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: VerDate jul<14>2003 15:19 Apr 01, 2005 Jkt 205001 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 Frm 00023 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 VerDate jul<14>2003 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, PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 17074 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 VerDate jul<14>2003 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 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\04APN1.SGM 04APN1

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
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