[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 195 (Wednesday, October 10, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57524-57525]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-19930]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD16


Marine Mammals; File No. 782-1702

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for amendment.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS National Marine Mammal 
Laboratory, 7600 Sand Point Way, NE, Seattle, WA 98115-0070, has 
requested an amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 782-1702.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before November 9, 2007.

ADDRESSES: The amendment request 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;
    Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 
1, Seattle, WA 98115-0700; phone (206)526-6150; fax (206)526-6426; and
    Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long 
Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562)980-4001; fax (562)980-4018.
    Written comments or requests for a public hearing on this request 
should be submitted to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education 
Division, F/PR1, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Those individuals 
requesting a hearing should set forth the specific reasons why a 
hearing on this particular amendment request would be appropriate.
    Comments may also be submitted by facsimile at (301)427-2521, 
provided the facsimile is confirmed by hard copy submitted by mail and 
postmarked no later than the closing date of the comment period.
    Comments may also be submitted by e-mail. The mailbox address for 
providing e-mail comments is [email protected]. Include in the 
subject line of the e-mail comment the following document identifier: 
File No. 782-1702.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tammy Adams or Kate Swails, (301)713-
2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 782-1702 
is requested 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).
    Permit No. 782-1702, issued on September 16, 2003 (68 FR 58663) 
authorizes the permit holder to conduct aerial, ground, and vessel 
surveys annually in California, Washington, and Oregon for stock 
assessment of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), California sea lions 
(Zalophus californianus), Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), and 
northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris). Harbor seals, 
California sea lions, and northern elephant seals may be captured, 
tagged, and hot-branded for long-term identification of individuals and 
information on reproductive success, survival and longevity. Blood 
samples may be collected for disease screening. Blubber biopsies may be 
taken for contaminant analysis. Other tissues may be sampled for 
genetics and for fatty acid analysis. Some animals may be instrumented 
with VHF radio transmitters, Time-Depth Recorders, satellite tags, or 
sonic tags to document movements, activity and foraging patterns.
    The permit holder now requests authorization to conduct additional 
activities on up to 20 adult harbor seals annually. These seals, 
excluding pregnant or lactating females, would receive gas anesthesia 
following capture, have stomach temperature transmitters inserted via 
stomach intubation, and have an external data

[[Page 57525]]

logger attached externally. The purpose of the additional protocols is 
to augment current studies on harbor seal diet and abundance. This 
amendment would not result in capture or disturbance of marine mammals 
beyond those numbers already authorized by the subject permit.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial determination has been made that 
the activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to 
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
    Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of this application to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: October 3, 2007.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E7-19930 Filed 10-9-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S