Notice of Availability of a Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) of Issuance of Scientific Research and Enhancement Permits for Use of Unmanned Vehicle Systems on Protected Species

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to issue permits and permit amendments for take of protected species in the wild, pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended; the Endangered Species Act of 1973; and the Fur Seal Act of 1966, as amended, as applicable. This may impact multiple species and taxa groups of protected species (marine mammals and sea turtles) by authorizing the use of unmanned vehicle systems (UVS), mainly small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The objectives of using UVS for research and enhancement may include determining the abundance, distribution, movement patterns, behavior, health and fitness, and stock structure of protected species found in U.S. territorial and international waters and coastal areas.