[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 75 (Friday, April 18, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 19193]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-9635]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 031803B]


Marine Mammals; File No. 116-1697

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 Sea World Inc., 7007 Sea World 
Drive, Orlando, FL 32821, has applied in due form for a permit to take 
one Guadalupe fur seal (Arctocephalus townsendi) for purposes of 
enhancement.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before May 
19, 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
    Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long 
Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562) 980-4001; fax (562) 980-4018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Sloan or Jennifer Skidmore, (301) 
713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the 
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended 
(MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the Regulations Governing the Taking 
and Importing of Marine Mammals (50 CFR part 216), 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 requests authorization to permanently maintain one 
non-releaseable rehabilitated juvenile male Guadalupe fur seal at Sea 
World of California (and other Sea World facilities if relocation is 
necessary) for enhancement purposes. The animal has recurring grand mal 
seizures and thus, release of this animal may not be in the best 
interest for the wild population due to the undetermined cause of the 
condition and the possibility that it may be hereditary. The animal 
would be provided with daily husbandry care and treatment for seizures, 
routine medical procedures and neutering, and would be available for 
opportunistic research. The applicant has requested a five-year permit.
    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.
    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: April 14, 2003.
Stephen L. Leathery,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-9635 Filed 4-17-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S