Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of 5-Year Review of the Eastern Distinct Population Segment of the Steller Sea Lion, 53272-53273 [2010-21708]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES
53272
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 168 / Tuesday, August 31, 2010 / Notices
(Megaptera novaeangliae), and gray
(Eschrichtius robustus) whales.
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail
comments must be received on or before
September 30, 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 (APPS) home page, https://
apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting
File No. 15271 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;
Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West
Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach,
CA 90802–4213; phone (562)980–4001;
fax (562)980–4018; and
Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand
Point Way NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 1,
Seattle, WA 98115–0700; phone
(206)526–6150; fax (206)526–6426.
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:
Kristy Beard or Amy Hapeman,
(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 research on large
whale species off California, Oregon,
and Washington; the primary research
area would be off the Southern
California Bight, San Luis Obispo,
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:33 Aug 30, 2010
Jkt 220001
Monterey Bay, and San Francisco. The
purposes of the research are to: (1) relate
distribution and abundance of marine
mammals with environmental factors;
(2) determine diet and foraging
behaviors as marine mammals exploit
prey resources; (3) determine types of
acoustic behavior of marine mammals
(primarily cetaceans) and how acoustic
signals are affected by anthropogenic
factors; and (4) determine the
movements of individuals or pods
during migrations or within their home
range. Each year, 50 blue whales would
be approached for photo-identification
(photo-ID) and biopsy, of which 30
would be suction-cup tagged, 10 would
be dart-tagged, and 10 would be tagged
with small implantable tags; 30 fin
whales would be approached for photoID and biopsy, of which 10 would be
suction-cup tagged, 5 would be darttagged, and 5 would be tagged with
small implantable tags; 200 humpback
whales would be approached for photoID and biopsy, of which 30 would be
suction-cup tagged, 10 would be darttagged, and 10 would be tagged with
small implantable tags; 100 gray whales
would be approached for photo-ID and
biopsy, of which 40 would be suctioncup tagged, 10 would be dart-tagged,
and 10 would be tagged with small
implantable tags. Tagged individuals
would be observed and photographed
(e.g., daily for the first week and every
week or so for the next two months). Up
to 200 California sea lions (Zalophus
californianus), 20 harbor seals (Phoca
vitulina richardii), 50 Pacific whitesided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus
obliquidens), 20 Northern right whale
dolphins (Lissodelphis borealis), 10
harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)
and 20 short-beaked common dolphins
(Delphinus delphis) would be harassed
incidental to research activities.
In compliance with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a draft
environmental assessment (EA) has
been prepared to examine whether
significant environmental impacts could
result from issuance of the proposed
scientific research permit. The draft EA
is available for review and comment
simultaneous with the scientific
research permit application.
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.
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Dated: August 25, 2010.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education
Division, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010–21715 Filed 8–30–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XY36
Endangered and Threatened Species;
Initiation of 5–Year Review of the
Eastern Distinct Population Segment
of the Steller Sea Lion
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; reopening of comment
period.
AGENCY:
NMFS published a notice in
the Federal Register on June 29, 2010,
announcing the initiation of a 5–year
review of the eastern Distinct
Population Segment (DPS) of the Steller
Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) under
the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (ESA) and requesting
information related to that review. A
notice correcting the email address and
fax number to which comments and
information should be sent was
published July 7, 2010. Written
comments were due by August 30, 2010.
NMFS has decided to reopen the public
comment period for an additional 45
days, to October 14, 2010.
DATES: The public comment period for
this action has been reopened for an
additional 45 days, to October 14, 2010.
Written comments and information
must be received no later than October
14, 2010.
ADDRESSES: You may submit
information by any of the following
methods:
• Mail: Kaja Brix, National Marine
Fisheries Service, Alaska Region,
Protected Resources Division, P.O. Box
21668, 709 West 9th Street, Juneau, AK
99802.
• E-mail: ssldps@noaa.gov. Include
the following identifier in the subject
line of the e-mail: ‘‘Comments on the 5–
year review for the eastern DPS of
Steller sea lion.’’
