[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 104 (Wednesday, May 30, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 31835]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-13115]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XB158


Marine Mammals; File No. 16580

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 Shannon Atkinson, Ph.D., 
University of Alaska Fairbanks, 17101 Pt. Lena Loop Road, Juneau, AK 
99801 has applied in due form for a permit to import, export, and 
receive marine mammal parts for scientific research.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before June 29, 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. 16580 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; and
    Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone 
(907)586-7221; fax (907)586-7249.
    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 the File No. 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 these applications 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 objectives of the proposed research are to examine 
reproductive, nutritional and stress physiology, and morphology in 
marine mammals. The applicant is requesting to receive and export 
samples of marine mammals taken by Alaskan Native subsistence hunters, 
and receive, and import/export specimens from foreign scientists in 
academic, federal, and state institutions involved in legally 
authorized marine mammal research. The applicant requests parts for all 
marine mammal species under NMFS jurisdiction. Marine mammal parts will 
be used incidentally for educational purposes. Import/export activities 
would occur world-wide. No live animals would be harassed or taken, 
lethally or otherwise, under the requested permit. The requested 
duration of the permit is 5 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 activities proposed are 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 a copy of the application to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: May 23, 2012.
Tammy C. Adams,
Acting Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-13115 Filed 5-29-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P