Marine Mammals; File Nos. 434-1669, 1010-1641, 800-1664, 881-1668, 782-1768, 358-1769, 715-1784, and 1034-1773, 17072-17074 [05-6610]
Download as PDF
17072
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 63 / Monday, April 4, 2005 / Notices
an amendment to Permit No. 782–1719
for purposes of scientific research.
ADDRESSES: The permit and related
documents are available for review
upon written request or by appointment:
Permits, Conservation and Education
Division, Office of Protected Resources,
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room
13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone
(301)713–2289; fax (301)713–0376; and
Assistant Administrator for Protected
Resources,, Pacific Area Office, NMFS,
1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Rm, 1110,
Honolulu, HI 96814–4700; phone
(808)973–2935; fax (808)973–2941.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ruth Johnson or Carrie Hubard,
(301)713–2289.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 4,
2003, notice was published in the
Federal Register (68 FR 33477) that
requests for a scientific research permit
to take various marine mammals,
including calves less than six months of
age, had been submitted by the abovenamed organizations. The requested
permit amendment has been issued
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).
Issuance of this permit, as required by
the ESA, was based on a finding that
such permit (1) was applied for in good
faith, (2) will not operate to the
disadvantage of the endangered species
which is the subject of this permit, and
(3) is consistent with the purposes and
policies set forth in section 2 of the
ESA.
Dated: March 23, 2005.
Stephen L. Leathery,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education
Division, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05–6613 Filed 4–1–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[I.D. 030205A]
Endangered Species; File No. 1507
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
AGENCY:
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ACTION:
Issuance of permit.
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
Llewellyn Ehrhart, University of Central
Florida, 4000 Central Florida Blvd.,
Orlando, Florida 32816–2368 has been
issued a permit to take green (Chelonia
mydas), loggerhead (Caretta caretta),
hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata),
Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii),
and leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea)
sea turtles for purposes of scientific
research.
The permit and related
documents are available for review
upon written request or by appointment
in the following office(s):
Permits, Conservation and Education
Division, Office of Protected Resources,
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room
13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone
(301)713–2289; fax (301)427–2521; and
Southeast Region, NMFS, 9721
Executive Center Drive North, St.
Petersburg, FL 33702–2432; phone
(727)570–5301; fax (727)570–5320.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Patrick Opay or Carrie Hubard,
(301)713–2289.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On
December 2, 2004, notice was published
in the Federal Register (69 FR 70125)
that a request for a scientific research
permit to take loggerhead, Kemp’s
ridley, green, leatherback, and hawksbill
sea turtles had been submitted by the
above-named individual. The requested
permit has been issued under the
authority of 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).
Researchers will annually capture,
flipper tag, PIT tag, measure, mark,
weigh, blood sample, lavage,
photograph, attach a satellite transmitter
to, attach a tethered instrument to,
release, and track loggerhead, green,
hawksbill and Kemp’s ridley sea turtles.
The purpose of the research is to
conduct in-water studies of marine
turtle populations in the Indian River
Lagoon (Project 1); to conduct studies of
marine turtle populations residing on
the Sabellariid Worm Reef of Indian
River County, Florida (Project 2); to
study sea turtle distribution and
movement through the use of satellite
telemetry (Project 3); to assess the
juvenile green turtle population at the
Trident Turning Basin, Cape Canaveral
Air Force Station (Project 4); and to
study juvenile green turtle and
loggerhead habitat utilization in the
central region of the Indian River
ADDRESSES:
PO 00000
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Lagoon System, Florida (Project 5). The
permit is issued for 5 years.
Issuance of this permit, as required by
the ESA, was based on a finding that
such permit (1) was applied for in good
faith, (2) will not operate to the
disadvantage of any endangered or
threatened species, and (3) is consistent
with the purposes and policies set forth
in section 2 of the ESA.
Dated: March 29, 2005.
