[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 121 (Wednesday, June 24, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34366-34367]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-16818]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 061898C]


Marine Mammals; File No. 684-1458

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 Donald B. Siniff, Ph.D., 
Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, University of Minnesota, 
College of Biological Sciences, 100 Ecology Building, 1987 Upper Buford 
Circle, St. Paul, MN 55108, has applied in due form for a permit to 
take Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii), crabeater seals (Lobodon 
carcinophagus), leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx), Ross seals 
(Ommatophoca rossii), southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina), and 
Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) for purposes of scientific 
research.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before July 
24, 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 13130, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/
713-2289); and
    Regional Administrator, Southwest Region, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, NOAA, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-
4213 (562/980-4001).
    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

[[Page 34367]]

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 e-mail or by other 
electronic media.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sara Shapiro or Ruth Johnson, 301/713-
2289.

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) and the Fur Seal Act 
of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
    The applicant seeks authorization to conduct research on Antarctic 
seals, primarily Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) in and around 
McMurdo Sound, Antarctica.
    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.
    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.

    Dated: June 18, 1998.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-16818 Filed 6-23-98; 8:45 am]
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