[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 184 (Thursday, September 23, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 56999]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-21402]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 091304B]


Marine Mammals; File No. 87-1743

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

ACTION: Issuance of permit and notice of request for additional 
species.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Dr. Daniel Costa, Department of 
Biology and Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, 
Santa Cruz, California 95064 has been issued a permit to conduct 
scientific research on northern elephant seals (Mirounga 
angustirostris). Notice is also given that California sea lions 
(Zalophus californianus) may be incidentally harassed during the 
research, and this activity is requested for inclusion in the permit.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before October 25, 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; phone (301)713-2289; fax (301)713-0376.
    Written comments or requests for a public hearing 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 to (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 applicable document identifier: 
File No. 87-1743.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Sloan or Ruth Johnson, 301/713-
2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 7, 2004, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (69 FR 18352) that a request for a scientific 
research permit to take northern elephant seals had been submitted by 
the above-named individual. The requested permit has been issued 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 original notice and 
application did not include incidental harassment of California sea 
lions, which is requested for inclusion in the permit.
    The permit authorizes continuation of a long-term study examining 
northern elephant seal population growth and status, mating and 
reproductive strategies, behavioral and physiological adaptations for 
diving, general physiology and metabolism, energetics of reproduction 
and foraging, sleep apnea, and sensory capacities. The permit will 
expire five years after the date of issuance.
    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 research activities. After a Finding of No 
Significant Impact, the determination was made that it was not 
necessary to prepare an environmental impact statement.

    Dated: September 17, 2004.
Stephen L. Leathery,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 04-21402 Filed 9-22-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S