[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 93 (Monday, May 15, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27996-27997]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-7356]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 042406C]


Marine Mammals; File No. 782-1812

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

ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS, National Marine Mammal 
Laboratory (Principle Investigator: Dr. Robert DeLong), Alaska 
Fisheries Science Center, Seattle, WA has been issued a permit to 
conduct research on California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), 
northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), harbor seals (Phoca 
vitulina), and northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) on the southern 
California Channel Islands, surrounding waters, and at haul-out sites 
along the coast of California, Oregon, and Washington.

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)427-2521;
    Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 
1,

[[Page 27997]]

Seattle, WA 98115-0700; phone (206)526-6150; fax (206)526-6426; and
    Southwest 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: Andrew Wright or Dr. Tammy Adams, 
(301)713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 9, 2006, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (71 FR 12185) that a request for a scientific 
research permit to take the species identified above had been submitted 
by the above-named organization. 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 permit authorizes the holder to conduct five research projects 
related to population and health assessment and studies of the ecology 
of and disease in these pinniped species. The permit authorizes the 
holder to harass, capture, sample (blood and various tissues), mark (by 
dye, flipper tag, neoprene patch, and hot brand), and attach 
instruments to individuals and to inject California sea lion and 
northern fur seal pups with either an antihelminthic treatment or 
placebo. The permit also authorizes NMML a limited number of 
mortalities of each species per year incidental to the research. Please 
refer to the tables in the permit for details of the numbers of marine 
mammals that are authorized to be taken during the course of the 
various research activities. The permit will expire on April 30, 2011.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final determination has been made that the 
activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to 
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.

    Dated: May 9, 2006.
Stephen L. Leathery,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6-7356 Filed 5-12-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S