Marine Mammals; File No. 555-1870, 64686 [E9-29259]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 234 (Tuesday, December 8, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 64686]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-29259]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XT21


Marine Mammals; File No. 555-1870

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

ACTION:  Notice; receipt of application for permit amendment.

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SUMMARY:  Notice is hereby given that James T. Harvey, Ph.D., Moss 
Landing Marine Laboratories, 8272 Moss Landing Road, Moss Landing, CA 
95039, has applied for an amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 
555-1870-00.

DATES:  Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before January 7, 2010.

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 home 
page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File No. 555-1870 
from the list of available applications.
    These documents are also available 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)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:  Amy Sloan or Tammy Adams, (301)713-
2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 555-
1870-00 is requested 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).
    Permit No. 555-1870-00, issued on April 10, 2007(74 FR 19469), 
authorizes the permit holder to conduct research on the biology and 
ecology of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in California, Oregon, 
Washington, and Alaska. Researchers are authorized to capture, handle, 
flipper tag, instrument, and biologically sample (blood, skin, hair, 
swabs, lavage/enema) 670 harbor seals annually; an additional 2,910 
seals may be taken by incidental disturbance during capture, scat 
collection, experimental harassment, and exposure to playback of 
vocalizations annually. Of those animals captured, 140 may have 
surgical procedures conducted to implant subcutaneous radio 
transmitters. Up to two incidental mortalities per year are authorized. 
California sea lions and northern elephant seals are authorized to be 
incidentally harassed during research activities.
    The permit holder is requesting the permit be amended to include 
authorization for increasing the number of harbor seal pups of both 
sexes captured in California from 40 animals (20 of each sex) to 70 (35 
of each sex) annually to allow for a more robust survival estimate 
model. The applicant also proposes to bring a subset of harbor seals 
captured in California (seals one year or older of either sex excluding 
pregnant or lactating females) into temporary captivity in quarantine 
at The Marine Mammal Center (Sausalito, California) to conduct trials 
to modify the currently permitted sedation and surgical protocols for 
subcutaneous implantation of radio transmitters. The purposes of these 
modifications are to (1) minimize the amount of time needed for 
surgery; and (2) test three different tag types and a revised suture 
protocol to improve tag retention. The amendment would be valid through 
the expiration date on April 15, 2012.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial determination has been made that 
the activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to 
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
    Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of this application to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: December 2, 2009.
Tammy C. Adams,
Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9-29259 Filed 12-7-09; 8:45 am]
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