[Federal Register: November 26, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 226)]
[Notices]
[Page 65942]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26no07-20]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XD16
Marine Mammals; File No. 782-1702
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit amendment.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS National Marine Mammal
Laboratory, 7600 Sand Point Way, NE, Seattle, WA 98115-0070 has been
issued an amendment to scientific research Permit No. 782-1702.
ADDRESSES: The amendment and related documents are available for review
upon written request or by appointment in the following office(s):
Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected
Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD
20910; phone (301)713-2289; fax (301)427-2521;
Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, BIN C15700, Bldg.
1, Seattle, WA 98115-0700; phone (206)526-6150; fax (206)526-6426; and
Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long
Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562)980-4001; fax (562)980-4018.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tammy Adams or Kate Swails, (301)713-
2289.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On October 10, 2007, notice was published in
the Federal Register (72 FR 57524) that an amendment of Permit No. 782-
1702 had been requested by the above-named organization. The requested
amendment has been granted under the authority of the Marine Mammal
Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and the
regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50
CFR part 216).
The amended permit adds authorization to conduct additional
activities on up to 20 adult harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) annually in
Washington and Oregon. These seals, excluding pregnant or lactating
females, would receive gas anesthesia following capture, have stomach
temperature transmitters inserted via stomach intubation, and have an
external data logger attached externally. The purpose of the additional
protocols is to augment current studies on harbor seal diet and
abundance. This amendment would not result in capture or disturbance of
marine mammals beyond those numbers already authorized by the subject
permit, which was issued on September 16, 2003 (68 FR 58663).
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final determination has been made that the
activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
Dated: November 19, 2007.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E7-22954 Filed 11-23-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S