• Fax: (907) 586–7557, attention: Kaja
Brix.
Information received in response to
this notice and review will be available
for public inspection (by appointment,
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\31AUN1.SGM
31AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 168 / Tuesday, August 31, 2010 / Notices
during normal business hours) at the
above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
Lisa Rotterman (907) 271–1692,
lisa.rotterman@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
NMFS published a notice in the
Federal Register on June 29, 2010,
announcing the initiation of a 5–year
review of the eastern Distinct
Population Segment (DPS) of the Steller
Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) under
the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (ESA) and requesting
information related to that review (75
FR 37385). A notice correcting the email
address and fax number to which
comments and information should be
sent was published July 7, 2010 (75 FR
38979). Written comments were due by
August 30, 2010. NMFS has decided to
reopen the public comment period for
an additional 45 days, to October 14,
2010.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
Dated: August 25, 2010.
Therese Conant,
Acting Chief, Endangered Species Division,
Office of Protected Resources, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010–21708 Filed 8–30–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XY53
Federal Aquatic Nuisance Species
Research Risk Analysis Protocol
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce
ACTION: Notice of availability of draft
revised research protocol; request for
comments.
AGENCY:
The National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
announces the availability of the draft
revised Federal Aquatic Nuisance
Species Research Risk Analysis Protocol
(Protocol), developed by the Research
Protocol Committee, a committee of the
Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force
(ANSTF). The Protocol is available for
public review and comment.
DATES: Comments must be received
within 45 days after August 31, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the
draft revised Protocol are available on
srobinson on DSKHWCL6B1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:33 Aug 30, 2010
Jkt 220001
the ANSTF website, https://
anstaskforce.gov/documents.php. To
obtain a hard copy of the draft revised
Protocol or to submit comments, see
Document Availability and Public
Comment, respectively, under
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Margaret M. (Peg) Brady, NOAA Policy
Liaison to the Aquatic Nuisance Species
Task Force. 1315 East West Highway,
SSMC 3, Rm. 15531 Silver Spring, MD
20910 Phone: 301–713–0174; Email:
Peg.Brady@noaa.gov
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Introduction
The Aquatic Nuisance Species Task
Force (ANSTF) is an intergovernmental
organization dedicated to preventing
and controlling aquatic nuisance
species, and implementing the
Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance
Prevention and Control Act. The
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration and U. S. Fish and
Wildlife Service serve as co-chairs of the
ANSTF. The ANSTF developed a
research protocol as is required by the
Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance
Prevention and Control Act of 1990
(NANPCA, Public Law 101–646, 104
STAT. 4671, 16 U.S.C. 4701–4741), as
amended by the National Invasive
Species Act, 1996. Section 1202(f)(2) of
NANPCA directs the ANSTF to
establish a protocol ‘‘to ensure that
research activities carried out under
[NANPCA] do not result in the
introduction of aquatic nuisance species
to waters of the United States.’’
Responsibility for actual use of this
Protocol is specified in section (f)(3) of
the NANPCA: ‘‘The Task Force shall
allocate funds authorized under this Act
for competitive research grants to study
all aspects of aquatic nuisance species,
which shall be administered through the
National Sea Grant College Program and
the Cooperative Fishery and Wildlife
Research Units. Grants shall be
conditioned to ensure that any recipient
of funds follows the protocol
established under paragraph (2) of this
subsection.’’
Throughout this document both the
descriptors ‘‘nonindigenous’’ and/or
‘‘nuisance’’ are used when referring to
aquatic species that are the target of this
risk analysis. Language used in the
NANPCA differentiates between a
nonindigenous species and a nuisance
species, with a ‘‘nonindigenous’’ label
being solely based on the historic range
of the species, while a ‘‘nuisance’’
designation is based on a species being
both nonindigenous and potentially
harmful (‘‘threatens the diversity or
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
53273
abundance of native species or the
ecological stability of infested waters, or
commercial, agricultural, aquacultural
or recreational activities dependent on
such waters’’). The ANSTF Research
Committee adopted a precautionary
approach by targeting this risk analysis
to all aquatic nonindigenous species
research, regardless of the ‘‘nuisance’’
designation. The intent of the
procedures outlined herein is to
minimize to the extent practicable the
risk of release and spread of aquatic
nonindigenous species into areas they
do not yet inhabit, since any
nonindigenous species may become a
nuisance species. Not only is it often not
possible to be sure that a species won’t
become a nuisance (as defined) in the
future, the possession and/or release of
nonindigenous species may be illegal
under various Federal, State, or local
laws, which may or may not
differentiate between nonindigenous
and nuisance species.
