[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 198 (Thursday, October 15, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 52949]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-24839]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XS27


Marine Mammals; File No. 14676

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 Paul Ponganis, Ph.D., University 
of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, has applied in due 
form for a permit to conduct research on California sea lions (Zalophus 
californianus).

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before November 16, 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. 14676 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)713-0376; 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 
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 comment the following document identifier: 
File No. 14676.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kate Swails or Tammy Adams, (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 purpose of 
this research is to determine the role of blood oxygen store depletion 
in the dive behavior and foraging ecology of California sea lions. This 
research would help determine the ability of these animals to adapt to 
environmental change. Over the course of five years, up to twenty 
animals would be captured, flipper tagged, anesthetized, and equipped 
with a backpack blood oxygen recorder during foraging trips to sea. 
Animals would be recaptured after the foraging trip to remove the 
recorders. Research would occur on San Nicolas Island off the coast of 
California. Annually, up to 6000 California sea lions, 500 harbor seals 
(Phoca vitulina), 1000 northern elephant seals (Mirounga 
angustirostris), and 150 northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) may 
be incidentally harassed during research. The permit would be valid for 
five years.
    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 8, 2009.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9-24839 Filed 10-14-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S