkwort), and                                                 collect eggs and
                                                 Ziziphus celata                                                nestlings to be
                                                 (Florida ziziphus).                                            swapped with
                                                                                                                captive eggs and/
                                                                                                                or nestlings;
                                                                                                                Eastern indigo
                                                                                                                snake: capture,
                                                                                                                handle, take skin
                                                                                                                swabs, release,
                                                                                                                and salvage;
                                                                                                                Plants: collect
                                                                                                                seeds, leaves,
                                                                                                                stem cuttings, and
                                                                                                                portions of
                                                                                                                thallus.

[[Page 74981]]

 
ES63633A-7...............  Biodiversity         Tricolored bat       Alabama, Arkansas,   Presence/probable    Enter hibernacula,   Renewal and
                            Research             (Perimyotis          Connecticut,         absence surveys.     capture with mist    amendment.
                            Institute;           subflavus).          Delaware, District                        nets or harp
                            Portland, ME.                             of Columbia,                              traps, handle,
                                                                      Florida, Georgia,                         identify, band,
                                                                      Illinois, Indiana,                        radio tag, and
                                                                      Iowa, Kansas,                             release.
                                                                      Kentucky,
                                                                      Louisiana, Maine,
                                                                      Maryland,
                                                                      Massachusetts,
                                                                      Michigan,
                                                                      Minnesota,
                                                                      Mississippi,
                                                                      Missouri, Montana,
                                                                      Nebraska, New
                                                                      Hampshire, New
                                                                      Jersey, New York,
                                                                      North Carolina,
                                                                      North Dakota,
                                                                      Ohio, Oklahoma,
                                                                      Pennsylvania,
                                                                      Rhode Island,
                                                                      South Carolina,
                                                                      South Dakota,
                                                                      Tennessee,
                                                                      Vermont, Virginia,
                                                                      West Virginia,
                                                                      Wisconsin, and
                                                                      Wyoming.
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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 ask us in your comment 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.

Next Steps

    If we decide to issue a permit to an applicant 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.).

Daniel Elbert,
Acting Deputy Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services, 
Southeast Region.
[FR Doc. 2024-20786 Filed 9-12-24; 8:45 am]
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