[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 84 (Friday, May 1, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24903-24904]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-10186]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD900


Marine Mammals; File No. 18786

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 Office of Protected 
Resources, Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program (MMHSRP; 
Responsible Party: Teri Rowles, D.V.M., Ph.D.), 1315 East-West Highway, 
Silver Spring, MD 20910, has applied in due form for a permit to take, 
import, and export marine mammals and marine mammal parts for research 
and enhancement purposes.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before June 1, 2015.

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. 18786 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: Amy Sloan or Jennifer Skidmore, (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 MMHSRP proposes to: (1) Carry out response, rescue, 
rehabilitation and

[[Page 24904]]

release of threatened and endangered marine mammals under NMFS 
jurisdiction (Cetacea and Pinnipedia [excluding walrus]), and 
disentanglement of all marine mammals under NMFS jurisdiction, pursuant 
to sections 109(h), 112(c), and Title IV of the MMPA; and, carry out 
such activities as enhancement pursuant to section 10(a)(1)(A) of the 
ESA; (2) Conduct health-related, bona fide scientific research studies 
on marine mammals and marine mammal parts under NMFS jurisdiction 
pursuant to sections 104(c) and Title IV of the MMPA and section 
10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA, including research related to emergency 
response that may involve compromised animals, and research on healthy 
animals that have not been subject to emergency response (e.g., 
baseline health studies); (3) Conduct Level B harassment on all marine 
mammal species under NMFS jurisdiction incidental to MMHSRP activities 
in the U.S.; and (4) Collect, salvage, receive, possess, transfer, 
import, export, analyze, and curate marine mammal specimens under NMFS 
jurisdiction for purposes delineated in numbers (1) and (2) above.
    Procedures proposed to carry out the activities include but are not 
limited to: Close approach via ground, vessel, and aerial surveys 
(manned and unmanned); hazing and attractants; capture, restraint, and 
handling; administration of drugs including anesthesia, medical 
treatments, vaccinations; attachment of scientific instruments; marking 
(temporary and permanent including freeze- and hot-branding); 
disentanglement and de-hooking; rehabilitation, transport, and release; 
biological sampling and analyses; auditory brainstem response/auditory 
evoked potential; active acoustic playbacks; unintentional mortality 
and euthanasia; and import and export activities. The permit is 
requested for a 5-year period.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial determination has been made 
that the majority of activities proposed are consistent with the 
Preferred Alternative in the 2009 Final Programmatic Environmental 
Impact Statement (PEIS) for the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding 
Response Program. Also, a draft environmental assessment (EA) has been 
prepared in compliance with NEPA to examine whether significant 
environmental impacts could result from permitting new activities (hot 
branding, UAS, and vaccinations), which were not considered in the 
Final PEIS. The draft EA is available for review and comment 
simultaneously with the permit application.
    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: April 28, 2015.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-10186 Filed 4-30-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P