Notice2026-00894
Endangered Species; Recovery Permit Applications
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
January 20, 2026
Issuing agencies
Interior DepartmentFish and Wildlife Service
Abstract
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received applications for permits to conduct scientific research to promote conservation or other activities intended to enhance the propagation or survival of endangered and threatened 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.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 12 (Tuesday, January 20, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 12 (Tuesday, January 20, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2363-2365]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-00894]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
[FWS-R4-ES-2025-N035; FXES11140400000-256-FF04E00000]
Endangered Species; Recovery Permit Applications
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of receipt of permit applications; request for comments.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received
applications for permits to conduct scientific research to promote
conservation or other activities intended to enhance the propagation or
survival of endangered and threatened 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
February 19, 2026.
ADDRESSES:
Reviewing Documents: Submit requests for copies of applications and
other information submitted with the applications to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c1b1a4b3aca8b5b2b3f5a4b281a7b6b2efa6aeb7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="29594c5b44405d5a5b1d4c5a694f5e5a074e465f">[email protected]</span></a> (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:
<bullet> Email (preferred method): <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c8b8adbaa5a1bcbb9afc8d9b88aebfbbe6afa7be">[email protected]</a>. 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.
<bullet> U.S. Mail: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Office,
Ecological Services, 1875 Century Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 30345 (Attn:
Recovery Permit Coordinator).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kaye London via telephone at 404-679-
7097 or via email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#88f8edfae5e1fcfbfabcedfbc8eefffba6efe7fe"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e39386918e8a979091d78690a3859490cd848c95">[email protected]</span></a>. 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
(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,
[[Page 2364]]
trapping, capturing, or collecting, or attempting to engage in any such
conduct.
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.
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Permit application No. Applicant Species Location Activity Type of take Permit action
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ES011542-12............. Conservation Carolina madtom North Carolina..... Surveys, Capture, handle, Renewal with amendment
Fisheries; (Noturus furiosus). scientific identify, and
Knoxville, TN. research, and release.
captive
propagation.
ES06338C-3.............. David Foltz; Dwarf wedgemussel Connecticut, Surveys........... Capture, handle, Amendment
Weirton, WV. (Alasmidonta Delaware, District identify,
heterodon), of Columbia, release, and
eastern hellbender Georgia, Maryland, salvage relic
(Cryptobranchus Massachusetts, shells.
alleganiensis Montana, New
alleganiensis), Hampshire, New
Nashville crayfish Jersey,
(Orconectes Pennsylvania,
shoupi), and South Carolina,
salamander mussel and Vermont.
(Simpsonaias
ambigua).
ES28025A-4.............. The Orianne Reticulated Georgia............ Surveys and Capture, handle, Renewal and amendment
Society; Tiger, GA. flatwoods scientific identify, collect
salamander research. biological
(Ambystoma samples, and
bishopi). release.
ES069754-8.............. Gerald Dinkins; Fishes: Barrens Alabama, Arkansas, Surveys and Capture, handle, Amendment
Knoxville, TN. topminnow Florida, Georgia, scientific identify, collect
(Fundulus Illinois, Indiana, research. biological
julisia), Carolina Iowa, Kansas, samples, release,
madtom (Noturus Kentucky, and salvage relic
furiosus), grotto Louisiana, shells.
sculpin (Cottus Maryland,
specus), Topeka Michigan,
shiner (Notropis Minnesota,
Topeka); Mussels: Mississippi,
Canoe Creek Missouri, North
clubshell Carolina, Ohio,
(Pleurobema Pennsylvania,
athearni), false South Carolina,
spike (Fusconaia Tennessee, Texas,
mitchelli), Virginia, West
Tennessee pigtoe Virginia, and
(Pleuronaia Wisconsin.
barnesiana),
Tennessee
clubshell
(Pleurobema
oviforme); Snails:
Iowa Pleistocene
snail (Discus
macclintocki),
magnificent rams-
horn (Planorbella
magnifica), and
Virginia fringed
mountain snail
(Polygyriscus
virginianus).
