Marine Mammals; File No. 555-1870, 78407-78408 [E6-22332]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 250 / Friday, December 29, 2006 / Notices submit information regarding their chartering arrangements. The information collected from chartering permit applications will be used to ensure that vessels entering into chartering agreements comply with ICCAT conservation and management measures. The NMFS would use information submitted in applications for chartering arrangements, and other applicable notifications (such as termination notifications from the applicant indicating a desire to terminate their chartering agreement), to monitor the activities and durations of such arrangements targeting HMS in the Atlantic Ocean. NMFS would report this information annually to the Executive Secretary of ICCAT as a means of demonstrating compliance with ICCAT’s conservation and management recommendations. II. Method of Collection Information is submitted on forms or other written format, and may be submitted electronically by e-mail. III. Data OMB Number: 0648–0495. Form Number: None. Type of Review: Regular submission. Affected Public: Business and other for-profit organizations. Estimated Number of Respondents: 10. Estimated Time Per Response: 40 minutes for a Chartering permit application; and 5 minutes for a termination notification. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 8. Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $8. pwalker on PROD1PC69 with NOTICES IV. Request for Comments Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record. VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:15 Dec 28, 2006 Jkt 211001 Dated: December 22, 2006. Gwellnar Banks, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E6–22338 Filed 12–28–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 122106C] Marine Mammals; File No. 555–1870 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application. AGENCY: SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that James T. Harvey, Ph.D., Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, 8272 Moss Landing Road, Moss Landing, CA 95039, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct scientific research on harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or before January 29, 2007. ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment (See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION). Written comments or requests for a public hearing on this application 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 this 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. Comments may also be submitted by e-mail. The mailbox address for providing e-mail comments is NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Include in the subject line of the e-mail comment the following document identifier: File No. 555–1870. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Sloan or Dr. Tammy Adams, (301)713–2289. 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.), and the PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 78407 regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216). The applicant proposes to examine the biology and ecology of harbor seals and monitor health and condition of coastal populations of harbor seals in California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska over a 5-year period. The primary hypotheses are: (1) actual abundance can be determined using aerial surveys and a correction factor, and distinct stocks exist latitudinally; (2) seals are a major (>5%) source of natural mortality for nearshore fishes and cephalopods; (3) pollutants and anthropogenic inputs are compromising seal health; (4) human disturbance causes increased energetic costs and seals can have significant effects on fisheries; (5) dispersal of juvenile harbor seals increases survival; and (6) male harbor seals establish underwater territories and maintain hierarchies using underwater vocalizations and aggression. To test these hypotheses researchers will capture a maximum of 670 harbor seals annually. An additional 2,910 individuals may be taken annually via Level B harassment by incidental disturbance during capture or scat collection and exposure to playback of vocalizations. Animals captured would have some or all of the following procedures done: mass and morphometrics, blubber depth and biopsy, lavage/enema, flipper tagging and instrument application, blood sample, swabs, and skin and hair sampling. The applicant requests up to two incidental mortalities per year. Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of this application to the Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors. Documents may be reviewed in the following locations: 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 Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 1, Seattle, WA 98115–0700; phone (206) 526–6150; fax (206) 526–6426; Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668; phone (907) 586–7221; fax (907) 586–7249; and Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802–4213; phone (562) 980–4001; fax (562)980–4018. E:\FR\FM\29DEN1.SGM 29DEN1 78408 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 250 / Friday, December 29, 2006 / Notices Dated: December 20, 2006. P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E6–22332 Filed 12–28–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS Determination under the African Growth and Opportunity Act December 22, 2006. Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA). ACTION: Directive to the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA) has determined that certain textile and apparel goods from Mali shall be treated as ‘‘handloomed, handmade, folklore articles, or ethnic printed fabrics’’ and qualify for preferential treatment under the African Growth and Opportunity Act. Imports of eligible products from Mali with an appropriate visa will qualify for dutyfree treatment. EFFECTIVE DATE: January 16, 2007. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anna Flaaten, International Trade Specialist, Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Department of Commerce, (202) 482-3400. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: pwalker on PROD1PC69 with NOTICES Authority: Sections 112(a) and 112(b)(6) of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Title I of the Trade and Development Act of 2000, Pub. L. No. 106-200) (‘‘AGOA’’), as amended by Section 7(c) of the AGOA Acceleration Act of 2004 (Pub. L. 108-274) (‘‘AGOA Acceleration Act’’) (19 U.S.C. §§ 3721(a) and (b)(6)); Sections 2 and 5 of Executive Order No. 13191 of January 17, 2001; Sections 25-27 and Paras. 