[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 117 (Friday, June 17, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 36465]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-13121]



[[Page 36465]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XC072]


Marine Mammals; File No. 26314

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 the St. George Traditional 
Council, P.O. Box 940, St. George Island, AK 99591 (Responsible Party: 
Mark Merculief) has applied in due form for a permit to conduct 
research on northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus), Steller sea lions 
(Eumetopias jubatus), and harbor seals (Phoca vitulina).

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before July 18, 2022.

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. 26314 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. 26314 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 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.), the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226); and the Fur 
Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
    The applicant proposes to conduct research on pinnipeds to fulfill 
the co-management agreement between the St. George Traditional Council 
and NMFS for northern fur seals and Steller sea lions on St. George 
Island, Alaska. Take activities involve ground survey, aerial survey by 
an unmanned aircraft system, vessel survey, observation, and 
photography. Animals may also be harassed during disentanglement of 
northern fur seals covered under the applicant's Marine Mammal 
Stranding Agreement. In addition, samples may be collected, imported, 
or exported from subsistence harvests or beach-cast pinnipeds, or 
opportunistically encountered unidentified cetacean and pinniped 
carcasses. Take numbers include up to 2,600 northern fur seals, 350 
Steller sea lions, 260 harbor seals, and up to 100 each unidentified 
cetacean and pinniped carcasses. The permit would be valid for five 
years.
    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 14, 2022.
Amy Sloan,
Acting Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-13121 Filed 6-16-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P