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###### Department of Commerce

###### National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

          - RIN 0648-XF787

# AGENCY:

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

# ACTION:

Notice; receipt of application.

# SUMMARY:

                        Notice is hereby given that Gregory Bossart, V.M.D., Ph.D., Georgia Aquarium, 225 Baker Street Northwest, Atlanta, GA 30313, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on bottlenose dolphins (                        *Tursiops truncatus*).                    

# DATES:

Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or before November 29, 2017.

# 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 (APPS) home page,                         *https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov,*                         and then selecting File No. 21431 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                         *NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov.*                         Please include File No. 21431 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:

Shasta McClenahan or Amy Hapeman, (301) 427-8401.

# 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.*), and the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).                

The applicant requests a five-year permit to assess individual, population, and comparative perspectives of bottlenose dolphin health in the Indian River lagoon and Mantanzas River, Florida. Up to 40 adult or juvenile bottlenose dolphins per year would be captured, sampled, and released for health assessments. Procedures for captured dolphins would include morphometrics, biological sampling (skin and blubber biopsy, blood, mucus membrane swabs, fecal, and urine), ultrasound, tooth extraction, and marking (freeze-brand or roto tag). Dolphins would only be sampled once per year. An additional 400 bottlenose dolphins may be harassed each year during vessel surveys for photography, videography, counts, and behavioral observations. Two unintentional mortalities may occur due to capture over the life of the permit.

                    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 the                           ( print page 50122)                        application to the Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.                

Dated: October 24, 2017.

Julia Harrison,

Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 2017-23512 Filed 10-27-17; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-22-P