Marine Mammals; File No. 15324, 72630-72631 [2014-28638]

Download as PDF 72630 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 235 / Monday, December 8, 2014 / Notices Dated: December 2, 2014. Richard Cavanagh, Acting Associate Director for Laboratory Programs. [FR Doc. 2014–28686 Filed 12–5–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–13–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XD527 Marine Mammals; File No.18727; Correction National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commerce, NOAA. ACTION: Notice of receipt of application; Correction. AGENCY: On October 30, 2014, a notice was published in the Federal Register announcing that the University of Alaska Museum of the North, 907 Yukon Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775– 6960 (Aren Gunderson, Responsible Party), had applied in due form for a permit to collect, import and export specimens of marine mammals for scientific research. That document inadvertently provided incorrect requested take numbers. This document corrects that oversight. DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or before January 7, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brendan Hurley or Jennifer Skidmore, (301) 427–8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The notice for File No. 18727 (79 FR 64571; October 30, 2014) contained incorrect take numbers associated with the collection, receipt, import, and export of samples under the proposed action. Accordingly, the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section is corrected to read as follows: 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.), the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR 222–226), and the Fur Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151, et seq.). File No. 18727: The University of Alaska Museum of the North functions mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:19 Dec 05, 2014 Jkt 235001 as an archive for scientific specimens of marine mammals under the jurisdiction of the National Marine Fisheries and is a major repository of marine mammal material from the Arctic and North Pacific oceans. Under the proposed permit, the applicant would (1) import/ export marine mammal parts (bones and organ tissue samples) from dead beachcast carcasses, (2) receive/archive and export samples of marine mammals taken by Alaskan Native subsistence hunters, and (3) receive, import/export specimens from scientists in academic, federal, and state institutions involved in marine mammal research under their own permits. Unlimited samples from up to 2000 pinnipeds (excluding walrus) and 600 cetaceans would be collected, received, imported, or exported annually. Import/export activities would occur world-wide. No live animals would be harassed or taken, lethally or otherwise, under the requested permit. The permit is requested for a five-year period. All other information contained in the document is unchanged. Dated: December 2, 2014. Julia Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2014–28637 Filed 12–5–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XA341 Marine Mammals; File No. 15324 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of issuance of permit amendment. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that a major amendment to Permit No. 15324 has been issued to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), Division of Wildlife Conservation, Juneau, AK (Responsible Party: Robert Small, Ph.D.). 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. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Sloan or Courtney Smith, (301) 427–8401. On April 4, 2014, notice was published in the Federal Register (79 FR 18890) that a request for an amendment Permit No. 15324 to conduct research on pinniped species in Alaska 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). Permit No. 15324–01 authorizes the permit holder to take spotted (Phoca largha), ringed (Phoca hispida), bearded (Erignathus barbatus), and ribbon seals (Histriophoca fasciata) in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas of Alaska to monitor the status and health of each species by analyzing biological samples from the subsistence harvest and live captured seals, and by documenting movements and habitat use by tracking animals with satellite transmitters. The permit authorizes harassment of nontarget seals of each species and a limited number of research-related mortalities. Samples may be imported from Russia, Canada, Svalbard (Norway) and exported to Canada for analyses. The permit was amended to include: (1) Takes by harassment during aerial and vessel surveys to monitor seal distribution relative to changes in sea ice; (2) increased takes by incidental harassment; (3) the use of additional sedative drugs during capture activities; and (4) the use of remote dart-delivery as a method for capturing bearded seals. The amended permit is valid through December 31, 2016. In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final determination has been made that the activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. 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. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\08DEN1.SGM 08DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 235 / Monday, December 8, 2014 / Notices Dated: December 2, 2014. Julia Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2014–28638 Filed 12–5–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XD340 Marine Mammals; File No. 18523 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that a permit has been issued to Heather Liwanag, Ph.D., Adelphi University, Biology Department, 1 South Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530, to receive, import, and export marine mammal specimens for scientific research purposes. SUMMARY: The permit 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: Amy Sloan or Jennifer Skidmore, (301) 427–8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 2, 2014, notice was published in the Federal Register (79 FR 37719) that a request for a permit to receive, import, and export marine mammal specimens for scientific research had been submitted by the above-named applicant. The requested permit 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.), the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222–226), and the Fur Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.). Permit No. 18523–00 authorizes the holder to receive, import, and export unlimited samples from up to 1,500 individuals of each species of cetacean, and from up to 1,500 individuals of mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES ADDRESSES: VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:19 Dec 05, 2014 Jkt 235001 each species of pinniped (excluding walrus), annually. Marine mammal samples may be obtained from the following sources: (1) Animals killed during legal subsistence harvests; (2) animals that died incidental to legal commercial fishing operations; (3) animals stranded in foreign countries; (4) samples collected from captive animals; and (5) samples from other authorized researchers and collections. Samples collected from stranded animals in the U.S. and received under separate authorization may be exported and re-imported. The permit expires on October 31, 2019. In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final determination has been made that the activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. 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: December 2, 2014. Julia Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2014–28676 Filed 12–5–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XD593 Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the U.S. Air Force Conducting Maritime Weapon Systems Evaluation Program Operational Testing Within the Eglin Gulf Test and Training Range National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; proposed incidental harassment authorization; request for comments. AGENCY: NMFS received an application from the U.S. Department of the Air Force, Headquarters 96th Air Base Wing (Air Force), Eglin Air Force Base (Eglin AFB), requesting an Incidental Harassment Authorization SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 72631 (Authorization) to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to a Maritime Weapon Systems Evaluation Program (Maritime WSEP) within the Eglin Gulf Test and Training Range in the Gulf of Mexico. Eglin AFB’s activities are military readiness activities per the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2004. Per the MMPA, NMFS requests comments on its proposal to issue an Authorization to Eglin AFB to take, by harassment, two species of marine mammals during the specified activity for a period of one year. DATES: NMFS must receive comments and information no later than January 7, 2015. ADDRESSES: Address comments on the application to Jolie Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 EastWest Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. The mailbox address for providing email comments is ITP.Cody@ noaa.gov. Please include 0648–XD593 in the subject line. Comments sent via email to ITP.Cody@noaa.gov, including all attachments, must not exceed a 25megabyte file size. NMFS is not responsible for email comments sent to addresses other than the one provided here. Instructions: All submitted comments are a part of the public record and NMFS will post them to https:// www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/ incidental/military.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. To obtain an electronic copy of the application, a list of the references used in this document, and Eglin AFB’s Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) titled, ‘‘Maritime Weapons System Evaluation Program,’’ visit the internet at: https:// www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/ incidental/military.htm. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeannine Cody, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, (301) 427–8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Section 101(a)(5)(D) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) directs the Secretary of Commerce to allow, upon request, the incidental, but not intentional, taking of small E:\FR\FM\08DEN1.SGM 08DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 235 (Monday, December 8, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 72630-72631]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-28638]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA341


