[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 103 (Friday, May 27, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30919-30920]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-13262]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA453


Marine Mammals; File No. 15844

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 Glacier Bay National Park and 
Reserve (Responsible Party: Susan Boudreau; Principal Investigator: 
Christine Gabriele), Gustavus, AK, 99826, has applied in due form for a 
permit to conduct research on humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), 
killer whales (Orcinus orca) and minke whales (Balaenoptera 
acutorostrata).

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before June 27, 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. 15844 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
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]. 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

[[Page 30920]]

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: Joselyd Garcia-Reyes or Kristy Beard, 
(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).
    The applicant requests a permit to conduct passive acoustics, 
videography, photo-identification surveys, biopsy sampling, and collect 
sloughed skin and/or feces to study humpback whales, killer whales and 
minke whale. Research would occur around southeastern Alaska especially 
in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve. Up to 6300 humpback whales, 
500 killer whales, and 20 minke whales could be harassed each year 
during photo-identification surveys. Additionally, humpback whales and 
the three killer whale ecotypes could be harassed up to 50 times each, 
to acquire 30 successful biopsy samples, per year. See the application 
for specific take numbers by species/stock. The purposes of the 
proposed research are to: (1) Study the ecology, behavior and 
population status of all demographic groups in humpback, killer and 
minke whales, (2) continue one of the longest and most complete time-
series data set on humpback whale populations, and (3) document long-
term trends in the abundance, spatial and temporal distribution, 
reproductive parameters and feeding behaviors of humpback, killer, and 
minke whales, which would enhance information-based resource management 
of these species in the waters of southeastern Alaska, primarily in and 
around Glacier Bay National Park and Reserve. The permit would be valid 
for a period of five years.
    A draft environmental assessment (EA) has been prepared in 
compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), 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: May 23, 2011.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-13262 Filed 5-26-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P