Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 14 / Friday, January 21, 2022 / Notices 3281 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On 

Wednesday, November 24, 2021, NOAA 

published an RFI seeking comments 

from Tribal Nations, Tribal officials, 

members of the public, and other 

interested parties to help identify 

appropriate updates or revisions to the 

following NOAA policies and guidance 

documents, which facilitate NOAA’s 

implementation of E.O. 13175: (1) Tribal 

Consultation Handbook titled NOAA 

Procedures for Government-toGovernment Consultation With 

Federally Recognized Indian Tribes and 

Alaska Native Corporations (2013); (2) 

NOAA Administrative Order 218–8 

titled Policy on Government-toGovernment Consultation with 

Federally Recognized Indian Tribes and 

Alaska Native Corporations (Reaffirmed 

in 2018); and (3) a traditional ecological 

knowledge (TEK) guidance currently 

titled NOAA Fisheries and National 

Ocean Service Guidance and Best 

Practices for Engaging and 

Incorporating Traditional Ecological 

Knowledge in Decision-Making (2019). 

NOAA proposes revisions to its Tribal 

Consultation Handbook to reflect 

lessons learned and improved practices 

to better facilitate meaningful and 

effective tribal consultations. NOAA 

also proposes minor revisions to 

Administrative Order 218–8 to reflect 

necessary updates since its issuance in 

2014. We are also seeking comments on 

the existing TEK Guidance, which has 

not been previously made available for 

public comment. Though the TEK 

Guidance is only currently implemented 

by NOAA Fisheries and the National 

Ocean Service, NOAA is now extending 

the applicability of the TEK Guidance to 

all NOAA Offices. NOAA is interested 

in whether updates or revisions are 

appropriate for this TEK Guidance, 

including terminology. Updates or 

revisions to NOAA’s Tribal Consultation 

Handbook, Administrative Order, and 

TEK Guidance will be informed by the 

input we receive from federally 

recognized Indian Tribes, the public, 

and other interested parties. 

NOAA has decided to extend the 

public comment period on the RFI by 30 

days to Thursday, February 24, 2022, to 

allow opportunity for the public to 

continue to provide information on 

these important documents. All three 

documents can be viewed at this NOAA 

website: https://www.noaa.gov/ 

legislative-and-intergovernmentalaffairs/noaa-tribal-resources-updates. 

Dated: January 14, 2022. 

Richard W. Spinrad, 

Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and 

Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator. 

[FR Doc. 2022–01118 Filed 1–20–22; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–12–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration 

[RTID 0648–XB707] 

Marine Mammals; Issuance of Permits 

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries 

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 

Commerce. 

ACTION: Notice; issuance of permits. 

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that 

individuals and institutions have been 

issued Letters of Confirmation (LOCs) 

for activities conducted under the 

General Authorization for Scientific 

Research on marine mammals. See 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for a list of 

names and addresses of recipients. 

ADDRESSES: The LOCs and related 

documents are available for review 

upon written request via email to 

NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Amy Hapeman (LOC Nos. 24033, 25471, 

25529, and 25638), Carrie Hubard (LOC 

Nos. 20346, 24045, 24067, 25527, and 

25574), Erin Markin (LOC No. 23796), 

Shasta McClenahan, Ph.D. (LOC No. 

23069), Courtney Smith, Ph.D. (LOC 

Nos. 19540 and 22587), and Sara Young 

(LOC Nos. 20386, 25751 and 25811) at 

the email listed above or 301–427–8401. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

requested LOCs have been issued under 

the authority of the Marine Mammal 

Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 

U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and the regulations 

governing the taking and importing of 

marine mammals (50 CFR part 216). The 

General Authorization allows for bona 

fide scientific research that may result 

only in taking by Level B harassment of 

marine mammals. The following LOCs 

were issued in Fiscal Year 2021 

(October 1, 2020–September 30, 2021). 

File No. 24033: Issued to Eric Montie, 

Ph.D., University of South Carolina 

Beaufort, One University Boulevard, 

Bluffton, South Carolina 29909, on 

October 23, 2020. This LOC authorizes 

vessel-based surveys for behavioral 

observations, photo-identification, 

passive acoustics, and photography/ 

videography of bottlenose dolphins 

(Tursiops truncatus) in the coastal 

waters of Bluffton and Hilton Head, 

South Carolina. The objectives of the 

research are to better understand the 

acoustic ecology of bottlenose dolphins 

and their prey and to estimate the 

carrying capacity of bottlenose dolphins 

in South Carolina and its relation to 

water quality. The LOC replaces No. 

