Marine Mammals; File No. 20341, 59196 [2016-20614]

Download as PDF 59196 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 167 / Monday, August 29, 2016 / Notices Dated: August 24, 2016. Jeffrey N. Lonergan, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016–20692 Filed 8–26–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XE773 Marine Mammals; File No. 20341 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that Craig Matkin, North Gulf Oceanic Society, 3430 Main St., Suite B1, Homer, Alaska 99603, 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 September 28, 2016. 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. 20341 from the list of available applications. These documents are also available 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. 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: Shasta McClenahan or Carrie Hubard, (301) 427–8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the jstallworth on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:27 Aug 26, 2016 Jkt 238001 authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216). The applicant proposes to continue a long-term research study of killer whales (Orcinus orca) in Alaskan waters, focusing on population abundance, social structure, feeding behavior, and movement patterns. Other non-ESA listed cetacean species would be studied along the North Gulf Coast of Alaska in relation to U.S. Navy testing activities. Research methods include photo-identification, passive acoustics, collection of prey remains, morphometrics, biopsy sampling, and deployment of both suction cup and dart tags. Up to 2,000 killer whales may be photographed annually, with smaller numbers of whales receiving tags or biopsy sampled. Other species to be studied include gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus), minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), Baird’s beaked whales (Berardius bairdii), Cuvier’s beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris), and Stejneger’s beaked whales (Mesoplodon stenergeri). Prey remains may be collected from up to 25 each of the following carcasses: Minke whales, gray whale, harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), Dall’s porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli), harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), Pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens), and Northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus). The permit would be valid for five years from the date of issuance. 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 activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement. 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: August 24, 2016. Julia Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016–20614 Filed 8–26–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Advisory Committee for the Sustained National Climate Assessment (SNCA) Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Department of Commerce (DOC) ACTION: Notice of Federal Advisory Committee open meeting. AGENCY: The Advisory Committee for the Sustained National Climate Assessment (SNCA) was established by a Decision Memorandum, dated August 20, 2015. The Committee’s mission is to provide advice on sustained National Climate Assessment activities and products to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere (Under Secretary), who will forward the advice to the Director of the Office of Science Technology Policy (OSTP). The Committee will advise on the engagement of stakeholders and on sustained assessment activities and the quadrennial National Climate Assessment (NCA4) report. Time and Date: (1) Public Hearing. The meeting will be held on September 13, 2016 from 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., September 14, 2016 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and September 15, 2016 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. There will be a 30-minute public comment period on September 13 from 4:25 to 4:55 p.m. These times and the agenda topics described below are subject to change. Please refer to the Web page https://snca advisorycommittee.noaa.gov/ Meetings.aspx for the most up-to-date meeting times and agenda. (2) Written Public Comment. Written public comment regarding Advisory Committee for the Sustained National Climate Assessment meeting materials can be submitted to the Advisory Committee Executive Director’s Office by September 6, 2016, to provide sufficient time for Advisory Committee review. Written comments received by the Executive Director after September 6, 2016, will be distributed to the Advisory Committee and may not be reviewed prior to the meeting date. Place: The meeting will be held at Department of Commerce (DOC), Herbert C. Hoover Building (HCHB) Room 48019, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC. Please note admittance instructions under the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\29AUN1.SGM 29AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 167 (Monday, August 29, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 59196]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-20614]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE773


Marine Mammals; File No. 20341

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Craig Matkin, North Gulf Oceanic 
Society, 3430 Main St., Suite B1, Homer, Alaska 99603, 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 September 28, 2016.

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. 20341 from the list of available applications.
    These documents are also available 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.
    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: Shasta McClenahan or Carrie Hubard, 
(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.) and the regulations governing the taking 
and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The applicant proposes to continue a long-term research study of 
killer whales (Orcinus orca) in Alaskan waters, focusing on population 
abundance, social structure, feeding behavior, and movement patterns. 
Other non-ESA listed cetacean species would be studied along the North 
Gulf Coast of Alaska in relation to U.S. Navy testing activities. 
Research methods include photo-identification, passive acoustics, 
collection of prey remains, morphometrics, biopsy sampling, and 
deployment of both suction cup and dart tags. Up to 2,000 killer whales 
may be photographed annually, with smaller numbers of whales receiving 
tags or biopsy sampled. Other species to be studied include gray whales 
(Eschrichtius robustus), minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), 
Baird's beaked whales (Berardius bairdii), Cuvier's beaked whales 
(Ziphius cavirostris), and Stejneger's beaked whales (Mesoplodon 
stenergeri). Prey remains may be collected from up to 25 each of the 
following carcasses: Minke whales, gray whale, harbor porpoise 
(Phocoena phocoena), Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli), harbor seals 
(Phoca vitulina), Pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus 
obliquidens), and Northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus). The permit 
would be valid for five years from the date of issuance.
    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 activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to 
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
    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: August 24, 2016.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-20614 Filed 8-26-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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