Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Navy Training and Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation Activities Conducted Within the Southern California Range Complex, 20918-20919 [E8-8283]

Download as PDF 20918 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 75 / Thursday, April 17, 2008 / Notices Fisheries, P.O. Drawer 1207, Pascagoula, MS 39567. National Saltwater Angler Registry: Fish Biologist, Office of Science and Technology, Fisheries Statistics Division NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 12423, Silver Spring, MD 20910. RECORD SOURCE CATEGORIES: Information in this system will be collected from individuals applying for a permit or registration or from an entity supplying related documentation regarding an application, permit, or registration. EXEMPTION CLAIMS FOR SYSTEM: None. NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE: Individuals seeking to determine whether information about themselves is contained in this system should address written inquiries to the national or regional Privacy Act Officer: Privacy Act Officer, NOAA, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 10641, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Privacy Act Officer, NMFS, 1315 EastWest Highway, Room 13706, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Privacy Act Officer, NMFS Northeast Region, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Privacy Act Officer, NMFS Southeast Region, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Privacy Act Officer, NMFS Northwest Region, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., Bldg. #1, Seattle, WA 98115. Privacy Act Officer, NMFS Southwest Region, 501 West Ocean Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802. Privacy Act Officer, NMFS Pacific Islands Region, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814. Privacy Act Officer, NMFS Alaska Region, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802, or delivered to the Federal Building, 709 West 9th Street, Juneau, AK 99801. Written requests must be signed by the requesting individual. Requestor must make the request in writing and provide his/her name, address, and date of the request and record sought. All such requests must comply with the inquiry provisions of the Department’s Privacy Act rules which appear at 15 CFR part 4, Appendix A. RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURES: sroberts on PROD1PC64 with NOTICES Requests for access to records maintained in this system of records should be addressed to the same address given in the Notification section above. Note: Complete records for jointly owned permits are made accessible to each owner upon his/her request. CONTESTING RECORD PROCEDURES: The Department’s rules for access, for contesting contents, and appealing initial determinations by the individual concerned are provided for in 15 CFR part 4, Appendix A. VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:08 Apr 16, 2008 Jkt 214001 Dated: April 11, 2008. Brenda Dolan, Department of Commerce, Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Officer. [FR Doc. E8–8257 Filed 4–16–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XH25 Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Navy Training and Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation Activities Conducted Within the Southern California Range Complex National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for letter of authorization; request for comments and information. AGENCY: NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Navy (Navy) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to military readiness training events and research, development, testing and evaluation (RDT&E) to be conducted in the Southern California Range Complex (SOCAL) for the period beginning January 2009 and ending January 2014. Pursuant to the implementing regulations of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is announcing our receipt of the Navy’s request for the development and implementation of regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals and inviting information, suggestions, and comments on the Navy’s application and request. DATES: Comments and information must be received no later than May 19, 2008. ADDRESSES: Comments on the application should be addressed to Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 EastWest Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910–3225. The mailbox address for SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 providing email comments is PR1.050107L@noaa.gov. NMFS is not responsible for e-mail comments sent to addresses other than the one provided here. Comments sent via e-mail, including all attachments, must not exceed a 10–megabyte file size. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jolie Harrison, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, (301) 713–2289, ext. 166. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Availability A copy of the Navy’s application may be obtained by writing to the address specified above (See ADDRESSES), telephoning the contact listed above (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT), or visiting the internet at: https:// www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/ incidental.htm. The Navy’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for SOCAL was made available to the public on April 4, 2008, and may be viewed at https:// www.socalrangecomplexeis.com/. Because NMFS is participating as a cooperating agency in the development of the Navy’s DEIS for SOCAL, NMFS staff will be present at the associated public meetings and prepared to discuss NMFS’ participation in the development of the EIS as well as the MMPA process for the issuance of incidental take authorizations. The dates and times of the public meetings may be viewed at: https://www.socalrangecomplexeis.com/. Background In the case of military readiness activities, sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) direct the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to allow, upon 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 and regulations are issued or, if the taking is limited to harassment, notice of a proposed authorization is provided to the public for review. Authorization for incidental takings may be granted if NMFS finds that the taking will have no more than a negligible impact on the species or stock(s), will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the species or stock(s) for subsistence uses, and that the permissible methods of taking and requirements pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring and reporting of such taking are set forth. NMFS has defined ‘‘negligible impact’’ in 50 CFR 216.103 as: an impact resulting from the specified activity that cannot be reasonably expected to, and is not reasonably likely to, adversely E:\FR\FM\17APN1.SGM 17APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 75 / Thursday, April 17, 2008 / Notices affect the species or stock through effects on annual rates of recruitment or survival. With respect to military readiness activities, the MMPA defines ‘‘harassment’’ as: (i) any act that injures or has the significant potential to injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild [Level A Harassment]; or (ii) any act that disturbs or is likely to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing disruption of natural behavioral patterns, including, but not limited