2013-05607. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 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 to conduct certain activities with endangered or threatened species. With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), prohibits activities with endangered and threatened species unless a Federal permit allows such activity. The Act requires that we invite public comment before issuing these permits.

DATES:

To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by April 11, 2013.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments or requests for copies or more information by any of the following methods. Alternatively, you may use one of the following methods to request hard copies or a CD-ROM of the documents. Please specify the permit you are interested in by number (e.g., Permit No. TE-052582).

• Email: [e-mail]. Please refer to the respective permit number (e.g., Permit No. TE-052582) in the subject line of the message.
• U.S. Mail: Ecological Services, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 25486-DFC, Denver, CO 80225.
• In-Person Drop-off, Viewing, or Pickup: Call [phone] to make an appointment during regular business hours at 134 Union Blvd., Suite 645, Lakewood, CO 80228.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Kathy Konishi, Permit Coordinator Ecological Services, [phone] (phone); [e-mail] (email).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) prohibits activities with 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 part 17, the Act provides for permits, and requires that we invite public comment before issuing these permits.

A permit granted by us under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Act authorizes you to conduct activities with United States endangered or threatened species for scientific purposes, enhancement of propagation or survival, or interstate commerce (the latter only in the event that it facilitates scientific purposes or enhancement of propagation or survival). Our regulations implementing section 10(a)(1)(A) 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.

Application Available for Review and Comment

We invite local, State, and Federal agencies, and the public to comment on the following applications. Documents and other information the applicant has submitted are available for review, subject to the requirements of the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) and Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552).

Permit Application Number: TE-79842A

Applicant: Jeremy White, University of Nebraska, Omaha, Nebraska.

The applicant requests a permit to take (harass by survey) Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) in conjunction with surveys and population monitoring activities in Nebraska for the purpose of enhancing the species' survival.

Permit Application Number: TE-052582

Applicant: TRC Environmental Corporation, 605 Skyline Dr., Laramie, Wyoming 82070.

The applicant requests a permit to take (harass by survey) black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes), Southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus), least Bell's vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus) and quino checkerspot (Euphydrias editha quino) in conjunction with population monitoring activities in Texas, Oklahoma, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming, and California for the purpose of enhancing the species' survival.

Permit Application Number: TE-219757

Applicant: Mike Phillips, Turner Endangered Species Fund, 1123 Research Dr., Bozeman, Montana 59718.

The applicant requests renewal of an existing permit and an amendment to take black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) in conjunction with recovery activities throughout the species' range for the purpose of enhancing its survival and recovery.

Permit Application Number: TE-98300A

Applicant: George Boxall, Amnis Opes Institute, LLC, 4755 Elk Run Dr., Albany, Oregon, 97321.

The applicant requests a permit to take (capture, handle, release) pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhyncus albus), white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus), bonytail chub (Gila elegans), Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus Lucius), humpback chub (Gila cypha), and razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus) in conjunction with surveys and population monitoring activities in Montana and Colorado for the purpose of enhancing the species' survival.

Permit Application Number: TE-057401

Applicant: BLM Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, 669 S. Highway 89A, Kanab, Utah 84741.

The applicant requests renewal of a permit to take Southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) in conjunction with recovery activities throughout the species' range for the purpose of enhancing survival and recovery of the species.

National Environmental Policy Act

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), we have made an initial determination that the proposed activities in these permits are categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement (516 DM 6 Appendix 1, 1.4C(1)).

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 of this notice.

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: March 5, 2013.

Michael G. Thabault,

Assistant Regional Director, Mountain-Prairie Region.