Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Rocket Launches from Kodiak Island, AK, 4297-4310 [06-765]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 17 (Thursday, January 26, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4297-4310]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-765]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 216

[Docket No. 011011247-6006-03; I.D. 082701E]
RIN 0648-AP62


Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals 
Incidental to Rocket Launches from Kodiak Island, AK

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

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: NMFS, upon application from the Alaska Aerospace Development 
Corporation (AADC), is issuing regulations to govern the unintentional 
takings of small numbers of marine mammals incidental to rocket 
launches from the Kodiak Launch Complex (KLC) on Kodiak Island, AK. 
Issuance of regulations is required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act 
(MMPA) when the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), after notice and 
opportunity for comment, finds, as here, that such takes will have a 
negligible impact on the species and stocks of marine mammals and will 
not have an unmitigable adverse impact on their availability for 
subsistence uses. These regulations do not authorize AADC's rocket 
launch activities, as such authorization is not within the jurisdiction 
of the Secretary.

[[Page 4298]]

Rather, these regulations govern the issuance of ``Letters of 
Authorization'' (LOAs) for the unintentional incidental take of marine 
mammals in connection with this activity and prescribe methods of 
taking and other means of effecting the least practicable adverse 
impact on marine mammal species and their habitat, and on the 
availability of the species for subsistence uses. In addition, NMFS 
incorporates reporting and monitoring requirements.

DATES: Effective from February 27, 2006 through February 28, 2011.
    A copy of the AADC application which contains a list of the 
references used in this document may be obtained by writing to Steve 
Leathery, Division of Permits, Conservation, and Education, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3226 or by telephoning the contact 
listed here (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). The NMFS 
Administrative Record will be maintained at the above address.
    Comments regarding the burden-hour estimate or any other aspect of 
the collection of information requirement contained in this proposed 
rule should be sent to NMFS via the means stated above, and to the 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB), Attention: NOAA Desk Officer, Washington, DC 20503, 
David--Rustker@eap.omb.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jolie Harrison, (301) 713-2289 ext 
166, or Brad Smith, (907) 271-3023.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA(16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) directs 
the Secretary to allow, upon request, the incidental, but not 
intentional taking of marine mammals by U.S. citizens who engage in a 
specified activity (other than commercial fishing) within a specified 
geographical region if certain findings are made and regulations are 
issued.
    Authorization may be granted for periods of 5 years or less if the 
Secretary finds that the total taking will have a negligible impact on 
the species or stock(s), will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on 
the availability of the species or stock(s) for subsistence uses, and 
regulations are prescribed setting forth the permissible methods of 
taking, other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact 
on the affected species or stocks and their habitats, and the 
requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking.
    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 categories of 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].

Summary of Request

    On July 26, 2001, NMFS received an application from the AADC under 
section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA for authorization to take, by 
harassment, Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) incidental to rocket 
launches from KLC on Kodiak Island, Alaska. A proposed rule was 
published on October 29, 2004 (69 FR 63114). Comments on the proposed 
rule received from the Marine Mammal Commission (MMC) recommended NMFS 
consider also authorizing take of Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina 
richardsi), as they are also found in the vicinity of KLC. After 
consulting with AADC and reanalyzing the distribution and habits of 
harbor seals in the area, NMFS has included take of harbor seals in the 
final rule. These regulations will allow NMFS to issue annual Letters 
Of Authorization (LOAs) to the AADC. A full description of the 
operations is contained in the AADC application (AADC, 2001) which is 
available upon request (see ADDRESSES) or at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/
prot_res/PR2/Small_Take/smalltake_info.htm#applications.
    The KLC is a commercial rocket launch complex owned and operated by 
the State of Alaska through the AADC. Located wholly on state-owned 
lands, KLC occupies 43 acres (0.2 km\2\) within a 3,100 acre (12.6 
km\2\) parcel on the eastern side of Kodiak Island on the Narrow Cape 
peninsula. The KLC was designed to accommodate a variety of small, 
solid rockets including such vehicles as the Minuteman II, Taurus, 
Conestoga, and Athena (Lockheed Martin Launch Vehicle). The largest 
vehicle that can be launched from KLC is the Athena-2 (Lockheed Martin 
Vehicle-2).
    Launch operations at the KLC are authorized under license from the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Office of Associate 
Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation (AST), in accordance 
with the facility's Environmental Assessment (EA) and stipulations in 
the EA's Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) (see 61 FR 32884, 
June 25, 1996). These stipulations included a requirement to develop a 
Natural Resource Management Plan (NRMP) to address monitoring and 
mitigation activities for protected species in the area. This plan was 
developed in coordination with NMFS utilizing comparison of anticipated 
sound pressure levels from rocket motors to be launched from the KLC 
with documented marine mammal disturbance responses to such noise.

Measurement of Airborne Sound Levels

    The following section is provided to facilitate an understanding of 
airborne and impulsive noise characteristics. Amplitude is a measure of 
the pressure of a sound wave that is usually expressed on a logarithmic 
scale with units of sound level or intensity called the decibel (dB). 
Sound pressure level (SPL) is described in units of dB re micro-Pascal 
(micro-Pa); for energy, the sound energy level (SEL), a measure of the 
cumulative energy in a noise event, is described in terms of dB re 
micro-Pa\2\-second (dB re micro-Pa\2\-s); and frequency, often referred 
to as pitch, is described in units of cycles per second or Hertz (Hz). 
In other words, SEL is the squared instantaneous sound pressure over a 
specified time interval, where the sound pressure is averaged over 5 
percent to 95 percent of the duration of the sound.
    For airborne noise measurements the convention is to use 20 micro-
Pa as the reference pressure, which is the approximate threshold for 
onset of human hearing and is 26 dB above the underwater sound pressure 
reference of 1 micro-Pa and is. However, the conversion from air to 
water intensities is more involved than this and is beyond the scope of 
this document. NMFS recommends interested readers review NOAA's 
tutorial on this issue: https://www.pmel.noaa.gov/vents/acoustics/
tutorial/tutorial.html.
    Airborne sounds are also often expressed as broadband A-weighted 
(dBA) or C-weighted (dBC) sound levels. When frequency levels are made 
to correspond to human hearing, they are referred to as being A-
weighted or A-filtered. With A-weighting, sound energy at frequencies 
below 1 kHz and above 6 kHz are de-emphasized and approximates the 
human ear's response to sounds below 55 dB. C-weighting is often used 
in the analysis of high-

[[Page 4299]]

amplitude noises like explosions, and corresponds to the relative 
response to the human ear to sound levels above 85 dB. C-weighting de-
emphasizes ear frequency components of less than about 50 Hz. C-weight 
scaling is also useful for analyses of sounds having predominantly low-
frequency sounds, such as sonic booms. For continuous noise like rocket 
launches, the important variables relevant to assessing auditory 
impacts or behavioral responses are intensity, frequency spectrum, and 
duration. In this document, sound levels have been provided with A-
weighting.

