[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 145 (Wednesday, July 29, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40513-40514]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-20213]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
[I.D. 072298A]


Marine Mammals; File No. 715-1457

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. A.W. Trites, Research 
Director, North Pacific Universities Marine Mammal Research Consortium, 
6248 Biological Sciences Road, Hut B3, Room 18, University of British 
Columbia, Vancouver, B.C. Canada, V6T 1Z4, has applied in due form for 
a permit to take Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) for purposes of 
scientific research.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before 
August 28, 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 13130, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/
713-2289); and
    Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, National Marine Fisheries

[[Page 40514]]

Service, NOAA, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668 (907/586-7221).
    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: Sara Shapiro or Ruth Johnson, 301/713-
2289.

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.), 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).
    Dr. Trites is requesting authorization to: apply a dive behavior/
stomach temperature sensor recorder to determine Steller sea lion 
foraging biology and energetics; gather data on the development of 
independent foraging of pups and juveniles; determine seasonal changes 
in diet and distribution; and collect data on life history parameters 
and indices of nutritional status.
    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.

    Dated: July 23, 1998.
Ann D. Terbush,
Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 98-20213 Filed 7-28-98; 8:45 am]
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