# Letters of Authorization to Take Marine Mammals
**AGENCY:**
Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
**ACTION:**
Notice of issuance.
**SUMMARY:**
In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (MMPA) as amended, notice is hereby given that Letters of Authorization to take polar bears incidental to oil and gas industry exploration activities in the Beaufort Sea and adjacent northern coast of Alaska have been issued.
**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:**
Mr. Craig Perham at the Fish and Wildlife Service, Marine Mammals Management Office, 1011 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99503, (800) 362-5148 or (907) 786-3810.
**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:**
A Letter of Authorization has been issued to the following companies in accordance with Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Rules and Regulations (see “Marine Mammals; Incidental Take During Specified Activities” at 71 FR 43926; August 2, 2006) under section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA and the Fish and Wildlife Service implementing regulations at 50 CFR 18.27(f)(3):
| Company | Activity | Location | Date issued |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Shell Offshore, Inc. | Exploration | Open water seismic | Aug 15, 2006 |
| BP Exploration Alaska, Inc. | Production | Greater Prudhoe Bay, Milne Point, Badami, Endicott, and Northstar Oil Field Units | Aug 15, 2006 |
| ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc | Production | Kuparuk and Alpine Oil Field Units | Aug 15, 2006 |
| FEX L.P. | Exploration | NPR-A | Sept 26, 2006 |
| Ukpeagvik Inupiat Corporation | Development | Cape Simpson Industrial Port | Sept 22, 2006 |
| ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc | Exploration | Pike Shallow Hazard Survey | Sept 26, 2006 |
Dated: October 19, 2006.
Thomas O. Melius,
Regional Director.