[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 222 (Monday, November 17, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 67837]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-27223]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD09


Marine Mammals; File No. 532-1822-03

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 Kenneth Balcomb, Center for Whale 
Studies, P.O. Box 1577, Friday Harbor, WA 98250 has been issued an 
amendment to scientific research Permit No. 532-1822-02.

ADDRESSES: The amendment 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
    Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 
1, Seattle, WA 98115-0700; phone (206)526-6150; fax (206)526-6426.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jaclyn Daly or Jennifer Skidmore, 
(301)713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 10, 2007, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (72 FR 57523) that an amendment of Permit No. 532-
1882-02, issued July 17, 2006, 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.), the regulations 
governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and 
threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226).
    The purpose of the amendment is to obtain distribution and movement 
data of southern resident killer whales during the spring, fall, and 
winter months via satellite tagging. The permit amendment authorizes 
the tagging of up to 6 individual adult or sub-adult male southern 
resident killer whales per year, three of which may be re-tagged per 
year, throughout the inland waters of Washington and the coastal waters 
of Washington, Oregon, and California. No more than 12 individuals are 
authorized to be tagged for the duration of the permit. The permit will 
expire on April 14, 2011.
    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: November 10, 2008.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-27223 Filed 11-14-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S