Stephen L. Leathery,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education
Division, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05–6609 Filed 4–1–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[I.D. 032905A]
Marine Mammals; File Nos. 434–1669,
1010–1641, 800–1664, 881–1668, 782–
1768, 358–1769, 715–1784, and 1034–
1773
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Receipt of applications.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
the following individuals and
institutions have applied for a permit or
permit amendment to conduct research
on Steller sea lions (Eumetopias
jubatus): Oregon Department of Fish
and Wildlife, Corvallis, OR (ODFW; File
No. 434–1669); the Aleutians East
Borough, Juneau, AK (AEB: File No.
1010–1641); Dr. Randall Davis, Texas
A&M University, Galveston, TX (File
No. 800–1664); the Alaska SeaLife
Center, Seward, AK (ASLC: File No.
881–1668); the National Marine
Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries
Science Center, Seattle, WA (NMML:
File No. 782–1768); the Alaska
Department of Fish and Game,
Anchorage, AK (ADF&G: File No. 358–
1769); The North Pacific Universities
Marine Mammal Research Consortium,
University of British Columbia,
Vancouver, B.C. (NPUMMRC: File No.
715–1784); and Dr. Markus Horning,
Texas A&M University, Galveston, TX
(File No. 1034–1773).
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail
comments must be received on or before
May 4, 2005.
ADDRESSES: The applications and
related documents are available for
review upon written request or by
appointment in the following office(s):
E:\FR\FM\04APN1.SGM
04APN1
Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 63 / Monday, April 4, 2005 / Notices
Permits, Conservation and Education
Division, Office of Protected Resources,
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room
13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone
(301)713–2289; fax (301)427–2521;
Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand
Point Way NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 1,
Seattle, WA 98115–0700; phone
(206)526–6150; fax (206)526–6426; and
Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box
21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668; phone
(907)586–7221; fax (907)586–7249.
Written comments or requests for a
public hearing on these applications
should be mailed to the Chief, Permits,
Conservation and Education Division,
F/PR1, Office of Protected Resources,
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room
13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Those
individuals requesting a hearing should
set forth the specific reasons why a
hearing on a particular request would be
appropriate.
Comments may also be submitted by
facsimile at (301)427–2521, provided
the facsimile is confirmed by hard copy
submitted by mail and postmarked no
later than the closing date of the
comment period.
Additionally, comments may be
submitted by e-mail. The mailbox
address for providing email comments
is NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov.
Include the appropriate file number(s)
in the subject line of the e-mail
comment as a document identifier.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Tammy Adams or Amy Sloan,
(301)713–2289.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
subject permits and permit amendments
are 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 222–226).
File No. 434–1669: Permit No. 434–
1669, issued to ODFW on November 12,
2002 (67 FR 69724) authorizes takes of
threatened Steller sea lions in
California, Washington, and Oregon by
capture, hot-branding, flipper tagging,
collection of blood, tissue sampling,
attachment external scientific
instruments, harassment incidental to
these activities and remote monitoring,
and incidental mortality. The purpose of
these activities is to continue
monitoring the status of the Steller sea
lion population in California, Oregon,
and Washington. ODFW has requested
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15:19 Apr 01, 2005
Jkt 205001
an amendment to extend the duration of
the permit for three years and also
proposes to add a study on the effects
of hot-brands. The proposed study of
hot-brands does not include a request
for an increase in numbers of animals
captured and handled.
File No. 1010–1641: Permit No. 1010–
1641, issued to AEB on November 12,
2002 (67 FR 69724), authorizes takes of
Steller sea lions of all ages by
harassment during aerial surveys and
vessel-based behavioral observations in
the western Gulf of Alaska, and scat
collection at rookeries and haulouts
along the Alaska Peninsula and Eastern
Aleutian Islands. The permit also
authorized mortality incidental to the
research. AEB has requested an
amendment to extend the duration of
the permit, with an increase in the
number of sea lions that may be
harassed during aerial surveys annually.
