[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 8 (Thursday, January 11, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1378-1380]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-00321]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2017-0086; FXIA16710900000-178-FF09A30000]


Foreign Endangered and Threatened Species; Receipt of Permit 
Applications

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of receipt of permit applications.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to 
comment on applications to conduct certain activities with foreign 
endangered and threatened species. With some exceptions, the Endangered 
Species Act prohibits activities with listed species unless Federal 
authorization is acquired that allows such activities. The ESA also 
requires that we invite public comment before issuing these permits.

DATES: We must receive comments by February 12, 2018.

ADDRESSES: 
    Document availability: The applications, as well as any comments 
and other materials that we receive, will be available for public 
inspection online in Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2017-0086 at http://www.regulations.gov.
    Submitting comments: You may submit comments by one of the 
following methods:

[[Page 1379]]

    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Search for Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2017-0086 and follow the instructions 
for submitting comments.
    <bullet> U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing, 
Attn: Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2017-0086; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
MS: BPHC; 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.

When submitting comments, please include the name of the applicant and 
the PRT# at the beginning of your comment. We will post all comments on 
http://www.regulations.gov. This generally means that we will post any 
personal information you provide (see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for 
more information).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joyce Russell, 703-358-2023.

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 
listed under Submitting Comments in the ADDRESSES section. We will not 
consider comments sent by email or fax, or to an address not in the 
ADDRESSES section.
    Please make your comments as specific as possible, confine your 
comments to issues for which we seek information as described 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 (DATES) or comments 
delivered to an address other than those listed in ADDRESSES.

B. May I review comments submitted by others?

    Comments, including names and street addresses of respondents, will 
be available for public review online at http://www.regulations.gov and 
at the street address in ADDRESSES. The public may review documents and 
other information applicants have sent in support of their applications 
unless our allowing such viewing would violate the Privacy Act (5 
U.S.C. 552a) or the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552).

C. Who will see my comments?

    If you submit a comment via 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.

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.; ESA), 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; Jan. 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.

III. Permit Applications

    We invite the public to comment on applications to conduct certain 
activities with endangered species. With some exceptions, the ESA 
prohibits activities with listed species unless Federal authorization 
is acquired that allows such activities.

Applicant: Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Washington, DC; PRT-
007870

    The applicant requests reissuance of their permit for scientific 
research with captive-born giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) 
currently held under loan agreement with the Government of China and 
under the provisions of the Service Giant Panda Policy. The proposed 
research will cover all aspects of behavior, reproductive physiology, 
genetics, nutrition, and animal health, and will be continuation of 
activities currently in progress. This notification covers activities 
conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

Applicant: Dawn Carone, Swarthmore, PA; PRT-40245C

    The applicant requests a permit to import biological samples from 
wild Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii) and western gorilla (gorilla 
gorilla) for scientific research. This notification is for a single 
import. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the 
applicant over a 1-year period.

Applicant: University of Georgia, College of Veterinary Medicine, 
Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Athens, GA; PRT-45805C

    The applicant requests authorization to import tissue or blood 
samples of any avian species (class Aves), reptile species (class 
Reptilia), and fish (within the taxonomic phylum Chordata) from 
locations worldwide for the purpose of diagnostic testing for 
infectious diseases/scientific research. This notification covers 
activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

Applicant: Mr. Vincent Rose, American Crocodile Education Sanctuary, 
North Fort Meyers, FL; PRT-44876C

    The applicant requests authorization to import the skull of an 
American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) from Belize to enhance the 
propagation or survival of the species. This notification is for a 
single import.

Trophy Applicants

    The following applicants each request a permit to import a sport-
hunted trophy of a 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: Michael Kincaid, Mukilteo, WA; PRT-53993C

Applicant: Tim Brown, Oregon City, OR; PRT-52676C

Applicant: Christopher O'Connor, Dumfries, VA; PRT-55019C

Applicant: Verne Williamson, Ashland, VA; PRT-46104C

Applicant: Edward Aston, San Juan Capistrano, CA PRT-54247C

Applicant: Benard Calvin Hendrick VII, Odessa, TX; PRT 55894C

Applicant: Kevin H. Young, Chehalis, WA; PRT-57502C

Applicant: William S. Montgomery Jr., Dallas, TX; PRT-58300C

IV. Next Steps

    If the Service decides to issue permits to any of the applicants 
listed in this

[[Page 1380]]

notice, we will publish a notice in the Federal Register. You may 
locate the Federal Register notice announcing the permit issuance date 
by searching regulations.gov under the permit number listed in this 
document (e.g., PRT-12345C).

V. Authority

    The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 1973 
(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

Joyce Russell,
Government Information Specialist, Branch of Permits, Division of 
Management Authority.
[FR Doc. 2018-00321 Filed 1-10-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P