[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 134 (Friday, July 11, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 39951]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-15834]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XI31


Marine Mammals; File No. 716-1705

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

ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit amendment.

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SUMMARY:  Notice is hereby given that Fred Sharpe, Ph.D., Alaska Whale 
Foundation, 4739 University Way NE, 1239, Seattle Washington 
98105 has been issued an amendment to scientific research Permit No. 
716-1705-00.

ADDRESSES:  The amendment 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;
    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
    Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone 
(907)586-7221; fax (907)586-7249.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 6, 2008, notice was published in the 
Federal Register (73 FR 32307) that an amendment of Permit No. 716-
1705-00 had been requested by the above-named individual. The requested 
amendment has been granted 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 
222-226).
    The amendment authorizes Dr. Sharpe to use a mini-helicopter to 
film lunge feeding humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in 
Southeast Alaska in July and August, 2008.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a supplemental 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: July 7, 2008.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-15834 Filed 7-10-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S