# Endangered Species; Recovery Permit Applications
**AGENCY:**
Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
**ACTION:**
Notice of receipt of permit applications; request for comments.
**SUMMARY:**
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received applications for permits to conduct activities intended to enhance the propagation or survival of endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on these applications. Before issuing any of the requested permits, we will take into consideration any information that we receive during the public comment period.
**DATES:**
We must receive written data or comments on the applications by October 15, 2024.
**ADDRESSES:**
*Reviewing Documents:* Submit requests for copies of applications and other information submitted with the applications to Karen Marlowe (see *FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT* ). All requests and comments should specify the applicant's name and application number ( *e.g.,* Mary Smith, ESPER0001234).
*Submitting Comments:* If you wish to comment, you may submit comments by one of the following methods:
• *Email (preferred method): [email protected].* Please include your name and return address in your email message. If you do not receive a confirmation from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that we have received your email message, contact us directly at the telephone number listed in *FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT* .
• *U.S. mail:* U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Office, Ecological Services, 1875 Century Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 30345 (Attn: Karen Marlowe, Permit Coordinator).
**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:**
Karen Marlowe, Permit Coordinator, via telephone at 404-679-7097 or via email at *[email protected].* Individuals in the United States who are deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may dial 711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay services. Individuals outside the United States should use the relay services offered within their country to make international calls to the point-of-contact in the United States.
**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:**
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite review and comment from the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies on applications we have received for permits to conduct certain activities with endangered and threatened species under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 *et seq.* ), and our regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR part 17. Documents and other information submitted with the applications are available for review, subject to the requirements of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552a), and the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552).
**Background**
With some exceptions, the ESA prohibits take of listed species unless a federal permit is issued that authorizes such take. The definition of “take” in the ESA includes hunting, shooting, harming, wounding, or killing, and also such activities as pursuing, harassing, trapping, capturing, or collecting.
A recovery permit issued by us under section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA authorizes the permittee to take endangered or threatened species while engaging in activities that are conducted for scientific purposes that promote recovery of species or for enhancement of propagation or survival of species. These activities often include the capture and collection of species, which would result in prohibited take if a permit were not issued. Our regulations implementing section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA 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.
**Permit Applications Available for Review and Comment**
The ESA requires that we invite public comment before issuing these permits. Accordingly, we invite local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies, and the public to submit written data, views, or arguments with respect to these applications. The comments and recommendations that will be most useful and likely to influence agency decisions are those supported by quantitative information or studies. Proposed activities in the following permit requests are for the recovery and enhancement of propagation or survival of the species in the wild.
| Permit application No. | Applicant | Species | Location | Activity | Type of take | Permit action |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| ES27608B-2 | McGehee Engineering Corporation; Jasper, AL | Tricolored bat (
) | Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee | Presence/probable absence surveys | Enter hibernacula, capture, handle, identify, band, radio tag, and release | Renewal and amendment. |
| ES54578B-3 | Mary Frazer; Raleigh, NC | Tricolored bat (
) | Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York. North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming | Presence/probable absence surveys | Enter hibernacula, capture, handle, identify, band, radio tag, and release | Renewal and amendment. |
| ES119937-5 | Susan Loeb; Clemson, SC | Gray bat (
), Indiana bat (
), northern long-eared bat (
), and tricolored bat (
) | Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming | Presence/probable absence surveys and scientific research | Enter hibernacula or maternity roost caves, capture, handle, identify, band, radio tag, collect hair samples, light tag, wing punch, and release | Renewal and amendment. |
| ES64393C-2 | Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.; Raleigh, NC | Gray bat (
