[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 226 (Wednesday, November 23, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72390-72391]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-30273]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA836


Marine Mammals; File No. 15274

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

ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that a permit has been issued to Dan R. 
Salden, Ph.D., Hawaii Whale Research Foundation, 52 Cheshire Drive, 
Maryville, IL 62062 to conduct research on humpback whales (Megaptera 
novaeangliae).

ADDRESSES: The permit and related documents are available for review 
upon written request or by appointment in the following offices: See 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joselyd Garcia-Reyes or Carrie Hubard, 
(301) 427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 31, 2011, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (76 FR 5338) that a request for a permit to 
conduct research on humpback whales had been submitted by the above-
named applicant. The requested permit has been issued 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 (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).
    Authorized research will include harassment of humpback whales, 
Hawaiian Insular false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens), and six 
non-ESA-listed cetaceans through passive acoustics, underwater 
photography and

[[Page 72391]]

videography, photo-identification surveys, and to collect sloughed skin 
around the waters of Hawaii, primarily the Kona Coast and Maui County 
near-Lanai waters, Kalohi Channel, and Pailolo Channel. Research would 
also occur in Southeast Alaska and Kachemak Bay area when platforms 
become available. The permit is valid until November 15, 2016.
    An environmental assessment (EA) was prepared analyzing the effects 
of the permitted activities on the human environment in compliance with 
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). 
Based on the analyses in the EA, NMFS determined that issuance of the 
permit would not significantly impact the quality of the human 
environment and that preparation of an environmental impact statement 
was not required. That determination is documented in a Finding of No 
Significant Impact (FONSI), signed on November 8, 2011.
    As required by the ESA, issuance of this permit was based on a 
finding that such permit: (1) Was applied for in good faith; (2) will 
not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered species; and (3) is 
consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the 
ESA.
    Documents may be reviewed in the following locations:
    Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; 
phone (301) 427-8401; fax (301) 713-0376;
    Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone 
(907) 586-7221; fax (907) 586-7249; and
    Pacific Islands Region, NMFS, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Rm. 1110, 
Honolulu, HI 96814-4700; phone (808) 944-2200; fax (808) 973-2941.

     Dated: November 18, 2011.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-30273 Filed 11-22-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P