Decision Memorandum Accepting Alternative Arrangements for the U.S. Navy's Southern California Operating Area Composite Training Unit Exercises (COMPTUEXs) and Joint Task Force Exercises (JTFEXs) Scheduled To Occur Between Today and January 2009, 4189-4193 [E8-1175]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
• Department of the Navy
• Navy Department

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 16 (Thursday, January 24, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4189-4193]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-1175]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Navy


Decision Memorandum Accepting Alternative Arrangements for the 
U.S. Navy's Southern California Operating Area Composite Training Unit 
Exercises (COMPTUEXs) and Joint Task Force Exercises (JTFEXs) Scheduled 
To Occur Between Today and January 2009

AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of Decision Memorandum.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Navy announces its decision to accept 
alternative arrangements approved by the Council on Environmental 
Quality (CEQ) pursuant to 40 CFR 1506.11 for implementing the 
procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 
42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., for the Navy's Southern California (SOCAL) 
Operating Area Composite Training Unit Exercises (COMPTUEXs) and Joint 
Task Force Exercises (JTFEXs) scheduled to occur between today and 
January 2009.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The text of the entire Decision Memorandum 
is provided as follows:
    On January 10, 2008, the Department of the Navy (Navy) sought 
Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) approval of alternative 
arrangements pursuant to 40 CFR 1506.11 for implementing the procedural 
provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
seq. (NEPA), for MFA sonar training during the remaining five COMPTUEXs 
and four JTFEXs scheduled to occur between today and January 23, 2009, 
in the Southern California (SOCAL) Operating Area. On January 11, 2008, 
the Navy reaffirmed its request. On January 15 CEQ concluded 
consultation and approved alternative arrangements pursuant to 40 CFR 
1506.11 for implementing the procedural provisions of (NEPA). This 
memorandum documents the Navy's decision to accept the alternative 
arrangements.

Background

Framework

    NEPA: NEPA requires Navy to undertake an assessment of the 
environmental effects of its proposed actions prior to making 
decisions. The CEQ Regulations for Implementing the Procedural 
Provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act provide for 
situations when emergency circumstances make it necessary to make 
decisions and take action with significant environmental impact without 
observing the provisions of the CEQ Regulations (40 CFR Sec.  1506.11). 
Specifically, the agency should consult with CEQ about alternative 
arrangements for actions necessary to control the immediate impacts of 
the emergency.
    Title 10: The Fleet Response Training Plan (FRTP) is one of the 
processes used to ensure the Chief of Naval Operation's (CNO) 
obligation under Section 5062 of Title 10 of the U.S. Code, which 
requires organization, training and equipping of all naval forces for 
combat. The FRTP is an arduous training cycle that ensures Navy forces 
achieve the highest possible readiness levels prior to deployment. As 
part of the FRTP, the Navy conducts COMPTUEXs and JTFEXs to achieve 
required Navy

[[Page 4190]]

