2016-03105. Endangered Species; Marine Mammals; Receipt of Applications for Permit

AGENCY:

Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice of receipt of applications for permit.

SUMMARY:

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species, marine mammals, or both. With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) prohibit activities with listed species unless Federal authorization is acquired that allows such activities.

DATES:

We must receive comments or requests for documents on or before [March 18, 2016. We must receive requests for marine mammal permit public hearings, in writing, at the address shown in ADDRESSES by March 18, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

Submitting Comments: You may submit comments by one of the following methods:

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments on Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2016-0040.
• U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2016-0040; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters, MS: BPHC; 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.

When submitting comments, please indicate the name of the applicant and the PRT# you are commenting on. We will post all comments on http://www.regulations.gov. This generally means that we will post any personal information you provide us (see Public Comments below, for more information). Viewing Comments: Comments and materials we receive will be available for public inspection on http://www.regulations.gov,, or by appointment, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Management Authority, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803; telephone [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Brenda Tapia, [phone] (telephone); [phone] (fax); [e-mail] (email).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Public Comment Procedures

A. How do I request copies of applications or comment on submitted applications?

Send your request for copies of applications or comments and materials concerning any of the applications to the contact listed under ADDRESSES. Please include the Federal Register notice publication date, the PRT-number, and the name of the applicant in your request or submission. We will not consider requests or comments sent to an email or address not listed under ADDRESSES. If you provide an email address in your request for copies of applications, we will attempt to respond to your request electronically.

Please make your requests or comments as specific as possible. Please confine your comments to issues for which we seek comments in this notice, and explain the basis for your comments. Include sufficient information with your comments 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. We will not consider or include in our administrative record comments we receive after the close of the comment period (see DATES) or comments delivered to an address other than those listed above (see ADDRESSES).

B. May I review comments submitted by others?

Comments, including names and street addresses of respondents, will be available for public review at the locations listed under Viewing Comments in ADDRESSES. The public may review documents and other information applicants have sent in support of the application unless our allowing viewing would violate the Privacy Act or Freedom of Information Act. 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.

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 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), along with Executive Order 13576, “Delivering an Efficient, Effective, and Accountable Government,” and the President's Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies of January 21, 2009—Transparency and Open Government (74 FR 4685; January 26, 2009), which call on all Federal agencies to promote openness and transparency in Government by disclosing information to the public, we invite public comment on these permit applications before final action is taken. Under the MMPA, you may request a hearing on any MMPA application received. If you request a hearing, give specific reasons why a hearing would be appropriate. The holding of such a hearing is at the discretion of the Service Director.

III. Permit Applications

A. Endangered Species

Applicant: Phoenix Herpetological Society, Scottsdale, AZ; PRT-80786B

The applicant requests a permit to import 10 live captive-bred specimens of black caiman (Melanosuchus niger) from Aalborg Zoo, Aalborg, Denmark, for the purpose of enhancement of the survival of the species through zoological display and captive propagation.

Applicant: Cynthia Lagueux, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL; PRT-86982B

The applicant requests a permit to import biological samples collected from wild hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), and leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) for the purpose of scientific research. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

Applicant: Chris Gurley, Yuma, TN; PRT-78710B

The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for the following species to enhance species propagation or survival: South American tapir (Tapirus terrestris). This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

Applicant: Edwin Rymut, Fort Atkinson, WI; PRT-82084B

The applicant requests a permit to import sport-hunted trophies of two 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 enhancement of the survival of the species.

Multiple Applicants

The following applicants each request a permit to import the sport-hunted trophy of one 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 enhancement of the survival of the species.

Applicant: James Mercer, Carbondale, KS; PRT-86126B

Applicant: Luisa Lee, Nashville, NC; PRT-82277B

Applicant: Harry Peterson, Sandy, UT; PRT-83947B

B. Marine Mammals

Applicant: British Broadcasting Corporation—Ocean, Bristol, England, UK; PRT-59492B

The applicant requests an amendment to their permit to photograph northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) from air, land, and boat in Alaska for commercial and educational purposes. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant for less than a 1-year period.

Applicant: Indianapolis Zoological Society, Indianapolis, IN; PRT-81843B

The applicant requests a permit to take one non-releasable male Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) for the purpose of public display. “Pakak” was rescued as an abandoned calf near Barrow, Alaska, in June 2012. In October 2012, the Service deemed this animal non-releasable after determining that “Pakak” did not demonstrate the skills and abilities needed to survive in the wild; “Pakak” was subsequently transferred to the Indianapolis Zoo for continued care. The applicant is applying for a permit to permanently hold this animal for the purpose of public display.

Concurrent with publishing this notice in the Federal Register, we are forwarding copies of the above applications to the Marine Mammal Commission and the Committee of Scientific Advisors for their review.

Brenda Tapia,

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