[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 26, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60967-60968]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-27738]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF909


Marine Mammals; File No. 21386

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 North Slope Borough Department of 
Wildlife Management (Responsible Party: Taqulik Hepa), P.O. Box 69, 
Barrow, AK 99723, has applied in due form for a permit to collect, 
receive, import, and export marine mammal parts for scientific 
research.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before January 25, 2018.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for 
review by

[[Page 60968]]

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. 21386 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. 21386 
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 Jennifer 
Skidmore, (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 the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226).
    The applicant proposes to collect, receive, import, and export 
biological samples from pinnipeds and cetaceans annually for scientific 
research. Pinniped samples may include up to 100 each of bearded 
(Erignathus barbatus), ringed (Phoca hispida), spotted (P. larga), and 
ribbon (Histriophoca fasciata) seals. Cetacean samples may include up 
to 100 beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas), 70 bowhead whales 
(Balaena mysticetus), 10 each of minke (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and 
gray (Eschrichtius robustus) whales, and 10 harbor porpoise (Phocoena 
phocoena). Receipt, import, and export is requested worldwide. The 
primary source of samples will be subsistence harvested marine mammals 
in Alaska, however additional sources of samples may include foreign 
subsistence harvests, marine mammal strandings in foreign countries, 
and other foreign and domestic authorized researchers. The requested 
duration of the permit is 5 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: December 20, 2017.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-27738 Filed 12-22-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P