[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 22, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 15248]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-06343]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE481


Marine Mammals; File No. 19706

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 the California State University, 
Bakersfield [Responsible Party: Antje Lauer, Ph.D.], 9001 Stockdale 
Highway, Bakersfield, CA 93311-1022, has applied in due form for a 
permit to conduct research on pinnipeds for scientific research, and 
receive, import, and export specimens from these species.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before April 21, 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. 19706 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. 19706 
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: Rosa L. Gonz[aacute]lez or Jennifer 
Skidmore; phone: (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.), 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 receive, import, and export blood sera 
from up to 500 California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), 25 
threatened Guadalupe fur seals (Arctocephalus townsendi), and 25 
northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) in rehabilitation annually to 
perform immunodiffusion assays. In addition, the applicant proposes to 
perform the Spherusol skin test on up to 500 California sea lions in 
rehabilitation annually. The skin test includes administering a drug 
intradermally and subsequent observation, photograph/video of swelling/
induration after a period of time (i.e., hours). The objective is to 
research Coccidioidomycosis (Valley fever) on stranded marine mammals 
along California's coast. The goal is to successfully detect the 
animal's exposure to Coccidioides spp. and compare the sensitivity of 
the tests to further health studies on the above-named marine mammal 
species. A permit is requested for a 3-year period.
    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.

    Dated: March 16, 2016.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-06343 Filed 3-21-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P