Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Navy Training Operations Conducted Within the Navy Cherry Point Range Complex, 38991-38993 [E8-15472]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 131 / Tuesday, July 8, 2008 / Notices
ebenthall on PRODPC60 with NOTICES
the reporting period did not provide
evidence, or reason to suspect, that any
seals were killed or injured by
Northstar-related activities during 2007.
No activities were conducted that could
have exposed pinnipeds and whales to
underwater received levels greater than
190 dB re 1 µPa (rms) or 180 dB re 1
µPa (rms), respectively.
Seven Directional Autonomous
Seafloor Acoustic Recorders (DASARs)
were installed in August, 2007. Five of
the devices were deployed at locations
11.4–21.4 km (7.1–13.3 mi) NNE of
Northstar Island and recorded lowfrequency sounds continuously for
approximately 36 days, until October 3.
Simultaneously, near-island recordings
were obtained from two DASARs placed
410–480 m (1,345–1,575 ft) from
Northstar over the same period. In total,
11,780 bowhead whale calls were
recorded in approximately 36 days at
the four offshore DASAR locations. A
total of 10,146 calls, or 282 calls/day,
were detected by two of the offshore
DASARs combined. The 282 calls/day
figure for 2007 is less than those
recorded for 2003–2004 but greater than
those for 2001, 2002, 2005, and 2006.
The much higher call counts in 2007
compared to the two previous years are
probably related to the absence of
nearshore pack ice during the 2007
season, meaning there were probably
more whales closer to shore.
Based on boat traffic records, sound
emissions associated with Northstar
activities in 2007 were probably
somewhat higher than in 2006 but lower
than in 2001–2003. However, the
weather was also considerably windier
in 2006, which increases baseline sound
levels. BPXA has no evidence that the
island per se was producing sounds that
were different in amplitude or
frequency characteristics compared to
previous years.
Subsistence hunters from Nuiqsut
who traveled to Cross Island for the
annual bowhead whale hunt did not
report any negative effects from
Northstar activities on their ability to
conduct the hunt. In 2007, Nuiqsut
whalers landed three whales. One whale
was struck and lost.
Authorization
BPXA complied with the
requirements of the 2007 LOA, and
NMFS has determined that the marine
mammal take resulting from the 2007
construction and operation activities is
within that analyzed in and anticipated
by the associated regulations.
Accordingly, NMFS has issued a 1–year
LOA to BPXA, authorizing the taking of
small numbers of marine mammals
incidental to oil production operations
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:11 Jul 07, 2008
Jkt 214001
at the Northstar offshore facility in state
and Federal waters in the U.S. Beaufort
Sea. Issuance of this LOA is based on
findings described in the preamble to
the final rule (71 FR 11314, March 7,
2006) and supported by information
contained in BPXA’s 2007 annual report
that the activities described in the LOA
will result in the taking of no more than
small numbers of bowhead whales,
beluga whales, ringed seals, and,
possibly California gray whales, bearded
seals, and spotted seals and that the
total taking will have a negligible
impact on these marine mammal stocks
and would not have an unmitigable
adverse impact on the availability of
these species or stocks for taking for
subsistence uses.
Dated: July 1, 2008.
James H. Lecky,
Director, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8–15473 Filed 7–7–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
38991
Comments on the
applications should be addressed to P.
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–
XI88@noaa.gov. NMFS is not
responsible for e-mail comments sent to
addresses other than the one provided
here. Comments sent via e-mail,
including all attachments, must not
exceed a 10–megabyte file size. Copies
of the Navy’s application may be
obtained by writing to the address
specified above (See ADDRESSES),
telephoning the contact listed below
(see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT),
or visiting the internet at: https://
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/
incidental.htm.
ADDRESSES:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Shane Guan, Office of Protected
Resources, NMFS, (301) 713–2289, ext.
137.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; receipt of applications
for a letter of authorization (LOA);
request for comments and information.
