SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On August 20, 2018 NMFS received an IHA application from SpaceX for the taking of marine mammals incidental to Falcon 9 First Stage recovery activities, including in-air boost-back maneuvers and landings of the First Stage of the Falcon 9 rocket at VAFB in California, and at contingency landing locations offshore. NMFS determined that the application was adequate and complete on October 23, 2018. The requested IHA would have authorized take, by Level B harassment only, of six marine mammal species as a result from the specified activity. NMFS published a notice of the proposed IHA in the Federal Register (83 FR 57432) on November 15, 2018. On April 18, 2019, NMFS accepted notice from SpaceX withdrawing their IHA application for the proposed action after take of marine mammals incidental to their proposed activities was authorized by Letters of Authorization issued in accordance with 50 CFR 217, Subpart G—Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Rocket and Missile Launches and Aircraft Operations at Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB), California. Therefore, NMFS has withdrawn its proposed IHA for the action.