The purpose of the activities proposed
by AEB is to provide additional
information on seasonal prey
consumption by Steller sea lions
through analysis of scat collected at
rookeries and haulouts along the Alaska
Peninsula and Eastern Aleutian Islands,
and to improve the accuracy and
precision of population indices through
expanded aerial and vessel surveys in
the western Gulf of Alaska.
File No. 800–1664: Permit No. 800–
1664, issued to Dr. Davis on November
12, 2002 (67 FR 69724), authorizes takes
of threatened and endangered juvenile
and adult female Steller sea lions in
Alaska by capture, anesthesia, hotbranding, tissue sampling (including
blood, skin, and blubber), attachment of
scientific instruments (video system/
data logger and satellite transmitters),
and incidental mortality. Dr. Davis has
requested an amendment to extend the
duration of the permit and to modify
some of the objectives and methods for
taking Steller sea lions. The purpose of
the activities proposed by Dr. Davis is
to study the hunting behavior and threedimensional movements of Steller sea
lions. The results would be used, in
conjunction with data on satellite
remote sensing of hydrographic features,
and on the abundance, distribution, and
composition of prey at spatial and
temporal scales, to address questions
about Steller sea lion prey preference,
predator/prey relationships, and
ecological attributes of foraging habitat.
File No. 881–1668: Permit No. 881–
1668, issued to the ASLC on November
12, 2002 (67 FR 69724), authorizes takes
of threatened and endangered Steller sea
lions in Alaska by capture, hotbranding, flipper tagging, collection of
blood and tissue samples, attachment of
external scientific instruments,
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17073
incidental mortality, and harassment
incidental to these activities and remote
monitoring activities. The permit was
amended on July 31, 2203 (68 FR 47294)
to include capture and transport of up
to 16 juvenile Steller sea lions per year
to the ASLC for short-term captivity,
health assessments (including
anesthesia, blood sampling, blubber
biopsy, diagnostic x-ray, endoscopy,
bioelectric impedance analysis,
deuterated water, and urinalysis),
controlled fasting, and
adrenocorticotrophic hormone
challenge experiments. ASLC has
requested permit amendments to extend
the duration of the permit and modify
some of the objectives, methods, and
numbers of Steller sea lions taken. The
ASLC states that the overall purpose of
their activities, including the proposed
amendments, is to collect information
on the health status (e.g.,
morphometrics, body composition,
immunology, epidemiology,
endocrinology, viral serology),
physiology (e.g., vitamin requirements,
stress responses to capture, handling,
and captivity), life history (e.g.,
ontogenetic and annual cycles,
population dynamics), foraging
behavior, and habitat use of Steller sea
lions.
File No. 782–1768: The NMML has
requested a five-year permit to collect
information on the life history, foraging
behavior, habitat use, physiology,
population status and trends, survival
and reproductive rates, and condition of
Steller sea lions in the North Pacific. To
accomplish this, NMML proposes to
conduct aerial surveys and ground
counts as well as capture, sample, and
mark Steller sea lions. NMML has also
requested a number of incidental
mortalities.
File No. 358–1768: The ADF&G has
requested a five-year permit to
investigate the various hypotheses for
the decline of Steller sea lions in
western Alaska, including conducting
studies of life history traits,
physiological investigations of animal
condition and time of weaning, and
studies of animal movement and dive
activity. To accomplish this, ADF&G
proposes to conduct aerial surveys and
ground counts as well as capture,
sample, and mark Steller sea lions.
ADF&G has also requested a number of
incidental mortalities.
File No. 715–1784: The NPUMMRC
has requested a five-year permit to
collect data on sea lion distribution and
diet compositions through aerial
surveys of sea lion rookeries and haul
outs in Southeast Alaska; collection of
scat from rookeries and haul outs in
Southeast Alaska; conducting
E:\FR\FM\04APN1.SGM
04APN1
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Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 63 / Monday, April 4, 2005 / Notices
behavioral observations of sea lions on
rookeries, haul outs and tagged sea lions
at sea; and mortality incidental to
research. The objectives of the study are
to understand how diets vary
temporally and spatially, and how this
variation is related to population trends
and abundance, nutritional stress, and
commercial fishing activities.
