[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]


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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.

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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