[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 246 (Wednesday, December 26, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66250-66251]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-27870]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG540


Marine Mammals; File No. 22187

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Heather E. Liwanag, Ph.D., 1 Grand 
Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0401, has applied in due form for a 
permit to conduct research on northern elephant seals (Mirounga 
angustirostris) in California.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before January 25, 2019.

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. 22187 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: Sara Young or Shasta McClenahan, (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), and the Fur Seal Act 
of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
    The applicant requests a five year permit to study northern 
elephant seals at the Piedras Blancas Rookery in San Simeon, CA, and 
new pupping beaches at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Research would be 
conducted year-round on all age classes and both sexes, with increased 
frequency and effort during the breeding season (December-April). This 
study would establish a catalog of known individual seals at the 
Piedras Blancas colony via marking, tagging, and weighing of young-of-
the-year pups. Types of takes include behavioral

[[Page 66251]]

observations, measurements, bioacoustic recordings, acoustic playbacks, 
marking, flipper tagging, capture, and non-invasive physiological 
sampling. A total of 64, 927 elephant seals will be taken annually: 
3,550 handle/release takes, 500 capture/handle/release takes, 1,575 
harassment takes, 59,000 incidental disturbance takes, and two 
unintentional mortality takes, not to exceed five mortalities over the 
life of the permit. Samples from up to 300 naturally deceased elephant 
seals may be salvaged and imported, exported, or received annually. 
Non-target species that may be incidentally disturbed include 
California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), harbor seals (Phoca 
vitulina), and northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus).
    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 19, 2018.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-27870 Filed 12-21-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P