2016-03302. Endangered Species; Recovery Permit Applications

AGENCY:

Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice of availability; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following applications for recovery permits to conduct activities with the purpose of enhancing the survival of endangered species. The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), prohibits certain activities with endangered species unless a Federal permit allows such activity. The Act also requires that we invite public comment before issuing such permits.

DATES:

To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by March 21, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

Program Manager, Restoration and Endangered Species Classification, Ecological Services, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pacific Regional Office, 911 NE 11th Avenue, Portland, OR 97232-4181. Please refer to the permit number for the application when submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Colleen Henson, Fish and Wildlife Biologist, at the above address, or by telephone [phone]) or fax [phone]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) prohibits certain activities with respect to endangered and threatened species unless a Federal permit allows such activity. Along with our implementing regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR 17, the Act provides for certain permits, and requires that we invite public comment before issuing these permits for endangered species.

A permit granted by us under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Act authorizes the permittee to conduct activities (including take or interstate commerce) with respect to U.S. endangered or threatened species for scientific purposes or enhancement of propagation or survival. Our regulations implementing section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Act 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.

Applications Available for Review and Comment

We invite local, State, and Federal agencies and the public to comment on the following applications. Please refer to the permit number for the application when submitting comments.

Documents and other information submitted with these applications are available for review by request from the Program Manager for Restoration and Endangered Species Classification at the address listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice, subject to the requirements of the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) and the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552).

Permit Number: TE-003483

Applicant: U.S. Geological Survey, Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, Hawaii National Park, Hawaii.

The applicant requests a permit amendment to take (capture, band, mark, measure, weigh, collect blood samples, radio-tag, release, recapture, and search for and monitor nests) Hawaiian gallinule (Gallinula galeata sandvicensis) on the island of Oahu, and to increase the number of radio-tagged Hawai`i `ākepa (Loxops coccineus) and Hawai`i creeper (Oreomystis mana) on the island of Hawaii, in conjunction with scientific research, for the purpose of enhancing the species' survival. The permit currently covers the Laysan duck (Anas laysanensis), `akiapōlā`au (Hemignathus munroi), `akeke'e (Loxops caeruleirostris), `akikiki (Oreomystis bairdi), puaiohi (Myadestes palmeri), `alae ke`oke`o or Hawaiian Coot (Fulica alai), ae`o or Hawaiian Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni), and the `ōpe`ape`a or Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus).

Permit Number: TE-012136

Applicant: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Hillsboro, Oregon.

The applicant requests a permit renewal with changes to take (capture, handle, and release) Borax Lake chub (Gila boraxobius) in conjunction with surveys throughout the species' range in Oregon for the purpose of enhancing its survival. The permit currently covers the Lost River sucker (Deltistes luxatus) and the shortnose sucker (Chasmistes brevirostris).

Permit Number: TE-101141

Applicant: Washington State University, Vancouver, Washington.

The applicant requests a permit amendment to take (survey, capture, mark, and release) Fender's blue butterfly (Icaricia icarioides fenderi) in conjunction with scientific research in Benton, Lane, Polk, Washington, and Yamhill Counties, Oregon, for the purpose of enhancing its survival.

Permit Number: TE-27877B

Applicant: Nathan L. Haan, Seattle, Washington.

The applicant requests a permit amendment to take (captive rear adults) Taylor's checkerspot butterflies (Euphydryas editha taylori), in conjunction with scientific research in Thurston County, Washington, for the purpose of enhancing its survival.

Public Availability of Comments

All comments and materials we receive in response to this request will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the address listed in the ADDRESSES section.

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.

Authority

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

Dated: February 10, 2016.

Stephen J. Zylstra,

Acting, Regional Director, Pacific Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.