capabilities and missions in support of combatant commander and Navy 
requirements. Both JTFEX and COMPTUEX exercises are included in the 
integrated phase of training for U.S. and some allied forces, which 
requires a synthesis of unit and staff actions into a coordinated 
Strike Group necessary for surge and readiness certification.
    The Vital Importance of Training with Mid-Frequency Active (MFA) 
Sonar during These Major Exercises: Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) is the 
Pacific Fleet's 1 war-fighting priority and critical to our 
national defense. Today's modern, quiet diesel-electric submarines 
employ state-of-the-art sound silencing technologies and sound 
isolation technologies. Additionally, they operate advanced propulsion 
systems that include high endurance battery systems and air-independent 
propulsion systems. These advances, combined with special hull 
treatments that significantly dampen submarine noise and reduce 
vulnerability to active sonar prosecution, make them highly potent 
adversaries. Diesel-electric submarines so equipped can covertly 
operate in coastal and open ocean areas, blocking Navy access to combat 
zones and increasing United States vessels' vulnerability to torpedo 
and anti-ship missile attacks. Detecting, identifying, locating, 
tracking, and if necessary, neutralizing a diesel-electric submarine is 
vitally important to the Navy's ability to conduct operations, 
accomplish its missions and ultimately prevail in conflict.
    Submarines are operated by numerous navies, including potential 
adversaries in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East areas. Navy Strike 
Groups are continuously deployed to these high-threat areas. These 
missions require being able to access and operate in waters near shore, 
control strategic maritime transit routes and international straits, 
and protect sea lines of communications supporting international 
commerce. In preparing for these missions, the thousands of individuals 
in a Pacific Fleet Strike Group must train in the use of MFA sonar in a 
coordinated manner in a realistic environment prior to deployment. MFA 
sonar is defined as an active sonar system that operates within the 1 
kHz to 10 kHz frequency range. MFA sonar capability allows the Strike 
Group to defend itself against quiet diesel-electric submarines that 
may come within range or attack any of the ships in the Strike Group. 
Training in the use of MFA sonar in the COMTUEX and JTFEX exercises is 
a vital component of certification and employment of these assets in 
support of national security interests around the globe. The five 
COMPTUEXs and four JTFEXs scheduled to occur between today and January 
23, 2009, in the Southern California (SOCAL) Operating Area are the 
only opportunities for these Strike Groups to achieve their required 
combat training.
    The SOCAL Operating Area is uniquely suited to conducting the Navy 
COMPTUEX and JTFEX because it contains all of the land, air, and at-sea 
bases necessary for conducting the exercises, and the shallow coastal 
areas in SOCAL realistically simulate areas where the Navy is likely to 
encounter hostile submarines. The SOCAL Operating Area includes Warning 
Area 291 (W-291), and the Southern California Antisubmarine Warfare 
Range (SOAR) that is an instrumented underwater range which allows the 
Navy to monitor and evaluate the success of the Strike Group training. 
The use of MFA sonar will be within W-291 and SOAR.
    Environmental Effects: The habitat and species in the SOCAL 
operating area have been monitored and studied over the last 40 years, 
and the Navy has extensively used MFA sonar in the area over the same 
period. Over that period, the intensity (i.e., the dB level of the 
sonar source) of the Navy's MFA sonar systems has remained the same. 
Since 1992, the Navy's use of MFA sonar in terms of the number of 
training hours has declined. It is emphasized that there have been no 
documented incidents of harm, injury, or death to marine mammals 
resulting from exposure to MFA sonar in the SOCAL Operating Area. There 
have also been no stranding incidents or population-level effects 
attributable to MFA sonar in the SOCAL Operating Area. No systematic 
declines in the stocks of marine mammals have occurred and the stocks 
of many species, such as humpback whales, blue whales, harbor seals, 
and common dolphins, are stable or improving. The Eastern North Pacific 
gray whale stock increased and the species was delisted, but is 
currently experiencing habitat changes due to sea ice melting patterns, 
and undersized gray whales have been reported in the media lately. 
Strandings of small cetaceans and California sea lions are common, 
usually attributed to fishery interaction, disease, or harmful algal 
blooms. There have also been several individual beaked whale 
strandings, usually attributed to disease or fishery interaction. In 
several of these individual strandings, the cause is unknown, but there 
has been no apparent link to sonar.
    The Navy is evaluating the environmental impact of MFA sonar 
training exercises through its development of the SOCAL Range Complex 
environmental impact statement (SOCAL EIS). The Navy began the SOCAL 
EIS process in late 2006 and published its notice of intent on December 
21, 2006. That EIS will meet the procedural requirements of NEPA for 
all training, including MFA sonar training in SOCAL. To comply with 
NEPA procedural requirements, while developing the EIS, the Navy 
prepared an environmental assessment of the SOCAL training proposed for 
the time period prior to completion of the EIS. In addition, the Navy 
issued a consistency determination per the procedural requirements of 
the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), 16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.
    In January 2007, the Deputy Secretary of Defense issued a National 
Defense Exemption (NDE) under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) 
(16 U.S.C. 1371(f)). The NDE provides for protection of marine mammals, 
in the absence of an MMPA Letter of Authorization, by including 29 
specific conditions to minimize potential impacts on marine mammals. 
These 29 mitigation measures were developed in coordination with the 
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), the agency with substantive 
responsibility for marine mammals. The NDE provides the Navy the 
ability to execute the plan coordinated with the Department of Commerce 
to obtain a Letter of Authorization under the usual procedural 
requirements of the MMPA. The plan requires the Navy to come into 
compliance with the MMPA as part of the SOCAL EIS process which will be 
completed when the NDE expires on January 23, 2009. The potential 
effects of MFA sonar training on threatened and endangered marine 
mammals were further analyzed in consultation with NMFS under section 7 
of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. In February 
of 2007, the Navy concluded consultation with NMFS, which issued a 
Biological Opinion on February 9, 2007. NMFS issued a Biological 
Opinion that includes an incidental take statement that exempts the 
Navy from the prohibitions in section 9 of the ESA through January 
2009. The Biological Opinion found that the Navy's actions were not 
likely to result in jeopardy to any listed species nor adversely modify 
any designated critical habitat, and includes an incidental take 
statement that exempts the Navy from the prohibitions in section 9 of 
the Endangered Species Act through January 2009.

