[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 16 (Wednesday, January 25, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3744-3745]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-1566]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA938


Marine Mammals; File No. 17029

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for permit.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Matson's Laboratory, LLC (Gary 
Matson, Responsible Party), P.O. Box 308, 8140 Flagler Road, Milltown, 
MT 59851, has applied in due form for a permit to receive, import, 
export, possess, and conduct analyses marine mammal specimens for 
scientific research.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before February 24, 2012.

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. 17029 
from the list of available applications.
    These documents are also available upon written request or by 
appointment in the following office(s):
    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; and
    Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., BIN C15700, Bldg. 
1, Seattle, WA 98115-0700; phone (206) 526-6150; fax (206) 526-6426.
    Written comments on this application should be submitted to the 
Chief, Permits and Conservation 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 File No. 17029 in 
the subject line of the email comment.
    Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a 
written request to the Chief, Permits and Conservation 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.), 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.), the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR 222-226), and the Fur Seal 
Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
    The applicant is requesting authorization for the receipt, 
possession, import and export of teeth and prepared microscope slides 
obtained from all seal and sea lion species, expect walrus (Order 
Pinnipedia). The Matson Laboratory provides age related data to 
researchers and biologists. Age data are used in population modeling, 
with age structure an indicator of population condition. Teeth are sent 
to the laboratory for cementum age analysis. Teeth from no more than 
2000 individuals will be analyzed annually. Import and export authority 
is requested for all locations wherever pinnipeds occur and are the 
subject of government-authorized research and/or harvest. No live 
animals would be harassed or taken, lethally or otherwise, under the 
permit. A permit is requested for five years.
    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

[[Page 3745]]

prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
    Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of this application to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: January 19, 2012.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-1566 Filed 1-24-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P