[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]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P