[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 10 (Thursday, January 15, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2366-2367]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-1049]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 010898B]


Marine Mammals; Scientific Research Permits (PHF# 782-1438 and 
PHF# 774-1437)

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 National Marine Mammal 
Laboratory, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 7600 Sand Point 
Way, NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 1, Seattle, Washington 98115-0700 has 
applied in due form for a permit to take multiple cetacean and pinniped 
species for purposes of scientific research. In addition the Southwest 
Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, P.O. 
Box 271 La Jolla, CA 92038-0271 has applied in due form for a permit to 
take multiple pinniped species for the purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before 
February 17, 1998.
ADDRESSES: The applications 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 13130, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/
713-2289); and
    Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, NOAA, 7600 Sand Point Way, NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 1, Seattle, 
WA 98115-0070 (206/526-6150).
    Regional Administrator, Southwest Region, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, NOAA, 501 West Ocean Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 
90802-4213 (562/980-4001).
    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 these particular requests 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

[[Page 2367]]

later than the closing date of the comment period. Please note that 
comments will not be accepted by email or other electronic media.
    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 permits are 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.), 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 seeks to conduct aerial 
surveys of large and small cetaceans in the waters off the coasts of 
Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and California. During the course of these 
surveys, some pinniped species may also be inadvertently harassed.
    The Southwest Fisheries Science Center seeks to conduct 
photographic aerial surveys of pinniped rookeries and/or haulouts in 
California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. These surveys will assess 
pinniped populations and determine distribution, length frequencies, 
breeding densities, nearest neighbor distances, and population indices.
    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 activities proposed are categorically excluded from the requirement 
to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact 
statement.

    Dated: January 8, 1988.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-1049 Filed 1-14-98; 8:45 am]
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