83_FR_35363 83 FR 35220 - Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Port of Kalama Expansion Project on the Lower Columbia River

83 FR 35220 - Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Port of Kalama Expansion Project on the Lower Columbia River

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 143 (July 25, 2018)

Page Range35220-35225
FR Document2018-15837

NMFS received a request from the Port of Kalama (POK) to issue an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) previously issued to the POK to incidentally take three species of marine mammal, by Level B harassment only, during construction activities associated with an expansion project at the Port of Kalama on the Lower Columbia River, Washington. The current IHA was issued in 2017 and is in effect until August 31, 2018 (2017-2018 IHA). However, the project has been delayed such that none of the work covered by the 2017-2018 IHA has been initiated and, therefore, the POK requested that an IHA be issued to conduct their work beginning on or about September 1, 2018 (2018-2019 IHA). NMFS is seeking public comment on its proposal to issue the 2018- 2019 IHA to cover the incidental take analyzed and authorized in the 2017-2018 IHA. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an IHA to POK to incidentally take, by Level B harassment, small numbers of marine mammals during the specified activities. The authorized take numbers and related analyses would be the same as for the 2017-2018 IHA, and the required mitigation, monitoring, and reporting would remain the same as authorized in the 2017-2018 IHA referenced above. NMFS will consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the issuance of the requested MMPA authorization and agency responses will be summarized in the final notice of our decision.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 143 (Wednesday, July 25, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 143 (Wednesday, July 25, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35220-35225]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-15837]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG133


Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; 
Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Port of Kalama Expansion Project on 
the Lower Columbia River

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; proposed incidental harassment authorization; request 
for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS received a request from the Port of Kalama (POK) to issue 
an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) previously issued to the 
POK to incidentally take three species of marine mammal, by Level B 
harassment only, during construction activities associated with an 
expansion project at the Port of Kalama on the Lower Columbia River, 
Washington. The current IHA was issued in 2017 and is in effect until 
August 31, 2018 (2017-2018 IHA). However, the project has been delayed 
such that none of the work covered by the 2017-2018 IHA has been 
initiated and, therefore, the POK requested that an IHA be issued to 
conduct their work beginning on or about September 1, 2018 (2018-2019 
IHA). NMFS is seeking public comment on its proposal to issue the 2018-
2019 IHA to cover the incidental take analyzed and authorized in the 
2017-2018 IHA. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), 
NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an IHA to POK to 
incidentally take, by Level B harassment, small numbers of marine 
mammals during the specified activities. The authorized take numbers 
and related analyses would be the same as for the 2017-2018 IHA, and 
the required mitigation, monitoring, and reporting would remain the 
same as authorized in the 2017-2018 IHA referenced above. NMFS will 
consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the 
issuance of the requested MMPA authorization and agency responses will 
be summarized in the final notice of our decision.

DATES: Comments and information must be received no later than August 
24, 2018.

ADDRESSES: An electronic copy of the final Authorization issued in 2017 
and supporting material along with an updated IHA request memo from POK 
may be obtained by visiting https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/incidental-take-authorizations-construction-activities. In case of problems accessing these documents, please call 
the contact listed below (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dale Youngkin, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, (301) 427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) 
direct the Secretary of Commerce (as delegated to NMFS) to allow, upon 
request, the incidental, but not intentional, taking of small numbers 
of marine mammals by U.S. citizens who engage in a specified activity 
(other than commercial fishing) within a specified geographical region 
if certain findings are made and either regulations are issued or, if 
the taking is limited to harassment, a notice of a proposed 
authorization is provided to the public for review.
    An authorization for incidental takings shall be granted if NMFS 
finds that the taking will have a negligible impact on the species or 
stock(s), will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the 
availability of the species or stock(s) for subsistence uses (where 
relevant), and if the permissible methods of taking and requirements 
pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring and reporting of such takings 
are set forth.
    NMFS has defined ``negligible impact'' in 50 CFR 216.103 as an 
impact resulting from the specified activity that cannot be reasonably 
expected to, and is not reasonably likely to, adversely affect the 
species or stock through effects on annual rates of recruitment or 
survival.
    The MMPA states that the term ``take'' means to harass, hunt, 
capture, kill or attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill any marine 
mammal.
    Except with respect to certain activities not pertinent here, the 
MMPA defines ``harassment'' as any act of pursuit, torment, or 
annoyance which (i) has the potential to injure a marine mammal or 
marine mammal stock in the wild (Level A harassment); or (ii) has

[[Page 35221]]

the potential to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the 
wild by causing disruption of behavioral patterns, including, but not 
limited to, migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or 
sheltering (Level B harassment).

National Environmental Policy Act

    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), as implemented by the regulations published 
by the Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), NMFS 
prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) to consider the direct, 
indirect and cumulative effects to the human environment resulting from 
the POK Expansion project. NMFS made the EA available to the public for 
review and comment in order to assess the impacts to the human 
environment of issuance of the 2017-2018 IHA to the POK. Also in 
compliance with NEPA and the CEQ regulations, as well as NOAA 
Administrative Order 216-6, NMFS signed a Finding of No Significant 
Impact (FONSI) on October 24, 2016 for issuance of the 2017-2018 IHA. 
These NEPA documents are available at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/incidental-take-authorizations-construction-activities.
    Since this IHA covers the same work covered in the 2017-2018 IHA, 
NMFS has reviewed our previous EA and FONSI, and has preliminarily 
determined that this action is consistent with categories of activities 
identified in CE B4 of the Companion Manual for NOAA Administrative 
Order 216-6A, which do not individually or cumulatively have the 
potential for significant impacts on the quality of the human 
environment and for which we have not identified any extraordinary 
circumstances that would preclude this categorical exclusion. 
Accordingly, NMFS has preliminarily determined that the issuance of the 
proposed IHA qualifies to be categorically excluded from further NEPA 
review. We will review all comments submitted in response to this 
notice prior to concluding our NEPA process or making a final decision 
on the 2018-2019 IHA request.

History of Request

    On September 28, 2015, we received a request from the POK for 
authorization of the taking, by Level B harassment only, of marine 
mammals incidental to the construction associated with the Port of 
Kalama Expansion Project, which involved construction of the Kalama 
Marine Manufacturing and Export Facility including a new marine 
terminal for the export of methanol, and installation of engineered log 
jams, restoration of riparian wetlands, and the removal of existing 
wood piles in a side channel as mitigation activities. The specified 
activity is expected to result in the take of three species of marine 
mammals (harbor seals, California sea lions, and Steller sea lions). A 
final version of the application, which we deemed adequate and 
complete, was submitted on December 10, 2015. We published a notice of 
a proposed IHA and request for comments on March 21, 2016 (81 FR 
715064). After the public comment period and before we issued the final 
IHA, POK requested that we issue the IHA for 2017 instead of the 2016 
work season. We subsequently published the final notice of our issuance 
of the IHA on December 12, 2016 (81 FR 89436), effective from September 
1, 2017-August 31, 2018. In-water work associated with the project was 
expected to be completed within the one-year timeframe of the IHA.
    On June 21, 2018, POK informed NMFS that work relevant to the 
specified activity considered in the MMPA analysis for the 2017-2018 
IHA was postponed and would not be completed. POK requested that the 
IHA be issued to be effective for the period from September 1, 2018-
August 31, 2019. In support of that request, POK submitted an 
application addendum affirming that no change in the proposed 
activities is anticipated and that no new information regarding the 
abundance of marine mammals is available that would change the previous 
analysis and findings.

Description of the Activity and Anticipated Impacts

    The 2017-2018 IHA covered the construction of a marine terminal and 
dock/pier for the export of methanol, and associated compensatory 
mitigation activities for the purposes of offsetting habitat effects 
from the action. The marine terminal will be approximately 45,000 
square feet in size, supported by 320 concrete piles (24-inch precast 
octagonal piles to be driven by impact hammer) and 16 steel piles (12 x 
12-inch and 4 x 18-inch anticipated to be driven by vibratory hammer, 
and impact hammering will only be done to drive/proof if necessary). 
The compensatory mitigation includes installation of 8 engineered log 
jams (ELJs), which will be anchored by untreated wooden piles driven by 
impact hammer at low tides (not in water). The compensatory mitigation 
also includes removal of approximately 320 untreated wooden piles from 
an abandoned U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) dike in a nearby 
backwater area. The piles will be removed either by direct pull or 
vibratory extraction. Finally, the compensatory mitigation includes 
wetland restoration and enhancement by removal of invasive species and 
replacement with native wetland species.
    NMFS refers the reader to the documents related to the 2017-2018 
IHA for more detailed description of the project activities. These 
previous documents include the Federal Register notice of the issuance 
of the 2017-2018 IHA for the POK's Port of Kalama Expansion Project (81 
FR 89436, December 12, 2016), the Federal Register notice of the 
proposed IHA (81 FR 15064, March 21, 2016), POK's application (and 2018 
application addendum), and all associated references.
    Detailed Description of the Action--A detailed description of the 
pile driving activities at the Port of Kalama is found in these 
previous documents and the updated 2018-2019 IHA application addendum. 
The location, timing (e.g., seasonality), and nature of the pile 
driving operations, including the type and size of piles and the 
methods of pile driving, are identical to those described in the 
previous Federal Register notices referenced above.
    Description of Marine Mammals--A description of the marine mammals 
in the area of the activities is found in the previous documents 
referenced above, which remain applicable to this IHA as well. In 
addition, NMFS has reviewed recent Stock Assessment Reports, 
information on relevant Unusual Mortality Events, and recent scientific 
literature. Since the submittal of the 2015 IHA application, the USACE 
has published updated data on pinniped presence at the Bonneville Dam 
(Tidwell et al., 2017). This information reveals that in both 2016 and 
2017 the numbers of pinnipeds present at Bonneville Dam were within the 
range of historical variability. The latest USACE data does not suggest 
a trend that would require a modification to the take estimates or to 
the effects analysis (see Table 1 below for a summary of monitoring 
data by year from Tidwell et al., 2017). Therefore, NMFS has 
preliminarily determined that the updated information does not affect 
our analysis of impacts for the 2018-2019 IHA.

