Document Headings

                    Document headings vary by document type but may contain                    the following:                  
                -                       the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document                    
                -                       the number of the CFR title and the number of each part                      the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly                      related to                    
                -                       the agency docket number / agency internal file number                    
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###### Department of the Interior

###### Fish and Wildlife Service

          - [FWS-R6-ES-2015-N246]; [FXES11130600000-167-FF06E00000]

# AGENCY:

Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

# ACTION:

Notice of availability; request for comments.

# SUMMARY:

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following applications to conduct activities intended to enhance the survival of endangered or threatened species.

# DATES:

To ensure consideration, please send your written comments by March 3, 2016.

# ADDRESSES:

                        You may submit comments or requests for copies or more information by any of the following methods. Alternatively, you may use one of the following methods to request hard copies or a CD-ROM of the documents. Please specify the permit you are interested in by number (                        *e.g.,*                         Permit No. TE-XXXXXX).                    
      -  Email: permitsR6ES@fws.gov.                          Please refer to the respective permit number (                         e.g.,                          Permit No. TE-XXXXXX) in the subject line of the message.                    
      -  U.S. Mail:                          Ecological Services, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 25486-DFC, Denver, CO 80225.                    
      -  In-Person Drop-off, Viewing, or Pickup:                          Call (719) 628-2670 to make an appointment during regular business hours at 134 Union Blvd., Suite 645, Lakewood, CO 80228.                    

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                        Kathy Konishi, Recovery Permits Coordinator, Ecological Services, (719) 628-2670 (phone);                         *permitsR6ES@fws.gov*                         (email).                    

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

## Background

                    The Act (16 U.S.C. 1531*et seq.*) prohibits certain activities with endangered and threatened species unless authorized by a Federal permit. Along with our implementing regulations at 50 CFR 17, the Act provides for permits and requires that we invite public comment before issuing these permits for endangered species.                

                    A permit granted by us under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Act authorizes the permittees to conduct activities with U.S. endangered or threatened species for scientific purposes, enhancement of propagation or survival, or interstate commerce (the latter only in the event that it facilitates scientific purposes or enhancement of propagation or survival). 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.                          ( print page 5480)    

## Applications Available for Review and Comment

We invite local, State, and Federal agencies and the public to comment on the following applications. Documents and other information the applicants have submitted with their applications are available for review, subject to the requirements of the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a) and Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552).

## Permit Application Number TE85057B

*Applicant:*                     George Cunningham, Omaha, NE.                

                    The applicant requests a permit to conduct presence/absence surveys for Topeka shiner (                    *Notropis topeka*) in Nebraska, Kansas, and South Dakota to conduct presence/absence surveys for the purpose of enhancing the species' survival.                

## Permit Application Number TE047288

*Applicant:*                     National Park Service, Heartland Network, Republic, MO.                

                    The applicant requests a renewal to an existing permit to continue presence/absence surveys for Topeka shiner (                    *Notropis topeka*) in Kansas and Minnesota for the purpose of enhancing the species' survival.                

## Permit Application Number TE85664B

*Applicant:*                     Wingate Biological Solutions, LLC, Durango, CO.                

                    The applicant requests a permit to conduct survey and monitoring activities for the southwestern willow flycatcher (                    *Empidonax traillii extimus*) in Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona for the purpose of enhancing the species' survival.                

## Permit Application Number TE056001

*Applicant:*                     East Dakota Water Development District, Brookings, SD.                

                    The applicant requests a renewal to an existing permit to continue presence/absence surveys for Topeka shiner (                    *Notropis topeka*) in Kansas and Minnesota for the purpose of enhancing the species' survival.                

## National Environmental Policy Act

                    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321*et seq.*), we have made an initial determination that the proposed activities in these permits are categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement (516 DM 6 Appendix 1, 1.4C(1)).                

## Public Availability of Comments

                    All comments and materials we receive in response to these requests will be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the address listed in the                     **ADDRESSES**                     section of this notice.                

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.

## Authority

                    We provide this notice under section 10 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531*et seq.*).                

Michael G. Thabault,

Assistant Regional Director, Mountain-Prairie Region.

[FR Doc. 2016-01834 Filed 2-1-16; 8:45 am]

 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P