Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Permit Applications, 7073-7074 [E9-2982]

Agencies

• Fish and Wildlife Service
• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 28 (Thursday, February 12, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7073-7074]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-2982]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R3-ES-2009-N0002;30120-1113-0000-F6]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Permit 
Applications

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability of permit applications; request for 
comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The following applicants have applied for permits to conduct 
certain activities with endangered species.

DATES: We must receive written comments on or before March 16, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to the Regional Director, Attn: Peter 
Fasbender, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services, 1 
Federal Drive, Fort Snelling, MN 55111-4056; electronic mail, 
permitsR3ES@fws.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peter Fasbender (612) 713-5343.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Endangered Species

    The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
seq.) (Act), with some exceptions, prohibits activities affecting 
endangered species unless authorized by a permit from the Fish and 
Wildlife Service. Before issuing a permit, we invite public comment on 
it. Accordingly, we invite public comment on the following applicants' 
permit applications for certain activities with endangered species 
authorized by section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Act and the regulations 
governing the taking of endangered species (50 CFR 17). Submit your 
written data, comments, or request for a copy of the complete 
application to the address shown in ADDRESSES.

Permit Number: TE113009

Applicant: Steven A. Ahlstedt, Norris, Tennessee.

    The applicant requests renewal and amendment of his permit to take 
White Cat's Paw (Epioblasma sulcata perobliqua) and Purple Cat's Paw 
(Epioblasma obliquata obliquata) pearlymussel within the States of Ohio 
and Indiana. Amendment is requested to add the geographic area of 
Indiana in conjunction with renewal of the permit term. Proposed 
activities are to carry out presence/absence surveys, assess habitat 
characteristics, collect and translocate specimens, and to participate 
in otherwise legal reintroduction efforts aimed at enhancement of 
survival of the species in the wild.

Permit Number: TE105320.

Applicant: Tragus Environmental Consulting, Inc., Akron, Ohio.

    The applicant requests a permit renewal and minor amendment to take 
Indiana bats (Myotis sodalis) and Gray bats (Myotis grisescens) 
throughout the States of Oklahoma, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, 
Missouri, Ohio, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, 
North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland, New Jersey, New 
York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. The 
activities proposed involve capture using mist nets and bat traps, 
handling, tagging, tissue sampling, and release. A minor amendment has 
been requested to identify additional qualified individuals to work 
under the authority of this permit. Data obtained under this permit 
will be used to assist with development of project design features 
aimed at enhancement of survival of the species in the wild.

Permit Number TE049738

Applicant: Third Rock Consultants, Lexington, Kentucky.

    The applicant requests a renewal and minor amendment to a permit to 
take Indiana bats (Myotis sodalis), Gray bats (Myotis grisescens), 
Virginia big eared

[[Page 7074]]

bats (Corynorhinus townscendii virginiaus), and Ozark big eared bats 
(Corynorhinus townscendii ingens). The renewal request also includes 
endangered mussels, fish, and the American burying beetle (Nicrophorus 
americanus). The applicant's projects are in the States of Alabama, 
Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, 
Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, and 
Tennessee. Ongoing studies that are proposed to continue under this 
permit include presence/absence surveys, studies to document habitat 
use, population monitoring, and the evaluation of potential impacts of 
proposed projects. Activities are proposed for enhancement of the 
survival of the species in the wild.

Permit Number TE809227

Applicant: BHE Environmental, Cincinnati, Ohio.

    The applicant requests renewal and amendment of a permit to take 
Indiana bats (Myotis sodalis), Gray bats (Myotis grisescens), and fish 
and mussel species throughout the ranges of the species within Regions 
2-6 of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The ongoing studies that are 
proposed under this permit include presence/absence surveys, studies to 
document habitat use, population monitoring, and evaluation of 
potential impacts of proposed projects. Activities are proposed for 
enhancement of the survival of the species in the wild.

Permit Number TE831774

Applicant: U.S. Geological Survey, St. Paul, Minnesota.

    The applicant requests a permit renewal to take gray wolf (Canis 
lupis) throughout the continental United States. Proposed activities 
include capture, immobilization, radio tracking, implantation of 
isotopes, health assessment, and salvage of dead specimens. The long-
term scientific research allowed under this permit is aimed at 
enhancement of recovery and survival of the species in the wild.

Permit Number TE106220

Applicant: Brianne L. Walters, Terre Haute, Indiana.

    The applicant requests a permit renewal to take Indiana bats 
(Myotis sodalis) and Gray bats (Myotis grisescens) within the States of 
Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio. The ongoing studies that are proposed 
under this permit include presence/absence surveys, studies to document 
habitat use, population monitoring, and evaluation of potential impacts 
of proposed projects. Activities are proposed to enhance the survival 
of the species in the wild.

Permit Number TE839763

Applicant: John O. Whitaker, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, 
Indiana.

    The applicant requests a permit renewal to take Indiana bats 
(Myotis sodalis) and Gray bats (Myotis grisescens) throughout the range 
of the species. Ongoing studies include presence/absence surveys, 
studies to document habitat use, population monitoring, health 
assessment, and evaluation of project impacts. The applicant seeks to 
continue ongoing scientific research aimed at recovery and enhancement 
of the survival of the species in the wild.

Permit Number 809630

Applicant: Dr. Allen Kurta, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, 
Michigan.

    The applicant requests a permit renewal to take Indiana bats 
(Myotis sodalis) throughout Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. 
Ongoing studies include presence/absence surveys, studies to document 
habitat use, population monitoring, health assessment, and evaluation 
of project impacts. The applicant seeks to continue ongoing scientific 
research aimed at recovery and enhancement of the survival of the 
species in the wild.

Permit Number TE839777

Applicant: Don R. Helms, Bellevue, Iowa.

    The applicant requests a permit renewal to take (capture and 
release) Clubshell (Pleurobema clava), Northern riffleshell (Epioblasma 
torulosa rangiana), Orange-footed pimpleback pearlymussel (Plethobasus 
cooperianus), Pink mucket pearlymussel (Lampsilis orbiculata), Rough 
pigtoe (Pleurobema plenum), Purple cat's paw pearlymussel (Epioblasma 
obliquata obliquata), White cat's paw pearlymussel (Epioblasma 
obliquata perobliqua), Fanshell (Cyporgenia stegaria), Fat pocketbook 
(Potamilus capax), Higgins' eye pearlymussel (Lampsilis higginsi), 
Winged mapleleaf (Quadrula fragosa), Scaleshell (Leptodea leptodon), 
and Topeka shiner (Notropis topeka). Proposed activities include 
presence/absence surveys, relocation of specimens to avoid harm, and 
studies to document habitat use and population health. Proposed 
activities are aimed at enhancement of the survival of the species in 
the wild.

Public Comments

    We solicit public review and comments on these permit applications. 
Please refer to the permit number when you submit comments. Comments 
and materials we receive are available for public inspection, by 
appointment, during normal business hours at the address shown in the 
ADDRESSES section. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail 
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.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

    In compliance with NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), we have made an 
initial determination that the activities proposed in these permits are 
categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare an environmental 
assessment or environmental impact statement (516 DM6 Appendix 1, 
1.4C(1)).

    Dated: February 5, 2009.
Lynn M. Lewis,
Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services, Region 3.
[FR Doc. E9-2982 Filed 2-11-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P