[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 8, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12075-12076]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-05080]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XE404
Marine Mammals; File No. 18978
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 Pam Miller, Alaska Community
Action on Toxics, 505 West Northern Lights Blvd., Suite 205, Anchorage,
AK 99503, has applied in due form for a permit to receive, import, and
export specimens of marine mammals for scientific research.
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or
before April 7, 2016.
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. 18978 from the list of available applications.
These documents are also 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 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. 18978
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: Brendan Hurley 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 proposes to measure contaminant levels in
subsistence-hunted Arctic marine mammals to determine marine mammal
exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers and perfluorinated
compounds. The proposed research will contribute to information about
the levels of emerging contaminants in marine mammals. Researchers will
work with Yupik households and local hunters to obtain samples from a
maximum of 8 animals per year from minke whale (Balaenoptera
acutorostrata); ringed seal (Pusa hispida); bearded seal (Erignathus
barbatus); and ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata). A maximum of 9
animals per year are requested from bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus)
and spotted seal (Phoca largha). Samples would include organs, meat,
rendered oils, and blubber. No non-target species will be affected.
Samples will come from animals subsistence hunted on St Lawrence
Island, AK. The requested permit period 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 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.
[[Page 12076]]
Dated: March 2, 2016.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-05080 Filed 3-7-16; 8:45 am]
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