70090 Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 223 / Monday, November 21, 2005 / Notices 

document can be obtained as indicated 

in the ADDRESSES section. In addition, 

documents will be available for public 

inspection between the hours of 7:30 

a.m.–4 p.m., Monday through Friday at 

the Salt Plains NWR Headquarters 

Office, 35 miles northwest of Enid, 

Oklahoma, off State Highway 38, and at 

the following libraries: Cherokee Public 

Library, 602 S. Grand Ave., Cherokee, 

OK 73728. 

An open house to receive comments 

on the Draft CCP/EA will be held at the 

Salt Plains NWR Headquarters Office 

during the open comment period on 

January 12, 2006 from 2 p.m.–7 p.m. 

Special mailings, newspaper articles, 

and/or other media announcements will 

be used to inform the public of the date 

and time of the meeting. 

All comments received from 

individuals become part of the official 

public record. Requests for such 

comments will be handled in 

accordance with the Freedom of 

Information Act and the Council on 

Environmental Quality’s NEPA 

regulations [40 CFR 1506.6 (f)]. 

Background: The National Wildlife 

Refuge System Administration Act of 

1966, as amended by the National 

Wildlife Refuge System Improvement 

Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd–668ee et 

seq.), requires a CCP. The purpose in 

developing CCPs is to provide refuge 

managers with a 15-year strategy for 

achieving refuge purposes and 

contributing toward the mission of the 

National Wildlife Refuge System, 

consistent with sound principles of fish 

and wildlife science, conservation, legal 

mandates, and Service policies. In 

addition to outlining broad management 

direction on conserving wildlife and 

their habitats, the CCPs identify 

wildlife-dependent recreational 

opportunities available to the public, 

including opportunities for hunting, 

fishing, wildlife observation and 

photography, and environmental 

education and interpretation. We will 

review and update these CCPs at least 

every 15 years in accordance with the 

National Wildlife Refuge System 

Administration Act of 1966, as amended 

by the National Wildlife Refuge System 

Improvement Act of 1997, and the 

National Environmental Policy Act of 

1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321–4370d). 

Salt Plains NWR was established ‘‘as 

a refuge and breeding grounds for 

birds,’’ by Executive Order No. 5314 on 

March 26, 1930. The authority of the 

Migratory Bird Conservation Act (16 

U.S.C. 712d) establishes that each refuge 

is: ‘‘* * * for use as an inviolate 

sanctuary, or any other management 

purpose, for migratory birds.’’ The 

Refuge Recreation Act (16 U.S.C. 460–1) 

states that each refuge is ‘‘suitable for 

incidental fish and wildlife-oriented 

recreational development, the 

protection of natural resources, and the 

conservation of endangered or 

threatened species.’’ Additionally, Salt 

Plains NWR has been designated as 

critical habitat for the whooping crane 

(43 FR 20938, May 15, 1978). 

Salt Plains NWR is located on the Salt 

Fork of the Arkansas River at the Great 

Salt Plains Lake in north-central 

Oklahoma. The confluence of several 

streams and rivers and the saltencrusted plains produces a variety of 

unique wildlife habitats found nowhere 

else for hundreds of miles around. The 

32,030-acre refuge is roughly equal parts 

of upland, open water, and salt flats, 

making it one of the most important 

migratory bird stopover, wintering, and 

nesting habitats in the Central Great 

Plains region. Three federally listed 

species use the refuge on a seasonal 

basis, and the refuge is also designated 

critical habitat for endangered 

whooping cranes. Federally threatened 

bald eagles winter on the refuge and 

endangered least terns nest in large 

numbers every year on the salt flats. 

Management efforts focus on protecting, 

enhancing, and restoring refuge habitats 

and water management for the benefit of 

important fish and wildlife resources. 