[[Page 35222]]



   Table 1--Minimum Estimated Number of Individual Pinnipeds Observed at Bonneville Dam Tailrace Areas and the
                       Hours of Observation During the Focal Sampling Period, 2002 to 2017
                                           [From Tidwell et al., 2017]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Total hours   California sea    Steller sea                        Total
              Year                   observed          lions           lions       Harbor seals      pinnipeds
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2002............................             662              30               0               1              31
2003............................           1,356             104               3               2             109
2004............................             516              99               3               2             104
2005 *..........................           1,109              81               4               1              86
2006............................           3,650              72              11               3              86
2007............................           4,433              71               9               2              82
2008............................           5,131              82              39               2             123
2009............................           3,455              54              26               2              82
2010............................           3,609              89              75               2             166
2011............................           3,315              54              89               1             144
2012............................           3,404              39              73               0             112
2013............................           3,247              56              80               0             136
2014............................           2,947              71              65               1             137
2015............................           2,995             195            a 69               0             264
2016............................           1,974             149            a 54               0             203
2017............................           1,142              92            a 63               1             156
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Observations did not begin until March 18 in 2005.
\a\ In 2015, 2016, and 2017 the minimum estimated number of Steller sea lions was 55, 41, and 32, respectively.
  These counts were less than the maximum number of Steller sea lions observed on one day, so Tidwell et al.
  (2017) used the maximum number observed on one day as the minimum number. This difference was driven by a
  focus on California sea lions and lack of branding or unique markers on Steller sea lions.

    Potential Effects on Marine Mammals--A description of the potential 
effects of the specified activities on marine mammals and their habitat 
is found in the previous documents referenced above, and remain 
applicable to this proposed IHA. There is no new information on 
potential effects that would change our analyses or determinations 
under the 2018-2019 IHA.
    Estimated Take--A description of the methods and inputs used to 
estimate take anticipated to occur and, ultimately, the take that was 
authorized is found in the previous documents referenced above. The 
methods of estimating take for this proposed IHA are identical to those 
used in the 2017-2018 IHA, as is the density of marine mammals. The 
source levels, also remain unchanged from the 2017-2018 IHA, and NMFS' 
2016 Technical Guidance for Assessing the Effects of Anthropogenic 
Sound on Marine Mammal Hearing (NMFS 2016) was used to address new 
acoustic thresholds in the notice of issuance of the 2017-2018 IHA. As 
stated above, since the submittal of the application for the 2017-2018 
IHA (in effect from September 1, 2017 through August 31, 2018), the 
USACE has published updated data on pinniped presence at the Bonneville 
Dam, and this data does not suggest a trend that would require a 
modification to the take estimates or effects analysis. Consequently, 
the proposed authorized take for this proposed 2018-2019 IHA is 
identical to the 2017-2018 IHA, as presented in Table 2 below.

      Table 2--Estimated Take Proposed for Authorization and Proportion of Population Potentially Affected
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         Percentage of
                                        Estimated take   Abundance of        stock
                                          by Level B         stock        potentially       Population trend
                                          harassment                       affected
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harbor seal...........................           1,530          24,732             6.2  Stable.
California sea lion...................             372         153,337             0.2  Stable.
Steller sea lion......................             372          59,968             0.6  Increasing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Description of Mitigation, Monitoring and Reporting Measures--A 
description of mitigation, monitoring, and reporting measures is found 
in the previous documents referenced above, and remain unchanged for 
this proposed IHA. In summary, mitigation includes implementation of 
shut down procedures if any marine mammal approaches or enters the 
Level A harassment zone for impact pile driving. One trained observer 
shall monitor to implement shutdowns and collect information at each 
active impact pile driving location. In addition, two shore-based 
observers (one upstream of the project, and another downstream of the 
project), whose primary responsibility shall be to record pinnipeds in 
the disturbance zone and to alert barge-based observers to the presence 
of pinnipeds, thus creating a redundant alert system for prevention of 
injurious interaction as well as increasing the probability of 
detecting pinnipeds in the disturbance zone.
    At least three observers shall be on duty during vibratory pile 
driving activity for the first two days, and thereafter on every third 
day to allow for estimation of Level B takes. The first observer shall 
be positioned on a work platform or barge where the entirety of a 10 m 
shutdown zone can be monitored. Shore based observers shall be 
positioned to observe the disturbance zone from the bank of the river. 
Protocols will be implemented to ensure that coordinated communication 
of sightings occurs between observers in a timely manner.
    Pile driving activities shall only be conducted during daylight 
hours. If the shutdown zone is obscured by fog or poor lighting 
conditions, pile driving

[[Page 35223]]

will not be initiated until the entire shutdown zone is visible. Work 
that has been initiated appropriately in conditions of good visibility 
may continue during poor visibility. The shutdown zone will be 
monitored for 30 minutes prior to initiating the start of pile driving, 
during the activity, and for 30 minutes after activities have ceased. 
If pinnipeds are present within the shutdown zone prior to pile 
driving, the start will be delayed until the animals leave the shutdown 
zone of their own volition, or until 15 minutes elapse without re-
sighting the animal(s).
    Soft start procedures shall be implemented at the start of each 
day's impact pile driving and at any time following cessation of impact 
driving for a period of thirty minutes or longer. If steel piles 
require impact installation or proofing, a bubble curtain will be used 
for sound attenuation.

Determinations

    The POK proposes to conduct activities in 2018-2019 that are 
identical to those covered in the currently 2017-2018 IHA. As described 
above, the number of estimated takes of the same stocks of harbor seals 
(OR/WA Coast stock), California sea lion (U.S. stock), and Steller sea 
lion (Eastern DPS) is the same for this proposed IHA as those 
authorized in the 2017-2018 IHA, which were found to meet the 
negligible impact and small numbers standards. The authorized take of 
1,200 harbor seals; 70 California sea lions, and 68 Steller sea lions 
represent 4.8 percent, >0.1 percent, and 0.1 percent of these stocks of 
marine mammals by Level B harassment, respectively. This proposed IHA 
includes identical required mitigation, monitoring, and reporting 
measures as the 2017-2018 IHA, and there is no new information 
suggesting that our prior analyses or findings should change.
    Based on the information contained here and in the referenced 
documents, NMFS has preliminarily determined the following: (1) The 
authorized takes will have a negligible impact on the affected marine 
mammal species or stocks; (2) the required mitigation measures will 
effect the least practicable impact on marine mammal species or stocks 
and their habitat; (3) the authorized takes represent small numbers of 
marine mammals relative to the affected species or stock abundances; 
and (4) the POK's activities will not have an unmitigable adverse 
impact on taking for subsistence purposes, as no relevant subsistence 
uses of marine mammals are implicated by this action.

Endangered Species Act (ESA)

    Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA: 16 
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) requires that each Federal agency insure that any 
action it authorizes, funds, or carries out is not likely to jeopardize 
the continued existence of any endangered or threatened species or 
result in the destruction or adverse modification of designated 
critical habitat. To ensure ESA compliance for the issuance of IHAs, 
NMFS consults internally whenever we propose to authorize take for 
endangered or threatened species.
    No incidental take of ESA-listed species is expected to result from 
this activity, and none would be authorized. Therefore, NMFS has 
determined that consultation under section 7 of the ESA is not required 
for this action.

Proposed Authorization

    NMFS proposes to issue an IHA to POK for in-water construction work 
activities beginning September 2018 through August 2019, with the 
proposed mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements. The 
proposed IHA language is provided next.
    This section contains a draft of the IHA itself. The wording 
contained in this section is proposed for inclusion in the IHA (if 
issued).
    The Port of Kalama (POK), 110 West Marine Drive, Kalama, 
Washington, 98625, is hereby authorized under section 101(a)(5)(D) of 
the Marine Mammal Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 1371(a)(5)(D)) and 50 CFR 
216.107 to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to conducting 
in-water construction work for the Port of Kalama Expansion Project 
contingent upon the following conditions:
    1. This Authorization is effective for one year from the date of 
issuance.
    2. Timing of Activities
    (a) Timing of activities anticipated to result in take of marine 
mammals shall be conducted between September 1, 2018 and January 31, 
2019;
    (b) Timing of Activities Not Anticipated to Result in Take of 
Marine Mammals;
    (i) Dredging would be conducted between September 1, 2018 and 
December 31, 2018;
    (ii) Construction/installation of engineered log jams (ELJ) may be 
conducted year-round;
    (iii) Construction that will take place below the Ordinary High 
Water Mark (OHWM), but outside of the wetted perimeter of the river (in 
the dry) may be conducted year-round; and
    (iv) Removal of wooden piles from former trestle in the freshwater 
intertidal backwater channel portion of the project site (compensatory 
mitigation measure of removal of 157 wooden piles) may be conducted 
year-round.
    3. This Authorization is valid only for activities associated with 
in-water construction work for the Port of Kalama Expansion Project on 
approximately 100 acres (including uplands) at the northern end of the 
Port of Kalama's North Port site (Lat. 46.049, Long. -122.874), located 
at approximately river mile 72 along the lower Columbia River along the 
east bank in Cowlitz County, Washington.
    4. Briefings shall be conducted between construction supervisors, 
crews, marine mammal observer team, and Port of Kalama staff prior to 
the start of all pile driving/removal work and when new personnel join 
the work in order to explain responsibilities, communication 
procedures, marine mammal monitoring protocol, and operational 
procedures.
    5. (a) The number and species authorized for taking are: 1,530 
harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardsi), 372 California sea lions 
(Zalophus californianus), and 372 Steller sea lions (Eumatopius 
jubatus).
    (b) The Authorization for taking by harassment is limited to the 
following acoustic sources and activities:
    (i) Impact pile driving; and
    (ii) Vibratory pile driving activities (including vibratory removal 
of temporary construction piles
    (c) The taking of any marine mammal in a manner prohibited under 
this Authorization must be reported within 24 hours of the taking to 
the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) West Coast Regional 
Administrator at (206) 526-6150 and the NMFS Chief of the Permits and 
Conservation Division at (301) 427-8401.
    6. The taking, by Level B harassment only, is limited to the 
species listed, and by the numbers listed, under condition 4(a) above. 
The taking by Level A harassment or death of the species identified in 
4(a) or any taking of any other species of marine mammal is prohibited 
and may result in the modification, suspension, or revocation of this 
Authorization.
    7. Mitigation
    (a) Activities authorized for take of marine mammals by this 
Authorization shall occur only during daylight hours.
    (b) A bubble curtain shall be used for sound attenuation if steel 
piles require impact installation or proofing.
    (c) Exclusion Zone and Level B Harassment Zones of Influence;
    (i) Exclusion zones out to distances encompassing the Level A 
harassment

[[Page 35224]]

zones shall be implemented to avoid Level A take of marine mammals (40 
m (131 ft) for impact driving of concrete piles; 252 m (828 ft) for 
impact driving of steel piles; and 16.5 m (54 ft) for vibratory driving 
of steel piles); and
    (ii) Disturbance zones shall be established as 117 m (384 ft) for 
impact driving of concrete piles; 1,848 m (6,063 ft) for impact driving 
of steel piles; and line of sight to nearest shoreline (5.7 km (18,700 
ft) maximum) for vibratory driving of steel piles;
    (d) Monitoring of marine mammals shall take place starting 30 
minutes before pile driving begins and shall continue until 30 minutes 
after pile driving ends.
    (e) Soft Start
    (i) Soft start procedures shall be implemented at the start of each 
day's impact pile driving and at any time following cessation of impact 
pile driving for a period of 30 minutes or longer; and
    (ii) Soft start procedures require that the contractor provides an 
initial set of three strikes at reduced energy followed by a 30-second 
waiting period, then two subsequent reduced energy strike sets.
    (f) Shutdown Measures
    (i) POK shall implement shutdown measures if a marine mammal is 
sighted within, or is perceived to be approaching, the exclusion zones 
identified in 5(c)(i) above and the associated construction or pile 
driving activities shall immediately cease. Pile driving or in-water 
construction work shall not be resumed until the exclusion zone has 
been observed as being clear of marine mammals for at least 15 minutes; 
and
    (ii) If marine mammals are present within the exclusion zones 
established in 5(c)(i) above prior to the start of in-water 
construction activities, these activities would be delayed until the 
animals leave the exclusion zone of their own volition, or until 15 
minutes elapse without resighting the animal, at which time it may be 
assumed that the animal(s) have left the exclusion zone.
    8. Monitoring
    Marine Mammal Observers--POK shall employ observers to conduct 
marine mammal monitoring for its construction project. Observers shall 
have the following minimum qualifications:
    (i) Visual acuity in both eyes (correction is permissible) 
sufficient for discernment of moving targets at the water's surface 
with the ability to estimate target size and distance. Use of 
binoculars may be necessary to correctly identify the target;
    (ii) Experience and ability to conduct field observations and 
collect data according to assigned protocols (this may include academic 
experience);
    (iii) Experience or training in the field identification of the 
marine mammals that could potentially be encountered;
    (iv) Sufficient training, orientation, or experience with the 
construction operation to provide for personal safety during 
observations;
    (v) Writing skills sufficient to prepare a report of observations 
that shall include such information as the number and types of marine 
mammals observed; the behavior of marine mammals in the project area 
during construction; the dates and times when observations were 
conducted; the dates and times when in-water construction activities 
were conducted; the dates and times when marine mammals were present at 
or within the defined disturbance zone; and the dates and times when 
in-water construction activities were suspended to avoid incidental 
harassment by disturbance from construction noise; and
    (vi) Ability to communicate orally, by radio or in person, with 
project personnel to provide real time information on marine mammals 
observed in the area.
    (b) Individuals meeting the minimum qualifications identified in 
7(a), above, shall be present on site (on land or dock) at all times 
during pile driving activities conducted for the project.
    (c) During all impact pile driving activities, observers shall be 
stationed to allow a clear line of sight of the exclusion zone (10 m 
(33 ft) except for steel piles, which shall be 18 m (59 ft)) and the 
entire disturbance zone as identified in Table 2 (attached).
    (d) Marine mammal observers shall monitor for the first two days of 
vibratory pile driving, and thereafter on every third day of vibratory 
pile driving. Monitoring shall be conducted by three observers during 
vibratory pile driving activities. One observer shall be stationed in 
the general vicinity of the pile being driven and shall have clear line 
of sight views of the entire inner harbor. Another observer shall be 
stationed at an accessible location downstream (such as northern tip of 
Prescott Beach County Park) and would observe the northern (downstream) 
portion of the disturbance zone. A third observer shall be stationed at 
an accessible location upstream and would observe the southern 
(upstream) portion of the disturbance zone.
    (e) Marine mammal observers shall scan the waters within each 
monitoring zone activity using binoculars (Vector 10 X 42 or 
equivalent), spotting scopes (Swarovski 20-60 zoom or equivalent; 
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife 2000), and visual 
observation.
    (f) Marine mammal presence within the Level B harassment zones of 
influence (disturbance zones) shall be monitored, but pile driving 
activity shall not be stopped if marine mammals are found present 
unless they enter or approach the exclusion zone. Any marine mammal 
observed within the disturbance zone shall be documented and counted as 
a Level B take. Monitoring during vibratory pile driving shall occur 
during the first two days of activity and during every three days 
thereafter to estimate the number of individuals present within the 
Level B harassment area.
    (g) If waters exceed a sea-state which restrict the observers' 
ability to make observations within the Level A injury exclusion zone, 
relevant activities shall cease until conditions allow the resumption 
of monitoring. Vibratory pile installation would continue under these 
conditions.
    (h) The waters shall be scanned 30 minutes prior to commencing pile 
driving activities and during all pile driving activities. If marine 
mammals enter or are observed within the designated exclusion zones 
during, or 15 minutes prior to, impact pile driving, the monitors shall 
notify the on-site construction manager to not begin, or cease, work 
until the animal(s) leave of their own volition, or have not been 
observed within the zone for 15 minutes.
    9. Reporting
    (a) POK shall provide NMFS with a draft monitoring report within 90 
days of the expiration of this Authorization, or within conclusion of 
the construction work, whichever comes first. This report shall detail 
the monitoring protocol, summarize the data recorded during monitoring, 
and estimate the number of marine mammals that may have been harassed.
    (b) If comments are received from NMFS (West Coast Regional 
Administrator or NMFS Office of Protected Resources) on the draft 
report within 30 days, a final report shall be submitted to NMFS within 
30 days thereafter. If not comments are received from NMFS within 30 
days after receipt of the draft report, the draft report shall be 
considered final.
    (c) In the unanticipated event that the construction activities 
clearly cause the take of a marine mammal in a manner prohibited by 
this Authorization, such as an injury, serious injury, or mortality 
(Level A take), POK shall immediately cease all operations and 
immediately report the incident to the NMFS Chief of the Permits and 
Conservation

[[Page 35225]]

Division, Office of Protected Resources and the NMFS West Coast 
Regional Stranding Coordinators. The report must include the following 
information:
    (i) Time, date, and location (latitude and longitude) of the 
incident;
    (ii) Description of the incident;
    (iii) Status of all sound sources used in the 24 hours preceding 
the incident;
    (iv) Environmental conditions (wind speed, wind direction, sea 
state, cloud cover, visibility, water depth);
    (v) Description of the marine mammal observations in the 24 hours 
preceding the incident;
    (vi) Species identification or description of the animal(s) 
involved;
    (vii) The fate of the animal(s); and
    (viii) Photographs or video footage of the animal(s), if equipment 
is available.
    (d) Activities shall not resume until NMFS is able to review the 
circumstances of the prohibited take. NMFS shall work with POK to 
determine what is necessary to minimize the likelihood of further 
prohibited take and ensure MMPA compliance. POK may not resume their 
activities until notified by NMFS via letter, email, or telephone.
    (e) In the event that POK discovers an injured or dead marine 
mammal, and the marine mammal observer determines that the cause of 
injury or death is unknown and the death is relatively recent (less 
than a moderate state of decomposition), POK shall immediately report 
the incident to the NMFS Chief of Permits and Conservation Division, 
Office of Protected Resources, and the NMFS West Coast Regional 
Stranding Coordinator. The report must include the same information 
identified above. Activities may continue while NMFS reviews the 
circumstances of the incident. NMFS shall work with POK to determine 
whether modifications in the activities are appropriate
    (f) In the event that POK discovers an injured or dead marine 
mammal, and the marine mammal observer determines that the injury or 
death is not associated with or related to the activities authorized in 
the IHA (previously wounded animal, carcass with moderate to advanced 
decomposition, or scavenger damage), POK shall report the incident to 
the NMFS Chief of Permits and Conservation Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, and the NMFS West Coast Regional Stranding 
Coordinator within 24 hours of the discovery. POK shall provide 
photographs or video footage (if available) or other documentation of 
the stranded animal(s) to NMFS and the Marine Mammal Stranding Network. 
POK may continue its operations under such a case.
    10. This Authorization may be modified, suspended, or withdrawn if 
the holder fails to abide by the conditions prescribed herein or if 
NMFS determines that the authorized taking is having more than a 
negligible impact on the species or stock of affected marine mammals.

Request for Public Comments

    We request comment on our analyses, the draft authorization, and 
any other aspect of this Notice of Proposed IHA for the proposed POK 
construction activities. Please include with your comments any 
supporting data or literature citations to help inform our final 
decision on the request for MMPA authorization.
    On a case-by-case basis, NMFS may issue a one-year renewal IHA 
without additional notice when (1) another year of identical or nearly 
identical activities as described in the Specified Activities section 
is planned, or (2) the activities would not be completed by the time 
the IHA expires and renewal would allow completion of the activities 
beyond that described in the Dates and Duration section, provided all 
of the following conditions are met:
     A request for renewal is received no later than 60 days 
prior to expiration of the current IHA;
     The request for renewal must include the following:
    (1) An explanation that the activities to be conducted beyond the 
initial dates either are identical to the previously analyzed 
activities or include changes so minor (e.g., reduction in pile size) 
that the changes do not affect the previous analyses, take estimates, 
or mitigation and monitoring requirements; and
    (2) A preliminary monitoring report showing the results of the 
required monitoring to date and an explanation showing that the 
monitoring results do not indicate impacts of a scale or nature not 
previously analyzed or authorized;
     Upon review of the request for renewal, the status of the 
affected species or stocks, and any other pertinent information, NMFS 
determines that there are no more than minor changes in the activities, 
the mitigation and monitoring measures remain the same and appropriate, 
and the original findings remain valid.

    Dated: July 19, 2018.
Donna S. Wieting,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-15837 Filed 7-24-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P



                                               35220                        Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 143 / Wednesday, July 25, 2018 / Notices

                                               Meetings: Schedule, Location, and                           Dated: July 20, 2018.                              authorization and agency responses will
                                               Agenda                                                   Tim Gallaudet,                                        be summarized in the final notice of our
                                                                                                        Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans            decision.
                                               1. Thursday, August 30, Norman, OK
                                                                                                        and Atmosphere and Acting Under Secretary             DATES: Comments and information must
                                                 Agenda: To discuss implementation                      of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere,                be received no later than August 24,
                                               of The Weather Act, including the                        National Oceanic and Atmospheric                      2018.
                                                                                                        Administration.
                                               development of a community-based                                                                               ADDRESSES: An electronic copy of the
                                               weather model.                                           [FR Doc. 2018–15937 Filed 7–24–18; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                                                                              final Authorization issued in 2017 and
                                                                                                        BILLING CODE 3510–12–P
                                               2. Friday, August 31, Juneau, Alaska                                                                           supporting material along with an
                                                                                                                                                              updated IHA request memo from POK
                                                 Agenda: To discuss opportunities to                                                                          may be obtained by visiting https://
                                                                                                        DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
                                               reduce the nation’s seafood trade deficit,                                                                     www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/
                                               and promote marine commerce and                          National Oceanic and Atmospheric                      marine-mammal-protection/incidental-
                                               tourism.                                                 Administration                                        take-authorizations-construction-
                                               3. Monday, September 10, St.                                                                                   activities. In case of problems accessing
                                                                                                        RIN 0648–XG133
                                               Petersburg, Florida                                                                                            these documents, please call the contact
                                                                                                        Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to                 listed below (see FOR FURTHER
                                                 Agenda: To discuss advancing                                                                                 INFORMATION CONTACT).
                                                                                                        Specified Activities; Taking Marine
                                               commercial and recreational fisheries,                                                                         FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dale
                                                                                                        Mammals Incidental to Port of Kalama
                                               technology development and tourism.                                                                            Youngkin, Office of Protected
                                                                                                        Expansion Project on the Lower
                                               4. Wednesday, September 12, Madison,                     Columbia River                                        Resources, NMFS, (301) 427–8401.
                                               Wisconsin                                                                                                      SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                                                                                        AGENCY:  National Marine Fisheries
                                                 Agenda: To discuss implementation                      Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and      Background
                                               of The Weather Act, including the                        Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),           Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the
                                               development of a community-based                         Commerce.                                 MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) direct
                                               weather model.                                           ACTION: Notice; proposed incidental       the Secretary of Commerce (as delegated
                                               5. Thursday, October 4, Seattle,                         harassment authorization; request for     to NMFS) to allow, upon request, the
                                               Washington                                               comments.                                 incidental, but not intentional, taking of
                                                                                                                                                  small numbers of marine mammals by
                                                 Agenda: To discuss implementation                      SUMMARY: NMFS received a request from U.S. citizens who engage in a specified
                                               of The Weather Act, including the                        the Port of Kalama (POK) to issue an      activity (other than commercial fishing)
                                               development of a community-based                         incidental harassment authorization       within a specified geographical region if
                                               weather model.                                           (IHA) previously issued to the POK to     certain findings are made and either
                                                                                                        incidentally take three species of marine regulations are issued or, if the taking is
                                               6. Tuesday, October 23, Charleston, SC                   mammal, by Level B harassment only,       limited to harassment, a notice of a
                                                 Agenda: To discuss opportunities to                    during construction activities associated proposed authorization is provided to
                                               improve the efficiency of U.S. ports,                    with an expansion project at the Port of  the public for review.
                                               reduce the seafood trade deficit, and                    Kalama on the Lower Columbia River,          An authorization for incidental
                                               expand exploration of the nation’s                       Washington. The current IHA was           takings shall be granted if NMFS finds
                                               Exclusive Economic Zone.                                 issued in 2017 and is in effect until     that the taking will have a negligible
                                                                                                        August 31, 2018 (2017–2018 IHA).          impact on the species or stock(s), will
                                               7. Thursday, November 1, Durham, NC                      However, the project has been delayed     not have an unmitigable adverse impact
                                                                                                        such that none of the work covered by     on the availability of the species or
                                                 Agenda: To discuss implementation
                                                                                                        the 2017–2018 IHA has been initiated      stock(s) for subsistence uses (where
                                               of The Weather Act, including the
                                                                                                        and, therefore, the POK requested that    relevant), and if the permissible
                                               development of a community-based
                                                                                                        an IHA be issued to conduct their work    methods of taking and requirements
                                               weather model, opportunities to reduce
                                                                                                        beginning on or about September 1,        pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring
                                               the nation’s seafood trade deficit, and
                                                                                                        2018 (2018–2019 IHA). NMFS is seeking and reporting of such takings are set
                                               ocean exploration.
                                                                                                        public comment on its proposal to issue forth.
                                               8. Friday, November 9, San Diego,                        the 2018–2019 IHA to cover the               NMFS has defined ‘‘negligible
                                               California                                               incidental take analyzed and authorized impact’’ in 50 CFR 216.103 as an impact
                                                                                                        in the 2017–2018 IHA. Pursuant to the     resulting from the specified activity that
                                                 Agenda: To discuss opportunities to                    Marine Mammal Protection Act              cannot be reasonably expected to, and is
                                               improve the efficiency of U.S. ports,                    (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments not reasonably likely to, adversely affect
                                               promote domestic aquaculture                             on its proposal to issue an IHA to POK    the species or stock through effects on
                                               production, and expand exploration of                    to incidentally take, by Level B          annual rates of recruitment or survival.
                                               the nation’s Exclusive Economic Zone.                    harassment, small numbers of marine          The MMPA states that the term ‘‘take’’
                                               Special Accommodations                                   mammals during the specified activities. means to harass, hunt, capture, kill or
                                                                                                        The authorized take numbers and           attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill
                                                 These meetings are physically                          related analyses would be the same as     any marine mammal.
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                                               accessible to people with disabilities.                  for the 2017–2018 IHA, and the required      Except with respect to certain
                                               Requests for sign language                               mitigation, monitoring, and reporting     activities not pertinent here, the MMPA
                                               interpretation or other auxiliary aids                   would remain the same as authorized in defines ‘‘harassment’’ as any act of
                                               should be directed to Julie Kay Roberts;                 the 2017–2018 IHA referenced above.       pursuit, torment, or annoyance which (i)
                                               202–482–6090, at least 10 working days                   NMFS will consider public comments        has the potential to injure a marine
                                               prior to the meeting date.                               prior to making any final decision on     mammal or marine mammal stock in the
                                                  Authority: 15 U.S.C. 8501 et seq.                     the issuance of the requested MMPA        wild (Level A harassment); or (ii) has


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                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 143 / Wednesday, July 25, 2018 / Notices                                            35221

                                               the potential to disturb a marine                        Kalama Marine Manufacturing and                       approximately 320 untreated wooden
                                               mammal or marine mammal stock in the                     Export Facility including a new marine                piles from an abandoned U.S. Army
                                               wild by causing disruption of behavioral                 terminal for the export of methanol, and              Corps of Engineers (USACE) dike in a
                                               patterns, including, but not limited to,                 installation of engineered log jams,                  nearby backwater area. The piles will be
                                               migration, breathing, nursing, breeding,                 restoration of riparian wetlands, and the             removed either by direct pull or
                                               feeding, or sheltering (Level B                          removal of existing wood piles in a side              vibratory extraction. Finally, the
                                               harassment).                                             channel as mitigation activities. The                 compensatory mitigation includes
                                                                                                        specified activity is expected to result in           wetland restoration and enhancement
                                               National Environmental Policy Act
                                                                                                        the take of three species of marine                   by removal of invasive species and
                                                  In compliance with the National                       mammals (harbor seals, California sea                 replacement with native wetland
                                               Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42                     lions, and Steller sea lions). A final                species.
                                               U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), as implemented by                  version of the application, which we
                                               the regulations published by the                         deemed adequate and complete, was                       NMFS refers the reader to the
                                               Council on Environmental Quality (40                     submitted on December 10, 2015. We                    documents related to the 2017–2018
                                               CFR parts 1500–1508), NMFS prepared                      published a notice of a proposed IHA                  IHA for more detailed description of the
                                               an Environmental Assessment (EA) to                      and request for comments on March 21,                 project activities. These previous
                                               consider the direct, indirect and                        2016 (81 FR 715064). After the public                 documents include the Federal Register
                                               cumulative effects to the human                          comment period and before we issued                   notice of the issuance of the 2017–2018
                                               environment resulting from the POK                       the final IHA, POK requested that we                  IHA for the POK’s Port of Kalama
                                               Expansion project. NMFS made the EA                      issue the IHA for 2017 instead of the                 Expansion Project (81 FR 89436,
                                               available to the public for review and                   2016 work season. We subsequently                     December 12, 2016), the Federal
                                               comment in order to assess the impacts                   published the final notice of our                     Register notice of the proposed IHA (81
                                               to the human environment of issuance                     issuance of the IHA on December 12,                   FR 15064, March 21, 2016), POK’s
                                               of the 2017–2018 IHA to the POK. Also                    2016 (81 FR 89436), effective from                    application (and 2018 application
                                               in compliance with NEPA and the CEQ                      September 1, 2017–August 31, 2018. In-                addendum), and all associated
                                               regulations, as well as NOAA                             water work associated with the project                references.
                                               Administrative Order 216–6, NMFS                         was expected to be completed within
                                               signed a Finding of No Significant                       the one-year timeframe of the IHA.                      Detailed Description of the Action—A
                                               Impact (FONSI) on October 24, 2016 for                      On June 21, 2018, POK informed                     detailed description of the pile driving
                                               issuance of the 2017–2018 IHA. These                     NMFS that work relevant to the                        activities at the Port of Kalama is found
                                               NEPA documents are available at                          specified activity considered in the                  in these previous documents and the
                                               https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/                          MMPA analysis for the 2017–2018 IHA                   updated 2018–2019 IHA application
                                               national/marine-mammal-protection/                       was postponed and would not be                        addendum. The location, timing (e.g.,
                                               incidental-take-authorizations-                          completed. POK requested that the IHA                 seasonality), and nature of the pile
                                               construction-activities.                                 be issued to be effective for the period              driving operations, including the type
                                                  Since this IHA covers the same work                   from September 1, 2018–August 31,                     and size of piles and the methods of pile
                                               covered in the 2017–2018 IHA, NMFS                       2019. In support of that request, POK                 driving, are identical to those described
                                               has reviewed our previous EA and                         submitted an application addendum                     in the previous Federal Register notices
                                               FONSI, and has preliminarily                             affirming that no change in the                       referenced above.
                                               determined that this action is consistent                proposed activities is anticipated and                   Description of Marine Mammals—A
                                               with categories of activities identified in              that no new information regarding the                 description of the marine mammals in
                                               CE B4 of the Companion Manual for                        abundance of marine mammals is                        the area of the activities is found in the
                                               NOAA Administrative Order 216–6A,                        available that would change the                       previous documents referenced above,
                                               which do not individually or                             previous analysis and findings.                       which remain applicable to this IHA as
                                               cumulatively have the potential for                                                                            well. In addition, NMFS has reviewed
                                                                                                        Description of the Activity and
                                               significant impacts on the quality of the                                                                      recent Stock Assessment Reports,
                                                                                                        Anticipated Impacts
                                               human environment and for which we
                                                                                                          The 2017–2018 IHA covered the                       information on relevant Unusual
                                               have not identified any extraordinary
                                                                                                        construction of a marine terminal and                 Mortality Events, and recent scientific
                                               circumstances that would preclude this
                                                                                                        dock/pier for the export of methanol,                 literature. Since the submittal of the
                                               categorical exclusion. Accordingly,
                                                                                                        and associated compensatory mitigation                2015 IHA application, the USACE has
                                               NMFS has preliminarily determined
                                                                                                        activities for the purposes of offsetting             published updated data on pinniped
                                               that the issuance of the proposed IHA
                                               qualifies to be categorically excluded                   habitat effects from the action. The                  presence at the Bonneville Dam
                                               from further NEPA review. We will                        marine terminal will be approximately                 (Tidwell et al., 2017). This information
                                               review all comments submitted in                         45,000 square feet in size, supported by              reveals that in both 2016 and 2017 the
                                               response to this notice prior to                         320 concrete piles (24-inch precast                   numbers of pinnipeds present at
                                               concluding our NEPA process or making                    octagonal piles to be driven by impact                Bonneville Dam were within the range
                                               a final decision on the 2018–2019 IHA                    hammer) and 16 steel piles (12 x 12-                  of historical variability. The latest
                                               request.                                                 inch and 4 x 18-inch anticipated to be                USACE data does not suggest a trend
                                                                                                        driven by vibratory hammer, and impact                that would require a modification to the
                                               History of Request                                       hammering will only be done to drive/                 take estimates or to the effects analysis
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                                                  On September 28, 2015, we received                    proof if necessary). The compensatory                 (see Table 1 below for a summary of
                                               a request from the POK for authorization                 mitigation includes installation of 8                 monitoring data by year from Tidwell et
                                               of the taking, by Level B harassment                     engineered log jams (ELJs), which will                al., 2017). Therefore, NMFS has
                                               only, of marine mammals incidental to                    be anchored by untreated wooden piles                 preliminarily determined that the
                                               the construction associated with the                     driven by impact hammer at low tides                  updated information does not affect our
                                               Port of Kalama Expansion Project,                        (not in water). The compensatory                      analysis of impacts for the 2018–2019
                                               which involved construction of the                       mitigation also includes removal of                   IHA.


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                                               35222                                  Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 143 / Wednesday, July 25, 2018 / Notices

                                                TABLE 1—MINIMUM ESTIMATED NUMBER OF INDIVIDUAL PINNIPEDS OBSERVED AT BONNEVILLE DAM TAILRACE AREAS AND
                                                              THE HOURS OF OBSERVATION DURING THE FOCAL SAMPLING PERIOD, 2002 TO 2017
                                                                                                                                            [From Tidwell et al., 2017]

                                                                                                                                               Total hours         California sea    Steller sea                             Total
                                                                                        Year                                                                                                             Harbor seals
                                                                                                                                                observed                lions           lions                              pinnipeds

                                               2002 .....................................................................................                662                  30                 0                     1            31
                                               2003 .....................................................................................              1,356                 104                 3                     2           109
                                               2004 .....................................................................................                516                  99                 3                     2           104
                                               2005 * ...................................................................................              1,109                  81                 4                     1            86
                                               2006 .....................................................................................              3,650                  72                11                     3            86
                                               2007 .....................................................................................              4,433                  71                 9                     2            82
                                               2008 .....................................................................................              5,131                  82                39                     2           123
                                               2009 .....................................................................................              3,455                  54                26                     2            82
                                               2010 .....................................................................................              3,609                  89                75                     2           166
                                               2011 .....................................................................................              3,315                  54                89                     1           144
                                               2012 .....................................................................................              3,404                  39                73                     0           112
                                               2013 .....................................................................................              3,247                  56                80                     0           136
                                               2014 .....................................................................................              2,947                  71                65                     1           137
                                               2015 .....................................................................................              2,995                 195              a 69                     0           264
                                               2016 .....................................................................................              1,974                 149              a 54                     0           203
                                               2017 .....................................................................................              1,142                  92              a 63                     1           156
                                                 * Observations did not begin until March 18 in 2005.
                                                 a In 2015, 2016, and 2017 the minimum estimated number of Steller sea lions was 55, 41, and 32, respectively. These counts were less than
                                               the maximum number of Steller sea lions observed on one day, so Tidwell et al. (2017) used the maximum number observed on one day as the
                                               minimum number. This difference was driven by a focus on California sea lions and lack of branding or unique markers on Steller sea lions.


                                                 Potential Effects on Marine                                              ultimately, the take that was authorized                   2018 IHA. As stated above, since the
                                               Mammals—A description of the                                               is found in the previous documents                         submittal of the application for the
                                               potential effects of the specified                                         referenced above. The methods of                           2017–2018 IHA (in effect from
                                               activities on marine mammals and their                                     estimating take for this proposed IHA                      September 1, 2017 through August 31,
                                               habitat is found in the previous                                           are identical to those used in the 2017–                   2018), the USACE has published
                                               documents referenced above, and                                            2018 IHA, as is the density of marine                      updated data on pinniped presence at
                                               remain applicable to this proposed IHA.                                    mammals. The source levels, also                           the Bonneville Dam, and this data does
                                               There is no new information on                                             remain unchanged from the 2017–2018                        not suggest a trend that would require
                                               potential effects that would change our                                    IHA, and NMFS’ 2016 Technical                              a modification to the take estimates or
                                               analyses or determinations under the                                       Guidance for Assessing the Effects of                      effects analysis. Consequently, the
                                               2018–2019 IHA.                                                             Anthropogenic Sound on Marine                              proposed authorized take for this
                                                 Estimated Take—A description of the                                      Mammal Hearing (NMFS 2016) was                             proposed 2018–2019 IHA is identical to
                                               methods and inputs used to estimate                                        used to address new acoustic thresholds                    the 2017–2018 IHA, as presented in
                                               take anticipated to occur and,                                             in the notice of issuance of the 2017–                     Table 2 below.

                                                TABLE 2—ESTIMATED TAKE PROPOSED FOR AUTHORIZATION AND PROPORTION OF POPULATION POTENTIALLY AFFECTED
                                                                                                                                                                                      Percentage
                                                                                                                                               Estimated take        Abundance of      of stock
                                                                                                                                                 by Level B                                                     Population trend
                                                                                                                                                                        stock         potentially
                                                                                                                                                harassment                             affected

                                               Harbor seal ..............................................................................                  1,530            24,732                 6.2   Stable.
                                               California sea lion ....................................................................                      372           153,337                 0.2   Stable.
                                               Steller sea lion .........................................................................                    372            59,968                 0.6   Increasing.



                                                 Description of Mitigation, Monitoring                                    based observers (one upstream of the                       estimation of Level B takes. The first
                                               and Reporting Measures—A description                                       project, and another downstream of the                     observer shall be positioned on a work
                                               of mitigation, monitoring, and reporting                                   project), whose primary responsibility                     platform or barge where the entirety of
                                               measures is found in the previous                                          shall be to record pinnipeds in the                        a 10 m shutdown zone can be
                                               documents referenced above, and                                            disturbance zone and to alert barge-                       monitored. Shore based observers shall
                                               remain unchanged for this proposed                                         based observers to the presence of                         be positioned to observe the disturbance
                                               IHA. In summary, mitigation includes                                       pinnipeds, thus creating a redundant                       zone from the bank of the river.
                                               implementation of shut down                                                alert system for prevention of injurious                   Protocols will be implemented to ensure
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                                               procedures if any marine mammal                                            interaction as well as increasing the                      that coordinated communication of
                                               approaches or enters the Level A                                           probability of detecting pinnipeds in the                  sightings occurs between observers in a
                                               harassment zone for impact pile driving.                                   disturbance zone.                                          timely manner.
                                               One trained observer shall monitor to                                        At least three observers shall be on                       Pile driving activities shall only be
                                               implement shutdowns and collect                                            duty during vibratory pile driving                         conducted during daylight hours. If the
                                               information at each active impact pile                                     activity for the first two days, and                       shutdown zone is obscured by fog or
                                               driving location. In addition, two shore-                                  thereafter on every third day to allow for                 poor lighting conditions, pile driving


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                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 143 / Wednesday, July 25, 2018 / Notices                                             35223

                                               will not be initiated until the entire                   Endangered Species Act (ESA)                          intertidal backwater channel portion of
                                               shutdown zone is visible. Work that has                     Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered                  the project site (compensatory
                                               been initiated appropriately in                          Species Act of 1973 (ESA: 16 U.S.C.                   mitigation measure of removal of 157
                                               conditions of good visibility may                        1531 et seq.) requires that each Federal              wooden piles) may be conducted year-
                                               continue during poor visibility. The                     agency insure that any action it                      round.
                                               shutdown zone will be monitored for 30                                                                            3. This Authorization is valid only for
                                                                                                        authorizes, funds, or carries out is not
                                               minutes prior to initiating the start of                                                                       activities associated with in-water
                                                                                                        likely to jeopardize the continued
                                               pile driving, during the activity, and for                                                                     construction work for the Port of
                                                                                                        existence of any endangered or
                                               30 minutes after activities have ceased.                                                                       Kalama Expansion Project on
                                                                                                        threatened species or result in the
                                               If pinnipeds are present within the                                                                            approximately 100 acres (including
                                                                                                        destruction or adverse modification of
                                               shutdown zone prior to pile driving, the                                                                       uplands) at the northern end of the Port
                                                                                                        designated critical habitat. To ensure
                                               start will be delayed until the animals                                                                        of Kalama’s North Port site (Lat. 46.049,
                                                                                                        ESA compliance for the issuance of
                                               leave the shutdown zone of their own                                                                           Long. ¥122.874), located at
                                                                                                        IHAs, NMFS consults internally
                                               volition, or until 15 minutes elapse                                                                           approximately river mile 72 along the
                                                                                                        whenever we propose to authorize take
                                               without re-sighting the animal(s).                                                                             lower Columbia River along the east
                                                                                                        for endangered or threatened species.
                                                                                                                                                              bank in Cowlitz County, Washington.
                                                  Soft start procedures shall be                           No incidental take of ESA-listed
                                                                                                                                                                 4. Briefings shall be conducted
                                               implemented at the start of each day’s                   species is expected to result from this
                                                                                                                                                              between construction supervisors,
                                               impact pile driving and at any time                      activity, and none would be authorized.
                                                                                                                                                              crews, marine mammal observer team,
                                               following cessation of impact driving for                Therefore, NMFS has determined that
                                                                                                                                                              and Port of Kalama staff prior to the
                                               a period of thirty minutes or longer. If                 consultation under section 7 of the ESA
                                                                                                                                                              start of all pile driving/removal work
                                               steel piles require impact installation or               is not required for this action.
                                                                                                                                                              and when new personnel join the work
                                               proofing, a bubble curtain will be used                  Proposed Authorization                                in order to explain responsibilities,
                                               for sound attenuation.                                                                                         communication procedures, marine
                                                                                                          NMFS proposes to issue an IHA to
                                               Determinations                                           POK for in-water construction work                    mammal monitoring protocol, and
                                                                                                        activities beginning September 2018                   operational procedures.
                                                  The POK proposes to conduct                                                                                    5. (a) The number and species
                                                                                                        through August 2019, with the proposed
                                               activities in 2018–2019 that are                                                                               authorized for taking are: 1,530 harbor
                                                                                                        mitigation, monitoring, and reporting
                                               identical to those covered in the                                                                              seals (Phoca vitulina richardsi), 372
                                                                                                        requirements. The proposed IHA
                                               currently 2017–2018 IHA. As described                                                                          California sea lions (Zalophus
                                                                                                        language is provided next.
                                               above, the number of estimated takes of                                                                        californianus), and 372 Steller sea lions
                                                                                                          This section contains a draft of the
                                               the same stocks of harbor seals (OR/WA                                                                         (Eumatopius jubatus).
                                                                                                        IHA itself. The wording contained in
                                               Coast stock), California sea lion (U.S.                                                                           (b) The Authorization for taking by
                                                                                                        this section is proposed for inclusion in
                                               stock), and Steller sea lion (Eastern DPS)                                                                     harassment is limited to the following
                                                                                                        the IHA (if issued).
                                               is the same for this proposed IHA as                                                                           acoustic sources and activities:
                                                                                                          The Port of Kalama (POK), 110 West                     (i) Impact pile driving; and
                                               those authorized in the 2017–2018 IHA,                   Marine Drive, Kalama, Washington,
                                               which were found to meet the negligible                                                                           (ii) Vibratory pile driving activities
                                                                                                        98625, is hereby authorized under                     (including vibratory removal of
                                               impact and small numbers standards.                      section 101(a)(5)(D) of the Marine
                                               The authorized take of 1,200 harbor                                                                            temporary construction piles
                                                                                                        Mammal Protection Act (16 U.S.C.                         (c) The taking of any marine mammal
                                               seals; 70 California sea lions, and 68                   1371(a)(5)(D)) and 50 CFR 216.107 to
                                               Steller sea lions represent 4.8 percent,                                                                       in a manner prohibited under this
                                                                                                        take marine mammals, by harassment,                   Authorization must be reported within
                                               >0.1 percent, and 0.1 percent of these                   incidental to conducting in-water
                                               stocks of marine mammals by Level B                                                                            24 hours of the taking to the National
                                                                                                        construction work for the Port of                     Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) West
                                               harassment, respectively. This proposed                  Kalama Expansion Project contingent
                                               IHA includes identical required                                                                                Coast Regional Administrator at (206)
                                                                                                        upon the following conditions:                        526–6150 and the NMFS Chief of the
                                               mitigation, monitoring, and reporting                      1. This Authorization is effective for
                                               measures as the 2017–2018 IHA, and                                                                             Permits and Conservation Division at
                                                                                                        one year from the date of issuance.                   (301) 427–8401.
                                               there is no new information suggesting                     2. Timing of Activities
                                               that our prior analyses or findings                                                                               6. The taking, by Level B harassment
                                                                                                          (a) Timing of activities anticipated to             only, is limited to the species listed, and
                                               should change.                                           result in take of marine mammals shall                by the numbers listed, under condition
                                                  Based on the information contained                    be conducted between September 1,                     4(a) above. The taking by Level A
                                               here and in the referenced documents,                    2018 and January 31, 2019;                            harassment or death of the species
                                               NMFS has preliminarily determined the                      (b) Timing of Activities Not                        identified in 4(a) or any taking of any
                                               following: (1) The authorized takes will                 Anticipated to Result in Take of Marine               other species of marine mammal is
                                               have a negligible impact on the affected                 Mammals;                                              prohibited and may result in the
                                               marine mammal species or stocks; (2)                       (i) Dredging would be conducted                     modification, suspension, or revocation
                                               the required mitigation measures will                    between September 1, 2018 and                         of this Authorization.
                                               effect the least practicable impact on                   December 31, 2018;                                       7. Mitigation
                                               marine mammal species or stocks and                        (ii) Construction/installation of                      (a) Activities authorized for take of
                                               their habitat; (3) the authorized takes                  engineered log jams (ELJ) may be                      marine mammals by this Authorization
                                               represent small numbers of marine                        conducted year-round;                                 shall occur only during daylight hours.
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                                               mammals relative to the affected species                   (iii) Construction that will take place                (b) A bubble curtain shall be used for
                                               or stock abundances; and (4) the POK’s                   below the Ordinary High Water Mark                    sound attenuation if steel piles require
                                               activities will not have an unmitigable                  (OHWM), but outside of the wetted                     impact installation or proofing.
                                               adverse impact on taking for subsistence                 perimeter of the river (in the dry) may                  (c) Exclusion Zone and Level B
                                               purposes, as no relevant subsistence                     be conducted year-round; and                          Harassment Zones of Influence;
                                               uses of marine mammals are implicated                      (iv) Removal of wooden piles from                      (i) Exclusion zones out to distances
                                               by this action.                                          former trestle in the freshwater                      encompassing the Level A harassment


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                                               35224                        Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 143 / Wednesday, July 25, 2018 / Notices

                                               zones shall be implemented to avoid                      according to assigned protocols (this                 Washington Department of Fish and
                                               Level A take of marine mammals (40 m                     may include academic experience);                     Wildlife 2000), and visual observation.
                                               (131 ft) for impact driving of concrete                     (iii) Experience or training in the field             (f) Marine mammal presence within
                                               piles; 252 m (828 ft) for impact driving                 identification of the marine mammals                  the Level B harassment zones of
                                               of steel piles; and 16.5 m (54 ft) for                   that could potentially be encountered;                influence (disturbance zones) shall be
                                               vibratory driving of steel piles); and                      (iv) Sufficient training, orientation, or          monitored, but pile driving activity
                                                  (ii) Disturbance zones shall be                       experience with the construction                      shall not be stopped if marine mammals
                                               established as 117 m (384 ft) for impact                 operation to provide for personal safety              are found present unless they enter or
                                               driving of concrete piles; 1,848 m (6,063                during observations;                                  approach the exclusion zone. Any
                                               ft) for impact driving of steel piles; and                  (v) Writing skills sufficient to prepare           marine mammal observed within the
                                               line of sight to nearest shoreline (5.7 km               a report of observations that shall                   disturbance zone shall be documented
                                               (18,700 ft) maximum) for vibratory                       include such information as the number                and counted as a Level B take.
                                               driving of steel piles;                                  and types of marine mammals observed;                 Monitoring during vibratory pile driving
                                                  (d) Monitoring of marine mammals                      the behavior of marine mammals in the                 shall occur during the first two days of
                                               shall take place starting 30 minutes                     project area during construction; the                 activity and during every three days
                                               before pile driving begins and shall                     dates and times when observations were                thereafter to estimate the number of
                                               continue until 30 minutes after pile                     conducted; the dates and times when in-               individuals present within the Level B
                                               driving ends.                                            water construction activities were                    harassment area.
                                                  (e) Soft Start                                        conducted; the dates and times when                      (g) If waters exceed a sea-state which
                                                  (i) Soft start procedures shall be                    marine mammals were present at or                     restrict the observers’ ability to make
                                               implemented at the start of each day’s                   within the defined disturbance zone;                  observations within the Level A injury
                                               impact pile driving and at any time                      and the dates and times when in-water                 exclusion zone, relevant activities shall
                                               following cessation of impact pile                                                                             cease until conditions allow the
                                                                                                        construction activities were suspended
                                               driving for a period of 30 minutes or                                                                          resumption of monitoring. Vibratory
                                                                                                        to avoid incidental harassment by
                                               longer; and                                                                                                    pile installation would continue under
                                                                                                        disturbance from construction noise;
                                                  (ii) Soft start procedures require that                                                                     these conditions.
                                                                                                        and                                                      (h) The waters shall be scanned 30
                                               the contractor provides an initial set of
                                                                                                           (vi) Ability to communicate orally, by             minutes prior to commencing pile
                                               three strikes at reduced energy followed
                                                                                                        radio or in person, with project                      driving activities and during all pile
                                               by a 30-second waiting period, then two
                                                                                                        personnel to provide real time                        driving activities. If marine mammals
                                               subsequent reduced energy strike sets.
                                                                                                        information on marine mammals                         enter or are observed within the
                                                  (f) Shutdown Measures
                                                  (i) POK shall implement shutdown                      observed in the area.                                 designated exclusion zones during, or
                                               measures if a marine mammal is sighted                      (b) Individuals meeting the minimum                15 minutes prior to, impact pile driving,
                                               within, or is perceived to be                            qualifications identified in 7(a), above,             the monitors shall notify the on-site
                                               approaching, the exclusion zones                         shall be present on site (on land or                  construction manager to not begin, or
                                               identified in 5(c)(i) above and the                      dock) at all times during pile driving                cease, work until the animal(s) leave of
                                               associated construction or pile driving                  activities conducted for the project.                 their own volition, or have not been
                                               activities shall immediately cease. Pile                    (c) During all impact pile driving                 observed within the zone for 15
                                               driving or in-water construction work                    activities, observers shall be stationed to           minutes.
                                               shall not be resumed until the exclusion                 allow a clear line of sight of the                       9. Reporting
                                               zone has been observed as being clear of                 exclusion zone (10 m (33 ft) except for                  (a) POK shall provide NMFS with a
                                               marine mammals for at least 15 minutes;                  steel piles, which shall be 18 m (59 ft))             draft monitoring report within 90 days
                                               and                                                      and the entire disturbance zone as                    of the expiration of this Authorization,
                                                  (ii) If marine mammals are present                    identified in Table 2 (attached).                     or within conclusion of the construction
                                               within the exclusion zones established                      (d) Marine mammal observers shall                  work, whichever comes first. This report
                                               in 5(c)(i) above prior to the start of in-               monitor for the first two days of                     shall detail the monitoring protocol,
                                               water construction activities, these                     vibratory pile driving, and thereafter on             summarize the data recorded during
                                               activities would be delayed until the                    every third day of vibratory pile driving.            monitoring, and estimate the number of
                                               animals leave the exclusion zone of                      Monitoring shall be conducted by three                marine mammals that may have been
                                               their own volition, or until 15 minutes                  observers during vibratory pile driving               harassed.
                                               elapse without resighting the animal, at                 activities. One observer shall be                        (b) If comments are received from
                                               which time it may be assumed that the                    stationed in the general vicinity of the              NMFS (West Coast Regional
                                               animal(s) have left the exclusion zone.                  pile being driven and shall have clear                Administrator or NMFS Office of
                                                  8. Monitoring                                         line of sight views of the entire inner               Protected Resources) on the draft report
                                                  Marine Mammal Observers—POK                           harbor. Another observer shall be                     within 30 days, a final report shall be
                                               shall employ observers to conduct                        stationed at an accessible location                   submitted to NMFS within 30 days
                                               marine mammal monitoring for its                         downstream (such as northern tip of                   thereafter. If not comments are received
                                               construction project. Observers shall                    Prescott Beach County Park) and would                 from NMFS within 30 days after receipt
                                               have the following minimum                               observe the northern (downstream)                     of the draft report, the draft report shall
                                               qualifications:                                          portion of the disturbance zone. A third              be considered final.
                                                  (i) Visual acuity in both eyes                        observer shall be stationed at an                        (c) In the unanticipated event that the
                                               (correction is permissible) sufficient for               accessible location upstream and would                construction activities clearly cause the
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                                               discernment of moving targets at the                     observe the southern (upstream) portion               take of a marine mammal in a manner
                                               water’s surface with the ability to                      of the disturbance zone.                              prohibited by this Authorization, such
                                               estimate target size and distance. Use of                   (e) Marine mammal observers shall                  as an injury, serious injury, or mortality
                                               binoculars may be necessary to correctly                 scan the waters within each monitoring                (Level A take), POK shall immediately
                                               identify the target;                                     zone activity using binoculars (Vector                cease all operations and immediately
                                                  (ii) Experience and ability to conduct                10 X 42 or equivalent), spotting scopes               report the incident to the NMFS Chief
                                               field observations and collect data                      (Swarovski 20–60 zoom or equivalent;                  of the Permits and Conservation


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                                                                            Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 143 / Wednesday, July 25, 2018 / Notices                                            35225

                                               Division, Office of Protected Resources                  POK may continue its operations under                 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
                                               and the NMFS West Coast Regional                         such a case.
                                               Stranding Coordinators. The report must                    10. This Authorization may be                       National Oceanic and Atmospheric
                                               include the following information:                       modified, suspended, or withdrawn if                  Administration
                                                  (i) Time, date, and location (latitude                the holder fails to abide by the
                                               and longitude) of the incident;                          conditions prescribed herein or if NMFS               Submission for OMB Review;
                                                  (ii) Description of the incident;                     determines that the authorized taking is              Comment Request
                                                  (iii) Status of all sound sources used                having more than a negligible impact on                  The Department of Commerce will
                                               in the 24 hours preceding the incident;                  the species or stock of affected marine               submit to the Office of Management and
                                                  (iv) Environmental conditions (wind                   mammals.                                              Budget (OMB) for clearance the
                                               speed, wind direction, sea state, cloud                                                                        following proposal for collection of
                                               cover, visibility, water depth);                         Request for Public Comments
                                                                                                                                                              information under the provisions of the
                                                  (v) Description of the marine mammal                     We request comment on our analyses,                Paperwork Reduction Act.
                                               observations in the 24 hours preceding                   the draft authorization, and any other                   Agency: National Oceanic and
                                               the incident;                                            aspect of this Notice of Proposed IHA                 Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
                                                  (vi) Species identification or                        for the proposed POK construction                        Title: Scientific Research, Exempted
                                               description of the animal(s) involved;                   activities. Please include with your                  Fishing, and Exempted Educational
                                                  (vii) The fate of the animal(s); and                  comments any supporting data or                       Activity Submissions.
                                                  (viii) Photographs or video footage of                literature citations to help inform our                  OMB Control Number: 0648–0309.
                                               the animal(s), if equipment is available.                final decision on the request for MMPA                   Form Number(s): None.
                                                  (d) Activities shall not resume until                                                                          Type of Request: Regular (revision
                                                                                                        authorization.
                                               NMFS is able to review the                                  On a case-by-case basis, NMFS may                  and extension of a currently approved
                                               circumstances of the prohibited take.                    issue a one-year renewal IHA without                  information collection).
                                               NMFS shall work with POK to                              additional notice when (1) another year                  Number of Respondents: 121.
                                               determine what is necessary to                           of identical or nearly identical activities              Average Hours per Response:
                                               minimize the likelihood of further                       as described in the Specified Activities              Scientific research plans, 13 hours;
                                               prohibited take and ensure MMPA                          section is planned, or (2) the activities             scientific research reports, 6 hours;
                                               compliance. POK may not resume their                     would not be completed by the time the                exempted fishing permit requests; 10
                                               activities until notified by NMFS via                    IHA expires and renewal would allow                   hours, exempted fishing permit reports,
                                               letter, email, or telephone.                             completion of the activities beyond that              4.5 hours; exempted educational
                                                  (e) In the event that POK discovers an                                                                      requests, 5 hours; exempted educational
                                                                                                        described in the Dates and Duration
                                               injured or dead marine mammal, and                                                                             reports, 2.5 hours.
                                                                                                        section, provided all of the following
                                               the marine mammal observer                                                                                        Burden Hours: 2,141.
                                                                                                        conditions are met:
                                               determines that the cause of injury or                                                                            Needs and Uses: This request is for
                                                                                                           • A request for renewal is received no
                                               death is unknown and the death is                                                                              revision and extension of a currently
                                                                                                        later than 60 days prior to expiration of
                                               relatively recent (less than a moderate                                                                        approved information collection.
                                                                                                        the current IHA;
                                               state of decomposition), POK shall                          • The request for renewal must                     Research permits already covered under
                                               immediately report the incident to the                   include the following:                                other OMB Control Numbers have been
                                               NMFS Chief of Permits and                                   (1) An explanation that the activities             removed.
                                               Conservation Division, Office of                         to be conducted beyond the initial dates                 Fishery regulations do not generally
                                               Protected Resources, and the NMFS                        either are identical to the previously                affect scientific research activities
                                               West Coast Regional Stranding                            analyzed activities or include changes                conducted by a scientific research
                                               Coordinator. The report must include                     so minor (e.g., reduction in pile size)               vessel. Persons planning to conduct
                                               the same information identified above.                   that the changes do not affect the                    such research are encouraged to submit
                                               Activities may continue while NMFS                       previous analyses, take estimates, or                 a scientific research plan to ensure that
                                               reviews the circumstances of the                         mitigation and monitoring                             the activities are considered research
                                               incident. NMFS shall work with POK to                    requirements; and                                     and not fishing. The researchers are
                                               determine whether modifications in the                      (2) A preliminary monitoring report                requested to submit reports of their
                                               activities are appropriate                               showing the results of the required                   scientific research activity after its
                                                  (f) In the event that POK discovers an                monitoring to date and an explanation                 completion. Eligible researchers on
                                               injured or dead marine mammal, and                       showing that the monitoring results do                board federally permitted fishing vessels
                                               the marine mammal observer                               not indicate impacts of a scale or nature             that plan to temporarily possess fish in
                                               determines that the injury or death is                   not previously analyzed or authorized;                a manner not compliant with applicable
                                               not associated with or related to the                       • Upon review of the request for                   fishing regulations for the purpose of
                                               activities authorized in the IHA                         renewal, the status of the affected                   collecting scientific data on catch may
                                               (previously wounded animal, carcass                      species or stocks, and any other                      submit a request for a temporary
                                               with moderate to advanced                                pertinent information, NMFS                           possession letter of authorization. The
                                               decomposition, or scavenger damage),                     determines that there are no more than                researchers are requested to submit
                                               POK shall report the incident to the                     minor changes in the activities, the                  reports of their scientific research
                                               NMFS Chief of Permits and                                mitigation and monitoring measures                    activity after its completion. The
                                               Conservation Division, Office of                         remain the same and appropriate, and                  National Marine Fisheries Service
                                               Protected Resources, and the NMFS                        the original findings remain valid.                   (NMFS) may also grant exemptions from
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                                               West Coast Regional Stranding                                                                                  fishery regulations for educational or
                                               Coordinator within 24 hours of the                         Dated: July 19, 2018.                               other activities (e.g., using non-
                                               discovery. POK shall provide                             Donna S. Wieting,                                     regulation gear). The applications for
                                               photographs or video footage (if                         Director, Office of Protected Resources,              these exemptions must be submitted, as
                                               available) or other documentation of the                 National Marine Fisheries Service.                    well as reports on activities.
                                               stranded animal(s) to NMFS and the                       [FR Doc. 2018–15837 Filed 7–24–18; 8:45 am]              Affected Public: Business or other for-
                                               Marine Mammal Stranding Network.                         BILLING CODE 3510–22–P                                profit organizations; not-for-profit


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Document Created: 2018-07-25 00:45:02
Document Modified: 2018-07-25 00:45:02
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice; proposed incidental harassment authorization; request for comments.
DatesComments and information must be received no later than August 24, 2018.
ContactDale Youngkin, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, (301) 427-8401.
FR Citation83 FR 35220 
RIN Number0648-XG13

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