Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys in the Gulf of Mexico, 88664-88665 [2016-29388]

Download as PDF 88664 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 236 / Thursday, December 8, 2016 / Notices of the antidumping duty order on glycine from the People’s Republic of China (PRC) would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping at the rate identified in the ‘‘Final Results of Review’’ section of this notice. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dena Crossland, AD/CVD Operations, Office VI, Enforcement and Compliance, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482–3362. DATES: Effective December 8, 2016. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES Background On March 29, 1995, the Department published the antidumping duty order on glycine from the PRC.1 On August 1, 2016, the Department initiated a sunset review of the Order in accordance with section 751(c) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act).2 On August 8, 2016, the Department received complete notices of intent to participate in the sunset review from GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc. (GEO or domestic interested party) and Chattem Chemicals, Inc. within the deadline specified in 19 CFR 351.218(d)(1)(i). On August 25, 2016, Chattem Chemicals, Inc. withdrew its intent to appear as a party to this review. GEO is a producer of a domestic like product in the United States and, accordingly, is a domestic interested party pursuant to section 771(9)(C) of the Act. On August 30, 2016, the Department received an adequate substantive response to the notice of initiation from GEO within the 30-day deadline specified in 19 CFR 351.218(d)(3)(i). The Department did not receive any responses from the respondent interested parties, i.e., glycine producers and exporters from the PRC. On the basis of the notice of intent to participate and adequate substantive response filed by the domestic interested party and no response from any respondent interested party, the Department has conducted an expedited sunset review of the Order pursuant to section 751(c)(3)(B) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.218(e)(1)(ii)(C). Scope of the Order The product covered by the order is glycine, which is a free-flowing crystalline material, like salt or sugar. Glycine is produced at varying levels of purity and is used as a sweetener/taste 1 See Glycine from the People’s Republic of China: Antidumping Duty Order, 60 FR 16116 (March 29, 1995) (Order). 2 See Initiation of Five-Year (‘‘Sunset’’) Review, 81 FR 50462 (August 1, 2016). VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:28 Dec 07, 2016 Jkt 241001 enhancer, a buffering agent, reabsorbable amino acid, chemical intermediate, and a metal complexing agent. This order covers glycine of all purity levels. Glycine is currently classified under subheading 2922.49.4020 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS). Although the HTSUS subheading is provided for convenience and Customs purposes, the written description of the merchandise under the order is dispositive.3 Analysis of Comments Received The issues discussed in the Decision Memorandum 4 are the likelihood of continuation or recurrence of dumping, and the magnitude of the margin of dumping likely to prevail if the Order were revoked. Parties can find a complete discussion of all issues raised in this review and the corresponding recommendations in the Decision Memorandum which is on file electronically via Enforcement and Compliance’s Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Centralized Electronic Service System (ACCESS). ACCESS is available to registered users at https://access.trade.gov and is available to all parties in the Central Records Unit in room B8024 of the main Commerce building. In addition, a complete version of the Decision Memorandum can be accessed directly on the Internet at https://trade.gov/ enforcement/frn. The signed Decision Memorandum and electronic versions of the Decision Memorandum are identical in content. Final Results of Review Pursuant to sections 752(c)(1) and (3) of the Act, we determine that revocation of the Order would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of dumping up to the following weighted-average percentage margin: Exporter/producer Margin (percent) PRC-Wide Entity (all producers and exporters) ....... 155.89 Administrative Protective Order This notice also serves as the only reminder to parties subject to administrative protective order (APO) of 3 In a separate scope ruling, the Department determined that D(-) Phenylglycine Ethyl Dane Salt is outside the scope of the order. See Notice of Scope Rulings, 62 FR 62288 (November 21, 1997). 4 See Department Memorandum, ‘‘Issues and Decision Memorandum for the Expedited Sunset Review of the Antidumping Duty Order on Glycine from the People’s Republic of China; Final Results,’’ dated concurrently with this notice (Decision Memorandum). PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 their responsibility concerning the return or destruction of proprietary information disclosed under APO in accordance with 19 CFR 351.305. Timely notification of the return of destruction of APO materials or conversion to judicial protective order is hereby requested. Failure to comply with the regulations and terms of an APO is a violation which is subject to sanction. The Department is issuing and publishing these final results and notice in accordance with sections 751(c), 752(c), and 777(i)(1) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.218. Dated: November 28, 2016. Paul Piquado, Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance. [FR Doc. 2016–29400 Filed 12–7–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XF065 Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys in the Gulf of Mexico National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of revised application for marine mammal incidental take regulations (ITRs); request for comments and information. AGENCY: NMFS has received a revised application for ITRs from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), on behalf of oil and gas industry operators. The specified activity considered in the application is geophysical survey activity conducted in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), over the course of five years from the date of issuance. Pursuant to regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is announcing receipt of BOEM’s request for the development of regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals. NMFS invites the public to provide information, suggestions, and comments on BOEM’s application. DATES: Comments and information must be received no later than January 9, 2017. ADDRESSES: Comments on the application should be addressed to Jolie Harrison, Chief, Permits and SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\08DEN1.SGM 08DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 236 / Thursday, December 8, 2016 / Notices Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. Physical comments should be sent to 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 and electronic comments should be sent to ITP.Laws@noaa.gov. Instructions: NMFS is not responsible for comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period. Comments received electronically, including all attachments, must not exceed a 25megabyte file size. Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word or Excel or Adobe PDF file formats only. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted online at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/ incidental/oilgas.htm without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit confidential business information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. Ben Laws, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, (301) 427–8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Availability Electronic copies of the application and supporting documents may be obtained online at: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ pr/permits/incidental/oilgas.htm. BOEM has separately released a draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for public review (September 30, 2016; 81 FR 67380). This draft EIS was prepared in order to evaluate the potential significant effects of multiple geological and geophysical activities on the GOM Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act. The document is available online at: www.boem.gov/GOM-G-G-PEIS/. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES Background Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) directs the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to allow, upon request, the incidental, but not intentional, taking of small numbers of marine mammals by U.S. citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than commercial fishing) if certain findings are made and regulations are issued. Incidental taking shall be allowed if NMFS finds that the taking will have a negligible impact on the species or stock(s) affected and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the species or stock(s) for VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:28 Dec 07, 2016 Jkt 241001 taking for subsistence uses, and if the permissible methods of taking and requirements pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring and reporting of such taking are set forth. NMFS has defined ‘‘negligible impact’’ in 50 CFR 216.103 as ‘‘an impact resulting from the specified activity that cannot be reasonably expected to, and is not reasonably likely to, adversely affect the species or stock through effects on annual rates of recruitment or survival.’’ Except with respect to certain activities not pertinent here, the MMPA defines ‘‘harassment’’ as: ‘‘any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance which (i) has the potential to injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild (Level A harassment); or (ii) has the potential to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing disruption of behavioral patterns, including, but not limited to, migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering (Level B harassment).’’ The use of sound sources such as those described in the application (e.g., airgun arrays) may result in the disturbance of marine mammals through disruption of behavioral patterns or may cause auditory injury of marine mammals. Therefore, incidental take authorization under the MMPA is warranted. Summary BOEM was formerly known as the Minerals Management Service (MMS) and, later, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE). On December 20, 2002, MMS petitioned NMFS for rulemaking under Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA to authorize take of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) incidental to conducting geophysical surveys during oil and gas exploration activities in the GOM. On March 3, 2003, NMFS published a notice of receipt of MMS’s application and requested comments and information from the public (68 FR 9991). This comment period was later extended to April 16, 2003 (68 FR 16263). MMS subsequently submitted a revised petition on September 30, 2004, to include a request for incidental take authorization of additional species of marine mammals. On April 18, 2011, BOEMRE submitted a revision to the petition, which incorporated updated information and analyses. NMFS published a notice of receipt of this revised petition on June 14, 2011 (76 FR 34656). In order to incorporate the best available information, BOEM submitted another revision to the petition on PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 88665 March 28, 2016, which was followed on October 17, 2016, by a revised version that we have deemed adequate and complete based on our implementing regulations at 50 CFR 216.104. The requested regulations would establish a framework for authorization of incidental take by Level A and Level B harassment through Letters of Authorization (LOAs). Following development of the ITRs, implementation could occur via issuance of LOAs upon request from individual industry applicants planning specific geophysical survey activities. Specified Activities The application describes geophysical survey activity, conducted by industry operators in OCS waters of the GOM within BOEM’s GOM planning areas (i.e., the Western, Central, and Eastern Planning Areas). Geophysical surveys are conducted by industry operators to characterize the shallow and deep structure of the OCS, including the shelf, slope, and deepwater ocean environment, in order to obtain data for hydrocarbon exploration and production, aid in siting oil and gas structures and facilities, identify possible seafloor or shallow-depth geologic hazards, and locate potential archaeological resources and benthic habitats that should be avoided. Deep penetration seismic surveys, used largely for oil and gas exploration and development and involving a vessel or vessels towing an airgun or array of airguns that emit acoustic energy pulses through the overlying water and into the seafloor, are one of the most extensive survey types and are expected to carry the greatest potential for effects to marine mammals. Non-airgun high resolution geophysical surveys are used to detect and monitor geohazards, archaeological resources, and certain types of benthic communities. Information Solicited Interested persons may submit information, suggestions, and comments concerning BOEM’s request (see ADDRESSES). NMFS will consider all relevant information, suggestions, and comments related to the request during the development of proposed regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals, as appropriate. Dated: December 2, 2016. Donna S. Wieting, Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2016–29388 Filed 12–7–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\08DEN1.SGM 08DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 236 (Thursday, December 8, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 88664-88665]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-29388]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF065


Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals 
Incidental to Geophysical Surveys in the Gulf of Mexico

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; receipt of revised application for marine mammal 
incidental take regulations (ITRs); request for comments and 
information.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: NMFS has received a revised application for ITRs from the 
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), on behalf of oil and gas 
industry operators. The specified activity considered in the 
application is geophysical survey activity conducted in the Gulf of 
Mexico (GOM), over the course of five years from the date of issuance. 
Pursuant to regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act 
(MMPA), NMFS is announcing receipt of BOEM's request for the 
development of regulations governing the incidental taking of marine 
mammals. NMFS invites the public to provide information, suggestions, 
and comments on BOEM's application.

DATES: Comments and information must be received no later than January 
9, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the application should be addressed to Jolie 
Harrison, Chief, Permits and

[[Page 88665]]

Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service. Physical comments should be sent to 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 and electronic comments should be sent 
to ITP.Laws@noaa.gov.
    Instructions: NMFS is not responsible for comments sent by any 
other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the 
end of the comment period. Comments received electronically, including 
all attachments, must not exceed a 25-megabyte file size. Attachments 
to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word or Excel or 
Adobe PDF file formats only. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted online at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental/oilgas.htm without change. All personal 
identifying information (e.g., name, address) voluntarily submitted by 
the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit confidential 
business information or otherwise sensitive or protected information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ben Laws, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, (301) 427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Availability

    Electronic copies of the application and supporting documents may 
be obtained online at: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental/oilgas.htm. BOEM has separately released a draft Programmatic 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for public review (September 30, 
2016; 81 FR 67380). This draft EIS was prepared in order to evaluate 
the potential significant effects of multiple geological and 
geophysical activities on the GOM Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), 
pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act. The document is 
available online at: www.boem.gov/GOM-G-G-PEIS/.

