[Federal Register: April 15, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 72)]
[Notices]               
[Page 18377-18378]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15ap98-47]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 040198A]

 
Marine Mammals

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Receipt of application for amendment.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Southwest Fisheries Science 
Center, Honolulu Laboratory, National Marine Fisheries Service, 2570 
Dole Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822-2396, has requested an amendment to 
scientific research Permit No. 848-1335.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before May 
15, 1998.
ADDRESSES: The amendment request and related documents are available 
for review upon written request or by appointment in the following 
office(s):
    Permits Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-
West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/713-2289);
    Regional Administrator, Southwest Region, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213 
(562/980-4001); and
    Protected Species Program Manager, Pacific Islands Area Office, 
2570 Dole

[[Page 18378]]

Street, Room 106, Honolulu, HI 96822-2396 (808/973-2941).
    Written data or views, or requests for a public hearing on this 
request should be submitted to the Chief, Permits and Documentation 
Division, F/PR1, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service, 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 other electronic 
media.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeannie Drevenak, 301/713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 848-
1335, issued on June 10, 1997 (62 FR 32586) is requested under the 
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (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 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the regulations 
governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered fish and 
wildlife (50 FR 222.23).
    The permit holder is currently authorized to conduct population 
assessment, disease assessment, recovery actions, and pelagic ecology 
studies of Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus schauinslandi) at all 
locations within the Hawaiian Archipelago and at Johnston Atoll, 
through May 31, 2002. The permit holder is now requesting authorization 
to conduct sedation studies on up to 10 captive, unreleasable, female 
Hawaiian monk seals. The purpose of the proposed study is to determine 
the safety and efficacy of various drugs for sedating monk seals in the 
field. Biological specimens (i.e., blood (35 cc), swabs from natural 
orifices, and 6 mm blubber biopsy punches) will be collected from the 
animals during the sedation trials.
    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: April 9, 1998.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-9978 Filed 4-14-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F