[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 178 (Thursday, September 14, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 54275]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-15261]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 090806B]


Marine Mammals; File No. 763-1845

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 Smithsonian National 
Zoological Park (SNZP), 3001 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 
20008 (John Berry, Responsible Party) has been issued a permit to 
conduct research on Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddelliis) and import 
marine mammal specimens for 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
    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: Amy Sloan or Tammy Adams, (301)713-
2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 3, 2006, notice was published in the 
Federal Register (71 FR 26073) 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 SNZP has been issued a permit to study maternal investment, 
maternal and pup diving behavior, and the onset of feeding by mother 
and pup Weddell seals in Antarctica. Over a 2-year period, researchers 
will capture mother-pup pairs and weaned pups for weighing, 
administering isotopes, collecting blood and milk samples, and 
attachment/removal of time-depth recorders and radio transmitters. 
Samples from Weddell seals and from non-endangered marine mammals may 
be imported into the U.S. and re-exported for scientific analysis over 
a 5-year period.
    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: September 8, 2001.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6-15261 Filed 9-13-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S