[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