Federal Register: December 29, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 249)NoticesPage 71618-71619From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DOCID:fr29de98-31

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

I.D. 121698CMarine Mammals; File No. 369-1440

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Receipt of application for amendment.

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Dr. Bruce R. Mate, Oregon State University, has requested an amendment to scientific research Permit No. 369-1440.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before January 28, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The amendment request and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment (See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION).

Written comments 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, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13130, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Those individuals requesting a hearing should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this particular amendment 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: Ruth Johnson or Sara Shapiro 301/713- 2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 369-1440 issued on September 18, 1998 (63 FR 52686) 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 CFR 222.23).

Permit No. 369-1440 authorizes the permit holder to: (1) approach to tag/biopsy sample, photograph and evaluate tag attachment on seven species of large whales; and (2) to opportunistically photograph an unlimited number of cetaceans and pinnipeds. In the original application, the permit holder inadvertently omitted requesting authorization to: conduct tagging/biopsy sampling in international waters and to import/export samples for genetic analysis.

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42

[Page 71619]U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an environmental assessment was prepared on the original application. The environmental assessment is available upon request.

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.

Documents may be reviewed in the following locations:

Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/ 713-2289);

Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668 (907/586-7221);

Regional Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930, (978/281-9250);

Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way, NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 1, Seattle, WA, 98115-0070 (206/526-6150);

Regional Administrator, Southeast Region, NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive North, St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432 (813/570-5312); and

Regional Administrator, Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213 (562/980-4001).

Dated: December 21, 1998. Ann D. Terbush, Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.

FR Doc. 98-34449Filed12-28-98; 8:45 amBILLING CODE 3510-22-F