Marine Mammals; File No. 13428, 52949-52950 [E8-21349]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 178 / Friday, September 12, 2008 / Notices • Training and human resources operations; • Laboratory management and safety; • Hazardous materials safety; • Emergency medical response; • Environmental safety; • Environmental remediation; and • Security for hazardous materials. The purpose of this meeting is to review and ultimately provide advice to the Department of Commerce on whether (a) The training, safety, security, and response protocols, (b) the implementation of those protocols and internal controls, and (c) the management structure at NIST are appropriate to ensure safe operations of all NIST programs. The agenda for this meeting will focus on NIST safety and management structure as well as a discussion of the findings from recent safety audits and investigations. The agenda may change to accommodate Commission business. DATES: The meeting will convene on September 17, 2008 at 9 a.m. and will adjourn at 5 p.m ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Administration Building, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899. To enable NIST to make arrangements to admit visitors to the NIST campus, anyone wishing to attend this meeting should submit name, e-mail address and phone number to Mary Lou Norris (marylou.norris@nist.gov) no later than September 15, 2008. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Lou Norris, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Building 101, MS 1071, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899; telephone: (301) 975–2002; e-mail: marylou.norris@nist.gov. Loop, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32819 [Brad Andrews, Responsible Party] has been issued a permit to import one beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) for public display. 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 Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL 33701; phone (727)824–5312; fax (727)824–5309. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Skidmore or Kate Swails, (301) 713–2289. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 20, 2008, notice was published in the Federal Register (73 FR 29111) that a request for a public display permit to import one male adult beluga whale from the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Center, British Columbia, Canada to Sea World of Texas, 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). 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 activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. Dated: September 8, 2008. James M. Turner, Deputy Director. [FR Doc. E8–21340 Filed 9–11–08; 8:45 am] Dated: September 8, 2008. P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E8–21348 Filed 9–11–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–13–P BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE RIN 0648–XJ52 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Mammals; File No. 13388 RIN 0648–XJ54 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit. ebenthall on PROD1PC60 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Sea World, Inc., 9205 South Park Center VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:18 Sep 11, 2008 Jkt 214001 Marine Mammals; File No. 13428 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 52949 SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Niladri Basu, Ph.D., Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, 109 South Observatory Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109–2029, has been issued a scientific research permit to import marine mammal specimens for scientific research. The permit 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. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Skidmore or Kate Swails, (301) 713–2289. On June 12, 2008, notice was published in the Federal Register (73 FR 33399) that a request for a scientific research permit had been submitted by the above-named individual. 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.) and the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216). The permit authorizes the importation of brain tissues from 40 baikal seals (Phoca sibirica). These samples were collected in 2005 under a joint agreement between the East-Siberian Research and Production Fisheries Center (Russia) and the Center for Marine Environmental Studies (Japan). The purpose of this study is to determine: (1) the types and amounts of heavy metals that baikal seals accumulate in specific brain regions; and (2) whether these exposures are a neurotoxicological concern by using novel biomarker technologies. This permit will expire one year from date of issuance. 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 activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\12SEN1.SGM 12SEN1 52950 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 178 / Friday, September 12, 2008 / Notices Dated: September 8, 2008. P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E8–21349 Filed 9–11–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XI15 Small Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Marine Geophysical Survey in the Gulf of Alaska, September 2008 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of incidental take authorization. ebenthall on PROD1PC60 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) regulations, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (L-DEO), a part of Columbia University, for the take of marine mammals, by Level B harassment only, incidental to conducting a marine seismic survey in the Gulf of Alaska during September, 2008. DATES: Effective September 10, 2008, through October 31, 2008. ADDRESSES: A copy of the IHA and the application are available by writing to P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 EastWest Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910–3225 or by telephoning the contact listed here. A copy of the application containing a list of the references used in this document may be obtained by writing to the address specified above, telephoning the contact listed below (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT), or visiting the internet 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: Howard Goldstein or Ken Hollingshead, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, (301) 713–2289. