Marine Mammals; Issuance of Permits, 58288-58289 [E7-20231]

Download as PDF 58288 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 198 / Monday, October 15, 2007 / Notices Contest submissions by Chinese and Indian students will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. Dated: October 5, 2007. David Long, Director, Office of Service Industries, International Trade Administration. [FR Doc. E7–20265 Filed 10–12–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DR–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 0648–XD23 Marine Mammals; Issuance of Permits National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of permits. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that individuals and institutions have been issued Letters of Confirmation for activities conducted under the General Authorization for Scientific Research on marine mammals. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for a list of names and address of recipients. ADDRESSES: The Letters of Confirmation and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment in the following office: 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. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Office of Protected Resources, Permits Division, (301)713–2289. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The requested Letters of Confirmation have been issued under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216). The General Authorization allows for bona fide scientific research that may result only in taking by level B harassment of marine mammals. The following Letters of Confirmation were issued in Fiscal Year 2007. File No. 572–1869: Issued to Daniel K. Odell, Ph.D., Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, 6295 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, FL 32821 on November 14, 2006, for vessel surveys to conduct photo-identification, behavioral observations, passive acoustic recordings, and videography of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Indian River Lagoon VerDate Aug<31>2005 21:55 Oct 12, 2007 Jkt 214001 on the east-central coast of Florida; in the Key West (Monroe County, FL) area; and in the coastal waters of Georgia, primarily in the vicinity of Sapelo Sound and St. Catherine’s Island. In addition, aerial surveys of bottlenose dolphins will be conducted over the Indian River Lagoon. These activities may be conducted through November 14, 2011. File No. 699–1891: Issued to Kathryn A. Ono, Ph.D., University of New England, 11 Hills Beach Road, Biddeford, ME 04005 on January 11, 2007, for a study to determine the diet of seals off the coast of Maine and to use fecal DNA to determine if hard part analysis is an accurate representation of the occurrence of certain prey species in pinniped diets. This study will result in harassment of gray seals (Halichoerus grypus), harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), hooded seals (Cystophora cristata), and harp seals (Pagophilus groenlandicus) in coastal Maine through December 1, 2011. File No. 809–1902: Issued to Susan G. Barco, Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation, 717 General Booth Boulevard, Virginia Beach, VA 23451 on February 21, 2007, for vessel surveys for photo-identification of bottlenose dolphins throughout the coastal and offshore waters geographically contiguous with the Commonwealth of Virginia (including Maryland waters of the Chesapeake Bay, Assateague Island to Ocean City, and waters off northeastern North Carolina) through February 28, 2012. File No. 1094–1836–02: Issued to Peggy Stap, 1479 W. Dowling Rd., Dowling, MI 49050–9718, on March 7, 2007, for conducting small vessel surveys to collect photo-identification and behavioral data using photography, video, and hydrophone recordings to study the foraging strategies of transient and offshore killer whales (Orcinus orca) as well as investigate the abundance, distribution, movement, and frequency of occurrence of other cetacean species in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. This study will result in takes of 17 species of cetaceans through April 30, 2011. This study was modified to add harassment of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus), and harbor seals. This amended GA LOC supercedes version 1094–1836–01, issued on June 30, 2006. File No. 717–1909: Issued to Jan Ostman-Lind, Ph.D., Kula Nai’a Wild Dolphin Research Foundation, P.O. Box 6870, Kamuela, HI 96743 on March 29, 2007, for vessel surveys to conduct PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 photo-identification, focal follows, and passive acoustic recordings of spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) in coastal waters off the Island of Hawai’i and in waters up to 25 nautical miles offshore through March 31, 2012. File No. 819–1800–01: Issued to John G. Morris, Ph.D., Florida Institute of Technology, Biology Department, 150 West University Boulevard, Melbourne, FL 32901 on April 9, 2007, for photoidentification, behavioral observations, and passive acoustic recordings of bottlenose dolphins, via vessel surveys in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida between Eau Gallie and Sebastian Inlet through August 31, 2008. This study was modified to extend the duration from August 31, 2007 to August 31, 2008. This amended GA LOC supercedes version 819–1800, issued on July 27, 2005. File No. 881–1918: Issued to Anne Hoover-Miller, Alaska SeaLife Center, 301 Railway Avenue, P.O. Box 1329, Seward, AK 99664 on May 9, 2007, for aerial and vessel surveys and remote video monitoring of harbor seals in Alaska through May 15, 2012. File No. 699–1891–01: Issued to Kathryn A. Ono, Ph.D., University of New England, 11 Hills Beach Road, Biddeford, ME 04005 on June 8, 2007, for a study to determine the diet of seals off the coast of Maine and to use fecal DNA to determine if hard part analysis is an accurate representation of the occurrence of certain prey species in pinniped diets. This study, which will result in harassment of gray, harbor, harp, and hooded seals in coastal Maine through December 1, 2011, was modified to include collection of harbor seal scat and additional harassment of harbor seals. This amended GA LOC supercedes version 699–1891, issued on January 11, 2007. File No. 481–1795–01: Issued to Tamara McGuire, Ph.D., LGL Alaska Research Associates, Inc., 1101 East 76th Avenue, Suite B, Anchorage, AK 99516 on August 21, 2007, for aerial, vessel, and land-based surveys of belugas (Delphinapterus leucas) in upper Cook Inlet, Alaska. The study, which includes acoustic monitoring and incidental harassment during prey studies of belugas, is authorized until May 30, 2010. This study was modified to change the Principal Investigator from Dr. Tim Markowitz to Dr. McGuire. This amended GA LOC