Marine Mammals; File No. 15324

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

ACTION: Notice of issuance of permit amendment.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that a major amendment to Permit No. 
15324 has been issued to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game 
(ADF&G), Division of Wildlife Conservation, Juneau, AK (Responsible 
Party: Robert Small, Ph.D.).

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: Amy Sloan or Courtney Smith, (301) 
427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 4, 2014, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (79 FR 18890) that a request for an amendment 
Permit No. 15324 to conduct research on pinniped species in Alaska 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).
    Permit No. 15324-01 authorizes the permit holder to take spotted 
(Phoca largha), ringed (Phoca hispida), bearded (Erignathus barbatus), 
and ribbon seals (Histriophoca fasciata) in the Bering, Chukchi, and 
Beaufort seas of Alaska to monitor the status and health of each 
species by analyzing biological samples from the subsistence harvest 
and live captured seals, and by documenting movements and habitat use 
by tracking animals with satellite transmitters. The permit authorizes 
harassment of non-target seals of each species and a limited number of 
research-related mortalities. Samples may be imported from Russia, 
Canada, Svalbard (Norway) and exported to Canada for analyses. The 
permit was amended to include: (1) Takes by harassment during aerial 
and vessel surveys to monitor seal distribution relative to changes in 
sea ice; (2) increased takes by incidental harassment; (3) the use of 
additional sedative drugs during capture activities; and (4) the use of 
remote dart-delivery as a method for capturing bearded seals. The 
amended permit is valid through December 31, 2016.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final determination has been made that the 
activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to 
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
    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.


[[Page 72631]]


    Dated: December 2, 2014.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-28638 Filed 12-5-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.