Description of the Activity

    To date there have been eight rocket launches from the KLC; 
however, the KLC facility is licensed to launch up to nine rockets per 
year. The first two launches used composite vehicles built from several 
stages taken from a decommissioned USAF Minuteman II launch vehicle, 
and were part of the U.S. Air Force (USAF) atmospheric interceptor 
technology (ait) program. The third and the sixth launches (March 2001 
and April 2002) were part of the USAF Quick Reaction Launch Vehicle 
(QRLV) program, and comprised of single stage M-56 motors taken from a 
decommissioned USAF Minuteman II launch vehicle. The fourth launch 
(September 2001) was a commercial Lockheed/Martin Athena rocket, which 
is the largest vehicle to be launched from KLC, and it placed four 
satellites into polar orbit. The fifth, seventh, and eighth launches 
(November 2001, December 2004, and February 2005) were Department of 
Defense (DoD) Strategic Target System (STARS) vehicles and consisted of 
the first two stages of a decommissioned A-3 missile and an Orbis third 
stage.
    Launches from the KLC are expected to be at high inclination with 
launch azimuths ranging from 125 to 225 degrees in direction (AADC and 
AST, 1996). At the easternmost azimuth, launch vehicle paths would pass 
over the eastern edge of Ugak Island; at the westernmost azimuth, the 
vehicle would pass along the southeastern edge of the Kodiak 
Archipelago. Approximately 70 seconds after launch, a typical launch 
vehicle would be more than 8 miles (12.5 km) high. Spent first-stage 
rocket motors and fuel casings would impact the ocean's surface from 11 
to 314 n-mi (20 to 582 km) downrange, depending on the launch vehicle 
(AADC and AST, 1996). Rocket motor sonic booms are predicted to reach 
the ocean surface over 20 miles (32 km) downrange beyond the outer 
continental shelf over deep ocean.
    Launch operations are a major source of noise on Kodiak Island, as 
the operation of launch vehicle engines produces significant sound 
levels. Generally, four types of noise occur during a launch. They are: 
(1) Combustion noise from launch vehicle chambers; (2) jet noise 
generated by the interaction of the exhaust jet and the atmosphere; (3) 
combustion noise from the post-burning of combustion products; and (4) 
sonic booms. The principal objective of the KLC rocket motor noise 
monitoring task within the NRMP was to measure A-weighted Sound Energy 
Levels (ASELs) at the Ugak Island Steller sea lion haulout. A secondary 
objective was to monitor sound levels on Narrow Cape close to bald 
eagle and/or Steller's eider nests when present. ASELs were 
successfully recorded for the first four and the seventh launches from 
KLC at the Ugak Island Steller sea lion haulout and on Narrow Cape by 
the University of Alaska Anchorage's Environment and Natural Resources 
Institute (ENRI). The Ugak Island haulout is located approximately 2 
miles (3.2 km) from Narrow Cape and about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) from the 
KLC launch pad on a narrow sand spit on the north side of the Island. 
The data gathered were weighted toward frequencies that humans are more 
sensitive to (1-6 kHz, A-weighted) and showed a wide variation in sound 
pressures among rocket motors, with the highest levels being associated 
with the largest launch vehicle flown. Variations in the KLC sound 
pressure record are likely due to such variables as engine size, engine 
bell shape, and local atmospheric conditions. Summaries of the findings 
for each of the measured rocket launches to date are described below. A 
complete description of the proposed rocket launches from KLC may be 
found in AADC's application, which may be viewed at: https://
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/prot_res/PR2/Small_Take/smalltake_
info.htm#applications. This information is incorporated into this 
document by reference.

ait-1

    The first launch from KLC occurred in November 1998, and was the 
first of the USAF ait program. Sound measurements from the ait-1 launch 
were collected using two sound level monitors (SLMs) that were deployed 
26 hours before launch on Ugak Island at the base of the spit used as a 
haulout by Steller sea lions. The SLMs were set to highlight sounds 
exceeding 65 dB, which was done after checking real-time sound levels 
in the field at each site prior to setting them to record data. If the 
exceedance levels were set too low, the SLMs would be deluged with 
data, and if they were set too high the SLMs would miss the event of 
interest. A digital audio tape (DAT) recorder was used to provide 
redundancy in recording noise frequencies and was placed about 0.75 mi 
(1.2 km) from the KLC launch pad.
    Recorded sound pressure levels (SPLs) of rocket motor noise for the 
ait-1 at the Ugak Island haulout site were 78.2 dB re 20 microPa with a 
peak level of 97 dB (Table 1). The associated ASEL at the Ugak Island 
haulout was 88.4 dB re 20 microPa2 s. In addition, the ASEL at the 
nearest location measured by the DAT recorder was 110 dB for a duration 
of 59 seconds. The bulk of the sound energy was at low frequencies and 
generally less than 4000 Hz. Most of the energy was from 100 to 500 Hz.

[[Page 4300]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR26JA06.000

    Of the eight noise events recorded above 65 dB at Ugak Island, ENRI 
determined that two are attributable to helicopter noise and one to the 
firing of the ait-1 rocket motor. Sounds at the Ugak Island site were 
above 65 dB for a total of 33 seconds at the time the rocket motor was 
firing. Due to the isolation of this site, the remainder of the events 
are most likely attributable to surf or wind action.

ait-2

    USAF launched a second rocket from KLC on September 15, 1999. Based 
on experience from the first launch, ENRI set the SLMs to highlight 
sounds exceeding 70 dB and deployed them about 19 hours before the 
launch. Sound pressures at Ugak Island were slightly higher for the 
second launch than for the first launch. Recorded maximum SPLs of 
rocket motor noise for the ait-2 at the Ugak Island haulout site were 
81.5 dB, with a peak level of 101.5 dB, and a corresponding SEL of 92.2 
dB. The bulk of the sound energy was at low frequencies and generally 
less than 2500 Hz. Most of the energy was from 25 to 1000 Hz.
    There were 15 noise events above 70 dB within the 19 hours of 
recording at Ugak Island, all of which can be attributed to helicopter, 
airplane, or rocket noise; none coincides with a stampede of Steller 
sea lions off the Ugak Island haulout 3.5 hours previous to the rocket 
launch. Sounds at the Ugak Island site were above 70 dB for a total of 
30 seconds at the time the rocket motor was firing. Natural background 
noise levels above 70 dB were almost nonexistent during this launch.