), Indiana bat (
), northern long-eared bat (
), tricolored bat (
), and Virginia big-eared bat (
) | Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming | Presence/probable absence surveys | Enter hibernacula or maternity roosts, capture with mist nets or harp traps, handle, identify, band, radio tag, and release | Renewal and amendment. |
| PER0018443-1 | U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center; Vicksburg, MS | Balcones spike (
), false spike (
), Guadalupe orb (
), Guadalupe fatmucket (
), Ouachita fanshell (
), Texas fatmucket (
), Texas fawnsfoot (
), Texas pimpleback (
), and western fanshell (
) | Alabama, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas | Presence/probable absence surveys | Capture, handle, identify, and release | Amendment. |
| ES02200B-5 | Atlanta Botanical Garden; Atlanta, GA | (swamp pink),
(mountain golden heather),
(small whorled pogonia),
(white fringeless orchid),
(green pitcher plant),
(Virginia spiraea),
(persistent trillium),
(relict trillium), and
(Tennessee yellow-eyed grass) | Federal lands in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee | Long-term storage, artificial propagation, ex situ safeguarding, and genomic studies | Remove and reduce to possession (collect) seeds, leaves, root tips, pollen, and stem cuttings | Renewal. |
| PER11488797-0 | North Carolina State University; Raleigh, NC | Red wolf (
) | Red Wolf SAFE facilities and North Carolina | Evaluation of cortisol values | Collect hair samples | New. |
| PER3315996-0 | Domonique DiLandro; Holly Springs, NC | Indiana bat (
) | Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin | Presence/probable absence surveys | Enter roosts (bridges, culverts, and abandoned buildings), capture, handle, identify, band, radio tag, and release | New. |
| ES88778B-3 | John Lamb; Decherd, TN | Gray bat (
), Indiana bat (
), and northern long-eared bat (
) | Tennessee | Presence/probable absence surveys | Enter hibernacula or maternity roost caves, capture, handle, identify, band, radio tag, and release | Renewal and amendment. |
| ES81492B-2 | Biotope Forestry & Environmental, LLC; Nacogdoches, TX | Tricolored bat (
) | Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming | Presence/probable absence surveys | Capture, handle, identify, band, radio tag, and release | Amendment. |
| PER5292605-0 | Amanda Miller; Winchester, TN | Gray bat (
), Indiana bat (
), and northern long-eared bat (
) | Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia | Presence/probable absence surveys | Capture, handle, identify, band, radio tag, and release | New. |
| ES 75551C-1 | Phillip Arant; Fairmont,WV | Tricolored bat (
) | Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming | Presence/probable absence surveys | Capture, handle, identify, band, radio tag, and release | Renewal and amendment. |
| ES 88796C-3 | Geological Survey of Alabama; Tuscaloosa, AL | Fish: Blue shiner (
), Cahaba shiner (
), goldline darter (
), rush darter (
), trispot darter (
), vermilion darter (
), and watercress darter (
); Mussels: Alabama moccasinshell (
), Coosa moccasinshell (
), dark pigtoe (
), finelined pocketbook (
), Georgia pigtoe (
), heavy pigtoe (
), inflated heelsplitter (
), orangenacre mucket (
), ovate clubshell (
), southern acornshell (
), southern clubshell (
), southern combshell (
), southern pigtoe (
), triangular kidneyshell (
), and upland combshell (
) | Alabama | Presence/probable absence surveys and monitoring | Fish: capture, handle, identify and release; Mussels: capture, handle, identify, mark, release, and collect relic shells | Renewal and amendment. |
| ES 824723-12 | Archbold Expeditions, Inc; Venus, FL | Birds: Florida grasshopper sparrow (
), Florida scrub jay (
), and red-cockaded woodpecker (
); Reptile: Eastern indigo snake (
); Plants:
(Florida perforate cladonia),
(Garrett's mint),
(Lewton's milkwort), and
(Florida ziziphus) | Florida | Population management and monitoring, genetic analyses, studies on habitat use, germination experiments, propagation, and reintroduction | Birds: Red-cockaded woodpeckers: capture, band, construct and monitor artificial nest cavities and restrictors, translocate, collect blood, and salvage non-viable eggs; Florida scrub jays: capture, band, collect blood and feathers, radio-tag, provide supplemental food, and administer Ivermectin; Florida grasshopper sparrows: capture, band, collect blood, salvage non-viable eggs, collect eggs and nestlings to be swapped with captive eggs and/or nestlings; Eastern indigo snake: capture, handle, take skin swabs, release, and salvage; Plants: collect seeds, leaves, stem cuttings, and portions of thallus | Renewal and amendment. |
| ES63633A-7 | Biodiversity Research Institute; Portland, ME | Tricolored bat (
) | Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming | Presence/probable absence surveys | Enter hibernacula, capture with mist nets or harp traps, handle, identify, band, radio tag, and release | Renewal and amendment. |
**Public Availability of Comments**
Written comments we receive become part of the administrative record associated with this action. 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. All submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be made available for public disclosure in their entirety.
**Next Steps**
If we decide to issue a permit to an applicant listed in this notice, we will publish a notice in the *Federal Register* .
**Authority**
We publish this notice under section 10(c) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 *et seq.* ).
Daniel Elbert,
Acting Deputy Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services, Southeast Region.