supercedes version 481–1795, issued on May 20, 2005. File No. 10036: Issued to Brent S. Stewart, Ph.D., J.D., Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, 2595 Ingraham Street, San Diego, CA 92109, on August 21, 2007, for studies of the breeding and E:\FR\FM\15OCN1.SGM 15OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 198 / Monday, October 15, 2007 / Notices vocal behavior of four species of seals in the Antarctic pack ice and fast ice of western Amundsen, Bellingshausen, and eastern Ross seas between September 1, and November 2, 2007. This study will result in takes of Ross seals (Ommatophoca rossii), crabeater seals (Lobodon carcinophaga), Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii), and leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx). File No. 699–1891–02: Issued to Kathryn A. Ono, Ph.D., University of New England, 11 Hills Beach Road, Biddeford, ME 04005 on August 24, 2007, for a study to determine the diet of seals off the coast of Maine and to use fecal DNA to determine if hard part analysis is an accurate representation of the occurrence of certain prey species in pinniped diets. This study, which will result in harassment of gray seals, harbor, harp, and hooded seals in coastal Maine through December 1, 2011, was modified to allow harassment of additional harbor and gray seals during scat collections. This amended GA LOC supercedes version 699–1891– 01, issued on June 8, 2007. In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final determination has been made that the activities are categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. Dated: October 9, 2007. P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E7–20231 Filed 10–12–07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 0648–XD34 Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Navy Operations of Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System Low Frequency Active Sonar National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of two Letters of Authorization. sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, and implementing regulations, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued VerDate Aug<31>2005 21:55 Oct 12, 2007 Jkt 214001 two 1–year Letters of Authorization (LOAs) to take marine mammals by harassment incidental to the U.S. Navy’s operation of Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System Low Frequency Active (SURTASS LFA) sonar operations to the Chief of Naval Operations, Department of the Navy, 2000 Navy Pentagon, Washington, D.C., and persons operating under his authority. DATES: Effective from August 16, 2007, through August 15, 2008. ADDRESSES: Copies of the Navy’s July 11, 2007, LOA application letter, the LOAs, the Navy’s 2006–2007 annual LOA report and the Navy’s 2007 Comprehensive Report are available by writing to Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation, and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910–3225, by telephoning the contact listed here (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT), or online at:https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/ permits/incidental.htm#applications Documents cited in this notice may be viewed, by appointment, during regular business hours, at the aforementioned address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth Hollingshead, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, (301) 713– 2289 (ext 128). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) directs the Secretary of Commerce to allow, upon request, the incidental, but not intentional taking of marine mammals by U.S. citizens who engage in a military readiness activity if certain findings are made and regulations are issued. Authorization may be granted for periods of 5 years or less if NMFS finds that the taking will have a negligible impact on the species or stock(s), and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the species or stock(s) for certain 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 also must include requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking. Regulations governing the taking of marine mammals incidental to the U.S. Navy’s operation of SURTASS LFA PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 58289 sonar were published on August 21, 2007 (72 FR 46846), and remain in effect through August 15, 2012. For detailed information on this action, please refer to that document. These regulations include mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements for the incidental taking of marine mammals by the SURTASS LFA sonar system. Summary of LOA Request NMFS received an application from the U.S. Navy for two LOAs, one covering the R/V Cory Chouest and one the USNS IMPECCABLE, under the regulations issued on August 21, 2007 (72 FR 46846). The Navy requested that the LOAs become effective on August 16, 2007. The application requested authorization, for a period not to exceed 1 year, to take, by harassment, marine mammals incidental to employment of the SURTASS LFA sonar system for training, testing and routine military operations on the aforementioned ships in areas of the North Pacific Ocean. Due to the critical naval warfare requirements, the U.S. Navy has identified the necessity for both SURTASS LFA sonar vessels to be stationed in the North Pacific Ocean during the period of these LOAs. Monitoring and Reporting In compliance with the 2002–2007 SURTASS LFA sonar regulations, the Navy submitted an annual report for operations during 2006. The Navy also submitted a comprehensive report on SURTASS LFA sonar operations and the mitigation and monitoring activities conducted under the LOAs issued during that time period. A copy of these reports can be viewed and/or downloaded at:https:// www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/ incidental.htm#applications. Authorization NMFS has issued two LOAs to the U.S. Navy, authorizing the incidental harassment of marine mammals incidental to operating the two SURTASS LFA sonar systems for training, testing and routine military operations. Issuance of these two LOAs is based on findings, described in the preamble to the final rule (August 21, 2007, 72 FR 46846)) and supported by information contained in the Navy’s required annual report on SURTASS LFA sonar, that the activities described under these two LOAs will have no more than a negligible impact on marine mammal stocks and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the affected by marine mammal stocks for subsistence uses. E:\FR\FM\15OCN1.SGM 15OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 198 (Monday, October 15, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58288-58289]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-20231]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

