Foreign Endangered Species; Marine Mammals; Receipt of Permit Applications

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2018-0083; FXIA16710900000-178-FF09A30000]

Foreign Endangered Species; Marine Mammals; Receipt of Permit Applications

AGENCY:

Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice of receipt of permit applications.

SUMMARY:

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), invite the public to comment on applications to conduct certain activities with foreign species that are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and foreign or native species for which the Service has jurisdiction under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). With some exceptions, the ESA and the MMPA prohibit activities with listed species unless Federal authorization is acquired that allows such activities. The ESA and MMPA also require that we invite public comment before issuing permits for activities involving endangered species or marine mammals.

DATES:

We must receive comments by January 10, 2019.

ADDRESSES:

Obtaining Documents:

The applications, application supporting

materials, and any comments and other materials that we receive will be available for public inspection at

http://www.regulations.gov

in Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2018-0083.

Submitting Comments:

When submitting comments, please specify the name of the applicant and the permit number at the beginning of your comment. You may submit comments by one of the following methods:

•

Internet: http://www.regulations.gov.

Search for and submit comments on Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2018-0083.

•

U.S. mail or hand-delivery:

Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2018-0083; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters, MS: BPHC; 5275 Leesburg Pike; Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.

For more information, see Public Comment Procedures under

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Brenda Tapia, by phone at 703-358-2104, via email at

DMAFR@fws.gov,

or via the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Public Comment Procedures

A. How do I comment on submitted applications?

You may submit your comments and materials by one of the methods in

ADDRESSES

. We will not consider comments sent by email or fax, or to an address not in

ADDRESSES

. We will not consider or include in our administrative record comments we receive after the close of the comment period (see

DATES

).

When submitting comments, please specify the name of the applicant and the permit number at the beginning of your comment. Please make your requests or comments as specific as possible, confine your comments to issues for which we seek comments in this notice, and explain the basis for your comments. Provide sufficient information to allow us to authenticate any scientific or commercial data you include. The comments and recommendations that will be most useful and likely to influence agency decisions are: (1) Those supported by quantitative information or studies; and (2) those that include citations to, and analyses of, the applicable laws and regulations.

B. May I review comments submitted by others?

You may view and comment on others' public comments on

http://www.regulations.gov,

unless our allowing so would violate the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) or Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552).

C. Who will see my comments?

If you submit a comment at

http://www.regulations.gov,

your entire comment, including any personal identifying information, will be posted on the website. If you submit a hardcopy comment that includes personal identifying information, such as your address, phone number, or email address, you may request at the top of your document that we withhold this information from public review. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Moreover, 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.

II. Background

To help us carry out our conservation responsibilities for affected species, and in consideration of section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531

et seq.

), and section 104(c) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361

et seq.

), we invite public comments on permit applications before final action is taken. With some exceptions, the ESA and MMPA prohibit activities with listed species unless Federal authorization is acquired that allows such activities. Permits issued under section 10 of the ESA allow activities for scientific purposes or to enhance the propagation or survival of the affected species. Regulations regarding permit issuance under the ESA are in title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations in part 17. ESA permits cover a wide range of activities pertaining to foreign listed species, including activities related to the captive-breeding of such species here in the United States. Concurrent with publishing this notice in the

Federal Register

, we are forwarding copies of the marine mammal applications to the Marine Mammal Commission and the Committee of Scientific Advisors for their review.

III. Permit Applications

We invite comments on the following applications.

A. Endangered Species

Applicant: Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL; Permit No. 93295C

The applicant requests a permit to import scientific samples of ocelot (

Leopardus pardalis mitis

), jaguar (

Panthera onca

), and South American tapir (

Tapirus terrestris

) from Brazil for the purposes of scientific research. This notification is for a single import.

Applicant: Wild Cat Education & Conservation Fund, Occidental, CA; Permit No. 97801C

The applicant requests a permit to purchase a captive-born snow leopard (

Uncia uncia

) from Tanganyika Wildlife Park, Goddard, KS, for the purpose of enhancing the propagation or survival of the species. This notification is for a single transfer.

Applicant: James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA; Permit No. 88299C

The applicant requests a permit to import scientific samples of Verreaux's sifaka (

Propithecus verreauxi

) from Madagascar for the purpose of scientific research. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

Applicant: Wildlife Conservation Society, Bronx, NY; Permit No. 99617C

The applicant requests a permit to export two male and two female captive-bred African wild dogs (

Lycaon pictus

) to Canada for the purpose of enhancing the propagation or survival of the species. This notification is for a single export.

Applicant: Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, Fort Wayne, IN; Permit No. 80987C

The applicant requests a permit to import scientific samples of leatherback sea turtles (

Dermochelys coriacea

) from Equatorial Guinea for the purpose of scientific research. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

Applicant: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Abingdon, VA; Permit No. 85964C

The applicant requests a permit to export wild Lee County cave isopods (

Lirceus usdaglun

) taken in Lee County, VA, to University Claude Bernard Lyon, Villeurbanne Cedex, France, for the purpose of scientific research. This notification is for a single export.