[[Page 4191]]

    For the planned exercises, the Navy conducted acoustic propagation 
modeling and effects analysis and determined that there would be no 
permanent physical effects on marine mammals from MFA sonar exposure. 
The NMFS further reviewed the environmental effects and found any 
potential behavioral or physiological effects would be temporary 
effects to individual marine mammals.
    In January 2008, NMFS further reviewed the environmental effects of 
Navy training exercises in SOCAL on marine mammals in and adjacent to 
SOCAL, determining that while there is some potential for injury, the 
mitigation measures employed as a result of the NDE and the reporting 
and monitoring measures outlined in the Biological Opinion will 
minimize that risk to marine mammals in and adjacent to the exercise 
area. The review concluded that NMFS does not expect the COMPTUEX and 
JTFEX exercises through January 23, 2009 to result in adverse 
population level effects for any of the marine mammal populations.
    Nature and Scope of the Emergency: The use of MFA sonar is complex 
and requires constant training to achieve and maintain combat 
proficiency and effectiveness. MFA sonar is the Navy's best means of 
detecting potentially hostile diesel-electric submarines. The primary 
Strike Group targets of hostile submarines are the Navy's aircraft 
carriers, which typically carries over 5,300 personnel and the 
Amphibious Assault Ship carry the Marine Expeditionary Unit. Thus, the 
inability to train effectively with MFA sonar literally puts the lives 
of thousands of Americans at risk. If a Strike Group does not gain 
proficiency in MFA sonar, and cannot be certified as combat ready, the 
national security implications would be enormous. This harm compounds 
quickly if additional Strike Groups cannot be certified.
    On August 7, 2007, the U.S. District Court for the Central District 
of California in Natural Resources Defense Council v. Winter (CV 07-
335) issued an order enjoining all MFA sonar use during the Navy's 
remaining SOCAL Operating Area COMPTUEXs and JTFEXs scheduled to occur 
through January 2009. This order was stayed by an emergency panel of 
the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on August 31, 2007, pending full 
hearing of the Navy's appeal of the injunction. On November 13, 2007, a 
different panel of the Ninth Circuit ruled on the appeal, finding that 
the District Court had abused its discretion, leaving the stay in place 
long enough for the Navy to complete an ongoing exercise, and then 
reinstating the August 7 injunction until the District Court issued a 
new, tailored injunction ``under which the Navy may conduct its 
training exercises.'' The panel set a deadline of January 4, 2008, for 
the District Court to issue the tailored injunction.
    On January 3, 2008, the District Court issued a new preliminary 
injunction that bars any training with MFA sonar within 12 nautical 
miles of the California coastline or anywhere in the Santa Catalina 
basin, except that Navy can use MFA sonar in the San Clemente Island 
Range Complex if the location is at least 5 nautical miles from the 
western shore of San Clemente Island. The new injunction also imposed a 
2,200 yard (2,000 meter) sonar shutdown zone for ships, sonobuoys, and 
helicopters; 6 decibel (dB) power down when surface ducting conditions 
are detected regardless of the presence of marine mammals; 60 minutes 
of monitoring each day before use of MFA sonar; two dedicated (no other 
duties) NOAA- and NMFS-trained lookouts during MFA sonar use; use of 
passive acoustic monitoring to the maximum extent practicable; and 
aerial monitoring 60 minutes before and during MFA sonar exercises. The 
aerial monitoring included at least one dedicated aircraft. Helicopters 
