Marine Mammals; File No. 26663, 18299-18300 [2023-06394]

Download as PDF lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 59 / Tuesday, March 28, 2023 / Notices hydrographic surveying, tides, currents, geodetic and geospatial measurements, marine transportation, port administration, vessel pilotage, coastal or fishery management, and other oceanographic or marine science areas as deemed appropriate by the Administrator. Full-time officers or employees of the United States may not be appointed as a voting member. Any voting member of the HSRP who is an applicant for, or beneficiary of (as determined by the NOAA Administrator) any assistance under 33 U.S.C. 892c shall disclose to the HSRP that relationship, and may not vote on any other matter pertaining to that assistance. Voting members of the HSRP serve a four-year term, except that vacancy appointments are for the remainder of the unexpired term of the vacancy. Members serve at the discretion of the NOAA Administrator and are subject to Government ethics standards. Any individual appointed to a partial or full term may be reappointed for one additional full term. A voting member may serve until his or her successor has taken office. The HSRP selects one voting member to serve as the Chair and another to serve as the Vice Chair. The Vice Chair acts as Chair in the absence or incapacity of the Chair but will not automatically become the Chair if the Chair resigns. Public meetings occur at least twice a year, and at the call of the Chair or upon the request of a majority of the voting members or of the NOAA Administrator. Voting members receive compensation at a rate established by the NOAA Administrator, not to exceed the maximum daily rate payable under section 5376 of title 5, United States Code, when engaged in performing duties for the HSRP during the public meeting. Members are reimbursed for actual and reasonable travel expenses incurred in performing such duties according to the Federal Travel Regulation. Additional HSRP information and past HSRP public meeting summary reports, agendas, presentations, transcripts, webinars, and other information is available online at: Membership: https:// www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/hsrp/ panel.html. Recommendations: https:// www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/hsrp/ recommendations.html. Public meeting materials: https:// www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/hsrp/ meetings.html. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:59 Mar 27, 2023 Jkt 259001 Individuals Selected for HSRP Membership Upon selection and agreement to serve on the HSRP, members become Special Government Employees (SGEs) of the United States Government. An SGE, as defined in 18 U.S.C. 202(a), is an officer or employee of an agency who is retained, designated, appointed, or employed to perform temporary duties, with or without compensation, not to exceed 130 days during any period of 365 consecutive days, either on a full time or intermittent basis. After the selection process is complete, applicants selected to serve on the HSRP must complete the following actions before they can be appointed as an HSRP member: (a) Security Clearance (online Background Security Check process and fingerprinting conducted through NOAA’s Office of Security and Office of Human Capital Services); and (b) Confidential Financial Disclosure Report—SGEs are required to file a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report to avoid involvement in a real or apparent conflict of interest. You may find information on the Confidential Financial Disclosure Report: https:// www.oge.gov/Web/oge.nsf/Resources/ OGE+Form+450. Authority: 33 U.S.C. 892 et seq.; 33 U.S.C. 883a et seq. Benjamin K. Evans, Rear Admiral (lower half), Director, Office of Coast Survey, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. [FR Doc. 2023–06343 Filed 3–27–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–JE–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XC868] Marine Mammals; File No. 26663 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that the Alaska Whale Foundation, PO Box 1927, Petersburg, AK 99833 (Responsible Party: Fred Sharpe, Ph.D.), 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 April 27, 2023. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 18299 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. 26663 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. 26663 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: Carrie Hubard 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.), and the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222–226). The applicant requests a 5 year permit to study humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) and other cetaceans in southeast Alaska. Research would be conducted using motorized vessels, hand-powered watercraft, unmanned aircraft systems, and underwater snorkelers. Humpback whales would be studied via photo-id, photogrammetry, behavioral observations, passive acoustic recordings, suction-cup tagging, and biological sampling (exhaled air, sloughed skin, fecal, and skin/blubber biopsy). The purpose of the research is to study humpback whale distribution, abundance trends, acoustic ecology, and health metrics and opportunistically study other cetacean species in the study area. Nine additional cetacean species, including endangered fin (Balaenoptera physalus), gray (Eschrichtius robustus), and sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) whales, may be opportunistically studied or unintentionally harassed. Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) may also be unintentionally harassed during acoustic activities. See the application ADDRESSES: E:\FR\FM\28MRN1.SGM 28MRN1 18300 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 59 / Tuesday, March 28, 2023 / Notices for complete numbers of animals requested by species, life stage, and procedure. 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: March 22, 2023. Julia M. Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2023–06394 Filed 3–27–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Telecommunications and Information Administration Recruitment of First Responder Network Authority Board Member National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) issues this Notice to seek expressions of interest from individuals who would like to serve on the Board of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority Board or Board). One of the 12 non-permanent members to the FirstNet Authority Board resigned prior to the end of his term. The Secretary of Commerce will appoint an individual to complete that Board member’s term through September 2024. DATES: To be considered for this Board appointment, expressions of interest must be electronically transmitted on or before April 27, 2023. ADDRESSES: Applicants should submit expressions of interest as described below to: Michael Dame, Acting Associate Administrator, Office of Public Safety Communications, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, by email to FirstNetBoardApplicant@ntia.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Dame, Acting Associate Administrator, Office of Public Safety Communications, National lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:59 Mar 27, 2023 Jkt 259001 Telecommunications and Information Administration; telephone: (202) 482– 1181; email: mdame@ntia.gov. Please direct media inquiries to NTIA’s Office of Public Affairs, (202) 482–7002. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background and Authority The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (Act) created the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet Authority) as an independent authority within NTIA. The Act charged the FirstNet Authority with ensuring the building, deployment, and operation of a nationwide, interoperable public safety broadband network, based on a single, national network architecture.1 The FirstNet Authority holds the single nationwide public safety license granted for wireless public safety broadband deployment. The FirstNet Authority Board is responsible for providing overall policy direction and oversight of FirstNet to ensure that the nationwide network continuously meets the needs of public safety. II. Structure The FirstNet Authority Board is composed of 15 voting members. The Act names the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Attorney General of the United States, and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget as permanent members of the FirstNet Authority Board. The Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) appoints the 12 non-permanent members of the FirstNet Authority Board.2 The Act requires each Board member to have experience or expertise in at least one of the following substantive areas: public safety, network, technical, and/or financial.3 Additionally, the composition of the FirstNet Authority Board must satisfy the other requirements specified in the Act, including that: (i) at least three members have served as public safety professionals; (ii) at least three members represent the collective interests of states, localities, tribes, and territories; and (iii) its members reflect geographic and regional, as well as rural and urban, representation.4 An individual Board member may satisfy more than one of these requirements. The current nonpermanent FirstNet Authority Board members are (noting expiration of term): • Vacant, formerly filled by Stephen Benjamin, resigned (Term expires: September 2024) 1 47 U.S.C. 1422(b). U.S.C. 1424(b). 3 47 U.S.C. 1424(b)(2)(B). 4 47 U.S.C. 1424(b)(2)(A). 2 47 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 • Vice Chair Richard Carrizzo, Fire Chief, Southern Platte Fire Protection District, MO (Term expires: September 2024) • Brian Crawford, SVP/Chief Administrative Officer for WillisKnighton Health System and retired Fire Chief and Municipal Government Executive (Term expires: September 2024) • Alexandra Fernandez Navarro, Former Associate Member, Puerto Rico Public Service Regulatory Board (Term expires: September 2024) • Kristin Graziano, Sheriff, Charleston County, SC (Term expires: September 2024) • Billy Hewes, Mayor, Gulfport, MS (Term expires: September 2024) • Peter Koutoujian, Sheriff, Middlesex County, MA (Term expires: September 2024) • Warren Mickens, Retired technology executive (Term expires: September 2024) • Sylvia Moir, Undersheriff, Marin County, CA and former Police Chief (Term expires: September 2024) • Jocelyn Moore, Senior Managing Director, Corporate Affairs, Pretium (Term expires: September 2024) • Paul Patrick, Division Director, Family Health and Preparedness, Utah Department of Health (Term expires: September 2024) • Renee Gordon, Director of Emergency Communications, City of Alexandria, VA (Term expires: September 2025) Any Board member whose term has expired may serve until such member’s successor has taken office, or until the end of the calendar year in which such member’s term has expired, whichever is earlier.5 Board members selected for a new term receive a three-year appointment.6 Board members may not serve more than two consecutive full three-year terms.7 More information about the FirstNet Authority Board is available at www.firstnet.gov/about/ Board. Since this appointment is filling a mid-term vacancy, the newly appointed member will complete the existing term as a board member until September 2024. III. Compensation and Status as Government Employees FirstNet Authority Board members are appointed as government employees. FirstNet Authority Board members are compensated at the daily rate of basic 5 47 U.S.C. 1424(c)(2)(B). [a]ny member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which that member’s predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder of the predecessor’s term. See 47 U.S.C. 1424(c)(2)(C). 7 47 U.S.C. 1424(c)(2)(A)(ii). 6 However, E:\FR\FM\28MRN1.SGM 28MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 59 (Tuesday, March 28, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18299-18300]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-06394]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XC868]


