Incidental Takes of Marine Mammals During Specified Activities; Rat Population Eradication at Rat Island, AK, 34705-34713 [E8-13786]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 118 / Wednesday, June 18, 2008 / Notices
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David M. Kennedy,
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[FR Doc. E8–13747 Filed 6–17–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–08–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XH04
Incidental Takes of Marine Mammals
During Specified Activities; Rat
Population Eradication at Rat Island,
AK
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; proposed incidental take
authorization; request for comments.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: NMFS has received an
application from the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS) for an
Incidental Harassment Authorization
(IHA) to take small numbers of marine
mammals, by harassment, incidental to
the eradication of rat populations at Rat
Island, AK. Pursuant to the Marine
Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS
is requesting comments on its proposed
IHA for these activities.
DATES: Comments and information must
be received no later than July 18, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the
application should be addressed to
Michael Payne, Chief, Permits,
Conservation and Education Division,
Office of Protected Resources, National
Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 EastWest Highway, Silver Spring, MD
20910–3225. The mailbox address for
providing email comments is PR1.0648–
XD79@noaa.gov. Comments sent via email, including all attachments, must
not exceed a 10–megabyte file size.
A copy of the application containing
a list of the references used in this
document may be obtained by writing to
the address specified above, telephoning
the contact listed below (see FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT), or
visiting the internet at:https://
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/
incidental.htm.
Documents cited in this notice may be
viewed, by appointment, during regular
business hours, at the aforementioned
address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Howard Goldstein or Ken Hollingshead,
NMFS, (301) 713–2289.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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Background
Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the
MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) direct
the Secretary of Commerce to allow,
upon request, the incidental, but not
intentional, taking of marine mammals
by U.S. citizens who engage in a
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34705
specified activity (other than
commercial fishing) within a specified
geographical region if certain findings
are made and either regulations are
issued or, if the taking is limited to
harassment, a notice of a proposed
authorization is provided to the public
for review.
Authorization shall be granted if
NMFS finds that the taking will have a
negligible impact on the species or
stock(s) and will not have an
unmitigable adverse impact on the
availability of the species or stock(s) for
certain subsistence uses, and if the
permissible methods of taking and
requirements pertaining to the
mitigation, monitoring and reporting of
such takings are set forth. NMFS has
defined ‘‘negligible impact’’ in 50 CFR
216.103 as ’’...an impact resulting from
the specified activity that cannot be
reasonably expected to, and is not
reasonably likely to, adversely affect the
species or stock through effects on
annual rates of recruitment or survival.’’
Section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA
established an expedited process by
which citizens of the United States can
apply for an authorization to
incidentally take small numbers of
marine mammals by harassment. Except
with respect to certain activities not
pertinent here, the MMPA defines
‘‘harassment’’ as:
any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance
which (I) has the potential to injure a marine
mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild
[Level A harassment]; or (ii) has the potential
to disturb a marine mammal or marine
mammal stock in the wild by causing
disruption of behavioral patterns, including,
but not limited to, migration, breathing,
nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering
[Level B harassment].
Section 101(a)(5)(D) establishes a 45day time limit for NMFS review of an
application followed by a 30-day public
notice and comment period on any
proposed authorizations for the
incidental harassment of marine
mammals. Within 45 days of the close
of the comment period, NMFS must
either issue or deny issuance of the
authorization.
Summary of Request
On February 29, 2008, NMFS received
a letter from the USFWS, requesting
issuance of a proposed IHA. The
requested IHA would authorize the take,
by harassment, of small numbers of
Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus),
and Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina
richardsi), incidental to rat population
eradication and bait application
operations. Operations will be
conducted on foot, by watercraft (boat),
and by aircraft (helicopter) by a field
crew.
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Additional information on the
eradication operations is contained in
the application and Environmental
Assessment (EA), which is available
upon request (see ADDRESSES).
Restoration of natural ecosystem
function on Rat Island promises to reestablish native seabirds and other
native species, thus returning this
wilderness island to a healthy natural
community. This restoration cannot
occur until the island is cleared of the
invasive non-native Norway rats that
now dominate the living community.
Introduced non-native species are a
leading cause of extinctions in island
communities worldwide. Increasingly,
land managers are removing introduced
species to aid in the restoration of native
ecosystems. Rats are responsible for 40–
60% of all recorded bird and reptile
extinctions worldwide. Given their
widespread successful colonization on
islands and the resulting impact to
native species, introduced rats are
identified as key species for eradication.
Most of the Aleutian Islands lying
within the Alaska Maritime National
Wildlife Refuge (AMNWR) provide
important breeding habitat for seabirds,
including many for which the Aleutians
provide a substantial portion of their
worldwide range. Norway rats are
established on at least 10 Aleutian
islands or island groups, and the
diversity and numbers of breeding
seabirds occurring on those islands are
now conspicuously low. Rat-caused
modifications to other components of
the island ecosystems (e.g., other birds,
plants, and invertebrates) are also
evident.
The restoration of Aleutian
ecosystems through introduced predator
eradications has long been identified as
a priority for AMNWR, and the initial
efforts have been directed to removing
introduced Arctic foxes. The focus now
has turned to rats. The intent of the
proposed operations is to facilitate the
restoration of the natural island
ecosystem by improving habitat quality
for native species.
Proposed Rat Eradication Project
Description
Rats were first introduced to Alaska
over 200 years ago at Rat Island in the
western Aleutian Island archipelago.
Prior to this introduction, the island
likely supported significant populations
of breeding seabirds and other ground
nesting birds which evolved in the
absence of mammalian predators. Since
their introduction, rats and foxes have
extirpated breeding seabirds and had
detrimental impacts on vegetation and
intertidal life on the island. AMNWR
personnel eradicated foxes on Rat Island
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in 1984. Working with others, the
USFWS proposes to eradicate rats from
the island using removal techniques
based on successful island rat
eradications elsewhere in the U.S. and
globally.
The purpose of eradicating rats from
Rat Island is to conserve, protect and
enhance habitat for native wildlife
species, especially nesting habitat for
seabirds, and to restore the biotic
integrity of the island. The overarching
goal in a successful eradication is to
ensure the delivery of a lethal dose of
toxicant to every rodent on the island.
The primary method for eradicating rats
from Rat Island is delivery of
compressed-grain bait pellets containing
rodenticide to every rat territory on the
island through aerial broadcast. The bait
pellets will contain 25 ppm
brodifacoum and will be applied
according to Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) approved label directions.
The need for caution near the marine
and freshwater environments, due to the
chemical composition of the bait pellets
and potential for contamination of the
water column (bait pellets disintegrate
and dissolve quickly in water), requires
a buffer when broadcasting the
rodenticide. As a result, some areas may
not receive the optimal bait coverage
with helicopter broadcast. In cases
where it is evident or suspected that any
land area on Rat Island or offshore islets
did not receive full coverage, there will
be supplemental systematic hand
broadcast either by foot, boat,
helicopter, or any combination of the
above. All bait application activities
will be conducted by, or under the
supervision of, a Pesticide Applicator
certified by the State of Alaska.
Proposed Staging and Preparation
Field crews will visit Rat Island in the
summer prior to the rat eradication to
install temporary infrastructure and
storage sites. These will include: 1) a
camp site capable of supporting 20
people for up to seven weeks; 2) three
bait staging areas, where bait will be
contained in up to 200 storage units at
each staging area; and 3) a fuel storage
site that will comply with all
appropriate safety standards and
regulations.
Additional material may be brought to
the island at that time and staged for the
fall application of bait. Helicopters will
deliver most of the necessary materials
to each site on the island from a vessel
anchored nearby. Staging procedures in
summer will be conducted using a
helicopter capable of lifting a 700 kg
(1,543 lbs) payload. Helicopter
operations during project staging will be
localized to discrete flight paths and
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landing sites servicing the camp, three
bait staging locations, and a fuel storage
site.
It is possible that some of the material
needed for eradication will not be
available in the summer. In this case,
that material will be staged on the
island during the week prior to the fall
application of bait.
Proposed Bait Application
Proposed bait application operations
will be conducted using two singleprimary-rotor/single tail-rotor
helicopters. Bait will be applied from
specialized bait hoppers slung 15–20 m
(49–66 ft) beneath the helicopter.
Helicopter operations for the bait
application will necessitate low-altitude
overflights of the entire land area of Rat
Island and adjacent vegetated islets. The
helicopter will fly at a speed ranging
from 25–50 knots (46–93 km/hr or 29–
58 mph) at an average altitude of
approximately 50 m (164 ft) above the
ground.
To make bait available to all possible
rat home ranges on the island, bait will
need to be applied evenly across
emergent land area, with every
reasonable effort made to prevent bait
spread into the marine environment.
The baiting regime will follow common
practice in which parallel, overlapping
flight swaths are flown across the
interior island area and overlapping
swaths with a deflector attached to the
hopper (to prevent bait spread into the
marine environment) flown around the
coastal perimeter. Flight swaths will be
defined by the uniform distance of bait
broadcast from the hopper, ranging from
50–75 m (164–246 ft). Flight swaths will
be flown in a parallel pattern, with
subsequent flight swaths overlapping
the previous by approximately 25–50%
to ensure no gaps in bait coverage.
Proposed Special Treatment of the Islet
off Ayugadak Point
The islet located 1.6 km (1 mi) off
Ayugadak Point is a Steller sea lion
rookery, designated as Critical Habitat
under the Endangered Species Act
(ESA). The islet is also potential rat
habitat and the thick kelp beds between
the main island and this islet make rat
migration to and from the islet possible.
Bait will be delivered to the islet off
Ayugadak Point with an adaptive
alternative-baiting strategy designed to
minimize disturbance of Steller sea
lions from helicopters.
During the month of August, project
crews will attempt to access the islet by
boat, landing on a beach that is out of
view of the Steller sea lion rookery.
Personnel will install multiple enclosed
bait stations on the islet, which will be
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designed to provide easy access to the
bait inside for rats while minimizing
bait access by non-target species that
may be present on the islet, including
song sparrows. Stations will be
anchored securely in place, and filled
with enough bait to ensure that any rats
on the island will have bait available for
many weeks.
During the major bait application
operation in the fall, project crews will
attempt to access the islet by boat again,
although the sea state during this season
may make access more difficult than
earlier in the season. If personnel can
access the island by boat, they will
check the bait stations installed earlier
for signs of bait consumption or other
rat activity. Bait stations will be refilled
as necessary during this visit. If rats are
detected or suspected, personnel may
additionally hand-broadcast bait pellets
on the islet according to label
instructions.
If project field crews are unable to
access the islet by boat at any time
during fall operations it will be
necessary to aerially treat the island.
Proposed Demobilization
Once eradication has been completed
operational demobilization and cleanup will commence. A charter vessel will
be employed to transport all crew and
equipment off the island.
