[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 130 (Thursday, July 8, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 41230]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-15546]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 061504C]


Endangered Species; File No. 1432

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

ACTION: Issuance of permit.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Jeanette Wyneken, Ph.D., 
[Principal Investigator], Department of Biological Sciences, Florida 
Atlantic University, 777 Glades Rd., Boca Raton, FL 33431, has been 
issued a permit to take loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) for 
purposes of scientific research.

ADDRESSES: The permit 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
    Southeast Region, NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive North, St. 
Petersburg, FL 33702-2432; phone (727)570-5301; fax (727)570-5320.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 10, 2004, notice was published in the 
Federal Register (69 FR 25882) that a request for a scientific research 
permit to take the species identified above had been submitted by the 
above-named individual. The requested permit has been issued under the 
authority of 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 
parts 222-226).
    The Holder is authorized to take up to 30 loggerhead sea turtle 
hatchlings per site at 10 sites (Onslow Beach, Kiawah Island, Hilton 
Head Island, Wassaw Island, Melbourne Beach, Hutchinson Island, Juno 
Beach, Boca Raton, Sanibel/Captiva and vicinity including waters near 
Ft. Meyers, and Sarasota) for scientific research. Turtles will be 
captured on the beach under permits issued by the States of North 
Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, and attached with a 
``Witherington Float.'' The turtles will be released at water's edge 
and followed to determine survivability. Turtles that are not lost to 
predators will be recaptured, the tether removed and released.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an environmental assessment was prepared 
analyzing the effects of the permitted activities. After a Finding of 
No Significant Impact, the determination was made that it was not 
necessary to prepare an environmental impact statement.
    Issuance of this permit, as required by the ESA, was based on a 
finding that such permit (1) was applied for in good faith, (2) will 
not operate to the disadvantage of the endangered species which is the 
subject of this permit, and (3) is consistent with the purposes and 
policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA.

    Dated: July 1, 2004.
Stephen L. Leathery,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 04-15546 Filed 7-7-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S