Applicant: University of Wisconsin—Madison, Madison, WI; Permit No. 93299C

The applicant requests authorization to import biological samples from captive-bred and wild orangutans (

Pongo pygmaeus

) from multiple locations for the purpose of enhancing the propagation or survival of the species through scientific research. This

notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

Applicant: Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic, CT; Permit No. 00760D

The applicant requests a permit to import biological samples of wild roseate terns (

Sterna dougallii dougallii

) from Canada for the purpose of scientific research. This notification is for a single import.

Applicant: Forrest Simpson, Conroe, TX; Permit No. 99011C

The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for barasingha (

Rucervus duvaucelii

), which is listed at 50 CFR 17.11(h) as swamp deer (

Cervus duvauceli

), to enhance the propagation or survival of the species. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

Applicant: Zoological Society of San Diego, San Diego, CA; Permit No. 93568C

The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for the following families:

Bufonidae, Accipitridae, Alcedinidae, Anatidae, Cacatuidae Cathartidae, Columbidae, Cracidae, Gruidae, Megapodiidae, Phasianidae, Psittacidae, Rallidae, Rhynochetidae, Spheniscidae, Sturnidae, Threskiornithidae, Antilocapridae, Artiodactyla, Bovidae, Canidae, Callithricidae, Cercopithecidae, Cervidae, Moschidae, Daubentoniidae, Elephantidae, Equidae, Felidae, Hominidae, Hylobatidae, Indridae, Lemuridae, Macropodidae, Potoroidae, Pteropodidae, Rhinocerotidae, Tapiridae, Ursidae, Crocodylidae, Gavialidae, Geoemydidae,

and

Iguanidae,

excluding

Cyclura lewisi, Testudinidae,

and

Varanidae,

to enhance the propagation or survival of the species. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

Common Name

Scientific Name

Panamanian golden frog

Atelopus zeteki

.

harpy eagle

Harpia harpyja

.

Guam kingfisher

Todiramphus cinnamominus

.

Laysan duck

Anas laysanensis

.

white-winged duck

Asarcornis scutulata

.

white cockatoo

Cacatua alba

.

Andean condor

Vultur gryphus

.

pink pigeon

Nesoenas mayeri

.

blue-billed curassow

Crax alberti

.

red-crowned crane

Grus Japonensis

.

Maleo

Macrocephalon maleo

.

Blyth's tragopan

Tragopan blythii blythii

.

Edward's pheasant

Lophura edwardsi

.

Palawan peacock-pheasant

Polyplectron napoleonis

.

blue-throated conure

Pyrrhura cruentata

.

Cuban Amazon

Amazona leucocephala leucocephala

.

great green macaw

Ara ambiguus ambiguus

.

blue-throated macaw

Ara glaucogularis

.

Military macaw

Ara militaris

.

scarlet-chested parrot

Neophema splendida

.

salmon-crested cockatoo

Cacatua moluccensis

.

Guam rail

Hypotaenidia owstoni

.

Kagu

Rhynochetos jubatus

.

African penguin

Spheniscus demersus

.

Bali myna

Leucopsar rothschildi

.

Waldrapp Ibis

Geronticus eremita

.

Baja pronghorn

Antilocapra americana peninsularis

.

lowland Anoa

Bubalus depressicornis

.

Addax

Addax nasomaculatus

.

Addra gazelle

Nanger dama ruficollis

.

Arabian oryx

Oryx leucoryx

.

Bontebok

Damaliscus pygargus pygargus

.

Cuvier's gazelle

Gazella cuvieri

.

Indian gaur

Bos frontalis gaurus

.

Javan banteng

Bos Javanicus javanicus

.

Scimitar-horned oryx

Oryx dammah

.

Slender-horned gazelle

Gazella leptoceros leptoceros

.

Zambesi lechwe

Kobus leche leche

.

Chinese dhole

Cuon alpinus lepturus

.

Maned wolf

Chrysocyon brachyurus

.

golden lion Tamarin

leontopithecus rosalia

.

golden-headed lion tamarin

leontopithecus chrysomelas

.

Francois' langur

Trachypithecus francoisi

.

Gelada baboon

Theropithecus gelada

.

lion-tailed Macaque

Macaca silenus

.

Mandrill

Mandrillus sphinx

.

Bactrian wapiti

Cervus elaphus bactrianus

.

Barasingha

Rucervus duvaucelii duvaucelii

.

Barbary red deer

Cervus elaphus barbarus

.

Burmese Thamin

Rucervus eldii thamin

.

Mandarin sika

Cervus nippon mandarinus

.

Southern Pudu

Pudu puda

.

Siberian musk deer

Moschus moschiferus moschiferus

.

Aye-Aye

Daubentonia madagascariensis

.

African bush elephant

Loxodonta africana africana

.

Ceylon elephant

Elephas maximus maximus

.

Indian elephant

Elephas maximus indicus

.

Grevy's zebra

Equus grevyi

.

Przewalski's wild horse

Equus caballus przewalskii

.

Somali wild ass

Equus africanus somaliensis

.

