[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 134 (Friday, July 12, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46179-46180]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-17556]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 062702A]


Marine Mammals; File Nos. 782-1676 and 1032-1679

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

ACTION: Receipt of applications.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the following applicants have 
applied in due form for a permit to take marine mammals for scientific 
research:
    National Marine Mammal Laboratory, 7600 Sand Point Way N.E., BIN 
C15700, Seattle, WA, 98115; and
    Dr. Robert A. Garrott, Ecology Department, Montana State 
University, 310 Lewis Hall, Bozeman, MT 59717.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before 
August 12, 2002.

ADDRESSES: The applications and related documents are available for 
review upon written request or by appointment in the following 
office(s):
    Permits, Conservation and Education 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
    Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 
1, Seattle, WA 98115-0700; phone (206)526-6150; fax (206)526-6426 (File 
782-1676 only); and
    Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone 
(907)586-7221; fax (907)586-7249.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carrie Hubard or Ruth Johnson, 
(301)713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permits are requested under the 
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended 
(MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and the Regulations Governing the Taking 
and Importing of Marine Mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    For Permit No. 782-1676, the applicant proposes to take Alaska 
harbor seals and spotted seals to estimate population size and trend, 
current and net productivity rates, and current takes by commercial 
fisheries and subsistence hunters. One component of the research is to 
determine the relative proportion of seals at sea that are not counted 
during aerial census surveys.
    For Permit No. 1032-1679, the applicant proposes to take Weddell 
seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) by capture, tag and release and conduct 
census surveys for population estimates on McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. 
Other species that may be incidentally taken are crabeater seal 
(Lobodon carcinophagus), leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx), Ross seal 
(Ommatophoca rossii), southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) and 
Antarctic fur seal (Arctocephalus gazella).
    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 these 
applications should be mailed to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and 
Education 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 the 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 these applications to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.


[[Page 46180]]


    Dated: July 8, 2002.
Eugene T. Nitta,
Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 02-17556 Filed 7-11-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S