to, migration, surfacing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering, to a point where such behavioral patterns are abandoned or significantly altered [Level B Harassment]. the Navy’s SOCAL request and NMFS’ potential development and implementation of regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals by the Navy’s SOCAL activities will be considered by NMFS in developing, if appropriate, the most effective regulations governing the issuance of letters of authorization. Dated: April 10, 2008. James H. Lecky, Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E8–8283 Filed 4–16–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S Summary of Request On March 31, 2008, NMFS received an application from the Navy requesting authorization for the take of 24 species of marine mammals (4 pinniped and 20 cetacean) incidental to upcoming training activities to be conducted off the coast of southern California and farther off the coast of northern Mexico (in SOCAL) over the course of 5 years. These training activities are classified as military readiness activities. The Navy states that these training activities may expose some of the marine mammals present in the area to sound from various mid-frequency and highfrequency active tactical sonar sources or to pressure from underwater detonations. The Navy requests authorization to take individuals of 24 species of marine mammals by Level B Harassment. Further, the Navy requests authorization to take 10 individual beaked whales over the course of 5 years by serious injury or mortality. Specified Activities sroberts on PROD1PC64 with NOTICES In the application submitted to NMFS, the Navy requests authorization to take marine mammals incidental to conducting operations utilizing midand high frequency active sonar sources and explosive detonations. These sonar and explosive sources will be utilized during Naval Surface Fire Support Exercises, Bombing Exercsises, Sink Exercises, Antisubmarine Warfare (ASW) Tracking Exercises, ASW Torpedo Exercises, Major Integrated ASW Training Exercises, and Mine Neutralization Exercises. Table 1–1 in the application lists the activity types, the equipment and platforms involved, and the duration and potential locations of the activities. Information Solicited Interested persons may submit information, suggestions, and comments concerning the Navy’s request (see ADDRESSES). All information, suggestions, and comments related to VerDate Aug<31>2005 17:08 Apr 16, 2008 Jkt 214001 CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION Understanding the Pending Lead Legislation and the Use of Lead in Consumer Products; Notice of Roundtable To Be Held by CPSC Staff Consumer Product Safety Commission. ACTION: Notice of roundtable to be held by Consumer Product Safety (Commission or CPSC) staff. AGENCY: SUMMARY: On May 13, 2008, the staff of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (Commission or CPSC) will hold a one-day roundtable on understanding the pending lead legislation and the use of lead in consumer products. DATES: The roundtable will be held on May 13, 2008, from 8 a.m.–4 p.m. at the Consumer Product Safety Commission. ADDRESSES: The roundtable will be held in Room 420, CPSC’s Hearing Room of the East West Towers Building, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lori Saltzman, Director, Division of Health Sciences, telephone (301) 504–7238, email lsaltzman@cpsc.gov; or Kris Hatlelid, telephone (301) 504–7254, email khatlelid@cpsc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The staff is holding a one-day roundtable, ‘‘Understanding the Pending Lead Legislation and the Use of Lead in Consumer Products.’’ This roundtable is intended to provide stakeholders with an understanding of the pending Congressional action on lead and the use of lead in consumer products, especially children’s products. CPSC staff will discuss pending lead legislation and enforcement issues, current events abroad, and laboratory testing procedures for lead. Industry representatives will discuss the use of lead in consumer products (for example, PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 20919 paints and coatings, toys, plastics, jewelry, electronics, batteries and textiles), potential substitutes for lead in their products, best practices that can be implemented to eliminate or reduce the use of lead, and differences between domestic manufacturing plants and their practices and those outside the U.S. The roundtable will include question and answer sessions and discussions led by the CPSC staff. A wrap-up session for final comments and questions and answers will conclude the day. The roundtable is a public event open to anyone interested in lead issues. Although pre-registration is not mandatory, CPSC staff request that attendees pre-register online at https:// www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/lead.aspx. For a hard copy of the registration form, contact Todd Stevenson, telephone 301– 504–6836, e-mail tstevenson@cpsc.gov. Dated: April 11, 2008. Todd A. Stevenson, Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission. [FR Doc. E8–8285 Filed 4–16–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6355–01–P ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION Sunshine Act Notice United States Election Assistance Commission (EAC). ACTION: Notice of Public Meeting Roundtable Discussion. AGENCY: Thursday, April 24, 2008, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. (EST). PLACE: United States Election Assistance Commission, 1225 New York Ave., NW., Suite 150, Washington, DC 20005. AGENDA: The Commission will host a voting advocates roundtable discussion of the Technical Guidelines Committee’s (TGDC) recommended Voluntary Voting System Guidelines. The discussion will be focused upon the following topics: (1) The development of a threat assessment; (2) The evaluation of innovative systems; (3) Open Ended Vulnerability Testing (OEVT) and how it fits into the proposed standards; (4) The testing of voting system software; (5) How best to strike the balance between usability and accessibility and the need for secure systems; (6) Possible changes in scope or depth that would help improve the proposed standard. This meeting will be open to the public. DATE AND TIME: E:\FR\FM\17APN1.SGM 17APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 75 (Thursday, April 17, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20918-20919]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-8283]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XH25


Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Navy Training and Research, 
Development, Testing, and Evaluation Activities Conducted Within the 
Southern California Range Complex

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for letter of authorization; 
request for comments and information.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Navy (Navy) for 
authorization to take marine mammals incidental to military readiness 
training events and research, development, testing and evaluation 
(RDT&E) to be conducted in the Southern California Range Complex 
(SOCAL) for the period beginning January 2009 and ending January 2014. 
Pursuant to the implementing regulations of the Marine Mammal 
Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is announcing our receipt of the Navy's 
request for the development and implementation of regulations governing 
the incidental taking of marine mammals and inviting information, 
suggestions, and comments on the Navy's application and request.

