Marine Mammals; File No. 24378, 14118-14119 [2025-05388]

Download as PDF 14118 Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 59 / Friday, March 28, 2025 / Notices all cash deposits will be refunded. If the ITC determines that such injury does exist, Commerce will issue an antidumping duty order directing CBP to assess, upon further instruction by Commerce, antidumping duties on all imports of the subject merchandise entered, or withdrawn from warehouse, for consumption on or after the effective date of the suspension of liquidation, as discussed above in the ‘‘Continuation of Suspension of Liquidation’’ section. Administrative Protective Order (APO) This notice will serve as the final reminder to parties subject to an APO of their responsibility concerning the destruction of proprietary information disclosed under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305(a)(3). Timely written notification of the return or destruction of APO materials or conversion to judicial protective order is hereby requested. Failure to comply with the regulations and the terms of an APO is a violation which is subject to sanction. Notification to Interested Parties This determination and this notice are issued and published pursuant to sections 735(d) and 777(i)(1) of the Act, and 19 CFR 351.210(c). Dated: March 20, 2025. Christopher Abbott, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy and Negotiations, performing the non-exclusive functions and duties of the Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance. ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 Appendix—Scope of the Investigation The merchandise covered by this investigation is dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP) regardless of form. DOTP that has been blended with other products is included within this scope when such blends include constituent parts that have not been chemically reacted with each other to produce a different product. For such blends, only the DOTP component of the mixture is covered by the scope of this investigation. DOTP that is otherwise subject to this investigation is not excluded when commingled with DOTP from sources not subject to this investigation. Commingled refers to the mixing of subject and nonsubject DOTP. Only the subject component of such commingled products is covered by the scope of this investigation. DOTP has the general chemical formulation of C6H4 (C8H17COO)2 and a chemical name of ‘‘bis (2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate’’ and has a Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) registry number of 6422–86–2. Regardless of the label, all DOTP is covered by this investigation. Subject merchandise is currently classified under subheading 2917.39.2000 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). Subject merchandise may also enter under subheadings 2917.39.7000 or 3812.20.1000 of the HTSUS. While the VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:31 Mar 27, 2025 Jkt 265001 CAS registry number and HTSUS classifications are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the scope of this investigation is dispositive. [FR Doc. 2025–05316 Filed 3–27–25; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XE713] Marine Mammals; File No. 24378 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for permit amendment. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that The University of Alaska Southeast, 1332 Seward Ave, Sitka, AK 99835 (Responsible Party: Jan Straley), has applied for an amendment to scientific research Permit No. 24378–01. DATES: Written comments must be received on or before April 28, 2025. 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. 24378 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. 24378 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: Shannon Bent, or Courtney Smith, Ph.D., (301) 427–8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 24378–01 is requested 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 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00055 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222 through 226), and the Fur Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.). Permit No. 24378–01, issued on April 28, 2023 (87 FR 80527, December 30, 2022), authorizes the permit holder to conduct research on 18 species of cetaceans in Alaska, focusing on gray (Eschrichtius robustus), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), killer (Orcinus orca), and sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) whales. The permitted objectives are to further the biological understanding of Alaskan cetaceans by evaluating species abundance, population and stock structure, life history parameters, foraging behavior and prey specialization, social behavior, seasonal movements and migrations, and depredation interactions with longline fishing vessels. Research methods include close approach by vessels and UAS to conduct activities that may result in Level B harassment including photo-identification, behavioral observations, underwater photography/video, active acoustic sonar for prey mapping, biological sampling (prey samples, exhaled air, sloughed skin, feces), and collection of eDNA. The research also includes activities that may result in Level A harassment including biopsy sampling and tagging (suction-cup and dart/barb). Some marine mammal parts may be exported for analysis. The permit holder is requesting the permit be amended to include authorization for an increase in annual take numbers of gray whales from 250 to 1,000 for activities that may cause Level B harassment. The purpose of the requested amendment is to account for an unanticipated increase in observed gray whale numbers in Sitka Sound, and to allow researchers to continue their efforts to better understand their population dynamics, demographics, body condition, and foraging strategies. The amendment would not change the permit duration; the permit will expire on April 30, 2026. 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 this application to the Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors. E:\FR\FM\28MRN1.SGM 28MRN1 Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 59 / Friday, March 28, 2025 / Notices Dated: March 25, 2025. Julia M. Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2025–05388 Filed 3–27–25; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XD810] Marine Mammals; Pinniped Removal Authority National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; request for comments. AGENCY: On August 21, 2024, NMFS received an application pursuant to section 120(f) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, on behalf of their respective states; the Nez Perce Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation; and the Willamette Committee (hereafter ‘‘eligible entities’’). In their application, the eligible entities requested that NMFS renew their August 14, 2020, MMPA section 120(f) permit (which expires on August 14, 2025) for an additional five years to intentionally take, by lethal methods, individually identifiable California sea lions (CSL) (Zalophus californianus) and Steller sea lions (SSL) (Eumetopias jubatus: Eastern stock) that are located in the main stem of the Columbia River between river mile 112 (I–205 bridge) and McNary Dam (river mile 292), or in any tributary to the Columbia River that includes spawning habitat of threatened or endangered salmon or steelhead (Onchorynchus spp.) (hereafter ‘‘geographic area’’). The eligible entities seek no changes to the terms and conditions in the August 14, 2020, permit, other than to renew the existing permit for a five-year period that would begin on the date of issuance of the permit. DATES: Comments must be received by May 12, 2025. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by NOAA–NMFS–2024–0100, by any of the following methods: ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:31 Mar 27, 2025 Jkt 265001 Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov and enter NOAA–NMFS–2024–0100 in the Search box. Click on the ‘‘Comment’’ icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. Mail: National Marine Fisheries Service, 1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite 1100, Portland, OR 97232, ATTN: Protected Resources Division, NOAA– NMFS–2024–0100. Instructions: All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted to https:// www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit confidential business information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields, if you wish to remain anonymous). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Anderson, NMFS West Coast Region, (503) 231–2226. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Electronic Access The application is available via the internet at the following address: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/westcoast/marine-mammal-protection/ marine-mammal-protection-act-section120-pinniped-removal. Statutory Authority Section 120(b)(1) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361, et seq.) allows the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, and the West Coast Regional Administrator of NMFS, to authorize the intentional lethal taking by states of individually identifiable pinnipeds that are having a significant negative impact on the decline or recovery of salmonid fishery stocks which have been listed as threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), are approaching threatened species or endangered species status (as those terms are defined in that Act), or migrate through the Ballard Locks at Seattle, Washington. Section 120(b)(2) requires that any such application shall include a means of identifying the individual pinniped or pinnipeds, and shall include a detailed description of the problem interaction and expected benefits of the taking. Section 120(c)(1) requires the Secretary to determine whether an PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 14119 application has produced sufficient evidence to warrant establishing a Pinniped-Fishery Interaction Task Force (hereafter ‘‘Task Force’’) to address the situation described in the application. The Task Force makes recommendations to the Secretary, including whether to approve or deny the application. The Secretary considers the recommendations of the Task Force along with the factors outlined in section 120(d) in determining whether to approve or deny an application. The Endangered Salmon Predation Prevention Act of 2018 (Pub. L. 115– 329) amended section 120(f) of the MMPA to provide authority for NMFS to issue permits to specific entities allowing the intentional lethal taking of individually identifiable sea lions for the purpose of protecting species of lamprey or sturgeon that are not listed as endangered or threatened but are listed as a species of concern by the state of Oregon (Oregon Administrative Rule 635–100–0400) (hereafter collectively referred to ‘‘at-risk fish species’’) in the Columbia River basin. Under section 120(f)(7) and section 120(f)(8), sea lions 1 are deemed to be individually identifiable and having a significant negative impact on fish species when located in defined areas within the Columbia River basin. Under section 120(f) of the MMPA, these areas include the mainstem of the Columbia River between river mile 112 (I–205 bridge) and river mile 292 (McNary Dam), and any tributary to the Columbia River that includes spawning habitat of threatened or endangered salmon or steelhead. Section 120(f) defines the eligible entities 2 that may apply for authorization to intentionally take, by lethal methods, sea lions present that are located in the main stem of the Columbia River between river mile 112 (I–205 bridge) and McNary Dam (river mile 292), or in any tributary to the Columbia River that includes spawning habitat of threatened or endangered salmon or steelhead. Background On June 13, 2019, NMFS received an application pursuant to section 120(f) 1 Prospective authorizations apply only to sea lions that are not listed under the ESA, or designated as a depleted or strategic stock under the MMPA. California and Steller sea lions (Eastern stock) are not listed under the ESA nor are they designated as a depleted or strategic stock under the MMPA. 2 The State of Washington, the State of Oregon, the State of Idaho Nez Perce Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon, the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation; and the Willamette Committee as defined in Section 120(f)(6)(D) of the MMPA. E:\FR\FM\28MRN1.SGM 28MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 59 (Friday, March 28, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14118-14119]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-05388]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XE713]