Demobilization and clean-up will
include deconstructing and removing: 1)
field camp; 2) garbage and human
waste; 3) staging areas; and 4) fuel. All
tents, weatherports, and other field
camp equipment will be disassembled,
packed, and returned to the vessel by
helicopter. All equipment will be
removed from bait staging areas and
transported off the island. The wooden
storage boxes will be disassembled,
bound, and transported by helicopter
back to the vessel. Excess fuel will also
be transported back to the vessel by
helicopter.
Additional details regarding the
proposed rat eradication operations can
be found in the Environmental
Assessment (EA): ‘‘Restoring Wildlife
Habitat on Rat Island’’ USFWS 2007
(EA). The EA can also be found online
at: https://alaskamaritime.fws.gov/
news.htm
Proposed Dates, Duration, and Region
of Activities
Rat Island is located in the western
Aleutian Islands approximately 51° 80′
North, 178° 30′ West, approximately
1,931 km (1200 mi) west of Anchorage,
Alaska. The Ayugadak Point rookery is
located on an islet approximately one
mile southeast of Rat Island at 51° 45.5′
North, 178deg; 24.5′ East.
Proposed Staging and Preparation at
Rat Island
The summer staging and preparation
activities for Rat Island are expected to
take 5 days during the week of July 7–
11. Helicopter support during this
period is estimated to take two days.
Wooden storage boxes and platform
construction materials will be staged at
three areas, as indicated in Figure 1 in
USFWS’ IHA application. Fuel and all
other camp materials will be delivered
to the Gunner’s Cove field camp
location.
All materials not available during the
summer staging and preparation periods
will be transported to Rat Island during
the week of September 22–27, 2008.
Helicopter support during this period is
estimated to take two days.
Proposed Bait Application at Rat Island
Bait application will commence once
staging and preparation have been
accomplished as planned. The
application will occur during a 45-day
time period from September 28–
November 11, 2008 (except on the islet
off Ayugadak Point). The bait
application is estimated to take
approximately 35 hours total flight time;
however, the implementation will likely
be interrupted by typical fall weather
patterns in the central Aleutians, which
are notoriously unsettled. Therefore, a
maximum of 45 days will be allotted to
achieve the 35 hour operation window.
Proposed Demobilization at Rat Island
During the first week of August, a
project crew will attempt to access the
islet by boat to install bait stations
containing rodenticide. The installation
will take approximately four hours.
If weather and sea conditions allow
the installation of bait stations in
34707
August, a project crew will attempt to
access the islet by boat again during the
major bait application operations in
October. Sea state during this season
may make access more difficult than the
August attempt. If personnel can access
the island by boat, they will check the
bait stations installed earlier for signs of
bait consumption or other rat activity
and refill stations as necessary.
Personnel may also hand-broadcast bait
pellets on the islet if rats are detected or
suspected. This work is estimated to
take between four and six hours.
If project crews are not able to access
the islet in August or during the Rat
Island bait application in October, it
will be treated by aerial broadcast. This
would take place during the October 1–
November 11, 2008 time frame and
require approximately 15 minutes of
helicopter flight time.
Proposed Bait Application at Ayugadak
Point Rookery
During the first week of August, a
project crew will attempt to access the
islet by boat to install bait stations
containing rodenticide. The installation
will take approximately four hours.
If weather and sea conditions allow
the installation of bait stations in
August, a project crew will attempt to
access the islet by boat again during the
major bait application operations in
October. Sea state during this season
may make access more difficult than the
August attempt. If personnel can access
the island by boat, they will check the
bait stations installed earlier for signs of
bait consumption or other rat activity
and refill stations as necessary.
Personnel may also hand-broadcast bait
pellets on the islet if rats are detected or
suspected. This work is estimated to
take between four and six hours.
If project crews are not able to access
the islet in August or during Rat Island
bait application in October, it will be
treated by aerial broadcast. This would
take place during the October1–
November 11 time frame and require
approximately 15 minutes of helicopter
flight time.
Status and Distribution of Affected
Species
TABLE 1. RECENT SURVEY RESULTS FOR PINNIPEDS IN THE RAT ISLAND AREA.
Species
Number
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Harbor Seal
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Year
93
‘‘Fairly common’’
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Source
1999
2007
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Comments
Small et al. in press
Buckelew et al. 2007
Aerial survey
Often seen in
water, not
seen hauled
out
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TABLE 1. RECENT SURVEY RESULTS FOR PINNIPEDS IN THE RAT ISLAND AREA.—Continued
Species
Number
Steller sea lion
Year
Source
45
254
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Steller sea lions range along the North
Pacific Rim from northern Japan to
California. They are most abundant in
the Gulf of Alaska and Aleutian Islands
(NMFS, 2006). Two separate stocks of
Steller sea lions are recognized in U.S.
waters; an eastern U.S. stock that
includes animals east of Cape Suckling,
Alaska (144° West), and a western U.S.
stock which includes animals west of
Cape Suckling. The western Distinct
Population Segment (DPS) of Steller sea
lions has experienced a major decline of
75% over the past 20 years (Calkins et
al., 1999; USFWS, 1997; NMFS, 2007).
Consequently the western DPS of Steller
sea lions were listed as Endangered
under the ESA in 1997. The reasons for
this decline are not entirely known and
are currently under investigation.
Aerial survey data from 2004–2005
were used to calculate a minimum
population estimate of 39,988 animals
for the western U.S. waters stock. The
Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands area
population estimate for the same period
is 20,578 (NMFS, 2006).
Steller sea lions are considered nonmigratory with dispersal generally
limited to juveniles and adult males. In
the Aleutian Islands, Steller sea lions
generally breed and give birth from late
May to early July (Pitcher and Calkins,
1981), and pups remain at rookeries
until about early to mid-September
(Calkins et al., 1999). Non-reproductive
animals congregate at haul out sites.
At Rat Island, a persistent haul-out
side is known at the west end of the
island near Krysi Point and a rookery is
known from the islet off Ayugadak
Point. Both sites were active in 2007
(Buckelew et al., 2007).
Pacific Harbor Seal
In the Pacific Ocean, harbor seals
occur in coastal waters and estuaries
from Baja California north along the
west coast of the U.S. and Canada to
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18:01 Jun 17, 2008
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NMFS database
NMFS database
present
Steller Sea Lion
2004
2005
2007
Bucklew 2007
Alaska including the Aleutian Islands,
southern Bristol Bay and the Pribilof
Islands. Harbor seals living in the
Aleutian Islands are part of the Gulf of
Alaska stock. The Gulf of Alaska stock
has experienced significant declines
ranging from 50–85% over the past 30
years (NMFS, 2006). Limited
information suggests some modest
recovery from initial declines and the
stock has not been listed under the ESA.
The current statewide population
estimate for Alaska harbor seals is
180,017 (NMFS, 2006).
Harbor seals are generally nonmigratory with some local movements
related to season, weather, and food
availability (NMFS, 2006). In Alaska,
harbor seals typically give birth to a
single pup between May and mid-July.
Pups are generally weaned within one
month and separate from their mother.
Harbor seals in the Gulf of Alaska
undergo an annual molt which peaks
between the first week in August and
the first week in September (Daniel et
al., 2003). Harbor seals are found in
scattered locations along the shores of
Rat Island and some offshore islets.
Incidental Taking Authorization
Requested
The proposed rat eradication effort
and associated operations may result in
the taking of marine mammals by Level
B incidental harassment only. As a
result, the USFWS has requested an IHA
for Level B harassment. An incidental
take of Level B harassment occurs if an
animal moves away any distance in
response to the presence of field crew
personnel, watercraft, and/or aircraft, or
if the animal was already moving and
changed direction. Animals that raise
their head and look at field crew
personnel and/or operated vehicle
without moving are not considered
disturbed. Most incidental takings
would be related to harassment from the
noise and visual presence/ movement of
helicopter operations during the bait
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Comments
Aerial survey
for Rat
Is.(adults and
juveniles)
Aerial survey
for Ayugadak
Point Rookery
(includes 83
pups)
Seen from
boat offshore
at Rat Is. And
Ayugadak Pt.
application period. A small number of
takes could also occur as a result of
human presence and boat operations
during the course of the project.
The use of a rodenticide is not
expected to result in any Level A
harassment (i.e., injury) or death of
marine mammals. Marine mammals are
unlikely to ingest bait pellets of
rodenticide opportunistically or
accidentally. The rodenticide is retained
at low levels in body tissues and
numerous large exposures would have
to occur in order to ingest an injurious
or lethal amount. Steller sea lions and
harbor seals diet does not include either
bait pellets or rat carcasses that have
succumbed to the rodenticide
application.
Further information on the biology
and distribution of these species and
others in the region can be found in
USFWS’ application and EA, which is
available upon request (see ADDRESSES),
and the Marine Mammal Stock
Assessment Reports, which are available
online at https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/
protlres/PR2/
StocklAssessmentlProgram/
individuallsars.html.
Potential Impact and Effects of the
Proposed Activity on the Marine
Mammals
Steller Sea Lions
The response of pinnipeds, like
Steller sea lions, to aircraft overflights
varies from no discernable reaction to
completely vacating haul outs after a
single overflight (Calkins, 1979;
Efroymson and Suter, 2001).
Approaching aircraft generally flush
animals into the water. In one case,
Withrow et al. (1985 in Richardson et
al., 1995) reported Steller sea lions left
a beach in response to a Bell 205
helicopter >1.6 km away, but the noise
from a helicopter is typically directed
down in a ‘‘cone’’ underneath
(Richardson et al., 1995) so disturbance
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at such great distance is probably
uncommon.
At Rat Island, known persistent haul
out sites will be avoided during
proposed staging operations as will any
other haul out sites discovered prior to
helicopter operations. In spite of these
precautions, sea lions encountered
unexpectedly during proposed
helicopter operations could be flushed
from land temporarily. An individual
sea lion’s exposure to peak noise from
the helicopter will be limited to animals
that remain ashore, and is likely to be
of short duration, as the elevation and
speed of the helicopter will limit the
time that any single location is exposed
to maximum noise.
It will be more difficult to avoid
known haul sites on Rat Island with the
helicopter during bait application
because of the need for thorough
coverage. No pups are expected on Rat
Island. The impacts of disturbance to
sea lions during molting (a sensitive
period to disturbance, Richardson et al.,
1995) will be minimized by timing
overflights after the peak molting period
is over.
Proposed installation of bait stations
on the islet off Ayugadak Point in
August is likely to result in short-term
displacement of some non-breeding
animals from the islet. This disturbance
is likely to be limited to the few-hour
period when personnel are present on
the island. Sea lion pups will likely be
present on the islet during installation
of bait stations. To prevent disturbance
to the rookery, the islet will be
approached slowly in a small boat, from
the side of the island opposite and out
of sight of the rookery. While on the
islet, personnel will remain out of sight
of the rookery.
In October, the bait stations on the
islet will need to be replenished. Again,
the approach to the island will be slow,
and opposite the rookery. This may
result in displacing a few non-breeding
animals for a few hours when personnel
are present on the islet. If it is not
possible to land a skiff on the islet, the
island will be baited with the helicopter
as described in the EA, in the fall after
the pupping and primary molting
season. This is likely to result in
flushing sea lions from the islet
resulting in short-term displacement.
