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                    Document headings vary by document type but may contain                    the following:                  
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###### Department of Commerce

###### National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

          - RIN 0648-XA648

# 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 Springfield Science Museum, 21 Edwards Street, Springfield, Massachusetts 01103 [David J. Stier, Responsible Party], has applied in due form for a permit to hold and transport shortnose sturgeon (                        *Acipenser brevirostrum*) for the purposes of enhancement.                    

# DATES:

Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or before September 19, 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. 16548 from the list of available applications.                    

These documents are also 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) 427-8401; 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                         *NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov.*                         Please include the File No. 16548 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:

Jennifer Skidmore or Colette Cairns, (301) 427-8401.

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

                    The subject permit is requested under the authority of 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 parts 222-226).                

The Springfield Science Museum is requesting a permit to continue enhancement activities previously authorized under Permit No. 1555. Activities would include the acquisition of up to five captive-bred, non-releasable shortnose sturgeon. The display would be used to increase public awareness of the shortnose sturgeon and its status by educating the public on shortnose sturgeon life history and the reasons for the species decline. The proposed project to display endangered cultured shortnose sturgeon responds directly to a recommendation from the NMFS recovery plan outline for this species. The permit would not authorize any takes from the wild, nor would it authorize any release of captive sturgeon into the wild. The permit is requested for a duration of five years.

Dated: August 16, 2011.

P. Michael Payne,

Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 2011-21253 Filed 8-18-11; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-22-P