Marine Mammals; File No. 24378

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for permit amendment.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that The University of Alaska 
Southeast, 1332 Seward Ave, Sitka, AK 99835 (Responsible Party: Jan 
Straley), has applied for an amendment to scientific research Permit 
No. 24378-01.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before April 28, 2025.

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. 
24378 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. 24378 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: Shannon Bent, or Courtney Smith, 
Ph.D., (301) 427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 24378-01 
is requested 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 (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 through 226), and 
the Fur Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
    Permit No. 24378-01, issued on April 28, 2023 (87 FR 80527, 
December 30, 2022), authorizes the permit holder to conduct research on 
18 species of cetaceans in Alaska, focusing on gray (Eschrichtius 
robustus), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), killer (Orcinus orca), 
and sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) whales. The permitted objectives are 
to further the biological understanding of Alaskan cetaceans by 
evaluating species abundance, population and stock structure, life 
history parameters, foraging behavior and prey specialization, social 
behavior, seasonal movements and migrations, and depredation 
interactions with longline fishing vessels. Research methods include 
close approach by vessels and UAS to conduct activities that may result 
in Level B harassment including photo-identification, behavioral 
observations, underwater photography/video, active acoustic sonar for 
prey mapping, biological sampling (prey samples, exhaled air, sloughed 
skin, feces), and collection of eDNA. The research also includes 
activities that may result in Level A harassment including biopsy 
sampling and tagging (suction-cup and dart/barb). Some marine mammal 
parts may be exported for analysis.
    The permit holder is requesting the permit be amended to include 
authorization for an increase in annual take numbers of gray whales 
from 250 to 1,000 for activities that may cause Level B harassment. The 
purpose of the requested amendment is to account for an unanticipated 
increase in observed gray whale numbers in Sitka Sound, and to allow 
researchers to continue their efforts to better understand their 
population dynamics, demographics, body condition, and foraging 
strategies. The amendment would not change the permit duration; the 
permit will expire on April 30, 2026.
    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 this application to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.


[[Page 14119]]


    Dated: March 25, 2025.
Julia M. Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2025-05388 Filed 3-27-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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