80 FR 34384 - Marine Mammals; File No. 14610

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 115 (June 16, 2015)

Page Range		34384-34385
FR Document		2015-14753

Notice is hereby given that the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG), Division of Wildlife Conservation, Juneau, AK (Principal Investigator: Lori Quakenbush) has been issued a minor amendment to Scientific Research Permit No. 14610-03.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 115 (Tuesday, June 16, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 115 (Tuesday, June 16, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34384-34385]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-14753]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XV92


Marine Mammals; File No. 14610

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

ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit amendment.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Alaska Department of Fish and 
Game (ADFG), Division of Wildlife Conservation, Juneau, AK (Principal 
Investigator: Lori Quakenbush) has been issued a minor amendment to 
Scientific Research Permit No. 14610-03.

ADDRESSES: The amendment and related documents are available for review 
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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Courtney Smith or Brendan Hurley; 
phone: (301) 427-8401.

[[Page 34385]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The requested amendment has been granted 
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).
    The current permit (No. 14610-03), issued on August 11, 2014 (75 FR 
30383) authorized vessel and aerial surveys, photo-identification, 
remote biopsy and instrument attachment research activities on beluga 
(Delphinapterus leucas), endangered bowhead (Balaena mysticetus), gray 
(Eschrictius robustus), and endangered humpback whales (Megaptera 
novaeangliae) through May 31, 2015. The minor amendment (No. 14610-04) 
extends the duration of the permit by one year through May 31, 2016, 
but does not change any other terms or conditions of the permit.

    Dated: June 10, 2015.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-14753 Filed 6-15-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

34384 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 115 / Tuesday, June 16, 2015 / Notices

subsistence communities and will community and provide advice on ways National Environmental Policy Act
implement during its planned 2015/ to minimize and mitigate potential (NEPA)
2016 ice overflight surveys to minimize negative impacts to subsistence NMFS prepared an EA that includes
any adverse effects on the availability of resources during the survey season. an analysis of potential environmental
marine mammals for subsistence uses. Responsibilities include reporting any effects associated with NMFS’ issuance
In addition, the POC details Shell’s subsistence concerns or conflicts; of an IHA to Shell to take marine
communications and consultations with coordinating with subsistence users; mammals incidental to conducting ice
local subsistence communities reporting subsistence-related comments, overflight surveys in the Beaufort and
concerning its planned 2015/2016 concerns, and information; and advising Chukchi Seas, Alaska. NMFS has
program, potential conflicts with how to avoid subsistence conflicts. finalized the EA and prepared a FONSI
subsistence activities, and means of
(2) Aircraft Travel for this action. Therefore, preparation of
resolving any such conflicts (50 CFR
an Environmental Impact Statement is
216.104(a) (12) (i), (ii), and (iv)). The • The aircraft will maintain a 1 mi not necessary. NMFS’ draft EA was
POC identifies and documents potential (1.6 km) radius when flying over areas available to the public for a 30-day
conflicts and associated measures that where seals appear to be concentrated in comment period before it was finalized.
will be taken to minimize any adverse groups of ≥ 5 individuals.
effects on the availability of marine • The aircraft will not land on ice Authorization
mammals for subsistence use. within 1,400 m of hauled out pinnipeds. As a result of these determinations,
Meetings between Shell and villages • The aircraft will avoid flying over NMFS has issued an IHA to Shell for the
were held in Barrow and Point Lay in polynyas and along adjacent ice margins
early November 2014 and in other take of marine mammals, by Level B
as much as possible to minimize harassment, incidental to conducting ice
villages in early 2015. Throughout 2015 potential disturbance to cetaceans.
and 2016 Shell anticipates continued overflight surveys in the Beaufort and
• Aircraft shall not operate below Chukchi Seas in 2015/2016, provided
engagement with the marine mammal
1,500 ft (457 m) in areas of active whale the previously mentioned mitigation,
commissions and committees active in
hunting; such areas to be identified monitoring, and reporting requirements
the subsistence harvests and marine
through communications with the Com are incorporated.
mammal research.
Following the 2015/2016 season, Centers and SAs. Dated: June 10, 2015.
Shell intends to have a post-season co- • Shell will routinely engage with Donna S. Wieting,
management meeting with the local communities and subsistence
Director, Office of Protected Resources,
commissioners and committee heads to groups to ensure no disturbance of National Marine Fisheries Service.
discuss results of mitigation measures whaling or other subsistence activities.
[FR Doc. 2015–14702 Filed 6–15–15; 8:45 am]
and outcomes of the preceding season. Unmitigable Adverse Impact Analysis BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
The goal of the post-season meeting is and Determination
to build upon the knowledge base,
discuss successful or unsuccessful Based on the description of the
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
outcomes of mitigation measures, and specified activity, the measures
possibly refine plans or mitigation described to minimize adverse effects National Oceanic and Atmospheric
measures if necessary. on the availability of marine mammals Administration
In addition to the POC, the following for subsistence purposes, and the
subsistence mitigation measures will be mitigation and monitoring measures, RIN 0648–XV92
implemented for Shell’s ice overflight NMFS has determined that there will
surveys and are required in the IHA not be an unmitigable adverse impact on Marine Mammals; File No. 14610
issued to Shell. subsistence uses from Shell’s proposed
activities. AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
(1) Communications Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Endangered Species Act (ESA) Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
• Shell has developed a
Communication Plan and will There are two marine mammal Commerce.
implement this plan before initiating ice species listed as endangered under the ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit
overflight survey operations to ESA with confirmed or possible amendment.
coordinate activities with local occurrence in the proposed project area:
the bowhead whale and ringed seal. SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that
subsistence users, as well as Village
NMFS’ Permits and Conservation the Alaska Department of Fish and
Whaling Captains’ Associations, to
Division initiated consultation with Game (ADFG), Division of Wildlife
minimize the risk of interfering with
NMFS’ Endangered Species Division Conservation, Juneau, AK (Principal
subsistence hunting activities, and keep
under section 7 of the ESA on the Investigator: Lori Quakenbush) has been
current as to the timing and status of the
issuance of an IHA to Shell under issued a minor amendment to Scientific
bowhead whale hunt and other
section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA for Research Permit No. 14610–03.
subsistence hunts.
• Shell will employ local CLOs and/ this activity. On May 20, 2015, NMFS ADDRESSES: The amendment and related
or SAs from the Chukchi Sea villages issued a Biological Opinion, and documents are available for review
that are potentially impacted by Shell’s concluded that the issuance of the IHA upon written request or by appointment
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

