[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 237 (Friday, December 10, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76956-76957]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-31122]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA076


Marine Mammals; File No. 15415

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Scott D. Kraus, PhD, New England 
Aquarium Edgerton Research Laboratory, Central Wharf, Boston, MA 02110, 
has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on North 
Atlantic right whales (Eubalaena glacialis).

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before January 10, 2011.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for 
review by selecting ``Records Open for Public Comment'' from the 
Features box on the Applications and Permits for Protected Species 
(APPS) home page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File 
No. 15415 from the list of available applications.
    These documents are also available upon written request or by 
appointment in the following offices:

[[Page 76957]]

    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
    Northeast Region, NMFS, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 
01930; phone (978) 281-9328; fax (978) 281-9394.
    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 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3d73707b6e136d4f0c7e5250505853494e7d53525c5c135a524b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="27696a61740977551664484a4a42495354674948464609404851">[email protected]</span></a>. 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 Hapeman or Kristy Beard, (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 and threatened species (50 CFR 222-226).
    Dr. Kraus requests a three-year scientific research permit to study 
North Atlantic right whales along the U.S. East Coast from New York 
Harbor to the Maine-Canada border. Dr. Kraus would conduct experimental 
trials in which a rope mimic consisting of a colored rigid pipe would 
be placed in the water near the travelling path of a juvenile or adult 
whale to determine if right whales are responsive to various color and 
light characteristics. Control trials would also be conducted with no 
rope mimic placed in an animal's path. The applicant requests to take 
up to 200 whales annually for the close vessel approach, photo-
identification, observation, and monitoring of whales during trials. 
The proposed research would seek to determine whether the sensory and 
behavioral capabilities of right whales can be used to avoid 
entanglements at depth and in conditions of poor visibility.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a draft environmental assessment (EA) has 
been prepared to examine whether significant environmental impacts 
could result from issuance of the proposed scientific research permit. 
The draft EA is available for review and comment simultaneous with the 
scientific research permit application.
    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: December 6, 2010.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-31122 Filed 12-9-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P


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