[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 17 (Tuesday, January 27, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3880-3881]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-1932]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 011698A]


Marine Mammals; Scientific Research Permit (PHF# 881-1443)

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 the Alaska SeaLife Center, P.O. 
Box 1239, Seward, AK 99664, has applied in due form for a permit to 
take Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) and harbor seals (Phoca 
vitulina) for purposes of scientific research.


[[Page 3881]]


DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before 
February 26, 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); and
    Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, 
Juneau, AK 99802-1668 (907/586-7221).
    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 13705, 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.
    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).
    For the purposes of scientific research, the applicant seeks 
authorization to import from Canada, three juvenile Steller sea lions 
(Eumetopias jubatus) currently housed at the Vancouver Aquarium, and 
two juvenile harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) presently residing at 
University of British Columbia. Over a five-year period the applicant 
requests to conduct studies on the nutritional physiology, metabolic 
development, and clinical health of Steller sea lions and harbor seals 
under captive conditions. Incidental to this scientific research, the 
public will be able to view the animals as part of an education 
program.
    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: January 21, 1998.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-1932 Filed 1-26-98; 8:45 am]
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