[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 163 (Thursday, August 24, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 40144]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-17932]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XF620
Marine Mammals; File No. 21486
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 British Broadcasting
Corporation (BBC) Worldwide Americas, Inc., on behalf of BBC Natural
History Unit, 28 Whiteladies Rd, Bristol, UK, has applied in due form
for a permit to conduct commercial or educational photography on
Weddell Seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) in Antarctica.
DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or
before September 25, 2017.
ADDRESSES: These documents are 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: Lisa Lierheimer or Sara Young, (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 applicant proposes to film Weddell seals at various locations
in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, between October and December 2017. Up to
16 Weddell seals (8 mother pup-pairs from birth through weaning) could
be targeted and disturbed during filming activities on the sea ice,
underwater (scuba divers), and by air (drone). Up to 80 Weddell seals
(non-targeted animals in the colony) could be incidentally disturbed
during the filming activities. Footage would be used for the BBC
television series ``Seven Worlds,'' to showcase Antarctica and will
include a segment featuring Weddell seals. The permit would be valid
through December 2017.
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: August 18, 2017.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-17932 Filed 8-23-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P