ice overflight surveys. The CLOs and associated with Shell’s 2015/2016 ice in the Permits and Conservation
SAs will provide consultation and overflight surveys in the Beaufort and Division, Office of Protected Resources,
guidance regarding the whale migration Chukchi Seas are not likely to NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room
and subsistence activities. There will be jeopardize the continued existence of 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone:
one per village. The CLO and/or SA will the threatened ringed seal and will have (301) 427–8401; fax: (301) 713–0376.
use local knowledge (Traditional no effect on bowhead whale. No critical FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Knowledge) to gather data on the habitat has been designated for this Courtney Smith or Brendan Hurley;
subsistence lifestyle within the species, therefore it will be affected. phone: (301) 427–8401.

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Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 115 / Tuesday, June 16, 2015 / Notices 34385

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The application, supporting documentation, Summary of Request
requested amendment has been granted the authorization, and a list of the On September 8, 2014, NMFS
under the authority of the Marine references cited in this document by received an application from BLM
Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as visiting: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/ requesting that we issue an
amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and permits/incidental/research.htm. Authorization for the take of marine
the regulations governing the taking and The Environmental Assessment and mammals, incidental to conducting one
importing of marine mammals (50 CFR associated Finding of No Significant field-based land survey for a land claim
part 216). Impact, prepared pursuant to the
of cultural sites located on a small
The current permit (No. 14610–03), National Environmental Policy Act of
island in the eastern Aleutian Islands
issued on August 11, 2014 (75 FR 1969, are also available at the same site.
archipelago, AK. NMFS determined the
30383) authorized vessel and aerial FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: application complete and adequate on
surveys, photo-identification, remote Jeannine Cody, NMFS, Office of February 17, 2015.
biopsy and instrument attachment Protected Resources, NMFS (301) 427– BLM would conduct the proposed
research activities on beluga 8401. activity within the vicinity of a major
(Delphinapterus leucas), endangered SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Steller sea lion haulout site identified in
bowhead (Balaena mysticetus), gray
Background the regulations at 50 CFR 226.202 and
(Eschrictius robustus), and endangered
the following aspects of the proposed
humpback whales (Megaptera Section 101(a)(5)(D) of the Marine activity would likely to result in the
novaeangliae) through May 31, 2015. Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as take of marine mammals: Noise
The minor amendment (No. 14610–04) amended (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et generated by vessel approaches and
extends the duration of the permit by seq.) directs the Secretary of Commerce departures; noise generated by
one year through May 31, 2016, but does to allow, upon request, the incidental, personnel while conducting the land
not change any other terms or but not intentional, taking of small survey; and human presence during the
conditions of the permit. numbers of marine mammals of a proposed activity. Thus, NMFS
Dated: June 10, 2015. species or population stock, by U.S.
anticipates that take, by Level B
Julia Harrison, citizens who engage in a specified
harassment only of one species of
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, activity (other than commercial fishing)
marine mammal could result from the
Office of Protected Resources, National within a specified geographical region
specified activity. NMFS anticipates
Marine Fisheries Service. if, after NMFS provides a notice of a
that take by Level B Harassment only, of
[FR Doc. 2015–14753 Filed 6–15–15; 8:45 am] proposed authorization to the public for
20 Steller sea lions would result from
review and comment: (1) NMFS makes
