Marine Mammals; File No. 14534, 46745-46746 [E9-21962]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 175 / Friday, September 11, 2009 / Notices Administrative Order 216–6 (Environmental Review Procedures for Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act, May 20, 1999). ULA’s activities and impacts for 2008–2009 are expected to be within the scope of NMFS’ 2005 EA and FONSI. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Determinations AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application. NMFS has determined that the impact of harbor activities related to the Delta IV/EELV at VAFB (transport vessel operations, cargo movement activities, harbor maintenance dredging, and kelp habitat mitigation) will result in the Level B Harassment of small numbers of Pacific harbor seals, California sea lions, and northern elephant seals. The effects of ULA’s harbor activities are expected to be in the form of short-term and localized behavioral changes, and no take by injury or death is anticipated or authorized. NMFS has further determined that these takes will have a negligible impact on the affected marine mammal species and stocks. While the number of incidental harassment takes will depend on the distribution and abundance of marine mammals in the vicinity of the activity, the number of potential harassment takings is estimated to be small (less than five percent of any of the estimated population sizes) and has been mitigated to the lowest level practicable through incorporation of the measures mentioned previously in this document. The provision requiring that the activity not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the affected species or stock for subsistence uses is not implicated by this action. Northern fur seals, Guadalupe fur seals, and Steller sea lions are unlikely to be found in the area and, therefore, will not be affected. No rookeries, mating grounds, areas of concentrated feeding, or other areas of special significance for marine mammals occur within or near south VAFB harbor. cprice-sewell on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with NOTICES Authorization As a result of these determinations, NMFS has issued an IHA to ULA to take marine mammals, by Level B harassment, incidental to conducting harbor activities at VAFB for a one-year period, provided that the previously mentioned mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements are incorporated. Dated: September 4, 2009. James H. Lecky, Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E9–21961 Filed 9–10–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S VerDate Nov<24>2008 15:23 Sep 10, 2009 Jkt 217001 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XR52 Marine Mammals; File No. 14534 SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Ned Cyr, Director, NOAA Office of Science and Technology, Silver Spring, MD, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on marine mammals in the Pacific Ocean. DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or before October 13, 2009. ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for review by selecting ‘‘Records Open for Public Comment’’ from the Features box on the Applications and Permits for Protected Species (APPS) home page, https:// apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File No. 14534 from the list of available applications. These documents are also available 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 Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802–4213; phone (562)980–4001; fax (562)980–4018. Written comments on this application should be submitted to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, at the address listed above. Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (301)713–0376, or by email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please include the File No. in the subject line of the email comment. Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a written request to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division at the address listed above. The request should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this application would be appropriate. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tammy Adams or Carrie Hubard, (301)713–2289. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 46745 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.), and the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR 222–226). The applicant requests a five-year permit to conduct a research program involving studies of sound production, diving and other behavior, and responses to sound of marine mammals, including endangered species. The results would be integrated with related studies and directly contribute to conservation management for sound producers and regulatory agencies by identifying characteristics of target species that are critical for passive monitoring, detection, and/or density estimation and by demonstrating how specific sounds, including simulated military sonar, may evoke behavioral responses in marine mammals. The experimental design involves temporarily attaching individual recording tags to measure vocalization, behavior, and physiological parameters as well as sound exposure. Behavior will be measured before, during, and after carefully controlled exposures of sound in conventional playback experiments. Tagged subjects will be exposed to received sound levels up to 180 dB re: 1μPa. This study will involve various activities that could take animals by harassment, including close approaches, attachment of tags, and sound exposure. Small fragments of sloughed skin, which often remain attached to retrieved tags, would be used for genetic analyses. Target species include beaked whales and other odontocetes, key baleen whales, and pinniped species for whom such data have not been previously obtained; other marine species may be incidentally impacted. Please refer to the tables in the application for the numbers of marine mammals, by species and stock, that are proposed for this permit. The research will be focused in the waters within the U.S. Navy’s Southern California Range Complex, and primarily near the vicinity of San Clemente Island. The applicant also submitted a draft environmental assessment (EA) prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), to examine whether significant environmental impacts could result from issuance of the proposed scientific research permit and conduct of the research. The draft EA is available for review and comment simultaneous with the scientific research permit application. E:\FR\FM\11SEN1.SGM 11SEN1 46746 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 175 / Friday, September 11, 2009 / Notices Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of the application to the Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors. Dated: September 4, 2009. P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E9–21962 Filed 9–10–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN: 0648–XR55 Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings cprice-sewell on DSKGBLS3C1PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of a public meeting. SUMMARY: A public meeting of the Pacific Fishery Management Council’s (Council) Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) Groundfish Subcommittee will be held to review new rebuilding analyses for eight west coast groundfish species. This meeting is a work session which is open to the public. DATES: The SSC Groundfish Subcommittee meeting to review new groundfish rebuilding analyses will be held beginning at 9 a.m., Wednesday, September 30, 2009 and will end at 5:30 p.m. or as necessary to complete business. The meeting will reconvene at 9 a.m., Thursday, October 1, 2009 and will end at 5:30 p.m. or as necessary to complete business. ADDRESSES: The SSC Groundfish Subcommittee meeting will be held at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Western Regional Center’s Sand Point Facility, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Observer Training Room 1055, 7600 Sand Point Way N.E., Seattle, WA 98115–6349; telephone: (206) 526–4000. Council address: Pacific Fishery Management Council, 7700 NE Ambassador Place, Suite 101, Portland, OR 97220–1384. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John DeVore, Pacific Fishery Management Council; telephone: (503) 820–2280. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the SSC Groundfish VerDate Nov<24>2008 15:23 Sep 10, 2009 Jkt 217001 Subcommittee meeting is to review new draft rebuilding analyses for bocaccio, canary rockfish, cowcod, darkblotched rockfish, Pacific ocean perch, widow rockfish, yelloweye rockfish, and petrale sole and any other pertinent information, work with the Stock Assessment Teams to make necessary revisions, and ultimately produce an SSC report for use by the Council family and other interested persons. These new rebuilding analyses will be used to analyze 2011–12 harvest specifications for these species and to develop or modify rebuilding plans for these species. No management actions will be decided at this SSC Groundfish Subcommittee meeting. The SSC Groundfish Subcommittees’ role will be development of recommendations and reports for consideration by the SSC and the Council at its November meeting in Costa Mesa, CA. Entry to the NOAA Western Regional Center’s Sand Point Facility requires visitors to show a valid picture ID and register with security. A visitor’s badge, which must be worn while at the NOAA Western Regional Center’s Facility, will be issued to non-Federal employees participating in the meeting. Although non-emergency issues not contained in the meeting agendas may come before the meeting participants for discussion, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during these meetings. SSC Groundfish Subcommittee action will be restricted to those issues specifically listed in this notice and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under Section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, provided the public has been notified of the meeting participants’ intent to take final action to address the emergency. Special Accommodations This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Ms. Carolyn Porter at (503) 820–2280 at least 5 days prior to the meeting date. Dated: September 8, 2009. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E9–21937 Filed 9–10–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–S PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN: 0648–XR57 Western Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meetings and hearings. SUMMARY: The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a meeting of its Non-Commercial Fisheries Advisory Committee which may make recommendations on fishery management issues in the Western Pacific Region. DATES: The Non-Commercial Fisheries Advisory Committee Meeting will be held on September 30, 2009. For specific times and agendas, see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. ADDRESSES: The Non-Commercial Fisheries Advisory Committee will meet at the Council Office, 1164 Bishop St. Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, telephone: (808) 522–8220; and by teleconference (1–888–482–3560, Access Code: 5228220). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kitty M. Simonds, Executive Director; telephone: (808) 522–8220. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In addition to the agenda items listed here, the Non-Commercial Fisheries Advisory Committee may receive reports and make recommendations on emerging fishery issues in the Western Pacific Region. A public comment period will be provided in the agenda. The order in which agenda items are addressed may change. The meetings will run as late as necessary to complete scheduled business. Schedule and Agenda for NonCommercial Fisheries Advisory Committee Meeting Wednesday, September 30, 2009, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. (Hawaii Time) 1. Introductions 2. Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 3. Recreational Fishing and Management in the Western Pacific Region A. Recreational Data Task Force B. Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistical Survey C. Hawaii Marine Recreational Fishery Survey E:\FR\FM\11SEN1.SGM 11SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 175 (Friday, September 11, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46745-46746]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-21962]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XR52