SUMMARY: NMFS has received requests
from the U.S. Navy (Navy) for an
authorization for the take of marine
mammals incidental to training
operations conducted within the Navy
Cherry Point Range Complex off the
coast of North Carolina for the period
beginning May 29, 2009 and ending
May 28, 2014. Pursuant to the
implementing regulations of the Marine
Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS
is announcing our receipt of the Navy’s
request for the development and
implementation of regulations
governing the incidental taking of
marine mammals and inviting
information, suggestions, and comments
on the Navy’s application and request.
DATES: Comments and information must
be received no later than August 7,
2008.
Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the
MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) direct
the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary)
to allow, upon request, the incidental,
but not intentional taking of marine
mammals by U.S. citizens who engage
in a specified activity (other than
commercial fishing) if certain findings
are made and regulations are issued or,
if the taking is limited to harassment,
notice of a proposed authorization is
provided to the public for review.
Authorization for incidental takings
may be granted if NMFS finds that the
taking will have no more than a
negligible impact on the species or
stock(s), will not have an unmitigable
adverse impact on the availability of the
species or stock(s) for subsistence uses,
and if the permissible methods of taking
and requirements pertaining to the
mitigation, monitoring and reporting of
such taking are set forth.
NMFS has defined ‘‘negligible
impact’’ in 50 CFR 216.103 as:
an impact resulting from the specified
activity that cannot be reasonably expected
to, and is not reasonably likely to, adversely
affect the species or stock through effects on
annual rates of recruitment or survival.
RIN 0648–XI88
Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental
to Specified Activities; Taking Marine
Mammals Incidental to Navy Training
Operations Conducted Within the Navy
Cherry Point Range Complex
AGENCY:
PO 00000
Frm 00024
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
With respect to military readiness
activities, the MMPA defines
‘‘harassment’’ as:
(i) any act that injures or has the significant
potential to injure a marine mammal or
marine mammal stock in the wild [Level A
Harassment]; or
(ii) any act that disturbs or is likely to
disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal
E:\FR\FM\08JYN1.SGM
08JYN1
38992
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 131 / Tuesday, July 8, 2008 / Notices
stock in the wild by causing disruption of
natural behavioral patterns, including, but
not limited to, migration, surfacing, nursing,
breeding, feeding, or sheltering, to a point
where such behavioral patterns are
abandoned or significantly altered [Level B
Harassment].
Summary of Request
On June 13, 2008, NMFS received an
application from the Navy requesting an
LOA for the take of bottlenose and
Atlantic spotted dolphins by Level B
harassment incidental to the proposed
training activities within the Navy’s
Cherry Point Range Complex over the
course of 5 years. These training
activities are classified as military
readiness activities. The Cherry Point
Range Complex geographically
encompasses offshore and near-shore
operation areas (OPAREAs),
instrumented ranges, and special use
airspace located along the U.S. Atlantic
coast, and is shown in Figure 1 of the
Navy’s LOA application. Please refer to
Table 31 of the LOA application for
detailed information of the potential
exposures from explosive ordnance (per
year) for marine mammals in the
proposed Cherry Point Range Complex
area.
Specified Activities
In the application submitted to
NMFS, the Navy requests authorizations
for take of marine mammals incidental
to conducting training operations within
the Cherry Point Range Complex. These
training activities consist of surface
warfare, mine warfare, amphibious
warfare, and vessel movement. A
description of each of these training
activities within each of the range
complexes is provided below:
ebenthall on PRODPC60 with NOTICES
Surface Warfare
Surface Warfare (SUW) supports
defense of a geographical area (e.g., a
zone or barrier) in cooperation with
surface, subsurface, and air forces. SUW
operations detect, localize, and track
surface targets, primarily ships.
Detected ships are monitored visually
and with radar. Operations include
identifying surface contacts, engaging
with weapons, disengaging, evasion and
avoiding attack, including
implementation of radio silence and
deceptive measures.
For the proposed Cherry Point Range
Complex training operations, SUW
involving the use of explosive ordnance
includes air-to-surface Missile Exercises
(MISSILEX). The MISSILEX would
involve helicopter crews launch
missiles at at-sea surface targets with the
goal of destroying or disabling the
target. MISSILEX (A-S) training in the
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:11 Jul 07, 2008
Jkt 214001
Cherry Point Range Complex could
occur during the day or at night.
