04-5766. Letters of Authorization To Take Marine Mammals

AGENCY:

Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

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 the following 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 to the following companies:

Company	Activity	Location	Date issued
ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc	Exploration	Carbon 1	Dec. 11, 2003.
ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc	Exploration	Grandview 2	Dec. 11, 2003.
ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc	Exploration	Kokoda 1 & 2	Dec. 11, 2003.
ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc	Exploration	Powerline 1	Dec. 11, 2003.
ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc	Exploration	Summit 2	Dec. 11, 2003.
ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc	Exploration	Scout 1	Dec. 11, 2003.
ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc	Exploration	Spark 4 & 8	Dec. 11, 2003.
ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc	Exploration	Placer 1, 2, & 3	Dec. 29, 2003.
Fairweather Geophysical	Exploration	Harrison Bay and Nanuq S.	Dec. 29, 2003.
TotalFinaElf E&P USA, Inc	Exploration	NPR-A	Dec. 29, 2003.
BP Exploration (Alaska)	Production	Greater Prudhoe Bay Units	Dec. 31, 2003.
Anadarko Petroleum Corp	Exploration	Hot Ice #1	Jan. 1, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Letter of Authorization is issued in accordance with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Rules and Regulations “Marine Mammals; Incidental Take During Specified Activities (68 FR 66744; November 28, 2003)”.

Dated: February 24, 2004.

Rowan W. Gould,

Regional Director.