[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 44 (Thursday, March 6, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 10259]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-5539]



[[Page 10259]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
[I.D. 022897C]


Marine Mammals; Scientific Research Permit (PHF# 848-1335)

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 Southwest Fisheries Science 
Center, Honolulu Laboratory, NMFS, 2570 Dole Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 
96822-2396, has applied in due form for a permit to take Hawaiian monk 
seals (Monachus schauinslandi) for purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before April 5, 1997.

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 Region, 501 West Ocean Boulevard, 
Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213 (310/980-4001); and
Protected Species Coordinator, Pacific Area Office, 2570 Dole Street, 
Room 106, Honolulu, HI 96822-2396 (808/973-2987).

    Written data or views, or requests for a public hearing on this 
request, should be submitted to the Director, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13130, Silver Spring, MD 
20910. Those individuals requesting a hearing should set forth the 
specific reasons why a hearing on this application would be 
appropriate.
    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     
(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 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), and the regulations 
governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered fish and 
wildlife (50 CFR 222.23).
    The application encompasses all research and enhancement activities 
to be conducted on Hawaiian monk seals by the NMFS Honolulu Laboratory 
for the next 5 years. The proposed activities will also include all 
takes currently authorized under the Center's Permit No. 898, thereby 
making that permit null and void. Research activities will involve 
population assessment, disease assessment, recovery action, and pelagic 
ecology studies.
    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: February 28, 1997.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 97-5539 Filed 3-5-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-W