[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 47 (Tuesday, March 11, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11533-11534]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-5645]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 022703B]


Endangered Species; File No. 1420

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 Douglas Peterson, Ph.D., Warnell 
School of Forest Resources (Fisheries Division), University of Georgia, 
Athens, Georgia 30602, has applied in due form for a permit to take 
shortnose sturgeon, Acipenser brevirostrum for purposes of scientific 
research.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before 
April 10, 2003.

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: Jennifer Jefferies or Gene Nitta, 
(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.), the regulations governing the taking, importing, 
and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR 222-226).
    Dr. Peterson seeks authorization to sample and track shortnose 
sturgeon,

[[Page 11534]]

Acipenser brevirostrum, in the Altamaha River in Georgia. Annually, up 
to 200 fish will be taken via gill and trammel netting, measured, 
weighed, PIT and Carlin tagged, tissue and pectoral fin ray samples 
will be taken, and the fish subsequently released.
    Additionally, up to 10 of the total fish sampled annually will also 
receive an internal radio-sonic transmitter. Dr. Peterson also proposes 
to deploy artificial substrate samplers from February to mid-March to 
collect up to 100 shortnose sturgeon eggs annually. The samplers will 
be checked and reset daily during the spawning season and the eggs 
collected and preserved for subsequent laboratory analysis to determine 
percent viability. Dr. Peterson seeks authorization to conduct the 
research for five 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 
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: February 28, 2003.
Stephen L. Leathery,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-5645 Filed 3-10-03; 8:45 am]
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