[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 242 (Wednesday, December 17, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 66054]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-32866]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 120897C]


Marine Mammals; Scientific Research Permit (PHF# 350-1434)

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

ACTION: Receipt of application.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Dr. Brendan Kelly, University of 
Alaska Fairbanks, Juneau, Alaska 99801, has applied in due form for a 
permit to take ringed seals (Phoca hispida) for purposes of scientific 
research.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before 
January 16, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for 
review upon written request or by appointment in the following 
office(s):
    Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/
713-2289); and
    Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, 
Juneau, AK 99802-1668 (907/586-7721).
    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.
    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 email or 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.

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.), and the regulations governing the 
taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The purpose of the proposed research is to investigate the 
behavioral responses of ringed seals to noise disturbances, the role of 
sound in ringed seal navigation, the under-ice foraging behavior of 
ringed seals, and improvements to methods for enumerating ringed seals. 
The study will take place between 15 January and 1 July each year in 
1998-2002 in U.S. waters of the Bering, Chukchi, and/or Beaufort Sea, 
depending on ice conditions and appropriate overlap with aerial surveys 
conducted by other agencies.
    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.

    Dated: December 9, 1997.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-32866 Filed 12-16-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F