Permits: Marine mammals,

[Federal Register: October 5, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 192)]

[Notices]

[Page 53352-53353]

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

[DOCID:fr05oc98-33]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 092198A]

Marine Mammals, Endangered or Threatened Species, Scientific Research Permit No. 587-001472-00

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

ACTION: Receipt of application.

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Dr. Dan R. Salden, Box 1772, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Edwardsville, IL 62026- 1772, has applied in due form for a scientific research permit to take North Pacific humpback whales (Megaptera

[[Page 53353]]

novaeangliae), false killer whales (Pseudorca crassidens), killer whales (Orcinus orca), short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus), bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), spotted dolphins (Stenella attenuata), and spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) for purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written of telefaxed comments must be received on or before November 4, 1998.

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

Permits Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East- West Highway, Room 13130, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/713-2289);

Regional Administrator, Southwest Regional Office, 501 West Ocean Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213 (562/980-4001);

Regional Administrator, Alaska Regional Office, 709 W. 9‹SUP›th‹/SUP› Street, Federal Building, room 461, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802 (907/586-7221); and

Protected Resources Program Manager, Pacific Islands Area Office, 2570 Dole Street, Room 106, Honolulu, HI 96822-2396 (808/973-2987).

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeannie Drevenak, 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.) and the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered fish and wildlife (50 CFR part 222.23).

The applicant proposes to conduct photo-identification and behavioral observations, including sound recordings, of North Pacific humpback whales in Hawaii and Alaska waters over a five-year period. Photo-identification and observations of bottlenose dolphins, spinner dolphins, spotted dolphins, false killer whales, pilot whales, and killer whales would be conducted on an opportunistic basis. The research is a continuation of a long-term study of association patterns and directed communication behaviors of the North Pacific humpback whale.

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 this application to the Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

Dated: September 29, 1998. Ann D. Terbush, Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 98-26625Filed10-2-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-22-F