[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 157 (Monday, August 16, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44509-44510]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-21098]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 080999C]
Marine Mammals; File No. 495-1524
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
[[Page 44510]]
ACTION: Receipt of application.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that John L. Bengtson, Ph.D., Polar
Ecosystems Program Leader, National Marine Mammal Laboratory, NMFS,
7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115-0070, has applied in due form
for a permit to take Antarctic pinnipeds for purposes of scientific
research.
DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before
September 15, 1999.
ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for
review upon written request or by appointment in the following
office(s):
Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected Resources,
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13130, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/
713-2289).
Written comments or requests for a public hearing on this
application should be mailed to the Chief, Permits and Documentation
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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ruth Johnson, 301/713-2289.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permit is requested under the
authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended
(MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and the Regulations Governing the Taking
and Importing of Marine Mammals (50 CFR part 216).
The applicant proposes to take six species of pinnipeds: crabeater
seals, Weddell seals, leopard seals, Ross seals, southern elephant
seals and Antarctic fur seals. The research is part of several
integrated projects studying the ecology of Antarctic pack ice seals to
better understand the ecological relationships between distributions of
pack ice seals and their environment. Animals will be captured,
sampled, and instrumented with satellite-linked transmitters.
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: August 9, 1999.
Eugene Nitta,
Acting Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-21098 Filed 8-13-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
