Permits: Marine mammals,

[Federal Register: October 10, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 197)]

[Notices]

[Page 63079]

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

[DOCID:fr10oc02-24]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 100302B]

Marine Mammals; File No. 859-1680

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

ACTION: Receipt of application.

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Jim Johnston, Chief Environmental Planner, United States Air Force, Environmental Management Office, Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA 93437, has applied in due form for a permit to take California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus), and Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardsi) for purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before November 12, 2002.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for review 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

Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562)980-4001; fax (562)980-4018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tammy Adams or Amy Sloan, (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), and the Fur Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).

The applicant requests a 5 year permit to take up to 700 California sea lions, 700 northern elephant seals, 50 northern fur seals, and 550 harbor seals inhabiting Vandenberg Air Force Base and the northern Channel Islands annually by capture, sedation, blood sampling, skin biopsy, physiological measurements, hearing sensitivity tests, attachment of scientific instruments, temporary captive maintenance, recapture for retrieval of instruments, surveys of abundance and distribution, incidental harassment, and accidental mortality. The purpose of the proposed project is to study the effects of noise from rocket launches and the subsequent launch-generated sonic booms on pinnipeds. The movements and foraging behavior of seals exposed to launch noise and/or sonic booms will be compared with non-exposed control animals using remote VHF radio-telemetry, satellite transmitters, and electronic data loggers.

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.

Written comments or requests for a public hearing on this application should be mailed to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education 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.

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: October 3, 2002. Trevor R. Spradlin, Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 02-25711Filed10-9-02; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-22-S