[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 38 (Monday, March 1, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 11930]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-04121]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XA896]


Marine Mammals; File No. 23188

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for permit amendment.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Institute of Marine Sciences, 
University of California at Santa Cruz, 130 McAllister Way, Santa Cruz, 
CA 95060 (Responsible Party: Daniel Costa, Ph.D.), has applied for an 
amendment to scientific research permit No. 23188.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before March 1, 2021.

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. 23188 from the list of available applications. These documents are 
also available upon written request via email to 
[email protected].
    Written comments on this application should be submitted via email 
to [email protected]. Please include File No. 23188 in the 
subject line of the email comment.
    Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a 
written request via email to [email protected]. The request 
should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this application 
would be appropriate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sara Young or Shasta McClenahan, 
Ph.D., (301) 427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 23188 is 
requested under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 
1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and the regulations governing 
the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    Permit No. 23188, issued on September 25, 2020 (85 FR 63524), 
authorizes the permit holder to conduct scientific research on northern 
elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) in California. The permit 
continues a long-term research program started in 1968 to study 
northern elephant seal population growth and status, reproductive 
strategies, behavioral and physiological adaptations for diving and 
fasting, general physiology and metabolism, and sensory physiology. The 
permit holder is requesting the permit be amended to include a new 
research location and increase the number of takes of juvenile elephant 
seals by 50 animals annually for the currently authorized activities. 
The increased takes will be for a comparative study of weaning weights 
across colonies, including the Lost Coast colony in the King Range 
National Conservation Area.
    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 this application to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: February 24, 2021.
Amy Sloan,
Acting Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-04121 Filed 2-26-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P