0648-XD23


Marine Mammals; Issuance of Permits

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

ACTION:  Notice; issuance of permits.

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SUMMARY:  Notice is hereby given that individuals and institutions have 
been issued Letters of Confirmation for activities conducted under the 
General Authorization for Scientific Research on marine mammals. See 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for a list of names and address of 
recipients.

ADDRESSES:  The Letters of Confirmation and related documents are 
available for review upon written request or by appointment in the 
following office:
    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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Office of Protected Resources, 
Permits Division, (301)713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The requested Letters of Confirmation have 
been issued under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 
1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and the regulations 
governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216). 
The General Authorization allows for bona fide scientific research that 
may result only in taking by level B harassment of marine mammals. The 
following Letters of Confirmation were issued in Fiscal Year 2007.
    File No. 572-1869: Issued to Daniel K. Odell, Ph.D., Hubbs-SeaWorld 
Research Institute, 6295 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, FL 32821 on 
November 14, 2006, for vessel surveys to conduct photo-identification, 
behavioral observations, passive acoustic recordings, and videography 
of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in the Indian River Lagoon 
on the east-central coast of Florida; in the Key West (Monroe County, 
FL) area; and in the coastal waters of Georgia, primarily in the 
vicinity of Sapelo Sound and St. Catherine's Island. In addition, 
aerial surveys of bottlenose dolphins will be conducted over the Indian 
River Lagoon. These activities may be conducted through November 14, 
2011.
    File No. 699-1891: Issued to Kathryn A. Ono, Ph.D., University of 
New England, 11 Hills Beach Road, Biddeford, ME 04005 on January 11, 
2007, for a study to determine the diet of seals off the coast of Maine 
and to use fecal DNA to determine if hard part analysis is an accurate 
representation of the occurrence of certain prey species in pinniped 
diets. This study will result in harassment of gray seals (Halichoerus 
grypus), harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), hooded seals (Cystophora 
cristata), and harp seals (Pagophilus groenlandicus) in coastal Maine 
through December 1, 2011.
    File No. 809-1902: Issued to Susan G. Barco, Virginia Aquarium & 
Marine Science Center Foundation, 717 General Booth Boulevard, Virginia 
Beach, VA 23451 on February 21, 2007, for vessel surveys for photo-
identification of bottlenose dolphins throughout the coastal and 
offshore waters geographically contiguous with the Commonwealth of 
Virginia (including Maryland waters of the Chesapeake Bay, Assateague 
Island to Ocean City, and waters off northeastern North Carolina) 
through February 28, 2012.
    File No. 1094-1836-02: Issued to Peggy Stap, 1479 W. Dowling Rd., 
Dowling, MI 49050-9718, on March 7, 2007, for conducting small vessel 
surveys to collect photo-identification and behavioral data using 
photography, video, and hydrophone recordings to study the foraging 
strategies of transient and offshore killer whales (Orcinus orca) as 
well as investigate the abundance, distribution, movement, and 
frequency of occurrence of other cetacean species in the Monterey Bay 
National Marine Sanctuary. This study will result in takes of 17 
species of cetaceans through April 30, 2011. This study was modified to 
add harassment of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), 
northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), northern fur seals 
(Callorhinus ursinus), and harbor seals. This amended GA LOC supercedes 
version 1094-1836-01, issued on June 30, 2006.
    File No. 717-1909: Issued to Jan Ostman-Lind, Ph.D., Kula Nai'a 