20066 on April 1, 2021 and expires on 

March 31, 2026. 

File No. 24067: Issued to Jacqueline 

Bucsa, George Mason University, 1450 

Exploratory Hall, Fairfax, Virginia 

22030, on January 28, 2021. This LOC 

authorizes vessel-based surveys for 

behavioral observations and photoidentification of bottlenose dolphins in 

the lower Chesapeake Bay and coastal 

waters of Virginia. The objectives of the 

research are to develop an 

understanding of prey selection by 

bottlenose dolphins, specifically 

mother-calf pairs, and to examine how 

they meet their unique, high energy 

demands. The LOC expires on January 

31, 2023. 

File No. 24045: Issued to Jeremy 

Kiszka, Ph.D., Florida International 

University, 3000 NE 151st Street, 

Marine Science Building, Room 250D, 

North Miami, Florida 33181 on 

February 10, 2021. This LOC authorizes 

vessel-based surveys for photoidentification, photography, 

videography, and behavioral 

observations of bottlenose and Atlantic 

spotted (Stenella frontalis) dolphins. 

Research may occur in Biscayne Bay 

and coastal waters of Broward and 

Miami Dade counties, Florida out to 200 

m depth. The objectives of the research 

are to examine the distribution, 

behavior and abundance of dolphins in 

the study area. The LOC expires on 

February 10, 2024. 

File No. 23069: Issued to Florida 

Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch 

Oceanographic Institute, 777 Glades 

Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33431 

(Responsible Party [RP]: Daniel Flynn, 

Ph.D.; Principal Investigator [PI]: Steven 

Burton) on March 16, 2021. This LOC 

authorizes monthly vessel-based photoidentification and observational surveys 

of cetaceans in Florida for research 

projects involving cetacean biology, 

ecology, behavior, social structure, 

health, and anthropogenic activities. 

The authorized research area includes 

intercoastal and coastal waters of 

Florida from Sebastian Inlet to Jupiter 

Inlet, including the Indian River Lagoon 

and the Atlantic Ocean. Authorized 

species include Atlantic spotted, 

bottlenose, pantropical spotted (Stenella 

attenuata), Risso’s (Grampus griseus), 

and rough-toothed (Steno bredanensis) 

dolphins; and humpback (Megaptera 

novaeangliae), long-finned pilot 

(Globicephala macrorhynchus), pygmy 


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sperm (Kogia breviceps), and shortfinned pilot (G. melas) whales. The LOC 

expires on March 31, 2026. 

File No. 23796: Issued to Quincy 

Gibson, Ph.D., University of North 

Florida, 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, 

Florida 32266, on March 17, 2021. This 

LOC authorizes vessel-based research 

surveys to include close approach, 

photo-identification, behavioral 

observations, videography, passive 

acoustic recording, and focal follows of 

bottlenose dolphins within estuarine 

waters of Northeast Florida. 

Specifically, the authorized area 

includes the inland waterways of the St. 

Johns River from the river mouth at 

Mayport to approximately 40 kilometers 

upriver to Hart Bridge and the 

Intracoastal Waterway from the FloridaGeorgia border at St. Mary’s Inlet south 

to Palm Valley Bridge in Ponte Vedra, 

Florida. The objective of the research is 

to continue a 10-year photoidentification study of bottlenose 

dolphins, focusing on biology, ecology, 

behavior, social structure, and health. 

The LOC expires on March 31, 2026. 

File No. 20386: This LOC, held by 

Golden Gate Cetacean Research, 9 

Edgemar Way, Corte Madera, California 

94925 (RP: William Keener, J.D.; PI: 

Isidore Szczepaniak), was extended on 

March 30, 2021, for one year. The LOC 

authorizes vessel surveys for closeapproach, photo-identification, and 

behavioral observations of harbor 

porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) and 

bottlenose dolphins in Monterey Bay 

through northern California waters, 

including San Francisco Bay, and 

Kachemak Bay, Alaska. The purpose of 

the research is to collect photographic 

and observational data on the 

distribution and occurrence of harbor 

porpoise in San Francisco Bay and to 

track the movements of California 

coastal bottlenose dolphins to the 

northern limits of their range, as well as 

conduct a comparative study with 

harbor porpoises in Kachemak Bay, 

Alaska. The objectives of the research 

will not change. The extended LOC 

expires on July 31, 2022. 

