[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 3, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31846-31847]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-14209]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[0648-XR003]


Marine Mammals; File No. 22835

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 Scripps Institute of 
Oceanography [Responsible Party: John Hildebrand, Ph.D.], University of 
California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, has 
applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on 42 cetacean 
species, including endangered bowhead (Balaena mysticetus), blue 
(Balaenoptera musculus), fin (Balaenoptera physalus), sei (Balaenoptera 
borealis), Southern Resident killer (Orcinus orca), Hawaiian Islands 
Insular false killer (Pseudorca crassidens), humpback (Megaptera 
novaeangliae), North Pacific right (Eubalaena japonica), North Atlantic 
right (Eubalaena glacialis), sperm (Physeter macrocephalus), and Gulf 
of Mexico Bryde's (Balaenoptera edeni) whales.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before August 2, 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. 22835 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

[[Page 31847]]

reasons why a hearing on this application would be appropriate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Hapeman or Sara Young, (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 study 42 cetacean species or stocks in 
the Pacific, Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, and Gulf of Mexico for five 
years. The primary objectives are to (1) develop improved methods for 
determining baseline data on cetaceans, and in particular how sound may 
be used to study cetacean behavior, and (2) assess the potential 
effects of human impacts on cetacean behavior including anthropogenic 
noise and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Cetaceans would be 
approached during surveys from vessel and aerial platforms for the 
following procedures: Passive acoustic recordings, counts, observation, 
photo-identification, photogrammetry, biopsy or skin swabbing, sloughed 
skin collection, fecal sampling, and/or suction-cup tagging and 
subsequent tracking.
    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 28, 2019.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-14209 Filed 7-2-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P