[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 242 (Friday, December 17, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 70723]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-32719]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Emergency Exemption; Issuance

    On December 7, 1999, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) 
issued a permit (PRT-020339) to the US Fish and Wildlife Service 
Jacksonville Florida Field Office, Jacksonville, Florida, to import a 
juvenile Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys kempii). The 30-day 
public comment period required by section 10(c) of the Endangered 
Species Act was waived. The Service determined that an emergency 
affecting the health and life of this turtle existed and that no 
reasonable alternative was available to the applicant, for the 
following reasons:
    a. This turtle was found stranded outside of its normal range on a 
beach in Wales, UK, on December 1, 1999, and was being housed at the 
Oceanarium, St. David's Sea Life Centre (Centre), Wales.
    b. The Centre's facilities allow for water temperature to be 
maintained at a temperature of 14.5 Celsius (58.1 Fahrenheit). Optimal 
water temperature for this species is 24 Celsius (75 Fahrenheit). 
Therefore, the Centre was unable to adequately maintain this specimen.
    c. The specimen is being housed for evaluation at Sea World of 
Orlando, Orlando, Florida. Sea World of Orlando is licensed by the 
State of Florida as a sea turtle rehabilitation center in accordance 
with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's agreement 
with the Service under Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act.
    d. Following a satisfactory health and evaluation period, this 
specimen will be released back into the marine environment.

    Dated: December 13, 1999.
Pamela Hall,
Acting Chief, Branch of Permits, Office of Management Authority.
[FR Doc. 99-32719 Filed 12-16-99; 8:45 am]
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