[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 75 (Tuesday, April 20, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20565-20566]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-9062]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XV90


Marine Mammals; File No. 14636

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 Daniel P. Costa, Ph.D., 
University of California at Santa Cruz, Long Marine Laboratory, 100 
Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA, has applied in due form for a permit to 
conduct research on northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris).

DATES:  Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before May 20, 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 
(APPS) home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File 
No. 14636 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 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

[[Page 20566]]

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 permit is requested under the 
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended 
(MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and the regulations governing the 
taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The purpose of the proposed research is to continue long-term 
studies on northern elephant seals in California, including population 
growth and status, reproductive strategies, behavioral and 
physiological adaptations for diving and fasting, general physiology 
and metabolism, and sensory capacities. Northern elephant seals, 
totaling a maximum of 3,930 animals per year over 5 years, would be 
taken by harassment during some or all of the following: behavioral 
observations, marking, flipper tagging, capture and biological 
sampling, attachment of instrumentation for tracking, translocation 
studies, short-term capture for laboratory studies, use of standard 
clinical tracer techniques, and acoustic studies (recordings, playbacks 
of natural calls, and tagging devices). The applicant requests 
unintentional mortality of up to 5 elephant seals per year; and 
euthanasia of up to 10 moribund pups per year. Incidental harassment of 
northern elephant seals and California sea lions is also requested.
    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 activity proposed is 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 the application to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: April 14, 2010.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-9062 Filed 4-19-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S