[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 133 (Wednesday, July 12, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 35891]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-17012]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 228

[Docket No. 950504128-5128-01; I.D. 031095A]
RIN 0648-AG80


Small Takes of Marine Mammals; Harassment Takings Incidental to 
Specified Activities

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: On June 20, 1995, NMFS received a letter from the U.S. Navy 
requesting an extension of the public comment period on the proposed 
rule to establish a process for timely authorizations of small takes of 
marine mammals by incidental harassment. The U.S. Navy is concerned 
about many aspects of the rule, as proposed, and has therefore 
distributed the proposed rule to affected field commands and activities 
for review and comment. As it will take several weeks to consolidate 
these responses and evaluate the operational and fiscal effect on the 
U.S. Navy's mission, an extension of the comment period has been 
requested. Accordingly, the comment period on the proposed rule is 
hereby extended.

DATES: Comments must be received no later than October 16, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the proposed rule should be addressed to 
Chief, Marine Mammal Division, Office of Protected Resources, National 
Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 
20910-3226. A copy of the Environmental Assessment (EA) may be obtained 
by writing to this address or by telephoning the contact listed below.
    Comments regarding the burden-hour estimate or any other aspect of 
the collection-of-information requirement contained in this rule should 
be sent to the above individual and to the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Attention: 
NOAA Desk Officer, Washington, D.C. 20503.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth R. Hollingshead, Office of 
Protected Resources, NMFS, (301) 713-2055.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 31, 1995, NMFS published a proposed 
rule (60 FR 28379) that sets forth a proposed process for applying for 
and obtaining an incidental harassment authorization; the time limits 
set by the statute for NMFS review, publication, and public notice and 
comment on any applications for authorization that would be granted; 
and the requirements for submission of a plan of cooperation and for 
scientific peer review of an applicant's monitoring plans (if that 
activity may affect the availability of a species or stock of marine 
mammal for taking for subsistence purposes). This rule also proposed 
changes to the existing regulations to clarify the requirements for 
obtaining a small take authorization.

    Dated: July 6, 1995.
William W. Fox, Jr.,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 95-17012 Filed 7-11-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F