83 FR 13736 - Marine Mammals; File No. 22062

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 62 (March 30, 2018)

Page Range		13736-13737
FR Document		2018-06498

Notice is hereby given that Patricia Fair, Ph.D., Medical University of South Carolina, Hollings Marine Laboratory, 331 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, SC 29412, has applied in due form for a permit to receive, import, and export marine mammal parts for scientific research.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 62 (Friday, March 30, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 62 (Friday, March 30, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13736-13737]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-06498]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG130


Marine Mammals; File No. 22062

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 Patricia Fair, Ph.D., Medical 
University of South Carolina, Hollings Marine Laboratory, 331 Fort 
Johnson Road, Charleston, SC 29412, has applied in due form for a 
permit to receive, import, and export marine mammal parts for 
scientific research.

DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email comments must be received on or 
before April 30, 2018.

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. 22062 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 NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please include the File No. 22062 
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: Shasta McClenahan or Jennifer 
Skidmore, (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.), and the regulations governing the 
taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The applicant proposes to receive, import, and export biological 
samples for scientific research from up to 100 bottlenose dolphins 
(Tursiops truncatus) annually to study pollutant stressors of dolphins 
in the El Morro Mangrove and Wildlife Refuge, Ecuador. The requested 
duration of the permit is 5 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.

[[Page 13737]]

    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: March 27, 2018.
Julia Harrison,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-06498 Filed 3-29-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

13736 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 62 / Friday, March 30, 2018 / Notices

and non-listed native fish (particularly The authority to take listed species is Charleston, SC 29412, has applied in
salmonids) and the fish community in subject to conditions set forth in the due form for a permit to receive, import,
relation to predator exclusion and permit. and export marine mammal parts for
removal efforts. Specific study questions Anyone requesting a hearing on an scientific research.
will focus on changes in the densities application listed in this notice should DATES: Written, telefaxed, or email
and relative abundances in these native set out the specific reasons why a comments must be received on or before
fish and fish community assemblages. hearing on that application would be April 30, 2018.
The program will be carried out using appropriate (see ADDRESSES). Such
three primary methods: (1) An exclusion ADDRESSES: The application and related
hearings are held at the discretion of the
weir equipped with a live box (or fyke Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, documents are available for review by
trap) will be used to trap and remove NMFS. selecting ‘‘Records Open for Public
nonnative predatory fish. Native fish Comment’’ from the ‘‘Features’’ box on
will be trapped daily and selectively Public Comments Solicited the Applications and Permits for
passed upstream of the weir in order to NMFS invites the public to comment Protected Species (APPS) home page,
reduce the potential for in-trap on the section 10(a)(1)(A) enhancement https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov, and then
predation and to minimize delays in permit application during a 30-day selecting File No. 22062 from the list of
migration; (2) boat electrofishing is public comment period beginning on available applications.
proposed to estimate the abundance of the date of this notice. This notice is These documents are also available
nonnative predators and to conduct provided pursuant to section 10(c) of upon written request or by appointment
predator removals; and (3) survival will the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1529(c)). All in the Permits and Conservation
be assessed by conducting releases of comments and materials received, Division, Office of Protected Resources,
acoustically tagged hatchery-origin including names and addresses, will NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room
Chinook salmon juveniles upstream of become part of the administrative record 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone
areas where predator removal has and may be released to the public. We (301) 427–8401; fax (301) 713–0376.
occurred. provide this notice in order to allow the Written comments on this application
Although ESA-listed species are not public, agencies, or other organizations should be submitted to the Chief,
directly targeted by the program, they to review and comment on these Permits and Conservation Division, at
may be incidentally captured and documents. the address listed above. Comments may
handled during electrofishing sampling. also be submitted by facsimile to (301)
All efforts will be made to limit Next Steps 713–0376, or by email to
electrofishing in areas where juvenile NMFS will evaluate the permit NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov. Please
salmonids may be present or rearing. application, associated documents, and include the File No. 22062 in the subject
Electrofishing will follow strict comments submitted to determine line of the email comment.
guidelines to minimize mortality and whether the applications meet the Those individuals requesting a public
established measures will be taken to requirements of section 10(a)(1)(A) of hearing should submit a written request
protect species listed under the ESA. the ESA and Federal regulations. The to the Chief, Permits and Conservation
The proposed operation of a weir in the final permit decisions will not be made Division at the address listed above. The
Stanislaus River could impact ESA- until after the end of the 30-day public request should set forth the specific
listed species by delaying adult comment period and after NMFS has reasons why a hearing on this
upstream migration. Additionally, fully considered all relevant comments application would be appropriate.
trapping at the weir may result in the received. NMFS will publish notice of FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
capture of adult ESA-listed species. its final action in the Federal Register. Shasta McClenahan or Jennifer
These effects will be minimized by Dated: March 27, 2018. Skidmore, (301) 427–8401.
frequent (at least daily) trap checks at
Angela Somma, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
the site and prioritization of ESA-listed
species for handling and release prior to Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office subject permit is requested under the
of Protected Resources, National Marine authority of the Marine Mammal
other non-listed species. Fisheries Service. Protection Act of 1972, as amended
Authority [FR Doc. 2018–06460 Filed 3–29–18; 8:45 am] (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), and the
Enhancement permits are issued in BILLING CODE 3510–22–P regulations governing the taking and
accordance with section 10(a)(1)(A) of importing of marine mammals (50 CFR
the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) and part 216).
regulations governing listed fish and DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE The applicant proposes to receive,
wildlife permits (50 CFR part 222). import, and export biological samples
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
NMFS issues permits based on findings for scientific research from up to 100
Administration
that such permits: (1) Are applied for in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops
good faith; (2) if granted and exercised, RIN 0648–XG130 truncatus) annually to study pollutant
would not operate to the disadvantage stressors of dolphins in the El Morro
of the listed species that are the subject Marine Mammals; File No. 22062 Mangrove and Wildlife Refuge, Ecuador.
of the permit; (3) are consistent with the AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries The requested duration of the permit is
purposes and policies of section 2 of the Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 5 years.
ESA; (4) further a bona fide and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), In compliance with the National
amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES

