Search Results for keywords:"Marine Mammals"

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is proposing to allow the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) to conduct construction activities in Womens Bay, Kodiak, Alaska, which might incidentally harm marine mammals. Over two years, NMFS plans to issue authorizations for the incidental disturbance (Level B harassment) and minor physical impact (Level A harassment) on marine mammals due to noise from pile driving. The proposed activities are designed to avoid significant harm or death to marine life, and special measures will be in place to minimize any impacts on marine mammals and their habitat. Public comments on these proposals are being requested before final decisions are made.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a correction to a previously published proposed rule related to incidental takes of marine mammals during U.S. Navy construction activities at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia. The correction changes the deadline for written comments from "January 20, 2021" to "January 21, 2021." This update aims to ensure that the public has accurate information regarding when comments on the proposed rule are due.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has reissued an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for construction activities involved in the Unalaska Channels Deepening Project in Alaska. This reissuance is necessary due to project delays and extends the period of the initial authorization. The authorization allows for the incidental harassment of four species of marine mammals, like humpback whales and Steller sea lions, ensuring that the impacts remain negligible. The reissued IHA maintains the same mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements as originally approved, and complies with environmental laws including the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has proposed granting an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to South Fork Wind, LLC, which would allow the company to take certain marine mammals incidentally during the construction of the South Fork Offshore Wind Project. This project involves pile driving and high-resolution geophysical surveys off the coast of Rhode Island, which may affect marine mammals. NMFS evaluated potential impacts to marine mammals, including endangered species like the North Atlantic right whale, and proposed stringent mitigation measures, such as seasonal restrictions and monitoring, to minimize potential harm. Public comments are requested on this proposal, with the possibility of a one-year renewal under certain conditions.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a second Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to the U.S. Navy for a project at the New London Pier Extension at the Naval Submarine Base in Groton, Connecticut. The project was delayed, and the activities originally authorized have not yet started. This IHA allows for the incidental, but not intentional, taking of six species of marine mammals with no change in scope, anticipated impacts, or required mitigation and monitoring from the initial authorization. The new IHA is effective from February 1, 2026, through January 31, 2027.

The National Marine Fisheries Service has received applications from four researchers requesting permits to study marine mammals. These studies involve research on 58 different species, including endangered or threatened whales and seals, under the authority of laws like the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act. The research activities include surveys, tagging, photo-identification, and biological sampling to understand the animals' behavior, health, and ecological roles. Public comments on these applications can be submitted until March 29, 2021.

The document is a correction notice from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which is part of the Commerce Department. It updates an error found in a previous notice regarding the taking and importing of marine mammals related to training activities in the Gulf of Alaska. The specific correction changes the date listed from "January 29, 2021," to "February 8, 2021." This correction is documented in the Federal Register as "86 FR 7714" and was filed on January 29, 2021.

Heather E. Liwanag, Ph.D., from California Polytechnic State University, has submitted an application to amend her Scientific Research Permit No. 27514-01, which concerns research on northern elephant seals in California. The requested amendment aims to increase the number of northern elephant seals involved in an infrared thermography project to 200 non-pups, including both juveniles and adults. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is accepting written comments on this application until February 10, 2025. This action is in accordance with legal standards under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and other related regulations.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has received a request from the Maine Department of Transportation to allow the incidental taking of marine mammals during a construction project at Lubec Harbor in Maine. This involves the potential disturbance to five species of marine mammals due to sound from pile driving and drilling activities. The NMFS is seeking public comments on the proposed authorization to ensure marine mammals are least impacted. They propose certain mitigation measures to minimize disturbances and are considering allowing a one-year renewal if necessary, under specific conditions.

The Institute of Marine Sciences at the University of California, Santa Cruz, has applied for an amendment to their research permit (No. 23188) involving northern elephant seals. This amendment seeks to add a new research location and increase the number of juvenile seals studied by 50 per year. The research is aimed at comparing weaning weights across different colonies, including a new site in the King Range National Conservation Area. Comments on this application are being accepted until March 1, 2021, and the activity is considered exempt from requiring an environmental impact statement.