[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 227 (Monday, November 25, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70583-70584]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-29890]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 110802A]


Endangered Species; File No. 1405

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

ACTION: Receipt of application.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Dr. Elizabeth Wenner, South 
Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Charleston, SC 29422-2559, 
has applied in due form for a permit to take loggerhead (Caretta 
caretta), Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempi), green (Chelonia mydas), 
leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), and hawksbill (Eretmochelys 
imbricata) sea turtles for purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before 
December 26, 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
    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: Dr. Tammy Adams or Carrie Hubard, 
(301)713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the 
authority of 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 capture up to 45 loggerhead, 10 Kemp's 
ridley, 5 green, 5 leatherback, and 5 hawksbill sea turtles annually 
during shallow water trawl surveys intended to provide fishery-
independent data on seasonal abundance and biomass of all species that 
are accessible by high rise trawls. The turtles would be measured, 
flipper and PIT tagged, and released near the site of capture, unless 
it is determined they are in need of veterinary assistance to survive. 
Sea turtles held for veterinary care would be transferred to an 
appropriate treatment facility. The applicant also requests 
authorization for a combined total of three incidental mortalities of 
loggerhead and Kemp's ridley sea turtles and a single incidental 
mortality for each of the other three species. The applicant proposes 
to conduct these captures along the South Atlantic Bight from Cape 
Hatteras, NC to Cape Canaveral, FL. The permit is requested for a 
period of 5 years.
    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

[[Page 70584]]

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, 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 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.

    Dated: November 18, 2002.
Eugene T. Nitta,
Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 02-29890 Filed 11-22-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S