Mine Warfare/Mine Exercises
Mine Warfare (MIW) includes the
strategic, operational, and tactical use of
mines and mine countermine measures
(MCM). MIW training is divided into (a)
the laying of mines to degrade the
enemy’s capabilities to wage land, air,
and maritime warfare, and (b) the
countering of enemy-laid mines to
permit friendly maneuver or use of
selected land or sea areas.
MIW consists of two unit level
operations: airborne mine
countermeasures (AMCM) and mine
neutralization. AMCM or Mine
Countermeasures Exercises (MCMEX)
train forces to detect, identify, classify,
mark, avoid, and disable (or verify
destruction of) underwater mines
(bottom or moored) using a variety of
methods including air, surface, subsurface, and ground assets. The AMCM
systems include mine hunting sonar
(AQS–24A), influence mine sweeping
systems (MK–105 and MK–104), antimine ordnance (Airborne Mine
Neutralization System (AMNS)), and
moored mine sweep system (MK–103).
Mine Neutralization operations
involve the detection, identification,
evaluation, rendering safe, and disposal
of underwater Unexploded Ordnance
(UXO) that constitutes a threat to ships
or personnel. Mine hunting techniques
involve divers, specialized sonar, and
unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs)
to locate and classify the mines and
then destroy them using one of two
methods: mechanical (explosive cutters)
or influence (matching the acoustic,
magnetic, or pressure signature of the
mine).
In addition to the current mine
exercises, the Organic Airborne Mine
Countermeasures (OAMCM) training
exercises would begin in the Navy
Cherry Point Operating Area as these
new systems are introduced into the
fleet. The OAMCM systems include
mine hunting sonar (AQS–20), influence
mine sweeping towed arrays that
emulates the magnetic and acoustic
signatures of transit platforms, antimine ordnance systems, and mine
hunting laser that uses a light imaging
detecting and ranging (LIDAR) to detect,
localize, and classify near-surface
moored/floating mines.
MIW training using Explosive
Ordnance Disposal (EOD) underwater
detonations in the Navy Cherry Point
Study Area occur only during daylight
hours.
PO 00000
Frm 00025
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Amphibious Warfare
Amphibious Warfare (AMW) involves
the utilization of naval firepower and
logistics in combination with U.S.
Marine Corps landing forces to project
military power ashore. AMW
encompasses a broad spectrum of
operations involving maneuver from the
sea to objectives ashore, ranging from
shore assaults, boat raids, ship-to-shore
maneuver, shore bombardment and
other naval fire support, and air strike
and close air support training. In the
Cherry Point Range Complex, AMW
training is limited to Firing Exercises
(FIREX).
During an FIREX, surface ships use
their main battery guns to fire from sea
at land targets in support of military
forces ashore. On the east coast, the land
ranges where FIREX training can take
place are limited. Therefore, land
masses are simulated during east coast
FIREX training using the Integrated
Maritime Portable Acoustic Scoring and
Simulation System (IMPASS) system, a
system of buoys that simulate a land
mass. FIREX training using IMPASS in
the Cherry Point Range Complex study
area occurs only during daylight hours.
Vessel Movement
Vessel movements are associated with
most activities under the training
operations in the Cherry Point Range
Complex. Currently, the number of
Navy vessels operating in the Cherry
Point study areas varies based on
training schedules and can range from 0
to about 10 vessels at any given time.
Ship sizes range from 362 ft (110 m) for
a submarine to 1,092 ft (333 m) for an
aircraft carrier and speeds generally
range from 10 to 14 knots. Operations
involving vessel movements occur
intermittently and are variable in
duration, ranging from a few hours up
to 2 weeks. These operations are widely
dispersed throughout the operation area,
which is a vast area encompassing
18,617 nm2 (an area approximately the
size of West Virginia). The Navy logs
about 950 total vessel days within the
Cherry Point study area during a typical
year. Consequently, the density of ships
within the study area at any given time
is extremely low (i.e., less than 0.005
ships/nm2).