However, as helicopter baiting will be a
very short process (approximately 15
minutes), disturbance to Steller sea
lions is likely to be very short-term.
Risks to Steller’s sea lions from
personnel camps on Rat Island will be
minimal as camps and storage sites will
be located well inland away from
possible Steller sea lion haul out areas.
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Overall, the effects of the operations
described in the EA on Steller’s sea
lions will vary depending on the
number of disturbance events. However,
the short-term displacement from haulouts that is likely to occur as a result of
helicopter noise and personnel is not
anticipated to have any effect on overall
energy balance or fitness of any
individual animals.
It is not likely that any Steller sea
lions will suffer injury or the potential
for injury as a result of the activities
described in the EA. The potential
disturbance associated with the project
would result in Steller sea lions entering
the water; which they do as part of their
normal pattern of behavior, and possibly
flushing of groups of animals at
pinniped haul-outs. This analysis
concludes that implementation of rat
eradication activities as described in the
EA is not likely to adversely affect
individual Steller sea lions on an
individual or population level.
Pacific Harbor Seals
The response of pinnipeds to
proposed aircraft overflights varies from
no discernable reaction to completely
vacating haul outs after a single
overflight (Calkins, 1979; Efroymson
and Suter, 2001). Approaching aircraft
generally flush animals into the water.
During proposed staging operations,
project managers will plan helicopter
flight lines and boat travel to minimize
the potential for disturbance to harbor
seal haul-outs known from existing
databases and surveys conducted prior
to operations. However, in spite of these
precautions, seals encountered
unexpectedly during helicopter
operations could be flushed from land
temporarily. An individual seal’s
exposure to peak noise from the
helicopter will be limited to animals
that remain ashore, and is likely to be
of short duration, as the elevation and
speed of the helicopter (see Description
of Activities, above) will limit the time
that any single location is exposed to
maximum noise.
It will be more difficult to avoid
known haul-out sites of Rat Island with
the helicopter during proposed bait
application because of the need for
through coverage of the entire island.
No young pups are expected on Rat
Island during the fall. The impacts of
disturbance to seals during molting
(another sensitive period) will be
minimized by timing overflights after
the peak molting period is over.
The sporadic personnel presence and
temporary infrastructure installations
that may be necessary near seal haulouts during both proposed staging and
bait application operations may result in
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34709
localized disturbances, although this is
much less likely to disturb animals than
helicopter overflights. The camps and
staging areas themselves will be well
inland and will have negligible impacts
on seals hauled out on the coastline.
Overall, the short-term displacement
from haul-out sites that is likely to occur
as a result of helicopter noise and
personnel activities is not anticipated to
have any significant effect on overall
energy balance or fitness of any
individual animals.
It is not likely that any harbor seals
will suffer injury or the potential for
injury as a result of project activities.
Therefore, this analysis concludes that
implementation of rat eradication
activities is not likely to result in
significant effects to harbor seals at an
individual or population level.
Variable numbers of sea lions and
harbor seals typically haul out near bait
application sites used for proposed
eradication operations, with breeding
activity occurring at one known site.
Pinnipeds likely to be affected by rat
eradication activity are those that are
hauled out on land at or near bait
application sites.
Incidental harassment may result if
hauled animals move away from the
field crew personnel, watercraft, and
aircraft. For the purpose of estimating
the potential numbers of pinnipeds
taken by these proposed activities,
NMFS assumes that pinnipeds that
move or change the direction of their
movement in response to the presence
of field crew personnel are taken by
Level B Harassment. Although marine
mammals will not be deliberately
approached by field crew personnel
during proposed operations, approach
may be unavoidable if pinnipeds are
hauled out directly upon the bait
application sites. If disturbed, hauledout animals may move toward the water
without risk of encountering significant
hazards. In these circumstances, the risk
of injury or death to hauled animals is
very low.
The risk of marine mammal injury or
mortality associated with rat eradication
operations increases somewhat if
disturbances occur during breeding
season, as it is possible that mothers and
dependent pups could become
separated. If separated pairs don’t
reunite fairly quickly, risks of mortality
to pups (through starvation) may
increase. Also, adult Steller sea lions
may trample sea lion pups if disturbed,
which could potentially result in the
injury or death of pups. However, to
mitigate this risk, NMFS and USFWS
proposes to include time of year
restrictions to limit the presence of field
crew personnel activities to months that
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Steller sea lion and harbor seal
dependent pups are not present at the
bait application sites. Last, field crew
personnel are to use great care
approaching sites with pinnipeds and
will leave as soon as possible to
minimize effects. Because of the
circumstances and the proposed IHA
requirements discussed above, NMFS
believes it highly unlikely that the
proposed activities would result in the
injury or mortality of pinnipeds.
For the purposes of estimating take in
the IHA, NMFS estimates take as the
total of all three categories of disturbed
behavior recorded (discussed in the
Proposed Monitoring and Reporting
section below).
Number of Marine Mammals That May
Be Affected
Rat Island
Most of the disturbance associated
with the Rat Island eradication will be
a result of aircraft noise. The helicopters
used to apply bait to the island will
make two passes across most of the
island to ensure success of the project.
This could result in two harassment
incidents of Steller sea lions and harbor
seals that are hauled out at that time.
The area surrounding a known Steller
sea lion haul out at Krysi Point will be
avoided by all activities other than bait
application. Harbor seals use many parts
of Rat Island shoreline and could also be
affected by boat operations and
personnel movements. Thus the number
of takes was estimated at 2.5 for each
individual of this species.
Steller sea lions at Rat Island were
counted during an aerial survey in 2004.
The number of animals during that
survey was increased to allow for
potential population growth and then
used to calculate the total take in Table
2 (below).
The composition of Steller sea lions,
which haul out away from rookeries,
shifts between seasons and is not well
understood. Although no pups are
expected at Rat Island, determining the
age and sex ratio of animals using the
known haul out near Krysi Point in
October is difficult at best. For this
reason the number is calculated as adult
and sub-adult animals without reference
to the sex of these animals.
Harbor seals at Rat Island were
counted by an aerial survey in 1999.
The number of animals recorded during
that survey was increased to allow for
potential population growth and then
used to calculate the total take in Table
2 (below). Information regarding the
demographics of harbor seals on Rat
Island is not available. The number of
animals recorded in the 1999 survey
was used to calculate a total number of
harbor seal takes.
TABLE 2. ESTIMATED NUMBER OF MARINE MAMMALS AFFECTED BY AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS ON RAT ISLAND.
M= male, F= female
# of
Animals
Steller sea lion
Pacific harbor seal
Ayugadak Point Rookery
Project crews will attempt to access
the Ayugadak Point islet by boat in early
August. Landing will be attempted on a
beach that is out of view of the rookery.
The topography of the islet will allow
bait stations to be installed without
detection by animals on the rookery.
The installation of bait stations will be
conducted in a manner that will not
disturb animals (adults and pups) on the
rookery itself. Previous surveys at the
islet have sometimes encountered one
or two non-breeding bulls outside of the
rookery area near the landing area.
These were young or old bulls unable to
Pups
Pups
Subadults
MF
Subadults
MF
Adults
MF
Adults
MF
Total
# of
Takes
65
100
Species
# of
take
events
per
animal
2
2.5
0
?
0
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?
130
250
proposed operation plan in the table
below. The numbers in the table below
also reflect the remote possibility of
encountering a female with a dependent
pup outside the rookery area.
There are no location-specific
population estimates available for
harbor seals on the islet off Ayugadak
Point. However, the total take estimate
of harbor seals in Table 2 (above)
already takes proposed personnel
activities, such as boat operation and
bait station installation, into account.
The harbor seal take estimate from Table
2 (above) includes any harbor seals also
present on the islet.
hold a territory at the rookery. If
weather allows a visit in August, a
follow-up visit will be attempted in
October and could result in a similar
take event. A female with a dependent
pup has not been encountered outside
the rookery area on the islet. However,
marine mammals can be unpredictable
and this remote possibility cannot be
completely discounted. A survey of
Steller sea lions was conducted by
NMFS in 2005. This survey data was
increased to allow for potential
population growth and then used to
calculate the number of animals
anticipated to be affected by this
TABLE 3. ESTIMATED NUMBER OF STELLER SEA LIONS AFFECTED BY BAIT STATION INSTALLATION VISITS TO THE ISLET NEAR
AYUGADAK POINT, AUGUST AND OCTOBER.
# of
Animals
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Pups
Subadults
Subadults
Adults
Adults
Total
# of
Takes
320
Species
# of
take
events
per
animal
2
1
10
0
9
1
42
Steller sea lion
If project crews are not able to visit
the islet off Ayugadak Point during
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either of the proposed planned visits in
August and October, the islet would be
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aerially treated at the same time at Rat
Island in October. The aerial broadcast
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would require approximately 15
minutes of flight time, but would likely
disturb all animals present at the time.
Survey numbers from the NMFS survey
in 2005 indicate the presence of 83
pups. By October, the pups will be of an
adequate size to avoid being trampled
by other animals and largely
independent of their mothers. NMFS
survey data was increased to allow for
potential population growth and then
used to calculate the number of animals
affected by an aerial treatment of the
islet in the table below.
TABLE 4. ESTIMATED NUMBER OF STELLER SEA LIONS AFFECTED BY POSSIBLE AERIAL BROADCAST OF THE ISLET NEAR
AYUGADAK POINT, OCTOBER.
# of
Animals
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Steller sea lion
The distribution of pinnipeds hauledout along the shorelines is not even
between sites or at different times of the
year. The number of marine mammals
disturbed will vary by month and
location, and, compared to animals
hauled-out on the shoreline farther
away from proposed operations, only
those animals hauled-out closest to the
actual proposed operation sites are
likely to be disturbed by the presence of
field crew personnel activities and alter
their behavior or attempt to move out of
the way.
As discussed earlier, the take
estimates consider an animal to have
been harassed if it moves away any
distance in response to the presence of
field crew personnel, watercraft, and/or
aircraft, or if the animal is already
moving and changed direction. Based
on past observations and assuming a
maximum level of incidental
harassment of marine mammals at each
site during periods of visitation, NMFS
estimates that the maximum total
possible numbers of individuals that
will be incidentally harassed during the
effective dates of the proposed IHA
would be 385 Steller sea lions, and 100
Pacific harbor seals may be taken by
incidental harassment as a result of this
activity.
The population size of the U.S.
western stock of Steller sea lions is
estimated to be 44,780, with a minimum
population estimate of 38,988 animals
(Angliss and Outlaw, 2007). Population
estimates for the U.S. Gulf of Alaska
stock of Pacific harbor seals range from
a minimum of 44,453 to an average of
45,975 animals (Angliss and Outlaw,
2007). The estimated total possible
number of individuals that will be
incidentally harassed during the
proposed project is 0.009 and 0.002
percent of the respective Steller sea lion
and harbor seal U.S. stock populations
for these species. NMFS has determined
that these are small numbers, relative to
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18:01 Jun 17, 2008
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population estimates, of Steller sea lions
and Pacific harbor seals.
