2020-08570. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Recovery Permit Applications

AGENCY:

Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice of receipt of permit applications; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following applications for a permit to conduct activities intended to recover and enhance endangered species survival. With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA), prohibits certain activities that may impact endangered species unless a Federal permit allows such activity. The ESA also requires that we invite public comment before issuing these permits.

DATES:

To ensure consideration, please submit your written comments by May 26, 2020.

ADDRESSES:

Document availability: Request documents by phone or email: Susan Jacobsen, 505-248-6641, [e-mail].

Comment submission: Submit comments by email to [e-mail]. Please specify the permit you are interested in by number (e.g., Permit No. TE-123456).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Susan Jacobsen, Chief, Classification and Restoration Division, 505-248-6641. Individuals who are hearing or speech impaired may call the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 for TTY assistance.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

With some exceptions, the ESA prohibits activities that constitute take of listed species unless a Federal permit is issued that allows such activity. The ESA's definition of “take” includes hunting, shooting, harming, wounding, or killing but also such activities as pursuing, harassing, trapping, capturing, or collecting.

The ESA and our implementing regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at title 50, part 17, provide for issuing such permits and require that we invite public comment before issuing permits for activities involving endangered species.

A recovery permit we issue under the ESA, section 10(a)(1)(A), authorizes the permittee to conduct activities with endangered or threatened species for scientific purposes that promote recovery or enhance the species' propagation or survival. These activities often include such prohibited actions as capture and collection. 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.

Permit Applications Available for Review and Comment

Documents and other information submitted with these applications are available for review by any party who submits a request as specified in ADDRESSES. Releasing documents is subject to Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) and Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) requirements.

Proposed activities in the following permit requests are for the recovery and enhancement of propagation or survival of the species in the wild. We invite local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies and the public to submit written data, views, or arguments with respect to these applications. The comments and recommendations that will be most useful and likely to influence agency decisions are those supported by quantitative information or studies. Please refer to the application number when submitting comments.