The Draft CCP/EA addresses a range 

of topics, including habitat and wildlife 

management, water management, 

invasive species control, public use 

opportunities, and administration and 

staffing for the refuge. Important refuge 

issues and how they are addressed in 

the plan alternatives are summarized 

below. Alternative A is the current 

management, or what is currently 

offered, at the refuge. Alternative B is 

the proposed action. Under Alternative 

C, a greater emphasis on public uses 

such as all types of hunting, hiking, and 

necessary facilities, roads, and trails is 

proposed. 

Habitat management activities: 

Alternative A: Habitat management such 

as prescribed fire, farming, moist soil 

management, invasive species control, 

or revegetation and maintenance 

projects would proceed to the extent 

that current base funding and staffing 

allows. Alternative B: The actions 

proposed in this alternative emphasize 

updated and integrated land 

management to progressively restore, 

maintain, and enhance native habitats 

for migratory birds, waterfowl, federally 

listed species, and resident wildlife. 

Alternative C: Habitat management 

would essentially be the same as 

Alternative A so that the refuge could 

focus more on public use opportunities. 

Improvements to public use 

opportunities: Alternative A: The public 

use program would remain at current 

levels and no new facilities would be 

developed on the refuge. Alternative B: 

The public use program would increase 

and/or enhance educational and 

outreach activities, recreational 

opportunities (including expansion of 

waterfowl hunting areas), community 

involvement, and improvement of 

facilities and interpretive trails. 

Alternative C: The public use program 

would emphasize opening the refuge to 

all types of hunting and increase roads, 

trails, and facilities to meet the 

emphasis on all compatible public uses. 

Refuge Land and Boundary 

Protection: Alternative A: There would 

be no acquisition and no exploration of 

possible refuge boundary expansion. 

Alternative B: Land protection would be 

accomplished through partnerships 

with adjacent owners. Any refuge 

boundary (none are currently proposed) 

expansion would only occur from 

willing sellers as a means to improve or 

protect important habitats that support 

accomplishment of species, habitat, and 

ecosystem goals and/or lands with high 

flood potential. Alternative C: Same as 

Alternative A. 

Dated: August 18, 2005. 

Larry G. Bell, 

Acting Regional Director, U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service, Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

[FR Doc. 05–22969 Filed 11–18–05; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4310–55–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Fish and Wildlife Service 

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. 

DATES: Written data, comments or 

requests must be received by December 

21, 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, 

Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 223 / Monday, November 21, 2005 / Notices 70091 

Room 700, Arlington, Virginia 22203; 

fax 703/358–2281. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Division of Management Authority, 

telephone 703/358–2104. 

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: Robin D. Nations, 

Brookhaven, MS, PRT–110370. 

The applicant requests a permit to 

import the sport-hunted trophy of one 

cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) taken in 

Namibia, for the purpose of 

enhancement of the survival of the 

species. 

Applicant: National Zoological Park, 

DC, PRT–107677. 

The applicant requests a permit to 

export serum samples from one male 

captive Asian elephant (Elephas 

maximus) to the Rotterdam Zoo, the 

Netherlands for the purpose of 

enhancement of the survival of the 

species/scientific research. 

Applicant: Woodland Park Zoological 

Gardens, Seattle, WA, PRT–108484. 

The applicant requests a permit to 

import semen samples from one male 

captive Asian elephant (Elephas 

maximus) from Canada for the purpose 

of breeding and enhancement of the 

survival of the species. 

Applicant: Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical 

Garden, Cincinnati, OH, PRT–108598. 

The applicant requests a permit to 

import semen samples from blackfooted cats (Felis nigripes) from South 

Africa for the purpose of breeding and 

enhancement of the survival of the 

species. 

Applicant: Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG 

Aquarium, Pittsburgh, PA, PRT–108766. 

The applicant requests a permit to 

import four live captive-born African 

wild dogs (Lycos pictus) from the De 

Wildt Cheetah Centre, in South Africa 

for the purpose of breeding and 

enhancement of the survival of the 

species. 

Applicant: John D. Smith, Metter, GA, 

PRT–114211. 

