Incidental Take of Marine Mammals; Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Missile Launch Operations from San Nicolas Island, CA, 7261-7262 [E8-2282]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 26 / Thursday, February 7, 2008 / Notices
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
Dated: February 1, 2008.
Angela Somma,
Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office
of Protected Resources, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8–2278 Filed 2–6–08; 8:45 am]
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XF47
Endangered Species; File No. 1595
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for
modification
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
Mr. Michael M. Hastings, University of
Maine, 5717 Corbett Hall, Orono, Maine
04469, has requested a modification to
scientific research Permit No. 1595–01.
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail
comments must be received on or before
March 10, 2008.
ADDRESSES: The modification request
and related documents are available for
review upon written request or by
appointment in the following offices:
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
Northeast Region, NMFS, One
Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA
01930–2298; phone (978)281–9300; fax
(978)281–9394.
Written comments or requests for a
public hearing on this request should be
submitted 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 modification
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
Jkt 214001
RIN 0648–XE83
The
subject modification to Permit No.
1595–01, issued on May 1, 2007 (72 FR
19469) is requested under the authority
of the Endangered Species Act of 1973,
as amended (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).
Permit No. 1595–01 authorizes the
permit holder to: capture, anesthetize,
measure, weigh, sex (borescope), Carlin
and PIT tag, recover and release up to
70 sub-adult and adult shortnose
sturgeon annually. Up to 30 sub-adult
and adult shortnose sturgeon, annually,
would be fitted (or implanted) with an
external (or internal) transmitter, in
addition to the previously mentioned
procedures. This permit also authorizes
the annual lethal take of up to 50
shortnose sturgeon eggs, up to 30 of
which may be transported to the lab for
genetic sampling. Up to 2 incidental
mortalities of shortnose sturgeon each
year is also currently authorized.
The permit holder is now requesting
authorization to: (1) increase the total
annual take of shortnose sturgeon from
100 fish to 200 fish; (2) expand netting
efforts to include currently restricted
areas (i.e., within 0.5 miles of the
confluence of the Penobscot River with
Cove Brook, and the Kenduskeag River);
(3) add D-net sampling as a method of
sturgeon egg collection; (4) add nonlethal blood sampling as a procedure
(which would be conducted on up to 30
fish of which the capture and handling
is already authorized); and (5) add and
remove personnel authorized to conduct
research activities. The purpose of the
proposed modification is to better assess
the distribution, movements, abundance
and spawning of shortnose sturgeon in
the Penobscot River, Maine. This
modification would be valid through the
expiration date of the original permit,
March 31, 2012.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
17:02 Feb 06, 2008
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Brandy Belmas or Malcolm Mohead,
(301)713–2289.
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VerDate Aug<31>2005
NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Include
in the subject line of the e-mail
comment the following document
identifier: File No. 1595.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
are available on-line from the NMFS
website: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/.
7261
Dated: February 1, 2008.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education
Division, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8–2277 Filed 2–6–08; 8:45 am]
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National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Incidental Take of Marine Mammals;
Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental
to Missile Launch Operations from San
Nicolas Island, CA
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of issuance of a letter of
authorization.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: In accordance with the
Marine Mammal Protection Act
(MMPA), as amended, notification is
hereby given that a letter of
authorization (LOA) to take three
species of marine mammals incidental
to missile launch operations from San
Nicolas Island, CA (SNI) has been
issued to the Naval Air Warfare Center
Weapons Division (NAWC-WD), Point
Mugu, CA.
DATES: This authorization is effective
from February 3, 2008, through October
2, 2008.
ADDRESSES: The application, LOA, and
Navy monitoring report are available for
review in the Office of Protected
Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 or by
contacting one of the individuals
mentioned below (See FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Howard Goldstein or Ken Hollingshead,
NMFS, (301) 713–2289 ext. 172.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section
101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C.
1361 et seq.) directs NMFS to allow, on
request, the incidental, but not
intentional, taking of marine mammals
by U.S. citizens who engage in a
specified activity (other than
commercial fishing), if certain findings
are made by NMFS 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 five 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 certain subsistence uses. In
addition, NMFS must prescribe
regulations that include permissible
methods of taking and other means of
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7262
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 26 / Thursday, February 7, 2008 / Notices
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
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
incidental to target missile operations
on San Nicolas Island, CA, were
published on September 2, 2003 (68 FR
52132), and remain in effect until
October 2, 2008.
Pursuant to these regulations, NMFS
has issued an LOA to the NAWC-WD.
Issuance of the LOA is based on a
finding made in the preamble to the
final rule that the total takings by this
project (with the mitigation) will have
no more than a negligible impact on the
affected species or stocks of marine
mammals and will not have an
unmitigable adverse impact on the
availability of such species or stock for
taking for relevant subsistence uses.
NMFS also finds that the applicant will
meet the requirements contained in the
implementing regulations and LOA,
including monitoring and reporting
requirements.
According to the draft technical
report, the NAWC-WD performed a total
of three missile launches between
February and November 2007. A dual
launch of Rolling Airframe
Missiles(RAM) occurred on 26 April,
2007; and single GQM–163A Supersonic
Sea-Skimming Target (SSST) were
launched on June 12 and 13, 2007.
California sea lions were observed
during all three launches on all three
launch dates. Northern elephant seals
were observed during all three launches
on the three dates. Pacific harbor seals
were not observed during launches on
any launch dates. Based on monitoring
efforts between February and November
2007, the NAWC-WD estimates that
approximately 567 sea lions, 40 harbor
seals, and no elephant seals were
affected by launch sounds. There was
no evidence of injury or mortality
during or immediately succeeding the
launches for any pinniped species.
