Search Results for keywords:"environmental assessment exclusion"

The National Marine Fisheries Service, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has issued a permit to Humble Bee Wild Ltd for filming humpback whales in Hawaii. This permit allows the company to film up to 540 humpback whales each year using vessels, drones, and underwater divers. The company is also permitted to film up to 50 common bottlenose dolphins and 50 spinner dolphins interacting with these whales. The footage will be used for a natural history TV series. The permit is valid until April 30, 2026, and the activity is excluded from needing an environmental assessment.

The Waikiki Aquarium in Honolulu, Hawaii, is seeking an enhancement permit to care for captive Hawaiian monk seals. This permit would allow them to have up to two non-releasable monk seals for educational and research purposes, including a seal named Ho'ailona that will be moved from a research facility in Santa Cruz, California. The aquarium plans to offer daily care and medical attention to the seals and will use the opportunity to raise public awareness about monk seals. The National Marine Fisheries Service has determined that an environmental assessment is not required for this permit, which would be valid for five years.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that a permit has been issued under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). This permit was granted without needing an environmental assessment due to its exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act. For further details, the permit and related documents can be reviewed by requesting them via email. The official announcement and related actions are documented in the Federal Register.