QRLV-1

    On March 22, 2001, the USAF conducted the third launch from KLC. 
SLMs set to highlight sounds exceeding 70 dB at the base of the Ugak 
Island sea lion haulout were again used by ENRI to record sound 
frequency and intensity, and were deployed 22 hours before the launch. 
The recorded sound levels at Ugak Island were significantly lower for 
the QRLV-1 launch than for either of the ait launches. This is likely 
due to the vehicle being smaller, and possibly to a different 
trajectory and local atmospheric condition. Recorded maximum SPLs 
resulting from QRLV rocket motor noise at the Ugak Island haulout site 
were 73.3 dB, with a peak level of 87.2 dB, and a corresponding SEL of 
80.3 dB. The bulk of the sound energy was at low frequencies and 
generally less than 2500 Hz. Most of the energy was from 16 to 2000 Hz.
    There were 17 noise events above 70 dB at Ugak Island. With the 
exception of the rocket launch, all can be related to helicopter noise. 
Sounds at the Ugak Island site were above 70 dB for a total of 10.9 
seconds at the time the rocket motor was firing. Natural background 
noise levels above 70 dB were almost nonexistent during this launch. 
Rocket noise measurements for the QRLV-2 rocket launch on April 24, 
2002, the sixth rocket launched from KLC, were not recorded, though 
most likely they would be similar to those measured during the first 
QRLV launch.

Athena

    The fourth launch from KLC occurred on September 29, 2001, and 
involved a commercial Lockheed/Martin Athena, which is the largest 
vehicle to be launched from KLC. SLMs were again set to highlight 
sounds exceeding 70 dB and were deployed by ENRI at the Ugak Island 
haulout four hours before the launch. The recorded sound levels at Ugak 
Island were significantly higher for the Athena launch than for 
previous launches, which is likely due to the size of the vehicle. 
Recorded maximum SPLs resulting from Athena rocket motor noise at the 
Ugak Island haulout site were 90.8 dB, with a peak level of 115.9 dB, 
and a corresponding SEL of 101.4

[[Page 4301]]

dB. The bulk of the sound energy was at low frequencies and generally 
less than 2000 Hz.
    There were three exceedance events above 70 dB at Ugak Island and 
Narrow Cape within the four hours of recording, two of which can be 
attributed to helicopter noise and the other to the rocket launch. 
Sounds at the Ugak Island site were above 70 dB for 49.6 seconds at the 
time the rocket motor was firing. Natural background noise levels above 
70 dB were nonexistent during this launch.

STARS

    On November 9, 2001, the Department of Defense launched a STARS 
vehicle from KLC; however, the rocket was deliberately destroyed over 
open ocean almost immediately because it lost communication with KLC. 
The STARS program provides ballistic missile targets to test various 
sensors and ground-based interceptors. STARS vehicles will include 
first- and second-stage Polaris A3 boosters and a third-stage Orbus-1 
booster. The range of this system is 620 to 3,418 miles (998 to 5500 
km).
    The seventh launch from KLC, of the STARS IFT 13C, occurred on 
December 14, 2004. SLMs were set to highlight sounds exceeding 70 dB 
and were deployed by ENRI only at Narrow Cape (because sea lions were 
not present at Ugak Island) eight hours before the launch. Narrow Cape 
is significantly closer to the launch site than Ugak Island. The 
recorded sound levels at Narrow Cape were higher for this launch than 
for previous launches, which is likely due to a different trajectory 
and local atmospheric conditions. Recorded maximum SPLs resulting from 
rocket motor noise at Narrow Cape were 105.2 dB, with a peak level of 
128.8 dB, and a corresponding SEL of 114.3 dB. The bulk of the sound 
energy was at low frequencies and generally less than 2000 Hz. There 
were over three hundred exceedance events above 70 dB at Narrow Cape 
within the eighteen hours of recording, two of which can be attributed 
to helicopter noise and the other to the rocket launch. With the 
exception of helicopter noise and the rocket launch, all exceedances at 
or just above 70 dB can be connected to weather-related noise (wind and 
rain).
    Rocket noise measurements for the STARS IFT 14 rocket launch on 
February 13, 2005, the eighth rocket launched from KLC, were not 
recorded, though most likely they would be similar to those measured 
during the STAR IFT 13C launch.

Comments and Responses

    On October 29, 2004 (69 FR 63114), NMFS published a notice of 
proposed rulemaking on AADC's request to take marine mammals incidental 
to rocket launches at KLC and requested comments, information and 
suggestions concerning the request. During the 45-day public comment 
period, NMFS received comments from three members of the public and the 
MMC. The MMC supports NMFS' intent to implement incidental take 
regulations for the AADC's activities at KLC provided that the 
mitigation and monitoring activities described in the AADC application 
for regulations are incorporated into the proposal.
    Comment 1: The MMC noted that harbor seals and other marine mammals 
occur in the vicinity of KLC and recommended that NMFS consider 
providing additional coverage to the applicant by authorizing take of 
harbor seals and other marine mammals to reduce the possibility that 
the applicant may engage in an impermissible taking.
    Response: After reviewing available information regarding the 
abundance, distribution, and behavior of marine mammals around KLC and 
consulting with AADC, NMFS has included authorization for the take of 
harbor seals in this final rule. NMFS determined, however, that no 
other marine mammals were likely to be taken by the rocket launches, 
and, therefore, AADC has not been authorized for the take of any other 
marine mammal species.
    Comment 2: The MMC recommended that AADC contact the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service (USFWS) to determine if authorization for the 
incidental taking of small numbers of sea otters is needed.
    Response: AADC is consulting with the USFWS regarding potential 
take of sea otters.
    Comment 3: The MMC further recommended that the proposed monitoring 
program be expanded to determine the effects on harbor seals, sea 
otters, and other marine mammal species to determine if authorizations 
for these species are needed or, if authorization to take these species 
is provided, to verify that the impacts on the affected stocks are 
negligible.
    Response: As take of harbor seals is authorized under this rule, 
comprehensive requirements for the monitoring of harbor seals are now 
included. Additionally, AADC is required to report sightings of any 
marine mammals seen during aerial surveys or on videotapes.
    Comment 4: One commenter expressed strong objections to the rocket 
launch facility and asserted that it was damaging to the ecosystem and 
a waste of money.
    Response: These regulations do not authorize AADC's rocket launch 
activities, because such authorization is not within the jurisdiction 
of the Secretary. Rather, these regulations authorize the unintentional 
incidental take of marine mammals in connection with this activity and 
prescribe methods of taking and other means of effecting the least 
practicable adverse impact on marine mammal species and their habitat, 
and on the availability of the species for subsistence uses. Thus, the 
comment is outside of the scope of this rulemaking.
    Comment 5: Another commenter also objected forcefully to the 
project (see response to Comment 4, above) and further asserted that 
there is no reason to allow this killing of marine mammals. This 
commenter also expressed doubt in the accuracy of the measured noise 
levels at the site.
    Response: Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act 
(MMPA) (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) states that the Secretary shall allow 
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) within a specified geographical region if certain 
findings are made and regulations are issued. NMFS has determined that 
this activity will take only small numbers of marine mammals, that the 
taking will have a negligible impact on the affected species or stocks, 
and that the activity will not have an unmitigable adverse effect on 
the availablility of the species or stock for subsistence uses. NMFS 
has also set forth permissible methods of taking, means of effecting 
the least practicable adverse effect on the species or stock, and 
requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking. 
Therefore, NMFS has promulgated these regulations and will issue the 
authorization.
    The sound measurements reported from Ugak Island are similar in 
level to those reported at other launch sites. If information were 
provided to NMFS that suggested AADC's sound measurements were 
incorrect, NMFS would investigate. The rule includes the following 
requirement: ``In coordination and compliance with the Alaska Aerospace 
Development Corporation, the National Marine Fisheries Service may 
place an observer on Kodiak or Ugak Islands for any marine mammal 
monitoring activity prior to, during, or after a missile launch to 
monitor impacts on marine mammals, provided observers are not within 
the calculated

[[Page 4302]]

danger zone of the rocket's flight path during a launch.''

