Marine Mammals; Record of Decision; File Nos. 14324 through 14337, Except 14333, 44822-44824 [E9-20951]
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 167 / Monday, August 31, 2009 / Notices
rates from the relevant LTFV
investigation.
These deposit requirements shall
remain in effect until further notice.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Foreign-Trade Zones Board
This notice serves as a final reminder
to importers of their responsibility
under 19 CFR 351.402(f) to file a
certificate regarding the reimbursement
of antidumping duties prior to
liquidation of the relevant entries
during this period of review. Failure to
comply with this requirement could
result in the Department’s presumption
that reimbursement of antidumping
duties occurred and the subsequent
assessment of doubled antidumping
duties.
Notification Regarding APOs
This notice also serves as a reminder
to parties subject to administrative
protective order (APO) of their
responsibility concerning the
disposition of proprietary information
disclosed under APO in accordance
with 19 CFR 351.305(a)(3). Timely
notification of the destruction of APO
materials or conversion to judicial
protective order is hereby requested.
Failure to comply with the regulations
and the terms of an APO is a
sanctionable violation.
We are issuing and publishing these
results in accordance with sections
751(a)(1) and 777(i) of the Act.
Dated: August 25, 2009.
Carole A. Showers,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy
and Negotiations.
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Appendix
1. Zeroing of Negative Margins
2. Verification for GRW’s Revocation
3. 15-Day Liquidation Policy
4. CEP Offset and CEP Profit
5. Sample Sales
6. Short-Term U.S. Interest Rates
7. Freight, Insurance, and Packing Revenue
8. Rate for Firms Not Selected for Individual
Examination
9. Miscellaneous Issues
A. Freight Expense
B. Packing Expense
C. Imputed Credit
D. Completeness of Database
E. Cost of Grease
10. Ministerial Errors
[FR Doc. E9–20980 Filed 8–28–09; 8:45 am]
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National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[Order No. 1633]
Notification to Importers
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
RIN 0648–XP18
Grant of Authority; Establishment of a
Foreign-Trade Zone, Lansing, MI
Marine Mammals; Record of Decision;
File Nos. 14324 through 14337, Except
14333
Pursuant to its authority under the
Foreign-Trade Zones Act of June 18,
1934, as amended (19 U.S.C. 81a–81u),
the Foreign-Trade Zones Board (the
Board) adopts the following Order:
Whereas, the Foreign-Trade Zones
(FTZ) Act provides for ‘‘* * * the
establishment * * * of foreign-trade
zones in ports of entry of the United
States, to expedite and encourage
foreign commerce, and for other
purposes,’’ and authorizes the ForeignTrade Zones Board to grant to qualified
corporations the privilege of
establishing foreign-trade zones in or
adjacent to U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) ports of entry;
Whereas, the Capital Region Airport
Authority (the Grantee) has made
application to the Board (FTZ Docket
52–2008, filed 10/1/08), requesting the
establishment of a foreign-trade zone in
Lansing, Michigan, at the Capital Region
International Airport, which was
designated as a CBP user fee port facility
on January 22, 2008;
Whereas, notice inviting public
comment has been given in the Federal
Register (73 FR 58930, 10/8/08), and the
application has been processed
pursuant to the FTZ Act and the Board’s
regulations; and,
Whereas, the Board adopts the
findings and recommendations of the
examiner’s report, and finds that the
requirements of the FTZ Act and
Board’s regulations are satisfied, and
that approval of the application is in the
public interest;
Now, therefore, the Board hereby
grants to the Grantee the privilege of
establishing a foreign-trade zone,
designated on the records of the Board
as Foreign-Trade Zone No. 275, at the
site described in the application, and
subject to the FTZ Act and the Board’s
regulations, including section 400.28.
Signed at Washington, DC, this 12th day of
August 2009.
Foreign-Trade Zones Board.
Gary Locke,
Secretary of Commerce, Chairman and
Executive Officer.
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AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; Record of Decision and
issuance of permits.
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
NMFS issued a new Record of Decision
(ROD) on August 10, 2009, for the Final
Programmatic Environmental Impact
Statement (PEIS) for Steller Sea Lion
and Northern Fur Seal Research.
