[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 125 (Tuesday, June 30, 1998)] [Notices] [Page 35569] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-17393] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 062298B] Marine Mammals; File No. 758-1459 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Receipt of application. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Dr. Kimberlee Beckmen, Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, P.O. Box 757000, Fairbanks, AK 99775-7000, has applied in due form for a permit to take northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) for purposes of scientific research. DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before July 30, 1998. ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment in the following office(s): Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13130, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/ 713-2289); and Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668 (907/586-7221). Written comments or requests for a public hearing on this application should be mailed to the Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, F/PR1, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Those individuals requesting a hearing should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this particular request would be appropriate. Comments may also be submitted by facsimile at (301) 713-0376, provided the facsimile is confirmed by hard copy submitted by mail and postmarked no later than the closing date of the comment period. Please note that comments will not be accepted by e-mail or by other electronic media. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sara Shapiro or Ruth Johnson, 301/713- 2289. 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), and the Fur Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.). The applicant seeks to determine liver enzyme activity from up to six fresh, northern fur seal pup carcasses or stillbirth fetuses. In the event that no fresh carcasses are available, the application wishes to euthanize up to six moribund/mortally injured seals. If an animal has any chance of survival if left on its own, or could survive through rehabilitation, then euthanasia would not be administered. 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: June 24, 1998. Ann D. Terbush, Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 98-17393 Filed 6-29-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-F