Search Results for keywords:"mitigation measures"

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has granted an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography to conduct a marine geophysical survey in the Nauru Basin of Greater Micronesia, as outlined under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). This authorization allows for the incidental but non-harmful disruption of 27 marine mammal species by the survey's activities, limited to Level B harassment, which includes changes in behavior due to noise. The survey will employ mitigation measures to minimize impacts on marine life, such as visual monitoring by trained observers and specific shutdown zones. NMFS has determined the survey poses a negligible impact on the coast's marine mammal populations.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to the City of Hoonah in Alaska. This permit allows activities that might accidentally disturb marine mammals during the construction of a cargo dock at the Hoonah Marine Industrial Center. Eight species of marine mammals, like whales and seals, may be affected by the sound from pile driving and drilling. However, no serious harm or death is expected, and various measures will be put in place to minimize disturbance and protect these animals.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued two Incidental Harassment Authorizations (IHAs) to the United States Coast Guard (USCG) for activities related to construction of facilities in Seward and Sitka, Alaska. These permits allow for the incidental disturbance of marine mammals during the construction of fast response cutter docks, provided that the impact is negligible and does not adversely affect marine mammal populations or subsistence uses. The activities, expected to last into 2027 and 2028, involve measures to minimize harm, including monitoring for marine mammals and implementing shutdown procedures if necessary. The authorizations ensure compliance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act and relevant environmental regulations.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued regulations to govern incidental take of marine mammals by the Southwest Fisheries Science Center (SWFSC) for their research activities. These regulations, valid for five years, authorize unintentional separations, injuries, or deaths of marine mammals during these activities in specific regions, like the California and Antarctic ecosystems. The regulations outline permissible methods of capture and require minimized impact on marine mammal populations, along with conditions for monitoring and reporting. The rule aims to allow SWFSC to conduct necessary research while ensuring the protection and survival of marine mammals.

NMFS, a part of NOAA, has issued an updated incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to Trident Seafoods Corporation. This re-issuance allows for the incidental harassment of six species of marine mammals during dock replacement activities in Kodiak, Alaska, with the only change being the effective dates from March 1, 2025, to February 28, 2026, due to project delays. The mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements remain the same as in the initial IHA, ensuring minimal impact on the affected species. The work includes construction activities, like pile driving, and the authorization confirms that the activities will not adversely affect endangered species or their habitats.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has released an environmental assessment (EA) for the Lines DT and DS Replacement Project Amendment proposed by Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc. This project seeks permission to abandon in-place, rather than remove, two pipeline lines in Anderson and Franklin Counties, Kansas, to minimize impacts on landowners and the environment. The assessment concludes that the project would not significantly affect the human environment if appropriate mitigation measures are adopted. Interested parties are invited to submit comments on the EA before January 27, 2021, through various submission methods available on the FERC website.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has proposed granting an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to the United States Air Force (USAF) for repair work at the Eareckson Air Station Fuel Pier in Alaska. This authorization would allow USAF to perform activities that might incidentally disturb marine mammals in the area. The proposal considers public comments and follows the implementation of mitigation measures to ensure minimal impact on the animals and their environment. NMFS is welcoming public feedback on the proposed authorization and is considering a potential one-year renewal if certain conditions are met.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is considering an authorization request from the City of Ketchikan, Alaska, to permit incidental harassment of marine mammals during the Berth III Mooring Dolphins Project. This project involves construction activities that might disturb marine mammals, and NMFS is looking for public comments on this proposal as well as a potential 1-year renewal. The main goal is to ensure that the construction does not have a significant negative impact on the marine mammals or their habitat. The proposed measures include monitoring, mitigation efforts, and the use of the specified methods to minimize disturbance to the animals.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has received a request from the City of Hoonah for authorization to incidentally take marine mammals during the construction of the Hoonah Cargo Dock in Alaska. The activity involves pile driving and removal, which could affect marine mammals. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is seeking public comments on the proposed authorization and a possible one-year renewal. Mitigation measures are proposed to minimize impacts on marine mammals, ensuring the incidental takes are negligible, with monitoring and reporting to be conducted throughout the construction activities.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) received a request from the U.S. Navy for permission to conduct activities that might unintentionally affect marine mammals in the Gulf of Alaska. These activities, which are part of military training, could disturb the animals due to the use of sonar and explosives. The NMFS is considering new regulations to minimize these effects and has invited the public to share their comments by a specific deadline. Additionally, the Navy has proposed several measures to protect marine life during their operations.