[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 133 (Thursday, July 13, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 32328]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-14640]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XF378
Marine Mammals; File No. 21059
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 Glacier Bay National Park and
Preserve, P.O. Box 140, Gustavus, AK 99826 (Responsible Party: Philip
N. Hooge), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on
humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), killer (Orcinus orca), minke
(Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus).
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. 21059 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: Courtney Smith 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 222-226).
The proposed permit would authorize takes of the above listed
species during vessel surveys to gather information currently lacking
regarding their ecology, behavior and population status to enable
information-based resource management in southeastern Alaska especially
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve (GBNPP). The core study area is
Glacier Bay/Icy Strait, but includes all nearshore waters of the
mainland and Alexander Archipelago. Takes by harassment may occur by
close approach for vessel surveys, photo-identification, behavioral
observation, collection of feces/sloughed skin, biopsy sampling and
passive acoustic recording. The maximum number of annual approaches to
whales (risking Level B harassment) will be 2500 humpback whales, 500
killer whales, 20 minke whales and 20 gray whales. Biopsy takes on 50
humpback and 50 killer whales are also requested. The permit would be
valid for five years.
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.
Catherine Marzin,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-14640 Filed 7-12-17; 8:45 am]
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