necessary or desirable scientific purpose Commerce. Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42
or enhance the propagation or survival ACTION: Notice; receipt of application. U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an initial
of the endangered species, taking into determination has been made that the
account the benefits anticipated to be SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that activity proposed is categorically
derived on behalf of the endangered Patricia Fair, Ph.D., Medical University excluded from the requirement to
species; and additional issuance criteria of South Carolina, Hollings Marine prepare an environmental assessment or
as listed at 50 CFR 222.308(c)(5–12). Laboratory, 331 Fort Johnson Road, environmental impact statement.

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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 62 / Friday, March 30, 2018 / Notices 13737

Concurrent with the publication of 455a, Monterey, CA 93940 or of NEPA. 40 CFR 1500–1508. NOAA’s
this notice in the Federal Register, mbnms.comments@noaa.gov. proposed action would be to authorize
NMFS is forwarding copies of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: the installation of a subsurface seawater
application to the Marine Mammal intake system, authorize the discharge
Commission and its Committee of I. Background of brine into MBNMS via an existing
Scientific Advisors. CalAm submitted a permit application outfall pipe, and permit the continued
Dated: March 27, 2018.
for construction and operation of its presence of pipelines in MBNMS to
proposed Monterey Peninsula Water transport seawater to or from a
Julia Harrison,
Supply Project (MPWSP or Project). The desalination facility.
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, purpose of the MPWSP is to replace The Final EIR/EIS identifies and
Office of Protected Resources, National
existing water supplies for CalAm’s assesses potential environmental
Marine Fisheries Service.
Monterey District service area that have impacts associated with the proposed
[FR Doc. 2018–06498 Filed 3–29–18; 8:45 am]
been constrained by legal decisions project, and identifies six alternatives,
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P plus a no action alternative. Federal
affecting the Carmel River and Seaside
Groundwater Basin water resources. The agencies would use the EIR/EIS to
MPWSP comprises various facilities and consider related permits or other
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE approvals for the Project as proposed.
improvements, including: A sub-surface
National Oceanic and Atmospheric seawater intake system; a 9.6-million- NOAA’s preferred alternative is
Administration gallons-per-day (mgd) reverse osmosis Alternative 5a, which is also the
(RO) desalination plant; desalinated environmentally preferred alternative.
Proposed Monterey Peninsula Water water storage and conveyance facilities; Alternative 5a would be implemented in
Supply Project; Notice of Availability of and expanded Aquifer Storage and conjunction with the Pure Water
a Final Environmental Impact Report/ Recovery (ASR) facilities. Monterey Groundwater Replenishment
Environmental Impact Statement The desalination facility would be Project (GWR), which would offer the
capable of producing 9.6 million gallons same amount of freshwater as the
AGENCY: Office of National Marine per day (MGD) of potable water on a 46- proposed project through a 6.4 mgd
Sanctuaries (ONMS), National Ocean acre site located north of the City of desalination plant and the purchase and
Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Marina on unincorporated Monterey extraction of 3,500 afy of GWR Project
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), County property. The MPWSP proposes water from the Seaside Groundwater
Commerce. ten subsurface slant wells (nine new Basin. Although the combined
ACTION: Notice of availability of a final wells and conversion of an existing test Alternative 5a and GWR project would
environmental impact report/ well) to draw seawater from beneath the result in a larger physical footprint than
environmental impact statement. ocean floor in Monterey Bay to produce the proposed action alone, the pairing of
