[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 59 (Tuesday, March 28, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15387-15388]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-4495]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 031506C]


Marine Mammals; File No. 881-1745

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC), 
P.O. Box 1329, Seward, Alaska 99664 (Dr. Shannon Atkinson, Principal 
Investigator), has been issued a permit to conduct scientific research 
on captive Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus).

ADDRESSES: The permit 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)427-2521; and
    Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668; phone 
(907)586-7221; fax (907)586-7249.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Sloan or Tammy Adams, (301)713-
2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 8, 2004, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (69 FR 10681) that a request for a scientific 
research permit to take the species identified above had been submitted 
by the above-named organization. The requested permit has been issued 
under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as 
amended (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 ASLC has been issued a 5-year permit to continue research on 
three permanently captive Steller sea lions. Research objectives 
include the investigation of stress responses, endocrine and immune 
system function,

[[Page 15388]]

and seasonal variations to normal biological parameters such as mass 
and body composition; and research and development of external tags and 
attachments for future deployment in the field.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), an environmental assessment was prepared 
analyzing the effects of the permitted activities. After a Finding of 
No Significant Impact, the determination was made that it was not 
necessary to prepare an environmental impact statement.
    Issuance of this permit, as required by the ESA, was based on a 
finding that such permit: (1) Was applied for in good faith; (2) will 
not operate to the disadvantage of such endangered species; and (3) is 
consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the 
ESA.

    Dated: March 16, 2006.
Stephen L. Leathery
Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E6-4495 Filed 3-27-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S