Marine Mammals; File No. 14610, 51314 [2014-20491]

Download as PDF pmangrum on DSK3VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 51314 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 167 / Thursday, August 28, 2014 / Notices and permanent marking of pups and older age classes for describing vital rates and intra-/inter-Discrete Population Segment (DPS) movement. The permit authorizes takes by incidental disturbance of northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus), California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), and harbor (Phoca vitulina), spotted (Phoca largha), ribbon (Histriophoca fasciata), ringed (Pusa hispida) and bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus) due to the proximity of isolated individuals to the study area. See tables in permit for numbers of takes by species, stock and activity. Annual unintentional mortality of 5 SSL from the Western DPS and 10 SSL from the Eastern DPS is authorized. The permit is valid through August 31, 2019. In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), NMFS has determined that the activities proposed are consistent with the Preferred Alternative in the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Steller Sea Lion and Northern Fur Seal Research (NMFS 2007), and that issuance of the permit would not have a significant adverse impact on the human environment. An additional environmental assessment (EA) analyzing the effects of sUAS, which were not considered in the initial PEIS, on the human environment was prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). Based on the analyses in the EA for Issuance of Permits to take Steller Sea Lions by Harassment During Surveys Using Unmanned Aerial Systems, 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 June 17, 2014. As required by the ESA, issuance of this permit was based on a finding that such permit: (1) Was applied for in good faith; (2) will not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered species; and (3) is consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA. Dated: August 25, 2014. Julia Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2014–20490 Filed 8–27–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:14 Aug 27, 2014 Jkt 232001 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XV92 Marine Mammals; File No. 14610 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit amendment. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that a major amendment to Permit No. 14610– 02 has been issued to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG), Division of Wildlife Conservation, Juneau, AK (Principal Investigator: Lori Quakenbush). ADDRESSES: The permit amendment and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment in the Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 EastWest Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301) 427– 8401; fax (301) 713–0376. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Courtney Smith or Carrie Hubard, (301) 427–8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 9, 2014, notice was published in the Federal Register (79 FR19579) that a request for an amendment to Permit No. 14610–02 to conduct research on beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas), endangered bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus), gray whales (Eschrictius robustus), and endangered humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) had been submitted by the above-named applicant. The requested permit amendment has been issued 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 (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222–226). The previous permit (No. 14610–02) authorized vessel and aerial surveys, remote biopsy and instrument attachment for the above listed cetacean species. Amended Permit No. 14610–03 now authorizes take for vessel surveys and photo-identification to determine stock or feeding group affiliation of gray whales encountered in Alaskan waters (Chukchi and western Beaufort seas). SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Additional gray whale takes by harassment during photo-identification efforts (300 annually), and tagging and biopsy activities (50 annually) are now authorized. The amendment also authorizes tag attachment methods to be altered to allow for the attachment of tags using a two-anchor system on bowhead whales. The amended permit is valid through the expiration date of the original permit, May 31, 2015. A supplement environmental assessment (SEA) analyzing the effects of the permitted activities on the human environment was prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). Based on the analyses in the SEA, NMFS determined that issuance of the permit amendment 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, signed on August 8, 2014. As required by the ESA, issuance of this permit was based on a finding that such permit: (1) Was applied for in good faith; (2) will not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered species; and (3) is consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA. Dated: August 25, 2014. Julia Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2014–20491 Filed 8–27–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XD131 Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Construction of the Block Island Transmission System National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of an incidental harassment authorization. AGENCY: In accordance with regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to Deepwater Wind Block Island Transmission, LLC SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\28AUN1.SGM 28AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 167 (Thursday, August 28, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 51314]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-20491]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XV92


Marine Mammals; File No. 14610

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

ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit amendment.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that a major amendment to Permit No. 
14610-02 has been issued to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game 
(ADFG), Division of Wildlife Conservation, Juneau, AK (Principal 
Investigator: Lori Quakenbush).

ADDRESSES: The permit amendment and related documents are available for 
review upon written request or by appointment in the 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Courtney Smith or Carrie Hubard, (301) 
427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 9, 2014, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (79 FR19579) that a request for an amendment to 
Permit No. 14610-02 to conduct research on beluga whales 
(Delphinapterus leucas), endangered bowhead whales (Balaena 
mysticetus), gray whales (Eschrictius robustus), and endangered 
humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) had been submitted by the 
above-named applicant. The requested permit amendment has been issued 
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 (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226).
    The previous permit (No. 14610-02) authorized vessel and aerial 
surveys, remote biopsy and instrument attachment for the above listed 
cetacean species. Amended Permit No. 14610-03 now authorizes take for 
vessel surveys and photo-identification to determine stock or feeding 
group affiliation of gray whales encountered in Alaskan waters (Chukchi 
and western Beaufort seas). Additional gray whale takes by harassment 
during photo-identification efforts (300 annually), and tagging and 
biopsy activities (50 annually) are now authorized. The amendment also 
authorizes tag attachment methods to be altered to allow for the 
attachment of tags using a two-anchor system on bowhead whales. The 
amended permit is valid through the expiration date of the original 
permit, May 31, 2015.
    A supplement environmental assessment (SEA) analyzing the effects 
of the permitted activities on the human environment was prepared in 
compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). Based on the analyses in the SEA, NMFS determined 
that issuance of the permit amendment 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, signed on August 8, 
2014.
    As required by the ESA, issuance of this permit was based on a 
finding that such permit: (1) Was applied for in good faith; (2) will 
not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered species; and (3) is 
consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the 
ESA.

    Dated: August 25, 2014.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-20491 Filed 8-27-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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