[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 130 (Thursday, July 8, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39206-39207]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-16659]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XS41


Marine Mammals; File Nos. 87-1851 and 555-1870

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of applications for permit amendments.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Daniel P. Costa, PhD, University 
of California at Santa Cruz, Long Marine Laboratory, 100 Shaffer Road, 
Santa Cruz, CA, has applied for an amendment to Scientific Research 
Permit No. 87-1851-02; and, James T. Harvey, PhD, Moss Landing Marine 
Laboratory, 8272 Moss Landing Road, Moss Landing, CA, has applied for 
an amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 555-1870-01.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before August 9, 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. 87-
1851 or 555-1870 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 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 e-mail to [email protected]. Please include the 
File No. in the subject line of the e-mail comment.

[[Page 39207]]

    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 Tammy Adams, (301) 713-
2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 87-1851-
02, issued December 28, 2009 (75 FR 106) and Permit No. 555-1870-01, 
issued February 24, 2010 (75 FR 11132) 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. 87-1851-02 authorizes tagging studies and physiological 
research on seals in Antarctica, including crabeater (Hydrurga 
leptonyx), Weddell (Leptonychotes weddellii), and Ross (Ommatophoca 
rossii) seals. The permit also authorizes research on California sea 
lions (Zalophus californianus) to investigate foraging, diving, 
energetics, food habits, and at-sea distribution. The permit expires on 
January 31, 2012. The permit holder is requesting eight of 40 Weddell 
seals permitted for capture participate in a metabolic study in 
addition to currently permitted procedures. The amendment request is 
annually for the duration of the permit.
    Permit No. 555-1870-01 authorizes research on the biology and 
ecology of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in California, Oregon, 
Washington, and Alaska including external tagging, sampling, and 
surgical implantation of subcutaneous radio transmitters. The permit 
expires April 15, 2012. The applicant proposes to modify the sedation 
and suture protocols for the implant surgeries in a trial study on six 
animals brought into captivity for post-implant monitoring. The 
applicant also proposes to increase the number of subadult seals 
captured, sampled, and tagged in the wild (from 20 male subadults and 
20 female subadults a year to 35 males and 35 females a year) for a 
more robust survival model and to apply the new surgical protocols in 
the field if the pilot study proves successful. The amendment request 
is annually 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 activities proposed are 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: July 1, 2010.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-16659 Filed 7-7-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P