[Federal Register: December 30, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 250)]
[Notices]               
[Page 73523]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30de99-56]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 121399B]

 
Marine Mammals; File Nos. 763-1534 and P624

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

ACTION: Receipt of applications.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that two applicants have applied in due 
form for a permit and permit amendment for purposes of scientific 
research. The National Zoological Park, Smithsonian Institution, 
Washington, D.C. 20008-2598, wants a permit to import grey seals 
(Halichoerus grypus)specimens. Dr. Michael Moore, Woods Hole 
Oceanographic Institution, MS 33 Biology Department, Woods Hole, MA 
02543, wants to amend permit no. 1032.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before 
January 31, 2000.

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
    [763-1534 and P624] - Northeast Region, NMFS, One Blackburn Drive, 
Gloucester, MA 01930-2298 (978/281-9250); and
    [P624] - Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS, 9721 
Executive Center Drive North, St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 (813/570-
5312);

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ruth Johnson, 301/713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permits are 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 (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the regulations 
governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and 
threatened species (50 CFR 222-226), and the Fur Seal Act of 1966, as 
amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.)
    The Smithsonian, NZP (File No. 763-1534-00) proposes to import from 
Canada skin samples taken from grey seals on Sable Island, Nova Scotia. 
Additionally, the applicant requests authority to obtain and import/
export samples from all species of the Order Cetacea and Pinnipedia as 
they become available. The objective of the study is to use DNA 
analysis to determine if grey seal alternative mating strategies exist 
across all ages and provide comparable rates of success to the primary 
tenured strategy.
    Dr. Moore (File No. P624) proposes to amend Permit No. 1032 which 
authorizes research on right whales and various other cetaceans. Dr. 
Moore requests an amendment to expand the area of activity to all U.S. 
and international waters; biopsy right whales, blue whales, sei whales 
and sperm whales, include acoustic analysis of blubber thickness, and 
conduct visual and passive acoustic surveys on marine mammals.
    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 activities proposed are categorically excluded from the requirement 
to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact 
statement.
    Written comments or requests for a public hearing on either 
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 these particular 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 by other 
electronic media.
    Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of these applications to the Marine 
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: December 23, 1999.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-33981 Filed 12-29-99; 8:45 am]
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