[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 129 (Thursday, July 5, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 35412]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-16842]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 061501D]


Marine Mammals; File No. 358-1564-00

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 the Alaska Department of Fish and 
Game, 1255 W. 8th Street, P.O. Box 25526, Juneau, Alaska 99802-5526 
[P.I. Thomas Gelatt], has requested an amendment to scientific research 
Permit Number 358-1564-00.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before 
August 6, 2001.

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); and
    Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668 (907/586-
7248).
    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: Tammy Adams or Ruth Johnson, 301/713-
2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 358-
1564-00, issued on June 28, 2000 (65 FR 39878) 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. 358-1564-00 authorizes the permit holder to: take 
Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) of all ages and both sexes over 
a five-year period in Alaska and British Columbia by aerial/boat 
surveys, capturing, handling, tagging, blood/biopsy sampling, and 
branding (of pups). The permit holder requests authorization to: 
administer Evans blue dye, collect additional blood and tissue samples 
from, and attachment of instruments to Steller sea lions already 
authorized to be captured and handled, and increase the frequency of 
aerial surveys and recaptures for purposes of scientific research.
    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: June 27, 2001.
Ann Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 01-16842 Filed 7-3-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S