[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 17 (Thursday, January 26, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 4975]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-01548]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XC718]


Marine Mammals; File No. 27027

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 Glacier Bay National Park and 
Preserve (Philip Hooge, Responsible Party), has applied in due form for 
a permit to conduct research on humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), 
killer (Orcinus orca), minke (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), and gray 
(Eschrichtius robustus) whales.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before February 27, 2023.

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. 27027 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. 27027 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: 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.), 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.), and the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226).
    The applicant proposes to study humpback, killer, minke, and gray 
whales to gather information on their ecology, behavior, and population 
status in southeastern Alaska, including Glacier Bay National Park and 
Preserve. Individuals may be closely approached for vessel surveys, 
photo-identification, behavioral observation, collection of feces or 
sloughed skin, and passive acoustic recording. The maximum annual 
approaches to whales will be 2050 humpback whales, 500 killer whales, 
20 minke whales, and 20 gray whales. Biopsy sampling of 50 humpback 
whales, annually, is also requested. Unidentified cetacean, pinniped, 
and salmonid species parts may be collected from predation events. 
Biological samples may be imported or exported. 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 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: January 23, 2023.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-01548 Filed 1-25-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P