[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 138 (Friday, July 18, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 38521]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-18914]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 071497B]


Marine Mammals; Scientific Research Permit (PHF# 872-1397)

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 Ann E. Bowles, Ph.D., Senior 
Research Biologist, Hubbs-Sea World Research Institute, 2595 Ingraham 
Street, San Diego, California 92109, has applied in due form for a 
permit to take northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) 
Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardsi), and California sea 
lions (Zalophus californianus) for purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before August 18, 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, Southwest Region, 501 West Ocean Boulevard, 
Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213 (310/980-4001).
    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.) and the Regulations Governing the Taking and 
Importing of Marine Mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The purpose of the proposed research is to study the effects of 
sonic boom simulation tests on pinniped hearing and physiological 
response. Up to 10 beached rehabilitated animals of each of the above 
species will be taken annually (i.e., physically and/or chemically 
restrained, instrumented with electrodes for physiological 
measurements, and exposed to sonic boom noise and other brief 
transients). Of these numbers, up to 3 of each species will be trained 
to respond behaviorally to low-intensity tone bursts, and up to 2 of 
each species will be exposed to brief startling stimuli to determine 
the threshold for startle. The proposed research will be conducted over 
a five year period.
    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: July 11, 1997.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-18914 Filed 7-17-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F