[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 20 (Tuesday, January 31, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 4765]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-2084]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA963


Marine Mammals; File No. 15142

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 Colleen Reichmuth, Ph.D., 
University of California at Santa Cruz, Long Marine Laboratory, 100 
Shaffer Road, Santa Cruz, CA, has applied in due form for a permit to 
take bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus) for research purposes.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before March 1, 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 
(APPS) home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File 
No. 15142 from the list of available applications.
    These documents are also available upon written request or by 
appointment in the following offices:
    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
    Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long 
Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562) 980-4001; fax (562) 980-4018.
    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. 15142'' 
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: Amy Sloan or Tammy Adams, (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 proposes to collect from the wild up to two bearded 
seals in the Northwest Arctic Borough of Alaska for a long-term 
behavioral study at Long Marine Laboratory in Santa Cruz, CA. Up to 
four bearded seals may be captured temporarily in order to evaluate 
their suitability for participation in research. Captured seals deemed 
unsuitable for the long-term study will be released at the capture 
site. Up to two bearded seals deemed suitable for captive research will 
be transported from Kotzebu, AK to Santa Cruz, CA. Incidental 
harassment of up to one ringed seal (Phoca hispida) and one spotted 
seal (Phoca larga) may occur during capture activities. Authorization 
for mortality of two bearded seals is requested for the duration of the 
permit. The applicant requests the permit be valid from October 1, 2012 
to December 31, 2013. After a quarantine period, the research to be 
conducted at Long Marine Laboratory will occur under existing NMFS 
Permit No. 14535-01 (75 FR 58352) and will provide quantitative 
measurements of the amphibious hearing capabilities of bearded seals, 
which are needed to improve understanding of the potential effects of 
expected increases in anthropogenic activities in polar habitats.
    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: January 25, 2012.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-2084 Filed 1-30-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P