Background

    Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) directs 
the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) to allow, upon request, the 
incidental, but not intentional, taking of small numbers of marine 
mammals by U.S. citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than 
commercial fishing) if certain findings are made and regulations are 
issued.
    Incidental taking shall be allowed if NMFS finds that the taking 
will have a negligible impact on the species or stock(s) affected and 
will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the 
species or stock(s) for taking for subsistence uses, and if the 
permissible methods of taking and requirements pertaining to the 
mitigation, monitoring and reporting of such taking are set forth.
    NMFS has defined ``negligible impact'' in 50 CFR 216.103 as ``an 
impact resulting from the specified activity that cannot be reasonably 
expected to, and is not reasonably likely to, adversely affect the 
species or stock through effects on annual rates of recruitment or 
survival.''
    Except with respect to certain activities not pertinent here, the 
MMPA defines ``harassment'' as: ``any act of pursuit, torment, or 
annoyance which (i) has the potential to injure a marine mammal or 
marine mammal stock in the wild (Level A harassment); or (ii) has the 
potential to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild 
by causing disruption of behavioral patterns, including, but not 
limited to, migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or 
sheltering (Level B harassment).''
    The use of sound sources such as those described in the application 
(e.g., airgun arrays) may result in the disturbance of marine mammals 
through disruption of behavioral patterns or may cause auditory injury 
of marine mammals. Therefore, incidental take authorization under the 
MMPA is warranted.

Summary

    BOEM was formerly known as the Minerals Management Service (MMS) 
and, later, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and 
Enforcement (BOEMRE). On December 20, 2002, MMS petitioned NMFS for 
rulemaking under Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA to authorize take of 
sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) incidental to conducting 
geophysical surveys during oil and gas exploration activities in the 
GOM. On March 3, 2003, NMFS published a notice of receipt of MMS's 
application and requested comments and information from the public (68 
FR 9991). This comment period was later extended to April 16, 2003 (68 
FR 16263). MMS subsequently submitted a revised petition on September 
30, 2004, to include a request for incidental take authorization of 
additional species of marine mammals. On April 18, 2011, BOEMRE 
submitted a revision to the petition, which incorporated updated 
information and analyses. NMFS published a notice of receipt of this 
revised petition on June 14, 2011 (76 FR 34656). In order to 
incorporate the best available information, BOEM submitted another 
revision to the petition on March 28, 2016, which was followed on 
October 17, 2016, by a revised version that we have deemed adequate and 
complete based on our implementing regulations at 50 CFR 216.104.
    The requested regulations would establish a framework for 
authorization of incidental take by Level A and Level B harassment 
through Letters of Authorization (LOAs). Following development of the 
ITRs, implementation could occur via issuance of LOAs upon request from 
individual industry applicants planning specific geophysical survey 
activities.

Specified Activities

    The application describes geophysical survey activity, conducted by 
industry operators in OCS waters of the GOM within BOEM's GOM planning 
areas (i.e., the Western, Central, and Eastern Planning Areas). 
Geophysical surveys are conducted by industry operators to characterize 
the shallow and deep structure of the OCS, including the shelf, slope, 
and deepwater ocean environment, in order to obtain data for 
hydrocarbon exploration and production, aid in siting oil and gas 
structures and facilities, identify possible seafloor or shallow-depth 
geologic hazards, and locate potential archaeological resources and 
benthic habitats that should be avoided.
    Deep penetration seismic surveys, used largely for oil and gas 
exploration and development and involving a vessel or vessels towing an 
airgun or array of airguns that emit acoustic energy pulses through the 
overlying water and into the seafloor, are one of the most extensive 
survey types and are expected to carry the greatest potential for 
effects to marine mammals. Non-airgun high resolution geophysical 
surveys are used to detect and monitor geohazards, archaeological 
resources, and certain types of benthic communities.

Information Solicited

    Interested persons may submit information, suggestions, and 
comments concerning BOEM's request (see ADDRESSES). NMFS will consider 
all relevant information, suggestions, and comments related to the 
request during the development of proposed regulations governing the 
incidental taking of marine mammals, as appropriate.

    Dated: December 2, 2016.
Donna S. Wieting,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2016-29388 Filed 12-7-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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