The
NOAA Fisheries Service’s Office of Protected Resources,
Northwest Regional Office, and Southwest Regional Office are pleased to
announce the launch of the Authorizations and Permits for Protected
Species
(APPS) online permit system.  The goal of
APPS is to provide a consolidated location where researchers can apply
online
for several different types of permits under the authority of the
Endangered
Species Act (ESA) of 1973 and the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)
of
1972.  


(https://apps.nmfs.noaa.gov)


APPS covers permits/authorizations for a variety
of
different species including, but not limited to, sea turtles, Pacific
salmonids, shortnose sturgeon, whales, dolphins, seals, and sea lions.


 


The
types of permits and authorizations that are currently available online
through
APPS are:


•        
MMPA/ESA
scientific research/enhancement


•        
MMPA/ESA
parts 


•        
ESA
10(a)(1)(A)
scientific research/enhancement 


•        
4(d)
authorizations for Pacific marine and anadromous fish


APPS includes a Pre-Application Guide (PAG) to
tell researchers
what type of permit they need, if any.  The
PAG informs the user how to obtain the appropriate application online
or by
contacting a permit analyst.


 


Besides
providing the convenience of applying for a permit online, APPS offers
researchers a variety of advantages both during the application process
and
after their permit has been issued.  APPS
provides researchers the security of a password-protected profile.  Researchers have a customized Portfolio page
that displays all current and previous permits that they are/were
affiliated
with.  Applications can be edited until
the researcher is ready to submit. 
Researchers have the ability to track their application through
the
review and clearance process.  By viewing
the Status page, researchers can find out whether their application has
been
published in the Federal Register,
who has been assigned as their permit analyst, and what types of
analyses
(e.g., National Environmental Policy Act) are required. 



After
a permit has been issued, researchers can continue to access APPS to
instantly
view their take tables, personnel list, and other key dates.  Permit holders can request modifications to
their permits via APPS.  Annual,
incident, and final reports may also be submitted online. 
Permit holders will automatically receive
emails reminding them of when their reports are due and recommending
when they
should begin preparing a new application. 


If researchers
are currently a NMFS permit holder they will
need a temporary
password to log in and view their portfolio
for the first time.  Contact the Office of
Protected Resources,
Permits Conservation, and Education Division for more information (301)
713-2289.  




 


Please note:  You may
still submit paper applications if you prefer.