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###### Department of the Interior

###### Fish and Wildlife Service

          - [FWS-R9-IA-2012-N097; FXIA16710900000P5-123-FF09A30000]

# AGENCY:

Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

# ACTION:

Notice of receipt of applications for permit.

# 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, marine mammals, or both. With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) prohibit activities with listed                               ( print page 24511)                            species unless Federal authorization is acquired that allows such activities.                    

# DATES:

                        We must receive comments or requests for documents on or before May 24, 2012. We must receive requests for marine mammal permit public hearings, in writing, at the address shown in the                         **ADDRESSES**                         section by May 24, 2012.                    

# ADDRESSES:

                        Brenda Tapia, Division of Management Authority, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 212, Arlington, VA 22203; fax (703) 358-2280; or email                         *DMAFR@fws.gov.*

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                        Brenda Tapia, (703) 358-2104 (telephone); (703) 358-2280 (fax);                         *DMAFR@fws.gov*                         (email).                    

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

## I. Public Comment Procedures

### A. How do I request copies of applications or comment on submitted applications?

                    Send your request for copies of applications or comments and materials concerning any of the applications to the contact listed under                     **ADDRESSES**                    . Please include the                     **Federal Register**                     notice publication date, the PRT-number, and the name of the applicant in your request or submission. We will not consider requests or comments sent to an email or address not listed under                     **ADDRESSES**                    . If you provide an email address in your request for copies of applications, we will attempt to respond to your request electronically.                

Please make your requests or comments as specific as possible. Please confine your comments to issues for which we seek comments in this notice, and explain the basis for your comments. Include sufficient information with your comments 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. We will not consider or include in our administrative record comments we receive after the close of the comment period (see                     **DATES**                    ) or comments delivered to an address other than those listed above (see                     **ADDRESSES**                    ).                

### B. May I review comments submitted by others?

                    Comments, including names and street addresses of respondents, will be available for public review at the street address listed under                     **ADDRESSES**                    . The public may review documents and other information applicants have sent in support of the application unless our allowing viewing would violate the Privacy Act or Freedom of Information Act. 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.                

## 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 (16 U.S.C. 1531*et seq.*), and the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361*et seq.*), along with Executive Order 13576, “Delivering an Efficient, Effective, and Accountable Government,” and the President's Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies of January 21, 2009—Transparency and Open Government (74 FR 4685; January 26, 2009), which call on all Federal agencies to promote openness and transparency in Government by disclosing information to the public, we invite public comment on these permit applications before final action is taken. Under the MMPA, you may request a hearing on any MMPA application received. If you request a hearing, give specific reasons why a hearing would be appropriate. The holding of such a hearing is at the discretion of the Service Director.                

## III. Permit Applications

### A. Endangered Species

#### Applicant: Global Viral Forecasting Initiative, San Francisco, CA; PRT-63801A

                    The applicant requests a permit to import biological samples from wild and captive-born lowland gorilla, (                    *Gorilla gorilla gorilla*), chimpanzee (                    *Pan troglodytes*), drill (                    *Mandrillus leucophaeus*), mandrill (                    *Mandrillus sphinx*), collared mangabey (                    *Cercocebus torquatus*), and red-eared monkey (                    *Cercopithecus erythrotis*) for the purpose of enhancement of the survival of the species.                

#### Applicant: Racine Zoological Society, Racine, WI; PRT-761357

The applicant requests renewal and amendment of their captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for the following families, genus, and species, to enhance their propagation or survival. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

*Families:*

Callitrichinae

Lemuridae

*Species:*

                    Pudu (                    *Pudu puda*)                

                    Siberian tiger (                    *Panthera tigris altaica*)                

                    Indochinese tiger (                    *Panthera tigris corbetti*)                

                    Snow leopard (                    *Uncia uncia*)                

                    Black rhinoceros (                    *Diceros bicornis*)                

                    White-handed gibbon (                    *Hylobates lar*)                

#### Applicant: Jerry Holly, Micanopy, FL; PRT-074189

                    The applicant requests renewal and amendment of their captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for Grevy's zebra (                    *Equus grevyi*) and bontebok (                    *damaliscus pygargus pygargus*), to enhance their propagation or survival. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.                

