Marine Mammals; File No. 782-1455 and File No. 738-1454

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 050698A]

Marine Mammals; File No. 782-1455 and File No. 738-1454

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Receipt of applications.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Douglas P. DeMaster, Ph.D.,

National Marine Mammal Laboratory, National Marine Fisheries Service,

NOAA, 7600 Sand Point Way, NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 1, Seattle, WA 98115-

0070, has applied in due form for a permit to take Northern fur seals

(Callorhinus ursinus), Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), and

California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) for purposes of

scientific research. In addition, Carole Conway, Genomic Variation

Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, Meyer Hall, University of

California, Davis, CA 95616-3322, has applied in due form for a permit

to import blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) skin samples from Canada

for purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before June

12, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for

review upon written request or by appointment: See SUPPLEMENTARY

INFORMATION.

Written comments or requests for a public hearing on this

application should be mailed to the Chief, Permits and Documentation

Division, F/PR1, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West

Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Those individuals

requesting a hearing should set forth the specific reasons why a

hearing on this particular request would be appropriate.

Comments may also be submitted by facsimile at (301) 713-0376,

provided the facsimile is confirmed by hard copy submitted by mail and

postmarked no later than the closing date of the comment period. Please

note that comments will not be accepted by e-mail or by other

electronic media.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ruth Johnson or Sara Shapiro, 301/713-

2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The subject permits are 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 fish and wildlife (50 CFR 222.23), and the Fur Seal Act of

1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).

Dr. DeMaster (File No. 782-1455) seeks authorization to: monitor

the status of the northern fur seal population (Callorhinus ursinus);

evaluate the condition of pups from each cohort (health or strength of

year-class); monitor the diet of fur seals in the Bering Sea during the

summer; document the movement patterns and foraging behavior of various

age and sex classes of fur seals; and incidentally disturb Steller sea

lions (Eumetopias jubatus) and California sea lions (Zalophus

californianus) while conducting the above-listed activities.

Carole Conway (File No. 738-1454) requests a permit to import blue

whale (Balaenoptera musculus) skin samples from Canada over a 5-year

period. The samples are necessary for a global study of the genetic

structure of populations which will provide critical information for

conservation management of this 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 this application to the Marine

Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.

The application and related documents submitted by Dr. DeMaster may

be reviewed in the following locations:

Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected Resources,

NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13130, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/

713-2289);

Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, National Marine Fisheries

Service, NOAA, 7600 sand Point Way, NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 1, Seattle,

WA 98115-0070;

Regional Administrator, Southwest Region, National Marine Fisheries

Service, NOAA, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-

4213; and

Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, National Marine Fisheries

Service, NOAA, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668.

The application and related documents submitted by Ms. Conway may

be reviewed in the following locations:

Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected Resources,

NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13130, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/

713-2289); and

Regional Administrator, Southwest Region, National Marine Fisheries

Service, NOAA, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-

4213.

Dated: May 7, 1998.

Ann D. Terbush,

Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected

Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 98-12699 Filed 5-12-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-22-F