[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 152 (Thursday, August 7, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 42511]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-20850]



[[Page 42511]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 080197C]


Marine Mammals; Scientific Research Permits (File Nos. 782-1399 
and 878-1410)

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

ACTION: Receipt of applications.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the following applicants have 
applied in due form for a permit to take marine mammals for purposes of 
scientific research.
    National Marine Fisheries Service, National Marine Mammal 
Laboratory, 7600 Sand Point Way, NE. BIN C15700 - Building 1, Seattle, 
WA 98115-0070 (File No. 782-1399); and
    University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-0555 
(Principal Investigator: Dr. Daniel F. Cowan, Professor of Pathology) 
(File No. 878-1410).

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before 
September 8, 1997.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for 
review upon written request or by appointment. (SEE SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION).
    Written comments or requests for a public hearing on these 
applications should be mailed to the Chief, Permits and Documentation 
Division, F/PR1, 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 a particular request would be appropriate.
    Comments may also be submitted by facsimile at (301) 713-0376, 
provided the facsimile is confirmed by hard copy submitted by mail and 
postmarked no later than the closing date of the comment period. Please 
note that comments will not be accepted by E-mail or other electronic 
media.
    Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of the applications to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permits are requested under the 
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended 
(MMPA; 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 (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered fish and wildlife (50 CFR 222.23), and the Fur Seal Act of 
1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
    The National Marine Mammal Laboratory (File No. 782-1399) requests 
a permit to collect, import or export specimen materials from pinnipeds 
(excluding walrus) or cetaceans that were legally taken in the country 
of origin, killed incidental to commercial fishing or other operations, 
found dead at sea or stranded, and/or found dead of natural causes, 
from anywhere in the world these samples become available. The research 
conducted under permit will provide valuable information regarding the 
biology and life history of each species.
    The University of Texas Medical Branch (File No. 878-1410) requests 
authority to obtain, import and export specimen materials from 
cetaceans and pinnipeds (except walrus) from anywhere in the world 
samples were legally taken. The purposes of the study are to: determine 
anatomic baselines for normal structures and tissues; determine the 
patterns of naturally occurring diseases and whether they change over 
time; whether stranding or other mortality can be attributed to 
environmental degradation or other human activity.
    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.
    Addresses: Applications and related documents are available in the 
following offices:
    Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13130, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/
713-2289);
    Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668 (907/
586-7221);
    Northeast Region, NMFS, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930/
2298 (508/281-9250);
    Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way, NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 
1, Seattle, WA 98115-0070 (206/526-6150);
    Southeast Region, NMFS, 9721 Executive Blvd. North, St. Petersburg, 
FL 33702-2432 (813/570-5301); and
    Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long 
Beach, CA 90802 (310/980-4001).

    Dated: August 1, 1997.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-20850 Filed 8-6-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F