[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 26 (Friday, February 7, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 7296]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-02410]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XR037]


Marine Mammals; File No. 23220

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 Andrew Trites, Ph.D., University 
of British Columbia, Room 247, Aquatic Ecosystems Research Laboratory, 
2202 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada, has applied in due form for a 
permit to conduct research on marine mammals.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before March 9, 2020.

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. 23220 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 Courtney Smith, 
(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 requests a five-year permit to study endangered 
Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW; Orcinus orca) in Washington 
State inland waters to identify important characteristics of prey 
fields (primarily chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). Up to 714 
takes of SRKW may occur annually by Level B harassment during marine 
vessel and aerial (unmanned aircraft system) based-research activities 
including photo-identification and other photography, video recording, 
acoustic exposure by echosounders for prey mapping, behavioral 
observations, focal follows, and tracking. Non-target species that may 
be taken during research include Transient killer whales, humpback 
(Megaptera novaeangliae) and minke (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) whales, 
Pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens), Dall's 
(Phocoenoides dalli) and harbor (Phocoena phocoena) porpoise, 
California (Zalophus californianus) and Steller (Eumetopias jubatus) 
sea lions, and harbor seals (Phoca vitulina).
    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: February 3, 2020.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-02410 Filed 2-6-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P