Search Results for keywords:"incidental taking"

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to TGS, allowing the incidental taking of marine mammals during geophysical surveys related to oil and gas activities in the Gulf of Mexico. This LOA is effective from February 15, 2025, to December 31, 2025. The authorization is granted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which permits incidental takings only if they have a negligible impact on the species. The surveys will occur over 83 days with specific modeling used to ensure compliance with existing regulations, and the anticipated impact is considered minimal.

NMFS, a part of NOAA, has received a request from Hilcorp Alaska, LLC, seeking authorization to incidentally take small numbers of marine mammals during their oil and gas activities in Cook Inlet, Alaska, over a five-year period. The request pertains to the incidental impact on 12 marine mammal species, including beluga whales, due to activities like tug operations, pile driving, and pipeline work, which might cause harassment at two levels. The public is invited to comment on this proposal until April 14, 2025. NMFS will use public feedback to develop regulations overseeing Hilcorp's activities.

In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to TGS, allowing for the incidental taking of small numbers of marine mammals during geophysical survey activities in the Gulf of America. The survey will use specific techniques and equipment, like the Gemini sound source, which have been evaluated for their impact on marine life. The activities will occur between March and December 2025 but are not expected to impact Rice's whale habitat. NMFS has determined that the incidental takes allowed will not exceed "small numbers" as defined by the regulations, ensuring minimal impact on marine mammal populations.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has received a request from Vineyard Northeast, LLC for permission to incidentally impact small numbers of marine mammals during the construction of the Vineyard Northeast Offshore Wind Project. This project will take place offshore of Massachusetts and Connecticut and will run for five years starting January 1, 2028. The activities involved, like installing wind turbine foundations and underwater surveys, might disturb marine mammals, although serious harm or death is not expected. The public is invited to comment on the request by January 16, 2025, and all feedback will be considered in developing regulations for the project.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is asking for public comments on its information collection related to incidental take authorizations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. This collection helps assess the impact on marine mammals when small numbers are taken accidentally during certain activities. NOAA requires detailed information from applicants, including assessments of impact and monitoring reports, to ensure compliance with the law. The public has 60 days to provide feedback on these collections, aiming to improve their efficiency and reduce the burden on those who must provide the information.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has updated a Letter of Authorization (LOA) for Shell Offshore Inc. concerning the incidental taking of marine mammals in the Gulf of Mexico during geophysical surveys. The expiration date of the LOA has been extended to October 31, 2025, due to changes in the survey schedule, and updated take estimates have been included in line with recent rule adjustments. No significant changes have been made to Shell's planned activities, and the LOA does not authorize the take of Rice's whales since these activities are not expected to overlap with their habitat. The updates ensure compliance with existing regulations and conservation standards.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has received a request from the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program (IBRP) to authorize the incidental taking of small numbers of marine mammals due to construction activities for the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project connecting Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington. This project will involve building replacement bridges and may impact marine mammals with increased underwater noise. The authorization, requested for a period of five years starting September 2027, includes activities such as pile driving and rotary drilling, which can lead to marine mammal harassment. NMFS is inviting the public to provide comments and information on this application until April 14, 2025.