[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 139 (Thursday, July 21, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43499-43500]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-15574]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XC179]


Marine Mammals; File No. 26667

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the North Slope Borough Department 
of Wildlife Management (Taqulik Hepa, Responsible Party), P.O. Box 69, 
Barrow, AK 99723 has applied in due form for a permit to receive, 
import, and export marine mammal parts for scientific research.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before August 22, 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. 26667 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. 26667 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: Jennifer Skidmore 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

[[Page 43500]]

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 through 226).
    The applicant proposes to collect, receive, import, and export 
biological samples from pinnipeds and cetaceans annually worldwide for 
scientific research. Pinniped samples may include up to 100 each of 
bearded (Erignathus barbatus) and ringed (Phoca hispida), 50 spotted 
(P. larga), and 25 ribbon (Histriophoca fasciata) seals. Cetacean 
samples may include up to 10 harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), and 
100 beluga (Delphinapterus leucas), 80 bowhead (Balaena mysticetus), 10 
minke (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), and 20 gray (Eschrichtius robustus) 
whales. The primary source of samples will be subsistence harvested 
marine mammals in Alaska; however, additional sources of samples may 
include foreign subsistence harvests, marine mammal strandings in 
foreign countries, and other foreign and domestic authorized 
researchers. The requested duration of the permit is 5 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 activities proposed are 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: July 14, 2022.
Amy Sloan,
Acting Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-15574 Filed 7-20-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P