[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 229 (Wednesday, November 26, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 72028]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-28182]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XL78


Marine Mammals; File No. 764-1703-02

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 the National Museum of Natural 
History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 20008-2598 
[Principal Investigator: Charles Potter], has been issued an amendment 
to scientific research Permit No. 764-1703-01.

ADDRESSES: The amendment and related documents are available for review 
upon written request or by appointment in the following office:
    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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Skidmore or Amy Sloan 
(301)713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The requested permit amendment 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.), the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting 
of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226), and the 
Fur Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
    The Permit authorizes the National Museum of Natural History to 
collect, obtain, and import/export samples taken from marine mammals of 
the Orders Pinnipedia (except walrus) and Cetacea for research 
purposes. This amendment extends the expiration date of the permit to 
December 31, 2009.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final determination has been made that the 
activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to 
prepare an environmental assessment or 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 19, 2008.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-28182 Filed 11-25-08; 8:45 am]
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