[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 132 (Friday, July 10, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39751-39752]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-16912]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD826


Marine Mammals; File No. 17967

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

ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit amendment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that a permit has been issued to 
Minnesota Zoological Gardens (MZG), 13000 Zoo Blvd., Apple Valley, MN 
55124, to conduct research on and enhancement of Hawaiian monk seals 
(Neomonachus schauinslandi) in captivity.

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; phone (301) 427-8401; fax (301) 
713-0376.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 23, 2015, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (80 FR 15190) that a request for a permit to 
maintain the species identified for research and enhancement purposes 
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).
    The permit authorizes MZG to maintain up to eight nonreleasable 
Hawaiian monk seals in captivity at the MZG. Permitted research 
includes: (1) Annual blood samples and nasal swabs to be analyzed for 
presence of West Nile virus, canine distemper virus, and phocine 
distemper virus in seals previously vaccinated; and (2) testing various 
sedatives to inform use in the wild population. Seals may be used in 
research projects authorized under separate permits. MZG will continue 
public awareness on the status of the species through education and 
public observation of the seals. The permit expires May 1, 2020.

[[Page 39752]]

    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.

    Dated: July 7, 2015.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-16912 Filed 7-9-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P