2019-08889. Endangered Species and Threatened Species; Receipt of 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, have received applications for permits to conduct activities intended to enhance the propagation or survival of endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on these applications. Before issuing any of the requested permits, we will take into consideration any information that we receive during the public comment period.

DATES:

We must receive your written comments by May 31, 2019.

ADDRESSES:

Document availability and comment submission: Submit requests for copies of the applications and related documents and submit any comments by one of the following methods. All requests and comments should specify the applicant name(s) and application number(s) (e.g., TEXXXXXX):

• Email: [e-mail].
• U.S. Mail: Susan Jacobsen, Chief, Classification and Recovery Division, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, NM 87103.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Vanessa Burge, Recovery Permits Coordinator, Ecological Services, 505-248-6641 (phone); [e-mail] (email). Individuals who are hearing or speech impaired may call the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 for TTY assistance.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

The ESA prohibits certain activities with endangered and threatened species unless authorized by a Federal permit. The ESA and our implementing regulations in part 17 of title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) provide for the issuance of such permits and require that we invite public comment before issuing permits for activities involving endangered species.

A recovery permit issued by us under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA authorizes the permittee to conduct activities with endangered species for scientific purposes that promote recovery or for enhancement of propagation or survival of the species. 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

We invite local, State, and Federal agencies, Tribes, and the public to comment on the following applications.

