[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 7, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33122-33126]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-11209]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 031005B]


Small Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; 
Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal School Training Operations at Eglin 
Air Force Base, Florida

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

ACTION: Notice of receipt of application and proposed authorization for 
incidental harassment of marine mammals; request for comments and 
information.

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SUMMARY: NMFS has received a request from Eglin Air Force Base (EAFB) 
for the take of small numbers of marine mammals, by harassment, 
incidental to Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal School (NEODS) Training 
Operations at EAFB, Florida. Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act 
(MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to authorize the 
Air Force to take, by harassment, small numbers of two species of 
cetaceans at EAFB beginning in July 7, 2005.

DATES: Comments and information must be received no later than July 7, 
2005.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the application should be addressed to Steve 
Leathery, Chief, Permits, Conservation, and Education Division, Office 
of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-
West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3225. The mailbox address for 
providing e-mail comments on this action is [email protected]. NMFS 
is not responsible for e-mail comments sent to addresses other than the 
one provided here. Comments sent via e-mail, including all attachments, 
must not exceed a 10-megabyte file size. Comments may also be submitted 
via facsimile to (301) 427-2521. A copy of the application containing a 
list of references used in this document may be obtained by writing to 
this address, by telephoning the contact listed here (SEE FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT) or online at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/prot_res/PR1/Small_Take/smalltake_info.htm#applications. Documents cited in 
this notice may be viewed, by appointment, during regular business 
hours, at the aforementioned address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jolie Harrison, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, (301) 713-2289, ext. 166.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) 
direct the Secretary of Commerce to allow, upon request, the 
incidental, but not intentional taking of small numbers of marine 
mammals by U.S. citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than 
commercial fishing) within a specified geographical region if certain 
findings are made and regulations are issued or, if the taking is 
limited to harassment, notice of a proposed authorization is provided 
to the public for review.
    Authorization for incidental takings may be granted if NMFS finds 
that the taking will have no more than a negligible impact on the 
species or stock(s), will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the 
availability of the species or stock(s) for subsistence uses, and that 
the permissible methods of taking and requirements pertaining to the 
monitoring and reporting of such taking are set forth.
    NMFS has defined ``negligible impact'' in 50 CFR 216.103 as:
    an impact resulting from the specified activity that cannot be 
reasonably expected to, and is not reasonably likely to, adversely 
affect the species or stock through effects on annual rates of 
recruitment or survival.
    Subsection 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA established an expedited 
process by which citizens of the United States can apply for an 
authorization to incidentally take small numbers of marine mammals by 
harassment. The National Defense Authorization Act of 2004 (NDAA) 
(Public Law 108-136) amended the definition of ``harassment'' in 
section 18(A) of the MMPA as it applies to a ``military readiness 
activity'' to read as follows:
    (i) any act that injures or has the significant potential to 
injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild (Level A 
Harassment); or (ii) any act that disturbs or is likely to disturb a 
marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing 
disruption of natural behavioral patterns, including, but not 
limited to, migration, surfacing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or 
sheltering, to a point where such behavioral patterns are abandoned 
or significantly altered (Level B Harassment).
    Section 101(a)(5)(D) establishes a 45-day time limit for NMFS 
review of an application followed by a 30-day public notice and comment 
period on any proposed authorizations for the incidental harassment of 
small numbers of marine mammals. Within 45 days of the close of the 
comment period, NMFS must either issue or deny issuance of the 
authorization.

Summary of Request

    On March 11, 2004, NMFS received an application from EAFB, under 
section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA, requesting authorization for the 
harassment of small numbers of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops 
truncatus) and Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) 
incidental to NEODS training operations at EAFB, Florida, in the 
northern Gulf of Mexico (GOM). Each of up to six missions per year 
would include up to 5 live detonations of approximately 5-pound (2.3-
kg) net explosive weight charges to occur in approximately 60-ft (18.3-
m) deep water from one to three nm (1.9 to 5.6 km) off shore. Because 
this activity will be a multi-year activity, NMFS also plans to develop 
proposed regulations for NEODS training operations at EAFB.

