[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 221 (Wednesday, November 18, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59524-59525]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-27676]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XS95


Marine Mammals; Photography Permit Application No. 15128

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 Robert Pilley, Leighside, Bridge 
Road, Leighwoods, Bristol, BS8 3PB, United Kingdom, has applied in due 
form for a permit to conduct commercial/educational photography of 
bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).

DATES:  Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before December 18, 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
    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

[[Page 59525]]

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. 15128.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Amy Hapeman or Carrie Hubard, 
(301)713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the 
authority of section 104(c)(6) 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). Section 
104(c)(6) provides for photography for educational or commercial 
purposes involving non-endangered and non-threatened marine mammals in 
the wild.
    Mr. Pilley requests a two-year photography permit to film 
bottlenose dolphin strand feeding events in the estuaries and creeks of 
Bull Creek and around Hilton Head, South Carolina. Filmmakers plan to 
use four filming platforms: a static remotely operated camera placed on 
the mudflats, a radio-controlled camera helicopter, a radio-controlled 
camera glider, and a radio-controlled camera boat. Up to 128 dolphins 
annually may be approached and filmed. Filming will occur over 14 days 
and be completed by November 2010. Footage will be used to create a 6-
part television series, Earthflight, for the British Broadcasting 
Corporation and Discovery Channel. The premise of the series is to 
follow migratory bird species around the world, with a bird's-eye 
perspective.
    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: November 13, 2009.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9-27676 Filed 11-17-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S