Anticipated Impacts to Subsistence
Users
In the Aleutian Islands, rural
residents harvest Steller sea lions and
Pacific harbor seals for subsistence
purposes. The proposed rat eradication
operations described in the EA should
have no effect on those subsistence uses.
Rat Island is uninhabited and is located
more than 322 km (200 mi) from the
nearest rural community of Adak,
Alaska. The subsistence resources used
by rural residents in the Aleutian
Islands are harvested near the islands
where the communities are located. Rat
Island is not known to have been used
for subsistence purposes since the
1800’s.
Anticipated Impact of the Proposed
Activity upon Marine Mammal Habitat
NMFS anticipates the proposed rat
eradication operations described in the
IHA application and this document will
result in no impacts to the habitat of
marine mammals in the Rat Island area
beyond rendering the areas immediately
around each of the baiting application
and broadcasting sites less desirable as
haul-out sites for a short time period
during the length of the action.
Helicopter and field crew operations
will occasionally need to occur within
the Steller sea lion ‘‘no-entry zones’’
established by 50 CFR 223.202.
Although Level B harassment is
expected to occur in some instances,
these proposed activities will not result
in the physical alteration of habitat or
lead to any effects on the prey base of
Steller’s sea lions or harbor seals. The
proposed rat eradication project should
not result in the loss or modification of
marine mammal habitat and the
application of rodenticide bait is not
likely to affect marine mammals during
the described operations.
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Pups
Subadults
Adults
Total
# of
Takes
320
Species
# of
take
events
per
animal
1
100
0
220
320
Proposed Mitigation
Several mitigation measures to reduce
the potential for harassment from rat
population eradication operations
would be (or are proposed to be
implemented) implemented as part of
the proposed USFWS activities. The risk
of injury or mortality would be avoided
with the following proposed measures.
Timing
The proposed rat eradication program
will include all measures possible to
minimize marine mammal disturbance.
This will be especially critical during
periods when Steller sea lions and
harbor seals are giving birth, mating,
rearing young, and molting.
Disturbances to females with dependent
pups (in the cases of Steller sea lions
and Pacific harbor seals) will be
mitigated to the greatest extent
practicable by avoiding visits to baiting
sites with resident pinnipeds during
periods of breeding, lactation, and
molting. During this period, proposed
rat eradication operations would be
limited to sites where pinniped
breeding, post-partum nursing, and
molting does not occur.
The reproductive period for Steller
sea lions is generally late May through
early July, with a peak in the second
and third weeks of June (Pitcher and
Calkins, 1981; Gisiner, 1985). Pups stay
on land for about two weeks, after
which they spend increasing time in
nearshore waters until they begin to
disperse from rookeries to haul-outs
with females at about 2.5 months of age
(Raum-Suryan et al., 2004; Maniscalco
et al., 2002, 2006). In the Aleutian
Island area, most pupping is complete
by the last week of June and dispersal
should occur by mid-September.
Molting in Steller sea lions varies by age
and sex and is known to last about 45
days. Juveniles molt first, followed by
adult females, bulls and pups (Daniel,
2003). The molt should be nearly
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completed during the proposed planned
bait application period.
Harbor seals typically give birth
during May and June. Pups are usually
weaned within a month and no longer
need to be close to their mothers. The
peak molting period occurs between
August and September (Jemison and
Kelly, 2001; Daniel et al., 2003).
Conducting proposed bait application
operations after marine mammal
breeding and molting is complete
reduces the potential for disturbances to
these species during the sensitive
periods of breeding, pup rearing, and
molting. Limiting visits to the breeding,
lactation, and molting sites to periods
when these activities do not occur will
reduce the possibility of incidental
harassment and the potential for injury
or mortality of dependent Steller sea
lion pups and Pacific harbor seals to
near zero.
Proposed Operations
Mitigation of the impacts on affected
pinnipeds requires that field crew
personnel are judicious in the route of
approach to haul-out sites and/or
rookeries, avoiding close contact with
pinnipeds hauled-out on shore. In no
case will marine mammals be
deliberately approached by field crew
personnel, and in all cases every
possible measure will be taken to select
a pathway of approach to baiting sites
that minimizes the number of marine
mammals harassed. After each visit to a
given baiting site, the site will be
vacated as soon as possible so that it can
be re-occupied by hauled-out marine
mammals that may have been disturbed
by the presence of field crew personnel.
Steller sea lions have a persistent
haul-out at Krysi Point at the west end
of Rat Island and a rookery on the islet
off Ayugadak Point. Steller sea lions are
likely to haul-out at other locations on
Rat Island as well. During staging
operations, helicopter flight lines will
avoid the rookery, the known haul-out
sites discovered prior to helicopter
operations. Unlike during staging, it will
be more difficult to avoid known haulout sites on Rat Island with the
helicopter during bait application
because of the need for thorough
coverage of the island.
Disturbance from installation of bait
stations on the islet off Ayugadak Point
is likely to be limited to the few-hour
period when field crew personnel are
present on the island. To prevent
disturbance to the rookery, the islet will
be approached slowly in a small boat,
from the side of the island opposite and
out of site of the rookery. This will
prevent any possibility of stampede.
While on the islet, personnel will
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18:01 Jun 17, 2008
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remain out of sight of the rookery and
conduct the installation as quickly as
possible.
If a successful installation is
completed in August, the bait stations
on the islet will need to be replenished
in October. Again, the approach to the
island will be slow, and opposite the
rookery. A few non-breeding animals
could be displaced during the bait
station check. If it is not possible to land
a skiff of the islet, the island will be
baited with the helicopter as described
in the EA and IHA application. The
helicopter baiting will likely be
completed in approximately 15 minutes
and disturbance to Steller sea lions is
likely to be very short term.
Harbor seals will also be avoided to
the greatest extent possible during
helicopter operations. During staging
operations, project managers will plan
helicopter flight lines and boat travel to
minimize the potential for disturbance
to harbor seal haul-outs known from
existing databases and surveys
conducted prior to the operations.
Unlike during staging it will be more
difficult to avoid known haul sites on
Rat Island with the helicopter during
bait application because of the need for
thorough coverage of the entire island.
Field Crew Personnel
The Steller sea lion haul-out at Krysi
Point on Rat Island will be avoided by
personnel involved with this proposed
project. The sporadic personnel
presence and temporary infrastructure
installations that may be necessary near
harbor seal haul-outs during both
staging and bait application operations
may result in localized disturbances,
although this is much less likely to
disturb animals than proposed
helicopter overflights. The camps and
staging areas themselves will be well
inland and will have negligible impacts
on Steller sea lions and harbor seals
hauled out on the coastline.
Proposed Monitoring and Reporting
When marine mammals are
encountered during the project,
personnel will record information
regarding species, distribution,
behavior, and number of animals. When
conditions permit, information
regarding sex, age (pup, sub-adult,
adult) and any marked animals will also
be recorded. As part of the proposed
monitoring, USFWS will record the
numbers of disturbed animals that flush
into the water, the number that move
more than 1 m (3.3 ft), but do not enter
the water, and the number that become
alert and move, but do not move more
than 1 m. Upon completion of the
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project, this information will be
compiled and provided to NMFS.
Aircraft and personnel activities
related to the proposed project will be
coordinated to reduce potential take.
The staff of AMNWR and their partners
will evaluate incidental take and stop
any operations should the potential for
incidental take be too great.
Proposed monitoring requirements in
relation to USFWS rat eradication
operations will include observations
made by the applicant and field crew
personnel associated with the action.
Information recorded will include
species counts (with numbers of pups),
numbers of observed disturbances, and
descriptions of the disturbance
behaviors during the proposed rat
eradication operations. Observations of
unusual behaviors, numbers, or
distributions of pinnipeds on Rat Island
will be reported to NMFS during and
after the project, so that any potential
follow-up observations can be
conducted by the appropriate personnel.
In addition, observations of tag-bearing
pinniped carcasses as well as any rare
or unusual species of marine mammals
will be reported to NMFS.
If at any time injury or death of any
marine mammal occurs that may be a
result of the proposed rat population
eradication operations, USFWS will
suspend baiting application and
broadcasting activities and contact
NMFS immediately to determine how
best to proceed to ensure that another
injury or death does not occur, and to
ensure that the applicant remains in
compliance with the MMPA.
A draft final report must be submitted
to NMFS within 90 days after the
conclusion of the field season. The
report will include a summary of the
information gathered pursuant to the
monitoring requirements set forth in the
IHA. A final report must be submitted
to the Regional Administrator within 30
days after receiving comments from
NMFS on the draft final report. If no
comments are received from NMFS, the
draft final report will be considered to
be the final report.
ESA
For the reasons already described in
this Federal Register Notice, NMFS has
determined that the described rat
population extermination operations
and the accompanying IHA may have an
effect on species or critical habitat
protected under the ESA (specifically,
the Steller sea lion). Therefore,
consultation under Section 7 is required
and will be concluded prior to issuance
of an IHA.
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National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA)
ACTION:
USFWS prepared an Environmental
Assessment (EA) of Restoring Wildlife
Habitat on Rat Island, AK, and a Finding
of No Significant Impact (FONSI),
which analyzed the proposed issuance
of an IHA for these activities and
operations. A copy of the EA and FONSI
are available upon request (see
ADDRESSES). NMFS is reviewing this EA
and will either adopt it or prepare its
own NEPA document before making a
determination on the issuance of an IHA
to the USFWS on this activity.
SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the
schedule and proposed agenda of a
forthcoming meeting of the Sea Grant
Review Panel. The meeting will have
several purposes. Panel members will
discuss and provide advice to the
National Sea Grant College Program in
fisheries extension enhancement, the
November Panel Meeting in Baton
Rouge and Sea Grant re-authorization.
The announced meeting is
scheduled for Tuesday, July 15, 2008.
DATES:
Conference Call. Public
access is available at SSMC Bldg 3,
Room #5836, 1315 East-West Highway,
Silver Spring, MD.
ADDRESSES:
Conclusions
Based on the USFWS’ application, as
well as the analysis contained herein,
NMFS has preliminarily determined
that the impact of the described rat
extermination at Rat Island will result,
at most, in a temporary modification in
behavior by small numbers of Steller sea
lions and Pacific harbor seals, in the
form of head alerts, movement away
from personnel, watercraft and aircraft,
and/or flushing from the beach. In
addition, no take by injury or death is
anticipated, and take by harassment will
be at the lowest level practicable due to
incorporation of the mitigation
measures mentioned previously in this
document. NMFS has further
preliminarily determined that the
anticipated takes will have a negligible
impact on the affected species and not
have an unmitigable adverse impact on
subsistence uses of marine mammals.
Proposed Authorization
NMFS proposes to issue an IHA to the
USFWS for the harassment of Steller sea
lions and Pacific harbor seals incidental
to non-native rat population
extermination operations, provided the
previously mentioned mitigation,
monitoring, and reporting requirements
are incorporated.