File No. 1034–1773: Dr. Horning has
requested a five-year permit to
surgically implant dual ‘‘Life History
Transmitters’’ into up to 80 free-ranging
Steller sea lions ages nine months to
four years, using ship-based surgical
operations under gas anesthesia. The
objectives of the proposed study are (1)
to determine age specific survival rates
for juvenile Steller sea ions, (2) to
determine the time of year for the
greatest mortality of juvenile Steller sea
lions, (3) to determine approximate
locations of mortalities, (4) to analyze
ontogenetic and seasonal changes in the
dive behavior and dive effort from
deceased animals and relate these to
environmental conditions and prey
abundance as assessed by other groups,
(5) to test the effects of body condition
and health indicators on survival of
juveniles, and (6) to assess the
predictive power of parameters
measurable in juvenile Steller sea lions
for future survival. All animals captured
would also be subject to comprehensive
‘‘body condition and health
assessments’’ and would be hot-branded
for future identification. Dr. Horning has
also requested a number of incidental
mortalities.
In compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a draft
Environmental Assessment (EA) has
been prepared to examine whether
significant environmental impacts could
result from issuance of the proposed
permits and permit amendments. The
draft EA is available for review and
comment simultaneous with the
applications. The scope of the draft EA
includes the following six
environmental impact issues: (1) Is
NMFS able to coordinate research under
the various permits and ensure that
activities are not unnecessarily
duplicative and do not result in
significant adverse impacts on
threatened and endangered Steller sea
lions? (2) Is NMFS able to adequately
monitor the effects of the overall
research program on Steller sea lions?
(3) Can NMFS coordinate and
synthesize the data generated by this
research program in a way that is useful
or meaningful for conservation of Steller
sea lions? (4) Are all of the research
proposals consistent with permit
issuance criteria under the MMPA and
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15:19 Apr 01, 2005
Jkt 205001
ESA, such as whether all of the projects
are likely to contribute to conservation
of Steller sea lions? (5) Does the amount
of incidental mortality to be authorized
represent a significant adverse impact
on Steller sea lions? (6) What are the
potential effects of various research
activities, either individually or
cumulatively, on Steller sea lions as a
species? Chapter 4 of the draft EA
outlines NMFS analytical approach to
evaluating alternatives.
Concurrent with the publication of
this notice in the Federal Register,
NMFS is forwarding copies of the
applications to the Marine Mammal
Commission and its Committee of
Scientific Advisors.
Dated: March 29, 2005.
Stephen L. Leathery,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education
Division, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05–6610 Filed 4–1–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
COMMISSION OF FINE ARTS
Notice of Meeting
The next meeting of the Commission
of Fine Arts is scheduled for April 21,
2005, at 10 a.m. in the Commission’s
offices at the National Building
Museum, Suite 312, Judiciary Square,
401 F Street, NW., Washington, DC,
20001–2728. Items of discussion
affecting the appearance of Washington,
DC, may include buildings, parks and
memorials.
Draft agendas and additional
information regarding the Commission
are available on our Web site:
http:www.cfa.gov. Inquiries regarding
the agenda and requests to submit
written or oral statements should be
addressed to Thomas Luebke, Secretary,
Commission of Fine Arts, at the above
address or call 202–504–2200.
Individuals requiring sign language
interpretation for the hearing impaired
should contact the Secretary at least 10
days before the meeting date.
Dated in Washington, DC, March 25, 2005.
Thomas Luebke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 05–6530 Filed 4–1–05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6330–01–M
PO 00000
COMMITTEE FOR THE
IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE
AGREEMENTS
Request for Public Comments on
Commercial Availability Petitionunder
the United States-Caribbean Basin
Trade Partnership Act(CBTPA)
March 31, 2005.
