[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 56 (Monday, March 24, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15962-15963]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-06291]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD179


Marine Mammals; File No. 18528

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 NMFS National Marine Mammal 
Laboratory (Responsible Party: John Bengtson, Ph.D.), 7600 Sand Point 
Way NE., Seattle, WA 98115-0070, has applied in due form for a permit 
to conduct research on Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus).

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before April 23, 2014.

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. 18528 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 this application would be appropriate.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the 
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended

[[Page 15963]]

(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 applicant proposes to conduct research on the Western distinct 
population segment (wDPS) and Eastern distinct population segment 
(eDPS) of Steller sea lions in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and 
California to measure population status, vital rates, foraging ecology, 
habitat requirements, and effects of natural and anthropogenic factors 
pursuant to fulfilling the NMFS' legal requirements under the MMPA and 
ESA. Annually in the wDPS, up to 66,000 Steller sea lions may be 
exposed to aerial surveys by manned or unmanned aircraft, 7,000 to 
rookery-based activities, and 10,500 to other incidental activities. Up 
to 595 Steller sea lions could be captured, with up to 345 having 
blood, skin, and swab samples collected, 395 hot-branded, and up to 145 
blubber biopsied, 345 vibrissa removed, and 320 subject to stomach 
intubation. Instruments will be attached on up to 45, and 245 would 
receive a non-permanent mark if not hot-branded. Annually in the eDPS, 
up to 46,000 sea lions may be exposed to aerial surveys, and 13,100 to 
incidental activities. Up to 40 adult males could be captured, and have 
blood, hair, and skin samples collected, hot-brand and flipper tags 
applied, and have an instrument attached. Up to 200 pups would be 
captured, hot-branded flipper-tagged, swabbed, and skin biopsied, with 
50 also having blood and hair samples collected. Non-target species 
that may be taken incidentally include northern fur seals (Callorhinus 
ursinus) in Alaska, California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) and 
northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) in Washington, 
Oregon, and California, and harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in all 
states. Samples may be exported and re-imported. 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 effects of the activities proposed are consistent with the 
Preferred Alternative in the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact 
Statement for Steller Sea Lion and Northern Fur Seal Research (NMFS 
2007), and that issuance of the permit would not have a significant 
adverse impact on the human environment.
    Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of the application to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: March 14, 2014.
Perry F. Gayaldo,
Acting Deputy, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-06291 Filed 3-21-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P