must monitor for marine mammals for 10 minutes before use of dipping 
sonar. Finally, Navy must continue to comply with all 29 mitigation 
measures required by the NDE under the MMPA issued on January 23, 2007, 
unless superseded by one or more of the restrictions imposed by the 
court.
    On January 10, 2008, the District Court modified the new injunction 
to ``correct clerical errors and omissions.'' The court ordered that 
(1) the 2,200 yard shutdown zone does not apply to dolphins or 
porpoises that are ``bow riding''; (2) dedicated monitoring aircraft 
are no longer required during the entire exercise (Navy aircraft 
engaged in the exercise are now sufficient); and (3) the requirement to 
reduce power by 6 dB when surface ducting conditions are present only 
apply when ``significant'' surface ducting conditions are present. 
These changes left the 2,200 yard shutdown requirement in place.
    Accounting for the court's recent changes to the new injunction 
made on January 10, 2008, the order's training restrictions, in 
particular the unaltered 2,200 yard shut down requirement and 6 dB 
power down when significant surface ducting conditions are present, 
create a significant and unreasonable risk that Strike Groups will not 
be able to train effectively and certify as fully mission capable. The 
COMPTUEXs and JTFEXs scheduled to occur in the SOCAL operating area 
this month through January 2009 enable critical training. Effective MFA 
sonar training is necessary to certify Strike Groups for deployment in 
support of world-wide operational and combat activities.
    While the Navy continues to prepare the SOCAL EIS that will analyze 
potential effects to marine mammals from exposure to MFA sonar, 
including use during COMPTUEXs and JTFEXs, it cannot delay this 
critical training and subsequent certification. The inability to 
conduct effective MFA sonar training and certify Strike Groups 
constitutes an emergency with significant consequences to the national 
security of the United States. Therefore, based upon the court's 
preliminary determination as to the need for the Navy to prepare an EIS 
that analyzes MFA sonar exposure effects during these exercises, per 
the provisions of 40 CFR 1506.11, the Navy initiated consultation with 
CEQ and requested alternative arrangements.
    The Navy's request that CEQ provide for alternative arrangements 
for NEPA compliance was limited to the Navy's proposed use of MFA sonar 
during Commander THIRD Fleet's nine (9) training exercises, 4 COMPTUEXs 
and 5 JTFEXs, in the SOCAL Operating Area. The Navy affirmed that any 
alternative arrangements would remain in effect during the preparation 
and completion of the SOCAL EIS or until January 23, 2009, whichever is 
earlier. Applying these alternative arrangements to any other area or 
exercise would not be appropriate absent an analysis tailored to such 
other area and exercise.

Alternative Arrangements

    The Navy accepts the alternative arrangements prescribed by CEQ for 
the remaining MFA sonar training exercises in the SOCAL Operating Area 
between today and January 23, 2009.
    Mitigation Measures: The Navy will adhere to 29 mitigation measures 
developed in cooperation with NMFS. These mitigation measures were 
developed and included as an integral part of the NDE under the MMPA 
invoked by the Deputy Secretary of Defense under Title 16, Section 
1371(f) of the U.S. Code on January 23, 2007. That exemption applies to 
all Department of Defense (DoD) military readiness activities employing 
MFA sonar during major exercises or within established DoD maritime 
ranges or established operating areas through January 23, 2009.
    The Navy's proposed use of MFA sonar during the Commander THIRD

