[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 122 (Friday, June 24, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 37063]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-15896]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA503


Marine Mammals; File No. 16510

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 Blank Park Zoo [Kevin V. Drees, 
Responsible Party], 7401 SW. Ninth, Des Moines, IA 50315, has applied 
in due form for a permit to import for public display up to five non-
releasable California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) and harbor 
seals (Phoca vitulina).

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before July 25, 2011.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are 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) 427-8401; fax (301) 713-0376; and
Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, 
Florida 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. 16510 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: Laura Morse or Jennifer Skidmore, 
(301) 427-8401.

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.), and the regulations governing the 
taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The applicant requests authorization to import up to five non-
releasable marine mammals over the next five year period including two 
harbor seals in the fall of 2011 from the Marine Mammal Rescue Division 
of the Vancouver Aquarium, Vancouver, Canada for purposes of public 
display at the Blank Park Zoo. The receiving facility is: (1) Open to 
the public on regularly scheduled basis with access that is not limited 
or restricted other than by charging an admission fee; (2) offers an 
educational program based on professionally recognized standards; and 
(3) holds an Exhibitor's License, number 42-C-0168, issued by the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture under the Animal Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. 2131-
59). The permit would expire five years after the date of issuance.
    In addition to determining whether the applicant meets the three 
public display criteria, NMFS must determine whether the applicant has 
demonstrated that the proposed activity is humane and does not 
represent any unnecessary risks to the health and welfare of marine 
mammals; that the proposed activity by itself, or in combination with 
other activities, will not likely have a significant adverse impact on 
the species or stock; and that the applicant's expertise, facilities 
and resources are adequate to accomplish successfully the objectives 
and activities stated in the application.
    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: June 20, 2011.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-15896 Filed 6-23-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P