Appendix A — Commission Recommendations 



things, that the Service advise the applicant that, if walnises and polar bears may be taken, the 

 applicant must also obtain a letter of authorization from the Fish and Wildlife Service. 



3 1 May Commerce; commenting to the National Marine Fisheries Service on a petition to designate three areas 



as critical habitat for right whales under the Endangered Species Act; providing a report assessing the 

 justification for doing so; and recommending, among other things, that the Service proceed with actions 

 to formally propose and designate all three areas. 



3 1 May State of Florida; commenting to the Department of Natural Resources on its proposed rules to restrict 



boat speeds in Volusia County and parts of adjacent counties; and recommending adoption of the 

 proposed rule. 



3 June Commerce; scientific research permit, National Marine Mammal Laboratory. 



12 June Commerce; modification of scientific research permit, Randall S. Wells. 



12 June Commerce; conunenting to the National Marine Fisheries Service on an emergency Endangered Species 



Act permit request to authorize euthanizing a male Hawaiian monk seal responsible for the deaths of 

 four weaned monk seal pups at French Frigate Shoals; noting that the proposed taking is authorized 

 under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and recommending that the request be granted. 



14 June North Pacific Fisheries Management Council; commenting on the proposed Amendments 17 and 22 to 



the Groundfish Fishery Management Plans for the Bering Sea/ Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska; 

 supporting an alternative area closure to protect walriis haulouts that include all waters between Cape 

 Peirce and Cape Constantine; and recommending that all alternative actions concerning the closure, 

 including the no-action alternative, be modified to ensure that each reflects the need for research to 

 assess its effectiveness in protecting walruses. 



14 June Commerce; modification of scientific research permit, Thomas F. Albert. 



14 June Commerce; modification of scientific research permit. National Marine Mammal Laboratory. 



17 June Commerce; scientific research permit, Randall W. Davis and Patrick J. Butler. 



17 June Commerce; modification of scientific research permit. Southwest Fisheries Science Center. 



18 June Interior; commenting to the Minerals Management Service on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement 



for Gulf of Mexico Sales 139 and 141; and recommending, among other things, that the Service 

 establish a long-term monitoring program to meet its statutory requirements for post-lease monitoring 

 under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act 



27 June Commerce; commenting to the National Marine Fisheries Service on a request by Chevron U.S.A. Inc. 



for a letter of authorization to take bowhead, gray, and beluga whales and ringed, bearded, and spotted 

 seals incidental to oil and gas exploratory operations in Alaskan waters in 1991; and recommending, 

 among other things, that (1) the Service consult with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and its 

 own scientists to determine the adequacy of existing data and programs to detect potential changes in 

 the status of affected species; and (2) the applicant be asked to constitute an independent group of 

 experts to review and provide advice on the design of its monitoring program. 



28 June Commerce; commenting to the National Marine Fisheries Service on the "Joint Petition to Amend 



Regulations Governing the Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Oil and Gas Exploration Activities 

 in Alaska"; noting that it is unclear whether several of the proposed amendments could or would result 

 in changes in the traditional ways whereby Natives hunt bowhead whales; and reconmiending, among 

 other thin gs, that most of the proposed amendments be addressed in a memorandum of imderstanding 

 among the petitioners. 



2 July Commerce; scientific research permit. Southwest Fisheries Science Center. 



203 



