[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 198 (Tuesday, October 14, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 61619]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-24331]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC136


Marine Mammals; File No. 17152

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for permit amendment.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Point Blue Conservation Science, 
formerly PRBO Conservation Science, 3820 Cypress Drive, #11, Petaluma, 
CA 94954 (Responsible Party: Russ Bradley), has applied for an 
amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 17152.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before November 13, 2014.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for 
review by selecting ``Records Open for Public Comment'' from the 
Features box on the Applications and Permits for Protected Species home 
page, https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then selecting File No. 17152 
from the list of available applications.
    These documents are also available upon written request or by 
appointment in the Permits and Conservation Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910; phone: (301) 427-8401; fax: (301) 713-0376.
    Written comments on this application should be submitted to the 
Chief, Permits and Conservation 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#76383b30255826044735191b1b13180205361819171758111900"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="91dfdcd7c2bfc1e3a0d2fefcfcf4ffe5e2d1fffef0f0bff6fee7">[email protected]</span></a>. Please include the File No. in the 
subject line of the email comment.
    Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a 
written request to the Chief, Permits and Conservation Division at the 
address listed above. The request should set forth the specific reasons 
why a hearing on this application would be appropriate.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brendan Hurley or Amy Sloan, (301) 
427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject amendment to Permit No. 17152 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).
    Permit No. 17152, issued on November 28, 2012 (77 FR 73988), 
authorizes the permit holder to monitor population trends, health, and 
ecology of pinnipeds in California over a 5-year period. To accomplish 
this, researchers are authorized to capture, sedate, sample, mark, 
instrument, photo-identify and incidentally harass harbor seals (Phoca 
vitulina richardii). Ten mortalities of harbor seals over the duration 
of the permit are authorized. Researchers are authorized to capture, 
mark, weigh, and sample (swabs and blood) northern elephant seals 
(Mirounga angustirostris); and incidentally harass elephant seals 
during captures and ground monitoring/photo-identification. Researchers 
are authorized to harass California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) 
and northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) during ground surveys and 
photo-identification. The permit holder is requesting the permit be 
amended to include authorization for increased incidental disturbance 
takes for California sea lions at the South Farallon Islands (SFI) from 
the current level of 1,500 animals to 2,500 animals per year; increased 
incidental disturbance takes for Northern fur seals at SFI from the 
current level of 75 animals, with 2 takes per individual, to 250 
animals, with one take per animal; add incidental disturbance takes for 
Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) at SFI of 250 takes annually; 
and to add a new project to assess diet of California sea lions at SFI 
via scat collection. The amendment would be valid for the duration of 
the permit, which expires on November 30, 2017.
    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: October 8, 2014.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-24331 Filed 10-10-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P


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