[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 133 (Tuesday, July 11, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 42676]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-17510]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 063000A]


Marine Mammals; File No. 373-1575

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 Point Reyes Bird Observatory (Dr. 
Sarah Allen, Principal Investigator), 4990 Shoreline Highway, Stinson 
Beach, CA 94970, applied in due form for a permit to take harbor seals 
(Phoca vitulina richardsi), northern elephant seals (Mirounga 
angustirostris), California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), and 
Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) for purposes of scientific 
research.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before 
August 10, 2000.

ADDRESSES: The application 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 13130, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/
713-2289);
    Regional Administrator, Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean 
Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802 (562/980-4001);and
    Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way 
NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 1, Seattle, WA 98115 (206/526-6150).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Simona Roberts or Ruth Johnson, 301/
713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the 
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended 
(MMPA; 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 (ESA; 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).
    The applicant seeks authorization to monitor and research all age, 
sex and reproductive classes of harbor seals and northern elephant 
seals along the Point Reyes National Seashore, and in the Gulf of the 
Farallones, San Francisco Bay, and Russian River, California. Proposed 
research takes of harbor seals would involve capturing, tagging, dye-
marking, measuring, blood collecting, bacterial swabbing, scat 
collecting, and unintentional mortality. Proposed research takes of 
northern elephant seals would involve capturing, tagging, dye-marking, 
blood collecting, and bacterial swabbing. Unintentional harassment of 
California sea lions and Steller sea lions is also proposed.
    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.
    Written comments or requests for a public hearing on this 
application should be mailed to the Chief, Permits and Documentation 
Division, F/PR1, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Those individuals 
requesting a hearing should set forth the specific reasons why a 
hearing on this particular 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 by other 
electronic media.
    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 3, 2000.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 00-17510 Filed 7-10-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F