File No. 25471: Issued to Andrew 

Read, Ph.D., Duke University, 135 Duke 

Marine Lab Rd., Beaufort, NC 28516, on 

April 02, 2021. This LOC authorizes 

vessel-based surveys for close approach, 

photo-identification, behavioral 

observations, and focal follows for 22 

species of cetaceans: Atlantic spotted, 

bottlenose, clymene (Stenella clymene), 

common short-beaked (Delphinus 

delphis), Fraser’s (Lagenodelphis hosei), 

pantropical spotted, rough-toothed, 

Risso’s, rough-toothed, spinner (Stenella 

longirostris), and striped (Stenella 

coeruleoalba) dolphins; harbor 

porpoise; Cuvier’s (Ziphius cavirostris) 

and Mesoplodon spp. beaked whales; 

dwarf (Kogia sima) and pygmy (Kogia 

breviceps) sperm whales; and false killer 

(Pseudorca crassidens), killer (Orcinus 

orca), melon-headed (Peponocephala 

electra), minke whale (Balaenoptera 

acutorostrata), pygmy killer (Feresa 

attenuata), and short- and long-finned 

pilot whales. Research may occur in 

waters off the Florida/Georgia border, 

the South Carolina/North Carolina 

border, and from Cape Hatteras, North 

Carolina up to Norfolk Canyon, Virginia. 

The objective of the research is to 

provide baseline data on the density, 

abundance, distribution, behavior and 

seasonal movements of cetaceans. The 

LOC replaces No. 19903 on May 1, 2021 

and expires on April 30, 2026. 

File No. 25529: Issued to Maddalena 

Bearzi, Ph.D., Ocean Conservation 

Society, P.O. Box 12860, Marina del 

Ray, California 90295, on April 6, 2021, 

to take effect on August 16, 2021. This 

LOC authorizes vessel surveys of 17 

species of marine mammals for close 

approach, counts, photo-identification, 

photography/videography, underwater 

photography/videography, behavioral 

observations, and focal follows within 

Santa Monica Bay and adjacent 

California waters. Species include: 

Bottlenose dolphins, California sea lions 

(Zalophus californianus), Dall’s 

porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli), Eastern 

North Pacific gray whales (Eschrichtius 

robustus), harbor porpoises, harbor seals 

(Phoca vitulina), killer whales, longbeaked common dolphins (Delphinus 

capensis), minke whales, northern 

elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), 

northern right whale dolphins 

(Lissodelphis borealis), Pacific whitesided dolphins (Lagenorhynchus 

obliquidens), Risso’s dolphins, shortbeaked common dolphins, short-finned 

pilot whales, and striped dolphins. The 

objective of the research is to continue 

the long-term study of the biology and 

ecology of marine mammals in the 

action area. The LOC expires on August 

1, 2026. 

File No. 19540: This LOC, held by 

Shannon Gowans, Ph.D., Eckerd 

College, 4200 54th Avenue South, St. 

Petersburg, Florida 33711, was extended 

on May 28, 2021, for approximately one 

year. The LOC authorizes vessel-based 

behavioral observations, photoidentification, and passive acoustic 

recording of bottlenose, rough-toothed, 

and Atlantic spotted dolphins in Tampa 

Bay and its surrounding waters. The 

objectives of the research will not 

change. The extended LOC expires on 

May 31, 2022. 

File No. 25527: Issued to Zach 

McKenna, St. Augustine Dolphin 

Research, 1093 A1a Beach Blvd. #430, 

St. Augustine, Florida 32080, on June 1, 

2021. This LOC authorizes vessel-based 

surveys for close approach, photoidentification, behavioral observations, 

videography, and passive acoustic 

recordings of bottlenose dolphins. 

Research may occur in inland Florida 

waters from the St. Johns RiverIntracoastal Waterway boundary south 

to Marineland. The objectives of the 

research are to identify and refine 

dolphin stock units in Florida, assess 

regional population biology and 

behavioral ecology, and document 

dolphin survival threats (e.g., humancaused entanglements and injuries). The 

LOC expires on May 31, 2026. 