13-14 of Presidential Proclamation 7912 of June 29, 2005. AGOA provides preferential tariff treatment for imports of certain textile and apparel products of beneficiary subSaharan African countries, including hand-loomed, handmade, or folklore articles of a beneficiary country that are certified as such by the competent authority in the beneficiary country. The AGOA Acceleration Act further expanded AGOA by adding ethnic printed fabrics to the list of textile and apparel products made in the beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries that may be eligible for the preferential treatment described in VerDate Aug<31>2005 18:15 Dec 28, 2006 Jkt 211001 section 112(a) of the AGOA. In Executive Order 13191 (January 17, 2001) and Presidential Proclamation 7912 (June 29, 2005), the President authorized CITA to consult with beneficiary sub-Saharan African countries and to determine which, if any, particular textile and apparel goods shall be treated as being hand-loomed, handmade, folklore articles, or ethnic printed fabrics. (66 FR 7271-72 and 70 FR 37959, 37961 & 63) In a letter to the Commissioner of Customs dated January 18, 2001, the United States Trade Representative directed Customs to require that importers provide an appropriate export visa from a beneficiary sub-Saharan African country to obtain preferential treatment under section 112(a) of the AGOA (66 FR 7837). The first digit of the visa number corresponds to one of nine groupings of textile and apparel products that are eligible for preferential tariff treatment. Grouping ‘‘9’’ is reserved for handmade, hand-loomed, folklore articles, or ethnic printed fabrics. CITA has consulted with Malian authorities and has determined that hand-loomed fabrics, hand-loomed articles (e.g., hand-loomed rugs, scarves, place mats, and tablecloths), handmade articles made from hand-loomed fabrics, the folklore articles described in Annex A, and ethnic printed fabrics described in Annex B to this notice, if produced in and exported from Mali, are eligible for preferential tariff treatment under section 112(a) of the AGOA, as amended. After further consultations with Malian authorities, CITA may determine that additional textile and apparel goods shall be treated as folklore articles or ethnic printed fabrics. In the letter published below, CITA directs the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection to allow duty-free entry of such products under U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule subheading 9819.11.27 if accompanied by an appropriate AGOA visa in grouping ‘‘9’’. Philip J. Martello, Acting Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements. Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements December 22, 2006. Commissioner, Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, Washington, DC 20229. Dear Commissioner: The Committee for the Implementation of Textiles Agreements (‘‘CITA’’), pursuant to Sections 112(a) and (b)(6) of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Title I of the Trade and Development Act of 2000, Pub. L. No. 106-200) (‘‘AGOA’’), PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 as amended by Section 7(c) of the AGOA Acceleration Act of 2004 (Pub. L. 108-274) (‘‘AGOA Acceleration Act’’) (19 U.S.C. §§ 3721(a) and (b)(6)), Executive Order No. 13191 of January 17, 2001, and Presidential Proclamation 7912 of June 29, 2005, has determined, effective on January 16, 2007, that the following articles shall be treated as ‘‘handloomed, handmade, folklore articles, and ethnic printed fabrics’’ under the AGOA: (a) handloomed fabrics, handloomed articles (e.g., handloomed rugs, scarves, placemats, and tablecloths), and hand-made articles made from handloomed fabrics, if made in Mali from fabric handloomed in Mali; (b) the folklore articles described in Annex A; and (c) ethnic printed fabrics described in Annex B, if made in Mali. Such articles are eligible for duty-free treatment only if entered under subheading 9819.11.27 and accompanied by a properly completed visa for product grouping ‘‘9’’, in accordance with the provisions of the Visa Arrangement between the Government of Mali and the Government of the United States Concerning Textile and Apparel Articles Claiming Preferential Tariff Treatment under Section 112 of the Trade and Development Act of 2000. After further consultations with Malian authorities, CITA may determine that additional textile and apparel goods shall be treated as folklore articles or ethnic printed fabrics. Sincerely, Philip J. Martello, Acting Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements. ANNEX A: Malian Folklore Products CITA has determined that the following textile and apparel goods shall be treated as folklore articles for purposes of the AGOA if made in Mali. Articles must be ornamented in characteristic Malian or regional folk style. An article may not include modern features such as zippers, elastic, elasticized fabrics, snaps, or hook-and-pile fasteners (such as velcroc or similar holding fabric). An article may not incorporate patterns that are not traditional or historical to Mali, such as airplanes, buses, cowboys, or cartoon characters and may not incorporate designs referencing holidays or festivals not common to traditional Malian culture, such as Halloween and Thanksgiving. Eligible folklore articles: (a) Hand-woven Blanket/Tapestry: Strips of handloomed cotton or wool or woolcotton blend fabric, 3-10 inches wide, hand or machine sewn together to make a larger piece of fabric. Dimensions and designs depend on use. Uses include scarves, body wrap, blankets, bedspreads, and interior room decoration accessory. Designs are woven into the fabric using dyed yarns or painted, stenciled or printed after assembly. (b) Women’s Boubou: A loose-fitting garment with large open armholes made of bright solid colored machine-made African brocade (also called basin) or handwoven fabric. It is accompanied by a matching wrap skirt and head wrap. The garment is decorated with hand or machine-sewn embroidery around a round or U-shaped neckline. E:\FR\FM\29DEN1.SGM 29DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 250 (Friday, December 29, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78407-78408]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-22332]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 122106C]