[[Page 33123]]

Specified Activities

    The mission of NEODS is to train personnel to detect, recover, 
identify, evaluate, render safe, and dispose of unexploded ordnance 
(UXO) that constitutes a threat to people, material, installations, 
ships, aircraft, and operations. The NEODS proposes to utilize three 
areas within the Eglin Gulf Test and Training Range (EGTTR), consisting 
of approximately 86,000 square miles within the GOM and the airspace 
above, for Mine Countermeasures (MCM) detonations, which involve mine-
hunting and mine-clearance operations. The detonation of small, live 
explosive charges disables the function of the mines, which are inert 
for training purposes. The proposed training would occur approximately 
one to three nautical miles (nm) (1.9 to 5.6 km) offshore of Santa Rosa 
Island (SRI) six times annually, at varying times within the year.
    Each of the six training classes would include one or two ``Live 
Demolition Days.'' During each set of Live Demolition Days, five inert 
mines would be placed in a compact area on the sea floor in 
approximately 60 ft (18.3 m) of water. Divers would locate the mines by 
hand-held sonars. The AN/PQS-2A acoustic locator has a sound pressure 
level (SPL) of 178.5 re 1 microPascal @ 1 meter and the Dukane 
Underwater Acoustic Locator has a SPL of 157-160.5 re 1 microPascal @ 1 
meter. Because these sonar ranges are below any current threshold for 
protected species, noise impacts are not anticipated and are not 
addressed further in this analysis.
    Five charges packed with five lbs (2.3 kg) of C-4 explosive 
material will be set up adjacent to each of the mines. No more than 
five charges will be detonated over the two-day period. Detonation 
times will begin no earlier than two hours after sunrise and end no 
later than two hours before dusk and charges utilized within the same 
hour period will have a maximum separation time of 20 minutes. Mine 
shapes and debris will be recovered and removed from the water when 
training is completed. A more detailed description of the work proposed 
for 2005 and 2006 is contained in the application which is available 
upon request (see ADDRESSES).

Military Readiness Activity

     NEODS supports the Naval Fleet by providing training to personnel 
from all four armed services, civil officials, and military students 
from over 70 countries. The NEODS facility supports the Department of 
Defense Joint Service Explosive Ordnance Disposal training mission. The 
Navy and the Marine Corps believe that the ability of Sailors and 
Marines to detect, characterize, and neutralize mines from their 
operating areas at sea, on the shore, and inland, is vital to their 
doctrines.
    The Navy believes that an array of transnational, rogue, and 
subnational adversaries now pose the most immediate threat to American 
interests. Because of their relative low cost and ease of use, mines 
will be among the adversaries' weapons of choice in shallow-water 
situations, and they will be deployed in an asymmetrical and 
asynchronous manner. The Navy needs organic means to clear mines and 
obstacles rapidly in three challenging environments: shallow water; the 
surf zone; and the beach zone. The Navy also needs a capability for 
rapid clandestine surveillance and reconnaissance of minefields and 
obstacles in these environments. The NEODS mission in the GOM offshore 
of EAFB is considered a military readiness activity pursuant to the 
NDAA (Public Law 108-136).

Marine Mammals and Habitat Affected by the Activity

    Marine mammal species that potentially occur within the EGTTR 
include several species of cetaceans and the West Indian manatee. While 
a few manatees may migrate as far north from southern Florida (where 
there are generally confined in the winter) as Louisiana in the summer, 
they primarily inhabit coastal and inshore waters and rarely venture 
offshore. NEODS missions are conducted one to 3 nm (5.6 km) from shore 
and effects on manatees are therefore considered very unlikely and not 
discussed further in this analysis.
    Cetacean abundance estimates for the project area are derived from 
GulfCet II aerial surveys conducted from 1996 to 1998 over a 70,470 km2 
area, including nearly the entire continental shelf region of the 
EGTTR, which extends approximately 9 nm (16.7 km) from shore. The dwarf 
and pygmy sperm whales are not included in this analysis because their 
potential for being found near the project site is remote. Although 
Atlantic spotted dolphins do not normally inhabit nearshore waters, 
they are included in the analysis to ensure conservative mitigation 
measures are applied. The two marine mammal species expected to be 
affected by these activities are the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops 
truncatus) and the Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis). 
Descriptions of the biology and local distribution of these species can 
be found in the application (see ADDRESSES for availability), other 
sources such as Wursig et al. (2000), and the NMFS Stock Assessments, 
which can be viewed at: http://www.NMFS.noaa.gov/pr/PR2/Stock_Assessment_Program/sars.html.

Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins

    Atlantic bottlenose dolphins are distributed worldwide in tropical 
and temperate waters and occur in the slope, shelf, and inshore waters 
of the GOM. Based on a combination of geography and ecological and 
genetic research, Atlantic bottlenose dolphins have been divided into 
many separate stocks within the GOM. The exact structure of these 
stocks is complex and continues to be revised as research is completed. 
For now, bottlenose dolphins inhabiting waters less than 20 m (66 ft) 
deep in the U.S. GOM are believed to constitute 36 inshore or coastal 
stocks, and those inhabiting waters from 20 to 200 m (66 to 656 ft) 
deep in the northern GOM from the U.S.-Mexican border to the Florida 
Keys are considered the continental shelf stock (Waring et al., 2004). 
The proposed action would occur on the ocean floor at a depth of 
approximately 60 ft (18 m) and therefore has the potential to affect 
both the continental shelf and inshore stocks.
    Continental shelf stock assessments were estimated using data from 
vessel surveys conducted between 1998 and 2001 (at 20- to 200-m (66- to 
656-ft) depths). The minimum population estimate for the northern GOM 
continental shelf stock of the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin is 20,414 
(Waring et al., 2004). The potential for biological removal (PBR), 
which is the ``maximum number of animals that may be removed from a 
stock while allowing the stock to maintain its optimal sustainable 
population'', of the continental shelf stock is currently 204.
    The most recent inshore stock assessment surveys were conducted 
aerially in 1993 and covered the area from the shore or bay boundaries 
out to 9.3 km (5.0 nm) past the 18.3 m (60.0 nm) isobath (a slightly 
different area than that defined as inshore in the more recent stock 
assessment above). The minimum population estimate of the northern GOM 
coastal stock of the Atlantic bottlenose dolphin was 3,518 dolphins and 
the PBR for this stock was 35 (Waring et al., 1997).
    Texas A&M University and the NMFS conducted GulfCet II aerial 
surveys in an area including the EGTTR from 1996 to 1998. Density 
estimates were calculated using abundance data collected from the 
continental shelf area of the EGTTR. In an effort to provide better 
species conservation and protection, estimates were adjusted to

[[Page 33124]]

incorporate temporal and spatial variations, surface and submerged 
variations, and overall density confidence. The adjusted density 
estimate for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins within the project area is 
0.810 individuals/km\2\. A small number of dolphins could not be 
identified specifically as Atlantic bottlenose or Atlantic spotted and 
their estimated density was 0.053 individuals/km2.