#### Applicant: Miami Metrozoo, Miami, FL; PRT-681592

The applicant requests renewal of their captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for the following families, genus, and species, to enhance their propagation or survival. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

*Families:*

Bovidae

Equidae

                    Felidae (                    *does not*                     include jaguar, margay or ocelot)                

Hominidae

Hylobatidae

Lemuridae

Rhinocerotidae

Tapiridae

Gruidae

                    Psittacidae (                    *does not*                     include thick-billed parrot)                

                    Crocodylidae (                    *does not*                     include American crocodile)                

Testudinidae

*Species:*

                    Asian elephant (                    *Elephas maximus*)                

                    Koala (                    *Phascolarctos cinereus*)                

                    African wild dog                     *(Lycaon pictus)*

                    Andean condor (                    *Vultur gryphus*) Komodo island monitor (                    *Varanus komodoensis*)                          ( print page 24512)    

#### Applicant: Eric Meffre, New Haven, CT; PRT-187257

                    The applicant requests renewal of their captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for the radiated tortoise (                    *Astrochelys radiata*), to enhance their propagation or survival. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.                

#### Applicant: Little Rock Zoological Gardens, Little Rock, AR; PRT-680316

                    The applicant requests amendment of their captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for cheetah (                    *Acinonyx jubatus*), to enhance their propagation or survival. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.                

#### Applicant: Rare Species Conservatory Foundation, Loxahatchee, FL; PRT-756101

                    The applicant requests renewal of their captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for golden parakeet (                    *Guarouba guarouba*), red-browed amazon (                    *Amazona rhodocorytha*), and vinaceous parrot (                    *Amazona vinacea*), to enhance their propagation or survival. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.                

#### Applicant: Safeguard Investments Ltd., Sandia, TX; PRT-68176A

                    The applicant requests a permit authorizing interstate and foreign commerce, export, and cull of excess barasingha (                    *Rucervus duvaucelii*), scimitar-horned oryx (                    *Oryx dammah*), and addax (                    *Addax nasomaculatus),*                     from the captive herd maintained at their facility, for the purpose of enhancement of the survival of the species. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.                

#### Applicant: Lewis Henderson, Hamilton, TX; PRT-69106A

                    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for the scimitar-horned oryx (                    *Oryx dammah*) and addax (                    *Addax nasomaculatus*), to enhance their propagation or survival. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.                

#### Applicant: Lewis Henderson, Hamilton, TX; PRT-65816A

                    The applicant requests a permit authorizing interstate and foreign commerce, export, and cull of excess scimitar-horned oryx (                    *Oryx dammah*) and addax (                    *Addax nasomaculatus*), from the captive herd maintained at their facility, for the purpose of enhancement of the survival of the species. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.                

#### Applicant: Pheenix Farms Exotics, Interlachen, FL; PRT-71445A

                    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for the scimitar-horned oryx (                    *Oryx dammah*), to enhance their propagation or survival. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.                

#### Applicant: Liberty Hill Land Partnership Ltd., Liberty Hill, TX; PRT-71521A

                    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for the scimitar-horned oryx (                    *Oryx dammah),*                     to enhance their propagation or survival. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.                

#### Applicant: Liberty Hill Land Partnership Ltd., Liberty Hill, TX; PRT-71523A

                    The applicant requests a permit authorizing interstate and foreign commerce, export, and cull of excess scimitar-horned oryx (                    *Oryx dammah*), from the captive herd maintained at their facility, for the purpose of enhancement of the survival of the species. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.                

#### Applicant: Patterson Energy of Texas, LLC, Hondo, TX; PRT-71533A

                    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for the scimitar-horned oryx (                    *Oryx dammah),*                     to enhance their propagation or survival. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.                

