[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 237 (Friday, December 11, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65748-65749]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-29600]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XR34


Marine Mammals; File No. 14301

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 University of Alaska Museum 
of the North, 907 Yukon Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775-6960 (Dr. Link E. 
Olson, Responsible Party), has applied in due form for a permit to 
collect, acquire, import and export various marine mammal and 
endangered species specimens, including partial and whole carcasses 
from species of marine mammals under the jurisdiction of NMFS for the 
purpose of curating samples for future scientific research.

DATES:  Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before January 11, 2010.

ADDRESSES:  The application and related documents are 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
    Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone 
(907) 586-7221; fax (907) 586-7249.
    Written comments on this application should be submitted to the 
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, at the address 
listed above. Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (301) 713-
0376, or by email to [email protected]. Please include the File 
No. in the subject line of the email comment.
    Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a 
written request to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education 
Division at the address listed above. The request should set forth the 
specific reasons why a hearing on this application would be 
appropriate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Amy Sloan or Kate Swails, (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.), the regulations governing the taking 
and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216), the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR 222-226), and the Fur Seal 
Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
    The University of Alaska Museum of the North functions as an 
archive for scientific specimens of marine mammals under the 
jurisdiction of the National Marine Fisheries and is a major repository 
of marine mammal material from the Arctic and North Pacific oceans. 
Under the proposed permit, the applicant would (1) import/export marine 
mammal parts (bones and organ tissue samples) from dead beach-cast 
carcasses, (2) receive/archive and export samples of marine mammals 
taken by Alaskan Native subsistence hunters, and (3) receive, import/
export specimens from scientists in academic, federal, and state 
institutions involved in marine mammal research under their own 
permits. Unlimited samples from up to 1240 pinnipeds (35 species; 
excluding walrus) and 1700 cetaceans (81 species) would be collected, 
received, imported, or exported annually. Import/export activities 
would occur world-wide. No live animals would be harassed or taken, 
lethally or otherwise, under the requested permit. The permit is 
requested for a five-year period.
    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 the application to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.


[[Page 65749]]


    Dated: August 27, 2009.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9-29600 Filed 12-10-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S