2018-26757. Foreign Endangered Species; Marine Mammals; Receipt of Permit Applications

AGENCY:

Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice of receipt of permit applications.

SUMMARY:

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (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) and foreign or native species for which the Service has jurisdiction under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). With some exceptions, the ESA and the MMPA prohibit activities with listed species unless Federal authorization is acquired that allows such activities. The ESA and MMPA also require that we invite public comment before issuing permits for activities involving endangered species or marine mammals.

DATES:

We must receive comments by January 10, 2019.

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-2018-0083.

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-2018-0083.
• U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2018-0083; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters, MS: BPHC; 5275 Leesburg Pike; Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.

For more information, see Public Comment Procedures under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Brenda Tapia, by phone at 703-358-2104, via email at [e-mail], or via the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Public Comment Procedures

A. How do I comment on submitted applications?

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. Please make your requests or comments as specific as possible, confine your comments to issues for which we seek comments in this notice, and explain the basis for your comments. 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 on 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 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(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and section 104(c) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), we invite public comments on permit applications before final action is taken. With some exceptions, the ESA and MMPA prohibit activities with listed species unless Federal authorization is acquired that allows such activities. Permits issued under section 10 of the ESA allow activities for scientific purposes or to enhance the propagation or survival of the affected species. Regulations regarding permit issuance under the ESA are in title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations in part 17. ESA permits cover a wide range of activities pertaining to foreign listed species, including activities related to the captive-breeding of such species here in the United States. Concurrent with publishing this notice in the Federal Register, we are forwarding copies of the marine mammal applications to the Marine Mammal Commission and the Committee of Scientific Advisors for their review.

III. Permit Applications

We invite comments on the following applications.

A. Endangered Species

Applicant: Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL; Permit No. 93295C

The applicant requests a permit to import scientific samples of ocelot (Leopardus pardalis mitis), jaguar (Panthera onca), and South American tapir (Tapirus terrestris) from Brazil for the purposes of scientific research. This notification is for a single import.

Applicant: Wild Cat Education & Conservation Fund, Occidental, CA; Permit No. 97801C

The applicant requests a permit to purchase a captive-born snow leopard (Uncia uncia) from Tanganyika Wildlife Park, Goddard, KS, for the purpose of enhancing the propagation or survival of the species. This notification is for a single transfer.

Applicant: James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA; Permit No. 88299C

The applicant requests a permit to import scientific samples of Verreaux's sifaka (Propithecus verreauxi) from Madagascar for the purpose of scientific research. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

Applicant: Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, NY; Permit No. 99617C

The applicant requests a permit to export two male and two female captive-bred African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) to Canada for the purpose of enhancing the propagation or survival of the species. This notification is for a single export.

Applicant: Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne, IN; Permit No. 80987C

The applicant requests a permit to import scientific samples of leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) from Equatorial Guinea for the purpose of scientific research. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

Applicant: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Abingdon, VA; Permit No. 85964C

The applicant requests a permit to export wild Lee County cave isopods (Lirceus usdaglun) taken in Lee County, VA, to University Claude Bernard Lyon, Villeurbanne Cedex, France, for the purpose of scientific research. This notification is for a single export.

Applicant: University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, WI; Permit No. 93299C

The applicant requests authorization to import biological samples from captive-bred and wild orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) from multiple locations for the purpose of enhancing the propagation or survival of the species through scientific research. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

Applicant: Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic, CT; Permit No. 00760D

The applicant requests a permit to import biological samples of wild roseate terns (Sterna dougallii dougallii) from Canada for the purpose of scientific research. This notification is for a single import.

