[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 54 (Thursday, March 20, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 13368]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7056]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
[I.D. 031397D]


Marine Mammals; Scientific Research Permit (PHF# 662-1345)

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

ACTION: Receipt of application.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Dena Matkin, Box 22, Gustavus, 
Alaska 99826, has applied in due form for a permit to take killer 
whales (Orcinus orca) and humpback whales (Megaptera novaengliae) for 
purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before April 21, 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); and
    Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, P.O. Box 21688, Juneau, AK 
99802-1668 (907/586-7221).
    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 part 222.23).
    The application requests authorization to unintentionally harass up 
to 400 killer whales and 100 humpback whales annually over a five year 
period. The purpose of the research is to continue long-term, year-
round photo-identification work in Southeastern Alaska to define the 
population size, structure and range of killer whales; and to obtain 
identification of photographs of humpback whales opportunistically in 
conjunction with the killer whale research.
    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: March 14, 1997.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-7056 Filed 3-19-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F