Subsequently, 12 permits were issued to
conduct research on Steller sea lions
(Eumetopias jubatus) and northern fur
seals (Callorhinus ursinus) throughout
their ranges in the United States.
ADDRESSES: The permits 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)713–0376; and
Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668,
Juneau, AK 99802–1668; phone
(907)586–7221; fax (907)586–7249.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Tammy Adams, Kate Swails, or Amy
Sloan, (301)713–2289.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May
13, 2009, notice was published in the
Federal Register (74 FR 22518) that
requests for permits to conduct research
on marine mammals had been
submitted by various applicants. The
requested permits have been issued
under the authorities 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.). The permits are valid through
August 31, 2014.
File No. 14324: The permit issued to
Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC), Seward,
AK, (Principal Investigator: John
Maniscalco) authorizes them to
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investigate causes for the Steller sea lion
population decline and determine what
is currently limiting its recovery.
Research will involve: disturbance
associated with capture, observational
studies, and material/scat/carcass
collection; capture, restraint, and
sampling; and remote biopsy. Captured
sea lions will undergo morphometrics
measurement; blood and tissue
collection; digital imaging; hotbranding; body condition measurement;
whisker, hair, and milk sampling;
temporary marking; and ultrasound
exams. Research will occur in the Gulf
of Alaska and Aleutian Islands, on
Steller sea lions of the western Distinct
Population Segment (DPS). The permit
also authorizes annual unintentional
mortality of Steller sea lions from the
western DPS.
File No. 14325: The permit issued to
the Alaska Department of Fish and
Game (ADF&G), Division of Wildlife
Conservation, Juneau, AK, (Principal
Investigator: Lorrie Rea, Ph.D.),
authorizes them to continue a long-term
research program investigating the
various hypotheses for the decline or
lack of recovery of Steller sea lions in
AK. Research will involve: incidental
disturbance during aerial surveys
(eastern DPS); disturbance of animals on
rookeries and haulouts during brand
resighting surveys (eastern and western
DPS) and incidental to scat collection,
capture for instrument attachment,
capture for branding, capture method
development, physiological research
and sample collection (eastern and
western DPS); permanent marking of
pups for long-term demographic and
distribution studies, capture of older
animals (eastern and western DPS) for
physiological assessment and
attachment of scientific instruments to
investigate foraging ecology, diving
behavior and habitat use. Additional
animals of any age may be instrumented
without capture (eastern and western
DPS). The permit also authorizes
unintentional mortality of Steller sea
lions from the western DPS and the
eastern DPS. Harbor seals (Phoca
vitulina richardsi), northern fur seals,
and California sea lions (Zalophus
californianus) may be disturbed
incidentally during the course of this
research.
File No. 14326: The permit issued to
NMFS National Marine Mammal
Laboratory (NMML), Seattle, WA,
(Principal Investigator: Tom Gelatt,
Ph.D.), authorizes them to measure
population status, vital rates, foraging
ecology, habitat requirements, and
effects of natural and anthropogenic
factors for Steller sea lion in the North
Pacific Ocean, including rookeries and
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haulouts in CA, OR, WA, and AK.
Annually in the western DPS sea lions
may be exposed to aerial surveys,
rookery-based activities, and other
incidental activities. Steller sea lions
that are captured will have blood, skin,
and swab samples collected; be hotbranded, have blubber and lesions
biopsied, vibrissa removed; and
stomach intubation. Instruments will be
attached to some animals and others
will receive a non-permanent mark if
not hot-branded. Non-target species that
may be harassed incidental to Steller sea
lion research include northern fur seals
in AK, California sea lions and northern
elephant seals (Mirounga
angustrirostris) in WA, OR, and CA, and
harbor seals (P. vitulina) in all states.
The permit also authorizes
unintentional mortality of Steller sea
lions from the western DPS and the
eastern DPS.
File No. 14327: The permit issued to
NMML, (Principal Investigator: Rolf
Ream, Ph.D.), authorizes them to
investigate population status and trends,
demographic parameters, health and
condition, and foraging ecology of
northern fur seals in U.S. waters,
including rookeries and haulouts in CA
and AK. Research on the San Miguel
Island stock will involve: capture,
restraint, sampling, and incidental
disturbance. Research on the Eastern
Pacific stock will involve: capture,
restraint, sampling, and incidental
disturbance. The permit also authorizes
research-related mortality of fur seals
from the San Miguel Island Stock and
the Eastern Pacific stock. Western DPS
Steller sea lions and California sea lions
may be harassed annually incidental to
the research.
