2018-11761. Endangered Species; Receipt of Recovery Permit Applications  

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    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 or threatened 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 on or before July 2, 2018.

    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., TE-XXXXXX):

    • Email: permitsR1ES@fws.gov.
    • U.S. Mail: 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.
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    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    Colleen Henson, Recovery Permit Coordinator, Ecological Services, (503) 231-6131 (phone); permitsR1ES@fws.gov (email). Individuals who are hearing or speech impaired may call the Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339 for TTY assistance.

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    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on applications for permits under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The requested permits would allow the applicants to conduct activities intended to promote recovery of species that are listed as endangered or threatened under the ESA.

    Background

    With some exceptions, the ESA prohibits activities that constitute take Start Printed Page 25031of listed species unless a Federal permit is issued that allows such activity. The ESA's definition of “take” includes such activities as pursuing, harassing, trapping, capturing, or collecting in addition to hunting, shooting, harming, wounding, or killing.

    A recovery permit issued by us under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA authorizes the permittee to conduct activities with endangered or threatened species for scientific purposes that promote recovery or for enhancement of propagation or survival of the species. These activities often include such prohibited actions as capture and collection. Our regulations implementing section 10(a)(1)(A) for these permits are found in the Code of Federal Regulations 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

    Proposed activities in the following permit requests are for the recovery and enhancement of propagation or survival of the species in the wild. The ESA requires that we invite public comment before issuing these permits. Accordingly, 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.

    Application No.Applicant, city, stateSpeciesLocationActivityType of takePermit action
    TE-163899-2Papahanaumo-kuakea Marine National Monument, Honolulu, HILaysan duck (Anas laysanensis), Short-tailed albatross (Phoebastria albatrus), Pritchardia lanigera (lo`ulu), Sesbania tomentosa (ohai), Solanum nelsonii (popolo)HIAnimals: Survey/monitor, band, measure, vaccinate, biosample, social attraction, and/or salvage Plants: Collect seeds, fruits, cuttings, and plants; maintain and monitor; propagate, outplant, direct seed, transplant, and/or salvageAnimals: Capture, handle, release, biosample Plants: Remove and reduce to possessionAmend.
    TE-014497-6Haleakala National Park, Makawao, HIAdd the following species: Crested honeycreeper or akohekohe (Palmeria dolei), Maui parrotbill or kiwikiu (Pseudonestor xanthophrys), `I`iwi (Drepanis coccinea)HISurvey, monitor, and salvagePlayback calls and disturbanceAmend.
    TE-42195A-2Naval Facilities Engineering Command Marianas, Apra Heights, GUMariana common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus guami), Micronesian megapode (Megapodius laperouse), Nightingale reed warbler (Acrocephalus luscinia), Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), Eugenia bryanii (No Common Name (NCN)), Hedyotis megalantha (Paudedo), Heritiera longipetiolata (Ufa-halomtano), Phyllanthus saffordii (NCN), Psychotria malaspinae (Aplokating-palaoan), Serianthes nelsonii (Hayun Iagu (=(Guam), Tronkon guafi (Rota)), Solanum guamense (Berenghenas halomtanu), Tinospora homosepala (NCN)GU, MPBirds: Survey, monitor, and salvage Sea Turtles: Survey and monitor, biosample, tag, genetic analysis, capture, handle, release, collect morphometric data, and salvage Plants: Collect seeds and seedlings, propagate, cultivate, outplant, and salvageBirds: Playback calls and disturbance Sea turtles: Capture, handle, release, survey, monitor, tag, and biosample Plants: Remove and reduce to possessionAmend.
    TE-45531B-1Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Honolulu, HIAkekee (Loxops caeruleirostris), Akikiki (Oreomystis bairdi), Maui parrotbill or kiwikiu (Pseudonestor xanthophrys), Palila or honeycreeper (Loxioides bailleui), Small Kauai thrush or puaiohi (Myadestes palmeri)HICollect eggs, nestlings, subadults, and/or adults for captive breeding and population management activitiesCapture, handle, release, captive propagationRenew.
    TE-82868C-0University of Guam, Marine Laboratory, Mangilao, GURota blue damselfly (Ischnura luta)MPCapture, handle, photograph, release, biosample, collect eDNA samples, and genetic analysisCapture, handle, release, and biosampleNew.

    Public Availability of Comments

    Written comments we receive become part of the administrative record associated with this action. 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 Start Printed Page 250321973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

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    Rolland G. White,

    Assistant Regional Director—Ecological Services, Pacific Region.

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    [FR Doc. 2018-11761 Filed 5-30-18; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 4333-15-P

Document Information

Published:
05/31/2018
Department:
Fish and Wildlife Service
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice of receipt of permit applications; request for comments.
Document Number:
2018-11761
Dates:
We must receive your written comments on or before July 2, 2018.
Pages:
25030-25032 (3 pages)
Docket Numbers:
FWS-R1-ES-2018-N079, FXES11130600000-189-FF01E00000
PDF File:
2018-11761.Pdf