Search Results for keywords:"marine mammals"

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is considering renewing an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) for the Chesapeake Tunnel Joint Venture (CTJV) to take marine mammals during construction work on the Parallel Thimble Shoal Tunnel Project in Virginia Beach, Virginia. This renewal is necessary because project delays mean initial work won't be completed by the original IHA expiration. The proposed renewal includes measures to minimize impacts on marine mammals and allows for additional public comments until February 23, 2021. The activities involved are similar to previous ones and are expected to have minimal impact on marine mammal populations.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WADOT) for the Purdy Bridge Rehabilitation Project in Pierce County, Washington. This authorization allows for the incidental harassment of marine mammals during construction activities that involve pile driving and removal, which may disturb these animals through noise. However, no serious injury or death of marine mammals is anticipated. The NMFS has set specific measures to minimize impacts, ensuring that the activity complies with the Marine Mammal Protection Act and does not harm the animals or their environment significantly.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), issued a Letter of Authorization (LOA) allowing US Wind, Inc. to "take" marine mammals during the construction of the Maryland Offshore Wind Project. This means they can unintentionally disturb but not kill marine mammals as long as the impact is minimal and does not affect the mammals' survival. The project includes constructing wind turbines and related activities off the coast of Maryland from 2025 to 2029. The authorization includes several measures to protect the animals, such as monitoring their presence and reducing noise levels during construction.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has received a request from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ALDCNR) to allow the incidental taking of small numbers of marine mammals during fisheries research in Mobile Bay and nearby waters. This request covers activities over the next five years. NMFS is seeking public input on this application and is ensuring that any authorized taking will have a negligible impact on marine mammal species. The public can submit comments until January 27, 2025.

The Department of the Interior is inviting the public to comment on the Florida Trustee Implementation Group's Draft Restoration Plan 2 and Environmental Assessment. This plan suggests projects to restore natural habitats, sea turtles, marine mammals, and birds, and to boost recreational activities in Florida following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The proposals, which cost around $62.2 million, also aim to compensate for the lost recreational opportunities caused by the spill. Public comments are accepted until March 29, 2021, and a public webinar will be held on March 11, 2021, to discuss the proposal and gather feedback.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Commerce Department, published a rule regarding the incidental taking of marine mammals during the U.S. Navy's Q8 bulkhead repair and replacement project at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia. The Navy requested a delay of the rule's effective date from January 1, 2025, to August 4, 2025, and an extension of the expiration date to August 3, 2030, due to construction delays. This rule allows for the incidental impact on small numbers of marine mammals from activities like pile removal and installation, which will take place in phases over 212 non-consecutive days. The NMFS decided not to hold a further public comment period as the changes only affect the dates and not the conditions or assessments of the original rule.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has received a request from the U.S. Navy to renew an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) for the NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO). This renewal allows for the incidental taking of marine mammals during the construction needed for relocating NOAA research vessels at Naval Station Newport in Rhode Island. The activities are nearly identical to those already analyzed in an existing authorization and the renewal will allow continuation for up to another year. NMFS has preliminarily determined that the proposed actions will not have a significant impact on marine mammals and seeks additional public comments before making a final decision.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), extended the expiration date of a Letter of Authorization (LOA) for bp Exploration and Production, Inc., allowing them to take marine mammals incidentally during geophysical surveys in the Gulf of Mexico. The new expiration date is March 31, 2025, instead of the original February 14, 2025. This extension is due to bp using only one source vessel rather than the planned two, and it does not change any other aspects of the survey or the analyses supporting the authorizations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Ed Charles from Silverback Films, United Kingdom, has applied for a permit to film marine mammals in California for a Netflix documentary on gray whale migration. The proposed permit allows filming of various marine species including gray whales, killer whales, and dolphins using vessels, drones, or divers until May 20, 2022. The application, submitted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and other relevant acts, is open for public comments until February 8, 2021. A preliminary decision states the project is exempt from requiring an environmental impact assessment.

The National Marine Fisheries Service has granted a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to Hilcorp Alaska LLC. This authorization allows the incidental, unintentional take—or disturbance—of four species of marine mammals during Hilcorp's oil and gas activities in Cook Inlet, Alaska. This LOA is issued under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and incorporates necessary conditions related to the mitigation, monitoring, and reporting of any incidents. The authorization is valid until April 21, 2021.