[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 166 (Thursday, August 27, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52034-52035]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-21215]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC268


Marine Mammals; File No. 16239

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 Dan Engelhaupt, Ph.D., HDR EOC, 
5700 Lake Wright Drive, Norfolk, VA 23502-1859, has applied for an 
amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 16239.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before September 28, 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 
home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File No. 
16239 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: Carrie Hubard or Courtney Smith, (301) 
427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 16239 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 parts 222-226).
    Permit No. 16239, issued on September 11, 2013 (78 FR 60852), 
authorizes the permit holder to harass cetacean and pinniped species 
during vessel and aerial survey activities, including behavioral 
observations and photo-identification. Cetacean species may also be 
harassed during underwater photography and collection of sloughed skin 
and fecal samples. Surveys may be conducted year-round in all U.S. and 
international waters in the Pacific Ocean (including Alaska, 
Washington, Oregon, California, Hawaii, Guam, Marianas Islands, and 
other U.S. territories) and Atlantic Ocean (including the Gulf of 
Mexico, western North Atlantic, Caribbean Sea, and Sargasso Seas). The 
permit expires September 30, 2018.
    The permit holder is requesting the permit be amended to include 
authorization for: (1) Increasing takes for some species during aerial 
and vessel visual surveys to document presence/absence, behavior, and 
movement of marine mammals before, during, and after Naval training 
exercise operations, offshore energy installations, oil and gas 
exploration and production, and pier refurbishment/replacement; (2) 
collecting biopsy samples to document genetic variation within 
populations, gender, foraging patterns, and stress levels; and (3) 
using multiple tag types, including satellite and digital acoustic 
tags, to document movement and dive patterns, social and population 
structure, and habitat use. See tables in the permit amendment 
application for numbers of takes by species, stock and activity. The 
research would be conducted to collect data on population and genetic 
variations and habitat use, and to monitor behavioral changes during 
activities associated with U.S. Navy, renewable energy, oil and gas 
exploration and production, and pier-based construction.
    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 activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to 
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
    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.


[[Page 52035]]


    Dated: August 18, 2015.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-21215 Filed 8-26-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P