SUMMARY:
+&We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species, marine mammals, or both. With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) prohibits activities with listed species unless a Federal permit is issued that allows such activities. Both laws require that we invite public comment before issuing these permits.
+SUMMARY:
+&We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species, marine mammals, or both. With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) prohibits activities with listed species unless a Federal permit is issued that allows such activities. Both laws require that we invite public comment before issuing these permits.
+SUMMARY:
+&We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following applications to conduct certain activities with endangered species, marine mammals, or both. With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) prohibits activities with listed species unless a Federal permit is issued that allows such activities. Both laws require that we invite public comment before issuing these permits.
+SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
+I. Public Comment Procedures
+A. How Do I Request Copies of Applications or Comment on Submitted Applications?
+Send your request for copies of applications or comments and materials concerning any of the applications to the contact listed under ADDRESSES . Please include the Federal Register notice publication date, the PRT-number, and the name of the applicant in your request or submission. We will not consider requests or comments sent to an e-mail or address not listed under ADDRESSES . If you provide an email address in your request for copies of applications, we will attempt to respond to your request electronically.
+Please make your requests or comments as specific as possible. Please confine your comments to issues for which we seek comments in this notice, and explain the basis for your comments. Include sufficient information with your comments to allow us to authenticate any scientific or commercial data you include.
+The comments and recommendations that will be most useful and likely to influence agency decisions are: (1) Those supported by quantitative information or studies; and (2) Those that include citations to, and analyses of, the applicable laws and regulations. We will not consider or include in our administrative record comments we receive after the close of the comment period (see DATES) or comments delivered to an address other than those listed above (see ADDRESSES ).
+B. May I Review Comments Submitted by Others?
+Comments, including names and street addresses of respondents, will be available for public review at the address listed under ADDRESSES . The public may review documents and other information applicants have sent in support of the application unless our allowing viewing would violate the Privacy Act or Freedom of Information Act. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
+II. Background
+To help us carry out our conservation responsibilities for affected species, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, section 10(a)(1)(A), as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. ), and our regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR 17, the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq. ), and our regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR 18 require that we invite public comment before final action on these permit applications. Under the MMPA, you may request a hearing on any MMPA application received. If you request a hearing, give specific reasons why a hearing would be appropriate. The holding of such a hearing is at the discretion of the Service Director.
+III. Permit Applications
+A. Endangered Species
+Applicant:
The applicant requests a permit to export biological samples from captive born golden-crowned sifaka (
Applicant:
The applicant requests a permit to import biological samples from American crocodile (
Multiple Applicants
+The following applicants each request a permit to import the sport-hunted trophy of one male bontebok (
Applicant:
Applicant:
B. Endangered Marine Mammals and Marine Mammals
+Applicant:
The applicant requests amendment and renewal of the permit to take and harassment polar bears (
Applicant:
The applicant requests a permit to take a
Applicant:
The applicant requests a permit to photography Florida manatees (
Concurrent with publishing this notice in the Federal Register , we are forwarding copies of the above applications to the Marine Mammal Commission and the Committee of Scientific Advisors for their review.
+SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
+I. Public Comment Procedures
+A. How Do I Request Copies of Applications or Comment on Submitted Applications?
+Send your request for copies of applications or comments and materials concerning any of the applications to the contact listed under ADDRESSES . Please include the Federal Register notice publication date, the PRT-number, and the name of the applicant in your request or submission. We will not consider requests or comments sent to an e-mail or address not listed under ADDRESSES . If you provide an email address in your request for copies of applications, we will attempt to respond to your request electronically.
+Please make your requests or comments as specific as possible. Please confine your comments to issues for which we seek comments in this notice, and explain the basis for your comments. Include sufficient information with your comments to allow us to authenticate any scientific or commercial data you include.
+The comments and recommendations that will be most useful and likely to influence agency decisions are: (1) Those supported by quantitative information or studies; and (2) Those that include citations to, and analyses of, the applicable laws and regulations. We will not consider or include in our administrative record comments we receive after the close of the comment period (see DATES) or comments delivered to an address other than those listed above (see ADDRESSES ).
