Fed. Reg. Notices — Notice; issuance of permit

BILLING CODE 3510-NK-M DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 103006A] Endangered Species; File No. 1547 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit. SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (Kathryn Hattala, Principal Investigator), 21 South Putt Corners Road; New Paltz, NY 12561 has been issued a permit to conduct scientific research on shortnose sturgeon ( *Acipenser brevirostrum* ).

ADDRESSES: The permit and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment in the following offices: Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301)713-2289; fax (301)713-0376; and Northeast Region, NMFS, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298; phone

(978)281-9328; fax

(978)281-9394. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Malcolm Mohead or Carrie Hubard,

(301)713-2289. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 08, 2005, notice was published in the **Federal Register** (70 FR 45701) that a request for a scientific research permit to take shortnose sturgeon had been submitted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). The requested permit has been issued under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 *et seq.* ) and the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226). In order to evaluate seasonal movement of shortnose sturgeon in Haverstraw and Newburgh Bays of the Hudson river, the NYSDEC is authorized annually to capture a maximum of 500 adult and juvenile shortnose sturgeon with gill nets, and to measure, weigh, scan for tags, insert passive integrated transponder tags and Carlin tags (if untagged) and then release. Issuance of this permit, as required by the ESA, was based on a finding that such permit

(1)was applied for in good faith,

(2)will not operate to the disadvantage of the endangered species which is the subject of this permit, and

(3)is consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 of the ESA. Dated: November 2, 2006. P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E6-18868 Filed 11-7-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 082306A] Endangered Species; File No. 1576 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit. SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that NMFS, Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC), 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543-1026, has been issued a permit to take loggerhead ( *Caretta caretta* ), leatherback ( *Dermochelys coriacea* ), Kemp's ridley ( *Lepidochelys kempii* ), green ( *Chelonia mydas* ), hawksbill ( *Eretmochelys imbricata* ), and olive ridley ( *Lepidochelys olivacea* ) sea turtles for purposes of scientific research. ADDRESSES: The permit and related documents are available for review upon written request or by appointment in the following offices: Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301)713-2289; fax (301)427-2521; Northeast Region, NMFS, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298; phone (978)281-9300; fax (978)281-9394. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patrick Opay or Kate Swails, (301)713-2289. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On April 28, 2006, notice was published in the **Federal Register** (71 FR 25153) that a request for a scientific research permit to take loggerhead, leatherback, Kemp's ridley, green, hawksbill, and olive ridley sea turtles had been submitted by the above-named organization. The requested permit has been issued under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 *et seq.* ) and the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226). Researchers will test modifications to scallop dredge gear that may reduce the probability of turtle injuries due to gear interactions. They will also opportunistically collect biological information from sea turtles captured in other projects or fisheries to improve NMFS's ability to assess stocks and the impact of anthropogenic activities. The researchers will annually capture and/or handle, measure, weigh, flipper tag, passive integrated transponder tag, tissue biopsy, collect parts from, photograph, and release up to 81 loggerhead, 10 leatherback, 27 Kemp's ridley, 11 green, 1 hawksbill, and 1 olive ridley. Up to 23 loggerheads and 1 leatherback, 1 Kemp's ridley, and 1 green sea turtle could be taken lethally annually. The research would occur in the Western Atlantic Ocean (Florida Keys through Maine) and the permit would be issued for 5 years. Issuance of this permit, as required by the ESA, was based on a finding that such permit

(1)was applied for in good faith,

(2)will not operate to the disadvantage of any endangered or threatened species, and

(3)is consistent with the purposes and policies set forth in section 2 ofthe ESA. Dated: November 2, 2006. P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. E6-18881 Filed 11-7-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-S DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 102406C] Nominations for the Annual Sustainable Fisheries Leadership Awards for 2007 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; request for nominations. SUMMARY: NOAA has established the Sustainable Fisheries Leadership Awards Program to recognize outstanding performances, achievements and leadership by industries, organizations and individuals who promote best stewardship practices for the sustainable use of living marine resources and ecosystems, and who have fostered change and inspired a stewardship ethic within their community. This notice solicits nominations of qualified candidates for the second annual Sustainable Fisheries Leadership Awards in six award categories listed in this Notice. NMFS has partnered with the Fish for the Future Foundation to collect the nominations. DATES: Nomination forms and required supporting materials must be received on or before January 8, 2007. ADDRESSES: Nominations should be sent electronically to the Fish for the Future Foundation, *nominations@fish4thefuturefoundation.org.* Nominations can also be mailed to Sustainable Fisheries Leadership Awards, c/o Fish for the Future Foundation, 3382 Gunston Road, Alexandria, VA 22302, or faxed to

(703)379-5777. All information and official nomination forms can be accessed electronically at the NMFS Web site *www.nmfs.noaa.gov/awards/* or the Fish for the Future Foundation Web site *www.fish4thefuturefoundation.org* or by calling (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT ). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michele Shea, Fish for theFuture Foundation,

(703)379-6101, *Michele.Shea@fish4thefuturefoundation.org* or Laurel Bryant, NMFS,

(301)713-2379 x171, *laurel.bryant@noaa.gov* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Established by NMFS, the Sustainable Fisheries Leadership Awards reflect the values and principles of NOAA and its mission to ensure sustainable management of U.S. fishery resources for the benefit of our Nation. NMFS has partnered with the Fish for the Future Foundation, an Internal Revenue Service-approved non-profit organization, to assist with the awards program. The Fish for the Future Foundation is dedicated to promoting education among the American public on the need for and importance of a vibrant, sustainable fishing industry. The Sustainable Fisheries Leadership Awards Program is open to fishing industry sectors, organizations, individuals, and state, local and federal government agencies and their employees. Organizations, individuals and agencies cannot nominate themselves. A nominee cannot be nominated for more than one award category. International entities or employees of NMFS are not eligible to receive an award under any category. Presenting an award under each of the six categories will be entirely dependent on the pool of eligible candidates received and NMFS’ determination of their qualifications. As such, there may be years in which an award is not presented under one or more of the categories. Nominated through a public process, nominees will be considered for the following categories: Special Recognition Award, Stewardship & Sustainability Award, Conservation Partnership Award, Science, Research & Technology Award, Coastal Habitat Restoration Award, and Public Education, Community Service & Media Award. Nominations must be submitted on the official nomination form available at *www.nmfs.noaa.gov/awards/* or *www.fish4thefuturefoundation.org* , and submitted electronically, mailed or faxed to Fish for the Future Foundation (see DATES and ADDRESSES ). Relevant supporting materials, not to exceed 10 pages in length, may be submitted along with the nomination form. At least one reference is required, however no more than three references or endorsements will be accepted or considered by the review panel. Nominations will be reviewed by the Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee (a federal advisory group established to advise the Secretary of Commerce on living marine resource issues) as well as NMFS leadership, making recommendations to the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries. Final selection of award recipients is made by the Assistant Administrator for Fisheries and the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. The following award categories are open for nominations: Special Recognition Award—This award honors an individual who has demonstrated a life time achievement in innovative management and outstanding leadership for the stewardship and sustainable use of living marine resources. Stewardship & Sustainability Award—This award recognizes excellence in promoting responsible stewardship and innovative management for long-term social, economic and biological sustainability of living marine resources. Conservation Partnership Award—This award recognizes outstanding achievement in cooperative and collaborative work among stakeholder groups to foster best practices in sustainable living marine resources management. Science, Research & Technology Award—This award recognizes excellence in the field of applied fisheries research. Nominations will be considered for advancements in technology to improve fisheries monitoring, reduce bycatch, protect habitat, conserve protected species, and enhance fishing operations as well as other technological advances that reduce the impacts of human activity on the marine environment. Coastal Habitat Restoration Award—This award recognizes significant achievements made in coastal habitat restoration, including the development of innovative approaches and community based support necessary to accomplish the ambitious goals inherent with these projects. Public Education, Community Service & Media Award—This award recognizes efforts to inform the general public about marine fisheries and living marine resources in the United States, or efforts to support the nation's fishing communities through community service. Evaluation of nominations will include but are not limited to the following criteria: Leadership—the individual or the overall team effort that has been demonstrated over a sustained period of time in support of the stewardship and sustained use of living marine resources. Impact on Stewardship—the degree of stewardship and conservation ethics and practices fostered within the larger community of living marine fisheries stakeholders and users. Ecological Significance—the impact and benefit to the overall health and abundance provided to living marine resources. Long-term Significance—the impact to the science, management and economic sustainability of living marine resources. These awards are presented annually. This is the second year of the Sustainable Fisheries Leadership Awards. Information on last year's awards and award recipients can be found at *www.nmfs.noaa.gov/awards.* Dated: November 2, 2006. William T. Hogarth, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 06-9116 Filed 11-3-06; 1:36 pm]

Notices. Notice; issuance of permit