Marine Mammals; File No. 26663

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Alaska Whale Foundation, PO 
Box 1927, Petersburg, AK 99833 (Responsible Party: Fred Sharpe, Ph.D.), 
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 April 27, 2023.

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. 26663 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. 26663 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: Carrie Hubard 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.), and the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226).
    The applicant requests a 5 year permit to study humpback whales 
(Megaptera novaeangliae) and other cetaceans in southeast Alaska. 
Research would be conducted using motorized vessels, hand-powered 
watercraft, unmanned aircraft systems, and underwater snorkelers. 
Humpback whales would be studied via photo-id, photogrammetry, 
behavioral observations, passive acoustic recordings, suction-cup 
tagging, and biological sampling (exhaled air, sloughed skin, fecal, 
and skin/blubber biopsy). The purpose of the research is to study 
humpback whale distribution, abundance trends, acoustic ecology, and 
health metrics and opportunistically study other cetacean species in 
the study area. Nine additional cetacean species, including endangered 
fin (Balaenoptera physalus), gray (Eschrichtius robustus), and sperm 
(Physeter macrocephalus) whales, may be opportunistically studied or 
unintentionally harassed. Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and Steller sea 
lions (Eumetopias jubatus) may also be unintentionally harassed during 
acoustic activities. See the application

[[Page 18300]]

for complete numbers of animals requested by species, life stage, and 
procedure.
    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: March 22, 2023.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-06394 Filed 3-27-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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