[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 225 (Tuesday, November 22, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 83805-83806]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-28022]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC644


Marine Mammals; File No. 18016

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 Tamara McGuire, LGL Alaska 
Research Associates, Inc., 2000 W International Airport Rd, Suite C1, 
Anchorage, AK 99502, has applied for an amendment to Scientific 
Research Permit No. 18016.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before December 22, 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. 
18016 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

[[Page 83806]]

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 Hapeman or Sara Young, (301) 427-
8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 18016 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. 18016, issued on May 29, 2014 (79 FR 41991), authorizes 
the permit holder to conduct vessel surveys in Cook Inlet, Alaska for 
photo-identification and observations of Cook Inlet beluga whales 
(Delphinapterus leucas). The purpose of the research is to identify 
individual whales and to provide information about movement patterns, 
habitat use, survivorship, reproduction, and population size. The 
permit holder is requesting the permit be amended to increase the 
number of whales that may be approached during surveys from 72 to 340 
whales annually. Animals may be taken up to 10 times per year during 
surveys. The amendment is needed to increase the effectiveness of 
photo-identification studies and to decrease the total time spent 
operating the survey boat around whales. No other details of the permit 
would change.
    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: November 16, 2016.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-28022 Filed 11-21-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P