[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 19 (Wednesday, January 29, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5201-5202]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-01583]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XR089]


Marine Mammals; File No. 23640

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 Wall to Wall Productions, 
Edgecumbe Hall, Richmond Hill, Bristol, BS8 1AT, United Kingdom 
(Responsible Party: James Hemming) has applied in due form for a permit 
to conduct commercial or educational photography on marine mammals.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before February 28, 2020.

ADDRESSES: These documents are 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. 23460 
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.) and the regulations governing the taking 
of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The applicant proposes to film marine mammals in California and 
Oregon to obtain footage for a wildlife documentary on parental 
behavior including courtship, mating, birthing, and weaning. Up to 
1,200 harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), 400 California sea lions (Zalophus 
californianus), 20 Northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), 
20 Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus; Eastern distinct population 
segment), 15 gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus), 75 long-beaked 
(Delphinus capensis) or short-beaked common dolphins (D. delphis), and 
25 bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) may be filmed from land, 
vessels, unmanned aircraft systems, or underwater divers. The permit 
would expire on March 31, 2021.
    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

[[Page 5202]]

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: January 24, 2020.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-01583 Filed 1-28-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P