[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 100 (Tuesday, May 24, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30109-30110]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-12764]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA172


Marine Mammals; File No. 15453

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

ACTION: Notice; requested change to permit application.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Waikiki Aquarium, 2777 
Kalakaua Avenue Honolulu, HI 96815 (Dr. Andrew Rossiter, Responsible 
Party), has requested a change to the application for a permit (File 
No. 15453).

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before June 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 home 
page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File No. 15453 
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
Pacific Islands Region, NMFS, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Rm 1110, Honolulu, 
HI 96814-4700; phone (808)944-2200; fax (808)973-2941.

    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 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 permit (File No. 15453) has been 
requested under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 
1972, as amended (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 (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).
    On January 27, 2011 (76 FR 4867), notice was published that a 
scientific research and enhancement permit had been requested by the 
applicant to include research on two captive Hawaiian monk seals 
(Monachus schauinslandi) and associated enhancement activities at the 
Waikiki Aquarium. The applicant is requesting to amend the application 
to request authorization to hold up to three permanently captive 
Hawaiian monk seals at the Waikiki Aquarium at any given time, an 
increase of one animal from that described in the permit application. 
The purpose of the request is to allow maintenance and research on an 
additional non-releasable monk seal in the event one becomes available; 
this request is in consideration of the aging seals currently 
maintained at the Waikiki Aquarium.
    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 addendum to the original 
application to the Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of 
Scientific Advisors.


[[Page 30110]]


    Dated: May 18, 2011.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-12764 Filed 5-23-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P