Atlantic Spotted Dolphins

    Atlantic spotted dolphins are endemic to the tropical and warm 
temperate waters of the Atlantic Ocean and can be found from the 
latitude of Cape May, New Jersey south along mainland shores to 
Venezuela, including the GOM and Lesser Antilles. In the GOM, Atlantic 
spotted dolphins occur primarily in continental shelf waters 10 to 200 
m (33 to 656 ft) deep out to continental slope waters less than 500 m 
(1640.4 ft) deep. One recent study presents strong genetic support for 
differentiation between GOM and western North Atlantic management 
stocks, but the Gulf of Mexico stock has not yet been further 
subdivided.
    Abundance was estimated in the most recent assessment of the 
northern GOM stock of the Atlantic spotted dolphin using combined data 
from continental shelf surveys (20 to 200 m (66 to 656 ft) deep) and 
oceanic surveys (200 m (656 ft)) to offshore extent of U.S. Exclusive 
Economic Zone) conducted from 1996 to 2001. The minimum population 
estimate for the northern GOM is 24,752 Atlantic spotted dolphins 
(Waring et al., 2004). The estimated PBR for this stock is 248 
dolphins.
    Density estimates for the Atlantic spotted dolphin within the EGTTR 
were calculated using abundance data collected during the GulfCet II 
aerial surveys. In an effort to provide better species conservation and 
protection, estimates were adjusted to incorporate temporal and spatial 
variations, surface and submerged variations, and overall density 
confidence. The adjusted density estimate for Atlantic spotted dolphins 
within the project area is 0.677 individuals/km2. A small number of 
dolphins could not be identified specifically as Atlantic bottlenose or 
Atlantic spotted and their estimated density was 0.053 individuals/km2.

Potential Effects of Activities on Marine Mammals

    The primary potential impact to the Atlantic bottlenose and the 
Atlantic spotted dolphins occurring in the EGTTR from the proposed 
detonations is Level B harassment from noise. There is a slight 
potential, absent mitigation, that small numbers of marine mammals may 
be injured or killed due to the energy generated from an explosive 
force on the sea floor. Analysis of NEODS noise impacts to cetaceans 
was based on criteria and thresholds initially presented in U.S. Navy 
Environmental Impact Statements for ship shock trials of the SEAWOLF 
submarine and the WINSTON CHURCHILL vessel and subsequently adopted by 
NMFS.
    Non-lethal injurious impacts (Level A Harassment) are defined in 
EAFB's application and this proposed IHA as tympanic membrane (TM) 
rupture and the onset of slight lung injury. The threshold for Level A 
Harassment corresponds to a 50 percent rate of TM rupture, which can be 
stated in terms of an energy flux density (EFD) value of 205 dB re 1 
microPa2 s. TM rupture is well-correlated with permanent hearing 
impairment (Ketten (1998) indicates a 30 percent incidence of permanent 
threshold shift (PTS) at the same threshold). The zone of influence 
(ZOI) (farthest distance from the source at which an animal is exposed 
to the EFD level referred to) for the Level A Harassment threshold is 
52.2 m (171.6 ft).
    Level B (non-injurious) Harassment includes temporary (auditory) 
threshold shift (TTS), a slight, recoverable loss of hearing 
sensitivity. One criterion used for TTS is 182 dB re 1 microPa\2\ s 
maximum EFD level in any 1/3-octave band above 100 Hz for toothed 
whales (e.g., dolphins). The ZOI for this threshold is 229.8 m (754.0 
ft). A second criterion, 23 psi, has recently been established by NMFS 
to provide a more conservative range for TTS when the explosive or 
animal approaches the sea surface, in which case explosive energy is 
reduced, but the peak pressure is not. The ZOI for 23 psi is 222 m (728 
ft).
    Level B Harassment also includes behavioral modifications resulting 
from repeated noise exposures (below TTS) to the same animals (usually 
resident) over a relatively short period of time. Threshold criteria 
for this particular type of harassment are currently still under 
debate. One recommendation is a level of 6 dB below TTS (see 69 FR 
21816, April 22, 2004), which would be 176 dB re 1 microPa2 s. Due to 
the infrequency of the detonations, the potential variability in target 
locations, and the continuous movement of marine mammals off the 
northern Gulf, behavioral modification from repeated exposures to the 
same animals is considered highly unlikely.

