00-6524. Letters of Authorization To Take Marine Mammals

AGENCY:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

ACTION:

Notice of issuance of Letters of Authorization to take marine mammals incidental to oil and gas industry activities.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with section 101(a)(5)(A) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service implementing regulations [50 CFR 18.27(f)(3)], notice is hereby given that Letters of Authorization to take polar bears and Pacific walrus incidental to oil and gas industry exploration, development, and production activities have been issued to the following companies:

Company	Activity	Date issued
BP Exploration (Prudhoe Bay Unit	Production	February 8, 2000.
BP Exploration (Kuparuk Unit)	Production	February 8, 2000.
ARCO Alaska, Inc. (NW Eileen)	Exploration	February 14, 2000.
ARCO Alaska, Inc. (Alpine)	Development	February 14, 2000.
ARCO Alaska, Inc. (Nanuk #2 & #3)	Exploration	February 14, 2000.
BP Exploration (Alaska), Inc. (Northstar)	Development	February 23, 2000.
Western Geophysical (Anadarko)	Exploration	February 23, 2000.
Western Geophysical (ARCO)	Exploration	February 23, 2000.
ARCO Alaska, Inc. (Meltwater North)	Exploration	February 23, 2000.
ARCO Alaska, Inc. (Spark #1)	Exploration	February 23, 2000.
ARCO Alaska, Inc. (Rendezvous A&B)	Exploration	February 23, 2000.
ARCO Alaska, Inc. (Lookout A)	Exploration	February 23, 2000.
ARCO Alaska, Inc. (Moose's Tooth A&C)	Exploration	February 23, 2000.
ARCO Alaska, Inc. (Clover A&B)	Exploration	February 23, 2000.
ARCO Alaska, Inc. (Cairn)	Exploration	February 23, 2000.
Western Geophysical (ARCO)	Exploration	February 23, 2000.
Western Geophysical (BP Exploration)	Exploration	February 23, 2000.
Kuukpik/Fairweather Geophysical	Exploration	February 23, 2000.
BP Exploration (Point Thomson)	Exploration	February 23, 2000.
BP Exploration (West Gwydyr Bay)	Exploration	February 29, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. John W. Bridges at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Marine Mammals Management Office, 1011 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99503, [phone] or [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Letters of Authorization were issued in accordance with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Rules and Regulations “Marine Mammals; Incidental Take During Specified Activities (65 FR 5275; February 3, 2000).”

Dated: March 3, 2000.

Gary Edwards,

Deputy Regional Director.