[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 211 (Friday, October 31, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58942-58943]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-28833]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 102497A]


Marine Mammals, Endangered or Threatened Species, Scientific 
Research Permit (File No. 473-1433)

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 Ms. Janice M. Straley, P.O.Box 
273, Sitka, Alaska 99835, has applied in due form for a Scientific 
Research permit to take several species of cetaceans for purposes of 
scientific research.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before December 1, 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 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/713-2289); 
and
    Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, 
Juneau, AK 99802-1668 (907/586-7221).

[[Page 58943]]

    Written data or views, or requests for a public hearing on this 
application, should be submitted to the Director, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, 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 
(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.) and the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered fish and wildlife (50 CFR 222.23).
    Ms. Straley proposes to conduct photo-identification scientific 
research on up to 1,000 humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) from 
December 1, 1997, to November 30, 2002, in Alaska waters. The objective 
of the proposed research is to develop long-term sighting histories of 
individual humpback whales to assess stock structure, life history 
parameters, feeding behaviors, social behaviors of feeding populations, 
and population estimates. Up to 500 killer whales (Orcinus orca), 20 
minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), 200 gray whales 
(Eschrichtius robustus), and 500 fin whales (B. physalus) may be 
opportunistically photo-identified during the course of the 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: October 24, 1997.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-28833 Filed 10-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F