[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 29 (Monday, February 13, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 9256]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-03006]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XC738]


Marine Mammals; File No. 22187

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 Heather E. Liwanag, Ph.D., 1 Grand 
Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0401, has applied for an amendment to 
Scientific Research Permit No. 22187-03.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before March 15, 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. 22187 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. 22187 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. 22187-03 
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. 22187-03, issued on April 1, 2022, authorizes the permit 
holder to conduct research to establish a catalog of northern elephant 
seals (Mirounga angustirostris) in California, primarily at Piedras 
Blancas and near Vandenberg Space Force Base. Types of authorized takes 
include behavioral observations, measurements, external 
instrumentation, bioacoustic recordings, acoustic playbacks, marking, 
flipper tagging, capture, and non-invasive physiological sampling. The 
permit holder is requesting the permit be amended to add the Channel 
Islands in California as a research location due to the inability to 
conduct tagging studies at Piedras Blancas. The applicant also proposes 
to deploy an additional satellite tag model and requests to pull one 
whisker per seal handled. The applicant also seeks to increase the 
number of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) that may be unintentionally 
harassed from 300 to 450 annually due to the change in location. The 
permit would remain valid until March 31, 2024.
    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 8, 2023.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-03006 Filed 2-10-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P