DATES: Comments and information must be received no later than May 19, 
2008.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the application should be addressed 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. The mailbox address for 
providing email comments is PR1.050107L@noaa.gov. NMFS is not 
responsible for e-mail comments sent to addresses other than the one 
provided here. Comments sent via e-mail, including all attachments, 
must not exceed a 10-megabyte file size.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jolie Harrison, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, (301) 713-2289, ext. 166.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Availability

    A copy of the Navy's application may be obtained by writing to the 
address specified above (See ADDRESSES), telephoning the contact listed 
above (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT), or visiting the internet 
at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm. The Navy's 
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for SOCAL was made 
available to the public on April 4, 2008, and may be viewed at https://
www.socalrangecomplexeis.com/. Because NMFS is participating as a 
cooperating agency in the development of the Navy's DEIS for SOCAL, 
NMFS staff will be present at the associated public meetings and 
prepared to discuss NMFS' participation in the development of the EIS 
as well as the MMPA process for the issuance of incidental take 
authorizations. The dates and times of the public meetings may be 
viewed at: https://www.socalrangecomplexeis.com/.

Background

    In the case of military readiness activities, sections 101(a)(5)(A) 
and (D) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) direct the Secretary of 
Commerce (Secretary) to allow, upon 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 and regulations are issued or, if the taking is limited to 
harassment, notice of a proposed authorization is provided to the 
public for review.
    Authorization for incidental takings may be granted if NMFS finds 
that the taking will have no more than a negligible impact on the 
species or stock(s), will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the 
availability of the species or stock(s) for subsistence uses, and that 
the permissible methods of taking and requirements pertaining to the 
mitigation, monitoring and reporting of such taking are set forth.
    NMFS has defined ``negligible impact'' in 50 CFR 216.103 as:
    an impact resulting from the specified activity that cannot be 
reasonably expected to, and is not reasonably likely to, adversely

[[Page 20919]]

affect the species or stock through effects on annual rates of 
recruitment or survival.
    With respect to military readiness activities, the MMPA defines 
``harassment'' as:
    (i) any act that injures or has the significant potential to 
injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild [Level A 
Harassment]; or (ii) any act that disturbs or is likely to disturb a 
marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing 
disruption of natural behavioral patterns, including, but not 
limited to, migration, surfacing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or 
sheltering, to a point where such behavioral patterns are abandoned 
or significantly altered [Level B Harassment].

Summary of Request

    On March 31, 2008, NMFS received an application from the Navy 
requesting authorization for the take of 24 species of marine mammals 
(4 pinniped and 20 cetacean) incidental to upcoming training activities 
to be conducted off the coast of southern California and farther off 
the coast of northern Mexico (in SOCAL) over the course of 5 years. 
These training activities are classified as military readiness 
activities. The Navy states that these training activities may expose 
some of the marine mammals present in the area to sound from various 
mid-frequency and high-frequency active tactical sonar sources or to 
pressure from underwater detonations. The Navy requests authorization 
to take individuals of 24 species of marine mammals by Level B 
Harassment. Further, the Navy requests authorization to take 10 
individual beaked whales over the course of 5 years by serious injury 
or mortality.

Specified Activities

    In the application submitted to NMFS, the Navy requests 
authorization to take marine mammals incidental to conducting 
operations utilizing mid- and high frequency active sonar sources and 
explosive detonations. These sonar and explosive sources will be 
utilized during Naval Surface Fire Support Exercises, Bombing 
Exercsises, Sink Exercises, Antisubmarine Warfare (ASW) Tracking 
Exercises, ASW Torpedo Exercises, Major Integrated ASW Training 
Exercises, and Mine Neutralization Exercises. Table 1-1 in the 
application lists the activity types, the equipment and platforms 
involved, and the duration and potential locations of the activities.

Information Solicited

    Interested persons may submit information, suggestions, and 
comments concerning the Navy's request (see ADDRESSES). All 
information, suggestions, and comments related to the Navy's SOCAL 
request and NMFS' potential development and implementation of 
regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals by the 
Navy's SOCAL activities will be considered by NMFS in developing, if 
appropriate, the most effective regulations governing the issuance of 
letters of authorization.

    Dated: April 10, 2008.
James H. Lecky,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-8283 Filed 4-16-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S

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