[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 130 (Wednesday, July 8, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 39077]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-16669]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD919


Notice of Availability of a Draft Programmatic Environmental 
Assessment (PEA) of Issuance of Scientific Research and Enhancement 
Permits for Use of Unmanned Vehicle Systems on Protected Species

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

ACTION: Notice; availability of draft environmental assessment.

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SUMMARY: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to issue 
permits and permit amendments for take of protected species in the 
wild, pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended; 
the Endangered Species Act of 1973; and the Fur Seal Act of 1966, as 
amended, as applicable. This may impact multiple species and taxa 
groups of protected species (marine mammals and sea turtles) by 
authorizing the use of unmanned vehicle systems (UVS), mainly small 
unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The objectives of using UVS for 
research and enhancement may include determining the abundance, 
distribution, movement patterns, behavior, health and fitness, and 
stock structure of protected species found in U.S. territorial and 
international waters and coastal areas.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before August 7, 2015.

ADDRESSES: The draft PEA is available upon written request or by 
appointment in the 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. Written 
comments must be postmarked by August 7, 2015, and should be mailed to: 
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, 
Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3226. Comments may also be 
submitted by facsimile to (301) 713-0376, or by email to 
[email protected]. Please include ``Draft UVS PEA Comments'' in 
the subject line of the email.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Courtney Smith or Amy Sloan, (301) 
427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS is the federal agency responsible for 
management of sea turtles (in water), cetaceans, and pinnipeds (except 
walrus). NMFS' Office of Protected Resources administers a program that 
issues permits to various individuals and institutions to take these 
protected species in lands and waters under U.S. jurisdiction, and to 
U.S. citizens operating in international waters. Permits to take marine 
mammals are issued pursuant to the provisions of the MMPA, FSA (where 
applicable), and NMFS regulations governing the taking and importing of 
marine mammals (50 CFR part 216). For threatened and endangered 
species, permits are governed by the requirements of the ESA and the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226). NMFS has 
prepared a draft PEA that evaluates the potential environmental impacts 
of scientific research or enhancement activities involving UVS, 
including UAS, on protected species. The purpose of the draft PEA is to 
assess impacts of UVS on protected species for issuance of future 
permits and permit amendments.
    NMFS will consider all comments received during the comment period. 
NMFS requests that you include with your comments: (1) Your name and 
address; and (2) Any background documents to support your comments, as 
you feel necessary.

    Dated: July 2, 2015.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-16669 Filed 7-7-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P