File No. 25638: Issued to Clearwater 

Marine Aquarium (PI: Lisa Oliver), 249 

Windward Passage, Clearwater, Florida 

33767, on July 6, 2021. This LOC 

authorizes vessel and aerial-based 

surveys on bottlenose dolphins for 

acoustic, passive recording, photoidentification, behavioral observations, 

count/survey, and photography/ 

videography. Research may occur in the 

estuarine and coastal waters of West 

Central Florida. The objective of the 

research is to continue a longitudinal 

study on the home ranges, distribution, 

population abundance, site fidelity, and 

reproductive success of bottlenose 

dolphins. The LOC expires on July 15, 

2026. 

File No. 22587: Issued to Dolphin 

Research Center (PI: Armando 

Rodriguez), P.O. Box 522875, Marathon 

Shores, FL 33052, on August 4, 2021. 

This amended LOC (No. 22587–01) 

authorizes the use of unmanned aerial 

systems (UAS) for breath sampling, 

photography, and photogrammetry of 

bottlenose dolphins in the middle 

Florida Keys. The new objective of the 

research is to enhance the current 

vessel-based photo-identification field 

study by collecting morphometric and 

DNA information of dolphins. The LOC 

expires on February 15, 2024. 

File No. 25751: Issued to Shoals 

Marine Laboratory (PI: Andrea 

Bogomolni, Ph.D.), University of New 

Hampshire, 24 Colovos Road, Durham, 

New Hampshire 03824, on August 24, 

2021. This LOC authorizes vessel 

surveys, photo-identification, counts, 

and behavioral and monitoring 

observations of gray (Halichoerus 

grypus) and harbor seals in Maine and 

New Hampshire waters. The objectives 

of the research are to monitor changes 

in number and distribution of seals, resight of unique individuals, document 

use of the area by mother-pup pairs, 

visually assess health of individuals, 

and monitor the effects of human 


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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 14 / Friday, January 21, 2022 / Notices 3283 

disturbance on seals. The LOC expires 

on August 31, 2026. 

File No. 25811: Issued to the Naval 

Facilities Engineering Systems 

Command Atlantic (RP: Deanna Rees; 

PI: Danielle Jones), 6506 Hampton 

Boulevard, Norfolk, Virginia 23508. 

This LOC authorizes close approach, 

counts, unintentional disturbance, 

photo-identification, photography/ 

videography, and behavioral 

observations of harbor and gray seals via 

vessel surveys, ground surveys, and 

UAS along the coast of Virginia. Harp 

seals may be observed during research. 

The objective of the research is to 

collect data on pinniped occurrence, 

movement, habitat use, and haul-out 

patterns at known haul-out areas near 

the lower Chesapeake Bay and the 

Eastern Shore, Virginia. The LOC 

expires on September 30, 2026. 

File No. 20346: This LOC, held by 

Ann Weaver, Ph.D., Good-natured 

Statistics Consulting, P.O. Box 8732, St 

Petersburg, Florida 33738, was extended 

on September 13, 2021, while the 

holder’s new application (File No. 

25957) is in process. The LOC 

authorizes vessel-based research of 

bottlenose dolphins, including 

abundance surveys, behavioral 

observations, photography and video in 

and around a 6.5-mile stretch of the 

Intracoastal Waterway near John’s Pass, 

Florida. The objectives of the research 

would not change. The extended LOC 

expires on September 1, 2022, or until 

a decision is made on the new 

application, whichever occurs first. 

File No. 25574: Issued to Wendy Noke 

Durden, Hubbs-Sea World Research 

Institute, 3830 South Highway A1A #4– 

181, Melbourne Beach, Florida 32951, 

on September 23, 2021. This LOC 

authorizes vessel-based surveys and 

UAS flights for photo-identification, 

behavioral observations, focal follows, 

passive acoustic recordings, and breath 

sampling of bottlenose dolphins. 

Research may occur in the inland waters 

along the east coast of Florida from 

northernmost limits of Flagler County to 

Jupiter Inlet, including the Indian River 

Lagoon, with a focus on Mosquito 

Lagoon and the Halifax River estuary. 

The objective of the research is to 

evaluate the abundance, stock 

association, distribution, residency, 

social structure, population dynamics, 

habitat use, health, demography, 

behavior, anthropogenic interactions, 

and contact calls of dolphins within the 

study area. The LOC expires on 

September 30, 2026. 

