[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 237 (Friday, December 10, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76956-76957]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-31122]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XA076
Marine Mammals; File No. 15415
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Scott D. Kraus, PhD, New England
Aquarium Edgerton Research Laboratory, Central Wharf, Boston, MA 02110,
has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on North
Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis).
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or
before January 10, 2011.
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
(APPS) home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File
No. 15415 from the list of available applications.
These documents are also available upon written request or by
appointment in the following offices:
[[Page 76957]]
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
Northeast Region, NMFS, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA
01930; phone (978) 281-9328; fax (978) 281-9394.
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 email to [email protected]. Please include the File
No. in the subject line of the email comment.
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 Hapeman or Kristy Beard, (301)
713-2289.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended
(MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the regulations governing the taking
and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216), the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR 222-226).
Dr. Kraus requests a three-year scientific research permit to study
North Atlantic right whales along the U.S. East Coast from New York
Harbor to the Maine-Canada border. Dr. Kraus would conduct experimental
trials in which a rope mimic consisting of a colored rigid pipe would
be placed in the water near the travelling path of a juvenile or adult
whale to determine if right whales are responsive to various color and
light characteristics. Control trials would also be conducted with no
rope mimic placed in an animal's path. The applicant requests to take
up to 200 whales annually for the close vessel approach, photo-
identification, observation, and monitoring of whales during trials.
The proposed research would seek to determine whether the sensory and
behavioral capabilities of right whales can be used to avoid
entanglements at depth and in conditions of poor visibility.
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a draft environmental assessment (EA) has
been prepared to examine whether significant environmental impacts
could result from issuance of the proposed scientific research permit.
The draft EA is available for review and comment simultaneous with the
scientific research permit application.
Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal
Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of the application to the Marine
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.
Dated: December 6, 2010.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-31122 Filed 12-9-10; 8:45 am]
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