Wild Dolphin Research Foundation, P.O. Box 6870, Kamuela, HI 96743 on 
March 29, 2007, for vessel surveys to conduct photo-identification, 
focal follows, and passive acoustic recordings of spinner dolphins 
(Stenella longirostris) in coastal waters off the Island of Hawai'i and 
in waters up to 25 nautical miles offshore through March 31, 2012.
    File No. 819-1800-01: Issued to John G. Morris, Ph.D., Florida 
Institute of Technology, Biology Department, 150 West University 
Boulevard, Melbourne, FL 32901 on April 9, 2007, for photo-
identification, behavioral observations, and passive acoustic 
recordings of bottlenose dolphins, via vessel surveys in the Indian 
River Lagoon, Florida between Eau Gallie and Sebastian Inlet through 
August 31, 2008. This study was modified to extend the duration from 
August 31, 2007 to August 31, 2008. This amended GA LOC supercedes 
version 819-1800, issued on July 27, 2005.
    File No. 881-1918: Issued to Anne Hoover-Miller, Alaska SeaLife 
Center, 301 Railway Avenue, P.O. Box 1329, Seward, AK 99664 on May 9, 
2007, for aerial and vessel surveys and remote video monitoring of 
harbor seals in Alaska through May 15, 2012.
    File No. 699-1891-01: Issued to Kathryn A. Ono, Ph.D., University 
of New England, 11 Hills Beach Road, Biddeford, ME 04005 on June 8, 
2007, for a study to determine the diet of seals off the coast of Maine 
and to use fecal DNA to determine if hard part analysis is an accurate 
representation of the occurrence of certain prey species in pinniped 
diets. This study, which will result in harassment of gray, harbor, 
harp, and hooded seals in coastal Maine through December 1, 2011, was 
modified to include collection of harbor seal scat and additional 
harassment of harbor seals. This amended GA LOC supercedes version 699-
1891, issued on January 11, 2007.
    File No. 481-1795-01: Issued to Tamara McGuire, Ph.D., LGL Alaska 
Research Associates, Inc., 1101 East 76th Avenue, Suite B, Anchorage, 
AK 99516 on August 21, 2007, for aerial, vessel, and land-based surveys 
of belugas (Delphinapterus leucas) in upper Cook Inlet, Alaska. The 
study, which includes acoustic monitoring and incidental harassment 
during prey studies of belugas, is authorized until May 30, 2010. This 
study was modified to change the Principal Investigator from Dr. Tim 
Markowitz to Dr. McGuire. This amended GA LOC supercedes version 481-
1795, issued on May 20, 2005.
    File No. 10036: Issued to Brent S. Stewart, Ph.D., J.D., Hubbs-
SeaWorld Research Institute, 2595 Ingraham Street, San Diego, CA 92109, 
on August 21, 2007, for studies of the breeding and

[[Page 58289]]

vocal behavior of four species of seals in the Antarctic pack ice and 
fast ice of western Amundsen, Bellingshausen, and eastern Ross seas 
between September 1, and November 2, 2007. This study will result in 
takes of Ross seals (Ommatophoca rossii), crabeater seals (Lobodon 
carcinophaga), Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii), and leopard 
seals (Hydrurga leptonyx).
    File No. 699-1891-02: Issued to Kathryn A. Ono, Ph.D., University 
of New England, 11 Hills Beach Road, Biddeford, ME 04005 on August 24, 
2007, for a study to determine the diet of seals off the coast of Maine 
and to use fecal DNA to determine if hard part analysis is an accurate 
representation of the occurrence of certain prey species in pinniped 
diets. This study, which will result in harassment of gray seals, 
harbor, harp, and hooded seals in coastal Maine through December 1, 
2011, was modified to allow harassment of additional harbor and gray 
seals during scat collections. This amended GA LOC supercedes version 
699-1891-01, issued on June 8, 2007.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final determination has been made that the 
activities are categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare 
an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.

    Dated: October 9, 2007.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E7-20231 Filed 10-12-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
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