Dated: June 12, 2008.
Tammy C. Adams,
Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation, and
Education Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8–13786 Filed 6–17–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
Notice of public meeting.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
National Sea Grant Review Panel
Ms.
Gina Barrera, National Sea Grant College
Program, National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, 1315 EastWest Highway, Room 11875, Silver
Spring, Maryland 20910, (301) 734–
1077.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
The Panel,
which consists of a balanced
representation from academia, industry,
state government and citizens groups,
was established in 1976 by Section 209
of the Sea Grant Improvement Act (Pub.
L. 94–461, 33 U.S.C. 1128). The Panel
advises the Secretary of Commerce and
the Director of the National Sea Grant
College Program with respect to
operations under the Act, and such
other matters as the Secretary refers to
them for review and advice. The agenda
for the meeting is as follows:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Tuesday, July 15, 2008—11 a.m. to 1
p.m., EST
Agenda
I. Fisheries Extension Enhancement
Committee Report.
II. Update on the November Panel
meeting in Baton Rouge.
III. Update on Sea Grant Reauthorization.
This meeting will be open to the
public.
Dated: June 12, 2008.
Terry Bevels,
Deputy Chief Financial Officer, Office of
Oceanic and Atmospheric Research.
[FR Doc. E8–13745 Filed 6–17–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–KA–P
National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration,
Commerce.
AGENCY:
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34713
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN: 0648–XI34
Pacific Fishery Management Council;
Public Meeting
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Pacific Fishery
Management Council’s (Council)
Groundfish Allocation Committee
(GAC) will hold a working meeting,
which is open to the public.
DATES: The GAC meeting will be held
Wednesday, July 9, 2008, from 1 p.m.
until business for the day is completed.
The GAC will reconvene Thursday, July
10, 2008,at 8:30 a.m. until their business
is completed.
ADDRESSES: The GAC meeting will be
held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel,
Downtown Convention Center,
Bellmont C Room, 1441 NE Second
Avenue, Portland, OR 97232. telephone:
(503) 241–2401.
Council address: Pacific Fishery
Management Council, 7700 NE
Ambassador Place, Suite 101, Portland,
OR 97220–1384.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
LB Boydstun, Open Access Fishery
Coordinator; telephone: (916) 844–4358.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
purpose of the GAC meeting is to
consider draft alternatives and other
material for a contemplated limited
entry licensing system for West Coast
open access groundfish fisheries (open
access license limitation). No
management actions will be decided by
the GAC. The GAC’s role will be
development of recommendations and
refinement of draft alternatives for
analysis in a contemplated
environmental impact statement for
open access license limitation. The GAC
recommendations will be provided for
consideration by the Council at its
September 2008 meeting in Boise, ID.
Although non-emergency issues not
contained in the meeting agenda may
come before the GAC for discussion,
those issues may not be the subject of
formal GAC action during this meeting.
GAC action will be restricted to those
issues specifically listed in this notice
and any issues arising after publication
of this notice that require emergency
action under Section 305a) of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act,
E:\FR\FM\18JNN1.SGM
18JNN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 118 (Wednesday, June 18, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34705-34713]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-13786]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XH04
Incidental Takes of Marine Mammals During Specified Activities;
Rat Population Eradication at Rat Island, AK
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; proposed incidental take authorization; request for
comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS has received an application from the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS) for an Incidental Harassment Authorization
(IHA) to take small numbers of marine mammals, by harassment,
incidental to the eradication of rat populations at Rat Island, AK.
Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting
comments on its proposed IHA for these activities.
DATES: Comments and information must be received no later than July 18,
2008.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the application should be addressed to Michael
Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education Division, Office of
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3225. The mailbox address for
providing email comments is PR1.0648-XD79@noaa.gov. Comments sent via
e-mail, including all attachments, must not exceed a 10-megabyte file
size.
A copy of the application containing a list of the references used
in this document may be obtained by writing to the address specified
above, telephoning the contact listed below (see FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT), or visiting the internet at:https://
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm.
Documents cited in this notice may be viewed, by appointment,
during regular business hours, at the aforementioned address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Howard Goldstein or Ken Hollingshead,
NMFS, (301) 713-2289.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.)
direct the Secretary of Commerce 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 either regulations are issued or, if the taking is limited to
harassment, a notice of a proposed authorization is provided to the
public for review.
Authorization shall be granted if NMFS finds that the taking will
have a negligible impact on the species or stock(s) and will not have
an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the species or
stock(s) for certain subsistence uses, and if the permissible methods
of taking and requirements pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring and
reporting of such takings are set forth. NMFS has defined ``negligible
impact'' in 50 CFR 216.103 as ''...an impact resulting from the
specified activity that cannot be reasonably expected to, and is not
reasonably likely to, adversely affect the species or stock through
effects on annual rates of recruitment or survival.''
Section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA established an expedited process
by which citizens of the United States can apply for an authorization
to incidentally take small numbers of marine mammals by harassment.
Except with respect to certain activities not pertinent here, the MMPA
defines ``harassment'' as:
any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance which (I) has the
potential to injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the
wild [Level A harassment]; or (ii) has the potential to disturb a
marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing
disruption of behavioral patterns, including, but not limited to,
migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering
[Level B harassment].
Section 101(a)(5)(D) establishes a 45-day time limit for NMFS
review of an application followed by a 30-day public notice and comment
period on any proposed authorizations for the incidental harassment of
marine mammals. Within 45 days of the close of the comment period, NMFS
must either issue or deny issuance of the authorization.
Summary of Request
On February 29, 2008, NMFS received a letter from the USFWS,
requesting issuance of a proposed IHA. The requested IHA would
authorize the take, by harassment, of small numbers of Steller sea
lions (Eumetopias jubatus), and Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina
richardsi), incidental to rat population eradication and bait
application operations. Operations will be conducted on foot, by
watercraft (boat), and by aircraft (helicopter) by a field crew.
[[Page 34706]]
Additional information on the eradication operations is contained
in the application and Environmental Assessment (EA), which is
available upon request (see ADDRESSES).
Restoration of natural ecosystem function on Rat Island promises to
re-establish native seabirds and other native species, thus returning
this wilderness island to a healthy natural community. This restoration
cannot occur until the island is cleared of the invasive non-native
Norway rats that now dominate the living community. Introduced non-
native species are a leading cause of extinctions in island communities
worldwide. Increasingly, land managers are removing introduced species
to aid in the restoration of native ecosystems. Rats are responsible
for 40-60% of all recorded bird and reptile extinctions worldwide.
Given their widespread successful colonization on islands and the
resulting impact to native species, introduced rats are identified as
key species for eradication.
Most of the Aleutian Islands lying within the Alaska Maritime
National Wildlife Refuge (AMNWR) provide important breeding habitat for
seabirds, including many for which the Aleutians provide a substantial
portion of their worldwide range. Norway rats are established on at
least 10 Aleutian islands or island groups, and the diversity and
numbers of breeding seabirds occurring on those islands are now
conspicuously low. Rat-caused modifications to other components of the
island ecosystems (e.g., other birds, plants, and invertebrates) are
also evident.
The restoration of Aleutian ecosystems through introduced predator
eradications has long been identified as a priority for AMNWR, and the
initial efforts have been directed to removing introduced Arctic foxes.
The focus now has turned to rats. The intent of the proposed operations
is to facilitate the restoration of the natural island ecosystem by
improving habitat quality for native species.
Proposed Rat Eradication Project Description
Rats were first introduced to Alaska over 200 years ago at Rat
Island in the western Aleutian Island archipelago. Prior to this
introduction, the island likely supported significant populations of
breeding seabirds and other ground nesting birds which evolved in the
absence of mammalian predators. Since their introduction, rats and
foxes have extirpated breeding seabirds and had detrimental impacts on
vegetation and intertidal life on the island. AMNWR personnel
eradicated foxes on Rat Island in 1984. Working with others, the USFWS
proposes to eradicate rats from the island using removal techniques
based on successful island rat eradications elsewhere in the U.S. and
globally.
The purpose of eradicating rats from Rat Island is to conserve,
protect and enhance habitat for native wildlife species, especially
nesting habitat for seabirds, and to restore the biotic integrity of
the island. The overarching goal in a successful eradication is to
ensure the delivery of a lethal dose of toxicant to every rodent on the
island. The primary method for eradicating rats from Rat Island is
delivery of compressed-grain bait pellets containing rodenticide to
every rat territory on the island through aerial broadcast. The bait
pellets will contain 25 ppm brodifacoum and will be applied according
to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved label directions.
The need for caution near the marine and freshwater environments,
due to the chemical composition of the bait pellets and potential for
contamination of the water column (bait pellets disintegrate and
dissolve quickly in water), requires a buffer when broadcasting the
rodenticide. As a result, some areas may not receive the optimal bait
coverage with helicopter broadcast. In cases where it is evident or
suspected that any land area on Rat Island or offshore islets did not
receive full coverage, there will be supplemental systematic hand
broadcast either by foot, boat, helicopter, or any combination of the
above. All bait application activities will be conducted by, or under
the supervision of, a Pesticide Applicator certified by the State of
Alaska.
Proposed Staging and Preparation
Field crews will visit Rat Island in the summer prior to the rat
eradication to install temporary infrastructure and storage sites.
These will include: 1) a camp site capable of supporting 20 people for
up to seven weeks; 2) three bait staging areas, where bait will be
contained in up to 200 storage units at each staging area; and 3) a
fuel storage site that will comply with all appropriate safety
standards and regulations.
Additional material may be brought to the island at that time and
staged for the fall application of bait. Helicopters will deliver most
of the necessary materials to each site on the island from a vessel
anchored nearby. Staging procedures in summer will be conducted using a
helicopter capable of lifting a 700 kg (1,543 lbs) payload. Helicopter
operations during project staging will be localized to discrete flight
paths and landing sites servicing the camp, three bait staging
locations, and a fuel storage site.
It is possible that some of the material needed for eradication
will not be available in the summer. In this case, that material will
be staged on the island during the week prior to the fall application
of bait.
Proposed Bait Application
Proposed bait application operations will be conducted using two
single-primary-rotor/single tail-rotor helicopters. Bait will be
applied from specialized bait hoppers slung 15-20 m (49-66 ft) beneath
the helicopter. Helicopter operations for the bait application will
necessitate low-altitude overflights of the entire land area of Rat
Island and adjacent vegetated islets. The helicopter will fly at a
speed ranging from 25-50 knots (46-93 km/hr or 29-58 mph) at an average
altitude of approximately 50 m (164 ft) above the ground.
To make bait available to all possible rat home ranges on the
island, bait will need to be applied evenly across emergent land area,
with every reasonable effort made to prevent bait spread into the
marine environment. The baiting regime will follow common practice in
which parallel, overlapping flight swaths are flown across the interior
island area and overlapping swaths with a deflector attached to the
hopper (to prevent bait spread into the marine environment) flown
around the coastal perimeter. Flight swaths will be defined by the
uniform distance of bait broadcast from the hopper, ranging from 50-75
m (164-246 ft). Flight swaths will be flown in a parallel pattern, with
subsequent flight swaths overlapping the previous by approximately 25-
50% to ensure no gaps in bait coverage.
