[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 197 (Thursday, October 10, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 63079]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-25711]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 100302B]


Marine Mammals; File No. 859-1680

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 Jim Johnston, Chief Environmental 
Planner, United States Air Force, Environmental Management Office, 
Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA 93437, has applied in due form for a 
permit to take California sea lions (Zalophus californianus), northern 
elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), northern fur seals 
(Callorhinus ursinus), and Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina 
richardsi) for purposes of scientific research.

DATES: Written or telefaxed comments must be received on or before 
November 12, 2002.

ADDRESSES: The application and related documents are available for 
review upon written request or by appointment in the following 
office(s):
    Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 
20910; phone (301)713-2289; fax (301)713-0376; and
    Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long 
Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562)980-4001; fax (562)980-4018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tammy Adams or Amy Sloan, (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.), the Regulations Governing the Taking 
and Importing of Marine Mammals (50 CFR part 216), and the Fur Seal Act 
of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151 et seq.).
    The applicant requests a 5 year permit to take up to 700 California 
sea lions, 700 northern elephant seals, 50 northern fur seals, and 550 
harbor seals inhabiting Vandenberg Air Force Base and the northern 
Channel Islands annually by capture, sedation, blood sampling, skin 
biopsy, physiological measurements, hearing sensitivity tests, 
attachment of scientific instruments, temporary captive maintenance, 
recapture for retrieval of instruments, surveys of abundance and 
distribution, incidental harassment, and accidental mortality. The 
purpose of the proposed project is to study the effects of noise from 
rocket launches and the subsequent launch-generated sonic booms on 
pinnipeds. The movements and foraging behavior of seals exposed to 
launch noise and/or sonic booms will be compared with non-exposed 
control animals using remote VHF radio-telemetry, satellite 
transmitters, and electronic data loggers.
    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.
    Written comments or requests for a public hearing on this 
application should be mailed to the Chief, Permits, Conservation and 
Education 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.
    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.

    Dated: October 3, 2002.
Trevor R. Spradlin,
Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 02-25711 Filed 10-9-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S