[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 99 (Monday, May 22, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 32077]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-12837]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 051500A]


Marine Mammals; File No. 782-1446

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 Alaska Fisheries Science Center, 
National Marine Mammal Laboratory, 7600 Sand Point Way, NE, Seattle, WA 
98115 has requested an amendment to scientific research Permit No. 782-
1446.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before June 
21, 2000.

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);
    Alaska Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, P.O. Box. 
21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668 (907/586-7221); and
    Northwest Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 7600 
Sand Point Way, NE, BIN C15700, Seattle, WA 98115-0070 (206/526-6150).
    Southwest Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA,501 West 
Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213 (562/980-4021).
    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: Simona Roberts or Ruth Johnson, 301/
713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 782-
1446, issued on May 8, 1998 (63 FR 27265) is 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 and 
threatened species (50 CFR 222-226).
    Permit No. 782-1446 authorizes the permit holder to conduct aerial, 
ground and boat surveys annually for stock assessment of harbor seals 
(Phoca vitulina), California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), 
Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), and northern elephant seals 
(Mirounga angustirostris). The permit holder requests authorization to 
amend this permit to chemically immobilize adult male California sea 
lions in Oregon, Washington, and California for the removal of 
Satellite-Linked Time Depth Recorders (SLTDR).
    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: May 15, 2000.
Ann Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 00-12837 Filed 5-19-00; 8: 45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F