The Committee for the
Implementation of Textile Agreements
(CITA)
ACTION: Request for public comments
concerning a request for a
determinationthat certain 100 percent
cotton, carbon-emerized, four-thread
twill weavefabric cannot be supplied by
the domestic industry in commercial
quantitiesin a timely manner under the
CBTPA.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: On March 29, 2005 the
Chairman of CITA received a petition
from Sandler,Travis, & Rosenberg, P.A.,
on behalf of their client, Dillard’s
Inc.,alleging that certain 100 percent
cotton, carbon-emerized, fourthreadtwill weave fabric, of the
specifications detailed below, classified
insubheading 5208.33.00.00 of the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the
UnitedStates (HTSUS), cannot be
supplied by the domestic industry in
commercialquantities in a timely
manner. The petition requests that
woven cottonshirts and blouses of such
fabrics assembled in one or more
CBTPAbeneficiary countries be eligible
for preferential treatment under
theCBTPA. CITA hereby solicits public
comments on this request, in
particularwith regard to whether such
fabrics can be supplied by the
domesticindustry in commercial
quantities in a timely manner.
Comments must besubmitted by April
19, 2005, to the Chairman, Committee
for the Implementation of Textile
Agreements,Room 3001, United States
Department of Commerce, 14th and
ConstitutionAvenue, N.W. Washington,
D.C. 20230.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Naomi Freeman, International Trade
Specialist, Office of Textiles
andApparel, U.S. Department of
Commerce, (202) 482-3400.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Authority: Section 213(b)(2)(A)(v)(II) of the
Caribbean Basin Economic RecoveryAct, as
added by Section 211(a) of the CBTPA;
Section 6 of Executive OrderNo. 13191 of
January 17, 2001.
BACKGROUND:
The CBTPA provides for quota- and
duty-free treatment for qualifyingtextile
and apparel products. Such treatment is
Frm 00025
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 63 (Monday, April 4, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17072-17074]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-6610]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 032905A]
Marine Mammals; File Nos. 434-1669, 1010-1641, 800-1664, 881-
1668, 782-1768, 358-1769, 715-1784, and 1034-1773
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Receipt of applications.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the following individuals and
institutions have applied for a permit or permit amendment to conduct
research on Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus): Oregon Department
of Fish and Wildlife, Corvallis, OR (ODFW; File No. 434-1669); the
Aleutians East Borough, Juneau, AK (AEB: File No. 1010-1641); Dr.
Randall Davis, Texas A&M University, Galveston, TX (File No. 800-1664);
the Alaska SeaLife Center, Seward, AK (ASLC: File No. 881-1668); the
National Marine Mammal Laboratory, Alaska Fisheries Science Center,
Seattle, WA (NMML: File No. 782-1768); the Alaska Department of Fish
and Game, Anchorage, AK (ADF&G: File No. 358-1769); The North Pacific
Universities Marine Mammal Research Consortium, University of British
Columbia, Vancouver, B.C. (NPUMMRC: File No. 715-1784); and Dr. Markus
Horning, Texas A&M University, Galveston, TX (File No. 1034-1773).
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or
before May 4, 2005.
ADDRESSES: The applications and related documents are available for
review upon written request or by appointment in the following
office(s):
[[Page 17073]]
Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected
Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD
20910; phone (301)713-2289; fax (301)427-2521;
Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, BIN C15700, Bldg.
1, Seattle, WA 98115-0700; phone (206)526-6150; fax (206)526-6426; and
Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone
(907)586-7221; fax (907)586-7249.
Written comments or requests for a public hearing on these
applications should be mailed to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and
Education Division, F/PR1, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315
East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Those
individuals requesting a hearing should set forth the specific reasons
why a hearing on a particular request would be appropriate.
