[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 56 (Monday, March 24, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15962-15963]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-06291]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XD179
Marine Mammals; File No. 18528
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the NMFS National Marine Mammal
Laboratory (Responsible Party: John Bengtson, Ph.D.), 7600 Sand Point
Way NE., Seattle, WA 98115-0070, has applied in due form for a permit
to conduct research on Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus).
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or
before April 23, 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. 18528 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
Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone
(907)586-7221; fax (907)586-7249.
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: Amy Sloan or Tammy Adams, (301)427-
8401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended
[[Page 15963]]
(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.), the
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR 222-226), and the Fur Seal
Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
The applicant proposes to conduct research on the Western distinct
population segment (wDPS) and Eastern distinct population segment
(eDPS) of Steller sea lions in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and
California to measure population status, vital rates, foraging ecology,
habitat requirements, and effects of natural and anthropogenic factors
pursuant to fulfilling the NMFS' legal requirements under the MMPA and
ESA. Annually in the wDPS, up to 66,000 Steller sea lions may be
exposed to aerial surveys by manned or unmanned aircraft, 7,000 to
rookery-based activities, and 10,500 to other incidental activities. Up
to 595 Steller sea lions could be captured, with up to 345 having
blood, skin, and swab samples collected, 395 hot-branded, and up to 145
blubber biopsied, 345 vibrissa removed, and 320 subject to stomach
intubation. Instruments will be attached on up to 45, and 245 would
receive a non-permanent mark if not hot-branded. Annually in the eDPS,
up to 46,000 sea lions may be exposed to aerial surveys, and 13,100 to
incidental activities. Up to 40 adult males could be captured, and have
blood, hair, and skin samples collected, hot-brand and flipper tags
applied, and have an instrument attached. Up to 200 pups would be
captured, hot-branded flipper-tagged, swabbed, and skin biopsied, with
50 also having blood and hair samples collected. Non-target species
that may be taken incidentally include northern fur seals (Callorhinus
ursinus) in Alaska, California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) and
northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) in Washington,
Oregon, and California, and harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in all
states. Samples may be exported and re-imported. The requested duration
of the permit is 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 effects of the activities proposed are consistent with the
Preferred Alternative in the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact
Statement for Steller Sea Lion and Northern Fur Seal Research (NMFS
2007), and that issuance of the permit would not have a significant
adverse impact on the human environment.
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 14, 2014.
Perry F. Gayaldo,
Acting Deputy, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-06291 Filed 3-21-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P