File No. 14328: The permit issued to
ASLC, (Principal Investigator: Alan
Springer, Ph.D.) authorizes them to
characterize the winter habitat,
movement patterns, diets and general
health of adult male northern fur seals
in the Bering Sea and northern North
Pacific Ocean. Animals in AK would be
captured, satellite tagged, blubber
biopsied, blood sampled, and a vibrissa
would be pulled for stable isotope
analysis. Northern fur seals in AK may
be incidentally harassed during the
research activities. The permit also
authorizes research-related mortality of
fur seals.
File No. 14329: The permit issued to
the North Pacific Universities Marine
Mammal Research Consortium
(NPUMMRC), University of British
Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada,
(Principal Investigator: Andrew Trites,
Ph.D.) authorizes them to test
hypotheses that might explain the
decline of northern fur seals in AK and
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44823
offer solutions for recovery. The
research includes studies on foraging
ecology, demographics, behavior, and
changes in body size. Research activities
involve: disturbance associated with
capture, observational studies, and scat
collection; and capture, restraint, tissue
sampling, and marking. The permit also
authorizes research-related mortality of
northern fur seals.
File No. 14330 and File No. 14331:
The permits issued to the Aleut
Community of St. Paul Island (ACSPI),
Tribal Government, Ecosystem
Conservation Office, St. Paul Island, AK,
(File No. 14330), (Principal Investigator:
Phillip A. Zavadil), and Aleut
Community of St. George Island
(ACSGI), St. George Traditional Council,
St. George Island, AK, (File No. 14331),
(Principal Investigator: Chris Merculief),
authorize them to conduct activiites to
fulfill their Biosampling,
Disentanglement, and Island Sentinel
program responsibilities as established
under the co-management agreement
between NMFS and the Aleut
Communities. Work by ACSPI will
occur on St. Paul Island, AK and work
by ACSGI will occur on St. George
Island, AK. The permits authorize
incidental disturbance of northern fur
seals on St. Paul Island and St. George
Island during (1) disentanglement
events, (2) the collection of biological
samples from dead stranded and
subsistence hunted marine mammals,
and (3) haulout and rookery
observations, monitoring, and remote
camera maintenance. Samples will be
exported to researchers studying the
decline of northern fur seals. Steller sea
lions and harbor seals may be disturbed
during the course of these activities. The
permits also authorize research-related
mortality of northern fur seals.
File No. 14334: The permit issued to
the ASLC, (Principal Investigator: Lori
Polasek, Ph.D.), authorizes them to
investigate reproductive physiology of
captive adult Steller sea lions
(permanently captive eastern stock) and
survival, growth, and physiology of
captive-bred offspring. They may also
deploy biotelemetry instruments on the
captives to develop and validate
methods for monitoring wild Steller sea
lions. Research will be conducted on
one adult male, up to four adult females,
and up to six offspring, and will include
the following activities: mass and
morphometric measurements;
ultrasound; capture, sedation, and
anesthesia; blood sampling and
administration of Evan’s blue dye and
deuterium oxide; feces, urine, semen,
and milk collection; video/audio
recordings; genital swabs; radiographs;
dietary supplements; blubber biopsy;
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 167 / Monday, August 31, 2009 / Notices
and attachment of biotelemetry
instrumentation. The permit also
provides for transfer to and import from
approved North American facilities up
to two male and four female Steller sea
lions, not to exceed 11 animals held at
ASLC for use in research. The permit
allows for research-related mortality of
captive Steller sea lions.
File No. 14335: The permit issued to
the ASLC, (Principal Investigator: JoAnn
Mellish, Ph.D.), authorizes them to
investigate the decline of the western
stock of Steller sea lions and its failure
to recover, and to assist recovery efforts.
Data may be obtained on juvenile
survival, epidemiology, endocrinology,
immunology, virology, physiology,
ontogenetic and annual body condition
cycles, foraging behavior and habitat
selection. Pups and juveniles of both
sexes in the Gulf of Alaska will be
captured each year, with a subset of
juveniles selected for temporary
quarantine captivity at the ASLC.
