[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 84 (Monday, May 3, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 23242]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-10243]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XW21


Marine Mammals; File Nos. 15498 and 15500

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

ACTION:  Notice; receipt of application.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY:  Notice is hereby given that Chicago Zoological Society - 
Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield, IL 60513, and Georgia 
Aquarium, 225 Baker Street, NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, have each applied in 
due form for a permit to import Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops 
truncatus) for public display.

DATES:  Written, telefaxed, or e-mail comments must be received on or 
before June 2, 2010.

ADDRESSES:  The applications and related documents are available for 
review upon written request or by appointment in the following 
office(s):
    Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 
20910; phone (301) 713-2289; fax (301) 713-0376;
    File No. 15498: Northeast Region, NMFS, 55 Great Republic Drive, 
Gloucester, MA 01930; phone (978) 281-9328; fax (978) 281-9394; and
    File No. 15500: Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, 
Saint Petersburg, FL 33701; phone (727) 824-5312; fax (727) 824-5309.
    Written comments or requests for a public hearing on these 
applications should be submitted to the Chief, Permits, Conservation 
and Education Division, at the address listed above. Comments may also 
be submitted by facsimile to (301) 713-0376, or by email to 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#97d9dad1c4b9c7e5a6d4f8fafaf2f9e3e4d7f9f8f6f6b9f0f8e1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c58b888396eb95b7f486aaa8a8a0abb1b685abaaa4a4eba2aab3">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include the File No. in the subject 
line of the email comment. Those individuals requesting a hearing 
should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this particular 
request would be appropriate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Jennifer Skidmore or Kristy Beard, 
(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.), and the regulations governing the 
taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    File No. 15498: Chicago Zoological Society requests authorization 
to import one male and one female captive born bottlenose dolphin from 
Dolphin Quest Bermuda, Hamilton, Bermuda, to the Brookfield Zoo, 
Brookfield, IL, for the purpose of public display. The Brookfield Zoo 
is: (1) open to the public on regularly scheduled basis with access 
that is not limited or restricted other than by charging for an 
admission fee; (2) offers an educational program based on 
professionally accepted standards of the Alliance of Marine Mammal 
Parks and Aquariums; and (3) holds an Exhibitor's License, number 33-C-
0003, issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the Animal 
Welfare Act (7 U.S.C. Sec. Sec.  2131 - 59).
    File No. 15500: Georgia Aquarium requests authorization to import 
two male captive born bottlenose dolphins from Dolphin Experience, 
Ltd., Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, The Bahamas, and three female 
captive born bottlenose dolphins from Dolphin Quest Bermuda, Hamilton, 
Bermuda, to its facility in Atlanta, Georgia, for purposes of public 
display. Georgia Aquarium is: (1) open to the public on regularly 
scheduled basis with access that is not limited or restricted other 
than by charging for an admission fee; (2) offers an educational 
program based on professionally accepted standards of the Alliance of 
Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums and the Association of Zoos and 
Aquariums; and (3) holds an Exhibitor's License, number 57-C-0220, 
issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the Animal Welfare 
Act (7 U.S.C. Sec. Sec.  2131 - 59).
    In addition to determining whether the applicant meets the three 
public display criteria, NMFS must determine whether the applicants 
have demonstrated that the proposed activity is humane and does not 
represent any unnecessary risks to the health and welfare of marine 
mammals; that the proposed activity by itself, or in combination with 
other activities, will not likely have a significant adverse impact on 
the species or stock; and that the applicants' expertise, facilities 
and resources are adequate to accomplish successfully the objectives 
and activities stated in the applications.
    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: April 28, 2010.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-10243 Filed 4-30-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S


</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>