Proposed Monitoring and Mitigation
Measures
The Navy is developing an Integrated
Comprehensive Monitoring Program
(ICMP) for marine species to assess the
effects of training activities on marine
species and investigate population
trends in marine species distribution
and abundance in various range
E:\FR\FM\08JYN1.SGM
08JYN1
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 131 / Tuesday, July 8, 2008 / Notices
complexes and geographic locations
where Navy training occurs. The
primary tools available for monitoring
include visual observations, acoustic
monitoring, photo identification and
tagging, and oceanographic and
environmental data collection.
A list of proposed mitigation
measures and standard operating
procedures are described in the
application for the proposed training
operations. These mitigation measures
include personnel training for
watchstanders and lookouts in marine
mammal monitoring, operating
procedures for collision avoidance,
specific measures applicable to the midAtlantic during North Atlantic right
whale migration, and a series of
measures for specific at-sea training
events including surface-to-surface
gunnery, etc. A detailed description of
the monitoring and mitigation measures
are provided in the applications.
Information Solicited
ebenthall on PRODPC60 with NOTICES
Interested persons may submit
information, suggestions, and comments
concerning the Navy’s request (see
ADDRESSES). All information,
suggestions, and comments related to
the Navy’s Cherry Point Range Complex
request and NMFS’ potential
development and implementation of
regulations governing the incidental
taking of marine mammals by the
Navy’s training activities will be
considered by NMFS in developing, if
appropriate, the most effective
regulations governing the issuance of
letters of authorization.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
15:11 Jul 07, 2008
Jkt 214001
Dated: July 2, 2008.
James H. Lecky,
Director, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. E8–15472 Filed 7–7–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
38993
should contact the Secretary at least 10
days before the meeting date.
Dated in Washington, DC, 27 June 26,
2008.
Thomas Luebke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8–15186 Filed 7–7–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6330–01–M
COMMISSION OF FINE ARTS
Notice of Meeting
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
The next meeting of the U.S.
Commission of Fine Arts is scheduled
for 17 July 2008, at 10 a.m. Due to the
closure of the National Building
Museum that morning, the meeting will
convene at 10 a.m. in the boardroom of
the National Capital Planning
Commission, 401 9th Street, NW., Suite
500, Washington, DC 20576, for the
presentation and review of the National
Capital Framework Plan. Following this
presentation, the Commission meeting
will reconvene at 12 noon in the
Commission’s offices in the National
Building Museum, Suite 312, Judiciary
Square, 401 F Street, NW., Washington,
DC 20001–2728. Items of discussion
may include buildings, parks, and
memorials.
Draft agendas and additional
information regarding the Commission
are available on our Web site: https://
www.cfa.gov. Inquiries regarding the
agenda and requests to submit written
or oral statements should be addressed
to Thomas Luebke, Secretary, U.S.
Commission of Fine Arts, at the above
address, or call 202–504–2200.
Individuals requiring sign language
interpretation for the hearing impaired
Office of the Secretary
PO 00000
Frm 00026
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
[Transmittal Nos. 08–45]
36(b)(1) Arms Sales Notification
Department of Defense, Defense
Security Cooperation Agency.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Department of Defense is
publishing the unclassified text of a
section 36(b)(1) arms sales notification.
This is published to fulfill the
requirements of section 155 of Public
Law 104–164 dated 21 July 1996.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
B. English, DSCA/DBO/CFM, (703) 601–
3740.
The following is a copy of a letter to
the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, Transmittals 08–45
with attached transmittal, policy
justification, and Sensitivity of
Technology.
Dated: June 30, 2008.
Patricia L. Toppings,
OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer,
Department of Defense.
BILLING CODE 5001–06–M
E:\FR\FM\08JYN1.SGM
08JYN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 131 (Tuesday, July 8, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38991-38993]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-15472]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XI88
Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities;
Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Navy Training Operations Conducted
Within the Navy Cherry Point Range Complex
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; receipt of applications for a letter of authorization
(LOA); request for comments and information.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS has received requests from the U.S. Navy (Navy) for an
authorization for the take of marine mammals incidental to training
operations conducted within the Navy Cherry Point Range Complex off the
coast of North Carolina for the period beginning May 29, 2009 and
ending May 28, 2014. Pursuant to the implementing regulations of the
Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is announcing our receipt of
the Navy's request for the development and implementation of
regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals and
inviting information, suggestions, and comments on the Navy's
application and request.