Applicant: Forrest Simpson, Conroe, TX; Permit No. 99011C

The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelii), which is listed at 50 CFR 17.11(h) as swamp deer (Cervus duvauceli), 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: Zoological Society of San Diego, San Diego, CA; Permit No. 93568C

The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for the following families: Bufonidae, Accipitridae, Alcedinidae, Anatidae, Cacatuidae Cathartidae, Columbidae, Cracidae, Gruidae, Megapodiidae, Phasianidae, Psittacidae, Rallidae, Rhynochetidae, Spheniscidae, Sturnidae, Threskiornithidae, Antilocapridae, Artiodactyla, Bovidae, Canidae, Callithricidae, Cercopithecidae, Cervidae, Moschidae, Daubentoniidae, Elephantidae, Equidae, Felidae, Hominidae, Hylobatidae, Indridae, Lemuridae, Macropodidae, Potoroidae, Pteropodidae, Rhinocerotidae, Tapiridae, Ursidae, Crocodylidae, Gavialidae, Geoemydidae, and Iguanidae, excluding Cyclura lewisi, Testudinidae, and Varanidae, to enhance the propagation or survival of the species. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

Common Name	Scientific Name
Panamanian golden frog	Atelopus zeteki.
harpy eagle	Harpia harpyja.
Guam kingfisher	Todiramphus cinnamominus.
Laysan duck	Anas laysanensis.
white-winged duck	Asarcornis scutulata.
white cockatoo	Cacatua alba.
Andean condor	Vultur gryphus.
pink pigeon	Nesoenas mayeri.
blue-billed curassow	Crax alberti.
red-crowned crane	Grus Japonensis.
Maleo	Macrocephalon maleo.
Blyth's tragopan	Tragopan blythii blythii.
Edward's pheasant	Lophura edwardsi.
Palawan peacock-pheasant	Polyplectron napoleonis.
blue-throated conure	Pyrrhura cruentata.
Cuban Amazon	Amazona leucocephala leucocephala.
great green macaw	Ara ambiguus ambiguus.
blue-throated macaw	Ara glaucogularis.
Military macaw	Ara militaris.
scarlet-chested parrot	Neophema splendida.
salmon-crested cockatoo	Cacatua moluccensis.
Guam rail	Hypotaenidia owstoni.
Kagu	Rhynochetos jubatus.
African penguin	Spheniscus demersus.
Bali myna	Leucopsar rothschildi.
Waldrapp Ibis	Geronticus eremita.
Baja pronghorn	Antilocapra americana peninsularis.
lowland Anoa	Bubalus depressicornis.
Addax	Addax nasomaculatus.
Addra gazelle	Nanger dama ruficollis.
Arabian oryx	Oryx leucoryx.
Bontebok	Damaliscus pygargus pygargus.
Cuvier's gazelle	Gazella cuvieri.
Indian gaur	Bos frontalis gaurus.
Javan banteng	Bos Javanicus javanicus.
Scimitar-horned oryx	Oryx dammah.
Slender-horned gazelle	Gazella leptoceros leptoceros.
Zambesi lechwe	Kobus leche leche.
Chinese dhole	Cuon alpinus lepturus.
Maned wolf	Chrysocyon brachyurus.
golden lion Tamarin	leontopithecus rosalia.
golden-headed lion tamarin	leontopithecus chrysomelas.
Francois' langur	Trachypithecus francoisi.
Gelada baboon	Theropithecus gelada.
lion-tailed Macaque	Macaca silenus.
Mandrill	Mandrillus sphinx.
Bactrian wapiti	Cervus elaphus bactrianus.
Barasingha	Rucervus duvaucelii duvaucelii.
Barbary red deer	Cervus elaphus barbarus.
Burmese Thamin	Rucervus eldii thamin.
Mandarin sika	Cervus nippon mandarinus.
Southern Pudu	Pudu puda.
Siberian musk deer	Moschus moschiferus moschiferus.
Aye-Aye	Daubentonia madagascariensis.
African bush elephant	Loxodonta africana africana.
Ceylon elephant	Elephas maximus maximus.
Indian elephant	Elephas maximus indicus.
Grevy's zebra	Equus grevyi.
Przewalski's wild horse	Equus caballus przewalskii.
Somali wild ass	Equus africanus somaliensis.
Amur leopard	Panthera pardus orientalis
Black-footed cat	Felis nigripes.
clouded leopard	Neofelis nebulosa nebulosa.
African lion	Panthera leo melanochaita.
Malayan tiger	Panthera tigris Jacksoni.
snow leopard	Uncia uncia.
cheetah	Acinonyx jubatus.
tiger	Panthera tigris.
Bonobo	Pan paniscus.
Bornean orangutan	Pongo pygmaeus.
Sumatran orangutan	Pongo abelii.
Western Lowland gorilla	Gorilla gorilla gorilla.
red-cheeked gibbon	Nomascus gabriellae.
Siamang	Symphalangus syndactylus.
Coquerel's Sifaka	Propithecus coquereli.
black-and-white ruffed lemur	Varecia variegata variegata.
blue-eyed black lemur	Eulemur flavifrons.
red ruffed lemur	Varecia rubra.
red-collared lemur	Eulemur collaris.
ring-tailed lemur	Lemur catta.
pygmy slow Loris	Nycticebus pygmaeus.
Parma wallaby	Macropus parma.
Southern yellow-footed rock wallaby	Petrogale xanthopus xanthopus.
Koala	Phascolarctos cinereus.
Woylie	Bettongia penicillata.
Rodrigues flying fox	Pteropus rodricensis.
black rhinoceros	Diceros bicornis.
Great Indian rhinoceros	Rhinoceros unicornis.
Southern white rhinoceros	Ceratotherium simum simum.
Baird's tapir	Tapirus bairdii.
Malayan tapir	Tapirus indicus indicus.
giant panda	Ailuropoda melanoleuca.
Chinese alligator	Alligator sinensis.
slender-snouted crocodile	Mecistops cataphractus.
dwarf crocodile	Osteolaemus tetraspis.
Gharial	Gavialis gangeticus.
spotted pond turtle	Geoclemys hamiltonii.
river terrapin	Batagur baska.
Fijian banded iguana	Brachylophus bulabula.
Grand Cayman blue iguana	Cyclura lewisi.
Jamaican iguana	Cyclura collei.
Galapagos tortoise	Chelonoidis nigra.
radiated tortoise	Astrochelys radiata.
Komodo dragon	Varanus komodoensis.

