80 FR 45196 - Marine Mammals; File No. 19091
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 145 (July 29, 2015)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 145 (July 29, 2015)
| Page Range | 45196-45197 | |
| FR Document | 2015-18549 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 145 (Wednesday, July 29, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 45196-45197] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-18549] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XE041 Marine Mammals; File No. 19091 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC), 8901 La Jolla Shore Dr., La Jolla, CA 92037, [Responsible Party: Lisa Ballance, Ph.D.], has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on five species of pinnipeds, over 50 species of cetaceans, and five species of sea turtles. DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or before August 28, 2015. 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. 19091 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 [email protected]. Please include the File No. 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: Amy Hapeman or Brendan Hurley, (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.), the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216), the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226), and the Fur Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.). The SWFSC proposes to conduct research on over 55 species of marine mammals and five species of sea turtles in all oceans of the world, with special focus on the eastern Pacific Ocean. This includes research on ESA listed species: North Atlantic right (Eubalaena glacialis), North Pacific right (E. japonica), Southern right (E. australis), bowhead (Balaena mysticetus), sei (Balaenoptera borealis), Southern resident killer (Orcinus orca), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), fin (Balaenoptera physalus), sperm (Physeter macrocephalus), and blue (Balaenoptera musculus) whales; Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus); and green (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), loggerhead (Caretta caretta), and olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtles. The purpose of this research is to determine the abundance, distribution, movement patterns, dive behavior, demography and stock structure, and to monitor trends in recruitment of pinnipeds, [[Page 45197]] cetaceans, and sea turtles in U.S. territorial and international waters as mandated by the MMPA and ESA. These studies are conducted through ground, vessel, and aerial surveys for observation, photogrammetry, photo-identification, biological sample collection, and tagging animals. Researchers also may salvage and import/export specimens and biological samples of these species. 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 application to the Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors. Dated: July 23, 2015. Julia Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015-18549 Filed 7-28-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![45196 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 145 / Wednesday, July 29, 2015 / Notices
mammals. Therefore, incidental take in information addressing the following These documents are also available
authorization under the MMPA is topics: upon written request or by appointment
warranted. • Best available scientific information in the Permits and Conservation
and appropriate use of such information Division, Office of Protected Resources,
Summary
in assessing potential effects of the NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room
In 2014, we received four separate specified activities on marine mammals 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone
requests for authorization for take of and their habitat; (301) 427–8401; fax (301) 713–0376.
marine mammals incidental to oil and • Application approaches to Written comments on this application
gas industry geophysical surveys in the estimating acoustic exposure and take of should be submitted to the Chief,
Atlantic Ocean. Upon review of these marine mammals; Permits and Conservation Division, at
requests, we submitted questions, • Appropriate mitigation measures the address listed above. Comments may
comments, and requests for additional and monitoring requirements for these also be submitted by facsimile to (301)
information to the individual applicant activities. 713–0376, or by email to
companies. As a result of these Comments indicating general support NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please
interactions, the applicant companies for or opposition to oil and gas include the File No. in the subject line
provided revised versions of the exploration and development are not of the email comment.
applications and we have determined relevant to this request for information Those individuals requesting a public
that these revised versions are and will not be considered. Comments hearing should submit a written request
sufficiently complete to begin should be supported by data or to the Chief, Permits and Conservation
processing. literature citations as appropriate. We Division at the address listed above. The
On August 18, 2014, we received an will consider all relevant information, request should set forth the specific
application from Spectrum Geo Inc., suggestions, and comments related to reasons why a hearing on this
followed by revised versions on the requests during the development of application would be appropriate.
November 25, 2014, May 14, 2015, and proposed authorizations governing the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
July 6, 2015. TGS–NOPEC Geophysical incidental taking of marine mammals.
Company submitted an application on Amy Hapeman or Brendan Hurley, (301)
August 25, 2014, followed by revised Dated: July 23, 2015. 427–8401.
versions on November 17, 2014, and Perry F. Gayaldo, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
July 21, 2015. We also received a Deputy Director, Office of Protected subject permit is requested under the
request from ION GeoVentures on Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. authority of the Marine Mammal
September 5, 2014, followed by a [FR Doc. 2015–18467 Filed 7–28–15; 8:45 am] Protection Act of 1972, as amended
revised version on June 24, 2015. BILLING CODE 3510–22–P (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the
Finally, TDI-Brooks International, Inc. regulations governing the taking and
submitted a request for authorization on importing of marine mammals (50 CFR
October 22, 2014. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE part 216), the Endangered Species Act of
All requested authorizations would be 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531
for the statutory maximum of one year National Oceanic and Atmospheric et seq.), the regulations governing the
from the date of effectiveness, with the Administration taking, importing, and exporting of
exception of ION GeoVentures, which RIN 0648–XE041 endangered and threatened species (50
has requested a period of validity from CFR parts 222–226), and the Fur Seal
July through December 2016. The first Marine Mammals; File No. 19091 Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151
four applicants propose to conduct 2D et seq.).