Numbers of Marine Mammals Expected to be Harassed

    Estimates of the potential number of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins 
and Atlantic spotted dolphins to be harassed by the training were 
calculated using the number of distinct firing or test events (maximum 
30 per year), the ZOI for noise exposure, and the density of animals 
that potentially occur in the ZOI. The take estimates provided here do 
not include mitigation measures, which are expected to further minimize 
impacts to protected species and make injury or death highly unlikely.
    The estimated number of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and Atlantic 
spotted dolphins potentially taken through exposure to the Level A 
Harassment threshold (205 dB re 1 microPa\2\ s), are less than one 
(0.22 and 0.19, respectively) annually.
    For Level B Harassment, two separate criteria were established, one 
expressed in dB re 1 microPa2 s maximum EFD level in any 1/3-octave 
band above 100 Hz, and one expressed in psi. The estimated numbers of 
Atlantic bottlenose dolphins and Atlantic spotted dolphins potentially 
taken through exposure to 182 dB are 4 and 3 individuals, respectively. 
The estimated numbers potentially taken through exposure to 23 psi are 
also 4 and 3 individuals, respectively.

Possible Effects of Activities on Marine Mammal Habitat

    The Air Force anticipates no loss or modification to the habitat 
used by Atlantic bottlenose dolphins or Atlantic spotted dolphins in 
the EGTTR. The primary source of marine mammal habitat impact resulting 
from the NEODS missions is noise, which is intermittent (maximum 30 
times per year) and of limited duration. The effects of debris (which 
will be recovered following test activities), ordnance, fuel, and 
chemical residues were analyzed in the NEODS Biological Assessment and 
the Air Force concluded that marine mammal habitat would not be 
affected.

Possible Effects of Activities on Subsistence Needs

    There are no subsistence uses for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins or 
Atlantic spotted dolphins in Gulf of Mexico waters, and thus, there are 
no anticipated effects on subsistence needs.

Mitigation and Monitoring

    Mitigation will consist primarily of surveying and taking action to 
avoid detonating charges when protected species are within the ZOI. A 
trained, NMFS-approved observerwill be staged

[[Page 33125]]

from the highest point possible on a support ship and have proper lines 
of communication to the Officer in Tactical Command. The survey area 
will be 460 m (1509 ft) in every direction from the target, which is 
twice the radius of the ZOI for Level B Harassment (230 m (755 ft)). To 
ensure visibility of marine mammals to observers, NEODS missions will 
be delayed if whitecaps cover more than 50 percent of the surface or if 
the waves are greater than 3 feet (Beaufort Sea State 4).
    Pre-mission monitoring will be used to evaluate the test site for 
environmental suitability of the mission. Visual surveys will be 
conducted two hours, one hour, and five minutes prior to the mission to 
verify that the ZOI (230 m (755 ft)) is free of visually detectable 
marine mammals, sea turtles, large schools of fish, large flocks of 
birds, large Sargassum mats, or large concentrations of jellyfish and 
that the weather is adequate to support visual surveys. The observer 
will plot and record sightings, bearing, and time for all marine 
mammals detected, which would allow the observer to determine if the 
animal is likely to enter the test area during detonation. If an animal 
appears likely to enter the test area during detonation, if marine 
mammals, sea turtles, large schools of fish, large flocks of birds, 
large Sargassum mats, or large concentrations of jellyfish are present, 
or if the weather is inadequate to support monitoring, the observer 
will declare the range fouled and the tactical officer will implement a 
hold until monitoring indicates that the test area is and will remain 
clear of detectable marine mammals or sea turtles.
    Monitoring of the test area will continue throughout the mission 
until the last detonation is complete. The mission would be postponed 
if:
    (1) Any marine mammal is visually detected within the ZOI (230 m 
(755 ft)). The delay would continue until the animal that caused the 
postponement is confirmed to be outside the ZOI (visually observed 
swimming out of the range).
    (2) Any marine mammal or sea turtle is detected in the ZOI and 
subsequently is not seen again. The mission would not continue until 
the last verified location is outside of the ZOI and the animal is 
moving away from the mission area.
    (3) Large Sargassum rafts or large concentrations of jellyfish are 
observed within the ZOI. The delay would continue until the Sargassum 
rafts or jellyfish that caused the postponement are confirmed to be 
outside of the ZOI either due to the current and/or wind moving them 
out of the mission area.
    (4) Large schools of fish are observed in the water within of the 
ZOI. The delay would continue until large fish schools are confirmed to 
be outside the ZOI.
    In the event of a postponement, pre-mission monitoring would 
continue as long as weather and daylight hours allow. If a charge 
failed to explode, mitigation measures would continue while operations 
personnel attempted to recognize and solve the problem (detonate the 
charge).
    Post-mission monitoring is designed to determine the effectiveness 
of pre-mission mitigation by reporting any sightings of dead or injured 
marine mammals or sea turtles. Post-detonation monitoring, 
concentrating on the area down current of the test site, would commence 
immediately following each detonation and continue for at least two 
hours after the last detonation. The monitoring team would document and 
report to the appropriate marine animal stranding network any marine 
mammals or turtles killed or injured during the test and, if 
practicable, recover and examine any dead animals. The species, number, 
location, and behavior of any animals observed by the teams would be 
documented and reported to the Officer in Tactical Command.

Reporting

    The Air Force will notify NMFS 2 weeks prior to initiation of each 
training session. Any takes of marine mammals other than those 
authorized by the IHA, as well as any injuries or deaths of marine 
mammals, will be reported to the Southeast Regional Administrator, 
NMFS, by the next working day. A summary of mission observations and 
test results, including dates and times of detonations as well as pre- 
and post-mission monitoring observations, will be submitted to the 
Southeast Regional Office (NMFS) and to the Division of Permits, 
Conservation, and Education, Office of Protected Resources (NMFS) 
within 90 days after the completion of the last training session.

Endangered Species Act

    In a Biological Opinion issued on October 25, 2004, NMFS concluded 
that the NEODS training missions and their associated actions are not 
likely to jeopardize the continued existence of threatened or 
endangered species under the jurisdiction of NMFS or destroy or 
adversely modify critical habitat that has been designated for those 
species. NMFS has issued an incidental take statement (ITS) for sea 
turtles pursuant to Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. The ITS 
contains reasonable and prudent measures with implementing terms and 
conditions to minimize the effects of this take. This proposed IHA 
action is within the scope of the previously analyzed action and does 
not change the action in a manner that was not considered previously.

National Environmental Policy Act

    NMFS is currently conducting an analysis, pursuant to NEPA, to 
determine whether or not this activity may have a significant effect on 
the human environment. A record of decision will be issued prior to the 
issuance or denial of this IHA.

Preliminary Conclusions

    NMFS proposes to issue an IHA to the USAF for the NEODS training 
missions to take place at EAFB over a 1-year period. The proposal to 
issue this IHA is contingent upon adherence to the previously mentioned 
mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements. NMFS has 
preliminarily determined that the impact of the NEODS training, which 
entails up to six missions per year, including up to 5 live detonations 
per mission of approximately 5-pound net explosive weight charges to 
occur in approximately 60-foot (18 m) deep water from one to three nm 
off shore, will result in the harassment of small numbers of Atlantic 
bottlenose dolphins and Atlantic spotted dolphins; would have no more 
negligible impact on these marine mammal stocks; and would not have an 
unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of marine mammal stocks 
for subsistence uses. Dwarf and pygmy sperm whales and manatees are 
unlikely to be found in the area and, therefore, will not be affected. 
While behavioral modifications may be made by Atlantic bottlenose 
dolphins and Atlantic spotted dolphins to avoid the resultant acoustic 
stimuli, there is virtually no possibility of injury or mortality when 
the potential density of dolphins in the area and extent of mitigation 
and monitoring are taken into consideration. The effects of the NEODS 
training are expected to be limited to short-term and localized TTS-
related behavioral changes.
    Due to the infrequency and localized nature of these activities, 
the estimated number of marine mammals potentially taken by harassment 
is small. In addition, no take by injury and/or death is anticipated. 
No rookeries, mating grounds, areas of concentrated feeding, or other 
areas of special significance for marine mammals occur within or near 
the NEODS test sites.

Information Solicited

    NMFS requests interested persons to submit comments and information

[[Page 33126]]

concerning this request (see ADDRESSES). 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: June 1, 2005.
Michael Payne,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05-11209 Filed 6-6-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S