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 parts 222-226).

The applicant requests a 5-year permit to study Brucellosis in cetaceans. Parts may be received, imported, and exported from up to 500 individual cetaceans that stranded or are in rehabilitation in Costa Rica, annually. The applicant may also import and export lung nematodes, which may contain cetacean DNA, collected from up to 500 stranded cetaceans in Costa Rica, annually. In addition, parts previously imported from Costa Rica under a separate permit from 34 striped dolphins ( Stenella coeruleoalba), one long-beaked common dolphin ( Delphinus capensis), and one dwarf sperm whale ( Kogia sima) would be transferred to this permit.

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.

88 FR 9254