[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 107 (Monday, June 3, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 47508]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-12053]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 216

[Docket No. 240415-0108]
RIN 0648-BK65


Proposed Rule To Modify the Duration of Certain Permits and 
Letters of Confirmation Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act; 
Extension of Public Comment Period

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of public comment period.

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SUMMARY: NMFS announces the extension of the public comment period on 
our May 3, 2024, proposed rule to modify the regulations for Marine 
Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) section 104 permits, including scientific 
research, enhancement, photography, and public display permits and 
Letters of Confirmation (LOCs). We published our proposed rule with a 
30-day public comment period. Today we extend the public comment period 
by 15 days.

DATES: The deadline for receipt of comments is extended from June 3, 
2024, until June 18, 2024.

ADDRESSES: A plain language summary of this proposed rule is available 
at https://www.regulations.gov/docket/NOAA-NMFS-2024-0054. You may 
submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2024-0054, by 
any of the following methods:
     Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Visit https://www.regulations.gov and type NOAA-NMFS-2024-0054 in the Search box. 
Click on the ``Comment'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter 
or attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to Permits and Conservation 
Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, 
Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; ATTN: Jolie Harrison, Chief, 
Permits and Conservation Division.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
https://www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business 
information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily 
by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous 
comments (enter ``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain 
anonymous).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sara Young or Carrie Hubard, Office of 
Protected Resources, NMFS, (301) 427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On May 3, 2024, NMFS published a proposed rule to modify the 
regulations for MMPA section 104 permits, including scientific 
research, LOCs with a 30-day public comment period. NMFS received a 
request from the Animal Welfare Institute to extend the public comment 
period by 60 days to maximize public input on the proposed rule. NMFS 
considered the request and concluded that a 15-day extension should 
allow sufficient time for responders to submit public comments without 
significantly delaying the rulemaking process. We are therefore 
extending the close of the public comment period from June 3, 2024, to 
June 18, 2024. This extension provides a total of 45 days for public 
input on the proposed rule. All comments and information submitted 
previously regarding the proposed rule will be fully considered during 
the development of the final rule, if promulgated, and do not need to 
be resubmitted.

    Dated: May 28, 2024.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-12053 Filed 5-31-24; 8:45 am]
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