[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 69 (Wednesday, April 10, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21347-21348]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-08363]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XC588
Marine Mammals; File No. 17344
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 Samuel Wasser, Ph.D., University
of Washington, Department of Biology, P.O. Box 351800, Seattle, WA
98195, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on
killer whales (Orcinus orca).
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or
before May 10, 2013.
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. 17344 from the list of available applications.
These documents are also available upon written request or by
appointment in the following offices:
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; and
Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., BIN C15700, Bldg.
1, Seattle, WA 98115-0700; phone (206) 526-6150; fax (206) 526-6426.
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 [email protected]. 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: Carrie Hubard or Jennifer Skidmore,
(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 222-226).
The applicant requests a permit to study killer whales of the
endangered Eastern North Pacific Southern Resident stock in waters of
Washington, including the San Juan Islands and Puget Sound. The
objective of the research is to use noninvasive physiological and
genetic measures to examine the impacts of the three major threats to
this stock: (1) Reduced prey ability; (2) excessive exposures to
environmental contaminants; and (3) disturbance from private and
commercial vessel traffic. The primary research method is the
collection of opportunistic fecal samples, which would be scooped from
the water column and then analyzed for genetics, hormones, and
contaminants. Each year, the entire population of Southern Resident
killer whales (currently estimated at 87 individuals) would be
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approached up to six times for photo-identification and fecal sampling.
Fifteen killer whales of the Eastern North Pacific transient stock may
also be approached annually for the same activities. The permit would
be valid for five years.
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 26, 2013.
Helen M. Golde,
Acting Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-08363 Filed 4-9-13; 8:45 am]
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