[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 59 (Monday, March 29, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14886-14887]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-7656]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 032299C]


Marine Mammals; File No. P368D

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Receipt of application for amendment.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Dr. James T. Harvey, Moss Landing 
Marine Laboratories, P.O. Box 450 Moss Landing, CA 95039-0450, has 
requested an amendment to scientific research Permit No. 938 (File No. 
P368D).

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

ADDRESSES: The amendment request 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, 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 request 
should be submitted 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 this 
particular amendment request would be appropriate.
    Comments may also be submitted by facsimile at (301) 713-0376, 
provided

[[Page 14887]]

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 other electronic 
media.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 938, 
issued on February 9, 1995 (60 FR 7753) is requested under the 
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 
U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and the Regulations Governing the Taking and 
Importing of Marine Mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    Permit No. 938 authorizes the Permit Holder to harass species of 
the suborders Mysticeti, Odontoceti, Pinnipedia, and the southern sea 
otter during: aerial and vessel surveys; behavioral observations 
(resulting from acoustical studies); photographic identification; and 
tagging (VHF and/or TDRs). The Holder may opportunistically tag with a 
VHF and or TDR: Mysticetes (except Northern right whales); Odontocetes 
(except killer and pilot whales, northern right whale dolphins, Dall's 
and harbor porpoise); and California sea lions. The Holder may 
continuously record and monitor acoustic signals (0.5-20kHz) while 
conducting shipboard surveys and is authorized to conduct these 
activities along the California coast.
    The Permit Holder now requests authorization to: place VHF tags and 
TDRs on up to 20 killer whales (Orcinus orca) annually, off the 
California coast.
    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: March 24, 1999.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-7656 Filed 3-26-99; 8:45 am]
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