[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 208 (Tuesday, October 28, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64174-64175]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-25578]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA292


Permit, Amendment: Marine Mammals; File No. 16087

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

[[Page 64175]]


ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit amendment.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that an amendment to Permit No. 16087-
01 has been issued to NMFS National Marine Mammal Laboratory, Seattle, 
WA to conduct research on pinnipeds.

ADDRESSES: The permit and related documents are available for review 
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; telephone: (301) 427-8401; fax: 
(301) 713-0376.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 2, 2014, notice was published in the 
Federal Register (79 FR 25113) that a request for a permit to conduct 
research on pinnipeds 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.), and the regulations governing the taking, 
importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR 
parts 222-226).
    Permit No. 16087-02 authorizes the permit holder to take marine 
mammals in California, Oregon, and Washington to investigate population 
status, health, demographic parameters, life history and foraging 
ecology of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), Pacific 
harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), northern elephant seals (Mirounga 
angustrirostris), and Guadalupe fur seals (Arctocephalus townsendi). 
Research procedures involve capture, administering drugs, anesthesia, 
attaching scientific instruments, marking, measuring, restraint, tissue 
sampling, ultrasound, weighing, incidental harassment, euthanasia, and 
unintentional mortalities. The amendment modified annual takes and 
sample collection methods for California sea lions, Pacific harbor 
seals, and northern elephant seals; and added census, tagging and 
monitoring of threatened Guadalupe fur seal populations. The permit 
expires on June 30, 2019.
    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: October 10, 2014.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-25578 Filed 10-27-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P