[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 154 (Friday, August 10, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 45013]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-15684]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XB85


Marine Mammals; File No. 1120-1898

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 Eye of the Whale Research (Olga 
von Ziegesar, Principal Investigator), P.O. Box 15191, Fitz Creek, 
Alaska, 99603, has been issued a permit to conduct research on humpback 
whales (Megaptera novaeangliae).

ADDRESSES:  The permit and related documents are available for review 
upon written request or by appointment in the following offices:
    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:  Amy Hapeman or Brandy Hutnak, 
(301)713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 28, 2007, notice was published 
in the Federal Register (72 FR 8972) that a request for a scientific 
research permit to take humpback 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).
    Permit No. 1120-1898, issued to the Eye of the Whale Research, 
allows for the take of humpback whales in Prince William Sound and 
adjacent waters of Alaska to determine the population size, 
distribution, recurrence of individuals, feeding habits, vital rates, 
associations between animals, and sex of individuals. Researchers may 
closely approach up to 1,350 whales annually during vessel surveys for 
photo-identification and behavioral observation.
    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: August 3, 2007.
Tammy C. Adams,
Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E7-15684 Filed 8-9-07; 8:45 am]
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