Research activities involve capture, drug
administration, anesthesia, fecal and
urine collection, external and internal
instruments, marking, morphometrics,
behavioral observations,
photogrammetry, tissue sampling,
ultrasound, and x-ray. The permit also
authorizes research related mortality of
Steller sea lions from the western DPS.
File No. 14336: The permit issued to
Markus Horning, Ph.D., Marine
Mammal Institute, Oregon State
University, Newport, OR authorizes him
to continue studies related to validation
of surgically implanted scientific
instruments called Life History
Transmitters (LHX tags), for determining
survival rates, emigration, causes of
mortality, predation, and collecting
long-term forage effort data in juvenile
Steller sea lions. LHX tags will be
opportunistically deployed in carcasses
of dead Steller sea lions in AK, OR, and
CA, and in California sea lions in OR
and CA to assess uplink failure rates.
Remote monitoring (using still, video,
and infrared cameras) for censusing,
brand re-sighting, attendance patterns,
and estimating body mass, condition
and health trends will be conducted at
Long Island, AK and Sea Lion Caves and
Cascade Head, OR. The permit also
authorizes research-related mortalities
of eastern DPS Steller sea lions.
File No. 14337: The permit issued to
the NPUMMRC, (Principal Investigator:
Andrew Trites, Ph.D.), authorizes them
to conduct studies of Steller sea lion
diets, distributions, life history traits,
physiology and the timing of weaning in
AK. NPUMMRC will also permit
activities to evaluate pain experienced
by Steller sea lions during hot-iron
branding conducted by researchers
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operating under separate permits.
Research activities include: disturbance
associated with capture, observational
studies, and scat collection; and
capture, restraint, tissue sampling, and
marking. The permit also authorizes
research-related mortality of eastern
DPS and western DPS sea lions. The
permit authorizes harassment of
northern fur seals, California sea lions,
northern elephant seals, harbor seals,
and killer whales (Orcinus orca) in AK
incidental to the research on Steller sea
lions.
In compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), NMFS completed a
Final PEIS for Steller Sea Lion and
Northern Fur Seal Research to provide
decision-makers, and the public, with
an evaluation of the environmental
effects of funding and permitting a
research program for Steller sea lions
and northern fur seals for the next five
to ten years. In a ROD signed on August
10, 2009, NMFS identified the Preferred
Alternative (Alternative 4: Research
Program with Full Implementation of
Conservation Goals) as its preferred
strategy for issuance of grants and
permits for scientific research on these
species. This alternative allows the
agency to fully implement the
recommendations in the species’
conservation and recovery plans.
Subsequent to completion of the PEIS,
and prior to the ROD, NMFS developed
additional policy and guidance to
improve the implementation of the
Steller sea lion and Northern fur seal
research permit program. For additional
information about the PEIS, please see
the project webpage at https://
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/eis/
steller.htm. NMFS has determined that
the activities in the above permits are
consistent with the Preferred
Alternative, and that issuance of the
permits would not have a significant
adverse impact on the human
environment.
Issuance of the permits, as required by
the ESA, were based on a finding that
such permits: (1) were applied for in
good faith; (2) will not operate to the
disadvantage of such endangered
species; and (3) are consistent with the
purposes and policies set forth in
section 2 of the ESA.
Dated: August 25, 2009.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education
Division, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9–20951 Filed 8–28–09; 8:45 am]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
Department of Commerce: Industry
Outreach in San Francisco, CA, for
Climate Change Negotiations Under
the UNFCCC
AGENCY: International Trade
Administration, Department of
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of meeting.
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of
Commerce (DOC) will host a half-day
roundtable for industry participants on
September 10, 2009, in San Francisco,
California, during which senior U.S.
government officials will outline the
draft negotiation text of a new
agreement under the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC), provide updates on
recent developments, and solicit
individual input from participants. The
purpose of the industry roundtable is to
allow private sector stakeholders,
particularly industry and trade
associations, to advise U.S. officials on
the impact a new UNFCCC agreement
could have on their respective
operations and on associated
commercial opportunities. The DOC
anticipates additional outreach events
will be held throughout the United
States.
