[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 138 (Wednesday, July 19, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 40995]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-11445]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 071306F]


Marine Mammals; File No. 633-1778

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 the Center for Coastal Studies, 
P.O. Box 1036, Provincetown, MA 02657 [Principal Investigator: Julie 
Robbins] 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;
    Northeast Region, NMFS, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-
2298; phone (978)281-9300; fax (978)281-9394; and
    Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, 
Florida 33701; phone (727)824-5312; fax (727)824-5309.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 21, 2005, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (70 FR 13481) that a request for a scientific 
research permit to take various pinniped and cetacean species, 
including endangered large whales, 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).
    The permit holder is authorized to conduct photo-identification and 
biopsy sampling of a variety of large whale species, with a focus on 
humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). Sloughed skin may also be 
collected and all biological samples may be imported and exported. 
Several small cetaceans species as well as harbor seals (Phoca 
vitulina) and grey seals (Halicoerus grypus) may be incidentally 
harassed during the research. Activities will be conducted in the U.S. 
waters of the Gulf of Maine and waters off the U.S. northeast and mid-
Atlantic states in the North Atlantic Ocean. The permit expires in 5 
years.
    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 any endangered species; and (3) is 
consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the 
ESA.

    Dated: July 13, 2006.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6-11445 Filed 7-18-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S