[[Page 4192]]

Fleet's proposed nine training exercises (four COMPTUEXs and five 
JTFEXs), in the SOCAL Operating Area is based on the current knowledge 
of the SOCAL Operating Area and the 29 NDE mitigation measures, some of 
which are more fully described below:
    The Navy will continue to ensure that watchstanders and lookouts 
will include at a minimum: (1) Three non-dedicated watchstanders on all 
surface ships required to look out for marine mammals during all 
exercises; and (2) two lookouts on all surface ships required to look 
out for marine mammals during all exercises. Furthermore, all sightings 
of marine mammals by all watchstanders and all lookouts will be 
reported directly to the Combat Information Center (CIC) or via the 
appropriate watch stations for submission to the CIC, and the CIC will 
disseminate the sighting information to all platforms in the area with 
a recommendation for appropriate action (e.g., power down sonar; 
surface or subsurface vessels to avoid area or increase distance from 
mammals; aerial platforms to increase vigilance). Similarly, all aerial 
platforms will monitor the area for marine mammals during their 
assigned missions and report marine mammal presence and confirmed 
sightings to Aircraft Control Unit for submission to the CIC, and the 
CIC will disseminate the sighting information to all platforms in the 
area to ensure they are aware of the presence of marine mammals and can 
take steps to increase vigilance or execute mitigation measures 
applicable to these exercises (e.g., power down sonar; surface or 
subsurface vessels to avoid area or increase distance from mammals; 
aerial platforms to increase vigilance).
    The Navy will continue to submit after action reports (AARs) to 
NMFS 120 days after the conclusion of any COMPTUEX or JTFEX that 
contain: (1) An assessment of the mitigation and monitoring measures 
and how to improve them; and (2) the results of marine mammal 
monitoring, including all instances where marine mammals were observed 
and the levels of MFA sonar to which they were exposed, based on the 
NDE sonar mitigation measures and the requirements of the Biological 
Opinion dated February 9, 2007.
    Use of MFA sonar in the SOCAL Operating Area for COMPTUEX and JTFEX 
training will occur in W-291 and SOAR. The training exercises in SOAR 
will occur at least 5 nautical miles away from the western shoreline of 
San Clemente Island. Aside from San Clemente Island, there are no other 
islands located within W-291 or SOAR. The Channel Islands National 
Marine Sanctuary is located entirely outside of W-291 and SOAR.
    The Navy will use meters rather than yards to describe the safety 
zone set forth in NDE mitigation measure 20, and the safety zone used 
in the SOCAL Operating Area will be 1000 meters. The Navy will power 
down 6dB if a marine mammal is detected within the safety zone. The 
Navy will power down an additional 4 dB at 500 meters and will shut off 
sonar transmissions at 200 meters. The remaining features of the safety 
zone described in NDE measure 20 will remain the same.
    Public Participation: The Navy will ensure active public 
participation during the development of the SOCAL EIS and all other 
range EISs underway and scheduled for completion in 2008 that analyze 
MFA sonar effects. For the SOCAL EIS, the Navy will release the draft 
EIS (DEIS) for public review in early April 2008 with a public comment 
period of 45 days that will span the month of April and extend to mid-
May. In addition to publication of the Notice of Availability by the 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the Federal Register, the Navy 
will publish a Notice of Availability in three local California 
newspapers: San Diego Union Tribune, North County Times (San Diego 