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P the specified activity.
certain findings; and (2) the taking is
limited to harassment. Description of the Specified Activity
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE An Authorization shall be granted for
the incidental taking of small numbers Overview
National Oceanic and Atmospheric of marine mammals if NMFS finds that BLM must conduct the land survey to
Administration the taking will have a negligible impact support conveyance of existing
on the species or stock(s), and will not cemetery sites and historical places to
RIN 0648–XD814
have an unmitigable adverse impact on an Alaska Native Regional Corporation
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to the availability of the species or stock(s) as required under the ANCSA. Once
Specified Activities; Land Survey for subsistence uses (where relevant). BLM concludes the survey no additional
Activities Within the Eastern Aleutian The Authorization must also set forth visits would be necessary for the
Islands Archipelago, Alaska, 2015 the permissible methods of taking; other proposed action.
means of effecting the least practicable
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Dates and Duration
adverse impact on the species or stock
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and and its habitat; and requirements BLM would complete the survey
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), pertaining to the monitoring and within one day (approximately 6–10
Commerce. reporting of such taking. NMFS has hours) between June 1 and July 31,
ACTION: Notice; issuance of an incidental defined ‘‘negligible impact’’ in 50 CFR 2015. Thus, the proposed Authorization,
harassment authorization. 216.103 as ‘‘an impact resulting from if issued, would be effective from June
the specified activity that cannot be 1, 2015 through July 31, 2015. NMFS
SUMMARY: In accordance with the reasonably expected to, and is not refers the reader to the Detailed
Marine Mammal Protection Act reasonably likely to, adversely affect the Description of Activities section later in
(MMPA) regulations, we, NMFS, hereby species or stock through effects on this notice for more information on the
give notification that the National annual rates of recruitment or survival.’’ scope of the proposed activities.
Marine Fisheries Service has issued an Except with respect to certain
Incidental Harassment Authorization activities not pertinent here, the MMPA Specified Geographic Region
(IHA) to the Bureau of Land defines ‘‘harassment’’ as: Any act of BLM’s application contains
Management (BLM) to take marine pursuit, torment, or annoyance which (i) information on sensitive archaeological
mammals, by harassment incidental to has the potential to injure a marine site locations prohibited from disclosure
conducting a one-day field-based land mammal or marine mammal stock in the to the public under the National
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

survey of cultural sites located on a wild [Level A harassment]; or (ii) has Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as
small island within the eastern Aleutian the potential to disturb a marine amended. The island is small (less than
Islands archipelago, Alaska, June mammal or marine mammal stock in the 5 acres), extremely rugged, and
through July, 2015. wild by causing disruption of behavioral uninhabited by people. This notice will
DATES: Effective June 12, 2015 through patterns, including, but not limited to, describe the specified geographic region
July 31, 2015. migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, as cultural sites located on a small
ADDRESSES: The public may obtain an feeding, or sheltering [Level B island in the eastern Aleutian Islands
electronic copy of Glacier Bay NP’s harassment]. archipelago.

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Document Created: 2018-02-22 10:23:16
Document Modified: 2018-02-22 10:23:16

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice; issuance of permit amendment.
Contact		Courtney Smith or Brendan Hurley; phone: (301) 427-8401.
FR Citation		80 FR 34384
RIN Number		0648-XV92

80 FR 34384 - Marine Mammals; File No. 14610

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 115 (June 16, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration