[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 192 (Monday, October 5, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53352-53353]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26625]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 092198A]


Marine Mammals, Endangered or Threatened Species, Scientific 
Research Permit No. 587-001472-00

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 Dr. Dan R. Salden, Box 1772, 
Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Edwardsville, IL 62026-
1772, has applied in due form for a scientific research permit to take 
North Pacific humpback whales (Megaptera

[[Page 53353]]

novaeangliae), false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens), killer 
whales (Orcinus orca), short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala 
macrorhynchus), bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), spotted 
dolphins (Stenella attenuata), and spinner dolphins (Stenella 
longirostris) for purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written of telefaxed comments must be received on or before 
November 4, 1998.

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 13130, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/713-2289);
    Regional Administrator, Southwest Regional Office, 501 West Ocean 
Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213 (562/980-4001);
    Regional Administrator, Alaska Regional Office, 709 W. 
9th Street, Federal Building, room 461, P.O. Box 21668, 
Juneau, AK 99802 (907/586-7221); and
    Protected Resources Program Manager, Pacific Islands Area Office, 
2570 Dole Street, Room 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 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeannie Drevenak, 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), 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 part 222.23).
    The applicant proposes to conduct photo-identification and 
behavioral observations, including sound recordings, of North Pacific 
humpback whales in Hawaii and Alaska waters over a five-year period. 
Photo-identification and observations of bottlenose dolphins, spinner 
dolphins, spotted dolphins, false killer whales, pilot whales, and 
killer whales would be conducted on an opportunistic basis. The 
research is a continuation of a long-term study of association patterns 
and directed communication behaviors of the North Pacific humpback 
whale.
    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: September 29, 1998.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-26625 Filed 10-2-98; 8:45 am]
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