ES61239D-2.............. Smithsonian Red wolf (Canis Nationwide SAFE Scientific Collect biological Renewal
National Zoo & rufus). program locations. research and samples.
Conservation genomic banking.
Biology Institute;
Front Royal, VA.
ES59340D-1.............. Ashley Long; Baton Northern long-eared Louisiana.......... Scientific Capture, handle, Renewal
Rouge, LA. bat (Myotis research. identify, and
septentrionalis). release.
ES65875D................ William Pruitt; Amber darter Alabama, Florida, Surveys........... Capture, handle, Renewal
Athens, GA. (Percina Georgia, and identify,
antesella), Tennessee. release, and
Conasauga logperch salvage relic
(Percina shells.
jenkinsi), Etowah
darter (Etheostoma
etowahae), fat
threeridge
(Amblema
neislerii), Gulf
moccasinshell
(Medionidus
penicillatus),
oval pigtoe
(Pleurobema
pyriforme), and
shinyrayed
pocketbook
(Hamiota
subangulata).
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PER21814598-0........... Molly Simonis; Gray bat (Myotis Alabama............ Scientific Capture, handle, New
Auburn, AL. grisescens), research. identify, collect
Indiana bat biological
(Myotis sodalis), samples, band,
northern long- tag, and release.
eared bat (Myotis
septentrionalis),
and tricolored bat
(Perimyotis
subflavus).
PER22287824-0........... Atlas Mammals: gray bat Georgia, North Surveys........... Capture, handle, New
Environmental, (Myotis Carolina, and identify, collect
Inc.; Charlotte, grisescens), South Carolina. biological
NC. Indiana bat samples, band,
(Myotis sodalist), tag, salvage
northern long- relic shells, and
eared bat (Myotis release.
septentrionalis),
tricolored bat
(Perimyotis
subflavus),
Virginia big-eared
bat (Corynorhinus
townsendii
virginianus);
Mussels: Altamaha
spinymussel
(Elliptio
spinosa),
Appalachian elktoe
(Alasmidonta
raveneliana),
Carolina
heelsplitter
(Lasmigona
decorata), dwarf
wedgemussel
(Alasmidonta
heterodon), James
spinymussel
(Parvaspina
collina), southern
elktoe
(Alasmidonta
triangulata), Tar
River spinymussel
(Parvaspina
steinstansana);
Amphibians:
eastern hellbender
(Cryptobranchus
alleganiensis
alleganiensis) and
reticulated
flatwoods
salamander
(Ambystoma
bishopi).
PER22577965-0........... Matthew Johnson; 35 freshwater Throughout the Surveys........... Capture, handle, New
Franklin, TN. mussel species. range of the identify, collect
species'. biological
samples, release,
and salvage relic
shells.
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Public Availability of Comments
All written comments that are received during the comment period
become part of the administrative record associated with this notice.
If including your address, phone number, email address, or other
personal identifying information in your comment, be aware that the
comment, including personal identifying information, may be available
to the public. While you may request to withhold personal identifying
information from public review, we cannot guarantee privacy of the
information. All comments will be made available for public disclosure
in their entirety from organizations or businesses, including
individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of
such organizations or businesses.
Next Steps
After the comment period closes, we will make a decision regarding
the status of permit issuance for each application. If we issue permits
to any of the applicants listed above in this notice, we will publish a
subsequent notice in the Federal Register. The notice announcing the
permit issuance may be located by searching <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>
for the permit application number listed in the table above.
An interested party opposed to a recovery permit's issuance may
object by following the requirements in 50 CFR 17.22(d). The Service
will notify the interested party of the Service's decision for the
permit application under that section.
Authority
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, publish this notice under
section 10(c) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
Christopher Cooley,
Deputy Assistant Regional Director, Ecological Services, Southeast
Region.
[FR Doc. 2026-00894 Filed 1-16-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
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