Marine Mammals; File No. 26614, 47722 [2022-16735]

Download as PDF 47722 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 149 / Thursday, August 4, 2022 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XC198] Marine Mammals; File No. 26614 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, Director, North Gulf Oceanic Society, 3430 Main St. Suite B1, Homer, Alaska 99603, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on marine mammals. DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or before September 6, 2022. 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. 26614 from the list of available applications. These documents are also available upon written request via email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@ noaa.gov. Written comments on this application should be submitted via email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please include File No. 26614 in the subject line of the email comment. Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a written request via email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@ noaa.gov. The request should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this application would be appropriate. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Courtney Smith, Ph.D., or Shasta McClenahan, Ph.D., (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.), 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.). The applicant proposes to continue a long-term research study of killer whales (Orcinus orca) in Alaskan waters, focusing on their population jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:25 Aug 03, 2022 Jkt 256001 status, health, and ecosystem interactions. Research methods include vessel and aerial (small unmanned aircraft system) surveys to conduct photo-identification, photogrammetry, diet sampling (prey remain and fecal sample collection), passive acoustic recording, and breath and biopsy sampling. Up to 3,000 killer whales may be photographed annually, with up to 35 whales biopsy sampled. Prey remains may be collected from endangered salmonid species (Oncorhynchus spp.) and up to 25 each of the following species minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), Dall’s porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli), harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), Pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens), northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus), and other unidentified cetaceans or pinnipeds. Prey remains and other samples may be imported and/or exported. The permit would be valid for 5 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 1, 2022. Julia M. Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2022–16735 Filed 8–3–22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XB497] Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Naval Magazine Indian Island Ammunition Wharf Maintenance and Pile Replacement Project National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for letter of authorization; request for comments and information. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 NMFS has received a request from the United States Department of the Navy (Navy) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to replacement and maintenance of the Ammunition Wharf marine structure at Naval Magazine (NAVMAG) Indian Island in Puget Sound, Washington, over the course of five years. Pursuant to regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is announcing receipt of the Navy’s request for the development and implementation of regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals. NMFS invites the public to provide information, suggestions, and comments on the Navy’s application and request. DATES: Comments and information must be received no later than September 6, 2022. ADDRESSES: Comments on the application should be addressed to Jolie Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service and should be sent to ITP.Pauline@noaa.gov. Instructions: NMFS is not responsible for comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period. Comments received electronically, including all attachments, must not exceed a 25megabyte file size. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted online at www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/ marine-mammal-protection/incidentaltake-authorizations-constructionactivities without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit confidential business information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Pauline, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, (301) 427–8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: Availability Electronic copies of the Navy’s application and separate monitoring plan may be obtained online at: www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/ marine-mammal-protection/incidentaltake-authorizations-constructionactivities. In case of problems accessing these documents, please call the contact listed above. Background Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) direct E:\FR\FM\04AUN1.SGM 04AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 149 (Thursday, August 4, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 47722]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-16735]



[[Page 47722]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XC198]


Marine Mammals; File No. 26614

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, Director, North Gulf 
Oceanic Society, 3430 Main St. Suite B1, Homer, Alaska 99603, has 
applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on marine mammals.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before September 6, 2022.

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. 26614 from the list of available applications. These documents are 
also available upon written request via email to 
[email protected].
    Written comments on this application should be submitted via email 
to [email protected]. Please include File No. 26614 in the 
subject line of the email comment.
    Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a 
written request via email to [email protected]. The request 
should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this application 
would be appropriate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Courtney Smith, Ph.D., or Shasta 
McClenahan, Ph.D., (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.), 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.).
    The applicant proposes to continue a long-term research study of 
killer whales (Orcinus orca) in Alaskan waters, focusing on their 
population status, health, and ecosystem interactions. Research methods 
include vessel and aerial (small unmanned aircraft system) surveys to 
conduct photo-identification, photogrammetry, diet sampling (prey 
remain and fecal sample collection), passive acoustic recording, and 
breath and biopsy sampling. Up to 3,000 killer whales may be 
photographed annually, with up to 35 whales biopsy sampled. Prey 
remains may be collected from endangered salmonid species (Oncorhynchus 
spp.) and up to 25 each of the following species minke whales 
(Balaenoptera acutorostrata), harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), 
Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli), harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), 
Pacific white-sided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens), northern fur 
seals (Callorhinus ursinus), and other unidentified cetaceans or 
pinnipeds. Prey remains and other samples may be imported and/or 
exported. The permit would be valid for 5 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 1, 2022.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2022-16735 Filed 8-3-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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