E8-24517. Letters of Authorization To Take Marine Mammals

AGENCY:

Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION:

Notice of issuance.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (MMPA) as amended, notice is hereby given that Letters of Authorization to take Pacific walruses and polar bears incidental to oil and gas industry exploration activities in the Chukchi Sea and adjacent western coast of Alaska have been issued.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Craig Perham at the Fish and Wildlife Service, Marine Mammals Management Office, 1011 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99503, [phone] or [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A Letter of Authorization has been issued to the following companies in accordance with Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Rules and Regulations (see “Marine Mammals; Incidental Take During Specified Activities” at 73 FR 33212; June 11, 2008) under section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA and the Fish and Wildlife Service implementing regulations at 50 CFR 18.27(f)(3):

Letters of Authorization for 2008

Company	Activity	Location	Date issued
Shell Offshore, Inc	Exploration	Open water seismic	July 7, 2008.
ASRC Energy Services	Exploration	Marine Survey Program	July 15, 2008.
ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc	Exploration	Marine Survey Program	July 22, 2008.

Dated: September 17, 2008.

Thomas O. Melius,

Regional Director.