Marine Mammals; File No. 14534

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

ACTION:  Notice; receipt of application.

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

SUMMARY:  Notice is hereby given that Ned Cyr, Director, NOAA Office of 
Science and Technology, Silver Spring, MD, has applied in due form for 
a permit to conduct research on marine mammals in the Pacific Ocean.

DATES:  Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before October 13, 2009.

ADDRESSES:  The application and related documents are available for 
review by selecting ``Records Open for Public Comment'' from the 
Features box on the Applications and Permits for Protected Species 
(APPS) home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File 
No. 14534 from the list of available applications.
    These documents are also available 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
    Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long 
Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562)980-4001; fax (562)980-4018.
    Written comments on this application should be submitted to the 
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, at the address 
listed above. Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (301)713-
0376, or by email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please include the File 
No. in the subject line of the email comment.
    Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a 
written request to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education 
Division at the address listed above. The request should set forth the 
specific reasons why a hearing on this application would be 
appropriate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Tammy Adams or Carrie Hubard, 
(301)713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the 
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended 
(MMPA; 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.), and the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR 222-226).
    The applicant requests a five-year permit to conduct a research 
program involving studies of sound production, diving and other 
behavior, and responses to sound of marine mammals, including 
endangered species. The results would be integrated with related 
studies and directly contribute to conservation management for sound 
producers and regulatory agencies by identifying characteristics of 
target species that are critical for passive monitoring, detection, 
and/or density estimation and by demonstrating how specific sounds, 
including simulated military sonar, may evoke behavioral responses in 
marine mammals. The experimental design involves temporarily attaching 
individual recording tags to measure vocalization, behavior, and 
physiological parameters as well as sound exposure. Behavior will be 
measured before, during, and after carefully controlled exposures of 
sound in conventional playback experiments. Tagged subjects will be 
exposed to received sound levels up to 180 dB re: 1microPa. This study 
will involve various activities that could take animals by harassment, 
including close approaches, attachment of tags, and sound exposure. 
Small fragments of sloughed skin, which often remain attached to 
retrieved tags, would be used for genetic analyses. Target species 
include beaked whales and other odontocetes, key baleen whales, and 
pinniped species for whom such data have not been previously obtained; 
other marine species may be incidentally impacted. Please refer to the 
tables in the application for the numbers of marine mammals, by species 
and stock, that are proposed for this permit. The research will be 
focused in the waters within the U.S. Navy's Southern California Range 
Complex, and primarily near the vicinity of San Clemente Island.
    The applicant also submitted a draft environmental assessment (EA) 
prepared under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 
4321 et seq.), to examine whether significant environmental impacts 
could result from issuance of the proposed scientific research permit 
and conduct of the research. The draft EA is available for review and 
comment simultaneous with the scientific research permit application.

[[Page 46746]]

    Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of the application to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: September 4, 2009.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9-21962 Filed 9-10-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
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