[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 214 (Wednesday, November 5, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62563-62564]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-27846]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 103003C]


Marine Mammals; File No. 1048-1717

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

ACTION: Receipt of application and notice of availability of draft 
environmental assessment.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Dr. Peter J. Stein, Scientific 
Solutions, Inc., Nashua, New Hampshire, has applied in due form for a 
permit to take the marine mammal species listed below for purposes of 
scientific research.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before 
December 5, 2003.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for 
review

[[Page 62564]]

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; 
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/prot_res; andSouthwest 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: Dr. Tammy Adams or Carrie Hubard, 
(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 a permit to expose gray whales (Eschrtictius 
robustus) migrating offshore of central California to low-powered high-
frequency active sonar, henceforth referred to as ``whale-finder sonar 
systems,'' while simultaneously recording any reactions of the animals 
to the sound. In addition to the target species, which is not listed 
under the ESA, the applicant also requests authorization for 
unintentional ``takes'' of the following non-target marine mammals that 
may be within the range of the whale-finder sonar systems: endangered 
blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus), endangered fin whales (B. 
physalus), endangered humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), minke 
whales (B. acutorostrata), endangered sei whales (B. borealis), 
endangered sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus), harbor porpoise 
(Phocoena phocoena), Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli), Pacific 
white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens), bottlenose dolphins 
(Tursiops truncatus), Risso's dolphins (Grampus griseus), short-beaked 
common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), northern right whale dolphins 
(Lissodephis borelais), killer whales (Orcinus orca), short-finned 
pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus), Baird's beaked whales 
(Berardius bairdii), mesoplodont beaked whales (Mesoplodon spp.), 
Cuvier's beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris), California sea lions 
(Zalophus californianus), harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), threatened 
Guadalupe fur seals (Arctocephalus townsendi), northern elephant seals 
(Mirounga angustirostris), northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus), 
and threatened Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus). The objectives 
of the proposed research are to gather data on the reflectivity of 
whales, determine the probability of detection out to one mile, and 
determine what, if any, reaction the animals may have to high frequency 
active sonars designed to detect marine mammals. The purpose of the 
proposed research is to validate and improve the ability of whale-
finder sonar systems to detect marine mammals without adversely 
affecting them.
    A draft EA has been prepared to examine whether significant 
environmental impacts could result from issuance of the proposed 
scientific research permit. The draft EA is available for review and 
comment simultaneous with the scientific research permit application.
    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: October 31.
Stephen L. Leathery,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 03-27846 Filed 11-4-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S