Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Steller Sea Lion and Northern Fur Seal Research

This Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement is prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act. It assesses the environmental impacts associated with NOAA Fisheries proceeding with implementing future grants and Endangered Species Act/Marine Mammal Protection Act permit programs related to research on northern fur seals and threatened and endangered Steller sea lions throughout their ranges in the United States. In the United States, Steller sea lions and northern fur seals range from California, along the western coast of the continental United States, to the Aleutian Islands in western Alaska. The purpose of the research program on these species is to promote their conservation and recovery.