Amur leopard

Panthera pardus orientalis

Black-footed cat

Felis nigripes

.

clouded leopard

Neofelis nebulosa nebulosa

.

African lion

Panthera leo melanochaita

.

Malayan tiger

Panthera tigris Jacksoni

.

snow leopard

Uncia uncia

.

cheetah

Acinonyx jubatus

.

tiger

Panthera tigris

.

Bonobo

Pan paniscus

.

Bornean orangutan

Pongo pygmaeus

.

Sumatran orangutan

Pongo abelii

.

Western Lowland gorilla

Gorilla gorilla gorilla

.

red-cheeked gibbon

Nomascus gabriellae

.

Siamang

Symphalangus syndactylus

.

Coquerel's Sifaka

Propithecus coquereli

.

black-and-white ruffed lemur

Varecia variegata variegata

.

blue-eyed black lemur

Eulemur flavifrons

.

red ruffed lemur

Varecia rubra

.

red-collared lemur

Eulemur collaris

.

ring-tailed lemur

Lemur catta

.

pygmy slow Loris

Nycticebus pygmaeus

.

Parma wallaby

Macropus parma

.

Southern yellow-footed rock wallaby

Petrogale xanthopus xanthopus

.

Koala

Phascolarctos cinereus

.

Woylie

Bettongia penicillata

.

Rodrigues flying fox

Pteropus rodricensis

.

black rhinoceros

Diceros bicornis

.

Great Indian rhinoceros

Rhinoceros unicornis

.

Southern white rhinoceros

Ceratotherium simum simum

.

Baird's tapir

Tapirus bairdii

.

Malayan tapir

Tapirus indicus indicus

.

giant panda

Ailuropoda melanoleuca

.

Chinese alligator

Alligator sinensis

.

slender-snouted crocodile

Mecistops cataphractus

.

dwarf crocodile

Osteolaemus tetraspis

.

Gharial

Gavialis gangeticus

.

spotted pond turtle

Geoclemys hamiltonii

.

river terrapin

Batagur baska

.

Fijian banded iguana

Brachylophus bulabula

.

Grand Cayman blue iguana

Cyclura lewisi

.

Jamaican iguana

Cyclura collei

.

Galapagos tortoise

Chelonoidis nigra

.

radiated tortoise

Astrochelys radiata

.

Komodo dragon

Varanus komodoensis

.

Applicant: Uno Mas Ranch LLC, Brandera, TX; Permit No. 99164C

The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for Arabian oryx (

Oryx leucoryx

) to enhance the propagation or survival of the species. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

Applicant: Audubon Nature Institute, New Orleans, LA; Permit No. 86989C

The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for African wild dogs (

Lycaon pictus

), babirusa (

Babyrousa babyrussa

), swamp deer (

Cervus duvauceli

), pudu (

Pudu pudu

), Asian elephant (

Elephas maximus

), leopard (

Panthera pardus

), Komodo Island monitor (

Varanus komodoensis

), Sumatran orangutan (

Pongo abelii

), Panamanian golden frog (

Atelopus varius zeteki

), tomistoma (

Tomistoma schlegelii

), and Fiji banded iguana (

Brachylophus fasciatus

) to enhance the propagation or survival of the species. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

Applicant: L.A. Waters Ranch, LLC, Utopia, TX; Permit No. 95637C

The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for African wild ass (

Equus africanus

) and barasingha (

Rucervus duvaucelii

), which is listed at 50 CFR 17.11(h) as swamp deer (

Cervus duvauceli

), to enhance the propagation

or survival of the species. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

Multiple Applicants

The following applicants request permits to import sport-hunted trophies of 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 enhancing the propagation or survival of the species.

Applicant: Jeffery Hammond, Burns, WY; Permit No. 02623D

Applicant: Jeremy Hammond, Cody, WY; Permit No. 02624D

Applicant: Leslie Hathaway, Portland, IN; Permit No. 02625D

Applicant: Michael Dyson, Irving, TX; Permit No. 02612D

Applicant: Matthew Bell, Midland, TX; Permit No. 03114D

Applicant: Charles Bowlin, Shreveport, LA; Permit No. 02359D

Applicant: Donald Pflaum, Cavalier, ND: Permit No. 05672D

B. Marine Mammals

Applicant: U.S. Geological Survey, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK; Permit No. 690038

The applicant requests renewal of a permit to conduct research activities on polar bears (

Ursus maritimus

) in the Southern Beaufort and Chukchi-Bering Seas, and to export and import samples of fat, blood, fur, skin, bones, claws, feces, DNA products, and teeth. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

IV. Next Steps

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

Federal Register

. You may locate the notice announcing the permit issuance by searching

http://www.regulations.gov

for the permit number listed above in this document. For example, to find information about the potential issuance of Permit No. 12345A, you would go to

http://www.regulations.gov

and search for “12345A”.

V. Authority

We issue this notice under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531

et seq.

), and its implementing regulations, and the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361

et seq.

), and its implementing regulations.

Brenda Tapia,

Program Analyst/Data Administrator, Branch of Permits, Division of Management Authority.

[FR Doc. 2018-26757 Filed 12-10-18; 8:45 am]

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