[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 59 (Monday, March 29, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 14886]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-7651]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
[I.D. 031199B]


Marine Mammals; File No. 930-1486

AGENCIES: National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NMFS), Commerce; Fish and Wildlife Service 
(FWS), Interior.

ACTION: Receipt of application.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), 
Western Ecological Research Center, Dixon Field Station 6924 Tremont 
Road, Dixon, CA 95620 has applied in due form for a permit to take 
various cetacean and pinniped species, and southern sea otter and sea 
birds for purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before 
April 28, 1999.

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, Southwest Region, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, NOAA, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-
4213 (562/980-4001); and
    Chief, Branch of Permits, Office of Management Authority, FWS, 4401 
N. Fairfax Drive, Room 432, Arlington, VA 22203 (1-800-358-2104).
    Written comments or request 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 or Chief, Branch of 
Permits, Office of Management Authority, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 700, Arlington, VA 22203. 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 NMFS (301) 713-0376 
or FWS 703/358-2281, 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: Ruth Johnson or Sara Shapiro, 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.), and the Regulations Governing the 
Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals (50 CFR parts 216 and 18).
    USGS requests authorization to conduct low altitude aerial surveys 
of marine mammals, including southern sea otters and sea birds in the 
Southern California Bight and adjacent waters.
    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.
    Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of these applications to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.
    Dated: March 11, 1999.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
    Dated:: March 19, 1999.
Margaret Tieger,
Chief, Branch of Permits, Office of Management Authority, Fish and 
Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 99-7651 Filed 3-26-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F