05-15710. Receipt of Applications for Permit

AGENCY:

Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice of receipt of applications for permit.

SUMMARY:

The public is invited to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species and/or marine mammals.

DATES:

Written data, comments or requests must be received by September 8, 2005.

ADDRESSES:

Documents and other information submitted with these applications are available for review, subject to the requirements of the Privacy Act and Freedom of Information Act, by any party who submits a written request for a copy of such documents within 30 days of the date of publication of this notice to: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Management Authority, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 700, Arlington, Virginia 22203; fax [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Division of Management Authority, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Endangered Species

The public is invited to comment on the following applications for a permit to conduct certain activities with endangered species. This notice is provided pursuant to Section 10(c) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Written data, comments, or requests for copies of these complete applications should be submitted to the Director (address above).

Applicant: Minnesota Zoological Garden, Apple Valley, MN, PRT-105498.

The applicant requests a permit to import seven Komodo Island monitors (Varanus komodoensis) from the Toronto Zoo, Ontario, Canada, for the purpose of enhancement of the species through captive propagation.

Applicant: Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, NY, PRT-105479.

The applicant requests a permit to export four captive-born Madagascar radiated tortoises (Geochelone radiata) to the Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo, Flatt's, Bermuda, for the purpose of enhancement of the species through conservation education.

Applicant: Kenneth L. Eberly, York, PA, PRT-092644.

The applicant requests a permit to import the sport-hunted trophy of one male bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus pygargus) culled from a captive herd maintained under the management program of the Republic of South Africa, for the purpose of enhancement of the survival of the species.

Applicant: Wade A.Boggs, Tampa, FL, PRT-106617.

The applicant requests a permit to import the sport-hunted trophy of one male bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus pygargus) culled from a captive herd maintained under the management program of the Republic of South Africa, for the purpose of enhancement of the survival of the species.

Marine Mammals

The public is invited to comment on the following applications for a permit to conduct certain activities with marine mammals. The applications were submitted to satisfy requirements of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and the regulations governing marine mammals (50 CFR part 18). Written data, comments, or requests for copies of the complete applications or requests for a public hearing on these applications should be submitted to the Director (address above). Anyone requesting a hearing should give specific reasons why a hearing would be appropriate. The holding of such a hearing is at the discretion of the Director.

Applicant: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Marine Mammals Management, Anchorage, AK, PRT-041309.

The applicant requests an amendment to their permit which currently authorizes research to capture up to 100 wild Northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) for the purpose of scientific research to assess a wide variety of the health parameters and body condition indices, as well as, aerial and/or skiff-based population surveys. The applicant requests authorization to implant these animals with VHF radio transmitters and time/depth recorders to assess survival and habitat use patterns for the purpose of research and enhancement of the survival of the species. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a five-year period.

Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal Register, the Division of Management Authority is forwarding copies of the above application to the Marine Mammal Commission and the Committee of Scientific Advisors for their review.

Applicant: Waitman R. Kesling, Scott Depot, WV, PRT-106076.

The applicant requests a permit to import a polar bear (Ursus maritimus) sport hunted from the Northern Beaufort Sea polar bear population in Canada for personal, noncommercial use.

Applicant: Arthur K. Tonkin, Willow Creek, CA, PRT-106581.

The applicant requests a permit to import a polar bear (Ursus maritimus) sport hunted from the Northern Beaufort Sea polar bear population in Canada for personal, noncommercial use.

Applicant: Scott D. Mertens, Wausau, WI, PRT-106582.

The applicant requests a permit to import a polar bear (Ursus maritimus) sport hunted from the Lancaster Sound polar bear population in Canada for personal, noncommercial use.

Applicant: Kevin B. Gustafson, Stanchfield, MN, PRT-106625.

The applicant requests a permit to import a polar bear (Ursus maritimus) sport hunted from the Lancaster Sound polar bear population in Canada for personal, noncommercial use.

Applicant: Eric G. Turnquist, Lebanon, NJ, PRT-106641.

The applicant requests a permit to import a polar bear (Ursus maritimus) sport hunted from the Southern Beaufort Sea polar bear population in Canada for personal, noncommercial use.

Applicant: Paul W. Prudler, Sacramento, CA, PRT-106376.

The applicant requests a permit to import a polar bear (Ursus maritimus) sport hunted from the Lancaster Sound polar bear population in Canada for personal, noncommercial use.

Applicant: James C. Newton, Mountain Home, AR, PRT-105806.

The applicant requests a permit to import a polar bear (Ursus maritimus) sport hunted from the Lancaster Sound polar bear population in Canada for personal, noncommercial use.

Applicant: Woodward S. Smith, Mt. Pleasant, MI, PRT-105857.

The applicant requests a permit to import a polar bear (Ursus maritimus) sport hunted from the Northern Beaufort Sea polar bear population in Canada for personal, noncommercial use.

Applicant: John D. Smythe, Park Rapids, MN, PRT-105539.

The applicant requests a permit to import a polar bear (Ursus maritimus) sport hunted from the Lancaster Sound polar bear population in Canada for personal, noncommercial use.

Applicant: Robert G. Moyer, Harleysville, PA, PRT-103429.

The applicant requested a permit to import a sport-hunted polar bear (Ursus maritimus) from Canada for personal, non-commercial use. On June 3, 2005, (70 FR 32645) the Service published a notice that the polar bear was sport hunted from the Southern Beaufort Sea polar bear population. Subsequently, the Service determined that the polar bear was actually sport hunted from the Lancaster sound polar bear population. Therefore, we are republishing the request for the correct population.

Dated: July 22, 2005.

Michael S. Moore,

Senior Permit Biologist, Branch of Permits, Division of Management Authority.