[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 66 (Monday, April 7, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 16786]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-8397]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 032403B]


Marine Mammals; File No. 1003-1665

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

ACTION: Receipt of application for amendment.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Dr. Jennifer Moss Burns, 
University of Alaska Anchorage, Department of Biological Sciences, 
College of Arts and Sciences, 3211 Providence Drive, Anchorage, AK 
99508, has requested an amendment to scientific research Permit No. 
1003-1665-00.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before May 
7, 2003.

ADDRESSES: The amendment request 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
    Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone 
(907)586-7221; fax (907)586-7249.
    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 amendment 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: Tammy Adams or Amy Sloan, (301)713-
2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 1003-
1665-00, issued on April 12, 2002 (67 FR 19167) 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).
    Permit No. 1003-1665-00 authorizes the permit holder to take up to 
40 Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardsi) per year in 
Southeast Alaska by capture, blood and tissue sampling, and attachment 
of scientific instruments, and up to 500 harbor seals per year by 
disturbance incidental to capture, scat collection, and ground and 
aerial surveys. The purpose of the research is to study the physical 
factors (e.g., ice and water conditions, seasons) that influence seal 
habitat use and to monitor seal foraging behavior and prey selection. 
The permit holder requests authorization to increase the number of 
takes by disturbance incidental to capture and surveys to 2000 per 
year. This request is based on observations from the previous year's 
surveys during which a greater than anticipated abundance of seals was 
documented.
    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: March 31, 2003.
Stephen L. Leathery,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-8397 Filed 4-4-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S