Proposed Special Treatment of the Islet off Ayugadak Point
The islet located 1.6 km (1 mi) off Ayugadak Point is a Steller sea
lion rookery, designated as Critical Habitat under the Endangered
Species Act (ESA). The islet is also potential rat habitat and the
thick kelp beds between the main island and this islet make rat
migration to and from the islet possible. Bait will be delivered to the
islet off Ayugadak Point with an adaptive alternative-baiting strategy
designed to minimize disturbance of Steller sea lions from helicopters.
During the month of August, project crews will attempt to access
the islet by boat, landing on a beach that is out of view of the
Steller sea lion rookery. Personnel will install multiple enclosed bait
stations on the islet, which will be
[[Page 34707]]
designed to provide easy access to the bait inside for rats while
minimizing bait access by non-target species that may be present on the
islet, including song sparrows. Stations will be anchored securely in
place, and filled with enough bait to ensure that any rats on the
island will have bait available for many weeks.
During the major bait application operation in the fall, project
crews will attempt to access the islet by boat again, although the sea
state during this season may make access more difficult than earlier in
the season. If personnel can access the island by boat, they will check
the bait stations installed earlier for signs of bait consumption or
other rat activity. Bait stations will be refilled as necessary during
this visit. If rats are detected or suspected, personnel may
additionally hand-broadcast bait pellets on the islet according to
label instructions.
If project field crews are unable to access the islet by boat at
any time during fall operations it will be necessary to aerially treat
the island.
Proposed Demobilization
Once eradication has been completed operational demobilization and
clean-up will commence. A charter vessel will be employed to transport
all crew and equipment off the island. Demobilization and clean-up will
include deconstructing and removing: 1) field camp; 2) garbage and
human waste; 3) staging areas; and 4) fuel. All tents, weatherports,
and other field camp equipment will be disassembled, packed, and
returned to the vessel by helicopter. All equipment will be removed
from bait staging areas and transported off the island. The wooden
storage boxes will be disassembled, bound, and transported by
helicopter back to the vessel. Excess fuel will also be transported
back to the vessel by helicopter.
Additional details regarding the proposed rat eradication
operations can be found in the Environmental Assessment (EA):
``Restoring Wildlife Habitat on Rat Island'' USFWS 2007 (EA). The EA
can also be found online at: https://alaskamaritime.fws.gov/news.htm
Proposed Dates, Duration, and Region of Activities
Rat Island is located in the western Aleutian Islands approximately
51[deg] 80' North, 178[deg] 30' West, approximately 1,931 km (1200 mi)
west of Anchorage, Alaska. The Ayugadak Point rookery is located on an
islet approximately one mile southeast of Rat Island at 51[deg] 45.5'
North, 178deg; 24.5' East.
Proposed Staging and Preparation at Rat Island
The summer staging and preparation activities for Rat Island are
expected to take 5 days during the week of July 7-11. Helicopter
support during this period is estimated to take two days. Wooden
storage boxes and platform construction materials will be staged at
three areas, as indicated in Figure 1 in USFWS' IHA application. Fuel
and all other camp materials will be delivered to the Gunner's Cove
field camp location.
All materials not available during the summer staging and
preparation periods will be transported to Rat Island during the week
of September 22-27, 2008. Helicopter support during this period is
estimated to take two days.
Proposed Bait Application at Rat Island
Bait application will commence once staging and preparation have
been accomplished as planned. The application will occur during a 45-
day time period from September 28-November 11, 2008 (except on the
islet off Ayugadak Point). The bait application is estimated to take
approximately 35 hours total flight time; however, the implementation
will likely be interrupted by typical fall weather patterns in the
central Aleutians, which are notoriously unsettled. Therefore, a
maximum of 45 days will be allotted to achieve the 35 hour operation
window.
Proposed Demobilization at Rat Island
During the first week of August, a project crew will attempt to
access the islet by boat to install bait stations containing
rodenticide. The installation will take approximately four hours.
If weather and sea conditions allow the installation of bait
stations in August, a project crew will attempt to access the islet by
boat again during the major bait application operations in October. Sea
state during this season may make access more difficult than the August
attempt. If personnel can access the island by boat, they will check
the bait stations installed earlier for signs of bait consumption or
other rat activity and refill stations as necessary. Personnel may also
hand-broadcast bait pellets on the islet if rats are detected or
suspected. This work is estimated to take between four and six hours.
If project crews are not able to access the islet in August or
during the Rat Island bait application in October, it will be treated
by aerial broadcast. This would take place during the October 1-
November 11, 2008 time frame and require approximately 15 minutes of
helicopter flight time.
Proposed Bait Application at Ayugadak Point Rookery
During the first week of August, a project crew will attempt to
access the islet by boat to install bait stations containing
rodenticide. The installation will take approximately four hours.
If weather and sea conditions allow the installation of bait
stations in August, a project crew will attempt to access the islet by
boat again during the major bait application operations in October. Sea
state during this season may make access more difficult than the August
attempt. If personnel can access the island by boat, they will check
the bait stations installed earlier for signs of bait consumption or
other rat activity and refill stations as necessary. Personnel may also
hand-broadcast bait pellets on the islet if rats are detected or
suspected. This work is estimated to take between four and six hours.
If project crews are not able to access the islet in August or
during Rat Island bait application in October, it will be treated by
aerial broadcast. This would take place during the October1-November 11
time frame and require approximately 15 minutes of helicopter flight
time.
Status and Distribution of Affected Species
Table 1. Recent survey results for pinnipeds in the Rat Island area.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Species Number Year Source Comments
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harbor Seal 93 1999 Small et al. in Aerial survey
``Fairly 2007 press Often seen in
common'' Buckelew et al. water, not
2007 seen hauled
out
[[Page 34708]]
Steller sea lion 45 2004 NMFS database Aerial survey
254 2005 NMFS database for Rat
Is.(adults and
juveniles)
Aerial survey
for Ayugadak
Point Rookery
(includes 83
pups)
present 2007 Bucklew 2007 Seen from boat
offshore at
Rat Is. And
Ayugadak Pt.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steller Sea Lion
Steller sea lions range along the North Pacific Rim from northern
Japan to California. They are most abundant in the Gulf of Alaska and
Aleutian Islands (NMFS, 2006). Two separate stocks of Steller sea lions
are recognized in U.S. waters; an eastern U.S. stock that includes
animals east of Cape Suckling, Alaska (144[deg] West), and a western
U.S. stock which includes animals west of Cape Suckling. The western
Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of Steller sea lions has experienced
a major decline of 75% over the past 20 years (Calkins et al., 1999;
USFWS, 1997; NMFS, 2007). Consequently the western DPS of Steller sea
lions were listed as Endangered under the ESA in 1997. The reasons for
this decline are not entirely known and are currently under
investigation.
Aerial survey data from 2004-2005 were used to calculate a minimum
population estimate of 39,988 animals for the western U.S. waters
stock. The Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands area population estimate for the
same period is 20,578 (NMFS, 2006).
Steller sea lions are considered non-migratory with dispersal
generally limited to juveniles and adult males. In the Aleutian
Islands, Steller sea lions generally breed and give birth from late May
to early July (Pitcher and Calkins, 1981), and pups remain at rookeries
until about early to mid-September (Calkins et al., 1999). Non-
reproductive animals congregate at haul out sites.
At Rat Island, a persistent haul-out side is known at the west end
of the island near Krysi Point and a rookery is known from the islet
off Ayugadak Point. Both sites were active in 2007 (Buckelew et al.,
2007).
Pacific Harbor Seal
In the Pacific Ocean, harbor seals occur in coastal waters and
estuaries from Baja California north along the west coast of the U.S.
and Canada to Alaska including the Aleutian Islands, southern Bristol
Bay and the Pribilof Islands. Harbor seals living in the Aleutian
Islands are part of the Gulf of Alaska stock. The Gulf of Alaska stock
has experienced significant declines ranging from 50-85% over the past
30 years (NMFS, 2006). Limited information suggests some modest
recovery from initial declines and the stock has not been listed under
the ESA. The current statewide population estimate for Alaska harbor
seals is 180,017 (NMFS, 2006).
Harbor seals are generally non-migratory with some local movements
related to season, weather, and food availability (NMFS, 2006). In
Alaska, harbor seals typically give birth to a single pup between May
and mid-July. Pups are generally weaned within one month and separate
from their mother. Harbor seals in the Gulf of Alaska undergo an annual
molt which peaks between the first week in August and the first week in
September (Daniel et al., 2003). Harbor seals are found in scattered
locations along the shores of Rat Island and some offshore islets.
Incidental Taking Authorization Requested
The proposed rat eradication effort and associated operations may
result in the taking of marine mammals by Level B incidental harassment
only. As a result, the USFWS has requested an IHA for Level B
harassment. An incidental take of Level B harassment occurs if an
animal moves away any distance in response to the presence of field
crew personnel, watercraft, and/or aircraft, or if the animal was
already moving and changed direction. Animals that raise their head and
look at field crew personnel and/or operated vehicle without moving are
not considered disturbed. Most incidental takings would be related to
harassment from the noise and visual presence/ movement of helicopter
operations during the bait application period. A small number of takes
could also occur as a result of human presence and boat operations
during the course of the project.
The use of a rodenticide is not expected to result in any Level A
harassment (i.e., injury) or death of marine mammals. Marine mammals
are unlikely to ingest bait pellets of rodenticide opportunistically or
accidentally. The rodenticide is retained at low levels in body tissues
and numerous large exposures would have to occur in order to ingest an
injurious or lethal amount. Steller sea lions and harbor seals diet
does not include either bait pellets or rat carcasses that have
succumbed to the rodenticide application.
Further information on the biology and distribution of these
species and others in the region can be found in USFWS' application and
EA, which is available upon request (see ADDRESSES), and the Marine
Mammal Stock Assessment Reports, which are available online at https://
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/prot_res/PR2/Stock_Assessment_Program/individual_
sars.html.
Potential Impact and Effects of the Proposed Activity on the Marine
Mammals
Steller Sea Lions
The response of pinnipeds, like Steller sea lions, to aircraft
overflights varies from no discernable reaction to completely vacating
haul outs after a single overflight (Calkins, 1979; Efroymson and
Suter, 2001). Approaching aircraft generally flush animals into the
water. In one case, Withrow et al. (1985 in Richardson et al., 1995)
reported Steller sea lions left a beach in response to a Bell 205
helicopter >1.6 km away, but the noise from a helicopter is typically
directed down in a ``cone'' underneath (Richardson et al., 1995) so
disturbance
[[Page 34709]]
at such great distance is probably uncommon.
