[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 92 (Wednesday, May 13, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 26574]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-12699]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 050698A]


Marine Mammals; File No. 782-1455 and File No. 738-1454

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

ACTION: Receipt of applications.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Douglas P. DeMaster, Ph.D., 
National Marine Mammal Laboratory, National Marine Fisheries Service, 
NOAA, 7600 Sand Point Way, NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 1, Seattle, WA 98115-
0070, has applied in due form for a permit to take Northern fur seals 
(Callorhinus ursinus), Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), and 
California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) for purposes of 
scientific research. In addition, Carole Conway, Genomic Variation 
Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, Meyer Hall, University of 
California, Davis, CA 95616-3322, has applied in due form for a permit 
to import blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) skin samples from Canada 
for purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before June 
12, 1998.
ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for 
review upon written request or by appointment: See SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION.
    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 e-mail or by other 
electronic media.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ruth Johnson or Sara Shapiro, 301/713-
2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permits are 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.), the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered fish and wildlife (50 CFR 222.23), and the Fur Seal Act of 
1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
    Dr. DeMaster (File No. 782-1455) seeks authorization to: monitor 
the status of the northern fur seal population (Callorhinus ursinus); 
evaluate the condition of pups from each cohort (health or strength of 
year-class); monitor the diet of fur seals in the Bering Sea during the 
summer; document the movement patterns and foraging behavior of various 
age and sex classes of fur seals; and incidentally disturb Steller sea 
lions (Eumetopias jubatus) and California sea lions (Zalophus 
californianus) while conducting the above-listed activities.
    Carole Conway (File No. 738-1454) requests a permit to import blue 
whale (Balaenoptera musculus) skin samples from Canada over a 5-year 
period. The samples are necessary for a global study of the genetic 
structure of populations which will provide critical information for 
conservation management of this species.
    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.
    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.
    The application and related documents submitted by Dr. DeMaster may 
be reviewed in the following locations:
    Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13130, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/
713-2289);
    Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, NOAA, 7600 sand Point Way, NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 1, Seattle, 
WA 98115-0070;
    Regional Administrator, Southwest Region, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, NOAA, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-
4213; and
    Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, NOAA, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668.
    The application and related documents submitted by Ms. Conway may 
be reviewed in the following locations:
    Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13130, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/
713-2289); and
    Regional Administrator, Southwest Region, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, NOAA, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-
4213.

    Dated: May 7, 1998.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-12699 Filed 5-12-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F