[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 134 (Friday, July 12, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 46180]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-17560]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 062802A]


Marine Mammals; File Application No. 112-1684

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 Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, 
5400 North Pearl Street, Tacoma, WA 98407, has applied in due form for 
a permit to import one harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardsi) for the 
purposes of public display.

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

ADDRESSES: The application 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
    Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way 
NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 1, Seattle, WA 98115-0700; phone (206)526-6150; 
fax (206)526-6426.
    Written comments or requests for a public hearing on this request 
should be submitted 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 this particular permit 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: Jennifer Skidmore or Jill 
Lewandowski,(301)713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject application for Permit No. 112-
1684-00 is requested under the authority of the Marine Mammal 
Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and the 
Regulations Governing the Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals (50 
CFR part 216).
    The applicant requests authorization to import one harbor seal 
(Phoca vitulina richardsi), from the Island Wildlife Natural Care 
Centre, Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, Canada, to Point Defiance 
Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma, WA. The applicant requests this import for 
the purpose of public display. The receiving facility, Point Defiance 
Zoo and Aquarium, 5400 North Pearl Street, Tacoma, WA 98407 is: (1) 
open to the public on regularly scheduled basis with access that is not 
limited or restricted other than by charging an admission fee; (2) 
offers an educational program based on professionally accepted 
standards of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association and the Alliance 
for Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums; and (3) holds an Exhibitor's 
License, number 91-C-0003, issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture 
under the Animal Welfare Act.
    In addition to determining whether the applicant meets the three 
public display criteria, NMFS must determine whether the applicant has 
demonstrated that the proposed activity is humane and does not 
represent any unnecessary risks to the health and welfare of marine 
mammals; that the proposed activity by itself or in combination with 
other activities, will not likely have a significant adverse impact on 
the species or stock; and that the applicant's expertise, facilities 
and resources are adequate to accomplish successfully the objectives 
and activities stated in the application.
    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: July 5, 2002.
Eugene T. Nitta,
Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries.
[FR Doc. 02-17560 Filed 7-11-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S