[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 187 (Wednesday, September 27, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 56479]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-15892]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

[I.D. 091406B]


Marine Mammals; National Marine Fisheries Service File No. 31-
1741; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service File No. MA081663

AGENCIES: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic 
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce; U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit amendment.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Wildlife Conservation Society 
(WCS), 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx, New York 10460 [Dr. Howard C. 
Rosenbaum, Principal Investigator], has been issued an amendment to 
scientific research Permit No. 31-1741/MA081663.

ADDRESSES: The permit and related documents are available for review 
upon written request or by appointment in the following office(s):
    U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Management Authority, 
4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 700, Arlington, VA 22203; phone (800) 
358-2104; fax (703) 358-2281; and
    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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Monica Farris, Division of Management 
Authority, US Fish and Wildlife Service, (703) 358-2104.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 13, 2006, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (71 FR 34064) that a request for an amendment to a 
joint NMFS/USFWS scientific research permit had been submitted by the 
above-named organization. This amendment revises the current permit to 
include the acquisition, importation and exportation/re-exportion of 
specimens and materials from polar bears (Ursus maritimus), including 
shed hair, feces, and DNA and tissue samples from the wild, tissue 
banks, and collaborators. The permit has been granted under the 
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended 
(MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and the regulations governing the taking 
and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 18).
    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 21, 2006.
Charlie R. Chandler,
Chief, Branch of Permits, Division of Management Authority, U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service.

    Dated: September 21, 2006.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6-15892 Filed 9-26-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S