Application No.	Applicant	Species	Location	Activity	Type of take	Permit action
TE-15101D	O'Shea, Lauren E.; Norman, Oklahoma	American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus)	Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas	Presence/absence surveys, habitat surveys	Capture, injury, death	New.
TE-13585D	Donato, Erin V.; Houston, Texas	Houston toad (Anaxyrus houstonensis)	Texas	Presence/absence surveys	Harm, harass, injury, death	New.
TE-13007D	Allen, Joshua M.; Easton, Kansas	Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), gray bat (Myotis grisescens), northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis)	Oklahoma	Presence/absence surveys, mist-netting	Capture, injury, death	New.
TE-800611	SWCA; Austin, Texas	Whooping crane (Grus americana), multiple karst invertebrate species, red-cockaded woodpecker (Leuconotopicus borealis), American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus), Louisianan pine snake (Pituophis ruthveni), Texas hornshell (Popenaias popeii), golden-cheeked warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia), interior least tern (Sterna antillarum athalassos), Houston toad (Bufo houstonensis)	Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rohde Island, South Dakota, Texas	Presence/absence surveys, monitoring studies, habitat assessments and evaluations	Capture, collect, harass, injury, death	Renewal.
TE-813088	Bureau of Reclamation; Albuquerque, New Mexico	Arkansas River shiner (Notropis girardi), Comanche Springs pupfish (Cyprinodon elegans), Pecos gambusia (Gambusia nobilis), Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus)	New Mexico, Texas	Biological monitoring, research, transport, salvage	Capture, collect, harass, harm, injury, death	Renewal.
TE-03800D	Borderlands Restoration Network; Patagonia, Arizona	Canelo Hills ladies-tresses (Spiranthes delitescens)	Arizona	Survey, seed and root collection, restoration	N/A	New.
TE-03789D	Gargaro, Madison; San Antonio, Texas	Golden-cheeked warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia)	Texas	Presence/absence surveys, habitat assessments	Harass, harm	New.
TE-069320	Groundwater & Environmental Services Inc.; Lewisville, Texas	Piping plover (C haradrius melodus), fountain darter (Etheostoma fonticola), American Burying Beetle (Nicrophorus americanus), red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis), least tern (Sterna antillarum)	Arizona, Kansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas	Presence/absence surveys	Capture, harass, injury, death	Renewal.
TE-053109	Stefferud, Sally E.; Phoenix, Arizona	Gila topminnow (Poeciliopsis occidentalis), desert pupfish (Cyprinodon macularius)	Arizona	Surveys, capture, mark and collect voucher specimens	Capture, collect, injury, death	Renewal.
TE-092622	Valdes, Gabriels A.; Gilbert, AZ	Coastal California gnatcatcher (Polioptila californica californica), least Bell's vireo (Vireo bellii pusillus), southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus)	Arizona, California, New Mexico, Texas	Presence surveys, nest monitoring and surveys	Harass, harm	Renewal.
TE-11469D	Pride, Lora; Virginia Beach, Virginia	American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus)	Oklahoma	Presence/absence surveys	Capture, harm, injury, death	New.
TE-08563D	Kuhl, John J.; Austin, Texas	Attwater's greater prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus cupido attwateri), golden-cheeked warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia), least tern (Sterna antillarum), northern Aplomado falcon (Falco femoralis septentrionalis), piping plover (Charadrius melodus), red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis), southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus), Houston toad (Anaxyrus houstonensis), bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), black-capped vireo (Vireo atricapilla)	Arizona, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas	Presence/absence surveys, habitat and nesting search and mapping, counts, handling	Capture, harm, harass, injury	New.
TE-20166A	Bey, Trinity G.; Boerne, Texas	Golden-cheeked warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia)	Texas	Presence/absence surveys, habitat assessments	Harm, harass	Renewal.
TE-000101D	Hayes, Hannah L.; Ponca City, Oklahoma	Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), gray bat (Myotis grisescens), northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis), Ozark big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=plecotus) townsendii ingens),Virginia big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=plecotus) townsendii virginianus)	Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia	Presence/absence surveys	Capture, injury, death	New.
TE-07467D	Schmalzel, Robert J.; Tucson, Arizona	Pima pineapple cactus (Coryphantha scheeri var. robustispina)	Arizona	Research	N/A	New.
TE-25819D	Shashy, Peter; San Antonio, Texas	Golden-cheeked warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia)	Texas	Presence/absence surveys	Harass, harm	New.
TE-25818D	Aragon, Felicia; Peralta, New Mexico	Southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus)	Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah	Presence/absence surveys	Harass, harm	New.
TE-25816D	Jacobs Engineering Group; Phoenix, Arizona	Southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus), Yuma clapper rail (Rallus longirostris yumanensis), black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes)	Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah	Presence/absence surveys, nest searches and monitoring	Harass, harm	New.
TE-25792D	Nelson, Pamela; Chelsea, Oklahoma	Ozark big-eared bat (Corynorhinus (=plecotus) townsendii ingens), gray bat (Myotis grisescens), American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus)	Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas	Presence/absence surveys, mist nets, harp traps,	Capture, harass, harm, injury, death	New.
TE-25790D	Stark, Kailin; Phoenix, Arizona	Southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus)	Arizona	Presence/absence surveys	Harass, harm	New.
TE-25781D	Atkins North America, Inc; Austin, Texas	Least tern (Sterna antillarum), piping plover (Charadrius melodus), golden-cheeked warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia)	Texas	Presence/absence surveys	Harass, harm	New.
TE-798920	City of Austin, Balcones Canyonlands Preserve; Austin, Texas	Golden-cheeked warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia), ground beetles (no common name; Rhadine exilis and Rhadine infernalis), Helotes mold beetle (Batrisodes venyivi), Cokendolpher Cave harvestman (Texella cokendolpheri), 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), Tooth Cave pseudoscorpion (Tartarocreagris texana), Bee Creek Cave harvestman (Texella reddelli), Kretschman-Cave mold beetle (Texamaurops reddelli), Tooth Cave ground beetle (Rhadine persephone), Bone Cave harvestman (Texella reyesi), Coffin Cave mold beetle (Batrisodes texanus)	Texas	Presence/absence surveys, mist netting, nest monitoring, collection, salvage	Capture, harass, harm, injury, death	Renewal.
