[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 109 (Tuesday, June 9, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 27286]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-13368]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XP69


Marine Mammals; File No. 14502

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Russell Fielding, Louisiana State 
University, Room 227, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70803, has applied in due 
form for a permit to import samples from Risso's (Grampus griseus), 
spinner (Stenella longirostris), and spotted (Stenella frontalis) 
dolphins and short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) for 
the purpose of scientific research.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before July 9, 2009.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for 
review by selecting ``Records Open for Public Comment'' from the 
Features box on the Applications and Permits for Protected Species 
(APPS) home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File 
No. 14502 from the list of available applications.
    These documents are also 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
    Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, 
Florida 33701; phone (727)824-5312; fax (727)824-5309.
    Written comments or requests for a public hearing on this 
application should be mailed 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 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. 14502.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the 
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended 
(MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and the regulations governing the taking 
and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The applicant is requesting a scientific research permit to import 
muscle, blubber, and teeth samples from Risso's, spinner, and spotted 
dolphins and short-finned pilot whales collected during the legal 
cetacean hunts of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Samples from up to 
100 individuals will be imported to the NOAA Center for Coastal 
Fisheries and Habitat Research in Beaufort, North Carolina, for 
contaminant analysis (specifically methyl-mercury). No animals will be 
taken to provide samples for this research and no marine mammals will 
be incidentally harassed. A permit is requested for three months for 
the importation of samples to occur.
    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: June 2, 2009.
Tammy C. Adams,
Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9-13368 Filed 6-8-09; 8:45 am]
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