Marine Mammals (File No. 14301)

Federal Register: September 2, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 169)

Notices

Page 45422-45423

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

DOCID:fr02se09-35

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XR34

Marine Mammals; File No. 14301

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the University of Alaska Museum of the North, 907 Yukon Drive, Fairbanks, AK 99775-6960 (Dr. Link E.

Olson, Responsible Party), has applied in due form for a permit to collect, acquire, import and export various marine mammal and endangered species specimens, including partial and whole carcasses from species of marine mammals under the jurisdiction of NMFS for the purpose of curating samples for future scientific research.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or before October 2, 2009.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available upon written request or by appointment in the following office(s):

Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected

Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301)713-2289; fax (301)713-0376; and

Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone

(907)586-7221; fax (907)586-7249.

Written comments on this application should be submitted to the

Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, at the address listed above. Comments may also be submitted by facsimile to (301)713- 0376, or by email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please include the File

No. in the subject line of the email comment.

Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a written request to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education

Division at the address listed above. The request should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this application would be appropriate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Sloan or Kate Swails, (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.), the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216), the Endangered

Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR 222-226), and the Fur Seal

Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).

The University of Alaska Museum of the North functions as an archive for scientific specimens of marine mammals under the jurisdiction of the National Marine Fisheries and is a major repository of marine mammal material from the Arctic and North Pacific oceans.

Under the proposed permit, the applicant would (1) import/export marine mammal parts (bones and organ tissue samples) from dead beach-cast carcasses, (2) receive/archive and export samples of marine mammals taken by

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Alaskan Native subsistence hunters, and (3) receive, import/export specimens from scientists in academic, federal, and state institutions involved in marine mammal research under their own permits. Unlimited samples from up to 1240 pinnipeds (35 species; excluding walrus) and 1700 cetaceans (81 species) would be collected, received, imported, or exported annually. Import/export activities would occur world-wide. No live animals would be harassed or taken, lethally or otherwise, under the requested permit. The permit is requested for a five-year period.

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 the application to the Marine

Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

Dated: August 27, 2009.

P. Michael Payne,

Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of

Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.

FR Doc. E9-21183 Filed 9-1-09; 8:45 am

BILLING CODE 3510-22-S