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: Kole Productions, Inc., Las 

Vegas, NV, PRT–111429, 111430. 

The applicant requests permits to 

export two captive-born tigers (Panthera 

tigris) to worldwide locations for the 

purpose of enhancement of the species 

through conservation education. The 

permit numbers and animals are: PRT–

111429, ‘‘Kirra,’’ and 111430, ‘‘Sedona.’’

This notification covers activities to be 

conducted by the applicant over a threeyear period and the import of any 

potential progeny born while overseas. 

Dated: October 28, 2005. 

Monica Farris, 

Senior Permit Biologist, Branch of Permits, 

Division of Management Authority. 

[FR Doc. 05–23010 Filed 11–18–05; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4310–55–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Fish and Wildlife Service 

Notice of Availability for the Renewal 

of an Expired Section 10(a)(1)(B) 

Permit for Incidental Take of the 

Golden-Cheeked Warbler in Travis 

County, TX (Caster) 

SUMMARY: On September 24, 1999, the 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) 

issued a section 10(a)(1)(B) permit, 

pursuant to Section 10(a) of the 

Endangered Species Act (Act), for 

incidental take of the golden-cheeked 

warbler (GCW) (Dendroica chrysoparia) 

to John and Christine Caster 

(Applicants). The permit (TE–012423) 

was for a period of five years and 

expired on September 24, 2004. The 

requested permit renewal will extend 

the permit expiration by five years from 

the date the permit is reissued. 

DATES: To ensure consideration, written 

comments must be received on or before 

December 21, 2005. 

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review 

the request for extension, former 

incidental take permit, or other related 

documents may obtain a copy by 

written or telephone request to Scott 

Rowin, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Sevice, 

10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, 

Texas 78758, (512/490–0057 ext. 224). 

Documents will be available for public 

inspection by written request, or by 

appointment only, during normal 

business hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) at 

the Fish and Wildlife Service Austin 

Office. Comments concerning the 

request for renewal should be submitted 

in writing to the Field Supervisor at the 

above address. Please refer to permit 

number TE–012423–0 when submitting 

comments. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Scott Rowin at the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service Austin Office, 10711 

Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 

78758, (512/490–0057 ext. 224) 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 9 

of the Act prohibits the ‘‘taking’’ of 

endangered species such as the GCW. 

However, the Service, under limited 

circumstances, may issue permits to 

take endangered wildlife species 

incidental to, and not the purpose of, 

otherwise lawful activities. Regulations 

governing permits for endangered 

species are at 50 CFR 17.22. This notice 

is provided pursuant to Section 10(c) of 

the Act and National Environmental 

Policy Act regulations (40 CFR 1506.6). 

Applicant: John and Christine Caster 

plan to construct a single family 

residence (SFR) on their 10-acre lot 

located adjacent to City Park Road in 

Austin, Travis County, Texas. The 

construction of a SFR on approximately 

one acre of the 10-acre lot will eliminate 

less than one acre of GCW habitat and 

indirectly impact less than four 

additional acres of habitat. The original 

permit included, and the Applicants 

continue to propose to compensate for, 

incidental take of the GCW by providing 

$1,500 to the Balcones Canyonlands 

Preserve, and placing a perpetual 

conservation easement on the remaining 

approximately nine acres to the 

Balcones Canyonlands Preserve. Since 

this property is located within the 

acquisition boundaries of the Balcones 

Canyonlands Preserve, it will add 

additional acreage to the preserve. The 

Applicants have agreed to follow all of 

the existing permit terms and 

conditions. If renewed, all of the permit 

terms and conditions will remain the 

same, and no additional take will be 

authorized. 

Larry G. Bell, 

Acting Regional Director, Region 2, 

Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

[FR Doc. 05–22964 Filed 11–18–05; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4510–55–P 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Fish and Wildlife Service 

Issuance of Permits 

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, 

Interior. 

ACTION: Notice of issuance of permits for 

marine mammals. 

SUMMARY: The following permits were 

issued.