[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 152 (Tuesday, August 7, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 47045]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-19304]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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; issuance of permit.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that a permit has been issued to 
Shannon Atkinson, Ph.D., University of Alaska Fairbanks, 17101 Pt. Lena 
Loop Road, Juneau, AK 99801 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 Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. 
Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone (907) 586-7221; fax (907) 586-
7249.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 30, 2012 notice was published in the 
Federal Register (77 FR 31835) that a request for a permit to receive, 
import and export 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.), the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226), and the Fur 
Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
    The permit authorizes the receipt and export of samples of marine 
mammals taken by Alaskan Native subsistence hunters; and the receipt, 
import, and export of specimens from scientists in academic, federal, 
and state institutions involved in legally authorized marine mammal 
research for all marine mammal species under NMFS jurisdiction. Marine 
mammal parts may be used incidentally for educational purposes. Import 
and export activities may occur world-wide. No takes of live animals 
are authorized. The permit will expire August 1, 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: August 1, 2012.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-19304 Filed 8-6-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P