Marine Mammals; File No. 16109, 8159-8160 [2014-02935]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 28 / Tuesday, February 11, 2014 / Notices conclude at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 6, 2014. The meetings will be held in the Pacific Conference Room of the NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center, 8901 La Jolla Shores Dr., La Jolla, CA 92037–1508. ADDRESSES: DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting (Webinar) RIN 0648–XA602 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. Kerry Griffin, Staff Officer; telephone: (503) 820–2280. The primary purpose of the meeting is to review a full stock assessment for Pacific sardine. The last full stock assessment was in 2011, with updates completed in 2012 and 2013. The review panel will consist of two members of the Pacific Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee’s Subcommittee on Coastal Pelagic Species (CPS), plus two independent experts. The Pacific Council will use the 2014 assessment to establish Pacific sardine fishery management measures and harvest specifications for the 2014– 15 fishing year, beginning July 1, 2014 and ending June 30, 2015. Representatives of the Pacific Council’s CPS Management Team and the CPS Advisory Subpanel will also attend the meeting. The purpose of the data availability meeting is to identify likely sources of fisheries data and surveys that can potentially be used in future assessments for Pacific sardine, Pacific mackerel, northern anchovy, and jack mackerel. 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 panel’s intent to take final action to address the emergency. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Special Accommodations tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AGENCY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: This listening station is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Mr. Dale Sweetnam, (858) 546–7170, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date. ACTION: Notice of a public meeting. The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) will convene a joint webinar meeting of its Coastal Pelagic Species Management Team and Coastal Pelagic Species Advisory Subpanel. SUMMARY: The Webinar meeting will be held Tuesday February 25, 2014, 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., Pacific Time. DATES: The meeting will be held via webinar, and the public is invited to attend remotely, in listen-only mode. Detailed instructions on how to access the webinar will be posted to the Council’s Web site in advance of the meeting. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kerry Griffin, Staff Officer; telephone: (503) 820–2280. The primary purpose of the meeting is to discuss Pacific sardine temperature parameters, including the CPSMT’s report and a revised analyses report, both of which will be included in the March Council meeting briefing book materials. 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 panel’s intent to take final action to address the emergency. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Special Accommodations Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Mr. Kris Kleinschmidt, at (503) 820–2280, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date. Dated: February 5, 2014. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. Dated: February 5, 2014. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2014–02850 Filed 2–10–14; 8:45 am] [FR Doc. 2014–02871 Filed 2–10–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P BILLING CODE 3510–22–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:58 Feb 10, 2014 Jkt 232001 8159 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Marine Mammals; File No. 16109 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for permit amendment. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that Versar (formerly GeoMarine, Inc.) (Responsible Party: Susanne Bates), Gustavus, Texas 99826, has applied for an amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 16109–01. DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or before March 13, 2014. 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. 16109 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; Northeast Region, NMFS, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930; phone (978) 281–9328; fax (978) 281– 9394; and Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint 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, 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: Kristy Beard, (301) 427–8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\11FEN1.SGM 11FEN1 tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 8160 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 28 / Tuesday, February 11, 2014 / Notices 16109–01 is requested under the authority 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 (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. 16109, issued on May 3, 2012 (77 FR 27719) and amended on July 9, 2012 (77 FR 50086), authorizes takes of 35 species of cetaceans, four species of pinnipeds, and five species of sea turtles from New Jersey to North Carolina for scientific research. The research involves harassment by vessel approach during shipboard transect surveys. Eleven of the 44 species targeted for research are listed as threatened or endangered: blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), fin whale (B. physalus), humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis), sei whale (B. borealis), sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), Kemp’s ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii), and leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). The permit expires May 15, 2017. The permit holder is requesting the permit be amended to include changes to the terms and conditions of the permit related to numbers of animals taken and manner of taking to include: extending the action area north and south to include all U.S. waters from Maine to Florida; adding aerial surveys to their research methods; adding takes for Blainsville beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris), false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens), hawksbill, loggerhead, Kemp’s ridley, and green sea turtles; increasing the number of marine mammals and sea turtles that could be harassed; and changing the frequency of vessel based surveys from once per season to twice a month, year-round to generate abundance/density estimates for sea turtles and marine mammals. 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 activities proposed are consistent with the Proposed Action Alternative in the Environmental Assessment (EA) on the Effects of Issuing Two Scientific Research Permits, No. 16109 and No. 15575, for Protected Sea Turtles and Marine Mammals (NMFS 2012). Based VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:58 Feb 10, 2014 Jkt 232001 on that analysis, NMFS determined that issuance of the permit would not significantly impact the quality of the human environment and that preparation of an environmental impact statement was not required. That determination is documented in a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), signed on May 1, 2012. The EA and FONSI are available upon request. 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: February 6, 2014. Donna S. Wieting, Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2014–02935 Filed 2–10–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XD022 Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Construction Activities of the Children’s Pool Lifeguard Station at La Jolla, CA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; proposed Incidental Harassment Authorization; request for comments. AGENCY: NMFS has received an application from the City of San Diego for an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to take small numbers of marine mammals, by Level B harassment, incidental to construction activities of the Children’s Pool Lifeguard Station in La Jolla, CA. NMFS has reviewed the application, including all supporting documents, and determined that it is adequate and complete. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an IHA to the City of San Diego to take, by Level B harassment only, three species of marine mammals during the specified activities. DATES: Comments and information must be received no later than March 13, 2014. ADDRESSES: Comments on the application should be addressed to P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. The mailbox address for providing email comments is ITP.Goldstein@noaa.gov. Please include 0648–XD022 in the subject line. NMFS is not responsible for email comments sent to addresses other than the one provided here. Comments sent via email, including all attachments, must not exceed a 10megabyte file size. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted to https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/ permits/incidental.htm without change. All Personal Identifying Information (for example, name, address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. A copy of the IHA application containing a list of the references used in this document may be obtained by writing to the address specified above, telephoning the contact listed below (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT), or visiting the Internet at: https:// www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/ incidental.htm. Documents cited in this notice, including the IHA application, may be viewed, by appointment, during regular business hours, at the aforementioned address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Howard Goldstein or Jolie Harrison, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 301–427–8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1371 (a)(5)(D)), directs the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to allow, upon request, the incidental, but not intentional, taking of small numbers of marine mammals of a species or population stock, by United States citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than commercial fishing) within a specified geographical region if certain findings are made and, if the taking is limited to harassment, a notice of a proposed authorization is provided to the public for review. Authorization for the incidental taking of small numbers of marine mammals shall be granted if NMFS finds that the taking will have a negligible impact on the species or stock(s), will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the species or stock(s) for subsistence uses (where relevant). The authorization must set forth the permissible methods of taking, other means of effecting the E:\FR\FM\11FEN1.SGM 11FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 11, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8159-8160]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-02935]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA602


