[Federal Register: January 14, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 9)]
[Notices]               
[Page 2472]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14ja99-31]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 123098A]

 
Marine Mammals; File Nos. 782-1447 and P771#73

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

ACTION: Receipt of applications for amendment.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the National Marine Fisheries 
Service, National Marine Mammal Laboratory, 7600 Sand Point Way NE., 
BIN C15700, Seattle, WA 98115-0070, has requested an amendment to 
scientific research Permits No. 782-1447 and 967 (File No. 771#73).

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before 
February 16, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The amendment request 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 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/
713-2289); and
    Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, 
Juneau, AK 99802-1668 (907/586-7221).
    Written comments or requests for a public hearing on these requests 
should be submitted to the Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, 
F/PR1, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, 
Room 13130, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Those individuals requesting a 
hearing should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on these 
particular amendment requests 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: Ruth Johnson or Sara Shapiro 301/713-
2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permits No. 782-
1447 and 967, issued on May 20, 1998 (63 FR 30201) and July 11, 1995 
(60 FR 37053), respectively, 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.), the regulations governing the taking, 
importing, and exporting of endangered fish and wildlife (50 CFR 
222.23).
    Permit No. 782-1447 authorizes the permit holder to conduct 
surveys, capture/handle, tag and sample Steller sea lions (Eumetopias 
jubatus) in Alaska. The permit holder requests authorization to 
inadvertently harass up to 40,000 sea lions during February and March, 
extend capture season to March 1999 and increase the volume of blood 
drawn to 25cc for pups greater than 8 months, and authority of 
administer a light dose of Valium to restrain animals.
    Permit No. 967 (File No. 771#73) authorizes the holder to satellite 
tag harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) and rehabilitated Dall's 
porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli) or Pacific white-sided dolphin 
(Lagenorhynchus obliquidens) in coastal waters of Washington and 
Oregon. The Holder wants to extend the location of take to include 
Alaska coastal waters.
    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: January 7, 1999.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-780 Filed 1-13-99; 8:45 am]
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