Marine Mammals; File No. 782-1510

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 050399B]

Marine Mammals; File No. 782-1510

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 National Marine Fisheries Service,

National Marine Mammal Laboratory, has applied in due form for a permit

to take killer whales (Orcinus orca) for purposes of scientific

research.

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

10, 1999.

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 13130, Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301/

713-2289);

Regional Administrator, Northwest Region, NMFS, 7600 Sand Point

Way, NE, BIN C15700, Bldg. 1, Seattle, WA, 98115-0070 (206/526-

6150);and

Regional Administrator, Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean

Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802-4213 (562/980-4001).

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 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 take up to 350 killer whales (Orcinus

orca) by biopsy sample over a 5-year period. Animals will be

photographed during sampling. Samples will be exported to England for

genetic analysis. Up to 2500 will be inadvertently harassed annually.

The purpose of the research is to investigate genetic diversity, food

web dynamics and contaminant levels in North Pacific killer whales.

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: May 4, 1999.

Ann D. Terbush,

Chief, Permits and Documentation Division, Office of Protected

Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.

[FR Doc. 99-11880 Filed 5-10-99; 8:45 am]

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