[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 124 (Tuesday, June 29, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37388-37389]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-15769]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XR61


Marine Mammals; File No. 14535

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

ACTION:  Notice; receipt of application for permit amendment.

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SUMMARY:  Notice is hereby given that Colleen Reichmuth, Ph.D., 
University of California at Santa Cruz, Long Marine Laboratory, 100 
Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA, has applied in due form for

[[Page 37389]]

an amendment to scientific research Permit No. 14535.

DATES:  Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before July 29, 2010.

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 home 
page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File No. 14535 
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;
    Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone 
(907)586-7221; fax (907)586-7249; 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 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 Jennifer Skidmore, 
(301)713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No.14535 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).
    Permit No. 14535, issued on December 7, 2009 (74 FR 65748), 
authorizes psychological and physiological research annually on up to 
two captive harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), two California sea lions 
(Zalophus californianus), and two northern elephant seals (Mirounga 
angustirostris) at Long Marine Laboratory, which are trained to 
voluntarily participate in studies designed to evaluate their 
perceptual and cognitive capabilities. The permit expires on December 
31, 2014.
    The permit holder requests an amendment to add two non-releasable 
animals of each of the following species to the captive research 
program: ringed seal (Phoca hispida), bearded seal (Erignathus 
barbatus), and spotted seal (Phoca largha). The purpose is to expand 
the comparative understanding of basic perceptual and cognitive 
function among pinnipeds and to assess potential impacts of human noise 
on marine mammals. The proposed amendment is for the duration of the 
permit.
    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 23, 2010.
Tammy C. Adams,
Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-15769 Filed 6-28-10; 8:45 am]
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