[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 232 (Friday, December 3, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 75458]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-30401]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA072


Marine Mammals; File No. 15488

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 Georgia Department of Natural 
Resources, Wildlife Resources Division [Responsible Party: Dan 
Forster], has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on 
North Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis).

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before January 3, 2011.

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. 15488 from the list of available applications.
    These documents are also available 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, FL 33701; phone (727) 
824-5312; fax (727) 824-5309.
    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.
    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: Kristy Beard or Carrie Hubard, (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.), and the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR 222-226).
    Permit No. 15488 would authorize harassment of North Atlantic right 
whales off the coast of Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina. Annual 
activities would include aerial surveys and close approach by vessel to 
collect right whale photo-identification and behavioral data from up to 
350 whales. An additional 50 adult or juvenile whales and 20 whales 
older than one month would be approached by vessel to collect photo-
identification and behavioral data and skin/blubber biopsy samples. The 
purpose of the research is to monitor North Atlantic right whale 
population status, demographics, habitat and anthropogenic impacts. Up 
to 350 bottlenose (Tursiops truncatus) and 200 Atlantic spotted 
dolphins (Stenella frontalis) would be harassed incidental to 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.), a draft environmental assessment (EA) has 
been prepared to examine whether significant environmental impacts 
could result from issuance of the proposed scientific research permit. 
The draft EA is available for review and comment simultaneous with the 
scientific research permit application.
    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.

    Dated: November 30, 2010.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-30401 Filed 12-2-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P