DATES: September 10, 2009.
ADDRESSES: To participate in the
roundtable, please contact Stephan
Crawford, Director, U.S. Commercial
Service (U.S. Department of
Commerce)—San Francisco, 250
Montgomery St., 14th Floor, San
Francisco, CA 94104; 415–705–2301;
Stephan.Crawford@mail.doc.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Participation
Any private sector participant may
register to attend; space is limited and
available on a first-come, first-serve
basis. Participants who are unable to
attend the event can call into a
conference line to participate. Please
contact Stephan Crawford, Director,
Commercial Service (U.S. Department of
Commerce)—San Francisco, at 415–
705–2301 or
Stephan.Crawford@mail.doc.gov to
request the conference call-in
information.
The United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change—The
UNFCCC was signed in 1992 in Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil, and entered into force on
March 21, 1994. Currently, 192 states
have ratified the Convention, including
the United States. The treaty requires
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 167 (Monday, August 31, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44822-44824]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-20951]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XP18
Marine Mammals; Record of Decision; File Nos. 14324 through
14337, Except 14333
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; Record of Decision and issuance of permits.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS issued a new Record of
Decision (ROD) on August 10, 2009, for the Final Programmatic
Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for Steller Sea Lion and Northern
Fur Seal Research. Subsequently, 12 permits were issued to conduct
research on Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) and northern fur
seals (Callorhinus ursinus) throughout their ranges in the United
States.
ADDRESSES: The permits 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)713-0376; and Alaska Region, NMFS,
P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone (907)586-7221; fax
(907)586-7249.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tammy Adams, Kate Swails, or Amy
Sloan, (301)713-2289.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On May 13, 2009, notice was published in the
Federal Register (74 FR 22518) that requests for permits to conduct
research on marine mammals had been submitted by various applicants.
The requested permits have been issued under the authorities 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.). The permits are valid through August 31, 2014.
File No. 14324: The permit issued to Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC),
Seward, AK, (Principal Investigator: John Maniscalco) authorizes them
to
[[Page 44823]]
investigate causes for the Steller sea lion population decline and
determine what is currently limiting its recovery. Research will
involve: disturbance associated with capture, observational studies,
and material/scat/carcass collection; capture, restraint, and sampling;
and remote biopsy. Captured sea lions will undergo morphometrics
measurement; blood and tissue collection; digital imaging; hot-
branding; body condition measurement; whisker, hair, and milk sampling;
temporary marking; and ultrasound exams. Research will occur in the
Gulf of Alaska and Aleutian Islands, on Steller sea lions of the
western Distinct Population Segment (DPS). The permit also authorizes
annual unintentional mortality of Steller sea lions from the western
DPS.
File No. 14325: The permit issued to the Alaska Department of Fish
and Game (ADF&G), Division of Wildlife Conservation, Juneau, AK,
(Principal Investigator: Lorrie Rea, Ph.D.), authorizes them to
continue a long-term research program investigating the various
hypotheses for the decline or lack of recovery of Steller sea lions in
AK. Research will involve: incidental disturbance during aerial surveys
(eastern DPS); disturbance of animals on rookeries and haulouts during
brand resighting surveys (eastern and western DPS) and incidental to
scat collection, capture for instrument attachment, capture for
branding, capture method development, physiological research and sample
collection (eastern and western DPS); permanent marking of pups for
long-term demographic and distribution studies, capture of older
animals (eastern and western DPS) for physiological assessment and
attachment of scientific instruments to investigate foraging ecology,
diving behavior and habitat use. Additional animals of any age may be
instrumented without capture (eastern and western DPS). The permit also
authorizes unintentional mortality of Steller sea lions from the
western DPS and the eastern DPS. Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina
richardsi), northern fur seals, and California sea lions (Zalophus
californianus) may be disturbed incidentally during the course of this
research.
