[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 168 (Thursday, August 29, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70173-70174]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-19440]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XE242]


Marine Mammals; File No. 28184

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 Dan Engelhaupt, Ph.D., HDR, 4173 
Ewell Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23455, has applied in due form for a 
permit to conduct research on marine mammals.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before September 30, 
2024.

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 
home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File No. 
28184 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. 28184 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 (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 conduct research in the 
North Pacific and North Atlantic Oceans including the Gulf of Mexico. 
The objectives are to study presence, movement patterns, behaviors, and 
population structure for marine mammals occupying waters shared with 
the U.S. Navy activities and

[[Page 70174]]

other anthropogenic activities. Up to 61 species of marine mammals may 
be taken including the following ESA-listed species: blue (Balaenoptera 
musculus), bowhead (Balaena mysticetus), false killer (Pseudorca 
crassidens; Main Hawaiian Islands Insular distinct population segment 
[DPS]), fin (Balaenoptera physalus), gray (Eschrichtius robustus; 
Western North Pacific DPS), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae; Central 
America, Western North Pacific, and Mexico DPSs), killer (Orcinus orca; 
Southern Resident DPS), North Atlantic right (Eubalaena glacialis), 
North Pacific right (Eubalaena japonica), Rice's (Balaenoptera ricei), 
sei (Balaenoptera borealis), and sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) whales, 
and Hawaiian monk seals (Neomonachus schauinslandi). Research may occur 
year-round during vessel or aircraft surveys, including unmanned 
aircraft systems, for counts, photography, video recording (above and 
underwater), photogrammetry, observations, passive acoustics, 
biological sampling (sloughed skin, exhaled air, feces, and skin and 
blubber biopsy), and tagging (suction-cup, dart, and deep-implant). 
Parts collected may be exported and imported for analysis. See the 
application for complete numbers of animals requested by species, age-
class, and procedure.
    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: August 23, 2024.
Amy Sloan,
Acting Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-19440 Filed 8-28-24; 8:45 am]
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