County), and The Press-Telegram (Long Beach).
    The Navy will mail a postcard to all those who attended scoping 
meetings and those who submitted comments or requested copies of the 
DEIS. The postcard will announce availability of the DEIS and provide 
information on how and where to obtain copies. Three public hearings 
will be held in or near the following California communities: Coronado, 
Oceanside, and Long Beach. The locations of the meetings will be 
publicly announced in the Federal Register, the California newspapers 
San Diego Union Tribune, North County Times (San Diego County), and The 
Press-Telegram (Long Beach) and posted on the Web site https://
www.socalrangecomplexeis.com at least 15 days beforehand.
    Copies of the DEIS will also be available at four libraries in 
Southern California--the San Diego Central Library, the Coronado Public 
Library, the San Clemente Library, and the San Pedro Regional Branch 
Library--and at https://www.socalrangecomplexeis.com. The DEIS will be 
accompanied by fact sheets (presently under development) that will 
address the proposed action (including the use of MFA sonar during 
these exercises), marine mammals in the Range Complex, and major events 
(including these major exercises). These fact sheets will track with 
facts made available during the public scoping process. The DEIS will 
be distributed to federal, state, and local elected and tribal 
officials and government and tribal agencies, non-governmental 
organizations (NGOs), and citizens, many of whom participated in the 
scoping process. NGOs on the distribution list include those known to 
have an interest in the ocean, ocean resources, or use of sonar and its 
effects on marine animals, including recreationists, sport and 
commercial fishing groups, environmental interest organizations, 
chambers of commerce, business entities, museums, and universities. In 
addition, prior to the public hearings, Navy will offer elected 
officials and agencies the opportunity to participate in briefings on 
the content and conclusions of the DEIS.
    The Navy will provide notice of these alternative arrangements and 
publish this Decision Memorandum in the Federal Register. In addition, 
Navy will publish notice of these alternative arrangements in the 
following newspapers: (1) Los Angeles Times; (2) Sacramento Bee; (3) 
San Diego Union-Tribune; (4) North County Times (San Diego County); and 
(5) Daily Breeze (San Pedro, California).
    Concurrent with the Federal Register notice, the Navy will include 
notices to the parties identified in its request to CEQ of January 10, 
2008, as well as World Wildlife Fund, Nature Conservancy, National 
Wildlife Federation, Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, Ocean 
Mammal Institute, Center for Whale Research, Consortium for 
Oceanographic Research and Education, National Fisheries Institute, 
American Sportfishing Association, Coastal Conservation Association, 
International Fund for Animal Welfare, American Tunaboat Association, 
Pacific Fisheries Management Council, Western Fish Boat Owners 
Association, Southern California Lobster and Trap Fisherman's 
Association, Southern California Trawler's Association, Morro Bay 
Commercial Fisherman Organization, Southern California Commercial 
Fishing Association, California Wetfish Producers Association, United 
Anglers of Southern California, Tuna Club of Santa Catalina Island, 
International Game Fish Association, Long Beach Sportfishing, 
Recreational Fishing Alliance, United Anglers of Southern California, 
United Pier & Shore Anglers of California, Scripps Research Institute, 
University of California at Santa Cruz, and the Applied Physics 
Laboratory--University of Washington.