Description of Habitat and Marine Mammals Affected by the Activity

    The KLC is located on the southeast facing tip of a small peninsula 
on the eastern side of Kodiak Island. The rocket launch site is 
approximately one mile (1.6 km) from the southeast shore (Narrow Cape). 
The primary KLC environmental monitoring study area, and area of 
anticipated effects, was set in September 1996 at a meeting between 
AADC and representatives of the USFWS, NMFS, the FAA, and ENRI. The 
area was chosen based on modeled ASELs and includes the lands and 
waters within a 6-mile (9.7-km) radius extending out from the KLC 
launchpad. The only marine mammal haulouts within this area are on Ugak 
Island.
    Ugak Island is a triangular-shaped island located about 3.5 miles 
(5.6 km) southeast of the launch site. The north side of Ugak island 
culminates in a sandy spit on the west end where most of the sea lions 
haul out, though some also haul out at the southern tip of the island. 
The southeastern facing side of the island, where most of the harbor 
seals haul out, is very rocky, backed by 300-ft (91-km) cliffs (or 
higher), and is subject to very strong wave action. The west side of 
the island is steeper than the north side, but not as steep as the 
east, but does not appear to be used much by either pinniped.
    Narrow Cape, Ugak Island, and the adjacent waters within the 
primary KLC study area provide habitat for sea otters, harbor seals, 
Steller sea lions (listed as endangered), gray whales, humpback whales 
(listed as endangered), northern fur seals, northern right whales, and 
minke whales. Harbor seals and sea otters are common year-round, as are 
killer whales, Dall's porpoise, and harbor porpoise. Other species of 
cetaceans that may occur in the area, such as Pacific white-sided 
dolphins, Risso's dolphins, northern right whale dolphins, pilot 
whales, Cuvier's beaked whales, Baird's beaked whale, Stegneger's 
beaked whale, sperm whales, fin whales, sei whales and blue whales are 
rare as they are primarily pelagic (ENRI, 1995-98). General information 
on harbor seals and other marine mammal species can be found in Angliss 
and Lodge (2004), which are available at the following URL: https://
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/prot_res/PR2/Stock_Assessment_Program/sars.html. 
Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) are managed by the USFWS. Information on 
this species may be found at www.fws.gov. Please refer to those 
documents and the application for further information on these species.

Steller Sea Lions

    The Steller sea lion is described by two stocks - those west of 
144[deg] W. long. listed as endangered under the ESA, and the eastern 
stock listed as threatened under the ESA. Sea lions hauled out on Ugak 
Island, the northern spit of which is designated as critical habitat 
for this species, are of the western stock. The most recent 
comprehensive estimate (pups and non-pups) of Steller sea lion 
abundance in Alaska is based on aerial surveys of non-pups in June 2002 
and ground based pup counts in June and early July of 2001 and 2002. 
Data from these surveys represents actual counts at all major rookeries 
and haulouts. The best available minimum population estimate for the 
western stock of Steller sea lions is the sum of the total number of 
non-pups counted in 2002 (26,602) and the number of pups counted in 
2001 and 2002 (9,211), which is 34,779 (Angliss and Lodge, 2004). This 
is considered a minimum estimate because it has not been corrected to 
account for animals which were at sea during the surveys. Though non-
pup numbers increased 5.5-13.7 percent from 2000-2002, the 2002 count 
was still 5.4 percent below the 1998 count and 36.7 percent below the 
1990 count and the long-term, average decline for 1990-02 is 4.3 
percent per year (Angliss and Lodge, 2004).
    On Ugak Island sea lions haul out primarily on the northern-most 
sand spit of the island, but also less frequently on the east/south 
side of the island. These haulouts are occupied primarily from late 
June to early October. Opportunistic counts of Steller sea lions 
conducted at Ugak Island every year since 1993 indicate a maximum of 
over 350 animals in the fall of 1997 and a steady decrease in numbers 
to less than 40 since 2001 (Kate Wynne, pers. comm, 2005). Two of the 8 
launches have occurred during times when sea lions are typically 
present, during September of 1999, 60-70 sea lions were seen, and 
during September of 2001, no sea lions were present on the days before 
and after the launch.

Pacific Harbor Seals

    Harbor seals live in the Pacific Ocean from Baja California in 
Mexico northward to the Aleutian Islands of Alaska. The population is 
not listed as ``endangered'' or ``threatened'' under the ESA; nor is 
this species listed as ``depleted'' or as a ``strategic stock'' under 
the MMPA. Harbor seals are primarily non-migratory and the seals around 
KLC are considered part of the Gulf of Alaska stock, which occurs from 
Cape Suckling to Unimak Pass, including animals throughout the Aleutian 
Islands. The most recent comprehensive aerial survey of harbor seals in 
Alaska were conducted in 1994 and 1996. When a correction factor is 
used to account for animals that were in the water during the counts, a 
minimum population estimate of this stock of harbor seals is 28,917 
(Angliss and Lodge, 2004). The Kodiak Island population is estimated to 
have increased 7.2 percent annually from 1992-1996 (Angliss and Lodge, 
2004) and survey data from 1992-2004 shows an even steeper increase at 
Ugak Island (Wynne, per. Comm., 2005), though numbers throughout the 
Gulf of Alaska are still lower than they were in the 1970s and 1980s.
    Harbor seals are present on Ugak Island year round. They are found 
primarily on the east/south side of the island, backed by high, steep 
cliffs, but they also sometimes haul out on the north side of the 
island and on the rock croppings on the north and east sides of the 
island. Harbor seal pupping occurs on both Ugak between the middle of 
May and June. Yearly harbor seal counts at Ugak Island taken in August 
since 1992 show a steady increase from approximately 200 animals in 
1992 to over 900 in 2004 (Wynne, pers. Comm., 2005). Surveys conducted 
in 1993 and 1994 found 88 and 96 harbor seal pups, respectively (AADC 
1996).

Northern Fur Seals

    The northern fur seal (Callorhinus ursinus) occurs offshore of the 
KLC site near the continental shelf break from January through April. 
Because of the distance from the launch site and the fact that they 
will be swimming through and not stopping (see Cetaceans, below), NMFS 
believes it unlikely that fur seals will be affected by the launch 
noise and they will not be addressed further.

