[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 44 (Thursday, March 6, 1997)] [Notices] [Page 10259] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-5539] [[Page 10259]] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE [I.D. 022897C] Marine Mammals; Scientific Research Permit (PHF# 848-1335) AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Receipt of application. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Honolulu Laboratory, NMFS, 2570 Dole Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822-2396, has applied in due form for a permit to take Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus schauinslandi) for purposes of scientific research. DATES: Written comments must be received on or before April 5, 1997. ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment in the following office(s): Permits Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13130, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/713-2289); Regional Administrator, Southwest Region, 501 West Ocean Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213 (310/980-4001); and Protected Species Coordinator, Pacific Area Office, 2570 Dole Street, Room 106, Honolulu, HI 96822-2396 (808/973-2987). Written data or views, or requests for a public hearing on this request, should be submitted to the Director, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13130, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Those individuals requesting a hearing should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this application would be appropriate. 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. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (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 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered fish and wildlife (50 CFR 222.23). The application encompasses all research and enhancement activities to be conducted on Hawaiian monk seals by the NMFS Honolulu Laboratory for the next 5 years. The proposed activities will also include all takes currently authorized under the Center's Permit No. 898, thereby making that permit null and void. Research activities will involve population assessment, disease assessment, recovery action, and pelagic ecology studies. 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. Dated: February 28, 1997. Ann D. Terbush, Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 97-5539 Filed 3-5-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-W