At Rat Island, known persistent haul out sites will be avoided
during proposed staging operations as will any other haul out sites
discovered prior to helicopter operations. In spite of these
precautions, sea lions encountered unexpectedly during proposed
helicopter operations could be flushed from land temporarily. An
individual sea lion's exposure to peak noise from the helicopter will
be limited to animals that remain ashore, and is likely to be of short
duration, as the elevation and speed of the helicopter will limit the
time that any single location is exposed to maximum noise.
It will be more difficult to avoid known haul sites on Rat Island
with the helicopter during bait application because of the need for
thorough coverage. No pups are expected on Rat Island. The impacts of
disturbance to sea lions during molting (a sensitive period to
disturbance, Richardson et al., 1995) will be minimized by timing
overflights after the peak molting period is over.
Proposed installation of bait stations on the islet off Ayugadak
Point in August is likely to result in short-term displacement of some
non-breeding animals from the islet. This disturbance is likely to be
limited to the few-hour period when personnel are present on the
island. Sea lion pups will likely be present on the islet during
installation of bait stations. To prevent disturbance to the rookery,
the islet will be approached slowly in a small boat, from the side of
the island opposite and out of sight of the rookery. While on the
islet, personnel will remain out of sight of the rookery.
In October, the bait stations on the islet will need to be
replenished. Again, the approach to the island will be slow, and
opposite the rookery. This may result in displacing a few non-breeding
animals for a few hours when personnel are present on the islet. If it
is not possible to land a skiff on the islet, the island will be baited
with the helicopter as described in the EA, in the fall after the
pupping and primary molting season. This is likely to result in
flushing sea lions from the islet resulting in short-term displacement.
However, as helicopter baiting will be a very short process
(approximately 15 minutes), disturbance to Steller sea lions is likely
to be very short-term.
Risks to Steller's sea lions from personnel camps on Rat Island
will be minimal as camps and storage sites will be located well inland
away from possible Steller sea lion haul out areas.
Overall, the effects of the operations described in the EA on
Steller's sea lions will vary depending on the number of disturbance
events. However, the short-term displacement from haul-outs that is
likely to occur as a result of helicopter noise and personnel is not
anticipated to have any effect on overall energy balance or fitness of
any individual animals.
It is not likely that any Steller sea lions will suffer injury or
the potential for injury as a result of the activities described in the
EA. The potential disturbance associated with the project would result
in Steller sea lions entering the water; which they do as part of their
normal pattern of behavior, and possibly flushing of groups of animals
at pinniped haul-outs. This analysis concludes that implementation of
rat eradication activities as described in the EA is not likely to
adversely affect individual Steller sea lions on an individual or
population level.
Pacific Harbor Seals
The response of pinnipeds to proposed aircraft overflights varies
from no discernable reaction to completely vacating haul outs after a
single overflight (Calkins, 1979; Efroymson and Suter, 2001).
Approaching aircraft generally flush animals into the water.
During proposed staging operations, project managers will plan
helicopter flight lines and boat travel to minimize the potential for
disturbance to harbor seal haul-outs known from existing databases and
surveys conducted prior to operations. However, in spite of these
precautions, seals encountered unexpectedly during helicopter
operations could be flushed from land temporarily. An individual seal's
exposure to peak noise from the helicopter will be limited to animals
that remain ashore, and is likely to be of short duration, as the
elevation and speed of the helicopter (see Description of Activities,
above) will limit the time that any single location is exposed to
maximum noise.
It will be more difficult to avoid known haul-out sites of Rat
Island with the helicopter during proposed bait application because of
the need for through coverage of the entire island. No young pups are
expected on Rat Island during the fall. The impacts of disturbance to
seals during molting (another sensitive period) will be minimized by
timing overflights after the peak molting period is over.
The sporadic personnel presence and temporary infrastructure
installations that may be necessary near seal haul-outs during both
proposed staging and bait application operations may result in
localized disturbances, although this is much less likely to disturb
animals than helicopter overflights. The camps and staging areas
themselves will be well inland and will have negligible impacts on
seals hauled out on the coastline.
Overall, the short-term displacement from haul-out sites that is
likely to occur as a result of helicopter noise and personnel
activities is not anticipated to have any significant effect on overall
energy balance or fitness of any individual animals.
It is not likely that any harbor seals will suffer injury or the
potential for injury as a result of project activities. Therefore, this
analysis concludes that implementation of rat eradication activities is
not likely to result in significant effects to harbor seals at an
individual or population level.
Variable numbers of sea lions and harbor seals typically haul out
near bait application sites used for proposed eradication operations,
with breeding activity occurring at one known site. Pinnipeds likely to
be affected by rat eradication activity are those that are hauled out
on land at or near bait application sites.
Incidental harassment may result if hauled animals move away from
the field crew personnel, watercraft, and aircraft. For the purpose of
estimating the potential numbers of pinnipeds taken by these proposed
activities, NMFS assumes that pinnipeds that move or change the
direction of their movement in response to the presence of field crew
personnel are taken by Level B Harassment. Although marine mammals will
not be deliberately approached by field crew personnel during proposed
operations, approach may be unavoidable if pinnipeds are hauled out
directly upon the bait application sites. If disturbed, hauled-out
animals may move toward the water without risk of encountering
significant hazards. In these circumstances, the risk of injury or
death to hauled animals is very low.
The risk of marine mammal injury or mortality associated with rat
eradication operations increases somewhat if disturbances occur during
breeding season, as it is possible that mothers and dependent pups
could become separated. If separated pairs don't reunite fairly
quickly, risks of mortality to pups (through starvation) may increase.
Also, adult Steller sea lions may trample sea lion pups if disturbed,
which could potentially result in the injury or death of pups. However,
to mitigate this risk, NMFS and USFWS proposes to include time of year
restrictions to limit the presence of field crew personnel activities
to months that
[[Page 34710]]
Steller sea lion and harbor seal dependent pups are not present at the
bait application sites. Last, field crew personnel are to use great
care approaching sites with pinnipeds and will leave as soon as
possible to minimize effects. Because of the circumstances and the
proposed IHA requirements discussed above, NMFS believes it highly
unlikely that the proposed activities would result in the injury or
mortality of pinnipeds.
For the purposes of estimating take in the IHA, NMFS estimates take
as the total of all three categories of disturbed behavior recorded
(discussed in the Proposed Monitoring and Reporting section below).
Number of Marine Mammals That May Be Affected
Rat Island
Most of the disturbance associated with the Rat Island eradication
will be a result of aircraft noise. The helicopters used to apply bait
to the island will make two passes across most of the island to ensure
success of the project. This could result in two harassment incidents
of Steller sea lions and harbor seals that are hauled out at that time.
The area surrounding a known Steller sea lion haul out at Krysi Point
will be avoided by all activities other than bait application. Harbor
seals use many parts of Rat Island shoreline and could also be affected
by boat operations and personnel movements. Thus the number of takes
was estimated at 2.5 for each individual of this species.
Steller sea lions at Rat Island were counted during an aerial
survey in 2004. The number of animals during that survey was increased
to allow for potential population growth and then used to calculate the
total take in Table 2 (below).
The composition of Steller sea lions, which haul out away from
rookeries, shifts between seasons and is not well understood. Although
no pups are expected at Rat Island, determining the age and sex ratio
of animals using the known haul out near Krysi Point in October is
difficult at best. For this reason the number is calculated as adult
and sub-adult animals without reference to the sex of these animals.
Harbor seals at Rat Island were counted by an aerial survey in
1999. The number of animals recorded during that survey was increased
to allow for potential population growth and then used to calculate the
total take in Table 2 (below). Information regarding the demographics
of harbor seals on Rat Island is not available. The number of animals
recorded in the 1999 survey was used to calculate a total number of
harbor seal takes.
Table 2. Estimated number of marine mammals affected by aircraft operations on Rat Island.
M= male, F= female
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
of take Total
Species of events Pups Pups Subadults Subadults Adults Adults
Animals per M F M F M F M F of Takes
animal
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steller sea lion 65 2 0 0 ? ? ? ? 130
Pacific harbor seal 100 2.5 ? ? ? ? ? ? 250
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ayugadak Point Rookery
Project crews will attempt to access the Ayugadak Point islet by
boat in early August. Landing will be attempted on a beach that is out
of view of the rookery. The topography of the islet will allow bait
stations to be installed without detection by animals on the rookery.
The installation of bait stations will be conducted in a manner that
will not disturb animals (adults and pups) on the rookery itself.
Previous surveys at the islet have sometimes encountered one or two
non-breeding bulls outside of the rookery area near the landing area.
These were young or old bulls unable to hold a territory at the
rookery. If weather allows a visit in August, a follow-up visit will be
attempted in October and could result in a similar take event. A female
with a dependent pup has not been encountered outside the rookery area
on the islet. However, marine mammals can be unpredictable and this
remote possibility cannot be completely discounted. A survey of Steller
sea lions was conducted by NMFS in 2005. This survey data was increased
to allow for potential population growth and then used to calculate the
number of animals anticipated to be affected by this proposed operation
plan in the table below. The numbers in the table below also reflect
the remote possibility of encountering a female with a dependent pup
outside the rookery area.
There are no location-specific population estimates available for
harbor seals on the islet off Ayugadak Point. However, the total take
estimate of harbor seals in Table 2 (above) already takes proposed
personnel activities, such as boat operation and bait station
installation, into account. The harbor seal take estimate from Table 2
(above) includes any harbor seals also present on the islet.
Table 3. Estimated number of Steller sea lions affected by bait station installation visits to the islet near
Ayugadak Point, August and October.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
of take Total
Species of events Pups Subadults Subadults Adults Adults
Animals per of Takes
animal
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steller sea lion 320 2 1 10 0 9 1 42
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If project crews are not able to visit the islet off Ayugadak Point
during either of the proposed planned visits in August and October, the
islet would be aerially treated at the same time at Rat Island in
October. The aerial broadcast
[[Page 34711]]
would require approximately 15 minutes of flight time, but would likely
disturb all animals present at the time. Survey numbers from the NMFS
survey in 2005 indicate the presence of 83 pups. By October, the pups
will be of an adequate size to avoid being trampled by other animals
and largely independent of their mothers. NMFS survey data was
increased to allow for potential population growth and then used to
calculate the number of animals affected by an aerial treatment of the
islet in the table below.
Table 4. Estimated number of Steller sea lions affected by possible aerial broadcast of the islet near Ayugadak
Point, October.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
of take Total
Species of events Pups Subadults Adults
Animals per of Takes
animal
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steller sea lion 320 1 100 0 220 320
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The distribution of pinnipeds hauled-out along the shorelines is
not even between sites or at different times of the year. The number of
marine mammals disturbed will vary by month and location, and, compared
to animals hauled-out on the shoreline farther away from proposed
operations, only those animals hauled-out closest to the actual
proposed operation sites are likely to be disturbed by the presence of
field crew personnel activities and alter their behavior or attempt to
move out of the way.