Cetaceans

    As noted, several species of cetaceans occupy the waters around 
KLC. However, airborne noise is generally reflected at the sea surface 
outside of a 26[deg] cone extending down from an airborne source 
(Richardson et al., 1995). Submerged animals would have to be directly 
under the noise sources before they could hear it, and, approximately 
70 seconds after launch, a typical launch vehicle would be more than 8 
miles (12.9 km) high. Underwater acoustic transmissions are complex, 
and affected by the level and frequency of noise, sea state and other 
surface conditions, and water depth. Given the

[[Page 4303]]

specific area, within a specific short time that a cetacean would need 
to be traveling through surface/or close to surface water to be exposed 
to rocket noise and the measured rocket sound levels and the 
attenuation that would occur before the noise reached deeper waters, 
NMFS believes it unlikely that any cetaceans will be impacted by the 
rocket noise.

Potential Effects of Rocket Launches on Marine Mammals

    As outlined in several previous NMFS documents, the effects of 
noise on marine mammals are highly variable, and can be categorized as 
follows (based on Richardson et al., 1995):
    (1) The noise may be too weak to be heard at the location of the 
pinniped (i.e., lower than the prevailing ambient noise level, the 
hearing threshold of the animal at relevant frequencies, or both);
    (2) The noise may be audible but not strong enough to elicit any 
overt behavioral response;
    (3) The noise may elicit reactions of variable conspicuousness and 
variable relevance to the well being of the pinniped; these can range 
from temporary alert responses to active avoidance reactions such as 
stampedes into the sea from terrestrial haulout sites;
    (4) Upon repeated exposure, pinnipeds may exhibit diminishing 
responsiveness (habituation), or disturbance effects may persist; the 
latter is most likely with sounds that are highly variable in 
characteristics, infrequent and unpredictable in occurrence (as are 
vehicle launches), and associated with situations that the pinniped 
perceives as a threat;
    (5) Any anthropogenic noise that is strong enough to be heard has 
the potential to reduce (mask) the ability of pinnipeds to hear natural 
sounds at similar frequencies, including calls from conspecifics, and 
environmental sounds such as surf noise;
    (6) If mammals remain in an area because it is important for 
feeding, breeding or some other biologically important purpose even 
though there is chronic exposure to noise, it is possible that there 
could be noise-induced physiological stress; this might (in turn) have 
negative effects on the well-being or reproduction of the animals 
involved; and
    (7) Very strong sounds have the potential to cause temporary or 
permanent reduction in hearing sensitivity. In terrestrial mammals, and 
presumably marine mammals, received sound levels must far exceed the 
animal's hearing threshold for there to be any temporary threshold 
shift (TTS). For transient sounds, the sound level necessary to cause 
TTS is inversely related to the duration of the sound. Received sound 
levels must be even higher for there to be risk of permanent hearing 
impairment. In addition, intense acoustic or explosive events may cause 
trauma to tissues associated with organs vital for hearing, sound 
production, respiration, and other functions. This trauma may include 
minor to severe hemorrhage.
    Solid rocket boosters from KLC launches will fall into the ocean 
away from any known or potential haul-out sites and do not pose any 
measurable threat to marine mammals. Launch noise is expected to occur 
over the coastal habitats of Narrow Cape and Ugak Island during every 
launch, while sonic booms will occur approximately 40 nm (74 km) 
downrange over open ocean, beyond the outer continental shelf, and are 
unlikely to affect marine mammals. Airborne launch sounds will mostly 
reflect or refract from the water surface and, except for sounds within 
a diameter of approximately 26 degrees directly below the launch 
vehicle, will not penetrate into the water column. The sounds that do 
penetrate will not persist in the water for more than a few seconds.
    The primary sea lion haulout on Ugak Island is a spit facing KLC, 
and animals at this location would likely hear a rocket launch. Steller 
sea lions generally occupy this haulout from late summer to the early 
fall post-breeding period (late June to early October), historically by 
up to several hundred sea lions. Small numbers of harbor seals may haul 
out on the eastern end of the shoreline that extends from the spit. 
Harbor seals and, less frequently sea lions, also haul out on the 
southeast side of Ugak Island, but this area is sheltered from direct 
sight of and sound from KLC by a 300-ft (91.4-m) island cliff and, 
because it receives heavy surf, it already has high ambient noise 
levels. Because background ambient noise often interferes with or masks 
the ability of an animal to detect a sound even when that sound is 
above its absolute hearing threshold (Richardson et al., 1995), it 
seems unlikely that animals hauled out at this location would hear 
noise associated with rocket launches from KLC.

Past Monitoring Results at KLC

    ENRI was tasked under contract to the AADC to conduct environmental 
monitoring studies for rocket launches from KLC. In addition to 
collecting rocket noise data on the northern spit of Ugak Island, ENRI 
conducted aerial surveys over and collected real-time video footage at 
the seasonally occupied northern spit haulout site in conjunction with 
the three KLC launches when Steller sea lions might have been present 
at the haulout: ait-1 on November 5, 1998; ait-2 on September 15, 1999; 
and Athena on September 29, 2001. The only time Steller sea lions were 
observed occupying the haulout was during the ait-2 launch monitoring 
period. Sixty to seventy animals were on the haulout about 5 hours pre-
launch. Due to below freezing temperatures, the video system shut off 
about 4 hours prior to the ait-2 launch. The video data show Steller 
sea lions fighting or sleeping on the haulout, and then suddenly 
stampeding into the water and milling about immediately offshore. The 
cause of the stampede is not apparent in the video and no stimulus 
could be linked to the response (from the noise recordings or 
otherwise). When, or if, any of the Steller sea lions returned to the 
haulout before the ait-2 launch is unknown. Although sea lions may have 
returned to the rocks and fled the haulout again as a result of rocket 
noise, a clear-cut stimulus response of sea lion behavior to rocket 
noise cannot be postulated without video data from the time of the 
launch. Approximately 1 hour after the rocket was launched, no sea 
lions were seen hauled out and 50 to 60 sea lions were observed in the 
water immediately offshore. The day after the launch, 60 to 70 animals 
were seen hauled out at the same spot. Some of these animals could be 
the same ones that were flushed from the haulout the day before though 
they could also be different animals. Though sea lions have been shown 
to acclimate to disturbance from rocket launches at other spaceports 
(Thorson and Francine, 1999), it is unlikely that this is the case at 
KLC considering the infrequency of launches. Alternatively, 
approximately 280 harbor seals were seen at two locations on the east 
side of the island (next to the 300-ft (91-m) cliffs) during the aerial 
survey flown 5 hours pre-launch. During the one hour post-launch aerial 
overflight, the same number of harbor seals were hauled out at the same 
locations, which would suggest that they did not flush into the water, 
which would further suggest that the sound was blocked or masked by the 
high cliffs and high ambient noise on that side of the island. Though 
it is possible that the harbor seals were flushed into the water and 
then quickly hauled out again before the post-flight aerial survey, it 
seems unlikely considering that harbor seals are typically 
significantly more sensitive to

