[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 191 (Monday, October 3, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 67997]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-23724]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XC599
Marine Mammals; File No. 17845
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for permit amendment.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Rachel Cartwright, Ph.D., Keiki
Kohola Project, 4945 Coral Way, Oxnard, CA 93035, has applied for an
amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 17845.
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or
before November 9, 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
home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File No.
17845 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. 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: Shasta McClenahan or Carrie Hubard,
(301) 427-8401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 17845 is
requested under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of
1972, as amended (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 (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).
Permit No. 17845, issued on January 25, 2014 (79 FR 5382),
authorizes the permit holder to conduct Level A and B harassment of
humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) during photo-identification,
behavioral follows, and surface and underwater observations in Hawaii,
Alaska, and California. Nine other cetacean species may be studied
opportunistically and two species of pinnipeds may be incidentally
harassed. The permit expires on January 31, 2019. The permit holder is
requesting the permit be amended to authorize Level B playbacks for
humpback whales to estimate their hearing range using behavioral
observation audiometry. The sounds will be presented to a maximum of
300 humpback whales and their behavioral responses will be measured
through visual and acoustic recordings including an unmanned aerial
system. The research will take place from January through April,
annually, in Hawaii. Only humpback whales will be targeted for active
playback, but incidental harassment to additional species may occur
including bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), spinner dolphins
(Stenella longirostris), false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens),
melon headed whales (Peponocephala electra), and short-finned pilot
whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus).
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 this application to the Marine
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.
Dated: September 27, 2016.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-23724 Filed 9-30-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P