83 FR 38289 - Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Sand Point City Dock Replacement Project in Sand Point, Alaska
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 151 (August 6, 2018)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 151 (August 6, 2018)
| Page Range | 38289-38292 | |
| FR Document | 2018-16767 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 151 (Monday, August 6, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 38289-38292] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-16767] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648-XF370 Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Sand Point City Dock Replacement Project in Sand Point, Alaska AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; issuance of an incidental harassment authorization. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: NMFS has received a request from the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) to issue an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) previously issued to ADOT&PF to incidentally take nine species of marine mammal, by Level A and Level B harassment, during construction activities associated with the Sand Point City Dock Replacement Project in Sand Point, Alaska. ADOT&PF reported that the project has been delayed. The IHA issued on October 13, 2017 has effective dates of August 1, 2018 through July 31, 2019. ADOT&PF requested that a new IHA be issued to conduct their work between May 31, 2019 and May 30, 2020. NMFS is, therefore, issuing a second IHA to cover the incidental take analyzed and authorized in the first IHA. The authorized take numbers would be the same as authorized previously, and the required mitigation, monitoring, and reporting would remain the same as authorized for the 2018 IHA referenced above. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is notifying the public about the issuance of an IHA to ADOT&PF to incidentally take marine mammals, by Level A and Level B harassment only, during the specified activity. DATES: The IHA is valid May 31, 2019, through May 30, 2020. ADDRESSES: An electronic copy of the final Authorization previously issued for 2018-2019, ADOT&PF's application, and related documents 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: Rob Pauline, 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. [[Page 38290]] 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 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 To comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and NOAA Administrative Order (NAO) 216-6A, NMFS must review our proposed action (i.e., the issuance of an incidental harassment authorization) with respect to potential impacts on the human environment. 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 had determined that the issuance of the 2018-2019 IHA qualified to be categorically excluded from further NEPA review and signed a Categorical Exclusion memo in October 2017. Since the new 2019-2020 IHA covers the same work covered in the former 2018-2019 IHA, NMFS is relying on this same Categorical Exclusion memo for the issuance of this IHA. History of Request On September 16, 2016, NMFS received an application from ADOT&PF for the taking of marine mammals incidental to replacing the city dock in Sand Point, Alaska. On April 11, 2017, ADOT&PF submitted a revised application that NMFS determined was adequate and complete. ADOT&PF proposed to conduct in-water activities that may incidentally take, by Level A and Level B harassment, nine species of marine mammals. Proposed activities included as part of the Sand Point City Dock Replacement Project with potential to affect marine mammals include impact hammer pile driving and vibratory pile driving and removal. We published a notice of a proposed IHA and request for comments on July 6, 2017 (82 FR 31400). We subsequently published the final notice of our issuance of the IHA on October 23, 2017 (82 FR 48987), making the IHA valid for August 1, 2018-July 31, 2019. The specified activities are expected to result in the take of nine species of marine mammals including harbor seal (Phoca vitulina), Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus), harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli), killer whale (Orcinus orca), humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), Fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus), and minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata). On April 24, 2018, ADOT&PF informed NMFS that work would be postponed relevant to the specified activity considered in the MMPA analysis and construction will not start until spring of 2019. Therefore, ADOT&PF requested the IHA be re-issued to be valid from May 31, 2019 through May 30, 2020. Description of the Proposed Activity and Anticipated Impacts The 2018-2019 IHA covered the construction of a new dock in Sand Point, Alaska. Impact and vibratory driving of piles and vibratory pile removal were expected to take place over a total of approximately 32 working days within a 5-month window from August 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019. However, due