[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 133 (Thursday, July 13, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32328-32329]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-14635]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XF508-X
Marine Mammals; File No. 20556
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 Georgia Department of Natural
Resources [Jonathan Ambrose, Responsible party] 2070 U.S. Highway 278
Southeast, Social Circle, GA 30025, has applied in due form for a
permit to conduct research on marine mammals.
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or
before August 14, 2017.
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. 20556 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
[[Page 32329]]
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 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 parts 222-226).
The applicant requests a 5-year permit to take marine mammals for
research in the Atlantic Ocean and off the west coast of Florida during
vessel and manned and unmanned aerial surveys. The objectives of the
research are to continue North Atlantic right whale (NARW; Eubalaena
glacialis) population monitoring efforts, identifying and reducing
human causes of mortality and serious injury, monitoring and protecting
NARW habitat, and helping to implement the NARW Recovery Plan. Up to
500 endangered NARWs, and 50 non-listed humpback whales (Megaptera
novaeangliae) may be targeted annually for research activities
including counts, behavioral observations, photography, photo-
identification, photogrammetry, video recording, and passive acoustic
recording. Biological samples, including sloughed skin, fecal, breath,
and skin and blubber biopsies, may be collected from 95 NARW adults or
juveniles and 60 NARW calves annually, and these samples may be
exported and re-imported for analysis. Up to 15 NARWs may be tagged
each year with either traditional dart/barb tags or suction-cup tags.
Additional marine mammals that may be harassed incidental to research
include up to 50 each of endangered sei whales (Balaenoptera borealis)
and non-listed long-finned pilot whales (Globicephala melas), and 500
each of Atlantic white-sided (Lagenorhynchus acutus), Atlantic spotted
(Stenella frontalis), and bottlenose (Tursiops truncatus) dolphins,
annually.
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: July 7, 2017.
Catherine Marzin,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-14635 Filed 7-12-17; 8:45 am]
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