Marine Mammals; File No. 15240, 78890-78891 [2011-32538]

Download as PDF 78890 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 244 / Tuesday, December 20, 2011 / Notices In 1987 with the approval of the NIST APMS (52 FR 37082), and in 1997 when the APMS plan was modified (62 FR 54604), OPM concurred that all occupations in the ZP career path at the band III and above constitute a shortage category; Nuclear Reactor Operator positions in the ZT Career Path at the Pay Band III and above constitute a shortage category; and all occupations for which there is a special rate under the General Schedule pay system constitute a shortage category. OPM’s direct-hire authority enables agencies to hire, after public notice is given, any qualified application without regard to 5 U.S.C. 3309–3318, 5 CFR part 211, or 5 CFR part 337, subpart A. NIST’s APMS allows the NIST Director to modify procedures if no new waiver from law or regulation is added. Given this modification is in accordance with existing law and regulation, the NIST Director is authorized to make the changes described in this notice. The modification to our final Federal Register Notice, dated October 21, 1997, with respect to our Staffing authorities is provided below. jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES III. Changes in the APMS Plan The APMS at the NIST, published in the Federal Register October 21, 1997 (62 FR 54604) is amended as follows: 1. The subsection titled: ‘‘Direct Examination and Hiring’’ is deleted. 2. The subsection titled ‘‘Direct Hire: Critical Shortage Highly Qualified Candidates’’ is deleted. 3. The information under the subsection titled: ‘‘NIST Applicant Supply File’’ is replaced with: NIST advertises the availability of job opportunities in Direct-Hire occupations by posting on the OPM USAJOBS Web site. NIST will follow internal Direct Hire procedures for accepting applications. 4. The subsection titled: ‘‘Referral Procedures for Direct Examination and Hiring and Agency Based Staffing Authorities’’ is deleted. 5. A new subsection titled: ‘‘Referral Procedures for Direct-Hire’’ is added and the information under this subsection is as follows: After public notice is given, a qualified candidate may be referred without regard to 5 U.S.C. 3309–3318, 5 CFR part 211, or 5 CFR part 337, subpart A. 6. The subsection titled: ‘‘Direct Referral’’ is deleted. 7. The subsection titled: ‘‘Rating and Ranking’’ is deleted. [FR Doc. 2011–32525 Filed 12–19–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–13–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:28 Dec 19, 2011 Jkt 226001 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XA873 Endangered Species; File No. 15566 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for a permit modification. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Marine Resources Division, Charleston, SC 29422–2559 [Responsible Party: Mike Arendt], has requested a modification to scientific research Permit No. 15566. DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or before January 19, 2012. ADDRESSES: The modification request 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. 15566 from the list of available applications. These documents are also available upon written request or by appointment in the following offices: Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301) 427–8401; fax (301) 713–0376; and Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701; phone (727) 824–5312; fax (727) 824– 5309. Written comments on this application should be submitted to the Chief, Permits and Conservation Division: • By email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov (include the File No. in the subject line of the email), • By facsimile to (301) 713–0376, or • At the above address. Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a written request to the Chief, Permits and Conservation 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) 427–8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject modification to Permit No. 15566, issued on April 8, 2011 (76 FR SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 22877), is requested under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (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). Permit No. 15566 authorizes capture by trawl up to 345 loggerhead (Caretta caretta), 29 Kemp’s ridley (Lepidochelys kempii), 9 green (Chelonia mydas), 1 leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), and 1 hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) sea turtle in order to assess temporal change in catch rates, size distributions, sex and genetic ratios, and health of sea turtles. Captures occur annually in coastal waters between Winyah Bay, SC and St. Augustine, FL. Turtles may be handled, blood sampled, measured, flipper and passive integrated transponder (PIT) tagged, photographed, and released. A subsample of animals are subject to barnacle, keratin, fecal, and tissue sampling, cloacal swabs, and attachment of satellite and/or VHF transmitters. Up to five loggerhead, one Kemp’s ridley, one green, one leatherback, and one hawksbill sea turtle could be accidentally killed over the life of the permit. The permit holder requests authorization to increase the number of authorized Kemp’s ridleys from 29 to 79 turtles annually. The 50 additional sea turtles would be captured, handled, blood sampled, measured, flipper and PIT tagged, photographed, and released. No other changes would be made to the permit. The purpose of the proposed research remains the same. Dated: December 14, 2011. P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2011–32543 Filed 12–19–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XA874 Marine Mammals; File No. 15240 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that the NMFS Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC), 2570 Dole Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 (Responsible Party: Frank A. Parrish, SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\20DEN1.SGM 20DEN1 jlentini on DSK4TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 244 / Tuesday, December 20, 2011 / Notices Ph.D.), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on cetaceans. DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or before January 19, 2012. 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. 15240 from the list of available applications. These documents are also available upon written request or by appointment in the following offices: Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301) 427–8401; fax (301) 713–0376; and Pacific Islands Region, NMFS, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Rm 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814–4700; phone (808) 944–2200; fax (808) 973–2941; Written comments on this application should be submitted to the Chief, Permits and Conservation 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 and Conservation 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: Carrie Hubard or Laura Morse, (301) 427–8401. 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 PIFSC is requesting a five-year permit to conduct research on 20 cetacean species, including six species listed as endangered [blue (Balaenoptera musculus), fin (B. physalus), sei (B. borealis), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), sperm (Physeter macrocephalus), and North Pacific right (Eubalaena japonica) VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:28 Dec 19, 2011 Jkt 226001 whales] and one stock proposed to be listed as endangered, Hawaiian insular false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens). Takes would also be authorized for five categories of unidentified cetaceans (dolphins, beaked whales, Mesoplodon spp., rorquals, and Kogia spp.). Endangered Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus schauinslandi) may be harassed incidental to the cetacean research. The purpose of the research is to determine the abundance, distribution, stock structure, movement patterns, and ecological relationships of cetaceans occurring in U.S. and international waters of the Pacific Islands Region. The action area includes places such as Hawaii, Palmyra, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Howland Island, Baker Island, Jarvis Island, and Wake Island. Research methodologies include aerial and vessel surveys, behavioral observations, photo-identification, acoustic recordings, biological sample collection, and dart and suction cup tagging. Salvage and import/export of cetacean parts, specimens, and biological samples would also occur. A draft environmental assessment (EA) has been prepared in compliance with 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. 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. Dated: December 14, 2011. P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2011–32538 Filed 12–19–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 78891 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [Docket No. 111205720–1718–01] RIN 0648–XA740 Listing Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 90-Day Finding on Petitions To List the Thorny Skate (Amblyraja radiata) Under the Endangered Species Act National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of 90-day petition finding. AGENCY: We, NMFS, announce 90-day finding for petitions to list the thorny skate (Amblyraja radiata) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We find that the petitions do not present substantial scientific information indicating the petitioned actions may be warranted. Accordingly, we will not initiate a review of the status of thorny skate at this time. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Damon-Randall, NMFS, Northeast Regional Office (978) 282–8485 or Marta Nammack, NMFS, Office of Protected Resources (301) 427–8469. The petition and other pertinent information are also available electronically at the NMFS Web site at https://www.nero.noaa.gov/ prot_res/CandidateSpeciesProgram/ csr.htm. SUMMARY: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On August 11, 2011, we received a petition from the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) requesting that we list, as a Distinct Population Segment (DPS), the Northwest Atlantic population of thorny skates as endangered or threatened throughout all or a significant portion of its range. In the alternative, AWI asked that we list the U.S. DPS of the thorny skate as endangered. AWI also requests the designation of critical habitat for the thorny skate in U.S. waters. On August 23, 2011, we received a petition from WildEarth Guardians and Friends of Animals (WEG & FA) requesting that we list thorny skate, barndoor skate, winter skate and smooth skate as threatened or endangered. In the alternative, the petitioners request that we list any and all DPSs of these species that may exist, and, in particular, the petitioners requested that we list the U.S. population of thorny E:\FR\FM\20DEN1.SGM 20DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 244 (Tuesday, December 20, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78890-78891]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32538]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA874