[[Page 4193]]

    The notices will specifically seek input on the process for 
reviewing post-exercise assessments and include an offer to meet 
jointly with Navy representatives from the office of the Assistant 
Secretary of the Navy (Installations & Environment) and the office of 
the Chief of Naval Operations, and CEQ to discuss the alternative 
arrangements.
    CEQ will be provided copies of any notices made in accordance with 
the alternative arrangements and the notices will be posted on the Web 
site at https://www.socalrangecomplexeis.com.
    The Navy will also provide CEQ notice of the post-exercise 
assessments which the Navy prepares for each exercise within 120 days 
of completion of each exercise (or 120 days after completion of an 
exercise which is reported as part of a group of exercises) to which 
these alternative arrangements apply. Further dissemination of the 
post-exercise assessments will be determined after considering input 
received in response to the Navy notice of alternative arrangements, 
and the further dissemination of the post-exercise assessments will be 
incorporated into the alternative arrangements.
    After the conclusion of the alternative arrangements, and no later 
than March 23, 2009, the Navy will provide a report to CEQ on the use 
of the alternative arrangements that reviews the value and 
effectiveness of those arrangements. Notice of the report will be 
provided in the Federal Register, the five newspapers (Los Angeles 
Times; Sacramento Bee; San Diego Union-Tribune; North County Times (San 
Diego County); and Daily Breeze (San Pedro, California)) and on the Web 
site at https://www.socalrangecomplexeis.com.
    Adaptive Management: Under the NDE, the Navy will continue to 
submit to NMFS's Office of Protected Resources (OPR) a report, within 
120 days of the completion of major exercises, containing a discussion 
of the nature of effects on marine mammals from exposure to MFA sonar, 
if observed, based upon both modeled results of real-time events and 
sightings of marine mammals.
    The Navy also consulted under the ESA with NMFS regarding the 
effects of its sonar activities for these exercises on listed species. 
NMFS issued a Biological Opinion finding that the Navy's actions were 
not likely to result in jeopardy to any listed species nor adversely 
modify any designated critical habitat. The Navy will continue to 
adhere to monitoring and reporting requirements specified in the 
Biological Opinion.
    The Navy will continue to meet the requirements set out in the NDE 
for AARs. To accelerate and improve the information on marine mammal 
exposure effects or lack of effects, the Navy will modify its reporting 
and recordation processes to enable a more comprehensive analysis of 
impacts to marine mammals (including beaked whales that are not listed 
under the ESA) and ASW training during these major exercises and 
integrate these modifications into the reports prepared on the 
exercises conducted between March 1, 2008, and January 23, 2009. The 
reporting and monitoring program improvements identified using adaptive 
management principles will also inform the EIS process for the SOCAL 
Range Complex.
    Research Measures: Efforts to obtain more information about the 
quantity, distribution, migration, and reactions of marine mammals to 
MFA sonar is ongoing and will continue. Consequently, information being 
obtained will inform compliance with the substantive provisions of the 
MMPA and ESA, and the procedural requirements of CZMA and NEPA. For 
NEPA, this information will inform the ongoing SOCAL EIS process as 
well as future exercise planning in the SOCAL Operating Area and serve 
to provide the basis for integrated compliance with all environmental 
statutes.
    The Navy will continue to implement the following research measures 
to provide for continual improvement in the quality of information 
available:
    The Navy will continue to improve information regarding marine 
mammal presence and density in the SOCAL Operating Area by coordinating 
with NMFS to determine the need to identify areas within the SOCAL 
Operating Area for additional marine mammal surveys. If a need is 
identified, an implementation plan identifying the areas and providing 
a schedule for the surveys will be developed no later than July 2008. 
The surveys will be designed to help determine where and when there are 
concentrations of marine mammals in the SOCAL Operating Area. The 
survey will occur over a two-year period through July 2010.
    The Navy will continue to work on a program that will enhance its 
ability to use passive hydrophones on the SOAR Instrumented Range to 
detect and track marine mammals on those portions of the range where 
the passive hydrophones are in place. To ensure that these efforts 
remain focused, the Navy will develop an implementation plan and 
schedule to expand the technical capability of existing hydrophones to 
detect marine mammals by April 4, 2008. The implementation plan should 
provide for completion of prototype classifiers for Cuvier's and 
Blainesville's beaked whales and visual verification of other small 
odontocetes detected by passive hydrophones by April 15, 2009.
    As part of the SOCAL EIS, the Navy is evaluating a proposal to 
extend the range areas monitored by passive hydrophones. If Navy 
decides to extend the area covered by passive hydrophones as part of 
its ROD for the SOCAL EIS, the Navy will determine a timetable for 
acquisition and installation of additional hydrophones by March 30, 
2009.
    The Navy is evaluating current research regarding infrared (IR) 
technology for use in collecting data regarding marine mammals, 
assessing the feasibility of acquiring and deploying additional IR 
capabilities during major exercises or for conducting surveys, and 
developing a plan for acquiring and deploying IR in data collection 
efforts. The plan will be published no later than June 15, 2008.

    Dated: January 15, 2008.
Donald C. Winter,
Secretary of the Navy.
[FR Doc. E8-1175 Filed 1-23-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3810-FF-P