[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 144 (Wednesday, July 28, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 40835]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-19310]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 071599D]


Marine Mammals; File Nos. 684-1458 and 738-1454

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

ACTION: Receipt of applications for amendment.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the following Permit Holders have 
requested an amendment to their scientific research Permit: Dr. Donald 
Siniff, University of Minnesota, Department of Ecology, Evolution and 
Behavior, 100 Ecology Bldg., 1987 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, MN 
55108, Permit No. No. 684-1458; and Ms. Carole Conway, University of 
California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616-8521, Permit No. 
738-1454.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before 
August 27, 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
    Permit No. 738-1454 - Regional Administrator, Southwest Region, 
NMFS, 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 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: Ruth Johnson, 301/713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendments to Permits No. 684-
1458 and 738-1454 issued on August 11, 1998 (63 FR 43914) and July 9, 
1998 (63 FR 38391), respectively, 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. 1541 et seq.), and the regulations governing 
endangered and treatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226).
    Permit No. 684-1458 authorizes the permit holder to capture, tag, 
sample and lavage adult Weddell seals on McMurdo Sound in the 
Antarctica. The permit holder requests authorization to increase the 
number of adult females from 400 to 600, adult males from 200 to 300 
and pups from 80 to 180 animals per season.
    Permit No. 738-1454 authorizes the importation of 50 blue whales 
samples from Canada. The Holder requests authority to increase the 
samples to 100 annually.
    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: July 20, 1999.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-19310 Filed 7-27-99; 8:45 am]
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