05-19966. Receipt of Applications for Permit

AGENCY:

Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice of receipt of applications for permit.

SUMMARY:

The public is invited to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species and marine mammals.

DATES:

Written data, comments or requests must be received by November 4, 2005.

ADDRESSES:

Documents and other information submitted with these applications are available for review, subject to the requirements of the Privacy Act and Freedom of Information Act, by any party who submits a written request for a copy of such documents within 30 days of the date of publication of this notice to: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Management Authority, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 700, Arlington, Virginia 22203; fax [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Division of Management Authority, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Endangered Species

The public is invited to comment on the following application(s) for a permit to conduct certain activities with endangered species. This notice is provided pursuant to section 10(c) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Written data, comments, or requests for copies of these complete applications should be submitted to the Director (address above).

Applicant: Peregrine Fund, Boise, Idaho, PRT-819573.

The applicant requests renewal of a permit to import harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja) samples (blood, tissue, and DNA), and to export/re-export live birds as part of an on-going conservation project which enhances the survival of the species. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a five-year period.

Applicant: Tom Stehn, Whooping Crane Recovery Plan Coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 2, Austwell, TX, PRT-013808.

The applicant requests renewal of a permit to import captive-bred/captive-hatched and wild live specimens, captive-bred/wild collected viable eggs, biological samples from captive-bred/wild specimens, and salvaged materials from captive-bred/wild specimens of whooping cranes (Grus americana) from Canada, for completion of identified tasks and objectives mandated under the Whooping Crane Recovery Plan. Salvage 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 five-year period.

Applicant: Kimberly A. Vinette Herrin, D.V.M., Canton, GA, PRT-108865.

The applicant requests a permit to import biological samples from wild hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) for the purpose of scientific research. Samples will be collected opportunistically from live sea turtles and will be used for analyses of the immune function of oviductal secretions. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a five-year period.

Endangered Marine Mammals and Marine Mammals

The public is invited to comment on the following applications for a permit to conduct certain activities with endangered marine mammals and marine mammals. The applications were submitted to satisfy requirements of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and the regulations governing endangered species (50 CFR part 17) and marine mammals (50 CFR part 18). Written data, comments, or requests for copies of the complete applications or requests for a public hearing on these applications should be submitted to the Director (address above). Anyone requesting a hearing should give specific reasons why a hearing would be appropriate. The holding of such a hearing is at the discretion of the Director.

Applicant: Wildlife Trust Inc., St. Petersburg, FL, PRT-107933.

The applicant requests a permit to capture, re-capture, hold, sample, tag, photograph and incidentally harass West Indian manatees (Trichechus manatus) for the purpose of scientific research to assess wild populations to better understand habitat requirements, population distribution, behavior, and threats from human interactions. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a five-year period.

Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal Register, the Division of Management Authority is forwarding copies of the above applications to the Marine Mammal Commission and the Committee of Scientific Advisors for their review.

Applicant: Scott L. Koelzer, Three Forks, MT, PRT-106766.

The applicant requests a permit to import a polar bear (Ursus maritimus) sport hunted from the Northern Beaufort Sea polar bear population in Canada for personal, noncommercial use.

Dated: September 9, 2005.

Monica Farris,

Senior Permit Biologist, Branch of Permits, Division of Management Authority.