+B. May I Review Comments Submitted by Others?
+Comments, including names and street addresses of respondents, will be available for public review at the address listed under ADDRESSES . The public may review documents and other information applicants have sent in support of the application unless our allowing viewing would violate the Privacy Act or Freedom of Information Act. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
+II. Background
+To help us carry out our conservation responsibilities for affected species, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, section 10(a)(1)(A), as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. ), and our regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR 17, the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq. ), and our regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR 18 require that we invite public comment before final action on these permit applications. Under the MMPA, you may request a hearing on any MMPA application received. If you request a hearing, give specific reasons why a hearing would be appropriate. The holding of such a hearing is at the discretion of the Service Director.
+III. Permit Applications
+A. Endangered Species
+Applicant:
The applicant requests a permit to export biological samples from captive born golden-crowned sifaka (
Applicant:
The applicant requests a permit to import biological samples from American crocodile (
Multiple Applicants
+The following applicants each request a permit to import the sport-hunted trophy of one male bontebok (
Applicant:
Applicant:
B. Endangered Marine Mammals and Marine Mammals
+Applicant:
The applicant requests amendment and renewal of the permit to take and harassment polar bears (
Applicant:
The applicant requests a permit to take a
Applicant:
The applicant requests a permit to photography Florida manatees (
Concurrent with publishing this notice in the Federal Register , we are forwarding copies of the above applications to the Marine Mammal Commission and the Committee of Scientific Advisors for their review.
+SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
+I. Public Comment Procedures
+A. How Do I Request Copies of Applications or Comment on Submitted Applications?
+Send your request for copies of applications or comments and materials concerning any of the applications to the contact listed under ADDRESSES . Please include the Federal Register notice publication date, the PRT-number, and the name of the applicant in your request or submission. We will not consider requests or comments sent to an e-mail or address not listed under ADDRESSES . If you provide an email address in your request for copies of applications, we will attempt to respond to your request electronically.
+Please make your requests or comments as specific as possible. Please confine your comments to issues for which we seek comments in this notice, and explain the basis for your comments. Include sufficient information with your comments to allow us to authenticate any scientific or commercial data you include.
+The comments and recommendations that will be most useful and likely to influence agency decisions are: (1) Those supported by quantitative information or studies; and (2) Those that include citations to, and analyses of, the applicable laws and regulations. We will not consider or include in our administrative record comments we receive after the close of the comment period (see DATES) or comments delivered to an address other than those listed above (see ADDRESSES ).
+B. May I Review Comments Submitted by Others?
+Comments, including names and street addresses of respondents, will be available for public review at the address listed under ADDRESSES . The public may review documents and other information applicants have sent in support of the application unless our allowing viewing would violate the Privacy Act or Freedom of Information Act. Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
+II. Background
+To help us carry out our conservation responsibilities for affected species, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, section 10(a)(1)(A), as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. ), and our regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR 17, the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq. ), and our regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 50 CFR 18 require that we invite public comment before final action on these permit applications. Under the MMPA, you may request a hearing on any MMPA application received. If you request a hearing, give specific reasons why a hearing would be appropriate. The holding of such a hearing is at the discretion of the Service Director.
+III. Permit Applications
+A. Endangered Species
+Applicant:
The applicant requests a permit to export biological samples from captive born golden-crowned sifaka (
Applicant:
The applicant requests a permit to import biological samples from American crocodile (
Multiple Applicants
+The following applicants each request a permit to import the sport-hunted trophy of one male bontebok (
Applicant:
Applicant:
B. Endangered Marine Mammals and Marine Mammals
+Applicant:
The applicant requests amendment and renewal of the permit to take and harassment polar bears (
Applicant:
The applicant requests a permit to take a
Applicant:
The applicant requests a permit to photography Florida manatees (
Concurrent with publishing this notice in the Federal Register , we are forwarding copies of the above applications to the Marine Mammal Commission and the Committee of Scientific Advisors for their review.