File No. 25895: Issued to Jacalyn 

Sullivan, Stockton University, 101 Vera 

King Farris Drive, Galloway, New Jersey 

08205, on October 29, 2021. This LOC 

authorizes UAS surveys of harbor seals 

for count/survey, behavioral observation 

monitoring, photo-identification, and 

videography. The objective of the 

research is to determine temporal 

patterns of harbor seal habitat use in 

Great Bay, New Jersey, population size, 

and shifts over time as a nearby wind 

farm becomes operational. The LOC 

expires on October 31, 2026. 

File No. 25835: Issued to Tampa Bay 

Watch (PI: Savannah Gandee), 3000 

Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, 

Florida 33715, on December 21, 2021. 

This LOC authorizes vessel-based 

surveys of bottlenose dolphins for 

behavioral observations, photoidentification, passive acoustics, count/ 

survey, and photography/videography 

in Tampa Bay. The objective of the 

research is to provide an updated 

account of the common bottlenose 

dolphin population that utilizes 

understudied regions of Tampa Bay for 

management and conservation 

purposes. The LOC expires on 

December 31, 2021. 

In compliance with the National 

Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 

U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final 

determination has been made that the 

activities are categorically excluded 

from the requirement to prepare an 

environmental assessment or 

environmental impact statement. 

Dated: January 7, 2022. 

Julia M. Harrison, 

Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, 

Office of Protected Resources, National 

Marine Fisheries Service. 

[FR Doc. 2022–00496 Filed 1–20–22; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–22–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration 

Review of Nomination for Hudson 

Canyon National Marine Sanctuary 

AGENCY: Office of National Marine 

Sanctuaries (ONMS), National Ocean 

Service (NOS), National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 

Department of Commerce (DOC). 

ACTION: Notice; request for written 

comments. 

SUMMARY: The National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is 

seeking written comments on its fiveyear review of the nomination for 

Hudson Canyon National Marine 

Sanctuary (NMS). Comments should 

focus solely on any new and relevant 

information relating to NOAA’s 11 

sanctuary nomination evaluation 

criteria. NOAA will pay particular 

attention to any additional details about 

the significance of the area’s natural or 

cultural resources, changes to any 

threats to these resources, and evolving 

management efforts, or human uses in 

the proposed area (e.g., wind energy 

proposals in the area). NOAA will make 

a final determination on whether the 

Hudson Canyon NMS nomination 

remains relevant and responsive to the 

evaluation criteria after it analyzes the 

comments it receives and, if so, whether 

Hudson Canyon NMS is to remain in the 

nomination inventory for another fiveyear period. With this five-year review, 

NOAA is not seeking comments on 

whether to start the sanctuary 

designation process for the Hudson 

Canyon NMS proposal. 

DATES: Comments are due by February 

7, 2022. 

ADDRESSES: Comments may be 

submitted by one of the following 

methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: 

https://www.regulations.gov. Submit 

electronic comments via the Federal 

eRulemaking Portal and search for 

Docket Number NOAA–NOS–2022– 

0010. 

• Mail: LeAnn Hogan, Regional 

Operations Coordinator, NOAA 

Sanctuaries Eastern Region, 1305 East 

West Highway, N/NMS, Silver Spring, 

MD 20910. 

Email: LeAnn.Hogan@noaa.gov. 

Instructions: All comments received 

are a part of the public record. All 

personally identifiable information (for 

example, name and address) voluntarily 

submitted by the commenter may be 

publicly accessible. Do not submit 

confidential business information or 

otherwise sensitive or protected 

information. NOAA will accept 

anonymous comments (enter N/A in the 

required fields to remain anonymous). 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

LeAnn Hogan, Regional Operations 

Coordinator, NOAA Sanctuaries Eastern 

Region, 1305 East-West Highway, N/ 

NMS, Silver Spring, MD 20910, or at 

LeAnn.Hogan@noaa.gov, or 202–731– 

0678. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background Information 

In June 2014, NOAA issued a final 

rule establishing the sanctuary 

nomination process (SNP), which 

details how communities may submit 

nominations to NOAA for consideration 

of national marine sanctuary 

designation (79 FR 33851). NOAA 

moves successful nominations to an 

inventory of areas that could be 

considered for national marine 


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