[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 194 (Thursday, October 8, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51836-51837]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-24308]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XS05


Marine Mammals; File No. 14802

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 the Oregon Coast Aquarium, 2820 
S.E. Ferry Slip Road, Newport, OR 97365, has applied in due form for a 
permit to import up to eight non-releasable harbor seals (Phoca 
vitulina) for the purposes of public display.

DATES:  Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before 
November 9, 2009.

ADDRESSES:  The application and related documents are available for 
review upon written request or by appointment in the following offices:
    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) 713-0376; 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.
    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)713-0376, 
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

[[Page 51837]]

comment the following document identifier: File No. 14802.

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 (16 
U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and the regulations governing the taking and 
importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The applicant requests authorization to import up to eight non-
releasable harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) from the Vancouver Aquarium 
Science Center, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada to the Oregon Coast 
Aquarium. The applicant requests these imports for the purpose of 
public display. The receiving facility, Oregon Coast Aquarium, 2820 
S.E. Ferry Slip Road, Newport, OR 97365 is: (1) open to the public on 
regularly scheduled basis with access that is not limited or restricted 
other than by charging for an admission fee; (2) offers an educational 
program based on professionally accepted standards of the American 
Association of Zoos and Aquariums; and (3) holds an Exhibitor's 
License, number 92-C-0057, issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture 
under the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. Sec. Sec.  2131-59).
    In addition to determining whether the applicant meets the three 
public display criteria, NMFS must determine whether the applicant has 
demonstrated that the proposed activity is humane and does not 
represent any unnecessary risks to the health and welfare of marine 
mammals; that the proposed activity by itself, or in combination with 
other activities, will not likely have a significant adverse impact on 
the species or stock; and that the applicant's expertise, facilities 
and resources are adequate to accomplish successfully the objectives 
and activities stated in the application.
    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: October 2, 2009.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9-24308 Filed 10-7-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S