DATES: Comments and information must be received no later than August
7, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the applications should be addressed to P.
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-XI88@noaa.gov. NMFS is not
responsible for e-mail comments sent to addresses other than the one
provided here. Comments sent via e-mail, including all attachments,
must not exceed a 10-megabyte file size. Copies of the Navy's
application may be obtained by writing to the address specified above
(See ADDRESSES), telephoning the contact listed below (see FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT), or visiting the internet at: https://
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shane Guan, Office of Protected
Resources, NMFS, (301) 713-2289, ext. 137.
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 (Secretary) to allow, upon request,
the incidental, but not intentional taking of marine mammals by U.S.
citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than commercial
fishing) if certain findings are made and regulations are issued or, if
the taking is limited to harassment, notice of a proposed authorization
is provided to the public for review.
Authorization for incidental takings may be granted if NMFS finds
that the taking will have no more than a negligible impact on the
species or stock(s), will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the
availability of the species or stock(s) for subsistence uses, and if
the permissible methods of taking and requirements pertaining to the
mitigation, monitoring and reporting of such taking are set forth.
NMFS has defined ``negligible impact'' in 50 CFR 216.103 as:
an impact resulting from the specified activity that cannot be
reasonably expected to, and is not reasonably likely to, adversely
affect the species or stock through effects on annual rates of
recruitment or survival.
With respect to military readiness activities, the MMPA defines
``harassment'' as:
(i) any act that injures or has the significant potential to
injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild [Level A
Harassment]; or
(ii) any act that disturbs or is likely to disturb a marine
mammal or marine mammal
[[Page 38992]]
stock in the wild by causing disruption of natural behavioral
patterns, including, but not limited to, migration, surfacing,
nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering, to a point where such
behavioral patterns are abandoned or significantly altered [Level B
Harassment].
Summary of Request
On June 13, 2008, NMFS received an application from the Navy
requesting an LOA for the take of bottlenose and Atlantic spotted
dolphins by Level B harassment incidental to the proposed training
activities within the Navy's Cherry Point Range Complex over the course
of 5 years. These training activities are classified as military
readiness activities. The Cherry Point Range Complex geographically
encompasses offshore and near-shore operation areas (OPAREAs),
instrumented ranges, and special use airspace located along the U.S.
Atlantic coast, and is shown in Figure 1 of the Navy's LOA application.
Please refer to Table 31 of the LOA application for detailed
information of the potential exposures from explosive ordnance (per
year) for marine mammals in the proposed Cherry Point Range Complex
area.
Specified Activities
In the application submitted to NMFS, the Navy requests
authorizations for take of marine mammals incidental to conducting
training operations within the Cherry Point Range Complex. These
training activities consist of surface warfare, mine warfare,
amphibious warfare, and vessel movement. A description of each of these
training activities within each of the range complexes is provided
below:
Surface Warfare
Surface Warfare (SUW) supports defense of a geographical area
(e.g., a zone or barrier) in cooperation with surface, subsurface, and
air forces. SUW operations detect, localize, and track surface targets,
primarily ships. Detected ships are monitored visually and with radar.
Operations include identifying surface contacts, engaging with weapons,
disengaging, evasion and avoiding attack, including implementation of
radio silence and deceptive measures.
For the proposed Cherry Point Range Complex training operations,
SUW involving the use of explosive ordnance includes air-to-surface
Missile Exercises (MISSILEX). The MISSILEX would involve helicopter
crews launch missiles at at-sea surface targets with the goal of
destroying or disabling the target. MISSILEX (A-S) training in the
Cherry Point Range Complex could occur during the day or at night.
Mine Warfare/Mine Exercises
Mine Warfare (MIW) includes the strategic, operational, and
tactical use of mines and mine countermine measures (MCM). MIW training
is divided into (a) the laying of mines to degrade the enemy's
capabilities to wage land, air, and maritime warfare, and (b) the
countering of enemy-laid mines to permit friendly maneuver or use of
selected land or sea areas.
