[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 184 (Thursday, September 23, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 51519]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-24763]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 091599B]


Marine Mammals; Scientific Research Permit (PHF# 522-1527-00)

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 Randall S. Wells, Ph.D., Mote 
Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, Florida 34236, 
has applied in due form for a permit to take (i.e., harass) Atlantic 
bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus)for purposes of scientific 
research.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before October 25, 1999.
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); and
    Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, 9721 Executive Center 
Drive, St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 (813/570-5312).
    Written data or views, or requests for a public hearing on this 
request, should be submitted to the Director, 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 application would be 
appropriate.
    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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit 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).
    The application requests authorization to harass up to 100 Atlantic 
bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) annually in Florida waters 
during the conduct of photo-identification and biopsy sampling 
activities. The research will be carried out over a 5-year period.
    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.

    Dated: Septenber 17, 1999.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-24763 Filed 9-22-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F