[[Page 4304]]

noise than sea lions and the sea lions were still in the water.
    Unlike at the ait-2 launch discussed above, no Steller sea lions 
were present at the Ugak Island haulout during the ait-1 and Athena 
launches and it was not possible to relate any behavioral responses to 
the recorded noise levels. Harbor seals were present at the other two 
launches, but monitoring was not required and the surveys were not 
conducted immediately before and after the launch and could not 
establish a stimulus response to the rocket launch. For all launches, 
however, launch noises recorded at the haulout site were within the 
audible ranges of pinnipeds (Richardson et al., 1995) and both Steller 
sea lions and harbor seals would have heard them had they been present. 
Further, recorded sound pressures were at, and sometimes above, levels 
known to occasionally induce startle responses in pinnipeds (Richardson 
et al., 1995). Rocket launches will present Steller sea lions and 
harbor seals with novel visual and possibly tactile stimuli as well as 
unusually loud sounds and bright lights from the burning rocket and 
white exhaust flume.

Steller Sea Lions

    The behavioral data record for Steller sea lions is small 
throughout the North Pacific range and typically is focused on 
reproductive behaviors. In general, studies have shown that responses 
of pinnipeds on beaches to acoustic disturbance arising from rocket and 
target missile launches are highly variable. This variability may be 
due to many factors, including species, age class, and time of year. 
Porter (1997) observed Steller sea lions fleeing into the water for a 
wide variety of reasons such as helicopter overflights, bird flybys, 
and the presence of nearby humans. He also noted sea lions stampedes 
into the water that could not be correlated with any observed stimulus. 
There is also evidence that both time of day and temperature alter the 
probability of entry into the water (animals are more likely to enter 
the water when already overheated) (Bowles, 2000). Steller sea lions 
have been seen to mill about just offshore with their heads up in a 
heightened state of watchfulness (Porter, 1997) and remain close to the 
haulout until they sense it is safe to go back ashore (Lockheed Martin 
Environmental Services, 1999).
    Noise generated from aircraft and helicopter activities associated 
with the launches may provide a potential secondary source of 
incidental harassment, and the physical presence of aircraft or 
biologists could also lead to non-acoustic effects on marine mammals 
involving visual or other cues. However, other disturbance-related data 
collected during the ait-2 study (ENRI, 2000) does not fit well with 
stimulus response data from other sources. Sea lions are widely thought 
to be intolerant of helicopter noise (Porter, 1997), yet the animals in 
question did not appear to respond to multiple exposures of more 
intense helicopter noise at Ugak Island than that from the rocket 
(ENRI, 2000). They are also thought to be intolerant of humans on foot, 
yet a video from the ait-2 study shows hauled-out sea lions on Ugak 
Island undisturbed by biologists actively engaged in work within 328 ft 
(100 m) of them. The Ugak Island haulout is also regularly exposed to 
disturbances from aircraft and fishing vessels transiting Narrow 
Strait.
    Recent studies (Lawson et al., 2002, and NAWS, 2002) suggest that 
Level B harassment, as evidenced by beach flushing, will sometimes 
occur upon exposure to launch sounds with ASEL's of 100 dBA (re 20 
micro-Pa\2\ -sec) or higher. It is expected that most received noise 
levels at Ugak Island would be at levels which are likely to cause a 
temporary disturbance. The infrequent (up to nine times per year) and 
brief (no more than one minute as heard from Ugak Island) nature of 
these sounds that would result from a rocket launch would cause masking 
for not more than a very small fraction of the time during any single 
launch day and it is unlikely that pinnipeds will become habituated to 
launch sounds. In addition, the extremely rapid departure of the 
rockets means that pinnipeds would be exposed to increased sound levels 
for very short time intervals, and because launches are conducted 
relatively infrequently, neither physiological stress nor hearing 
related injuries are likely. Therefore, NMFS anticipates that the 
effects of rocket launches from KLC would have no significant effects 
on the abilities of sea lions to hear one another or to detect natural 
environmental sounds, and would have no more than a negligible impact 
on Steller sea lion populations.

Harbor Seals

    An ongoing scientific research program has been conducted since 
1997 to determine the long-term cumulative impacts of space vehicle 
launches on the haul-out behavior, population dynamics and hearing 
acuity of harbor seals at Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) in 
California. The response of harbor seals to rocket launch noise 
depended on the intensity of the noise (dependent on the size of the 
vehicle and its proximity) and the age of the seal. The percentage of 
seals leaving the haul-out increases with noise level up to 
approximately 100 dB ASEL, after which almost all seals leave, although 
recent data has shown that an increasing percentage of seals have 
remained on shore, and those that remain are adults (Thorson et al., 
1999). Given the high degree of site fidelity among harbor seals, it is 
likely that those seals that remained on the haul-out site during 
rocket launches had previously been exposed to launches; that is, it is 
possible that adult seals have become acclimated to the launch noise 
and react differently than the younger inexperienced seals. The louder 
the launch noise, the longer it took for seals to begin returning to 
the haulout site and for the numbers to return to pre-launch levels. In 
two past Athena IKONOS launches with ASELs of 107.3 and 107.8 dB at the 
closest haulout site, seals began to haulout again approximately 16-55 
minutes post-launch (Thorson et al., 1999). In contrast, noise levels 
from an Atlas launch and several Titan II launches had ASELs ranging 
from 86.7 to 95.7 dB at the closest haulout, and seals began to return 
to the haulout within 2-8 minutes post-launch. Seals returned to the 
haulouts within 2 to 55 minutes of the launch disturbance, and the 
haulout usually returned to pre-launch levels within 45 to 120 minutes.
    In addition to behavioral disturbance, loud sounds may also cause 
TTS, which is a slight, recoverable loss of hearing. In order to 
further determine if harbor seals experience any change in their 
hearing sensitivity as a result of launch noise, researchers conducted 
Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) testing on 10 harbor seals prior to, 
and after, the launches of 3 Titan IV rockets (one of the loudest 
launch vehicles at the south VAFB haul-out site). Detailed analysis of 
the changes in waveform latency and waveform replication of the ABR 
measurements showed that there were no detectable changes in the seals' 
hearing sensitivity as a result of the launch noise (SRS Technologies, 
2001).
    The launches at VAFB do not appear to have had long-term effects on 
the harbor seal population in this area. The total population of harbor 
seals at VAFB is estimated to be 1,040 animals and has been increasing 
at an annual rate of 12.6 percent. Since 1997, there have been 5 to 7 
space vehicle launches per year and there appears to be only short-term 
disturbance effects to harbor seals as a result of launch noise (SRS 
Technologies, 2001). Harbor seals will temporarily leave their haul-out 
when exposed to launch noise; however they generally return to the 
haul-out within one hour.

