[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 96 (Friday, May 17, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22452-22453]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-10330]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG359


Marine Mammals; File No. 21482

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 Dan T. Engelhaupt, Ph.D., HDR, 
Inc., 4173 Ewell Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23455, has applied in due 
form for a permit to conduct scientific research on 83 species of 
marine mammals.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before June 17, 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. 21482 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 Carrie Hubard, 
(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.), the 
regulations governing the

[[Page 22453]]

taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species 
(50 CFR parts 222-226), and the Fur Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 
U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
    The applicant requests a five-year research permit to conduct 
research that would further the understanding of marine mammal 
responses to anthropogenic activities, while contributing to cetacean 
and pinniped conservation by collecting critical baseline and exposure 
data required to inform long-term management. Research may occur in 
U.S. and international waters world-wide. Up to 83 species of marine 
mammals may be targeted including the following endangered or 
threatened species and stocks: Blue (Balaenoptera musculus), Bowhead 
(Balaena mysticetus), beluga (Cook Inlet distinct population segment 
[DPS]; Delphinapterus leucas), fin (B. physalus), gray (Western North 
Pacific stock; Eschrichtius robustus), Gulf of Mexico Bryde's (B. 
edeni), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), false killer (Main Hawaiian 
Islands Insular DPS; Pseudorca crassidens), North Atlantic right 
(Eubalaena glacialis), North Pacific right (E. japonica), sei (B. 
borealis), Southern Resident killer (Orcinus orca), Southern right (E. 
australis), and sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) whales; and pinnipeds 
including Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), and bearded 
(Erignathus barbatus), Guadalupe fur (Arctocephalus townsendi), 
Hawaiian monk (Neomonachus schauinslandi), ringed (Phoca hispida), and 
spotted (P. largha) seals. Marine mammals may be taken during 
underwater, vessel, and manned and unmanned aerial surveys for 
observation, photography, photo-ID, photogrammetry, video recording, 
and passive acoustic recording. Targeted cetaceans may also be taken 
for active acoustic playbacks, biological sampling (exhaled air, fecal, 
sloughed skin, or skin and blubber biopsy), and tagging (suction-cup, 
dart/barb, or fully-implantable). See the application for numbers of 
animals requested by species and procedure.
    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: May 14, 2019.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-10330 Filed 5-16-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P