[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 72 (Wednesday, April 15, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18377-18378]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9978]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 040198A]
Marine Mammals
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Receipt of application for amendment.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Southwest Fisheries Science
Center, Honolulu Laboratory, National Marine Fisheries Service, 2570
Dole Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822-2396, has requested an amendment to
scientific research Permit No. 848-1335.
DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before May
15, 1998.
ADDRESSES: The amendment request and related documents are available
for review upon written request or by appointment in the following
office(s):
Permits Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-
West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/713-2289);
Regional Administrator, Southwest Region, National Marine Fisheries
Service, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213
(562/980-4001); and
Protected Species Program Manager, Pacific Islands Area Office,
2570 Dole
[[Page 18378]]
Street, Room 106, Honolulu, HI 96822-2396 (808/973-2941).
Written data or views, or requests for a public hearing on this
request should be submitted to the Chief, Permits and Documentation
Division, F/PR1, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine
Fisheries Service, 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 other electronic
media.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeannie Drevenak, 301/713-2289.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 848-
1335, issued on June 10, 1997 (62 FR 32586) is requested under the
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16
U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the Regulations Governing the Taking and
Importing of Marine Mammals (50 CFR part 216), the endangered species
Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the regulations
governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered fish and
wildlife (50 FR 222.23).
The permit holder is currently authorized to conduct population
assessment, disease assessment, recovery actions, and pelagic ecology
studies of Hawaiian monk seals (Monachus schauinslandi) at all
locations within the Hawaiian Archipelago and at Johnston Atoll,
through May 31, 2002. The permit holder is now requesting authorization
to conduct sedation studies on up to 10 captive, unreleasable, female
Hawaiian monk seals. The purpose of the proposed study is to determine
the safety and efficacy of various drugs for sedating monk seals in the
field. Biological specimens (i.e., blood (35 cc), swabs from natural
orifices, and 6 mm blubber biopsy punches) will be collected from the
animals during the sedation trials.
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
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the Federal
Register, NMFS is forwarding copies of this application to the Marine
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.
Dated: April 9, 1998.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-9978 Filed 4-14-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