marine seismic surveys using airgun AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries The SWFSC proposes to conduct
arrays, whereas the fourth (TDI-Brooks) Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and research on over 55 species of marine
proposes to conduct deep water Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), mammals and five species of sea turtles
multibeam bathymetry and sub-bottom Commerce. in all oceans of the world, with special
profiler data acquisition (i.e., not using ACTION: Notice; receipt of application. focus on the eastern Pacific Ocean. This
airgun arrays). Generally speaking, these includes research on ESA listed species:
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that North Atlantic right (Eubalaena
surveys may occur within state and U.S. the NMFS Southwest Fisheries Science
waters including the Exclusive glacialis), North Pacific right (E.
Center (SWFSC), 8901 La Jolla Shore japonica), Southern right (E. australis),
Economic Zone and waters out to 350 Dr., La Jolla, CA 92037, [Responsible
nmi, from Delaware to approximately bowhead (Balaena mysticetus), sei
Party: Lisa Ballance, Ph.D.], has applied (Balaenoptera borealis), Southern
Cape Canaveral, Florida. Please see the in due form for a permit to conduct
applications for specific details of resident killer (Orcinus orca),
research on five species of pinnipeds, humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae),
survey design. over 50 species of cetaceans, and five fin (Balaenoptera physalus), sperm
Information Solicited species of sea turtles. (Physeter macrocephalus), and blue
NMFS is seeking public input on DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email (Balaenoptera musculus) whales; Steller
these requests for authorization as comments must be received on or before sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus); and
outlined below and request that August 28, 2015. green (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill
interested persons submit information, ADDRESSES: The application and related (Eretmochelys imbricata), leatherback
suggestions, and comments concerning documents are available for review by (Dermochelys coriacea), loggerhead
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
the applications (see ADDRESSES). We selecting ‘‘Records Open for Public (Caretta caretta), and olive ridley
will only consider comments that are Comment’’ from the ‘‘Features’’ box on (Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtles. The
relevant to marine mammal species that the Applications and Permits for purpose of this research is to determine
occur in U.S. waters of the Mid- and Protected Species (APPS) home page, the abundance, distribution, movement
South Atlantic and the potential effects https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then patterns, dive behavior, demography
of geophysical survey activities on those selecting File No. 19091 from the list of and stock structure, and to monitor
species. NMFS is particularly interested available applications. trends in recruitment of pinnipeds,
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:33 Jul 28, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\29JYN1.SGM 29JYN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_45341/page/1.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 145 / Wednesday, July 29, 2015 / Notices 45197
cetaceans, and sea turtles in U.S. than 5 p.m. Pacific standard time on Applications Received
territorial and international waters as August 28, 2015.
Permit 1440–2R
mandated by the MMPA and ESA. ADDRESSES: Written comments on the
These studies are conducted through applications should be submitted to the The Interagency Ecological Program
ground, vessel, and aerial surveys for Protected Resources Division, NMFS, (IEP), a consortium of nine state and
observation, photogrammetry, photo- 777 Sonoma Avenue, Room 325, Santa federal agencies, is seeking to renew
identification, biological sample Rosa, CA 95404. Comments may also be Permit 1440 for a period of five years.
collection, and tagging animals. submitted via fax to 707–578–3435 or by The permit would authorize IEP to take
Researchers also may salvage and email to nmfs.swr.apps@noaa.gov CVSR Chinook salmon, SRWR Chinook
import/export specimens and biological (include the permit number in the salmon, CCV steelhead, CCC steelhead
samples of these species. subject line of the fax or email). and sDPS green sturgeon while
In compliance with the National FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff
conducting 11 surveys in the San
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 Abrams, Santa Rosa, CA (ph.: 707–575– Francisco Bay-Delta region. The studies
U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial 6080), Fax: 707–578–3435, email: would examine the abundance, and
determination has been made that the Jeff.Abrams@noaa.gov). Permit temporal and spatial distribution of
activity proposed is categorically application instructions are available various life stages of pelagic fishes of
excluded from the requirement to from the address above, or online at management concern, including listed
prepare an environmental assessment or https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov. species, and their food (e.g.,
environmental impact statement. zooplankton) resources, along with
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Concurrent with the publication of environmental conditions. These IEP
this notice in the Federal Register, Species Covered in This Notice studies are intended to monitor/inform
NMFS is forwarding copies of the The following listed species are the effectiveness of water operations,
application to the Marine Mammal covered in this notice: aquatic habitat restoration, and fish
Commission and its Committee of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus management practices, thereby
Scientific Advisors. tshawytscha): Threatened California providing a benefit to listed fish. The 11
Coastal (CC); Threatened Central Valley studies included are: (1) Adult Striped
Dated: July 23, 2015. Bass, a striped bass population study;
spring-run (CVSR); endangered
Julia Harrison, (2) Fall Midwater Trawl, which
Sacramento River winter-run (SRWR).
