[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 160 (Thursday, August 17, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50185-50186]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-20990]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 080300C]


Marine Mammals; File No. 924-1484-00

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

ACTION: Receipt of application for amendment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Marsha Green, Ph.D., Psychology 
Department, Albright College, P.O. Box 15234, Reading, Pennsylvania 
19612-5234, has requested an amendment to

[[Page 50186]]

Scientific Research Permit No. 924-1484-00.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before 
September 18, 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;
    Regional Administrator, Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean 
Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long Beach, California 90802-4213, (562) 980-
4001; and
    Protected Resources Coordinator, Pacific Islands Area Office, 
National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, 
Suite 1110, Honolulu HI 96814-4700, (808) 973-2935.
    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 13705, 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: Jill Lewandowski, (301)713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 924-
1484-00, issued on February 8, 2000 (65 FR 6175) 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. 924-1484-00 authorizes 
the applicant to conduct controlled vessel approach trials and obtain 
audio/video recordings on humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) 
during the course of research to evaluate whale behavior in the 
presence of vessels. The research occurs in Hawaiian waters between 
Maui and Lanai, and off the northwest coast between Kona and Hawaii. 
The authority of this permit currently expires on August 31, 2004.
    The permit holder is now requesting authorization to: (1) change 
the expiration date to August 31, 2005; (2) add approach takes for 
spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris), spotted dolphins (Stenella 
attenuata) and bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) when in the 
presence of humpback whales; and (3) increase annual humpback whale 
takes to 350 for controlled vessel approaches and 700 for video/audio 
recordings.
    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: August 14, 2000.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 00-20990 Filed 8-16-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F