[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 31 (Friday, February 14, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8941-8942]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-03318]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XD127
Marine Mammals; File No. 18002
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 Alejandro Acevedo-
Guti[eacute]rrez, Ph.D. of Western Washington University's Department
of Biology, 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225, has applied in due
form for a permit to conduct research on harbor seals (Phoca vitulina).
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or
before March 17, 2014.
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. 18002 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
West Coast Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long
Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562) 980-4005; fax (562) 980-4027.
Written comments on this application should be submitted to the
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, at
[[Page 8942]]
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: Courtney Smith or Amy Sloan, (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.), and the regulations governing the
taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
Dr. Acevedo-Guti[eacute]rrez seeks a five-year permit to employ
non-invasive research techniques through the use of aerial drones and
scat collection to determine the level of individual diet
specializations (prey consumption) amongst harbor seals within the
Salish Sea area of Washington State. Annually, researchers may take
(incidentally harass) 57,600 harbor seals during ground surveys for
scat collection and 12,800 harbor seals during aerial (drone) surveys
for counts of seals at haul-out sites. Additionally, the researchers
may over five years take (unintentional mortality) 10 individuals
during ground surveys and 2 individuals during aerial (drone) surveys.
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.
Tammy C. Adams,
Acting Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-03318 Filed 2-13-14; 8:45 am]
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