NMFS finds that the level of taking
under the 2008 LOA will be consistent
with the findings made in the final rule
for this action.
Dated: February 1, 2008.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education
Division, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8–2282 Filed 2–6–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:02 Feb 06, 2008
Jkt 214001
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XF45
Marine Mammals; File No. 42–1908
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
Mystic Aquarium, 55 Coogan Boulevard,
Mystic, CT 06355 (Dr. Lisa Mazzaro,
Principal Investigator) has been issued a
permit to conduct research and
enhancement on Steller sea lions
(Eumetopias jubatus) being held in
captivity and to import and export parts
from all cetaceans and pinniped species
(excluding walrus) for purposes of
scientific research.
ADDRESSES: 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
Northeast Region, NMFS, One
Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA
01930–2298; phone (978)281–9300; fax
(978)281–9394.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jennifer Skidmore or Amy Sloan,
(301)713–2289.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 8,
2007, notice was published in the
Federal Register (72 FR 31811) that a
request for a scientific research permit
to take the species identified above had
been submitted by the above-named
organization. The requested permit 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.), the regulations governing the
taking, importing, and exporting of
endangered and threatened species (50
CFR parts 222–226), and the Fur Seal
Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151
et seq.).
Mystic Aquarium has been issued a
permit to continue activities authorized
under Permit No. 42–1642–03 for the
following two projects: Project 1:
Research and display of captive Steller
sea lions including authorization (1) to
import or receive a second intact adult
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male Steller sea lion and subsequently
return this animal to its facility of
origin, if necessary; and (2) to import up
to nine female Steller sea lions from the
Vancouver Aquarium, and to receive a
‘‘non-releasable’’ one year old male
Steller sea lion from The Marine
Mammal Center in Sausalito, California.
At any one time the maximum number
of adult male SSL maintained at Mystic
Aquarium will be two and the number
of females and pups will not exceed
nine.
Project 2: Receipt, import and export
of tissues from a maximum of 10,000
animals, up to 30 samples per animal
per year (i.e., 5000 pinniped and 5000
cetaceans) under NMFS jurisdiction in
the U.S. and abroad (i.e. worldwide).
Samples will be analyzed for purposes
of research on marine mammal health
(e.g., nutrition, disease, immune
function, environmental stressors).
In compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an environmental
assessment was prepared analyzing the
effects of the permitted activities. After
a Finding of No Significant Impact, the
determination was made that it was not
necessary to prepare an environmental
impact statement.
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 such endangered
species; and (3) is consistent with the
purposes and policies set forth in
section 2 of the ESA.
Dated: February 1, 2008.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education
Division, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8–2281 Filed 2–6–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XF50
Western Pacific Fishery Management
Council; Public Meeting
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This notice advises the public
that the Western Pacific Fishery
Management Council (Council) will
hold a public meeting in Pago Pago,
American Samoa to discuss potential
E:\FR\FM\07FEN1.SGM
07FEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 26 (Thursday, February 7, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7261-7262]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-2282]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XE83
Incidental Take of Marine Mammals; Taking of Marine Mammals
Incidental to Missile Launch Operations from San Nicolas Island, CA
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of issuance of a letter of authorization.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as
amended, notification is hereby given that a letter of authorization
(LOA) to take three species of marine mammals incidental to missile
launch operations from San Nicolas Island, CA (SNI) has been issued to
the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWC-WD), Point Mugu,
CA.
DATES: This authorization is effective from February 3, 2008, through
October 2, 2008.
ADDRESSES: The application, LOA, and Navy monitoring report are
available for review in the Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315
East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 or by contacting one of the
individuals mentioned below (See FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Howard Goldstein or Ken Hollingshead,
NMFS, (301) 713-2289 ext. 172.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C.
1361 et seq.) directs NMFS to allow, on request, the incidental, but
not intentional, taking of marine mammals by U.S. citizens who engage
in a specified activity (other than commercial fishing), if certain
findings are made by NMFS 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 five 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 certain subsistence uses.
In addition, NMFS must prescribe regulations that include permissible
methods of taking and other means of
[[Page 7262]]
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 incidental to target missile operations on San
Nicolas Island, CA, were published on September 2, 2003 (68 FR 52132),
and remain in effect until October 2, 2008.
Pursuant to these regulations, NMFS has issued an LOA to the NAWC-
WD. Issuance of the LOA is based on a finding made in the preamble to
the final rule that the total takings by this project (with the
mitigation) will have no more than a negligible impact on the affected
species or stocks of marine mammals and will not have an unmitigable
adverse impact on the availability of such species or stock for taking
for relevant subsistence uses. NMFS also finds that the applicant will
meet the requirements contained in the implementing regulations and
LOA, including monitoring and reporting requirements.
According to the draft technical report, the NAWC-WD performed a
total of three missile launches between February and November 2007. A
dual launch of Rolling Airframe Missiles(RAM) occurred on 26 April,
2007; and single GQM-163A Supersonic Sea-Skimming Target (SSST) were
launched on June 12 and 13, 2007. California sea lions were observed
during all three launches on all three launch dates. Northern elephant
seals were observed during all three launches on the three dates.
Pacific harbor seals were not observed during launches on any launch
dates. Based on monitoring efforts between February and November 2007,
the NAWC-WD estimates that approximately 567 sea lions, 40 harbor
seals, and no elephant seals were affected by launch sounds. There was
no evidence of injury or mortality during or immediately succeeding the
launches for any pinniped species. NMFS finds that the level of taking
under the 2008 LOA will be consistent with the findings made in the
final rule for this action.
Dated: February 1, 2008.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-2282 Filed 2-6-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