TE-19661B	Tetra Tech Inc; Albuquerque, New Mexico	Southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus)	Arizona, New Mexico	Presence/absence surveys	Harass, harm	Renewal.
TE-053083	Kutz, Julie; Albuquerque, New Mexico	Southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus)	New Mexico	Presence/absence surveys	Harass, harm	Renewal.
TE-039466	USGS Idaho Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Unit; Moscow, Idaho	Yuma clapper rail (Rallus longirostris yumanensis)	Arizona	Research, capture and handling	Harm, harass, injury, death	Amendment.
TE-63651A	POWER Engineers Inc; Austin, Texas	Golden-cheeked warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia)	Texas	Presence/absence surveys and habitat surveys	Harass, harm	Renewal.
TE-106551	Fischer, Clay V.; Austin, Texas	Ocelot (Leopardus (=felis) pardalis), Gulf Coast jaguarundi (Herpailurus (=felis) yagouaroundi cacomitli), golden-cheeked warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia), piping plover (Charadrius melodus), southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus), Houston toad (Bufo houstonensis)	Texas	Presence/absence surveys and habitat asessments	Harass, harm	Renewal.
TE-01837D	McMahan, Michael; San Antonio, Texas	Golden-cheeked warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia)	Texas	Presence/absence surveys	Harass, harm	New.
TE-44547B	Dixon, Thomas (Freese and Nichols, Inc); Austin, Texas	Least tern (Sterna antillarum), piping plover (Charadrius melodus), northern Aplomado falcon (Falco femoralis septentrionalis), Texas hornshell (Popenaias popeii), red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis)	Texas	Presence/absence surveys, relocations	Harass, harm, injury, death	Amendment.
TE-232639	DESCO Environmental Consultants; Magnolia, Texas	Red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis), American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus)	Oklahoma, Texas	Presence absence surveys	Harass, harm, injury, death	Renewal.
TE-841353	Blair Wildlife Consulting; Kyle, Texas	Ground beetles (no common name; Rhadine exilis and Rhadine infernalis), Helotes mold beetle (Batrisodes venyivi), Cokendolpher Cave harvestman (Texella cokendolpheri), 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), Tooth Cave pseudoscorpion (Tartarocreagris texana), Bee Creek Cave harvestman (Texella reddelli), Kretschman-Cave mold beetle (Texamaurops reddelli), Tooth Cave ground beetle (Rhadine persephone), Bone Cave harvestman (Texella reyesi), Coffin Cave mold beetle (Batrisodes texanus)	Texas	Presence absence surveys	Harass, harm	Amendment.
TE-226653	The Arboretum at Flagstaff; Flagstaff, Arizona	Todsen's pennyroyal (Hedeoma todsenii), Holy Ghost ipomopsis (Ipomopsis sancti-spiritus), Brady pincushion cactus (Pediocactus bradyi), Peebles Navajo cactus (Pediocactus peeblesianus var. peeblesianus), Arizona cliffrose (Purshia (=cowania) subintegra), Wright fishhook cactus (Sclerocactus wrightiae), Autumn buttercup (Ranunculus aestivalis (=acriformis))	Arizona, New Mexico, Utah	Surveys, monitoring, collection		Renewal.
TE-26393D	Gilliam, Erick; Poteau, Oklahoma	American Burying Beetle (Nicrophorus americanus)	Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas	Presence/absence surveys, habitat surveys	Capture, injury, death	New.
TE-26391D	La Tierra Environmnetal Consulting; Las Cruces, New Mexico	Southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus), northern Aplomado falcon (Falco femoralis septentrionalis)	New Mexico	Presence/absence surveys, monitoring	Harass, harm	New.
TE-26389D	Patterson, Rande R.; Houston, Texas	Rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis)	Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Ohio, Virginia, Wisconsin	Presence/absence surveys, monitoring	Harass, harm	New.
TE-02164C	Bonar, Scott A.; Tucson, Arizona	Razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus)	Arizona	Presence/absence surveys, monitoring	Capture, injury, death	Amend.
TE-33632D	Graham, Sean P.; Alpine, Texas	Big bend gambusia (Gambusia gaigei)	Texas	Monitoring	Capture, injury, death	New.
TE-33639D	ECHO, LLC.; Tahlequah, Oklahoma	American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus), Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis), gray bat (Myotis grisescens), northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis)	Oklahoma, Arkansas	Presence/absence surveys	Capture, injury, death	New.
TE-33641D	Mahoney, Sean; Flagstaff, Arizona	Southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus)	Arizona, California, New Mexico, Utah	Presence/absence surveys	Harass, harm	New.
TE-00284A	Rainwater, Stephanie; Tulsa, Oklahoma	American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus)	Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas	Presence/absence surveys	Capture, injury, death	Renewal.
TE-053839	SME Environmental; Durango, Colorado	Southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus)	New Mexico	Presence/absence surveys	Harass, harm	Renewal.
TE-066226	Moors, Amanda; Globe, Arizona	Lesser long-nosed bat (Leptonycteris curasoae yerbabuenae), Mexican long-nosed bat (Leptonycteris nivalis), Sonoran pronghorn (Antilocapra americana sonoriensis), Yuma clapper rail (Rallus longirostris yumanensis), southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus), Mount Graham red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis)	Arizona, New Mexico, Texas	Presence/absence surveys, capture, collect, release, tag, midden searches	Capture, harass, harm, injury, death	Renewal.
TE-841353	Blair Wildlife Consulting LLC; Kyle, Texas	Ground beetles (no common name; Rhadine exilis and Rhadine infernalis), Helotes mold beetle (Batrisodes venyivi), Cokendolpher Cave harvestman (Texella cokendolpheri), 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), Tooth Cave pseudoscorpion (Tartarocreagris texana), Bee Creek Cave harvestman (Texella reddelli), Kretschman-Cave mold beetle (Texamaurops reddelli), Tooth Cave ground beetle (Rhadine persephone), Bone Cave harvestman (Texella reyesi), Coffin Cave mold beetle (Batrisodes texanus)	Texas	Presence absence surveys	Harass, harm	Amendment.
TE-26445D	Terra Tech Environmental Services; Evergreen, Colorado	New Mexico meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius luteus), least tern (Sterna antillarum), southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus), Jemez Mountains salamander (Plethodon neomexicanus), Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus), Zuni Bluehead Sucker (Catostomus discobolus yarrowi)	New Mexico	Presence/absence surveys, habitat surveys	Harass, harm	New.

Public Availability of Comments

Written comments we receive become part of the administrative record associated with this Federal Register 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 request in your comment that we withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. 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.

Next Steps

If we decide to issue permits to any of the applicants listed in this notice, we will publish a notice in the Federal Register.

Authority

We publish this notice under section 10(c) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

Dated: March 19, 2019.

Amy Lueders,

Regional Director, Southwest Region.