Marine Mammals; Scientific Research Permit (PHF# 881-1443)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 011698A]

Marine Mammals; Scientific Research Permit (PHF# 881-1443)

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

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Receipt of application.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Alaska SeaLife Center, P.O.

Box 1239, Seward, AK 99664, has applied in due form for a permit to

take Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) and harbor seals (Phoca

vitulina) for purposes of scientific research.

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

February 26, 1998.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for

review upon written request or by appointment in the following

office(s):

Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected Resources,

NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/

713-2289); and

Regional Administrator, Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668,

Juneau, AK 99802-1668 (907/586-7221).

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 email or other electronic

media.

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.

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 fish and wildlife (50 CFR 222.23).

For the purposes of scientific research, the applicant seeks

authorization to import from Canada, three juvenile Steller sea lions

(Eumetopias jubatus) currently housed at the Vancouver Aquarium, and

two juvenile harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) presently residing at

University of British Columbia. Over a five-year period the applicant

requests to conduct studies on the nutritional physiology, metabolic

development, and clinical health of Steller sea lions and harbor seals

under captive conditions. Incidental to this scientific research, the

public will be able to view the animals as part of an education

program.

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.

Dated: January 21, 1998.

Ann D. Terbush,

Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected

Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 98-1932 Filed 1-26-98; 8:45 am]

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