Comments may also be submitted by facsimile at (301)427-2521,
provided the facsimile is confirmed by hard copy submitted by mail and
postmarked no later than the closing date of the comment period.
Additionally, comments may be submitted by e-mail. The mailbox
address for providing email comments is NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov.
Include the appropriate file number(s) in the subject line of the e-
mail comment as a document identifier.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tammy Adams or Amy Sloan, (301)713-
2289.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permits and permit amendments
are 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 222-226).
File No. 434-1669: Permit No. 434-1669, issued to ODFW on November
12, 2002 (67 FR 69724) authorizes takes of threatened Steller sea lions
in California, Washington, and Oregon by capture, hot-branding, flipper
tagging, collection of blood, tissue sampling, attachment external
scientific instruments, harassment incidental to these activities and
remote monitoring, and incidental mortality. The purpose of these
activities is to continue monitoring the status of the Steller sea lion
population in California, Oregon, and Washington. ODFW has requested an
amendment to extend the duration of the permit for three years and also
proposes to add a study on the effects of hot-brands. The proposed
study of hot-brands does not include a request for an increase in
numbers of animals captured and handled.
File No. 1010-1641: Permit No. 1010-1641, issued to AEB on November
12, 2002 (67 FR 69724), authorizes takes of Steller sea lions of all
ages by harassment during aerial surveys and vessel-based behavioral
observations in the western Gulf of Alaska, and scat collection at
rookeries and haulouts along the Alaska Peninsula and Eastern Aleutian
Islands. The permit also authorized mortality incidental to the
research. AEB has requested an amendment to extend the duration of the
permit, with an increase in the number of sea lions that may be
harassed during aerial surveys annually. The purpose of the activities
proposed by AEB is to provide additional information on seasonal prey
consumption by Steller sea lions through analysis of scat collected at
rookeries and haulouts along the Alaska Peninsula and Eastern Aleutian
Islands, and to improve the accuracy and precision of population
indices through expanded aerial and vessel surveys in the western Gulf
of Alaska.
File No. 800-1664: Permit No. 800-1664, issued to Dr. Davis on
November 12, 2002 (67 FR 69724), authorizes takes of threatened and
endangered juvenile and adult female Steller sea lions in Alaska by
capture, anesthesia, hot-branding, tissue sampling (including blood,
skin, and blubber), attachment of scientific instruments (video system/
data logger and satellite transmitters), and incidental mortality. Dr.
Davis has requested an amendment to extend the duration of the permit
and to modify some of the objectives and methods for taking Steller sea
lions. The purpose of the activities proposed by Dr. Davis is to study
the hunting behavior and three-dimensional movements of Steller sea
lions. The results would be used, in conjunction with data on satellite
remote sensing of hydrographic features, and on the abundance,
distribution, and composition of prey at spatial and temporal scales,
to address questions about Steller sea lion prey preference, predator/
prey relationships, and ecological attributes of foraging habitat.
File No. 881-1668: Permit No. 881-1668, issued to the ASLC on
November 12, 2002 (67 FR 69724), authorizes takes of threatened and
endangered Steller sea lions in Alaska by capture, hot-branding,
flipper tagging, collection of blood and tissue samples, attachment of
external scientific instruments, incidental mortality, and harassment
incidental to these activities and remote monitoring activities. The
permit was amended on July 31, 2203 (68 FR 47294) to include capture
and transport of up to 16 juvenile Steller sea lions per year to the
ASLC for short-term captivity, health assessments (including
anesthesia, blood sampling, blubber biopsy, diagnostic x-ray,
endoscopy, bioelectric impedance analysis, deuterated water, and
urinalysis), controlled fasting, and adrenocorticotrophic hormone
challenge experiments. ASLC has requested permit amendments to extend
the duration of the permit and modify some of the objectives, methods,
and numbers of Steller sea lions taken. The ASLC states that the
overall purpose of their activities, including the proposed amendments,
is to collect information on the health status (e.g., morphometrics,
body composition, immunology, epidemiology, endocrinology, viral
serology), physiology (e.g., vitamin requirements, stress responses to
capture, handling, and captivity), life history (e.g., ontogenetic and
annual cycles, population dynamics), foraging behavior, and habitat use
of Steller sea lions.