the source water for the desalination Alternative 5a and the GWR project
SUMMARY: California American Water plant. The subsurface slant wells would would result in reduced operational
Company (CalAm) submitted a permit be located primarily within the City of energy use and reduced GHG emissions
application to NOAA’s Monterey Bay Marina, in the active mining area of the compared to the proposed project. In
National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS) to CEMEX sand mining facility. The slant addition, the combination of Alternative
construct and operate a reverse osmosis wells would be approximately 700 to 5a and the GWR Project would result in
(RO) desalination facility project 1000 feet in length and extend beneath reduced effects on groundwater levels
(Project) in Monterey County, the coastal dunes, sandy beach, and the influenced by fewer slant wells and less
California. NOAA is conducting the surf zone, terminating approximately volume of pumping compared to the
permit review process in accordance 161 to 356 feet seaward of the Mean proposed project, and the GWR project
with review and consultation High Water line and at a depth of 190 would provide water to the Castroville
requirements under the National to 210 feet below the seafloor. Up to Seawater Intrusion Project that would
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and 24.1 mgd of source water would be benefit the groundwater basin. Lastly,
other applicable statutes. NOAA, as needed to produce 9.6 mgd of Alternative 5a paired with the GWR
Federal lead agency for purposes of desalinated product water. project would be consistent with the
NEPA, and the California Public Under the proposed project, the 2016 California Action Plan seeking
Utilities Commission (CPUC), the state desalination plant would generate integrated water supply solutions, the
lead agency for purposes of the approximately 13.98 mgd of brine, Governor’s drought proclamations, the
California Environmental Quality Act including 0.4 mgd of decanted CPUC Water Action Plan goal of
(CEQA), have prepared a joint final backwash water. The brine would be promoting water infrastructure
environmental impact review/ discharged into Monterey Bay via a 36- investment, the California Ocean Plan,
environmental impact statement (EIR/ inch diameter pipeline to a new and MBNMS Desalination Guidelines.
EIS) that analyzes the potential effects connection with the existing Monterey
III. NEPA Process and Federal
on the physical and human Regional Water Pollution Control
Consultations
environment of the proposed action and Agency’s (MRWPCA) outfall and
alternatives. diffuser located offshore. In accordance with Section 102(2)(C)
of NEPA, NOAA published a Notice of
DATES: This notice is applicable March II. NOAA Proposed Action and Intent (NOI) to prepare an EIS for the
30, 2018. Alternatives proposed project on August 26, 2015 (80
amozie on DSK30RV082PROD with NOTICES

ADDRESSES: Copies of the FEIR/EIS can NOAA is releasing a final EIR/EIS FR 51787). During the EIS scoping
be downloaded or viewed on the prepared in accordance with section meeting held on September 10, 2015,
internet at https:// 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental five participants commented publically
montereybay.noaa.gov/resourcepro/ Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, on the proposed project. Twelve written
resmanissues/desal-projects.html. 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(c), and the Council on comments were received throughout the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Environmental Quality Regulations for public comment period. The complete
Karen Grimmer at 99 Pacific Ave., Bldg. Implementing the Procedural Provisions written comments are available for

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Document Created: 2018-11-01 08:58:28
Document Modified: 2018-11-01 08:58:28

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 April 30, 2018.
Contact		Shasta McClenahan or Jennifer Skidmore, (301) 427-8401.
FR Citation		83 FR 13736
RIN Number		0648-XG13

83 FR 13736 - Marine Mammals; File No. 22062

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCENational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 62 (March 30, 2018)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration