[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 175 (Monday, September 10, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55456-55457]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-22214]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC210


Marine Mammals; File No. 17410

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 the Alaska Department of Fish and 
Game (ADF&G Responsible Party: Robert Small), 1255 West 8th Street, 
Juneau, AK 99811, has applied in due form for a permit to import, 
export, collect, and receive marine mammal parts for scientific 
research.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before October 10, 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. 17410 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

[[Page 55457]]

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 Amy Sloan, (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 obtain information 
on population status and distribution, stock structure, age 
distribution, mortality rates, productivity, feeding habits, and health 
status of twenty-six species of pinnipeds (excluding walrus) and 
cetaceans found in Alaskan waters; such data would be used for 
conservation and management purposes. The applicant is requesting 
authorization to collect, receive, import, and export marine mammal 
parts from legal foreign (Russia and Canada) and domestic subsistence-
hunts; scientists in academic, federal, and state institutions involved 
in legally authorized marine mammal research; dead beach-cast species; 
and incidental commercial fisheries bycatch. Import/export activities 
would occur world-wide. No live animal takes are being requested under 
this permit. The requested duration of the permit is 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 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: September 4, 2012.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-22214 Filed 9-7-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P