[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 14, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10272-10273]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-3770]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D.020101A]


Marine Mammals; File No. 782-1613

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 the National Marine Mammal 
Laboratory, National Marine Fisheries Service, has applied in due form 
for a permit to take California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), 
harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), and northern elephant seals (Mirounga 
angustirostris) and incidentally take northern fur seals (Callorhinus 
ursinus) for purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before 
March 16, 2001.

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);
    Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA 90802-
4213 (562/980-4001); and
    Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115 
(201/526-6150).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tammy Adams 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.) and the Regulations Governing the Taking 
and Importing of Marine Mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The applicant is requesting permission to conduct three research 
projects on three species of pinnipeds breeding in San Miguel Island, 
California: (1) population assessment of California sea lions (CSL); 
(2) ecology of infectious diseases and cancers in CSL; and (3) foraging 
ecology of harbor seals and northern elephants. The objectives are to: 
(1) monitor trends in population parameters and health of CSL; (2) 
identify the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that affect the 
susceptibility to infectious diseases and the development

[[Page 10273]]

of cancer in CSL; and (3) describe the environmental factors that 
influence the foraging ecology of harbor seals and northern elephant 
seals. Population assessment of CSL is a continuation of a long-term 
program designed to meet the needs of the NMFS mandate to monitor 
population health of pinnipeds. Northern fur seals may be incidentally 
harassed during the conduct of these activities.
    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.
    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.
    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: February 8, 2001.
Trevor R. Spradlin,
Acting Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 01-3770 Filed 2-13-01; 8:45 am]
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