As discussed earlier, the take estimates consider an animal to have
been harassed if it moves away any distance in response to the presence
of field crew personnel, watercraft, and/or aircraft, or if the animal
is already moving and changed direction. Based on past observations and
assuming a maximum level of incidental harassment of marine mammals at
each site during periods of visitation, NMFS estimates that the maximum
total possible numbers of individuals that will be incidentally
harassed during the effective dates of the proposed IHA would be 385
Steller sea lions, and 100 Pacific harbor seals may be taken by
incidental harassment as a result of this activity.
The population size of the U.S. western stock of Steller sea lions
is estimated to be 44,780, with a minimum population estimate of 38,988
animals (Angliss and Outlaw, 2007). Population estimates for the U.S.
Gulf of Alaska stock of Pacific harbor seals range from a minimum of
44,453 to an average of 45,975 animals (Angliss and Outlaw, 2007). The
estimated total possible number of individuals that will be
incidentally harassed during the proposed project is 0.009 and 0.002
percent of the respective Steller sea lion and harbor seal U.S. stock
populations for these species. NMFS has determined that these are small
numbers, relative to population estimates, of Steller sea lions and
Pacific harbor seals.
Anticipated Impacts to Subsistence Users
In the Aleutian Islands, rural residents harvest Steller sea lions
and Pacific harbor seals for subsistence purposes. The proposed rat
eradication operations described in the EA should have no effect on
those subsistence uses. Rat Island is uninhabited and is located more
than 322 km (200 mi) from the nearest rural community of Adak, Alaska.
The subsistence resources used by rural residents in the Aleutian
Islands are harvested near the islands where the communities are
located. Rat Island is not known to have been used for subsistence
purposes since the 1800's.
Anticipated Impact of the Proposed Activity upon Marine Mammal Habitat
NMFS anticipates the proposed rat eradication operations described
in the IHA application and this document will result in no impacts to
the habitat of marine mammals in the Rat Island area beyond rendering
the areas immediately around each of the baiting application and
broadcasting sites less desirable as haul-out sites for a short time
period during the length of the action. Helicopter and field crew
operations will occasionally need to occur within the Steller sea lion
``no-entry zones'' established by 50 CFR 223.202. Although Level B
harassment is expected to occur in some instances, these proposed
activities will not result in the physical alteration of habitat or
lead to any effects on the prey base of Steller's sea lions or harbor
seals. The proposed rat eradication project should not result in the
loss or modification of marine mammal habitat and the application of
rodenticide bait is not likely to affect marine mammals during the
described operations.
Proposed Mitigation
Several mitigation measures to reduce the potential for harassment
from rat population eradication operations would be (or are proposed to
be implemented) implemented as part of the proposed USFWS activities.
The risk of injury or mortality would be avoided with the following
proposed measures.
Timing
The proposed rat eradication program will include all measures
possible to minimize marine mammal disturbance. This will be especially
critical during periods when Steller sea lions and harbor seals are
giving birth, mating, rearing young, and molting. Disturbances to
females with dependent pups (in the cases of Steller sea lions and
Pacific harbor seals) will be mitigated to the greatest extent
practicable by avoiding visits to baiting sites with resident pinnipeds
during periods of breeding, lactation, and molting. During this period,
proposed rat eradication operations would be limited to sites where
pinniped breeding, post-partum nursing, and molting does not occur.
The reproductive period for Steller sea lions is generally late May
through early July, with a peak in the second and third weeks of June
(Pitcher and Calkins, 1981; Gisiner, 1985). Pups stay on land for about
two weeks, after which they spend increasing time in nearshore waters
until they begin to disperse from rookeries to haul-outs with females
at about 2.5 months of age (Raum-Suryan et al., 2004; Maniscalco et
al., 2002, 2006). In the Aleutian Island area, most pupping is complete
by the last week of June and dispersal should occur by mid-September.
Molting in Steller sea lions varies by age and sex and is known to last
about 45 days. Juveniles molt first, followed by adult females, bulls
and pups (Daniel, 2003). The molt should be nearly
[[Page 34712]]
completed during the proposed planned bait application period.
Harbor seals typically give birth during May and June. Pups are
usually weaned within a month and no longer need to be close to their
mothers. The peak molting period occurs between August and September
(Jemison and Kelly, 2001; Daniel et al., 2003).
Conducting proposed bait application operations after marine mammal
breeding and molting is complete reduces the potential for disturbances
to these species during the sensitive periods of breeding, pup rearing,
and molting. Limiting visits to the breeding, lactation, and molting
sites to periods when these activities do not occur will reduce the
possibility of incidental harassment and the potential for injury or
mortality of dependent Steller sea lion pups and Pacific harbor seals
to near zero.
Proposed Operations
Mitigation of the impacts on affected pinnipeds requires that field
crew personnel are judicious in the route of approach to haul-out sites
and/or rookeries, avoiding close contact with pinnipeds hauled-out on
shore. In no case will marine mammals be deliberately approached by
field crew personnel, and in all cases every possible measure will be
taken to select a pathway of approach to baiting sites that minimizes
the number of marine mammals harassed. After each visit to a given
baiting site, the site will be vacated as soon as possible so that it
can be re-occupied by hauled-out marine mammals that may have been
disturbed by the presence of field crew personnel.
Steller sea lions have a persistent haul-out at Krysi Point at the
west end of Rat Island and a rookery on the islet off Ayugadak Point.
Steller sea lions are likely to haul-out at other locations on Rat
Island as well. During staging operations, helicopter flight lines will
avoid the rookery, the known haul-out sites discovered prior to
helicopter operations. Unlike during staging, it will be more difficult
to avoid known haul-out sites on Rat Island with the helicopter during
bait application because of the need for thorough coverage of the
island.
Disturbance from installation of bait stations on the islet off
Ayugadak Point is likely to be limited to the few-hour period when
field crew personnel are present on the island. To prevent disturbance
to the rookery, the islet will be approached slowly in a small boat,
from the side of the island opposite and out of site of the rookery.
This will prevent any possibility of stampede. While on the islet,
personnel will remain out of sight of the rookery and conduct the
installation as quickly as possible.
If a successful installation is completed in August, the bait
stations on the islet will need to be replenished in October. Again,
the approach to the island will be slow, and opposite the rookery. A
few non-breeding animals could be displaced during the bait station
check. If it is not possible to land a skiff of the islet, the island
will be baited with the helicopter as described in the EA and IHA
application. The helicopter baiting will likely be completed in
approximately 15 minutes and disturbance to Steller sea lions is likely
to be very short term.
Harbor seals will also be avoided to the greatest extent possible
during helicopter operations. During staging operations, project
managers will plan helicopter flight lines and boat travel to minimize
the potential for disturbance to harbor seal haul-outs known from
existing databases and surveys conducted prior to the operations.
Unlike during staging it will be more difficult to avoid known haul
sites on Rat Island with the helicopter during bait application because
of the need for thorough coverage of the entire island.
Field Crew Personnel
The Steller sea lion haul-out at Krysi Point on Rat Island will be
avoided by personnel involved with this proposed project. The sporadic
personnel presence and temporary infrastructure installations that may
be necessary near harbor seal haul-outs during both staging and bait
application operations may result in localized disturbances, although
this is much less likely to disturb animals than proposed helicopter
overflights. The camps and staging areas themselves will be well inland
and will have negligible impacts on Steller sea lions and harbor seals
hauled out on the coastline.
Proposed Monitoring and Reporting
When marine mammals are encountered during the project, personnel
will record information regarding species, distribution, behavior, and
number of animals. When conditions permit, information regarding sex,
age (pup, sub-adult, adult) and any marked animals will also be
recorded. As part of the proposed monitoring, USFWS will record the
numbers of disturbed animals that flush into the water, the number that
move more than 1 m (3.3 ft), but do not enter the water, and the number
that become alert and move, but do not move more than 1 m. Upon
completion of the project, this information will be compiled and
provided to NMFS.
Aircraft and personnel activities related to the proposed project
will be coordinated to reduce potential take. The staff of AMNWR and
their partners will evaluate incidental take and stop any operations
should the potential for incidental take be too great.
Proposed monitoring requirements in relation to USFWS rat
eradication operations will include observations made by the applicant
and field crew personnel associated with the action. Information
recorded will include species counts (with numbers of pups), numbers of
observed disturbances, and descriptions of the disturbance behaviors
during the proposed rat eradication operations. Observations of unusual
behaviors, numbers, or distributions of pinnipeds on Rat Island will be
reported to NMFS during and after the project, so that any potential
follow-up observations can be conducted by the appropriate personnel.
In addition, observations of tag-bearing pinniped carcasses as well as
any rare or unusual species of marine mammals will be reported to NMFS.
If at any time injury or death of any marine mammal occurs that may
be a result of the proposed rat population eradication operations,
USFWS will suspend baiting application and broadcasting activities and
contact NMFS immediately to determine how best to proceed to ensure
that another injury or death does not occur, and to ensure that the
applicant remains in compliance with the MMPA.
A draft final report must be submitted to NMFS within 90 days after
the conclusion of the field season. The report will include a summary
of the information gathered pursuant to the monitoring requirements set
forth in the IHA. A final report must be submitted to the Regional
Administrator within 30 days after receiving comments from NMFS on the
draft final report. If no comments are received from NMFS, the draft
final report will be considered to be the final report.
ESA
For the reasons already described in this Federal Register Notice,
NMFS has determined that the described rat population extermination
operations and the accompanying IHA may have an effect on species or
critical habitat protected under the ESA (specifically, the Steller sea
lion). Therefore, consultation under Section 7 is required and will be
concluded prior to issuance of an IHA.
[[Page 34713]]
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
USFWS prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) of Restoring
Wildlife Habitat on Rat Island, AK, and a Finding of No Significant
Impact (FONSI), which analyzed the proposed issuance of an IHA for
these activities and operations. A copy of the EA and FONSI are
available upon request (see ADDRESSES). NMFS is reviewing this EA and
will either adopt it or prepare its own NEPA document before making a
determination on the issuance of an IHA to the USFWS on this activity.
Conclusions
Based on the USFWS' application, as well as the analysis contained
herein, NMFS has preliminarily determined that the impact of the
described rat extermination at Rat Island will result, at most, in a
temporary modification in behavior by small numbers of Steller sea
lions and Pacific harbor seals, in the form of head alerts, movement
away from personnel, watercraft and aircraft, and/or flushing from the
beach. In addition, no take by injury or death is anticipated, and take
by harassment will be at the lowest level practicable due to
incorporation of the mitigation measures mentioned previously in this
document. NMFS has further preliminarily determined that the
anticipated takes will have a negligible impact on the affected species
and not have an unmitigable adverse impact on subsistence uses of
marine mammals.
Proposed Authorization
NMFS proposes to issue an IHA to the USFWS for the harassment of
Steller sea lions and Pacific harbor seals incidental to non-native rat
population extermination operations, provided the previously mentioned
mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements are incorporated.
Dated: June 12, 2008.
Tammy C. Adams,
Acting Chief, Permits, Conservation, and Education Division, Office of
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8-13786 Filed 6-17-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