+National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
+Receipt of applications No. 42-1642, 555-1638 and 782-1645; and receipt of application to amend Permit No. 376-1520-01.
+Notice is hereby given of the following actions for takes of marine mammal species for the purposes of scientific research:
+NMFS has received permit applications from: Mystic Aquarium, 55 Coogan Blvd., Mystic, CT 06355 (Dr. Lisa Mazarro, Principal Investigator) (Application No. 42-1642); James Harvey, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, 8272 Moss Landing Road, Moss Landing, CA 95039 (Application No. 555-1638); and NMFS, National Marine Mammal Laboratory, 7600 Sand Point Way, N.E., BIN C15700, Seattle, WA 98115-0070 (Dr. Robert DeLong, Principal Investigator) (Application No. 782-1645); and NMFS has received an application for a permit amendment from Jim Hain, Associated Scientists at Woods Hole, Box 721, Woods Hole, MA 02543 (Permit No. 376-1520-01).
+Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before August 30, 2001.
+The application and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment. See
Ruth Johnson, Tammy Adams, or Amy Sloan, (301) 713-2289.
+The subject permits and permit amendment are requested under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361
For Application No. 42-1642, the applicant requests permission to study metabolic clearance rates of vitamins A and E using isotope tracers and vitamin analogs in captive Steller sea lions, relation to various life history stages, establish the vitamin A and E status of free-ranging Steller sea lions, determine the metabolic requirements for these vitamins by relating intake to blood levels in captive specimens, and receive or import serum and milk samples from captive marine mammals held in facilities within the United States and abroad to study the disease hemochromatosis (an excessive accumulation of iron in tissues often associated with hepatic lesions) as well as others associated with general marine mammal health.
+For Application No. 555-1638, the applicant requests permission to conduct research on 22 cetacean species and 5 pinniped species in the North Pacific Ocean along the coasts of California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska (below the Aleutian Islands) in order to study the following: distribution and abundance related to environmental factors; prey and foraging behaviors; health and stock structure of individuals; effects of anthropogenic factors (i.e., vessel noise) on acoustic signals; and movements of individuals or pods during migrations or within their home range. This research will be accomplished using aerial and shipboard line-transect survey methods, monitoring of radio-tagged individuals, recording behavior and vocalizations, collecting biopsy samples from cetaceans, and collecting blood and morphometric measurements from small cetaceans and pinnipeds.
+ +For Application No. 782-1645, the applicant requests permission to capture and attach radio-telemetry devices to harbor porpoises (
For Permit No. 376-1520-01, the Permit authorizes the Holder to approach a variety of cetacean species to conduct photo-identification and behavioral observations. The approach distances in the permit are currently limited to : within 100 ft (31 m) by vessel, 200 ft (61 m) directly above and 350 ft (107 m) slant range by aircraft for all species except North Atlantic right whales (
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321
Written comments or requests for a public hearing on any of these applications 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 the 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 these applications to the Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.
+Documents may be reviewed in the following locations:
+For all permit applications and the application to amend a permit: Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301) 713-2289; fax (301) 713-0376;
+For Applications No. 42-1642, 555-1638, and 782-1645: Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 1, Seattle, WA 98115-0700; phone (206) 526-6150; fax (206) 526-6426;
+For Applications No. 42-1642 and 555-1638: Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone (907) 586-7221; fax (907) 586-7249;
+For Applications No. 42-1642 and 555-1638: Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562) 980-4001; fax (562) 980-4018;
+For Application No. 555-1638: Protected Species Coordinator, Pacific Area Office, NMFS, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Rm, 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814-4700; phone (808) 973-2935; fax (808) 973-2941;
+For Application No. 42-1642 and Permit No. 376-1520-01: Northeast Region, NMFS, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298; phone (978) 281-9200; fax (978) 281-9371;
+For Application No. 42-1642 and Permit No. 376-1520-01: Southeast Region, NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive North, St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432; phone (727) 570-5301; fax (727) 570-5320.
