[Federal Register: February 7, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 25)]
[Notices]               
[Page 5680]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07fe07-41]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 020107D]

 
Marine Mammals; File No. 87-1851

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.ACTION: Notice; issuance of 
permit.
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Daniel P. Costa, Ph.D., Department 
of Biology and Institute of Marine Sciences, University of California, 
Santa Cruz, CA 95064 has been issued a permit to conduct research on 
pinnipeds in Antarctica and California.

ADDRESSES: The permit 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; 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: Amy Sloan or Jaclyn Daly, (301)713-
2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 3, 2006, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (71 FR 44020) that a request for a scientific 
research permit to conduct research on seals and sea lions had been 
submitted by the above-named individual. The requested permit has been 
issued 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 5-year permit authorizes tagging studies and physiological 
research on seals in Antarctica, including crabeater seals (Lobodon 
carcinophagus), southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina), leopard 
seals (Hydrurga leptonyx), Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii), and 
Ross seals (Ommatophoca rossii). The permit also authorizes research on 
California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) to investigate foraging, 
diving, energetics, food habits, and at-sea distribution along the 
California coast. Incidental harassment of California sea lions, harbor 
seals (Phoca vitulina), northern elephant seals (Mirounga 
augustirostris), and northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) is 
authorized.
    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: February 1, 2007.
P. Michael Payne,
 Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E7-2044 Filed 2-6-07; 8:45 am]

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