[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 207 (Thursday, October 27, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 65040]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-23360]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XC426]


Marine Mammals; File No. 26599

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 Florian Graner, Ph.D., Sea-Life 
Productions, 4021 Beach Drive, Freeland, Washington 98249, has applied 
in due form for a permit to conduct commercial and educational 
photography of transient killer whales (Orcinus orca) and other marine 
mammals.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before November 28, 2022.

ADDRESSES: These documents are 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. 26599 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: Courtney Smith, Ph.D. 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.), and the regulations governing the 
taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The applicant proposes to take, by harassment, up to 480 transient 
killer whales and 100 gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus); 60 Dall's 
(Phocoenoides dalli) and 60 harbor (Phocoena phocoena) porpoises; 50 
northern elephant (Mirounga angustirostris) and 800 harbor seals (Phoca 
vitulina); 200 California (Zalophus californianus) and 400 Eastern 
Steller (Eumetopias jubatus) sea lions, annually. Filming and 
observations may occur from vessels, underwater (snorkelers, divers, 
and towed or pole cameras), unmanned aircraft systems, and land-based 
platforms within Washington inland waters. The permit is requested for 
3 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: October 21, 2022.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-23360 Filed 10-26-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P