[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 202 (Monday, October 20, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59913-59914]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-26396]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 100703A]


Endangered Species; Permit No. 1123

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

ACTION: Scientific research permit modification.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that requests for modifications of 
scientific research permits No. 1123 submitted by U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service (Edgard O. Espinoza, Primary Investigator), Office of 
Law Enforcement, National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory, 1490 
East Main Street, Ashland, Oregon 97520, have been granted.

ADDRESSES: The modifications 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,
    Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 
1, Seattle, WA 98115-0700; phone (206)526-6150; fax (206)526-6426.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Jefferies or Ruth Johnson, 
(301)713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The requested modifications have been 
granted under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 
amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and the provisions of Sec.  
222.306 of the regulations governing the taking, importing, and 
exporting of endangered and threatened fish and wildlife (50 CFR 222-
226).
    NFWFL is authorized to possess samples of ESA-listed non-marine 
mammal and non-reptilian species under NMFS jurisdiction associated 
with genetic research studies and support of law enforcement actions. 
Law enforcement personnel have an ongoing need for scientific 
assistance in cases concerning endangered, protected, and managed 
marine species. The Fish and Wildlife Forensics Center provides 
technical/scientific assistance to a variety of law enforcement 
agencies including NMFS Enforcement, US Customs, US Fish and Wildlife 
Service as well as state wildlife enforcement agencies. Forensics 
analyses generally involve a biochemical or genetic test when a 
comparison is made between evidence and voucher samples. Voucher 
samples which are used in a forensics analysis are collected and 
maintained under strict criteria that includes documentation (species 
identification form) from the expert who has authenticated the samples; 
a chain of custody which originates with the sample collection; and 
storage under secure conditions. The issuance of this modification will 
extend the authorized activities through December 31, 2004.
    Issuance of these modifications, as required by the ESA was based 
on a finding that such permits: (1) Were applied for in good faith; (2) 
will not operate to the disadvantage of the endangered species which is 
the subject of these permits; and (3) are consistent

[[Page 59914]]

with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA.

    Dated: October 10, 2003.
Carrie W. Hubard,
Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-26396 Filed 10-17-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S