[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 67 (Thursday, April 8, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17146-17147]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-8760]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 032599C]


Marine Mammals; File No. 881-1443 and File No. 633-1483

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

[[Page 17147]]

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Receipt of applications for amendments.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC), 
P.O. Box 1329, Seward, AK 99664 has requested an amendment to 
scientific research and enhancement Permit No. 881-1443; and the Center 
for Coastal Studies (CCS), 59 Commercial Street, P.O. Box 1036, 
Provincetown, MA 02657 has requested an amendment to scientific 
research Permit No. 633-1483.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before May 
10, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The amendment requests 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);
    For the Alaska SeaLife Center (Permit No. 881-1443): Regional 
Administrator, Alaska Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 
P.O. Box 21688, Juneau, AK 99802-1668 (907/586-7221); and
    For the Center for Coastal Studies (Permit No. 633-1483): Regional 
Administrator, Northeast Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, 
NOAA, One Blackburn Dr., Gloucester, MA 01930-0070 (978/281-9250).
    Written comments or requests for a public hearing on these requests 
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 these 
particular amendment requests 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 other electronic 
media.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 881-1443 
(ASLC), issued on March 27, 1998 (63 FR 14905), and the subject 
amendment to Permit No. 633-1483 (CCS), issued on March 3, 1999 (64 FR 
10276) are requested under the authority of the Marine Mammal 
Protection Act of 1972, as amended (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 (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).
    Permit No. 881-1443 (ASLC) authorizes the Permit Holder to: assess 
nutritional physiology, metabolic development, and clinical health 
under captive conditions of six harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and three 
Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus); conduct stable isotope and 
lipid metabolism studies on the harbor seals; and conduct a two-week 
fasting study as part of the controlled dietary studies. The Permit 
Holder requests authorization to conduct the following experiments on 
the Steller sea lions: reproductive chemistry and physiology; 
immunology; organochlorine testing; dive disorders; optimal foraging; 
and body condition.
    Permit No. 633-1483 (CCS) authorizes the Permit Holder to: conduct 
behavioral observations of, and photo-identify Northern right whales 
(Eubalaena glacialis) during aerial and vessel surveys; place VHF tags 
on right whales during the course of vessel surveys; collect skin and 
blubber biopsy samples and sloughed skin; and export skin samples for 
genetic analysis. The Permit Holder requests authorization to approach, 
photo-identify, and collect, import and export tissue samples from 
free-ranging, entangled, and stranded humpback whales (Megaptera 
novaeangliae) and other balaenopterid species. CCS proposes to conduct 
this research in the U.S. waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
    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: April 1, 1999.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-8760 Filed 4-7-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F