[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 148 (Wednesday, August 1, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 45592]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-18770]



[[Page 45592]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC033


Marine Mammals; File No. 17157

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 
Stephen John Trumble, Ph.D., Baylor University, 101 Bagby Ave, Waco, TX 
76706 to receive, import and export marine mammal parts for scientific 
research.

ADDRESSES: The permit and related documents are available for review 
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
    Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 
33701; phone (727) 824-5312; fax (727) 824-5309.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Morse or Jennifer Skidmore, 
(301) 427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 21, 2012 notice was published in the 
Federal Register (77 FR 29966) that a request for a permit to import 
specimens for scientific research 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).
    The permit authorizes the receipt, import and export of up to 25 
earplugs each of blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), sei whale (B. 
borealis), minke whale (B. acutorostrata), humpback whale (Megaptera 
novaeangliae), and gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) from museums 
worldwide for analysis. No takes of live animals are authorized. The 
permit will expire July 17, 2017.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final determination has been made that the 
activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to 
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
    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.

    Dated: July 26, 2012.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-18770 Filed 7-31-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P