[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 108 (Wednesday, June 7, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26455-26456]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-11709]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF453


Marine Mammals; File No. 21114

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 Whale Museum (Responsible 
Party: Jenny Atkinson), P.O. Box 945, Friday Harbor, WA 98250 has 
applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on marine mammals.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before July 7, 2017.

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 
(APPS) home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File 
No. 21114 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 Amy Hapeman, 
(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 Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the 
regulations governing

[[Page 26456]]

the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened 
species (50 CFR parts 222-226).
    The applicant proposes to take cetaceans during vessel surveys for 
the Soundwatch Boater Education program in the in-land waters of 
Washington to evaluate vessel regulations and guidelines, characterize 
vessel trends, and prevent vessel disturbances to marine mammals. The 
primary target species are Southern Resident and transient killer 
whales (Orcinus orca), but additional cetaceans may include fin 
(Balaenoptera physalus), gray (Eschrichtius robustus), humpback 
(Megaptera novaeangliae), and minke (B. acutorostrata) whales, Dall's 
(Phocoenoides dalli) and harbor (Phocoena phocoena) porpoises, and 
Pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens). Research 
activities would include photography, video recording, photo-
identification, behavioral observations, and incidental harassment. 
Take numbers would include up to 100 whales of each killer whale stock, 
and up to 20 individuals each of all other cetacean species, annually. 
Five species of non-listed pinnipeds may be harassed incidental to 
research activities. Please see the take table for complete list of 
take numbers by species. The permit would be valid for five years from 
the date of issuance.
    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: June 1, 2017.
Donna S. Wieting,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-11709 Filed 6-6-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P