File No. 782-1768: The NMML has requested a five-year permit to
collect information on the life history, foraging behavior, habitat
use, physiology, population status and trends, survival and
reproductive rates, and condition of Steller sea lions in the North
Pacific. To accomplish this, NMML proposes to conduct aerial surveys
and ground counts as well as capture, sample, and mark Steller sea
lions. NMML has also requested a number of incidental mortalities.
File No. 358-1768: The ADF&G has requested a five-year permit to
investigate the various hypotheses for the decline of Steller sea lions
in western Alaska, including conducting studies of life history traits,
physiological investigations of animal condition and time of weaning,
and studies of animal movement and dive activity. To accomplish this,
ADF&G proposes to conduct aerial surveys and ground counts as well as
capture, sample, and mark Steller sea lions. ADF&G has also requested a
number of incidental mortalities.
File No. 715-1784: The NPUMMRC has requested a five-year permit to
collect data on sea lion distribution and diet compositions through
aerial surveys of sea lion rookeries and haul outs in Southeast Alaska;
collection of scat from rookeries and haul outs in Southeast Alaska;
conducting
[[Page 17074]]
behavioral observations of sea lions on rookeries, haul outs and tagged
sea lions at sea; and mortality incidental to research. The objectives
of the study are to understand how diets vary temporally and spatially,
and how this variation is related to population trends and abundance,
nutritional stress, and commercial fishing activities.
File No. 1034-1773: Dr. Horning has requested a five-year permit to
surgically implant dual ``Life History Transmitters'' into up to 80
free-ranging Steller sea lions ages nine months to four years, using
ship-based surgical operations under gas anesthesia. The objectives of
the proposed study are (1) to determine age specific survival rates for
juvenile Steller sea ions, (2) to determine the time of year for the
greatest mortality of juvenile Steller sea lions, (3) to determine
approximate locations of mortalities, (4) to analyze ontogenetic and
seasonal changes in the dive behavior and dive effort from deceased
animals and relate these to environmental conditions and prey abundance
as assessed by other groups, (5) to test the effects of body condition
and health indicators on survival of juveniles, and (6) to assess the
predictive power of parameters measurable in juvenile Steller sea lions
for future survival. All animals captured would also be subject to
comprehensive ``body condition and health assessments'' and would be
hot-branded for future identification. Dr. Horning has also requested a
number of incidental mortalities.
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) has
been prepared to examine whether significant environmental impacts
could result from issuance of the proposed permits and permit
amendments. The draft EA is available for review and comment
simultaneous with the applications. The scope of the draft EA includes
the following six environmental impact issues: (1) Is NMFS able to
coordinate research under the various permits and ensure that
activities are not unnecessarily duplicative and do not result in
significant adverse impacts on threatened and endangered Steller sea
lions? (2) Is NMFS able to adequately monitor the effects of the
overall research program on Steller sea lions? (3) Can NMFS coordinate
and synthesize the data generated by this research program in a way
that is useful or meaningful for conservation of Steller sea lions? (4)
Are all of the research proposals consistent with permit issuance
criteria under the MMPA and ESA, such as whether all of the projects
are likely to contribute to conservation of Steller sea lions? (5) Does
the amount of incidental mortality to be authorized represent a
significant adverse impact on Steller sea lions? (6) What are the
potential effects of various research activities, either individually
or cumulatively, on Steller sea lions as a species? Chapter 4 of the
draft EA outlines NMFS analytical approach to evaluating alternatives.
Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal
Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of the applications to the Marine
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.
Dated: March 29, 2005.
Stephen L. Leathery,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 05-6610 Filed 4-1-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S