Application No.	Applicant	Species	Location	Activity	Type of take	Permit action
TE802211	Texas State University; Austin, Texas	Coffin Cave mold beetle (Batrisodes texanus), Helotes mold beetle (Batrisodes venyivi), Robber Baron Cave meshweaver (Cicurina baronia), Madla Cave meshweaver (Cicurina madla), Bracken Bat Cave meshweaver (Cicurina venii), Government Canyon Bat Cave meshweaver (Cicurina vespera), Government Canyon Bat Cave spider (Neoleptoneta microps), Tooth Cave spider (Neoleptoneta myopica), Ground beetle (Rhadine exilis), Ground beetle (Rhadine infernalis), Tooth Cave ground beetle (Rhadine persephone), Tooth Cave pseudoscorpion (Tartarocreagris texana), Kretschmarr Cave mold beetle (Texamaurops reddelli), Cokendolpher cave harvestman (Texella cokendolpheri), Bee Creek Cave harvestman (Texella reddilli), Bone Cave harvestman (Texella reyesi), Diminutive amphipod (Gammarus hyalleloides), Pecos amphipod (Gammarus pecos), Comal Springs riffle beetle (Heterelmis comalensis), Peck's Cave amphipod (Stygobromus pecki), Comal Springs dryopid beetle (Stygoparnus comalensis)	Texas	Presence/absence surveys, habitat surveys, increase in speciments requested	Capture, harm, harass, injury, death	Renew.
TE63904D	Lewis, Chancey D.; Cameron, Texas	Houston toad (Bufo houstonensis), red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis)	Louisiana, Texas	Presence/absence surveys	Harm, harass	New.
TE51928B	Moczygema, Kevin John; San Antonio, Texas	Golden-cheeked warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia)	Texas	Presence/absence surveys	Harm, harass	Renew.
TE195248	Morrison, Michael L.; College Station, Texas	Golden-cheeked warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia)	Texas	Presence/absence surveys	Harm, harass	Renew.
TE155413	Itzkowitz, Murray; Bethlehem, Pennsylvania	Leon Spring pupfish (Cyprinodon bovinus)	Texas	Presence/absence surveys; collection	Harass, harm, capture, injury, death	Renew.
TE67302D	Edwards, Christine E.; St. Louis, Missouri	Texas trailing phlox (Phlox nivalis spp. texensis)	Texas	Presence/absence surveys, sample leaf/stem tissue for genetic analysis	removal	New.
TE63202B	Chambers, Carol L.; Flagstaff, Arizona	New Mexico meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius luteus)	Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico	Presence/absence surveys, PIT tagging	Capture, injury, death	Renew.
TE68530D	Dewitt, Thomas J.; Austin, Texas	Georgetown salamander (Eurycea naufragia), Jollyville Plateau salamander (Eurycea tonkawae), Salado salamander (Eurycea chisholmensis), San Marcos salamander (Eurycea nana), Barton Springs salamander (Eurycea sosorum), Austin blind salamander (Eurycea waterlooensis)	Texas	Presence/absence surveys	Capture, harm, harass	New.
TE819541	BRIC, LLC.; Albuquerque, New Mexico	Interior least tern (Sterna antillarum athalassos), Black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes), southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus), Northern aplomado falcon (Falco femoralis septentrionalis)	Arizona, New Mexico	Presence/absence surveys	Harass, harm	Renew.
TE50643B	Weaver, Vaugh D.; Wichita, Kansas	American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus), Neosho mucket (Lampsilis rafinesqueana), Topeka shiner (Notropis topeka (=tristis))	Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma	Presence/absence surveys	Capture, harass, harm, injury, death	Renew.
TE060125	Salt River Project; Phoenix, Arizona	Southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus), Yuma clapper rail (Rallus longirostris yumanensis), Gila topminnow (Poeciliopsis occidentalis)	Arizona	Presence/absence surveys	Capture, harm, harass	Renew.
TE07059A	Marsh and Associates, LLC.; Tempe, Arizona	Spikedace (Mega fulgida), loach minnow (Tiaroga cobitis), razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus), Gila topminnow (Poeciliopsis occidentalis), desert pupfish (Cyprinodon macularius)	Arizona	Captive propagation	Capture, harm, harass, injury, death	Renew.
TE004439	Albuquerque BioPark; Albuquerque, New Mexico	Interior least tern (Sterna antillarum athalassos), Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus), Gila topminnow (Poeciliopsis occidentalis), razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus), Gila trout (Oncorhynchus gilae), Soccoro isopod (Thermosphaeroma thermophilum), Socorro springnsail (Pyrgulopsis neomexicana), Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius), Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)	New Mexico	Research, education, propagation	Harass, harm, injury, death	Renew.
TE65027D	McBride Biotracking, LLC.; Flagstaff, Arizona	Gierisch mallow (Sphaeralcea gierischii)	Arizona	Seed collection	Harm	New.
TE57462D	U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-ABQ District; Albuquerque, New Mexico	Interior least tern (Sterna antillarum athalassos), southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus), Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus)	Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico	Presence/absence surveys	Harm, harass, injury, death	Renew.
TE67183D	Gido, Keith B.; Manhattan, Kansas	Spikedace (Mega fulgida), loach minnow (Tiaroga cobitis)	Arizona, New Mexico	Presence/absence surveys	Harm, harass, injury, death	New.
TE69973D	Whitney, James E.; Pittsburg, Kansas	Razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus), Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius)	Colorado, New Mexico, Utah	Presence/absence surveys, electroshocking	Harm, harass, injury, death	New.
TE091551	U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mexican Wolf Recovery Program, Albuquerque, New Mexico	Mexican gray wolf (Canus lupis baileyi)	Arizona, New Mexico	Presence/absence surveys, management, capture, transport, handling	Harm, harass, injury, death	Renew.
TE168185	Cox McLain Environmental Consultants; Austin, Texas	Golden-cheeked warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia), interior least tern (Sterna antillarum athalassos), Houston toad (Bufo houstonensis), Atwatter's prairie chicken (Tympanuchus cupido attwateri), gray bat (Myotis griscescens), red-cockaded woodpecker (Leuconotopicus borealis), Ozark big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=plecotus) townsendii ingens), piping plover (Charadrius melodus), northern aplomado falcon (Falco femoralis septentrionalis)	New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas	Presence/absence surveys	Harm, harass	Renew.
