04-14802. 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 polar bears incidental to oil and gas industry exploration activities in the Beaufort Sea and adjacent northern 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 “Marine Mammals; Incidental Take During Specified Activities (68 FR 66744; November 28, 2003)” under section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA and the Fish and Wildlife Service implementing regulations at 50 CFR 18.27(f)(3):

Company	Activity	Location	Date issued
ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc	Production	Kuparuk, Alpine	Mar. 5, 2004.
Kerr-McGee Oil and Gas Corp	Exploration	NW Milne	Feb. 6, 2004.
ExxonMobil Prod. Co	Development	Pt. Storkersen #1	Feb. 10, 2004.
ExxonMobil Prod. Co	Development	Canning River A-1	Feb. 10, 2004.
Chevron U.S.A. Inc	Development	W. Kavik Unit #1	Feb. 12, 2004.
Western Geco	Development	Lonely	Mar. 12, 2004.
ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc	Development	Gwydyr Bay State #2	Feb. 27, 2004.
U.S. Bureau of Land Management	Development	Umiat Legacy Well	Mar. 22, 2004.

Dated: June 16, 2004.

Gary Edwards,

Acting Regional Director.