[[Page 4305]]

    Harbor seals use Ugak Island as a pupping site. Though no launches 
have as yet taken place during the pupping period at Ugak Island (late 
May through mid-June), they may at some point in the future. There has 
been little systematic study of the reactions of pinnipeds to rocket 
launches or aircraft overflights during pupping periods. Pinnipeds 
hauled out for pupping or molting are generally the most responsive to 
aircraft overflights (Richardson et al., 1995). Harbor seals often 
leave beaches when aircraft fly over and then sometimes haulout at a 
different site afterwards, which results in permanent separation if 
pups are unable to follow their mothers into the water. Additionally, 
very young pups that are pushed into the water as the adults flush may 
subsequently drown. One study showed more than 10 percent of 
approximately 2000 pups born on one Alaskan island died as a result of 
disturbance from low-flying aircraft (Richardson et al., 1995). The 
same study found that aircraft were more disturbing on calm days, when 
at low altitudes, and after recent disturbances. Since harbor seals 
have been shown to flush into the water in response to rocket launch 
noise of a level similar to that occurring at Ugak Island, one can 
infer that separation of pups from their mothers could occur if the 
launch occurred during a pupping period and the harbor seals were using 
the north side of the island to pup on.
    Rocket launches at KLC have associated security overflights that 
occur an approximate total of 5 to 10 times per day in the days 
preceding and following the launch. Several studies of both harbor 
seals and Steller sea lions cited in Richardson et al., 2005, suggest 
that these animals respond significantly less to overflights of both 
planes and helicopters that occur above 305 m (0.2 mi). One mitigation 
requirement included in the rule is that security overflights 
immediately associated with the launch will not approach occupied 
pinniped haulouts on Ugak Island by closer than 0.25 mile (0.4 km), and 
will maintain a vertical distance of 1000 ft (305 m) from the haulouts 
when within 0.5 miles (0.8 km), unless indications of human presence or 
activity warrant closer inspection of the area to assure that national 
security interests are protected in accord with law. Monitoring flights 
will not approach closer than 0.25 (0.4 km) mile from the island. It is 
unlikely that either of these overflights will add noticeably to any 
harassment of pinnipeds surrounding the rocket launches.
    Harbor seals primarily use the east side of Ugak Island, though 
they sometimes use the north side of the island both for hauling out 
and for pupping. For several reasons, NMFS believes that the seals 
using the east side of the island are not likely to be harassed by 
rocket launch noise: the eastern shoreline faces away from the point 
the rocket noise is emanating from and is backed up by a 300-500-ft 
(91.4-152.4 km) cliff; the rough seas hitting rocks make the ambient 
noise very loud on the eastern shoreline; and data collected during the 
ait-2 launch showed that one hour after the launch, when sea lions were 
swimming immediately off the rocks on the north shore, the harbor seals 
were still hauled out in the same numbers and at the same locations 
that they were 5 hours before the launch. NMFS believes that harbor 
seals hauled out on the north beach may be temporarily behaviorally 
disturbed and possibly temporarily displaced from their haulouts 
immediately following rocket launches. If launches occur during the 
harbor seal pupping period and harbor seals have also chosen to pup on 
the north beach, it is possible that harbor seal pups could die as a 
result of the adults flushing in response to the rocket noise. NMFS 
believes that the proposed action may result in the temporary 
behavioral disturbance and, less likely, mortality (pups only) of small 
numbers, in relation to the population numbers (see next section), of 
harbor seals. NMFS anticipates that these impacts will have no more 
than a negligible effect on the species stock.

Numbers of Marine Mammals Expected to be Taken by Harassment

    The highest number of Steller sea lions seen at one time on Ugak 
Island since 1993 is approximately 375 (1997). However, based on both 
dedicated and opportunistic surveys by one researcher, approximately 
160 were seen in 1999 and numbers have decreased since then (Wynne, 
pers. comm., 2005). Approximately 50 were seen in 2001 and numbers have 
further decreased since then. Steller sea lions seasonally use the Ugak 
island sites (the northern spit, and occasionally the southwest tip) as 
haulout sites from late June to early October. While not logistically 
optimal for the applicant, the fastest that KLC can prepare the 
facilities for a new launch right after a launch is 4 weeks, which 
means that at most it would be logistically possible to have four 
launches a year within the time that the sea lions are using Ugak 
Island as a haulout. Based on the maximum number seen and the sea lion 
trend over the last several years, NMFS anticipates that the most sea 
lions likely to be harassed during one launch is 300. This translates 
to the potential harassment of 1,200 Steller sea lions in one year 
(assuming different individual sea lions are harassed each launch). 
However a mitigation measure is required that will limit the number of 
launches within the time that sea lions are present to three, which 
lowers the number of potential harassments to 900 animals annually. 
This is a small number relative to the affected stock.
    Harbor seal numbers have steadily increased at Ugak Island since 
1992, and just over 900 were counted during the molt in 2004 (Wynne, 
pers. comm., 2005). The last pupping season counts showed 290 adults 
and 88 pups in 1993, and 292 adults and 96 pups in 1994. According to 
local researchers, the primary haulout for harbor seals is on the east 
side of the island (where NMFS does not believe there are likely to be 
any effects from the rocket launch noise) and the majority of the seals 
may be found there. In three days of her 1994 survey, Wynne (2005) 
found that an average of approximately 25 percent of both adults and 
pups were hauled out on the north side of the beach. Therefore, NMFS 
estimates that of a maximum of 900 harbor seals present during any 
launch, 275 of them may be located on the north side of the island and 
exposed to the rocket launch noise. Harbor seals are present at Ugak 
all year, which means that if there were nine launches in one year, a 
maximum of 2,475 harbor seals could be exposed to the noise and 
potentially harassed in one year (assuming different individuals were 
present each launch, else the number is smaller, but some may be 
harassed more than one time). The harbor seal pupping season runs from 
mid-May through June. Since it takes a minimum of 4 weeks to prepare 
for a new launch, it would be logistically possible to have two 
launches during that time. The highest number of pups seen at Ugak was 
96 in 1994. Though numbers of pups have probably increased with the 
numbers of adults since 1994 (by a factor of three), only a minority of 
pups (estimated one fourth) will likely be present on the north side of 
the island and exposed to the noise and potential flushing of adults. 
One scientist reported that more than 10 percent of 2000 harbor seal 
pups died on an Alaskan Island following disturbance from exposures to 
low flying aircrafts (Richardson et al., 1995). NMFS estimates that if 
72 pups (highest number seen (in 1996) multiplied by three for 
population increase and divided by four to account for number exposed 
on north side of island) were

[[Page 4306]]

twice exposed to rocket noise sufficient to flush the adults, up to 20 
harbor seal pups (15 percent) might die. However, one required 
mitigation measure limits AADC to one launch during the pupping season, 
which lowers the potential mortality of harbor seal pups to 11 annually 
(55 over the life of the regulations). NMFS believes that a small 
number (no more than 2,488) of harbor seals may be affected relative to 
the population estimates.