File No. 14326: The permit issued to NMFS National Marine Mammal
Laboratory (NMML), Seattle, WA, (Principal Investigator: Tom Gelatt,
Ph.D.), authorizes them to measure population status, vital rates,
foraging ecology, habitat requirements, and effects of natural and
anthropogenic factors for Steller sea lion in the North Pacific Ocean,
including rookeries and haulouts in CA, OR, WA, and AK. Annually in the
western DPS sea lions may be exposed to aerial surveys, rookery-based
activities, and other incidental activities. Steller sea lions that are
captured will have blood, skin, and swab samples collected; be hot-
branded, have blubber and lesions biopsied, vibrissa removed; and
stomach intubation. Instruments will be attached to some animals and
others will receive a non-permanent mark if not hot-branded. Non-target
species that may be harassed incidental to Steller sea lion research
include northern fur seals in AK, California sea lions and northern
elephant seals (Mirounga angustrirostris) in WA, OR, and CA, and harbor
seals (P. vitulina) in all states. The permit also authorizes
unintentional mortality of Steller sea lions from the western DPS and
the eastern DPS.
File No. 14327: The permit issued to NMML, (Principal Investigator:
Rolf Ream, Ph.D.), authorizes them to investigate population status and
trends, demographic parameters, health and condition, and foraging
ecology of northern fur seals in U.S. waters, including rookeries and
haulouts in CA and AK. Research on the San Miguel Island stock will
involve: capture, restraint, sampling, and incidental disturbance.
Research on the Eastern Pacific stock will involve: capture, restraint,
sampling, and incidental disturbance. The permit also authorizes
research-related mortality of fur seals from the San Miguel Island
Stock and the Eastern Pacific stock. Western DPS Steller sea lions and
California sea lions may be harassed annually incidental to the
research.
File No. 14328: The permit issued to ASLC, (Principal Investigator:
Alan Springer, Ph.D.) authorizes them to characterize the winter
habitat, movement patterns, diets and general health of adult male
northern fur seals in the Bering Sea and northern North Pacific Ocean.
Animals in AK would be captured, satellite tagged, blubber biopsied,
blood sampled, and a vibrissa would be pulled for stable isotope
analysis. Northern fur seals in AK may be incidentally harassed during
the research activities. The permit also authorizes research-related
mortality of fur seals.
File No. 14329: The permit issued to the North Pacific Universities
Marine Mammal Research Consortium (NPUMMRC), University of British
Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, (Principal Investigator: Andrew
Trites, Ph.D.) authorizes them to test hypotheses that might explain
the decline of northern fur seals in AK and offer solutions for
recovery. The research includes studies on foraging ecology,
demographics, behavior, and changes in body size. Research activities
involve: disturbance associated with capture, observational studies,
and scat collection; and capture, restraint, tissue sampling, and
marking. The permit also authorizes research-related mortality of
northern fur seals.
File No. 14330 and File No. 14331: The permits issued to the Aleut
Community of St. Paul Island (ACSPI), Tribal Government, Ecosystem
Conservation Office, St. Paul Island, AK, (File No. 14330), (Principal
Investigator: Phillip A. Zavadil), and Aleut Community of St. George
Island (ACSGI), St. George Traditional Council, St. George Island, AK,
(File No. 14331), (Principal Investigator: Chris Merculief), authorize
them to conduct activiites to fulfill their Biosampling,
Disentanglement, and Island Sentinel program responsibilities as
established under the co-management agreement between NMFS and the
Aleut Communities. Work by ACSPI will occur on St. Paul Island, AK and
work by ACSGI will occur on St. George Island, AK. The permits
authorize incidental disturbance of northern fur seals on St. Paul
Island and St. George Island during (1) disentanglement events, (2) the
collection of biological samples from dead stranded and subsistence
hunted marine mammals, and (3) haulout and rookery observations,
monitoring, and remote camera maintenance. Samples will be exported to
researchers studying the decline of northern fur seals. Steller sea
lions and harbor seals may be disturbed during the course of these
activities. The permits also authorize research-related mortality of
northern fur seals.
