[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 220 (Wednesday, November 14, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57040-57041]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-28541]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 110101A]


Marine Mammals; File No. 1013-1648

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 Dr. Patricia E. Mascarelli, 
Carribean Center for Marine Studies, P.O. Box 3197, Lajas, PR 00667, 
has applied in due form for a permit to take humpback whales (Megaptera 
novaeangliae) for purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before 
December 14, 2001.

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 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; 
phone (301) 713-2289; fax (301) 713-0376; and
    Southeast Region, NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive North, St. 
Petersburg, FL 33702-2432; phone (727) 570-5301; fax (727) 570-5320.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tammy Adams 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 proposes to harass humpback whales in Puerto Rican 
waters for purposes of photo-identification, passive acoustic 
recordings, and behavioral observations. Sloughed skin samples will 
also be collected for genetic analyses. The purpose of the study is to 
collect data on population abundance, distribution, and habitat use for 
management purposes. Spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) and 
bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) may be incidentally harassed 
during the research.

[[Page 57041]]

    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: November 7, 2001.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 01-28541 Filed 11-13-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S