Effects of Rocket Launches on Subsistence Needs

    There are no subsistence uses of pinniped species in Alaska waters 
within the KLC primary study area, and, therefore, NMFS anticipates no 
effects on subsistence needs.

Effects of Rocket Launches on Marine Mammal Habitat

    Solid rocket boosters would fall into the ocean away from any known 
or potential haulouts and the chances of a cetacean being in the wrong 
place at the wrong time are discountable. All sonic booms that reach 
the earth's surface would be expected to be over open ocean beyond the 
outer continental shelf. Airborne launch sounds would mostly reflect or 
refract from the water surface and, except for sounds within a diameter 
of approximately 26 degrees directly below the launch vehicle, would 
not penetrate into the water column. The sounds that do penetrate would 
not persist in the water for more than a few seconds. Overall, rocket 
launch activities from KLC would not be expected to cause any impacts 
to habitats used by marine mammals, including pinniped haulouts, or to 
their food sources.

Mitigation

    Under Section 101(a)(5) of the MMPA, adverse impacts are to be 
reduced to the lowest level practicable. Due to the nature of the 
rocket launches and the pinnipeds responses, the most obvious way to 
mitigate for the effects of the rocket launch noise is to minimize the 
number of launches that the Steller sea lions and harbor seals are 
exposed to. This sort of mitigation is logistically difficult and 
impracticable for AADC, as their launch operations are driven by the 
needs of the agencies and companies that utilize their facilities. 
However, NMFS and the applicant have worked out a way to reduce the 
potential Level B Harassment of sea lions by 25 percent and to reduce 
the potential Level A Harassment or mortality of harbor seal pups by 50 
percent.
    In their application, AADC asked for authorization to take marine 
mammals during nine rocket launches annually. The quickest that the 
launch pad can be turned around for another launch is four weeks. This 
means that it would be logistically possible to launch 4 rockets during 
the season that the Steller sea lions are using Ugak Island, and 
logistically possible to launch two rockets during the harbor seal 
pupping season. As a mitigation measure, NMFS has incorporated into the 
rule and LOAs a requirement that not more than an average of three 
launches per year could occur within the sea lion season, and not more 
than an average of one launch per year could occur during the harbor 
seal pupping season. Therefore, no more than 15 launches would occur 
within the sea lion season (June 15 - September 30) over the course of 
the 5-year rule, and no more than 5 launches would occur during the 
harbor seal pupping season (May 15 - June 30) over the course of the 5-
year rule.
    Even though the video monitoring of Steller sea lions at Ugak 
Island indicates they did not flush in response to helicopter or noise 
recorded during the same time period, the scientific literature shows 
that pinnipeds will often have an adverse response to low-flying 
aircraft. AADC typically flies several security overflights in 
conjunction with a rocket launch. As a result, NMFS has incorporated a 
mitigation measure wherein the security flights immediately associated 
with rocket launches would not approach closer than 0.25 mile (0.4 km) 
to occupied pinniped haulout sites or fly lower than 1000 ft (305 m) 
when the plane is closer than 0.5 miles (0.8 km) from occupied pinniped 
sites on Ugak Island unless indications of human presence or activity 
warrant closer inspection of the area to assure that national security 
interests are protected in accord with law.

Monitoring

Marine Mammal Monitoring

    The objective of monitoring Steller sea lions and Pacific harbor 
seals is to detect any indications of pinniped disturbance, injury, or 
mortality that results from KLC rocket launches at the Ugak Island 
haulout site. Monitoring would be conducted on Ugak Island for launches 
that take place between June 15 and September 30, an observation period 
that includes the seasonal occupation of the Steller sea lions as well 
as the molting period of the harbor seals (when their numbers are 
higher and their responses to disturbance potentially greater). 
Launches occurring during the harbor seal pupping season (May 15 - June 
30) would also be monitored. All haulout areas on Ugak Island would be 
monitored before, during, and after launch operations to document and 
characterize any observed responses. Monitoring would be designed to 
determine the type of reactions (or injury or mortality) and their 
relationship to noises associated with rocket launches. Fixed-wing 
aerial surveys would be flown for any launches taking place from June 
15 through September 30 using a minimum flight altitude of 156 m (500 
ft) above sea level (ASL) to be flown at low tide or, with 
consultation, toward evening. The aircraft would come no closer than 
0.25 miles (0.4 km) to the haulout. Depending on aircraft availability, 
one or two NMFS-approved biologist observers would accompany the pilot. 
Data will be gathered both visually and with a camera having a zoom 
lens. A total of five surveys would be flown, if weather conditions 
permit. The first would occur the day prior to a scheduled launch and 
the second as soon after the launch as possible. Replicate surveys will 
be flown the following three successive days to determine post-launch 
haulout-use patterns.
    For any launches that occur from June 15 through September 30, a 
real-time video record will be made of sea lion reactions to launch-
related noises. This will be accomplished by the installation of a 
remote custom-designed, closed-circuit, weatherproof, time-lapse video 
camera system at the base of the Ugak Island sea lion haulout before a 
launch, which will be retrieved post-launch. Results of the aerial and 
video surveys will be compared, providing information on startle 
effects and durations. In addition, video data will be time-correlated 
with rocket motor noise measurements to provide objective information 
on any startle responses or indications of disturbance reactions that 
may occur resulting from rocket launches. Comparisons will also be made 
with baseline data assembled by AADC to help gauge any natural trends 
that may be occurring.
    The majority of harbor seals haul out on the eastern side of Ugak 
Island, which is completely inaccessible to pedestrian or boat traffic 
due to the high cliffs and violent surf, so it is not possible to set 
up video recorders there. However, approximately 25 percent of the 
harbor seals haul out on the eastern end of the north-facing shore of 
Ugak Island. Though it has not yet been attempted, it may be possible 
to set up a camera with a zoom lens on the accessible western end of 
the north-facing shore to record harbor seal behavior on the middle or 
eastern end

[[Page 4307]]

of the shore, or on the rocks off shore. At some time prior to the 
first launch that occurs between May 15 and June 30, when harbor seals 
are present (perhaps immediately before or after the camera has already 
been set up to record sea lions), AADC will test the efficacy of using 
the camera on the harbor seal haulout and report their findings to 
NMFS. If successful, the same real-time video and acoustic measurements 
(see below) will be conducted when launches occur during the harbor 
seal pupping season as occur when the sea lions are present.
    NMFS believes it unlikely that the security overflights immediately 
preceding and following the rocket launches would result in the 
harassment of marine mammals. However, when pinnipeds are present at 
haulouts during security overflights associated with rocket launches, a 
member of the flight crew will note and record whether pinnipeds 
appeared to flush as a result of the overflight and estimate a number.

Acoustic Measurements

    Rocket