# Endangered Species; Marine Mammals; Receipt of Applications for Permit
**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 the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) prohibit activities with listed species unless Federal authorization is acquired that allows such activities.
**DATES:**
We must receive comments or requests for documents on or before March 13, 2014. We must receive requests for marine mammal permit public hearings, in writing, at the address shown in the *ADDRESSES* section by March 13, 2014.
**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 *[email protected].*
**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:**
Brenda Tapia, (703) 358-2104 (telephone); (703) 358-2280 (fax); *[email protected]* (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: Indianapolis Zoo, Indianapolis, IN; PRT-19344B**
The applicant requests a permit to import one captive bred Sumatran orangutan ( *Pongo abelii* ) for the purpose of scientific research. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
**Applicant: University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA; PRT-23339B**
The applicant requests a permit to import biological samples of mantled howler ( *Alouatta palliate* ) from the Soberania Nature Reserve in the Republic of Panama for the purpose of scientific research.
**Applicant: Delaware Museum of Natural History, Wilmington, DE; PRT-184718**
The applicant requests a permit to export and re-import nonliving museum specimens of endangered and threatened species previously accessioned into the applicant's collection for scientific research. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
**Multiple Applicants**
The following applicants each request 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: Edward Stehmeyer, Isle of Palms, SC; PRT-25430B**
**Applicant: Randall Peters, Hubertus, WI; PRT-26544B**
**Applicant: Ramon Gonzalez, San Antonio, TX; PRT-26184B**
**B. Endangered Marine Mammals and Marine Mammals**
**Applicant: ABR, Inc. Environmental Research and Services, Fairbanks, AK; PRT-187053**
The applicant requests renewal of a permit to conduct on-shore, boat-based, and aerial surveys of northern sea otters ( *Enhydra lutris kenyoni* ) at various locations in the coastal waters of Alaska for the purpose of scientific research. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
Concurrent with publishing this notice in the *Federal Register* , we are forwarding copies of the above applications 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.