[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 191 (Monday, October 3, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 67997]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-23724]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC599


Marine Mammals; File No. 17845

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 Rachel Cartwright, Ph.D., Keiki 
Kohola Project, 4945 Coral Way, Oxnard, CA 93035, has applied for an 
amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 17845.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before November 9, 2016.

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. 
17845 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: Shasta McClenahan or Carrie Hubard, 
(301) 427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 17845 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. 17845, issued on January 25, 2014 (79 FR 5382), 
authorizes the permit holder to conduct Level A and B harassment of 
humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) during photo-identification, 
behavioral follows, and surface and underwater observations in Hawaii, 
Alaska, and California. Nine other cetacean species may be studied 
opportunistically and two species of pinnipeds may be incidentally 
harassed. The permit expires on January 31, 2019. The permit holder is 
requesting the permit be amended to authorize Level B playbacks for 
humpback whales to estimate their hearing range using behavioral 
observation audiometry. The sounds will be presented to a maximum of 
300 humpback whales and their behavioral responses will be measured 
through visual and acoustic recordings including an unmanned aerial 
system. The research will take place from January through April, 
annually, in Hawaii. Only humpback whales will be targeted for active 
playback, but incidental harassment to additional species may occur 
including bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), spinner dolphins 
(Stenella longirostris), false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens), 
melon headed whales (Peponocephala electra), and short-finned pilot 
whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus).
    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.

    Dated: September 27, 2016.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-23724 Filed 9-30-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P