Background
When finalized, this document (‘‘the
Protocol’’) would replace the previously
established ‘‘Protocol for Evaluating
Research Proposals Concerning Aquatic
Nonindigenous Species,’’ adopted in
draft form in 1992 and finalized and
published by the ANSTF in July 1994.
The 1994 protocol applies only to
research involving aquatic
nonindigenous species (ANS) and is
designed to reduce the risk that research
activities may cause introduction or
spread of such aquatic species. Other
potential means of introduction, such as
bait movement, aquaria disposal, ballast
water discharge, movement of
recreational boats, movement of fishing
gear, and horticultural sales, are not
addressed in the 1994 protocol.
In 2008 the ANSTF requested the
Research Committee (a Committee of the
ANSTF) to evaluate and recommend
revisions to the 1994 protocol, as
needed. According to the Society for
Risk Analysis (SRA, https://
www.sra.org), the elements or
components of a risk analysis include
risk assessment, risk characterization,
risk communication, risk management,
and policy relating to risk. This revised
Protocol incorporates three of those
elements it requires a risk assessment
(Part I) and then, if needed,
establishment and implementation of a
risk management plan (Part II), with the
combined results communicated to the
funding agency as part of the proposal
and funding process. Therefore, this
revised Protocol is renamed ‘‘Federal
Aquatic Nuisance Species Research Risk
Analysis Protocol.’’ The draft was
approved by the ANSTF on November
E:\FR\FM\31AUN1.SGM
31AUN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 168 (Tuesday, August 31, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53272-53273]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-21708]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XY36
Endangered and Threatened Species; Initiation of 5-Year Review of
the Eastern Distinct Population Segment of the Steller Sea Lion
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; reopening of comment period.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS published a notice in the Federal Register on June 29,
2010, announcing the initiation of a 5-year review of the eastern
Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of the Steller Sea Lion (Eumetopias
jubatus) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA) and
requesting information related to that review. A notice correcting the
email address and fax number to which comments and information should
be sent was published July 7, 2010. Written comments were due by August
30, 2010. NMFS has decided to reopen the public comment period for an
additional 45 days, to October 14, 2010.
DATES: The public comment period for this action has been reopened for
an additional 45 days, to October 14, 2010. Written comments and
information must be received no later than October 14, 2010.
ADDRESSES: You may submit information by any of the following methods:
Mail: Kaja Brix, National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska
Region, Protected Resources Division, P.O. Box 21668, 709 West 9th
Street, Juneau, AK 99802.
E-mail: ssldps@noaa.gov. Include the following identifier
in the subject line of the e-mail: ``Comments on the 5-year review for
the eastern DPS of Steller sea lion.''
Fax: (907) 586-7557, attention: Kaja Brix.
Information received in response to this notice and review will be
available for public inspection (by appointment,
[[Page 53273]]
during normal business hours) at the above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Lisa Rotterman (907) 271-1692,
lisa.rotterman@noaa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
NMFS published a notice in the Federal Register on June 29, 2010,
announcing the initiation of a 5-year review of the eastern Distinct
Population Segment (DPS) of the Steller Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus)
under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA) and
requesting information related to that review (75 FR 37385). A notice
correcting the email address and fax number to which comments and
information should be sent was published July 7, 2010 (75 FR 38979).
Written comments were due by August 30, 2010. NMFS has decided to
reopen the public comment period for an additional 45 days, to October
14, 2010.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
Dated: August 25, 2010.
Therese Conant,
Acting Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-21708 Filed 8-30-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
