[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 109 (Tuesday, June 7, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36521-36522]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-13351]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XE663
Marine Mammals; File No. 18769
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 Sea World, LLC., 9205 South Park
Center Loop, Suite 400, Orlando, FL 32819 [Christopher Dold, D.V.M.,
Responsible Party], has applied in due form for a permit to continue
enhancement activities on three currently held non-releasable Guadalupe
fur seals (Arctocephalus townsendi) with the option of holding up to
six non-releasable furs seals at any given time.
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or
before July 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. 18769 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. 18769
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: Jennifer Skidmore and Amy Sloan, (301)
427-8401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended
[[Page 36522]]
(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 requests authorization for the continued maintenance
of three non-releasable Guadalupe fur seals at Sea World of California
(and other Sea World facilities if relocation is necessary) for
enhancement purposes. These animals were taken into captivity by the
Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Network and were deemed non-
releasable. Thus, release of these animals would not be in the best
interest of their individual welfare and that of the wild population.
These animals are currently held by Sea World of California under
Permit No. 14186-01. Furthermore, the applicant has agreed to provide
additional space for future non-releasable Guadalupe fur seals, if
necessary (up to 6 total animals at any given time). These animals
would be provided with daily husbandry care and treatment for current
medical conditions, routine veterinary care, and would be made
available for opportunistic research. The applicant has requested a
five-year permit.
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: June 1, 2016.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-13351 Filed 6-6-16; 8:45 am]
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