[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 103 (Tuesday, May 31, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-13125]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: May 31, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

 

Receipt of Application(s) for Permit

    The Service has received an application from Kuiu Kwan, Inc., 
Lynnwood, Washington, (PRT-789383) for a Convention on International 
Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) export permit. The applicant 
requests a permit to export 3 sea otter (Enhydra lutris) pelts, which 
have Alaskan Native artwork painted on the tanned side of the hide; the 
pelts are to serve as product samples to determine whether there is a 
foreign market for these painted pelts.
    The Service questions whether there will be an indirect effect on 
sea otter populations as a result of this activity. Thus, the Service 
is interested in information on the potential environmental, economic, 
social, historical/culture impacts or significant controversy over the 
effects of the proposed action for purposes of National Environmental 
Policy Act analysis.
    Additionally, this is the first complete application received by 
the Service to export sea otter Native handicrafts through the CITES 
permit process. The export may raise questions as to what constitutes 
an authentic Native handicraft under the Marine Mammal Protection Act 
and applicable regulations. The decision on this permit may set a 
precedent for future similar activities. Currently the Service is 
working with the Indigenous Peoples Council for Marine Mammals in 
Alaska and others on further defining the applicable regulatory 
language governing Native handicrafts made from marine mammals, 
especially polar bear hides and sea otter pelts.
    Comments are being requested as many individuals, groups and 
organizations are currently interested in the Native subsistence and 
handicraft harvest of sea otters in Alaska.
    Written data or comments or requests for copies of the complete 
application should be submitted to the Director, Office of Management 
Authority (OMA), 4401 N. Fairfax Dr., room 420(c), Arlington, VA 22203 
and must be received by the Director within 30 days of the date of 
publication of this notice.
    Documents and other information submitted with this application are 
available for review, subject to the requirements of the Privacy Act 
and Freedom of Information Act, by any party who submits a written 
request for a copy of such documents to the following office within 30 
days of the date of publication of this notice: U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Office of Management Authority, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, room 
420(c), Arlington, Virginia 22203. Phone: (703/358-2104); Fax: (703/
358-2281)

    Dated: May 24, 1994.
Ken Stansell,
Acting Chief, Office of Management Authority.
[FR Doc. 94-13125 Filed 5-27-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P