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Coho salmon (O. kisutch): Threatened monitors the relative abundance of
Office of Protected Resources, National Southern Oregon/Northern California native and introduced fish species; (3)
Marine Fisheries Service. Sturgeon Tagging, a white sturgeon
Coast (SONCC); endangered Central
[FR Doc. 2015–18549 Filed 7–28–15; 8:45 am]
California Coast (CCC). tagging program; (4) Summer Townet,
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P Steelhead (O. mykiss): Threatened which targets delta smelt and young-of-
Northern California (NC); threatened the-year striped bass; (5) Estuarine and
CCC; threatened California Central Marine Fish, a San Francisco Bay trawl
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Valley (CCV); threatened South-Central study; (6) 20mm Survey, a study to
California Coast (S–CCC); endangered monitor juvenile delta smelt
National Oceanic and Atmospheric distribution and relative abundance; (7)
Southern California (SC).
Administration North American green sturgeon Yolo Bypass, a research effort to
RIN 0648–XD989 (Acipenser medisrostris): Threatened understand fish and invertebrate use of
southern distinct population segment the Yolo Bypass seasonal floodplain; (8)
Endangered and Threatened Species; (sDPS). Upper Estuary Zooplankton, which
Take of Anadromous Fish Eulachon (Thaleichthys pacificus): targets multiple zooplankters; (9) Spring
Threatened sDPS. Kodiak Trawl, which determines the
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries relative abundance and distribution of
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Authority spawning delta smelt; (10) Suisun
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Scientific research permits are issued Marsh Survey, monitoring to determine
Commerce. in accordance with section 10(a)(1)(A) the effects of the Suisun Marsh Salinity
ACTION: Applications for six new of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and Control Gates operation on fish,
scientific research permits, and fourteen regulations governing listed fish and including listed salmonids; and (11)
research permit renewals. wildlife permits (50 CFR parts 222–227). Smelt Larva Survey, which provides
NMFS issues permits based on findings distribution data for longfin smelt larvae
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that that such permits: (1) Are applied for in in the Delta. Listed fish would be
NMFS has received 20 scientific good faith; (2) if granted and exercised, captured by fyke net, gill net, midwater
research permit application requests would not operate to the disadvantage trawl, trammel net, hoop net, otter
relating to Pacific salmon, sturgeon, and of the listed species that are the subject trawl, larval fish net, zooplankton net,
eulachon. The proposed research is of the permit; and (3) are consistent Kodiak trawl net, rotary screw trap, and
intended to increase knowledge of with the purposes and policy of section beach seine. The majority of captured
species listed under the Endangered 2 of the ESA. The authority to take fishes would be identified to species,
Species Act (ESA) and to help guide listed species is subject to conditions set enumerated, measured for standard
management, conservation, and forth in the permits. length, and released. Juvenile SRWR
recovery efforts. The applications may Anyone requesting a hearing on an and CVSR Chinook salmon would be
be viewed online at: https://
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
application listed in this notice should identified using the Delta Model Length-
apps.nmfs.noaa.gov/preview/preview_ set out the specific reasons why a at-Date-of-Capture Table. Listed species
open_for_comment.cfm. hearing on that application would be would be processed first and released. A
DATES: Comments or requests for a appropriate (see ADDRESSES). Such subsample of wild juvenile SRWR and
public hearing on the applications must hearings are held at the discretion of the CVSR Chinook salmon sized captures
be received at the appropriate address or Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, would be tissue sampled for genetic
fax number (see ADDRESSES) no later NMFS. analysis, and a subsample of hatchery
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:33 Jul 28, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\29JYN1.SGM 29JYN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_45341/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2015-12-15 13:05:28
Document Modified: 2015-12-15 13:05:28
| 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; receipt of application. | |
| Dates | Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or before August 28, 2015. | |
| Contact | Amy Hapeman or Brendan Hurley, (301) 427-8401. | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 45196 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XE04 |
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR