[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 56 (Monday, March 23, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16329-16330]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-06066]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XR108]


Marine Mammals; File No. 23672

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 Environmental Investigation 
Agency, P.O. Box 53343, Washington, DC 20009 (Responsible Party: Allan 
Thornton), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct commercial 
and educational photography on beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas).

[[Page 16330]]


DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before April 22, 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. 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: Amy Hapeman 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.), and the regulations governing the 
taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The applicant proposes to film beluga whales in Bristol Bay, Alaska 
for a short documentary to educate the public on the importance of 
protecting beluga whales and the threats that affect their populations. 
Filmmakers would photograph or film up to 500 beluga whales annually 
using an unmanned aircraft system. They may incidentally harass up to 
10 minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), 500 harbor porpoise 
(Phocoena phocoena), 10 Dall's porpoises (Phocoenoides dalli), and 500 
Pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens) annually 
while filming. The permit would expire on December 1, 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 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: March 18, 2020.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-06066 Filed 3-20-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P