[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 185 (Friday, September 22, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57318-57319]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-24454]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 091100H]
Marine Mammals
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Receipt of application for amendment and request for emergency
relocation of Hawaiian monk seals.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Southwest Fisheries Science
Center, Honolulu Laboratory, NMFS, 2570 Dole Street, Honolulu, Hawaii
96822-2396, has requested an amendment to scientific research Permit
No. 848-1335 to allow for the emergency relocation of two Hawaiian monk
seal (Monachus schauinslandi) pups.
ADDRESSES: The amendment request and related documents are available
for review upon written request or by appointment in the following
offices:
Permits Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-
West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/713-2289);
[[Page 57319]]
Regional Administrator, Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean
Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213 (562/980-4001); and
Protected Species Program Manager, Pacific Islands Area Office,
Southwest Region, NMFS, 1601 Kapiolani Boulevard, Suite 1110, Honolulu,
HI (808/973-2937).
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 (ESA) 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 CFR part 222).
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 that the
permit be amended to authorize the emergency relocation of two weaned
Hawaiian monk seal pups in order to protect their health and well-
being. The permit has been amended to authorize the relocation of the
two animals, pursuant to Sec. 216.33(e)(6) of the Regulations Governing
the Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals (50 CFR part 216) which
allows waiver of the 30-day public comment period. The remainder of the
pending amendment application for this action is being processed
according to 50 CFR 216.39.
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.
NMFS has forwarded copies of this amendment request to the Marine
Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.
Dated: September18, 2000.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 00-24454- Filed 9-21-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
