[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 247 (Tuesday, December 23, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78725-78726]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-30580]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XL41


Marine Mammals; File No. 10080

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

ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit amendment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Dr. Kathryn A. Ono, Department of 
Biological Sciences, University of New England, Biddeford, ME has been 
issued a major amendment to Permit No. 10080-02.

ADDRESSES: The permit 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
    Northeast Region, NMFS, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930; phone (978)281-9300; fax (978) 281-9333.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 27, 2008, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (73 FR 63697) that a request for an amendment 
Permit No. 10080-02, to conduct research on gray seals (Halichoerus 
grypus) in the Gulf of Maine, had been submitted by the above-named 
applicant. 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.), and the regulations governing the taking and 
importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The amended permit includes authorization to: (1) remotely mark the 
pelage of adult gray seals of both sexes (200 per year) using the 
various dyes and paints already permitted for use on pups; (2) use an 
additional type of marking agent, an alcohol based- dye (Rhodamine B 
500%), on pups and adults; (3) disturb an additional 400 non-target 
gray seals per year during the additional marking activities; and (4) 
disturb an additional 300 gray seals annually during field camp 
operations associated with conduct of the research. The amendment also 
authorizes the incidental research-related mortality of up to four gray 
seal pups annually.

[[Page 78726]]

    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.

    Dated: December 17, 2008.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-30580 Filed 12-22-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S