[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 29 (Monday, February 13, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9254-9255]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-03036]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XC753]


Marine Mammals; File No. 27049

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 Cristy Gonzalez Barrientos, DVM, 
Texas A&M University, TVMDL, 2711 Wilderness Drive North, College 
Station, TX 77845, has applied in due form for a permit to import, 
export, and receive marine mammal parts for scientific research.

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. 27049 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

[[Page 9255]]

include File No. 27049 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: Shasta McClenahan, Ph.D. or Courtney 
Smith, 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.), and the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226).
    The applicant requests a 5-year permit to study Brucellosis in 
cetaceans. Parts may be received, imported, and exported from up to 500 
individual cetaceans that stranded or are in rehabilitation in Costa 
Rica, annually. The applicant may also import and export lung 
nematodes, which may contain cetacean DNA, collected from up to 500 
stranded cetaceans in Costa Rica, annually. In addition, parts 
previously imported from Costa Rica under a separate permit from 34 
striped dolphins (Stenella coeruleoalba), one long-beaked common 
dolphin (Delphinus capensis), and one dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima) 
would be transferred to this permit.
    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: February 7, 2023.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-03036 Filed 2-10-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P