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:18 Sep 11, 2008 Jkt 214001 Background Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) direct 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 specified activity (other than commercial fishing) within a specified geographical region if certain findings are made and either regulations are issued or, if the taking is limited to harassment, a notice of a proposed authorization is provided to the public for review. Authorization shall be granted if NMFS finds that the taking will have 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 (where relevant), and if the permissible methods of taking and requirements pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring and reporting of such takings 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 affect the species or stock through effects on annual rates of recruitment or survival.’’ Section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA established an expedited process by which citizens of the United States can apply for an authorization to incidentally take small numbers of marine mammals by harassment. Except with respect to certain activities not pertinent here, the MMPA defines ‘‘harassment’’ as: any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance which (I) has the potential to injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild [Level A harassment]; or (ii) has the potential to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing disruption of behavioral patterns, including, but not limited to, migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering [Level B harassment]. Section 101(a)(5)(D) establishes a 45– day time limit for NMFS review of an application followed by a 30–day public notice and comment period on any proposed authorizations for the incidental harassment of marine mammals. Within 45 days of the close of the comment period, NMFS must either approve or deny the authorization. Summary of Request On April 10, 2008, NMFS received an application from L-DEO for the taking, by Level B harassment only, of small numbers of 20 species of marine mammals incidental to conducting, PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation (NSF), a marine seismic survey in the Gulf of Alaska during September, 2008. The purpose of the research program was outlined in NMFS’ notice of the proposed IHA (73 FR 45407, August 5, 2008). Description of the Activity The seismic survey will involve one source vessel, the R/V Marcus G. Langseth (Langseth), which will occur offshore from the Saint Elias Mountains. The Langseth will deploy an array of 36 airguns (6,600 in3) as an energy source and, at times, a receiving system consisting of a 8–km (5–mi) towed hydrophone streamer and/or Ocean Bottom Seismometers (OBSs). The streamer will be towed at a depth of 7 m (23 ft). The OBSs are housed in 43– cm diameter glass spheres that have a gross weight of approximately 45 kg (99 lbs). As the airgun array is towed along the survey lines, the hydrophone streamer and/or OBSs will receive the returning acoustic signals and transfer the data to the on-board processing system. The Langseth is expected to depart Astoria, Oregon on approximately September 10, 2008 for the study area in the GOA (see Figure 1 of L-DEO’s application). The airgun array is expected to operate for a total of ∼200– 250 hours. With OBS deployment and retrieval, the length of the survey will be ∼18 days. The overall area within which the STEEP survey will take place is located at ∼58–60.5° N, 138–146° W (see Figure 1 of L-DEO’s application). The proposed survey will be conducted in water depths from <100 m to >3,000 m (<330 to >9,840 ft) entirely within the territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the United States. The exact dates of the activities depend upon logistics, as well as weather conditions and/or the need to repeat some lines if data quality is substandard. The primary marine seismic survey will consist of two long transect lines that will cross each other (Figure 1 of LDEO’s application). For the longer line paralleling the shoreline, a seismic reflection-refraction profile will be shot using the hydrophone streamer as well as 25 OBSs deployed on the seafloor and 60 Texan seismometers deployed on land across the toe of the Bering Glacier. A reflection-refraction profile will also be obtained from the slightly shorter line that is perpendicular to the shoreline using the hydrophone streamer as well as 17 OBSs; this line will be shot twice if time allows. Both of these lines will have a shot spacing E:\FR\FM\12SEN1.SGM 12SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 178 (Friday, September 12, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52949-52950]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-21349]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XJ54


Marine Mammals; File No. 13428

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

ACTION:  Notice; issuance of permit.

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

SUMMARY:  Notice is hereby given that Niladri Basu, Ph.D., Department 
of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, 109 South 
Observatory Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029, has been issued a 
scientific research permit to import marine mammal specimens for 
scientific research.

ADDRESSES:  The permit 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.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 12, 2008, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (73 FR 33399) that a request for a scientific 
research permit had been submitted by the above-named individual. 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.) and 
the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals 
(50 CFR part 216).
    The permit authorizes the importation of brain tissues from 40 
baikal seals (Phoca sibirica). These samples were collected in 2005 
under a joint agreement between the East-Siberian Research and 
Production Fisheries Center (Russia) and the Center for Marine 
Environmental Studies (Japan). The purpose of this study is to 
determine: (1) the types and amounts of heavy metals that baikal seals 
accumulate in specific brain regions; and (2) whether these exposures 
are a neurotoxicological concern by using novel biomarker technologies. 
This permit will expire one year from date of issuance.
    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 
activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to 
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.


[[Page 52950]]


    Dated: September 8, 2008.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-21349 Filed 9-11-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.