[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 53 (Thursday, March 18, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12836-12837]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-6131]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 031204D]


Marine Mammals; File No. 1042-1736

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 Animal Training and Research, 
International, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, 8272 Moss Landing 
Road, Moss Landing, CA 95039, (Jenifer Hurley, Ph.D., Principal 
Investigator), has applied in due form for a permit to obtain up to 
four stranded, releasable California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) 
and up to two stranded, releasable Pacific harbor seals (Phoca 
vitulina) for the purposes of public display.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before April 19, 2004.

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 (301-713-2289); and

[[Page 12837]]

    Regional Administrator, Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean 
Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long Beach, California 90802, (562-980-4021).
    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.
    Comments may also be submitted by e-mail. The mailbox address for 
providing email comments is [email protected]. Include in the 
subject line of the e-mail comment the following document identifier: 
File No. 1042-1736.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit 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).
    The applicant requests authorization to obtain California sea lion 
and Pacific harbor seal pups post-rehabilitation, stranded in the 
earlier stages of maternal care with decreased chances of post-release 
survival due to their extended period of human care and possible 
imprintation on people. California sea lion pups would be primarily 
females. Harbor seal pups of either sex will be considered. The 
applicant requests this permit for the purpose of public display. The 
receiving facility, Animal Training and Research, International is: (1) 
open to the public on regularly scheduled basis with access that is not 
limited or restricted other than by charging for an admission fee; (2) 
offers an educational program based on professionally accepted 
standards of the Alliance for Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums; and 
(3) holds an Exhibitor's License, number 93-C-0626, issued by the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture under the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2131-
59).
    In addition to determining whether the applicant meets the three 
public display criteria, NMFS must determine whether the applicant has 
demonstrated that the proposed activity is humane and does not 
represent any unnecessary risks to the health and welfare of marine 
mammals; that the proposed activity by itself, or in combination with 
other activities, will not likely have a significant adverse impact on 
the species or stock; and that the applicant's expertise, facilities 
and resources are adequate to accomplish successfully the objectives 
and activities stated in the application.
    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 12, 2004.
Amy C. Sloan,
Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 04-6131 Filed 3-17-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S