[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 223 (Tuesday, November 18, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68416-68417]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-27336]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XL79


Marine Mammals; File No. 87-1851

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 Dr. Daniel P. Costa, Department of 
Biology and Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California 
Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, has applied for an amendment to Scientific 
Research Permit No. 87-1851-00.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before December 18, 2008.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available 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
    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. 87-1851.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment 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. 87-1851-00, issued on January 29, 2007 (72 FR 5680), 
authorizes tagging studies and physiological research on seals in 
Antarctica, including crabeater seals (Lobodon carcinophagus), southern 
elephant seals (Mirounga leonina), leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx), 
Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii), and Ross seals (Ommatophoca 
rossii). The permit also authorizes research on California sea lions 
(Zalophus californianus) to investigate foraging, diving, energetics, 
food habits, and at-sea distribution along the California coast. 
Incidental harassment of California sea lions, harbor seals (Phoca 
vitulina), northern elephant seals (Mirounga augustirostris), and 
northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) is authorized. The permit 
expires on January 31, 2012.

[[Page 68417]]

    The permit holder is requesting the permit be amended to expand the 
geographic area where research is conducted in Antarctica to include 
the Weddell Sea. No other changes are requested. The permit holder 
requests the changes proposed in the amendment be for the duration of 
the 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: November 13, 2008.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-27336 Filed 11-17-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S