[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 130 (Thursday, July 8, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39206-39207]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-16659]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XS41
Marine Mammals; File Nos. 87-1851 and 555-1870
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; receipt of applications for permit amendments.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Daniel P. Costa, PhD, University
of California at Santa Cruz, Long Marine Laboratory, 100 Shaffer Road,
Santa Cruz, CA, has applied for an amendment to Scientific Research
Permit No. 87-1851-02; and, James T. Harvey, PhD, Moss Landing Marine
Laboratory, 8272 Moss Landing Road, Moss Landing, CA, has applied for
an amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 555-1870-01.
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or
before August 9, 2010.
ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for
review by selecting ``Records Open for Public Comment'' from the
``Features'' box on the Applications and Permits for Protected Species
home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File No. 87-
1851 or 555-1870 from the list of available applications.
These documents are also available upon written request or by
appointment in the following office(s):
Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected
Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD
20910; phone (301) 713-2289; fax (301) 713-0376; and
Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long
Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562) 980-4001; fax (562) 980-4018.
Written comments on this application should be submitted to the
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, at the address
listed above. Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (301) 713-
0376, or by e-mail to [email protected]. Please include the
File No. in the subject line of the e-mail comment.
[[Page 39207]]
Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a
written request to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education
Division at the address listed above. The request should set forth the
specific reasons why a hearing on this application would be
appropriate.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Sloan or Tammy Adams, (301) 713-
2289.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 87-1851-
02, issued December 28, 2009 (75 FR 106) and Permit No. 555-1870-01,
issued February 24, 2010 (75 FR 11132) is requested under the authority
of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361
et seq.) and the regulations governing the taking and importing of
marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
Permit No. 87-1851-02 authorizes tagging studies and physiological
research on seals in Antarctica, including crabeater (Hydrurga
leptonyx), Weddell (Leptonychotes weddellii), and Ross (Ommatophoca
rossii) seals. The permit also authorizes research on California sea
lions (Zalophus californianus) to investigate foraging, diving,
energetics, food habits, and at-sea distribution. The permit expires on
January 31, 2012. The permit holder is requesting eight of 40 Weddell
seals permitted for capture participate in a metabolic study in
addition to currently permitted procedures. The amendment request is
annually for the duration of the permit.
Permit No. 555-1870-01 authorizes research on the biology and
ecology of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in California, Oregon,
Washington, and Alaska including external tagging, sampling, and
surgical implantation of subcutaneous radio transmitters. The permit
expires April 15, 2012. The applicant proposes to modify the sedation
and suture protocols for the implant surgeries in a trial study on six
animals brought into captivity for post-implant monitoring. The
applicant also proposes to increase the number of subadult seals
captured, sampled, and tagged in the wild (from 20 male subadults and
20 female subadults a year to 35 males and 35 females a year) for a
more robust survival model and to apply the new surgical protocols in
the field if the pilot study proves successful. The amendment request
is annually for the duration of the permit.
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial determination has been made that
the activities proposed are categorically excluded from the requirement
to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact
statement.
Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal
Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of this application to the Marine
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.
Dated: July 1, 2010.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-16659 Filed 7-7-10; 8:45 am]
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