[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 96 (Friday, May 17, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 29117]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-11773]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC439


Marine Mammals; File No. 17005

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 Peter 
Rogers, Ph.D., Georgia Institute of Technology, Woodruff School of 
Mechanical Engineering, Atlanta, GA 30332 to conduct research on 
cetacean species not listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

ADDRESSES: The permit and related documents are available for review 
upon written request or by appointment in the following offices: See 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Hapeman or Amy Sloan, (301) 427-
8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 15, 2013, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (78 FR 2956) that a request for a permit to 
conduct research on non-listed cetacean species 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.), and the regulations governing the taking and 
importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    In cooperation with local marine mammal stranding networks, Dr. 
Rogers is authorized to conduct scientific research on non-listed 
cetacean species in Atlantic and Pacific coastal areas of the 
contiguous United States. Researchers may use a non-invasive 
ultrasound-based system to determine the low frequency elastic 
properties of cetacean head tissues. The work also would allow 
researchers to: (1) Determine any short term changes in soft tissue 
elasticity if an animal dies during the stranding response, and (2) 
assess differences between intact and harvested tissues from deceased 
stranded animals. The permit is valid through May 10, 2018.
    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.
    Documents may be reviewed in the following locations:
    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;
    Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., BIN C15700, Bldg. 
1, Seattle, WA 98115-0700; phone (206) 526-6150; fax (206) 526-6426;
    Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long 
Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562) 980-4001; fax (562) 980-4018;
    Northeast Region, NMFS, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930; phone (978) 281-9328; fax (978) 281-9394; and
    Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 
33701; phone (727) 824-5312; fax (727) 824-5309.

    Dated: May 14, 2013.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-11773 Filed 5-16-13; 8:45 am]
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