[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 116 (Tuesday, June 16, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 36377]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-12950]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XA232]


Marine Mammals; File No. 23836

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 Wildstar Films, Ltd., Embassy 
House, Queens Avenue, Bristol, United Kingdom, BS8 1SB (Responsible 
Party: Jo Harvey), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct 
commercial or educational photography on bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops 
truncatus).

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before July 16, 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: Erin Markin 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 
and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The applicant proposes to obtain footage of bottlenose dolphins 
(Charleston Estuarine System Stock) in waters around Charleston County, 
South Carolina, including Kiawah Island, Bull Creek, and Hilton Head, 
for a documentary series celebrating the wildlife of America for the 
National Geographic Channel. Up to 980 bottlenose dolphins may be 
filmed from land, vessel, or unmanned aircraft systems, annually. The 
permit would expire on December 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 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 11, 2020.
Julia Marie Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-12950 Filed 6-15-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P