#### Applicant: Rattlesnake Springs Ranch, Camp Verde, TX; PRT-71661A

                    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for the barasingha (                    *Rucervus duvaucelii*), Eld's deer (                    *Rucervus eldii*), Arabian oryx (                    *Oryx leucoryx*), scimitar-horned oryx (                    *Oryx dammah*), addax (                    *Addax nasomaculatus*), dama gazelle (                    *Nanger dama*), and red lechwe (                    *Kobus leche*), to enhance their propagation or survival. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.                

#### Applicant: Rattlesnake Springs Ranch, Camp Verde, TX; PRT-71660A

                    The applicant requests a permit authorizing interstate and foreign commerce, export, and cull of excess Arabian oryx (                    *Oryx leucoryx*), scimitar-horned oryx (                    *Oryx dammah*), addax (                    *Addax nasomaculatus*), and red lechwe (                    *Kobus leche*), from the captive herd maintained at their facility, for the purpose of enhancement of the survival of the species. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.                

#### Applicant: Edward Merritt, Fullerton, CA; PRT-71633A

                    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for the radiated tortoise (                    *Astrochelys radiata*), to enhance their propagation or survival. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.                

#### Applicant: Chris Pannill, Kopperl, TX; PRT-71767A

                    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for the barasingha (                    *Rucervus duvaucelii*), Eld's deer (                    *Rucervus eldii*), Arabian oryx (                    *Oryx leucoryx*), scimitar-horned oryx (                    *Oryx dammah*), addax (                    *Addax nasomaculatus*), dama gazelle (                    *Nanger dama*), and red lechwe (                    *Kobus leche*), to enhance their propagation or survival. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.                

#### Applicant: Chris Pannill, Kopperl, TX; PRT-71768A

                    The applicant requests a permit authorizing interstate and foreign commerce, export, and cull of excess scimitar-horned oryx (                    *Oryx dammah*), addax (                    *Addax nasomaculatus*), and red lechwe (                    *Kobus leche*), from the captive herd maintained at their facility, for the purpose of enhancement of the survival of the species. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.                

#### Applicant: Texana Ranch, Blackwell, TX; PRT-72023A

                    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for the scimitar-horned oryx (                    *Oryx dammah*) and addax (                    *Addax nasomaculatus*), to enhance their propagation or survival. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.                          ( print page 24513)    

#### Applicant: Texana Ranch, Blackwell, TX; PRT-72025A

                    The applicant requests a permit authorizing interstate and foreign commerce, export, and cull of excess scimitar-horned oryx (                    *Oryx dammah*) and addax (                    *Addax nasomaculatus*), from the captive herd maintained at their facility, for the purpose of enhancement of the survival of the species. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.                

#### Applicant: Hays City Ranch, Driftwood, TX; PRT-72017A

                    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for the scimitar-horned oryx (                    *Oryx dammah*), to enhance their propagation or survival. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.                

#### Applicant: Dixon Land and Wildlife Co., Houston, TX; PRT-67537A

                    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for the scimitar-horned oryx (                    *Oryx dammah*), to enhance their propagation or survival. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.                

#### Applicant: Arizona Tortoise Compound, Peoria, AZ; PRT-71315A

                    The applicant requests renewal of their captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for the radiated tortoise (                    *Astrochelys radiata*), to enhance their propagation or survival. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.                

#### Applicant: Lonny Traweek, College Station, TX; PRT-72333A

                    The applicant requests a permit to import a 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.                

### B. Endangered Marine Mammals and Marine Mammals

#### Applicant: Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fairbanks, AK; PRT-220876

                    The applicant requests an amendment to the permit to authorize use of harpoons for tagging and biopsy of walrus (                    *Odobenus rosmarus*) for the purpose of scientific research. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over the remainder of the 5-year period of the issued permit.                

                    Concurrent with publishing this notice in the                     **Federal Register**                    , we are forwarding copies of the above application to the Marine Mammal Commission and the Committee of Scientific Advisors for their review.                

Brenda Tapia,

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

[FR Doc. 2012-9804 Filed 4-23-12; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-55-P