Applicant: Uno Mas Ranch LLC, Brandera, TX; Permit No. 99164C

The applicant requests a 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 5-year period.

Applicant: Audubon Nature Institute, New Orleans, LA; Permit No. 86989C

The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus), babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa), swamp deer (Cervus duvauceli), pudu (Pudu pudu), Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), leopard (Panthera pardus), Komodo Island monitor (Varanus komodoensis), Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii), Panamanian golden frog (Atelopus varius zeteki), tomistoma (Tomistoma schlegelii), and Fiji banded iguana (Brachylophus fasciatus) 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: L.A. Waters Ranch, LLC, Utopia, TX; Permit No. 95637C

The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for African wild ass (Equus africanus) and barasingha (Rucervus duvaucelii), which is listed at 50 CFR 17.11(h) as swamp deer (Cervus duvauceli), to enhance the propagation or survival of the species. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

Multiple Applicants

The following applicants request permits to import sport-hunted trophies of male bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus pygargus) culled from a captive herd maintained under the management program of the Republic of South Africa, for the purpose of enhancing the propagation or survival of the species.

Applicant: Jeffery Hammond, Burns, WY; Permit No. 02623D

Applicant: Jeremy Hammond, Cody, WY; Permit No. 02624D

Applicant: Leslie Hathaway, Portland, IN; Permit No. 02625D

Applicant: Michael Dyson, Irving, TX; Permit No. 02612D

Applicant: Matthew Bell, Midland, TX; Permit No. 03114D

Applicant: Charles Bowlin, Shreveport, LA; Permit No. 02359D

Applicant: Donald Pflaum, Cavalier, ND: Permit No. 05672D

B. Marine Mammals

Applicant: U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK; Permit No. 690038

The applicant requests renewal of a permit to conduct research activities on polar bears (Ursus maritimus) in the Southern Beaufort and Chukchi-Bering Seas, and to export and import samples of fat, blood, fur, skin, bones, claws, feces, DNA products, and teeth. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

IV. Next Steps

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 http://www.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, and the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and its implementing regulations.

Brenda Tapia,

Program Analyst/Data Administrator, Branch of Permits, Division of Management Authority.