[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 7 (Monday, January 12, 1998)] [Notices] [Pages 1830-1831] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-700] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 010598A] Marine Mammals; Scientific Research Permit (PHF# 774-1439) AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Receipt of application. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Dr. Robert L. Brownell, Jr., NMFS, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, P.O. Box 271, La Jolla, CA 92038, has applied in due form for a permit to take marine mammals of several species for purposes of scientific research. DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before February 11, 1998. ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment in the following office(s): Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/ 713-2289); Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668 (907/586-7221); Regional Administrator, Southwest Region, NMFS,501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213 (310/980-4001); and Protected Species Program Manager, Pacific Area Office, 2570 Dole St., Rm. 106, Honolulu, HI 96822-2396 (808/973-2987). Written comments or requests for a public hearing on this application 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 this 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 email or other electronic media. 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). 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. The purpose of the proposed research is to collect data to estimate abundance by species and to determine population structure for these species. Research surveys will be conducted in U.S. territorial and international waters over a five-year period and harassment of several marine mammal species may occur in the form of vessel approach, helicopter and small plane photogrammetry, biopsy sample collection, photography, and tagging and tracking of individual animals. 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. [[Page 1831]] Dated: January 6, 1998. Ann D. Terbush, Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 98-700 Filed 1-9-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F