[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 120 (Monday, June 23, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35524-35525]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-14527]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XK26


Marine Mammals; File No. 13430

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; Receipt of Application for Permit Amendment.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS National Marine Mammal 
Laboratory, (Responsible Party: Dr. John Bengtson, Director), Seattle, 
WA, has applied for an amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 
13430-01.

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

[[Page 35525]]


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 home 
page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File No. 13430 
from the list of available applications.
    These documents are also available upon written request or by 
appointment in the 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.
    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: Tammy Adams or Amy Sloan, (301) 427-
8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 13430 is 
requested 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 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), 
and the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR 222-226).
    Permit No. 13430, issued on February 17, 2010 (75 FR 8303), 
authorizes the permit holder to take Pacific harbor seals (Phoca 
vitulina), California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), and northern 
elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) within coastal waters and on 
pinniped rookeries and haul outs of Washington and Oregon during 
aerial, vessel, and ground surveys of pinnipeds; capture of pinnipeds 
for collection of tissue samples, attachment of scientific instruments 
and application of marks (flipper tags, brands, etc.); and harassment 
of marine mammals, including Eastern Distinct Population Segment 
Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) and Southern Resident killer 
whales (Orcinus orca), during underwater playback experiments. The 
permit also allows for a limited number of research related mortality 
of marine mammals. The permit is valid through January 31, 2015.
    The permit holder requests an amendment to extend the expiration 
date to January 31, 2020, and modify one protocol. The permit holder 
proposes to add use of an alternate injectable sedative to reduce 
stress in harbor seals and California sea lions that may be caused by 
procedures that have prolonged handling times, such as instrument 
attachment. The protocols currently include administering valium; the 
change would be to use midazolam (and its reversal agent, flumazenil) 
in lieu of valium at the discretion of the attending veterinarian.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an environmental assessment (EA) was prepared 
analyzing the effects on the human environment of issuing Permit No. 
13430. Based on the analyses in the EA, NMFS determined that issuance 
of the permit would not significantly impact the quality of the human 
environment and that preparation of an environmental impact statement 
was not required. NMFS will determine whether that EA should be 
supplemented prior to making a final determination about potential 
impacts of issuing the amendment.
    Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of this application to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: June 17, 2014.
Tammy C. Adams,
Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-14527 Filed 6-20-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P