[Federal Register: November 25, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 227)]
[Notices]
[Page 70583-70584]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25no02-39]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 110802A]
Endangered Species; File No. 1405
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Receipt of application.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Dr. Elizabeth Wenner, South
Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Charleston, SC 29422-2559,
has applied in due form for a permit to take loggerhead (Caretta
caretta), Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempi), green (Chelonia mydas),
leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), and hawksbill (Eretmochelys
imbricata) sea turtles for purposes of scientific research.
DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before
December 26, 2002.
ADDRESSES: The application 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)713-0376; and
Southeast Region, NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive North, St.
Petersburg, FL 33702-2432; phone (727)570-5301; fax (727)570-5320.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Tammy Adams or Carrie Hubard,
(301)713-2289.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the
authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and the regulations governing the taking,
importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR
222-226).
The applicant proposes to capture up to 45 loggerhead, 10 Kemp's
ridley, 5 green, 5 leatherback, and 5 hawksbill sea turtles annually
during shallow water trawl surveys intended to provide fishery-
independent data on seasonal abundance and biomass of all species that
are accessible by high rise trawls. The turtles would be measured,
flipper and PIT tagged, and released near the site of capture, unless
it is determined they are in need of veterinary assistance to survive.
Sea turtles held for veterinary care would be transferred to an
appropriate treatment facility. The applicant also requests
authorization for a combined total of three incidental mortalities of
loggerhead and Kemp's ridley sea turtles and a single incidental
mortality for each of the other three species. The applicant proposes
to conduct these captures along the South Atlantic Bight from Cape
Hatteras, NC to Cape Canaveral, FL. The permit is requested for a
period of 5 years.
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
[[Page 70584]]
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
Written comments or requests for a public hearing on this
application should be mailed to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and
Education 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 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 by other
electronic media.
Dated: November 18, 2002.
Eugene T. Nitta,
Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 02-29890 Filed 11-22-02; 8:45 am]
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