[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 161 (Friday, August 19, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 51945]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-21253]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA648


Endangered Species; File No. 16548

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 Springfield Science Museum, 21 
Edwards Street, Springfield, Massachusetts 01103 [David J. Stier, 
Responsible Party], has applied in due form for a permit to hold and 
transport shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) for the purposes 
of enhancement.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before September 19, 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. 16548 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) 427-8401; fax (301) 713-0376; and
    Northeast Region, NMFS, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930; phone (978) 281-9328; fax (978) 281-9394.
    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 email to [email protected]. Please include the File 
No. 16548 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: Jennifer Skidmore or Colette Cairns, 
(301) 427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the 
authority of 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 
parts 222-226).
    The Springfield Science Museum is requesting a permit to continue 
enhancement activities previously authorized under Permit No. 1555. 
Activities would include the acquisition of up to five captive-bred, 
non-releasable shortnose sturgeon. The display would be used to 
increase public awareness of the shortnose sturgeon and its status by 
educating the public on shortnose sturgeon life history and the reasons 
for the species decline. The proposed project to display endangered 
cultured shortnose sturgeon responds directly to a recommendation from 
the NMFS recovery plan outline for this species. The permit would not 
authorize any takes from the wild, nor would it authorize any release 
of captive sturgeon into the wild. The permit is requested for a 
duration of five years.

    Dated: August 16, 2011.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-21253 Filed 8-18-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P