[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 66 (Friday, April 7, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16998-16999]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-06935]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF331


Marine Mammals; File No. 21280

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 Columbus Zoo Park Association,

[[Page 16999]]

Inc., 9990 Riverside Drive, P.O. Box 400, Powell, OH 43065-0400 [Greg 
Bell, Responsible Official] has applied in due form for a permit to 
import seven California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) for public 
display purposes.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before May 8, 2017.

ADDRESSES: These documents are 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. 21280 
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: Jennifer Skidmore or Courtney Smith, 
(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 applicant proposes to import seven captive-born California sea 
lions from Shanghai Changfeng Ocean World in Shanghai City, China to 
the Columbus Zoo satellite facility in Myakka City, FL for the purpose 
of public display. The Columbus Zoo has provided documentation that its 
satellite facility will be: (1) Open to the public on regularly 
scheduled basis with access that is not limited or restricted other 
than by charging for an admission fee; (2) offers a conservation and 
educational program based on professionally accepted standards of the 
Association of Zoos and Aquariums; and (3) holds an Exhibitor's License 
issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the Animal Welfare 
Act (7 U.S.C. 2131-59).
    In addition to determining whether the applicant meets the three 
public display criteria, NMFS must determine whether the applicant has 
demonstrated that the proposed activity is humane and does not 
represent any unnecessary risks to the health and welfare of marine 
mammals; that the proposed activity by itself, or in combination with 
other activities, will not likely have a significant adverse impact on 
the species or stock; and that the applicant's expertise, facilities 
and resources are adequate to accomplish successfully the objectives 
and activities stated in the application. The requested duration of the 
permit is five years.
    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 the application to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: April 3, 2017.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-06935 Filed 4-6-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P