Marine Mammals; File No. 15240

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the NMFS Pacific Islands Fisheries 
Science Center (PIFSC), 2570 Dole Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 
(Responsible Party: Frank A. Parrish,

[[Page 78891]]

Ph.D.), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on 
cetaceans.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before January 19, 2012.

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. 15240 from the list of available applications.
    These documents are also available upon written request or by 
appointment in the following offices:
    Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; 
phone (301) 427-8401; fax (301) 713-0376; and
    Pacific Islands Region, NMFS, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Rm 1110, 
Honolulu, HI 96814-4700; phone (808) 944-2200; fax (808) 973-2941;
    Written comments on this application should be submitted to the 
Chief, Permits and Conservation 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 and Conservation 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: Carrie Hubard or Laura Morse, (301) 
427-8401.

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 PIFSC is requesting a five-year permit to conduct research on 
20 cetacean species, including six species listed as endangered [blue 
(Balaenoptera musculus), fin (B. physalus), sei (B. borealis), humpback 
(Megaptera novaeangliae), sperm (Physeter macrocephalus), and North 
Pacific right (Eubalaena japonica) whales] and one stock proposed to be 
listed as endangered, Hawaiian insular false killer whales (Pseudorca 
crassidens). Takes would also be authorized for five categories of 
unidentified cetaceans (dolphins, beaked whales, Mesoplodon spp., 
rorquals, and Kogia spp.). Endangered Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus 
schauinslandi) may be harassed incidental to the cetacean research. The 
purpose of the research is to determine the abundance, distribution, 
stock structure, movement patterns, and ecological relationships of 
cetaceans occurring in U.S. and international waters of the Pacific 
Islands Region. The action area includes places such as Hawaii, 
Palmyra, American Samoa, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
Islands, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Howland Island, Baker Island, 
Jarvis Island, and Wake Island. Research methodologies include aerial 
and vessel surveys, behavioral observations, photo-identification, 
acoustic recordings, biological sample collection, and dart and suction 
cup tagging. Salvage and import/export of cetacean parts, specimens, 
and biological samples would also occur.
    A draft environmental assessment (EA) has been prepared in 
compliance with 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. 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.

    Dated: December 14, 2011.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-32538 Filed 12-19-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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