Marine Mammals; File No. 16109

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for permit amendment.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Versar (formerly GeoMarine, Inc.) 
(Responsible Party: Susanne Bates), Gustavus, Texas 99826, has applied 
for an amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 16109-01.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before March 13, 2014.

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. 16109 
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;
    Northeast Region, NMFS, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930; phone (978) 281-9328; fax (978) 281-9394; and
    Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, Saint 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, 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: Kristy Beard, (301) 427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No.

[[Page 8160]]

16109-01 is requested under the authority 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 (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. 16109, issued on May 3, 2012 (77 FR 27719) and amended 
on July 9, 2012 (77 FR 50086), authorizes takes of 35 species of 
cetaceans, four species of pinnipeds, and five species of sea turtles 
from New Jersey to North Carolina for scientific research. The research 
involves harassment by vessel approach during shipboard transect 
surveys. Eleven of the 44 species targeted for research are listed as 
threatened or endangered: blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus), fin whale 
(B. physalus), humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), North Atlantic 
right whale (Eubalaena glacialis), sei whale (B. borealis), sperm whale 
(Physeter macrocephalus), green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill 
sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta 
caretta), Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempii), and 
leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). The permit expires May 
15, 2017.
    The permit holder is requesting the permit be amended to include 
changes to the terms and conditions of the permit related to numbers of 
animals taken and manner of taking to include: extending the action 
area north and south to include all U.S. waters from Maine to Florida; 
adding aerial surveys to their research methods; adding takes for 
Blainsville beaked whale (Mesoplodon densirostris), false killer whales 
(Pseudorca crassidens), hawksbill, loggerhead, Kemp's ridley, and green 
sea turtles; increasing the number of marine mammals and sea turtles 
that could be harassed; and changing the frequency of vessel based 
surveys from once per season to twice a month, year-round to generate 
abundance/density estimates for sea turtles and marine mammals.
    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 activities proposed are consistent with the Proposed Action 
Alternative in the Environmental Assessment (EA) on the Effects of 
Issuing Two Scientific Research Permits, No. 16109 and No. 15575, for 
Protected Sea Turtles and Marine Mammals (NMFS 2012). Based on that 
analysis, NMFS determined that issuance of the permit would not 
significantly impact the quality of the human environment and that 
preparation of an environmental impact statement was not required. That 
determination is documented in a Finding of No Significant Impact 
(FONSI), signed on May 1, 2012. The EA and FONSI are available upon 
request.
    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: February 6, 2014.
Donna S. Wieting,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-02935 Filed 2-10-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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