[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 127 (Monday, July 6, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 31913]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-15843]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XO42


Marine Mammals; File Nos. 14197 and 782-1812

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

ACTION:  Notice; issuance of permit and permit amendment.

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SUMMARY:  Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Air Force, 30th Space 
Wing Civil Engineer Environmental Flight, Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA 
has been issued a permit to conduct research on marine mammals (File 
No. 14197); and NMFS National Marine Mammal Laboratory, Seattle, WA, 
has been issued a major amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 
782-1812 for research on marine mammals.

ADDRESSES:  The permits 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)427-2521;
    (File No. 782-1812 only) Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point 
Way NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 1, Seattle, WA 98115-0700; phone (206)526-
6150; fax (206)526-6426; and
    Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long 
Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562)980-4001; fax (562)980-4018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Tammy Adams or Kate Swails, (301)713-
2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 6, 2009, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (74 FR 15460) that requests for a permit and 
permit amendment to conduct research on marine mammals had been 
submitted by the above-named applicants. The requested permit and 
permit amendment have been issued under the authority of the Marine 
Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and 
the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals 
(50 CFR part 216).
    Permit No. 14197 authorizes continued studies of the effects of 
noise from rocket and missile launches and subsequent launch-generated 
sonic booms on Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardii), 
California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), and northern elephant 
seals (Mirounga angustirostris) at Vandenberg Air Force Base and the 
northern California Channel Islands. The permit is valid through June 
30, 2014.
    Permit No. 782-1812-00, issued on May 9, 2006 (71 FR 27996), 
authorizes research related to population and health assessment and 
studies of the ecology of and disease in California sea lions, northern 
elephant seals, harbor seals, and northern fur seals (Callorhinus 
ursinus) on the southern California Channel Islands, surrounding 
waters, and at haul-out sites along the coast of California, Oregon, 
and Washington. The amendment revises protocols and numbers related to 
research on California sea lions, and is valid through permit 
expiration on June 30, 2011.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final determination has been made that the 
activities proposed are categorically excluded from the requirement to 
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.

    Dated: June 29, 2009.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E9-15843 Filed 7-2-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S