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 Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS-R4-ES-2018-N072; FXES11140400000-189-FF04E00000]
 AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
 ACTION: Notice of receipt of permit applications; request for comment.
 SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species. With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) prohibits activities with listed species unless a Federal permit is issued that allows such activities. The ESA requires that we invite public comment before issuing these permits.
 DATES: We must receive written data or comments on the applications at the address given in 
                        **ADDRESSES**
                         by July 6, 2018.
 ADDRESSES:  *Reviewing Documents:*
                         Documents and other information submitted with the applications are available for review, subject to the requirements of the Privacy Act and Freedom of Information Act. Submit a request for a copy of such documents to Karen Marlowe, 404-679-7097 (telephone) or 404-679-7081 (fax); 
                        *karen_marlowe@fws.gov.* *Submitting Comments:*
                         If you wish to comment, you may submit comments by any one of the following methods: *U.S. mail or hand-delivery:*
                         U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Office, Ecological Services, 1875 Century Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 30345 (Attn: Karen Marlowe, Permit Coordinator).
                    *Email: permitsR4ES@fws.gov.*
                         Please include your name and return address in your email message. If you do not receive a confirmation from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that we have received your email message, contact us directly at the telephone number listed in 
                        **FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT**
                        .
 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen Marlowe, Permit Coordinator, 404-679-7097 (telephone) or 404-679-7081 (fax).


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We invite review and comment from local, State, and Federal agencies and the public on applications we have received for permits to conduct certain activities with endangered and threatened species under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 
                    *et seq.*), and our regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR part 17. With some exceptions, the ESA prohibits activities that constitute take of listed species unless a Federal permit is issued that allows such activities. The ESA's definition of “take” includes hunting, shooting, harming, wounding, or killing and also such activities as pursuing, harassing, trapping, capturing, or collecting.
                    ( print page 26299) 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 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. 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 ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Permit application No.
Applicant
Species/numbers
Location
Activity
Type of take
Permit actionTE 065972-2
U.S. Forest Service, Russellville, AR
Gray bat (
                            *Myotis grisescens*), Indiana bat (
                            *M. sodalis*), northern long-eared bat (
                            *M. septentrionalis*), Ozark big-eared bat (
                            *Corynorhinus*
                             (=
                            *Plecotus*) 
                            *townsendii ingens*), and American burying beetle (
                            *Nicrophorus americanus*)
Ozark-St. Francis National Forest lands, Arkansas
Presence/absence surveys
Bats: Enter hibernacula and maternity roost caves, capture with mist nets, handle, identify, and release. American burying beetle: live-trap and release
Renewal and Amendment.TE 171493-2
Memphis Zoo, Memphis, TN
Dusky gopher frog (
                            *Rana sevosa*)
In captivity at Memphis Zoo, Memphis, TN; Toronto Zoo, Ontario, Canada; and, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha, NE. In the wild in Harrison County, Mississippi
Genetic diversity study of captive frogs and post-release survival and movement of captive-bred frogs
Collect toe clips from captive-bred frogs; attach radio-transmitters to monitor post-release survival and movements of captive-bred metamorphs
Renewal and Amendment.TE 237535-3
Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales, FL
*Dicerandra christmanii*
                             (Garrett's mint), 
                            *Warea carteri*
                             (Carter's mustard), and 
                            *Lupinus aridorum*
                             (Scrub lupine)
Lake Wales National Wildlife Refuge, Florida
*Ex situ*
                             seed banking, artificial propagation, seed germination and storage research, and population augmentation
Remove and reduce to possession (collect) seeds and leaves
Renewal.TE 53149B-2
Hans Otto, Tucson, AZ
Gray bat (
                            *Myotis grisescens*), Indiana bat (
                            *M. sodalis*), Northern long-eared bat (
                            *M. septentrionalis*), Ozark big-eared bat (
                            *Corynorhinus townsendii ingens*), Virginia big-eared bat (
                            *C. t. virginianus*), Lesser long-nosed bat (
                            *Leptonycteris curasoae yerbabuenae*), and New Mexico meadow jumping mouse (
                            *Zapus hudsonius luteus*)
Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming
Presence/absence surveys and scientific research
Lesser long-nosed bat: mist-net, harp trap, hand-net, band, radio-tag, light tag, collect hair samples, collect oral swabs, and wing punch. Other bats: enter hibernacula or maternity roost caves, salvage dead bats, capture with mist nets or harp traps, handle, identify, collect hair samples, band, radio tag, light tag, collect fecal material, apply fungal lift tape, swab, and wing punch. New Mexico jumping mouse: live-trap, handle, and release
Renewal.( print page 26300)TE 41910B-2
Scott Rush, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS
Gray bat (
                            *Myotis grisescens*), Indiana bat (
                            *M. sodalis*), Northern long-eared bat (
                            *M. septentrionalis*), and Gopher tortoise (
                            *Gopherus polyphemus*)
Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee
Presence/absence surveys and scientific research
Bats: Capture with mist nets or harp traps, handle, identify, and collect hair samples. Gopher tortoise: scope burrows, capture, handle, mark, attach transmitters, and attach GPS loggers
Renewal and Amendment.TE 75551C-0
Phillip Arant, Lexington, KY
Gray bat (
                            *Myotis grisescens*), Indiana bat (
                            *M. sodalis*), and Northern long-eared bat (
                            *M. septentrionalis*)
Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming
Presence/absence surveys
Capture with mist-nets or harp traps, handle, identify, band, and radio-tag
New.TE 54578B-2
Mary Frazer, Raleigh, NC
Gray bat (
                            *Myotis grisescens*), Indiana bat (
                            *M. sodalis*), Northern long-eared bat (
                            *M. septentrionalis*), and Virginia big-eared bat (
                            *Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus*)
Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York. North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming
Presence/absence surveys, studies to document habitat use, population monitoring, and to evaluate potential impacts of white-nose syndrome or other threats
Enter hibernacula or maternity roost caves, salvage dead bats, capture with mist nets or harp traps, handle, identify, collect hair samples, band, radio tag, light-tag, and wing-punch
Renewal.TE 63633A-5
Biodiversity Research Institute, Portland, ME
Gray bat (
                            *Myotis grisescens*), Indiana bat (
                            *M. sodalis*), and Northern long-eared bat (
                            *M. septentrionalis*)
Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming
Presence/absence surveys, studies to document habitat use, population monitoring, and to evaluate potential impacts of white-nose syndrome or other threats
Enter hibernacula or maternity roost caves, salvage dead bats, capture with mist nets or harp traps, handle, identify, collect hair samples, band, radio tag, and wing-punch
Renewal.( print page 26301)TE 75560C-0
Jeffrey Hawkins, Richmond, KY
Gray bat (
                            *Myotis grisescens*), Indiana bat (
                            *M. sodalis*), Northern long-eared bat (
                            *M. septentrionalis*), Ozark big-eared bat (
                            *Corynorhinus townsendii ingens*), Virginia big-eared bat (
                            *C. t. virginianus*), blackside dace (
                            *Phoxinus cumberlandensis*), and 36 species of freshwater mussels
Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming
Presence/absence surveys, studies to document habitat use, population monitoring, and to evaluate potential impacts of white-nose syndrome or other threats
Bats: Enter hibernacula or maternity roost caves, salvage dead bats, capture with mist nets or harp traps, handle, identify, collect hair samples, band, radio tag, light-tag, swab, and wing-punch. Fish and Mussels: Capture, identify, and release
New.TE 76455C-0
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
Bartram's hairstreak butterfly (
                            *Strymon acis bartrami*), Florida leafwing butterfly (
                            *Anaea troglodyta floridalis*), Miami blue butterfly (
                            *Cyclargus*
                             (=
                            *Hemiargus*) 
                            *thomasi bethunebakeri*), and Schaus swallowtail butterfly (
                            *Heraclides aristodemus ponceanus*)
Florida
Scientific research on survival rates of various life stages
Locate eggs, monitor and measure caterpillars, enclose host plants, release emerging butterflies, and salvage of parasitized eggs and larvae
New.TE 77197C-0
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock, AR
American burying beetle (
                            *Nicrophorus americanus*)
Logan County, Arkansas
Presence/absence surveys and population monitoring
Live-trap and release
New.TE 77472C-0
Stream Techs, LLC, Athens, GA
Amber darter (
                            *Percina antesella*), Etowah darter (
                            *Etheostoma etowahae*), Gulf moccasinshell (
                            *Medionidus penicillatus*), Oval pigtoe (
                            *Pleurobema pyriforme*), and Shinyrayed pocketbook (
                            *Lampsilis subangulata*)
Georgia
Presence/absence surveys
Capture, handle, identify, and release
New.TE 88797B-1
Amber Nolder, Luthersburg, PA
Gray bat (
                            *Myotis grisescens*)
Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia
Presence/absence surveys and studies to document habitat use
Capture with mist nets and harp traps, handle, identify, band, mark with non-toxic paint, and radio-tag
Amendment.TE 824723-10
Reed Bowman, Archbold Biological Station, Venus, FL
Florida grasshopper sparrow (
                            *Ammodramus savannarum floridanus*)
Florida
Predator control, nest monitoring, disease screening, emergency actions associated with severe weather, and captive propagation
Fire ant control around nest sites, installation of predator exclusion fences on nests, installation of nest cameras, collection of blood samples, raising nests to reduce mortality associated with flooding, cross-fostering of eggs and nestlings, and collection of eggs, nestlings, juveniles, and adults
Amendment.( print page 26302)TE 78383C-0
Joel Casto, Crawfordville, FL
Red-cockaded woodpecker (
                            *Picoides borealis*)
Apalachicola National Forest Florida
Population monitoring, population management, and translocation
Capture, band, translocate, monitor nest cavities, install and monitor artificial nest cavities, and install restrictors
New.TE 32397A-3
James Godwin, Auburn University, Auburn, AL
Black Warrior waterdog (
                            *Necturus alabamensis*)
Alabama
Presence/absence surveys, genetic analyses, population analysis
Capture, handle, identify, and collect tissue sample (tail tip)
Amendment.TE 37886B-1
Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc., Franklin, TN
Nashville crayfish (
                            *Orconectes shoupi*)
Tennessee
Presence/absence surveys
Capture, handle, identify, and release
Renewal.TE 096554-4
James Robinson, Lexington, KY
Blackside dace (
                            *Phoxinus cumberlandensis*), Cumberland darter (
                            *Etheostoma susanae*), and Kentucky arrow darter (
                            *Etheostoma spilotum*)
Kentucky and Tennessee
Presence/absence surveys
Capture, handle, identify, and release
Renewal and Amendment.TE 100012-3
Michael Reynolds, Share the Beach, Gulf Shores, AL
Green sea turtle (
                            *Chelonia mydas*), Kemp's ridley sea turtle (
                            *Lepidochelys kempi*), and Loggerhead sea turtle (
                            *Caretta caretta*)
Baldwin and Mobile Counties, Alabama
Monitor and protect nests
Locate, monitor, excavate, and relocate nests; temporarily retain nestlings; and, release nestlings
Renewal.TE 102418-3
Florida Army National Guard, Starke, FL
Red-cockaded woodpecker (
                            *Picoides borealis*), Eastern indigo snake (
                            *Drymarchon corais couperi*)
Camp Blanding Joint Training Center, Starke, FL
Presence/absence surveys and population management
Red-cockaded woodpecker: Monitor nest cavities, capture, band, release, and install artificial nest cavities. Eastern indigo snake: Scope burrows, capture, handle, and release
Renewal and Amendment.TE 002507-6
Florida Forest Service, Brooksville, FL
Red-cockaded woodpecker (
                            *Picoides borealis*)
Florida
Population management and monitoring
Capture, band, translocate, monitor nest cavities, construct and monitor artificial nest cavities and restrictors
Renewal.TE 81202C-0
Michael Maltba, Whitesburg, KY
Gray bat (
                            *Myotis grisescens*), Indiana bat (
                            *M. sodalis*), and Northern long-eared bat (
                            *M. septentrionalis*)
Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin
Presence/absence surveys and studies to document habitat use
Enter hibernacula and maternity roost caves, salvage dead bats, capture with mist nets and harp traps, handle, band, radio-tag, collect hair samples, wing-punch, and light-tag
New.TE 142294-5
William Holimon, Little Rock, AR
Red-cockaded woodpecker (
                            *Picoides borealis*)
Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas
Population management and monitoring
Capture, band, monitor nest cavities, construct and monitor artificial nest cavities and restrictors, and translocate
Renewal.TE 027344-3
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, Monticello, GA
Red-cockaded woodpecker (
                            *Picoides borealis*)
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, Georgia
Population management and monitoring
Monitor nest cavities, and construct and monitor artificial nest cavities and restrictors
Renewal.( print page 26303)TE 84861C-0
Power South Energy Cooperative, Andalusia, AL
Choctaw bean (
                            *Villosa choctawensis*), fuzzy pigtoe (
                            *Pleurobema strodeanum*), narrow pigtoe (
                            *Fusconaia escambia*), southern kidneyshell (
                            *Ptychobranchus jonesi*), and southern sandshell (
                            *Hamiota australis*)
Alabama
Presence/absence surveys
Remove from the substrate, handle, identify, return to substrate, and salvage relic shells
New.TE 61981B-3
The Peregrine Fund, Boise, ID
Puerto Rican sharp-shinned hawk (
                            *Accipiter striatus venator*)
Puerto Rico
Captive propagation and reintroduction
Collect eggs and nestlings for captive propagation
Amendment.
 Authority:
                    We provide this notice under the authority of section 10(c) of the ESA. Aaron Valenta, Acting Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services, Southeast Region.


[FR Doc. 2018-12134 Filed 6-5-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333-15-P