Endangered Species; File No. 1599, 13250-13251 [E7-5174]

Download as PDF 13250 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 54 / Wednesday, March 21, 2007 / Notices directed to Philip Watson, (206) 947– 3107 or philip.watson@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to collect information pertaining to the economic utilization of marine resources by communities on the West Coast, in order to improve fishery management; satisfy NMFS’ legal mandates under Executive Order 12866, Title 8 of the Magnuson Steven Fishery Conservation and Management Act (U.S.C. 1801 et seq.), as amended in 2007; and quantify achievement of the performance measures in the NMFS Strategic Operating Plans. The data collected will enable researchers to determine the degree of dependence of these communities on marine resource based activities and will inform policy makers as to the likely economic impacts of fishery and marine regulations on these communities. Economic data for selected U.S. coastal communities will be collected for each of the following groups of operations: (1) Locally operated businesses; (2) resident households; and (3) visitors. In general, local businesses will be asked questions concerning their sources of revenue, location and levels of expenditures, ownership, dependence on the fisheries and other marine resources, and fishery employment. Households will be asked questions concerning their sources of income, the location of expenditures made, and their dependence on fishing and other marine resources. Visitors will be asked questions concerning region of residence, expenditures made while visiting, and reasons for visiting. The data collection efforts will be coordinated to reduce the additional burden for those who own multiple businesses. Participation in these data collections will be voluntary. The data will be used to construct a regional economic simulation model to analyze fishery management alternatives and to investigate the degree of economic dependence on marine resources in the respective communities. jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES II. Method of Collection Data will be collected via in-person interviews, telephone interviews and/or mail questionnaire. III. Data OMB Number: None. Form Number: None. Type of Review: Regular submission. Affected Public: Individuals or households; business or other for-profit organizations. VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:08 Mar 20, 2007 Jkt 211001 Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,400. Estimated Time per Response: 1 hour per survey of businesses; 30 minutes per survey of households; and 15 minutes per survey of individual visitors. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 998. Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0. 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. Dated: March 15, 2007. Gwellnar Banks, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. E7–5094 Filed 3–20–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or before April 20, 2007. DATES: The application 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, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701; phone (727) 824–5312; fax (727) 824– 5309. 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. 1599. ADDRESSES: Kate Swails or Patrick Opay, (301)713–2289. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 031507A] Endangered Species; File No. 1599 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application. AGENCY: SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Inwater Research Group, Inc (Michael J. Bresette-Responsible Party), 4160 NE Hyline Dr, Jensen Beach, FL, 34957, has applied in due form for a permit to take green (Chelonia mydas), loggerhead (Caretta caretta), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), and Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) sea turtles for purposes of scientific research. PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The subject permit is requested 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 222–226). The purpose of the proposed research is to continue long term monitoring of sea turtles foraging in the Key West National Wildlife Refuge and surrounding waters. The applicant would net or hand capture up to 200 green, 200 loggerhead, 50 hawksbill, and 10 Kemp’s ridley sea turtles per year. The turtles would be measured, weighed, flipper and Passive Integrated Transponder tagged, blood and tissue sampled, marked with paint, and released. A subset of green turtles would be lavaged and satellite tagged. The permit would be valid for five years. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\21MRN1.SGM 21MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 54 / Wednesday, March 21, 2007 / Notices Dated: March 15, 2007. P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E7–5174 Filed 3–20–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 022007C] Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Rocket Launches at Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Commerce. ACTION: Notice of issuance of a Letter of Authorization. jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, and implementing regulations, notification is hereby given that a 1–year letter of authorization (LOA) has been issued to the 30th Space Wing, U.S. Air Force, to take four species of seals and sea lions incidental to rocket and missile launches on Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB), California. DATES: Effective March 17, 2007, through March 16, 2008. ADDRESSES: The LOA and supporting documentation are available for review by writing to P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation, and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910–3225 or by telephoning one of the contacts listed below (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Documents cited in this notice may be viewed, by appointment, during regular business hours, at the aforementioned address and at the Southwest Regional Office, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jolie Harrison or Candace Nachman, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, (301) 713– 2289, or Monica DeAngelis, NMFS, (562) 980–3232. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) directs the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:08 Mar 20, 2007 Jkt 211001 allow, upon request, the incidental, but not intentional, taking of small numbers of marine mammals by U.S. citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than commercial fishing) within a specified geographical region if certain findings are made and regulations are issued. Under the MMPA, the term ‘‘taking’’ means to harass, hunt, capture, or kill or to attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill marine mammals. Authorization may be granted for periods up to 5 years if NMFS finds, after notification and opportunity for public comment, that the taking will have a negligible impact on the species or stock(s) of marine mammals and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the species or stock(s) for subsistence uses. In addition, NMFS must prescribe regulations that include permissible methods of taking and other means effecting the least practicable adverse impact on the species and its habitat and on the availability of the species for subsistence uses, paying particular attention to rookeries, mating grounds, and areas of similar significance. The regulations must include requirements for monitoring and reporting of such taking. Regulations governing the taking of Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardsi), northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), and northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus), by harassment, incidental to missile and rocket launches, aircraft flight test operations, and helicopter operations at VAFB, were issued on February 6, 2004 (69 FR 5720), and remain in effect until February 6, 2009. For detailed information on this action, please refer to that document. These regulations include mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements for the incidental take of marine mammals during missile and rocket launches at VAFB. This LOA is effective from March 17, 2007 through March 16, 2008 and authorizes the incidental take of the four marine mammal species listed above that may result from the launching of up to 30 space and missile vehicles and up to 20 rockets annually from VAFB, as well as from aircraft and helicopter operations. Harbor seals haul-out on several sites on VAFB, and harbor seals, California sea lions, elephant seals, and northern fur seals are found on various haul-out sites and rookeries on San Miguel Island (SMI). Currently, five space launch vehicle programs use VAFB to launch satellites into polar orbit: Atlas IIAS, Delta II, Minotaur, Taurus, and Titan (II and IV). Also a PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 13251 variety of small missiles, several types of interceptor and target vehicles, and fixed-wing aircrafts are launched from VAFB. The activities under these regulations create two types of noise: continuous (but short-duration) noise, due mostly to combustion effects of aircraft and launch vehicles, and impulsive noise, due to sonic boom effects. Launch operations are the major source of noise on the marine environment from VAFB. The operation of launch vehicle engines produces significant sound levels. The noise generated by VAFB activities will result in the incidental harassment of pinnipeds, both behaviorally and in terms of physiological (auditory) impacts. The noise and visual disturbances from space launch vehicle and missile launches and aircraft and helicopter operations may cause the animals to move towards or enter the water. Take of pinnipeds will be minimized through implementation of the following mitigation measures: (1) all aircraft and helicopter flight paths must maintain a minimum distance of 1,000 ft (305 m) from recognized seal haul-outs and rookeries; (2) missile and rocket launches must, whenever possible, not be conducted during the harbor seal pupping season of March through June; (3) VAFB must avoid, whenever possible, launches which are predicted to produce a sonic boom on the Northern Channel Islands during harbor seal, elephant seal, and California sea lion pupping seasons, March through June; and 4) monitoring methods will be reviewed by NMFS if post-launch surveys determine that an injurious or lethal take of a marine mammal occurred. VAFB will also use monitoring surveys, audio-recording equipment, and time-lapse video to monitor the animals before, during, and after rocket launches, and to measure sound levels generated by the launches. Reports will be submitted to NMFS after each LOA expires, and a final report will be submitted before the rule expires. Summary of Request NMFS received a request for a LOA pursuant to the aforementioned regulations that would authorize, for a period not to exceed 1 year, take of marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to rocket and missile launches at VAFB. Summary of Activity and Monitoring Under the Current LOA In compliance with the 2006 LOA, VAFB submitted an annual report on the rocket launches at VAFB. A E:\FR\FM\21MRN1.SGM 21MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 54 (Wednesday, March 21, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13250-13251]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-5174]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 031507A]


Endangered Species; File No. 1599

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Inwater Research Group, Inc 
(Michael J. Bresette-Responsible Party), 4160 NE Hyline Dr, Jensen 
Beach, FL, 34957, has applied in due form for a permit to take green 
(Chelonia mydas), loggerhead (Caretta caretta), hawksbill (Eretmochelys 
imbricata), and Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) sea turtles for 
purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before April 20, 2007.

ADDRESSES: The application 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, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 
33701; phone (727) 824-5312; fax (727) 824-5309.
    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. 1599.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kate Swails or Patrick Opay, (301)713-
2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested 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 
222-226).
    The purpose of the proposed research is to continue long term 
monitoring of sea turtles foraging in the Key West National Wildlife 
Refuge and surrounding waters. The applicant would net or hand capture 
up to 200 green, 200 loggerhead, 50 hawksbill, and 10 Kemp's ridley sea 
turtles per year. The turtles would be measured, weighed, flipper and 
Passive Integrated Transponder tagged, blood and tissue sampled, marked 
with paint, and released. A subset of green turtles would be lavaged 
and satellite tagged. The permit would be valid for five years.


[[Page 13251]]


    Dated: March 15, 2007.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E7-5174 Filed 3-20-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

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