Marine Mammals; File No. 555-1870

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that James T. Harvey, Ph.D., Moss 
Landing Marine Laboratories, 8272 Moss Landing Road, Moss Landing, CA 
95039, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct scientific 
research on harbor seals (Phoca vitulina).

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before January 29, 2007.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for 
review upon written request or by appointment (See SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION).
    Written comments or requests for a public hearing on this 
application 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 this 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.
    Comments may also be submitted by e-mail. The mailbox address for 
providing e-mail comments is NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Include in the 
subject line of the e-mail comment the following document identifier: 
File No. 555-1870.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Sloan or Dr. Tammy Adams, 
(301)713-2289.

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.), and the regulations governing the 
taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The applicant proposes to examine the biology and ecology of harbor 
seals and monitor health and condition of coastal populations of harbor 
seals in California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska over a 5-year 
period. The primary hypotheses are: (1) actual abundance can be 
determined using aerial surveys and a correction factor, and distinct 
stocks exist latitudinally; (2) seals are a major (>5%) source of 
natural mortality for nearshore fishes and cephalopods; (3) pollutants 
and anthropogenic inputs are compromising seal health; (4) human 
disturbance causes increased energetic costs and seals can have 
significant effects on fisheries; (5) dispersal of juvenile harbor 
seals increases survival; and (6) male harbor seals establish 
underwater territories and maintain hierarchies using underwater 
vocalizations and aggression. To test these hypotheses researchers will 
capture a maximum of 670 harbor seals annually. An additional 2,910 
individuals may be taken annually via Level B harassment by incidental 
disturbance during capture or scat collection and exposure to playback 
of vocalizations. Animals captured would have some or all of the 
following procedures done: mass and morphometrics, blubber depth and 
biopsy, lavage/enema, flipper tagging and instrument application, blood 
sample, swabs, and skin and hair sampling. The applicant requests up to 
two incidental mortalities per year.
    Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of this application to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.
    Documents may be reviewed in the following locations:
    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
    Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 
1, Seattle, WA 98115-0700; phone (206) 526-6150; fax (206) 526-6426;
    Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone 
(907) 586-7221; fax (907) 586-7249; and
    Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long 
Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562) 980-4001; fax (562)980-4018.


[[Page 78408]]


    Dated: December 20, 2006.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6-22332 Filed 12-28-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

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