[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 15 (Monday, January 24, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4091-4092]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-1359]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA165


Marine Mammals; File No. 15510

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 Jennifer Burns, Ph.D., University 
of Alaska Anchorage, Biology Department, 3101 Science Circle, 
Anchorage, AK, has applied in due form for a permit to receive, import, 
and export marine mammal parts for scientific research.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before February 23, 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. 15510 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
    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 e-mail to [email protected].

[[Page 4092]]

Please include ``File No. 15510'' 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: Amy Sloan or Laura Morse, (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 applicant proposes to obtain samples from up to 50 animals 
annually of each of the following species: Harp seal, Pagophilus 
groenlandica; hooded seal, Cystophora cristata; gray seal, Halichoerus 
grypus; bearded seal, Erignathus barbatus; ringed seal, Phoca hispida; 
harbor seal, Phoca vitulina; spotted seal, Phoca largha; and ribbon 
seal, Phoca fasciata. The applicant also proposes to import samples 
annually from up to 6 captive Northern fur seals, Callorhinus ursinus; 
and 6 captive Steller Sea lions, Eumetopias jubatus. Samples will be 
from animals taken for subsistence harvest in Alaska, and taken during 
scientific and/or subsistence collections including but not limited to 
the national waters of Canada, Norway, and the United Kingdom, and in 
international waters. Samples may be received, imported and exported 
from any country worldwide over a five-year period. The purpose of the 
proposed research is to study the physiological development of 
pinnipeds including the development of thermoregulation, muscle 
performance characteristics, tissue oxygen stores, and hormonal and 
other regulatory factors in tissues.
    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.

    Dated: January 19, 2011.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-1359 Filed 1-21-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P