[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 102 (Friday, May 26, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30387-30388]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-8174]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 051206A]


Marine Mammals; File No. 945-1776

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 Glacier Bay National Park and 
Preserve (Christine M. Gabriele, Principal Investigator) P.O. Box 140, 
Gustavus, AK 99826, (File No. 945-1776) has been issued a permit to 
conduct 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)427-2521; and
    Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone 
(907)586-7221; fax (907)586-7249.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carrie Hubard or Amy Hapeman, 
(301)713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 17, 2005, notice was published 
in the Federal Register (70 FR 8076) that a request for a scientific 
research permit to take marine mammals 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.), the Regulations Governing the Taking and 
Importing of Marine Mammals (50 CFR part 216), 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).
    Permit No. 945-1776 authorizes Glacier Bay National Park and 
Preserve to conduct population studies on numerous cetacean species 
with a particular emphasis on humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), minke 
(Balaenoptera acutorostrata), and killer whales (Orcinus orca). Takes 
will occur by close approach via vessel survey for photo-
identification, behavioral observation, passive acoustic recording, 
collection of sloughed skin and feces, prey sampling, and incidental 
harassment. The permit is valid for five years.

[[Page 30388]]

    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 such endangered species; and (3) is 
consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the 
ESA.

    Dated: May 23, 2006.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6-8174 Filed 5-25-06; 8:45 am]
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