possible unforeseen effects of the proposed action on marine mammals; and 

 recommending that, if not already done, it consult with the National Marine 

 Fisheries Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service to identify marine mammal 

 monitoring studies needed to verify predicted effects and detect the possible 

 unforeseen effects. 



11 September Florida Department of Natural Resources, expressing support for its proposed actions 



to improve boating safety and manatee protection in Florida; recommending that 

 the proposals be adopted promptly; and further recommending that any additional 

 analyses be directed at fine-tuning the program to ensure that manatee protection 

 efforts do not unnecessarily interfere with boating and other legitimate water uses. 



12 September Interior, scientific research permit application, Envirosphere Company. 



13 September Commerce, commenting to the National Marine Fisheries Service on an amendment 



to the Fishery Management Plans for groundfish in the Gulf of Alaska and the 

 Bering Sea/ Aleutian Islands area that would, in part, establish experimental seasonal 

 fishing closures in certain areas to protect walrus, establish a new system for 

 reporting marine mammal/fishery interactions, and institute a framework observer 

 program for domestic fishing vessels; agreeing that seasonal closures to protect 

 walrus are warranted; noting that the criteria and research to determine the 

 effectiveness of the closures had not been identified; recommending that the Service 

 clarify: (a) the criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of proposed and alternative 

 actions; (b) the range of research and monitoring studies needed to assess the 

 effectiveness of the proposed and alternative actions; and (c) the potential benefits 

 to the fishery of preventing harvests of spawning fish in Togiak Bay; and further 

 recommending that the Service carefully review the details of proposed and 

 alternative data reporting and observer programs to ensure that they are consistent 

 with requirements of the 1988 amendments to the Marine Mammal Protection Act. 



15 September Interior, scientific research permit application, Alaska Fish and Wildlife Research 

 Center. 



15 September State of Florida, commenting to the Governor and Cabinet of Florida on proposed 

 recommendations put forth by the Florida Department of Natural Resources to 

 protect West Indian manatees and urging that they be implemented promptly. 



25 September Transportation, forwarding to the Coast Guard a draft paper proposing that certain 

 sections of the Guidelines for Implementing Annex V of the Convention for the 

 Prevention of Pollution from Ships be expanded and recommending that the Coast 

 Guard consider the draft as the basis for a U.S. submission to the next meeting of 

 the Marine Environment Protection Committee of the International Maritime 

 Organization. 



27 September Interior, modification of scientific research permit, Charles Monnett. 



27 September Commerce, scientific research permit application, Sigma Chemical Company. 



27 September Commerce, scientific research permit application, J. Ward Testa. 



29 September The Trustee Council, commenting on a State/Federal damage assessment plan for the 

 Exxon Valdez oil spill; noting that the plan provides a comprehensive overview of 

 studies to assess natural resource damage resulting from the spill, but that it does 

 not contain sufficient information to judge the likelihood that the component studies 

 will in fact provide a reliable assessment of natural resource damage or whether the 

 cost estimates are reasonable; recommending that, if it had not already done so, the 

 Council: (a) develop comprehensive project descriptions, including descriptions 

 and justifications of study designs, sample sizes, and cost estimates; (b) have the 

 project descriptions reviewed by knowledgeable experts not associated with the 

 damage assessment program; (c) revise the plan to take account of the expert 

 review; and (d) arrange for periodic meetings of the principal investigators to 

 exchange information and study results and to coordinate planning. 



2 October Commerce, scientific research permit application, Thomas N. James. 



2 October Interior, modification of scientific research permit, Fish and Wildlife Service. 



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