82 FR 32328 - Marine Mammals; File No. 21059

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 133 (July 13, 2017)

Notice is hereby given that Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, P.O. Box 140, Gustavus, AK 99826 (Responsible Party: Philip N. Hooge), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), killer (Orcinus orca), minke (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus).

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 133 (Thursday, July 13, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 32328]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-14640]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF378


Marine Mammals; File No. 21059

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Glacier Bay National Park and 
Preserve, P.O. Box 140, Gustavus, AK 99826 (Responsible Party: Philip 
N. Hooge), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on 
humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), killer (Orcinus orca), minke 
(Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus).

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before August 14, 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. 21059 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: Courtney Smith or Carrie Hubard, (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.), and the 
regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of 
endangered and threatened species (50 CFR 222-226).
    The proposed permit would authorize takes of the above listed 
species during vessel surveys to gather information currently lacking 
regarding their ecology, behavior and population status to enable 
information-based resource management in southeastern Alaska especially 
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve (GBNPP). The core study area is 
Glacier Bay/Icy Strait, but includes all nearshore waters of the 
mainland and Alexander Archipelago. Takes by harassment may occur by 
close approach for vessel surveys, photo-identification, behavioral 
observation, collection of feces/sloughed skin, biopsy sampling and 
passive acoustic recording. The maximum number of annual approaches to 
whales (risking Level B harassment) will be 2500 humpback whales, 500 
killer whales, 20 minke whales and 20 gray whales. Biopsy takes on 50 
humpback and 50 killer whales are also requested. The permit would be 
valid for five years.
    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.

Catherine Marzin,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-14640 Filed 7-12-17; 8:45 am]
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