to the potential for unexpected delays, up to 40 working days may be required. The new dock would be supported by approximately 52 round, 30-inch-diameter, 100-foot-long permanent steel pipe piles. Fender piles installed at the dock face would consist of 8 round, 24-inch-diameter, 80-foot-long permanent steel pipe piles. The single mooring dolphin would consist of 3 round, 24-inch-diameter, 120-foot-long permanent battered steel pipe piles. This equates to a total of 63 permanent piles. Up to 90 temporary piles would be installed and removed during construction of the dock and would be either H-piles or pipe piles with a diameter of less than 24 inches. NMFS refers the reader to the documents related to the previously issued IHA for more detailed description of the project activities. These previous documents include the Federal Register notice of the issuance of the 2018-2019 IHA for ADOT&PF's Sand Point City Dock Replacement Project (82 FR 48987; October 23, 2017), ADOT&PF's application, the Federal Register notice of the proposed IHA (82 FR 31400; July 6, 2017) and all associated references and documents. Detailed Description of the Action--A detailed description of the proposed vibratory and impact pile driving activities at Sand Point City Dock is found in these previous documents. The location, timing (including the August 1, 2019--December 31 2019 work window), 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 notices. Description of Marine Mammals--A description of the marine mammals in the area of the activities is found in these previous documents, which remains applicable to this IHA as well. In addition, NMFS has reviewed recent draft Stock Assessment Reports, information on relevant Unusual Mortality Events, and recent scientific literature, and determined that no new information affects our original analysis of impacts under the current IHA. Potential Effects on Marine Mammals--A description of the potential effects of the specified activities on marine mammals and their habitat is found in these previous documents, which remains applicable to this IHA. There is no new information on potential effects. 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 these previous documents. The methods of estimating take are identical to those used in the previous IHA, as is the density of marine mammals. The source levels, were also unchanged from the previously issued IHA, and NMFS' 2016 acoustic technical guidance was used to address new acoustic thresholds in the notice of issuance of the 2018 IHA. Description of Proposed Mitigation, Monitoring and Reporting Measures--A description of proposed mitigation, monitoring, and reporting measures is found in the previous documents, which are identical in this issued IHA. The following measures would apply to ADOT&PFs mitigation requirements: Establishment of Shutdown Zone--For all pile driving activities, ADOT&PF will establish a shutdown zone. The purpose of a shutdown zone is generally to define an area within which shutdown of activity would occur upon sighting of a marine mammal (or in anticipation of an animal entering the defined area). In this case, shutdown zones are intended to contain areas in which SPLs equal or exceed acoustic injury criteria for some authorized species, based on NMFS' acoustic [[Page 38291]] technical guidance published in the Federal Register on August 4, 2016 (81 FR 51693). Establishment of Monitoring Zones--ADOT&PF will identify Level A take zones which are areas beyond the shutdown zones where animals may be exposed to sound levels that could result in permanent threshold shift (PTS). During impact installation of 30-inch and 24-inch piles, a 100-meter shutdown zone would not be sufficient to prevent Level A take of low-frequency cetaceans (i.e., humpback whales), high-frequency cetaceans (i.e., harbor porpoises), or phocid pinnipeds (i.e., harbor seals). For this reason, Level A take for small numbers of humpback whales, harbor porpoises, and harbor seals is authorized. To account for potential variations in daily productivity during impact installation, isopleths were calculated for different numbers of piles that could be installed each day. ADOT&PF will identify Level B disturbance zones which are areas where SPLs equal or exceed 160 dB rms for impact driving and 120 dB rms during vibratory driving. Observation of monitoring zones enables observers to be aware of and communicate the presence of marine mammals in the project area and outside the shutdown zone and thus prepare for potential shutdowns of activity. NMFS has established monitoring protocols described in the Federal Register notice of the issuance (82 FR 48987; October 23, 2017) which are based on the distance and size of the monitoring and shutdown zones. The same protocols are contained in this 2019-2020 IHA. Soft Start--The use of a soft-start procedure is believed to provide additional protection to marine mammals by providing warning and/or giving marine mammals a chance to leave the area prior to the hammer operating at full capacity. For impact pile driving, contractors will be required to implement soft start procedures. Soft Start is not required during vibratory pile driving and removal activities. Pre-Activity Monitoring--Prior to the start of daily in-water construction activity, or whenever a break in pile driving of 30 minutes or longer occurs, the observer will observe the shutdown and monitoring zones for a period of 30 minutes. The shutdown zone will be cleared when a marine mammal has not been observed within zone for that 30-minute period. If a marine mammal is observed within the shutdown zone, a soft-start cannot proceed until the animal has left the zone or has not been observed for 30 minutes for medium and large-sized odontocetes and mysticetes and 15 minutes for small cetaceans and pinnipeds. Visual Marine Mammal Observation--Monitoring will be conducted by qualified marine mammal observers (MMOs), who are trained biologists, with minimum qualifications described in the Federal Register notice of the issuance of the 2018-2019 IHA (82 FR 48987; October 23, 2017). In order to effectively monitor the pile driving monitoring zones, two MMOs will be positioned at the best practical vantage point(s). If waters exceed a sea-state which restricts the observers' ability to make observations within 100 m of the pile driving activity (e.g., excessive wind or fog), pile installation and removal will cease. Pile driving will not be initiated until the entire shutdown zone is visible. MMOs shall record specific information on the sighting forms as described in the Federal Register notice of the issuance of the 2018-2019 IHA (82 FR 48987; October 23, 2017). At the conclusion of the in-water construction work, ADOT&PF will provide NMSF with a monitoring report which includes summaries of recorded takes and estimates of the number of marine mammals that may have been harassed. Determinations ADOT&PF proposes to conduct activities identical to those covered in the previous 2018 IHA. As described above, the number of estimated takes of the same stocks of marine mammals is the same as those authorized in the 2018 IHA that were found to meet the negligible impact and small numbers standards. The authorized take of marine mammal species is shown in Table 1. Our analysis shows that between <0.01 percent and 2.89 percent of the populations of affected stocks could be taken by harassment. Therefore, the numbers of animals authorized to be taken for all species would be considered small relative to the relevant stocks or populations. Table 11--Summary of the Estimated Numbers of Marine Mammals Potentially Exposed to Level A and Level B Harassment Noise Levels -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Estimated Estimated number of number of individuals individuals potentially potentially Percent of population exposed to level Species (DPS/stock) exposed to the exposed to the DPS/stock bundance (DPS/stock) A or level B thresholds level A level B harassment harassment threshold threshold -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Steller sea lion (wDPS)................. 0 960 50,983................................ 1.88 Harbor seal (Cook Inlet/Shelikof Strait) 27 53 27,386................................ 0.29 Harbor porpoise (Gulf of Alaska)........ 16 33 31,046................................ 0.16 Dall's porpoise (Alaska)................ 0 4 83,400................................ <0.01 Killer whale (Gulf of Alaska, Aleutian 0 14 587 (transient)....................... 2.38 (transient) Islands, and Bering Sea transient or 2,347 (resident)...................... 0.6 (resident) Alaska resident). Humpback whale \1\ (Central North 2 30 10,103 (Central NP)................... 0.32 Pacific/Western North Pacific). 1,107 (Western NP).................... 2.89 Fin whale (Northeast Pacific)........... 0 6 \2\ 1,368............................. 0.44 Gray whale (Eastern North Pacific)...... 0 2 20,990................................ <0.01 Minke whale (Alaska).................... 0 3 \3\ 2,020............................. <0.01 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total............................... 45 1,105 N/A................................... N/A. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ The Hawaii DPS is estimated to account for approximately 89 percent of all humpback whales in the Gulf of Alaska, whereas the Mexico and Western North Pacific DPSs account for approximately 10.5% and 0.5%, respectively (Wade et al., 2016; NMFS 2016). Therefore, an estimated 28 animals from Hawaii DPS; 3 from Mexico DPS; and 1 from Western North Pacific DPS. \2\ Based on 2010 survey of animals north and west of Kenai Peninsula in U.S. waters and is likely an underestimate (Muto et al., 2016b). \3\ Based on 2010 survey on Eastern Bering Sea shelf. Considered provisional and not representative of abundance of entire stock (Muto et al., 2016a). N/A: Not Applicable. [[Page 38292]] This final IHA includes identical required mitigation, monitoring, and reporting measures as the 2018 IHA, and there is no new information suggesting that our analysis or findings should change. Based on the information contained here and in the referenced documents, NMFS has determined the following: (1) The required mitigation measures will effect the least practicable impact on marine mammal species or stocks and their habitat; (2) the authorized takes will have a negligible impact on the affected marine mammal species or stocks; (3) the authorized takes represent small numbers of marine mammals relative to the affected stock abundances; and (4) ADOT&PF'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. In order to comply with the ESA, NMFS Alaska Regional Office (AKR) Protected Resources Division issued a Biological Opinion in September 2017 under section 7 of the ESA, on the issuance of an IHA to ADOT&PF under section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA. There are four distinct population segments (DPSs) of three marine mammal species that are listed under the ESA with confirmed or possible occurrence in the study area: The Western North Pacific DPS and Mexico DPS of humpback whale; the Western DPS of Steller sea lion; and fin whale. The Biological Opinion concluded that while the issuance of the authorization may adversely affect members of some listed species it is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any listed marine mammal species or destroy or modify any critical habitat. Note that the only modification to the IHA is a change in effective dates. No additional take has been requested or is being authorized and all mitigation measures described in the Biological Opinion will continue to be implemented to limit Level A and Level B exposures. For these reasons, we anticipate no new or changed effects of the action beyond what was considered in the 2017 Biological Opinion. Authorization NMFS has issued an IHA to ADOT&PF for the Sand Point City Dock Replacement Project for 2019-2020, provided the previously described mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements from the 2018-2019 IHA are incorporated. Dated: August 1, 2018. Elaine T. Saiz, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2018-16767 Filed 8-3-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 151 / Monday, August 6, 2018 / Notices 38289
August 28, 2018, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. completion of agenda items. The analyzed and authorized in the first
Æ New Council Members Oath meeting will begin on August 28, 2018 IHA. The authorized take numbers
Æ Election of New Officers at 8:30 a.m. Other than the start time, would be the same as authorized
Æ Call to Order interested parties should be aware that previously, and the required mitigation,
Æ Adoption of Agenda discussions may start earlier or later monitoring, and reporting would remain
Æ Consideration of 162nd Council than indicated. In addition, the meeting the same as authorized for the 2018 IHA
Meeting Verbatim Transcriptions may be extended from, or completed referenced above. Pursuant to the
Æ Executive Director’s Report prior to the date established in this Marine Mammal Protection Act
Æ Scientific and Statistical Committee notice. (MMPA), NMFS is notifying the public
(SSC)) Meeting Report—Richard Special Accommodations about the issuance of an IHA to
Appeldoorn ADOT&PF to incidentally take marine
Æ Island-based Fishery Management These meetings are physically mammals, by Level A and Level B
Plans accessible to people with disabilities. harassment only, during the specified
—Review of Draft Environmental For more information or request for sign activity.
Impact Statements: language interpretation and other
—Puerto Rico auxiliary aids, please contact Mr. DATES: The IHA is valid May 31, 2019,
—St. Thomas/St. John Miguel A. Rolón, Executive Director, through May 30, 2020.
—St. Croix Caribbean Fishery Management Council, ADDRESSES: An electronic copy of the
—Council selection of preferred 270 Muñoz Rivera Avenue, Suite 401, final Authorization previously issued
alternatives San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00918–1903, for 2018–2019, ADOT&PF’s application,
—Council decision as to whether to telephone: (787) 766–5926, at least 5 and related documents may be obtained
take DEIS to public hearings days prior to the meeting date. by visiting https://
Æ Spiny Lobster Control Rule Dated: July 31, 2018. www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/
Public Comment Period (5-minute marine-mammal-protection/incidental-
Tracey L. Thompson,
presentations) take-authorizations-construction-
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable
August 28, 2018, 5:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m. Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. activities. In case of problems accessing
[FR Doc. 2018–16710 Filed 8–3–18; 8:45 am]
these documents, please call the contact
Æ Administrative Issues listed below (see FOR FURTHER
Æ Closed Session BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
INFORMATION CONTACT).
August 29, 2018, 8:30 a.m.–12 p.m. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rob
Æ Outreach and Education Report— DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Pauline, Office of Protected Resources,
Alida Ortiz NMFS, (301) 427–8401.
Æ Lionfish Project Report—Dr. J. Tookes National Oceanic and Atmospheric
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Æ Puerto Rico Fisheries Socio-Economic Administration
Project Update—Dr. T. Seara Background
RIN 0648–XF370
Æ Western Central Atlantic Fishery Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the
Commission (WECAFC) Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) direct
—Overview and Status of Working Specified Activities; Taking Marine the Secretary of Commerce (as delegated
Groups Mammals Incidental to the Sand Point to NMFS) to allow, upon request, the
—Proposal for a Regional Fishery City Dock Replacement Project in Sand incidental, but not intentional, taking of
Management (RFMO)—DOS Point, Alaska small numbers of marine mammals by
Æ 2018 Okeanos Expedition to PR and U.S. citizens who engage in a specified
the USVI—Daniel Wagner AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and activity (other than commercial fishing)
August 29, 2018, 1 p.m.–6 p.m. Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), within a specified geographical region if
Commerce. certain findings are made and either
Æ Field Trip to Visit St. Croix Fishing regulations are issued or, if the taking is
Communities ACTION: Notice; issuance of an incidental
limited to harassment, a notice of a
harassment authorization.
August 30, 2018, 8:30 a.m.–12 p.m. proposed authorization is provided to
Æ Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs) SUMMARY: NMFS has received a request the public for review.
Summary of Applications and from the Alaska Department of An authorization for incidental
Status Transportation and Public Facilities takings shall be granted if NMFS finds
Æ Emergency Location and Removal of (ADOT&PF) to issue an incidental that the taking will have a negligible
Lost Fishing Gear in Puerto Rico: harassment authorization (IHA) impact on the species or stock(s), will
Avoiding Long Term Impacts of previously issued to ADOT&PF to not have an unmitigable adverse impact
Ghost Gear—Raimundo Espinoza. incidentally take nine species of marine on the availability of the species or
Æ Enforcement Issues: mammal, by Level A and Level B stock(s) for subsistence uses (where
—Puerto Rico-DNER harassment, during construction relevant), and if the permissible
—U.S. Virgin Islands-DPNR activities associated with the Sand Point methods of taking and requirements
—U.S. Coast Guard City Dock Replacement Project in Sand pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring
—NMFS/NOAA Point, Alaska. ADOT&PF reported that and reporting of such takings are set
Æ Meetings Attended by Council the project has been delayed. The IHA forth.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
Members and Staff issued on October 13, 2017 has effective NMFS has defined ‘‘negligible
Æ Other Business dates of August 1, 2018 through July 31, impact’’ in 50 CFR 216.103 as an impact
Public Comment Period (5-minute 2019. ADOT&PF requested that a new resulting from the specified activity that
presentations) IHA be issued to conduct their work cannot be reasonably expected to, and is
Æ Next Meeting between May 31, 2019 and May 30, not reasonably likely to, adversely affect
The order of business may be adjusted 2020. NMFS is, therefore, issuing a the species or stock through effects on
as necessary to accommodate the second IHA to cover the incidental take annual rates of recruitment or survival.
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![38292 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 151 / Monday, August 6, 2018 / Notices
This final IHA includes identical we anticipate no new or changed effects to MAFAC and is being convened to
required mitigation, monitoring, and of the action beyond what was develop recommendations for long-term
reporting measures as the 2018 IHA, and considered in the 2017 Biological goals to meet Columbia Basin salmon
there is no new information suggesting Opinion. recovery, conservation needs, and
that our analysis or findings should harvest opportunities, in the context of
Authorization
change. habitat capacity and other factors that
Based on the information contained NMFS has issued an IHA to affect salmon mortality. More
here and in the referenced documents, ADOT&PF for the Sand Point City Dock information is available at the CBP Task
NMFS has determined the following: (1) Replacement Project for 2019–2020, Force web page: http://
The required mitigation measures will provided the previously described www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/
effect the least practicable impact on mitigation, monitoring, and reporting columbia_river/index.html.
marine mammal species or stocks and requirements from the 2018–2019 IHA
their habitat; (2) the authorized takes are incorporated. Matters To Be Considered
will have a negligible impact on the Dated: August 1, 2018. The Committee is convening to
affected marine mammal species or Elaine T. Saiz,
discuss feedback from CBP Task Force
stocks; (3) the authorized takes members as they shared provisional
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Protected
represent small numbers of marine goals with their constituents and
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
mammals relative to the affected stock communities; drafting of their
[FR Doc. 2018–16767 Filed 8–3–18; 8:45 am]
abundances; and (4) ADOT&PF’s recommendations and report; and next
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
activities will not have an unmitigable steps for the CBP Task Force.
adverse impact on taking for subsistence
purposes as no relevant subsistence uses Time and Date
of marine mammals are implicated by DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE The meeting is scheduled for August
this action. National Oceanic and Atmospheric 22, 2018, 1–4 p.m., Pacific Time by
Administration conference call and webinar. Access
Endangered Species Act (ESA)
information for the public will be
Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered RIN 0648–XG358 posted at http://
Species Act of 1973 (ESA: 16 U.S.C. www.westcoast.fisheries.noaa.gov/
1531 et seq.) requires that each Federal Meeting of the Columbia Basin columbia_river/index.html by August 8,
agency insure that any action it Partnership Task Force of the Marine 2018.
authorizes, funds, or carries out is not Fisheries Advisory Committee
likely to jeopardize the continued Special Accommodations
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
existence of any endangered or Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and These meetings are physically
threatened species or result in the Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), accessible to people with disabilities.
destruction or adverse modification of Commerce. Requests for auxiliary aids should be
designated critical habitat. To ensure directed to Katherine Cheney, 503–231–
ACTION: Notice of open public meeting.
ESA compliance for the issuance of 6730 by August 8, 2018.
IHAs, NMFS consults internally SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the Dated: August 1, 2018.
whenever we propose to authorize take proposed schedule and agenda of a Jennifer L. Lukens,
for endangered or threatened species. forthcoming meeting of the Marine
In order to comply with the ESA, Federal Program Officer, Marine Fisheries
Fisheries Advisory Committee’s Advisory Committee, National Marine
NMFS Alaska Regional Office (AKR) (MAFAC’s) Columbia Basin Partnership Fisheries Service.
Protected Resources Division issued a Task Force (CBP Task Force). The CBP [FR Doc. 2018–16731 Filed 8–3–18; 8:45 am]
Biological Opinion in September 2017 Task Force will discuss the issues
under section 7 of the ESA, on the BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
outlined in the SUPPLEMENTARY
issuance of an IHA to ADOT&PF under INFORMATION below.
section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA. There
DATES: The meeting will be held August DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
are four distinct population segments
(DPSs) of three marine mammal species 22, 2018, 1–4 p.m., Pacific Time.
ADDRESSES: There is no public access. National Oceanic and Atmospheric
that are listed under the ESA with Administration
confirmed or possible occurrence in the Meeting is by conference call.
study area: The Western North Pacific FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: RIN 0648–XG311
DPS and Mexico DPS of humpback Katherine Cheney; NFMS West Coast
whale; the Western DPS of Steller sea Region; 503–231–6730; email: Determination of Overfishing or an
lion; and fin whale. The Biological Katherine.Cheney@noaa.gov. Overfished Condition
Opinion concluded that while the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries
issuance of the authorization may hereby given of a meeting of MAFAC’s Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
adversely affect members of some listed CBP Task Force. The MAFAC was Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
species it is not likely to jeopardize the established by the Secretary of Commerce.
continued existence of any listed marine Commerce (Secretary), and, since 1971, ACTION: Notice.
mammal species or destroy or modify advises the Secretary on all living
any critical habitat. Note that the only marine resource matters that are the SUMMARY: This action serves as a notice
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
modification to the IHA is a change in responsibility of the Department of that NMFS, on behalf of the Secretary of
effective dates. No additional take has Commerce. The MAFAC charter and Commerce (Secretary), has found that
been requested or is being authorized summaries of prior MAFAC meetings the following stocks are overfished or
and all mitigation measures described in are located online at https:// subject to overfishing. Klamath River
the Biological Opinion will continue to www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/ fall-run Chinook salmon, Queets coho
be implemented to limit Level A and partners#marine-fisheries-advisory- salmon, Juan de Fuca coho salmon,
Level B exposures. For these reasons, committee. The CBP Task Force reports Snohomish coho salmon, and
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Document Created: 2018-11-06 10:36:47
Document Modified: 2018-11-06 10:36:47
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice; issuance of an incidental harassment authorization. | |
| Dates | The IHA is valid May 31, 2019, through May 30, 2020. | |
| Contact | Rob Pauline, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, (301) 427-8401. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 38289 | |
| RIN Number | 0648-XF37 |
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