Marine Mammal Permit Regulations Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking The Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, is considering proposing changes to its implementing regulations and criteria governing the issuance of permits for scientific research and enhancement activities under Section 104 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). We have published an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPR) in the Federal Register and are soliciting review and comment to better inform the process. The ANPR and MMPA implementing regulations (50 CFR part 216) can be found at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/mmpa_anpr.htm. On May 10, 1996, a final rule was published establishing requirements for issuing permits to take, import, or export marine mammals (including endangered and threatened marine mammals) and marine mammal parts under NMFS jurisdiction for purposes of scientific research and enhancement, photography, and public display. NMFS intends to revise these regulations to streamline and clarify permitting requirements, simplify procedures for transferring marine mammal parts, possibly apply the General Authorization (GA) to research activities involving Level A harassment of non-ESA listed marine mammals, and implement a 'permit application cycle' for application submission and processing of all marine mammal permits. NMFS intends to write regulations for photography permits and is considering whether this activity should be covered by the GA. Any other recommendations regarding regulations at 50 CFR part 216 received in response to this ANPR will be considered prior to proposed rulemaking. The scientific research permitting process has been under considerable review and increased scrutiny during the past few years. The ANPR provides some recommendations for changes to the MMPA regulations but is not considered comprehensive [note: ESA implementing regulations at 50 CFR part 222 are not being considered at this time]. We would appreciate your review and any suggestions on where improvements in the regulations would benefit the permitting process. The ANPR will be followed by a proposed rulemaking once comments are received and reviewed. Please provide comments by the close of the comment period (November 13, 2007). Comments may be submitted as follows: . By mail to: Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division Attn: Permit Regulations ANPR Office of Protected Resources, NMFS 1315 East-West Highway Room 13705 Silver Spring, MD 20910 . By facsimile at (301) 427-2521, followed by mail; . By email to NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov (include in the subject line of the email "Permit Regulations ANPR"); or . Via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. For further information please contact Michael Payne (Michael.Payne@noaa.gov) or Amy Sloan (Amy.Sloan@noaa.gov) by email or at (301) 713-2289. -- Amy Sloan Biologist, Office of Protected Resources National Marine Fisheries Service 1315 East-West Highway SSMC3, F/PR1, Room 13730 Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone: 301-713-2289 x 136 Fax: 301-427-2521 http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/