[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 151 (Monday, August 6, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38287-38288]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-16719]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF696


Marine Mammals; File No. 21217

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 Aaron Roberts, Ph.D., University 
of North Texas, Biological Sciences, 1155 Union Circle, #310559, 
Denton, TX 76203, has applied for an amendment to Scientific Research 
Permit No. 21217.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before September 5, 2018.

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. 21217 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. 21217 
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

[[Page 38288]]

reasons why a hearing on the application would be appropriate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Skidmore or Sara Young (301) 
427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 21217 is 
requested under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 
1972, as amended (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and the regulations 
governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    Permit No. 21217, issued on November 6, 2017 (82 FR 60968; December 
26, 2017), authorizes the permit holder to import biological samples 
from up to 30 harp seals (Pagophilus groenlandicus) and 30 hooded seals 
(Cystophora cristata) from Canada to study the effects of 
polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) on the fitness and immune 
function in two species of phocid seals. The permit holder is 
requesting the permit be amended to increase the number of samples 
imported from each species from 30 to 60 individuals and to include the 
import of samples collected during the 2019 field season in Canada. All 
other aspects of the permitted activities would not 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 proposed activities are 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 these applications to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: July 31, 2018.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-16719 Filed 8-3-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P