File No. 14334: The permit issued to the ASLC, (Principal
Investigator: Lori Polasek, Ph.D.), authorizes them to investigate
reproductive physiology of captive adult Steller sea lions (permanently
captive eastern stock) and survival, growth, and physiology of captive-
bred offspring. They may also deploy biotelemetry instruments on the
captives to develop and validate methods for monitoring wild Steller
sea lions. Research will be conducted on one adult male, up to four
adult females, and up to six offspring, and will include the following
activities: mass and morphometric measurements; ultrasound; capture,
sedation, and anesthesia; blood sampling and administration of Evan's
blue dye and deuterium oxide; feces, urine, semen, and milk collection;
video/audio recordings; genital swabs; radiographs; dietary
supplements; blubber biopsy;
[[Page 44824]]
and attachment of biotelemetry instrumentation. The permit also
provides for transfer to and import from approved North American
facilities up to two male and four female Steller sea lions, not to
exceed 11 animals held at ASLC for use in research. The permit allows
for research-related mortality of captive Steller sea lions.
File No. 14335: The permit issued to the ASLC, (Principal
Investigator: JoAnn Mellish, Ph.D.), authorizes them to investigate the
decline of the western stock of Steller sea lions and its failure to
recover, and to assist recovery efforts. Data may be obtained on
juvenile survival, epidemiology, endocrinology, immunology, virology,
physiology, ontogenetic and annual body condition cycles, foraging
behavior and habitat selection. Pups and juveniles of both sexes in the
Gulf of Alaska will be captured each year, with a subset of juveniles
selected for temporary quarantine captivity at the ASLC. Research
activities involve capture, drug administration, anesthesia, fecal and
urine collection, external and internal instruments, marking,
morphometrics, behavioral observations, photogrammetry, tissue
sampling, ultrasound, and x-ray. The permit also authorizes research
related mortality of Steller sea lions from the western DPS.
File No. 14336: The permit issued to Markus Horning, Ph.D., Marine
Mammal Institute, Oregon State University, Newport, OR authorizes him
to continue studies related to validation of surgically implanted
scientific instruments called Life History Transmitters (LHX tags), for
determining survival rates, emigration, causes of mortality, predation,
and collecting long-term forage effort data in juvenile Steller sea
lions. LHX tags will be opportunistically deployed in carcasses of dead
Steller sea lions in AK, OR, and CA, and in California sea lions in OR
and CA to assess uplink failure rates. Remote monitoring (using still,
video, and infrared cameras) for censusing, brand re-sighting,
attendance patterns, and estimating body mass, condition and health
trends will be conducted at Long Island, AK and Sea Lion Caves and
Cascade Head, OR. The permit also authorizes research-related
mortalities of eastern DPS Steller sea lions.
File No. 14337: The permit issued to the NPUMMRC, (Principal
Investigator: Andrew Trites, Ph.D.), authorizes them to conduct studies
of Steller sea lion diets, distributions, life history traits,
physiology and the timing of weaning in AK. NPUMMRC will also permit
activities to evaluate pain experienced by Steller sea lions during
hot-iron branding conducted by researchers operating under separate
permits. Research activities include: disturbance associated with
capture, observational studies, and scat collection; and capture,
restraint, tissue sampling, and marking. The permit also authorizes
research-related mortality of eastern DPS and western DPS sea lions.
The permit authorizes harassment of northern fur seals, California sea
lions, northern elephant seals, harbor seals, and killer whales
(Orcinus orca) in AK incidental to the research on Steller sea lions.
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), NMFS completed a Final PEIS for Steller Sea
Lion and Northern Fur Seal Research to provide decision-makers, and the
public, with an evaluation of the environmental effects of funding and
permitting a research program for Steller sea lions and northern fur
seals for the next five to ten years. In a ROD signed on August 10,
2009, NMFS identified the Preferred Alternative (Alternative 4:
Research Program with Full Implementation of Conservation Goals) as its
preferred strategy for issuance of grants and permits for scientific
research on these species. This alternative allows the agency to fully
implement the recommendations in the species' conservation and recovery
plans. Subsequent to completion of the PEIS, and prior to the ROD, NMFS
developed additional policy and guidance to improve the implementation
of the Steller sea lion and Northern fur seal research permit program.
For additional information about the PEIS, please see the project
webpage at https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/eis/steller.htm. NMFS
has determined that the activities in the above permits are consistent
with the Preferred Alternative, and that issuance of the permits would
not have a significant adverse impact on the human environment.
Issuance of the permits, as required by the ESA, were based on a
finding that such permits: (1) were applied for in good faith; (2) will
not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered species; and (3) are
consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the
ESA.
Dated: August 25, 2009.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9-20951 Filed 8-28-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
