[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 185 (Friday, September 22, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57318-57319]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-24454]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 091100H]


Marine Mammals

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

ACTION: Receipt of application for amendment and request for emergency 
relocation of Hawaiian monk seals.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Southwest Fisheries Science 
Center, Honolulu Laboratory, NMFS, 2570 Dole Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 
96822-2396, has requested an amendment to scientific research Permit 
No. 848-1335 to allow for the emergency relocation of two Hawaiian monk 
seal (Monachus schauinslandi) pups.

ADDRESSES: The amendment request and related documents are available 
for review upon written request or by appointment in the following 
offices:
    Permits Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-
West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/713-2289);

[[Page 57319]]

    Regional Administrator, Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean 
Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213 (562/980-4001); and
    Protected Species Program Manager, Pacific Islands Area Office, 
Southwest Region, NMFS, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 1110, Honolulu, 
HI (808/973-2937).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to permit No. 848-
1335, issued on June 10, 1997 (62 FR 32586) 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 (ESA) of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the 
Regulations Governing the Taking, Importing, and Exporting of 
Endangered Fish and Wildlife (50 CFR part 222).
    The permit holder is currently authorized to conduct population 
assessment, disease assessment, recovery actions, and pelagic ecology 
studies of Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus schauinslandi) at all 
locations within the Hawaiian Archipelago and at Johnston Atoll, 
through May 31, 2002. The permit holder is now requesting that the 
permit be amended to authorize the emergency relocation of two weaned 
Hawaiian monk seal pups in order to protect their health and well-
being. The permit has been amended to authorize the relocation of the 
two animals, pursuant to Sec. 216.33(e)(6) of the Regulations Governing 
the Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals (50 CFR part 216) which 
allows waiver of the 30-day public comment period. The remainder of the 
pending amendment application for this action is being processed 
according to 50 CFR 216.39.
    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.
    NMFS has forwarded copies of this amendment request to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: September18, 2000.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 00-24454- Filed 9-21-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S