Marine Mammals; File No. 27342, 20182 [2024-06000]

Download as PDF 20182 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 56 / Thursday, March 21, 2024 / Notices issuance of the authorization is not likely to adversely affect any listed marine mammal species. National Environmental Policy Act To comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and NOAA Administrative Order (NAO) 216–6A, NMFS must evaluate our proposed action (i.e., the issuance of an IHA) and alternatives with respect to potential impacts on the human environment. This action is consistent with categories of activities identified in Categorical Exclusion B4 (IHAs with no anticipated serious injury or mortality) of the Companion Manual for NAO 216– 6A, which do not individually or cumulatively have the potential for significant impacts on the quality of the human environment and for which we have not identified any extraordinary circumstances that precludes this categorical exclusion. Accordingly, NMFS has determined that the issuance of this IHA qualifies to be categorically excluded from further NEPA review. Authorization NMFS has issued an IHA to Transco for the potential harassment of small numbers of 11 marine mammal species incidental to the LNYBL Maintenance project in Sandy Hook Channel, NJ, that includes the previously explained mitigation, monitoring and reporting requirements. Dated: March 14, 2024. Kimberly Damon-Randall, Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2024–05998 Filed 3–20–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XD819] Marine Mammals; File No. 27342 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that Heidi Pearson, Ph.D., University of Alaska Southeast, 11066 Auke Lake Way, Juneau, AK 99801, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on marine mammals. DATES: Written comments must be received on or before April 22, 2024. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:53 Mar 20, 2024 Jkt 262001 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 home page, https:// apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File No. 27342 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. 27342 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: Shasta McClenahan, Ph.D., or Courtney Smith, 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 research permit to study marine mammal behavior, ecology, health, and movement patterns. Up to 11 species of marine mammals may be harassed including the following ESA-listed species: fin (Balaenoptera physalus), gray (Eschrichtius robustus; Western North Pacific distinct population segment [DPS]), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae; Mexico DPS), and sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) whales, and Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus, Western DPS). Research may occur yearround in waters off Southeast Alaska. Research may be conducted from a vessel or unmanned aircraft system for counts, photography and video recording (above and underwater), photogrammetry, passive acoustics, tracking, suction-cup tagging, and biological sampling (skin and blubber biopsy, skin swabs, sloughed skin, exhaled air, feces, and eDNA). See the application for complete numbers of animals requested by species, age-class, and procedure. In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial ADDRESSES: PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 18, 2024. Julia M. Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2024–06000 Filed 3–20–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Office of the Secretary Department of Defense Military Family Readiness Council; Notice of Federal Advisory Committee Meeting Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD(P&R)), Department of Defense (DoD). ACTION: Notice of Federal Advisory Committee meeting. AGENCY: The DoD is publishing this notice to announce the following Federal Advisory Committee meeting of the DoD Military Family Readiness Council (MFRC) will take place. DATES: Open to the public, Wednesday, March 27, 2024, from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held by videoconference. Participant access information will be provided after registering. (Pre-meeting registration is required. See guidance in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION, ‘‘Meeting Accessibility’’). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vesen L. Thompson, (703) 571–2360 (voice), OSD Pentagon OUSD P&R Mailbox Family Readiness Council, osd.pentagon.ousd-p-r.mbx.familyreadiness-council@mail.mil (Email). Mailing address: Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Military Community & Family Policy), 1500 Defense Pentagon, Washington DC 20301–1500, Room 5A726. Website: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/ those-who-support-mfrc. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This meeting is being held under the provisions of chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code (U.S.C) (commonly known as the ‘‘Federal Advisory Committee Act’’ or ‘‘FACA’’), title 5, SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\21MRN1.SGM 21MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 56 (Thursday, March 21, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 20182]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-06000]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XD819]


Marine Mammals; File No. 27342

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Heidi Pearson, Ph.D., University 
of Alaska Southeast, 11066 Auke Lake Way, Juneau, AK 99801, has applied 
in due form for a permit to conduct research on marine mammals.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before April 22, 2024.

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 
home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File No. 
27342 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. 27342 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: Shasta McClenahan, Ph.D., or Courtney 
Smith, 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 research permit to study marine 
mammal behavior, ecology, health, and movement patterns. Up to 11 
species of marine mammals may be harassed including the following ESA-
listed species: fin (Balaenoptera physalus), gray (Eschrichtius 
robustus; Western North Pacific distinct population segment [DPS]), 
humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae; Mexico DPS), and sperm (Physeter 
macrocephalus) whales, and Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus, 
Western DPS). Research may occur year-round in waters off Southeast 
Alaska. Research may be conducted from a vessel or unmanned aircraft 
system for counts, photography and video recording (above and 
underwater), photogrammetry, passive acoustics, tracking, suction-cup 
tagging, and biological sampling (skin and blubber biopsy, skin swabs, 
sloughed skin, exhaled air, feces, and eDNA). See the application for 
complete numbers of animals requested by species, age-class, 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 18, 2024.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-06000 Filed 3-20-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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