+National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
-Receipt of applications No. 42-1642, 555-1638 and 782-1645; and receipt of application to amend Permit No. 376-1520-01.
-Notice is hereby given of the following actions for takes of marine mammal species for the purposes of scientific research:
-NMFS has received permit applications from: Mystic Aquarium, 55 Coogan Blvd., Mystic, CT 06355 (Dr. Lisa Mazarro, Principal Investigator) (Application No. 42-1642); James Harvey, Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, 8272 Moss Landing Road, Moss Landing, CA 95039 (Application No. 555-1638); and NMFS, National Marine Mammal Laboratory, 7600 Sand Point Way, N.E., BIN C15700, Seattle, WA 98115-0070 (Dr. Robert DeLong, Principal Investigator) (Application No. 782-1645); and NMFS has received an application for a permit amendment from Jim Hain, Associated Scientists at Woods Hole, Box 721, Woods Hole, MA 02543 (Permit No. 376-1520-01).
-Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before August 30, 2001.
-The application and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment. See
Ruth Johnson, Tammy Adams, or Amy Sloan, (301) 713-2289.
-The subject permits and permit amendment are requested under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361
For Application No. 42-1642, the applicant requests permission to study metabolic clearance rates of vitamins A and E using isotope tracers and vitamin analogs in captive Steller sea lions, relation to various life history stages, establish the vitamin A and E status of free-ranging Steller sea lions, determine the metabolic requirements for these vitamins by relating intake to blood levels in captive specimens, and receive or import serum and milk samples from captive marine mammals held in facilities within the United States and abroad to study the disease hemochromatosis (an excessive accumulation of iron in tissues often associated with hepatic lesions) as well as others associated with general marine mammal health.
-For Application No. 555-1638, the applicant requests permission to conduct research on 22 cetacean species and 5 pinniped species in the North Pacific Ocean along the coasts of California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska (below the Aleutian Islands) in order to study the following: distribution and abundance related to environmental factors; prey and foraging behaviors; health and stock structure of individuals; effects of anthropogenic factors (i.e., vessel noise) on acoustic signals; and movements of individuals or pods during migrations or within their home range. This research will be accomplished using aerial and shipboard line-transect survey methods, monitoring of radio-tagged individuals, recording behavior and vocalizations, collecting biopsy samples from cetaceans, and collecting blood and morphometric measurements from small cetaceans and pinnipeds.
- -For Application No. 782-1645, the applicant requests permission to capture and attach radio-telemetry devices to harbor porpoises (
For Permit No. 376-1520-01, the Permit authorizes the Holder to approach a variety of cetacean species to conduct photo-identification and behavioral observations. The approach distances in the permit are currently limited to : within 100 ft (31 m) by vessel, 200 ft (61 m) directly above and 350 ft (107 m) slant range by aircraft for all species except North Atlantic right whales (
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321
Written comments or requests for a public hearing on any of these applications 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 the 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 these applications to the Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.
-Documents may be reviewed in the following locations:
-For all permit applications and the application to amend a permit: Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301) 713-2289; fax (301) 713-0376;
-For Applications No. 42-1642, 555-1638, and 782-1645: Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 1, Seattle, WA 98115-0700; phone (206) 526-6150; fax (206) 526-6426;
-For Applications No. 42-1642 and 555-1638: Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone (907) 586-7221; fax (907) 586-7249;
-For Applications No. 42-1642 and 555-1638: Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562) 980-4001; fax (562) 980-4018;
-For Application No. 555-1638: Protected Species Coordinator, Pacific Area Office, NMFS, 1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Rm, 1110, Honolulu, HI 96814-4700; phone (808) 973-2935; fax (808) 973-2941;
-For Application No. 42-1642 and Permit No. 376-1520-01: Northeast Region, NMFS, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298; phone (978) 281-9200; fax (978) 281-9371;
-For Application No. 42-1642 and Permit No. 376-1520-01: Southeast Region, NMFS, 9721 Executive Center Drive North, St. Petersburg, FL 33702-2432; phone (727) 570-5301; fax (727) 570-5320.
-