TE144755	Reagan Smith Energy Solutions; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	Interior least tern (Sterna antillarum athalassos)	Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas	Presence/absence surveys	Harm, harass	Amend.
TE65030D	The Peregrine Fund; Boise, Idaho	Northern aplomado falcon (Falco femoralis septentrionalis)	Texas	Presence/absence surveys	Harm, harass	New.
TE094365	National Cave and Karst Research Institute; Carlsbad, New Mexico	Coffin Cave mold beetle (Batrisodes texanus), Helotes mold beetle (Batrisodes venyivi), Robber Baron Cave meshweaver (Cicurina baronia), Madla Cave meshweaver (Cicurina madla), Bracken Bat Cave meshweaver (Cicurina venii), Government Canyon Bat Cave meshweaver (Cicurina vespera), Government Canyon Bat Cave spider (Neoleptoneta microps), Tooth Cave spider (Neoleptoneta myopica), Ground beetle (Rhadine exilis), Ground beetle (Rhadine infernalis), Tooth Cave ground beetle (Rhadine persephone), Tooth Cave pseudoscorpion (Tartarocreagris texana), Kretschmarr Cave mold beetle (Texamaurops reddelli), Cokendolpher cave harvestman (Texella cokendolpheri), Bee Creek Cave harvestman (Texella reddilli), Bone Cave harvestman (Texella reyesi), Diminutive amphipod (Gammarus hyalleloides), Pecos amphipod (Gammarus pecos), Comal Springs riffle beetle (Heterelmis comalensis), Peck's Cave amphipod (Stygobromus pecki), Comal Springs dryopid beetle (Stygoparnus comalensis), Georgetown salamander (Eurycea naufragia), Jollyville Plateau salamander (Eurycea tonkawae), Salado salamander (Eurycea chisholmensis), San Marcos salamander (Eurycea nana), Barton Springs salamander (Eurycea sosorum), Austin blind salamander (Eurycea waterlooensis), Texas hornshell (Popenaias popeii), Leon Spring pupfish (Cyprinodon bovinus), Pecos pupfish (Cyprinodon pecosensis), fountain darter (Etheostoma fonticola)	Texas, New Mexico	Presence/absence surveys, capture	Harm, harass, injury, death	New.
TE815490	New Mexico Department of Game and Fish; Santa Fe, New Mexico	Black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes)	New Mexico	Presence/absence surveys	Harm; harass	Renew.
TE08832A	Utah State University; Logan, Utah	Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus)	New Mexico	Presence/absence surveys, capture	Harm, harass, injury, death	Renew.
TE69747D	Sea Life US, LLC; San Antonio, Texas	Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)	Texas	Public aquarium	Harm, harass	New.
TE69979D	Mata, Barbi; Houston, Texas	Houston toad (Bufo houstonensis), Barton Springs salamander (Eurycea sosorum), Austin blind salamander (Eurycea waterlooensis), Texas blind salamander (Typhlomolge rathbuni)	Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas	Presence/absence surveys; monitoring	Harm, harass	New.
TE226653	The Arboretum Flagstaff; Flagstaff Arizona	Peebles Navajo cactus (Pediocactus peeblesianus var. p eeblesianus)	Arizona	Collection, propagation	Harm	Amend.
TE35147A	Newstead, David; Corpus Christi, Texas	Piping plover (Charadris melodus)	Texas	Capture, band, presence/absence surveys	Harm, harass	Amend.
TE63522B	Laney, Everett; Muskogee, Oklahoma	American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus)	Oklahoma	Presence/absence surveys	Harm, harass	Renew.
TE71777D	Lisignoli, Jenny; Albuquerque, New Mexico	Yuma clapper rail (Rallus longirostris yumanensis), interior least tern (Sterna antillarum athalassos), southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus), northern aplomado falcon (Falco femoralis septentrionalis)	Arizona, New Mexico, California	Presence/absence surveys	Harm, harass	New.
TE71795D	Pittenger, Dan S.; Three Rivers, California	Southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus)	Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada	Presence/absence surveys	Harm, harass	New.
TE24625A	Weber, Sarah; San Antonio, Texas	Golden-cheeked warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia)	Texas	Presence/absence surveys	Harm, harass	Renew.
TE60013D	Owen, Bryce; Wylie, Texas	American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus)	Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas	Presence/absence surveys	Harm, harass	New.
TE37418B	Brown and Gay Engineers; Frisco, Texas	American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus), Golden-cheeked warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia), red cockaded woodpecker	Oklahoma, Texas	Presence/absence surveys	Harm, harass	Renew.
TE776123	Texas A&M, Galveston, Texas	Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii), loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)	Texas	Nest relocation, rehabilitation	Harm, harass	Renew.
TE74321D	Weaver, Sara; San Marcos, Texas	Houston toad (Bufo houstonensis)	Texas	Presence/absence surveys	Harm, harass	New.
TE22254B	Hanington, Michelle	Southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus)	Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Colorado	Presence/absence surveys	Harm, harass	Renew.
TE835139	Hawks Aloft, Inc.; Albuquerque, NM	Southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus)	Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado	Presence/absence surveys	Harm, harass	Renew.
TE78959A	Weber, Sarah	Golden-cheeked warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia)	Texas	Presence/absence surveys	Harm, harass	Renew.
TE30430B	University of Houston, Clear Lake, Texas	Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus), Comanche Springs pupfish (Cyprinodon elegans), Pecos gambusia (Gambusia nobilis), Leon Springs pupfish (Cyprindodon bovinus), Big Bend gambusia (Gambusia gaigei), Devils River minnow (Dionda diaboli), Texas wild-rice (Zizania texana)	New Mexico, Texas	Presence/absence surveys	Harm, harass	Renew.
TE146407	Belaire Environmental, Inc.; Rockport, Texas	Golden-cheeked warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia)	Texas	Presence/absence surveys	Harm, harass	Renew.
TE829995	Dallas Zoo; Dallas, Texas	Houston toad (Bufo houstonensis), Barton springs salamander (Eurycea sosorum), loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), Texas blind salamander (Eurycea rathbuni)	Texas	Captive breeding, rehabilitation	Harm, harass	Renew.
TE28891A	Tristan, Timothy; Corpus Christi, Texas	Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii), loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas)	Texas	Captive breeding, rehabilitation	Harm, harass	Renew.

Authority

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

Amy Lueders,

Regional Director, Southwest Region. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.