MIW consists of two unit level operations: airborne mine
countermeasures (AMCM) and mine neutralization. AMCM or Mine
Countermeasures Exercises (MCMEX) train forces to detect, identify,
classify, mark, avoid, and disable (or verify destruction of)
underwater mines (bottom or moored) using a variety of methods
including air, surface, sub-surface, and ground assets. The AMCM
systems include mine hunting sonar (AQS-24A), influence mine sweeping
systems (MK-105 and MK-104), anti-mine ordnance (Airborne Mine
Neutralization System (AMNS)), and moored mine sweep system (MK-103).
Mine Neutralization operations involve the detection,
identification, evaluation, rendering safe, and disposal of underwater
Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) that constitutes a threat to ships or
personnel. Mine hunting techniques involve divers, specialized sonar,
and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) to locate and classify the
mines and then destroy them using one of two methods: mechanical
(explosive cutters) or influence (matching the acoustic, magnetic, or
pressure signature of the mine).
In addition to the current mine exercises, the Organic Airborne
Mine Countermeasures (OAMCM) training exercises would begin in the Navy
Cherry Point Operating Area as these new systems are introduced into
the fleet. The OAMCM systems include mine hunting sonar (AQS-20),
influence mine sweeping towed arrays that emulates the magnetic and
acoustic signatures of transit platforms, anti-mine ordnance systems,
and mine hunting laser that uses a light imaging detecting and ranging
(LIDAR) to detect, localize, and classify near-surface moored/floating
mines.
MIW training using Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) underwater
detonations in the Navy Cherry Point Study Area occur only during
daylight hours.
Amphibious Warfare
Amphibious Warfare (AMW) involves the utilization of naval
firepower and logistics in combination with U.S. Marine Corps landing
forces to project military power ashore. AMW encompasses a broad
spectrum of operations involving maneuver from the sea to objectives
ashore, ranging from shore assaults, boat raids, ship-to-shore
maneuver, shore bombardment and other naval fire support, and air
strike and close air support training. In the Cherry Point Range
Complex, AMW training is limited to Firing Exercises (FIREX).
During an FIREX, surface ships use their main battery guns to fire
from sea at land targets in support of military forces ashore. On the
east coast, the land ranges where FIREX training can take place are
limited. Therefore, land masses are simulated during east coast FIREX
training using the Integrated Maritime Portable Acoustic Scoring and
Simulation System (IMPASS) system, a system of buoys that simulate a
land mass. FIREX training using IMPASS in the Cherry Point Range
Complex study area occurs only during daylight hours.
Vessel Movement
Vessel movements are associated with most activities under the
training operations in the Cherry Point Range Complex. Currently, the
number of Navy vessels operating in the Cherry Point study areas varies
based on training schedules and can range from 0 to about 10 vessels at
any given time. Ship sizes range from 362 ft (110 m) for a submarine to
1,092 ft (333 m) for an aircraft carrier and speeds generally range
from 10 to 14 knots. Operations involving vessel movements occur
intermittently and are variable in duration, ranging from a few hours
up to 2 weeks. These operations are widely dispersed throughout the
operation area, which is a vast area encompassing 18,617 nm\2\ (an area
approximately the size of West Virginia). The Navy logs about 950 total
vessel days within the Cherry Point study area during a typical year.
Consequently, the density of ships within the study area at any given
time is extremely low (i.e., less than 0.005 ships/nm\2\).
Proposed Monitoring and Mitigation Measures
The Navy is developing an Integrated Comprehensive Monitoring
Program (ICMP) for marine species to assess the effects of training
activities on marine species and investigate population trends in
marine species distribution and abundance in various range
[[Page 38993]]
complexes and geographic locations where Navy training occurs. The
primary tools available for monitoring include visual observations,
acoustic monitoring, photo identification and tagging, and
oceanographic and environmental data collection.
A list of proposed mitigation measures and standard operating
procedures are described in the application for the proposed training
operations. These mitigation measures include personnel training for
watchstanders and lookouts in marine mammal monitoring, operating
procedures for collision avoidance, specific measures applicable to the
mid-Atlantic during North Atlantic right whale migration, and a series
of measures for specific at-sea training events including surface-to-
surface gunnery, etc. A detailed description of the monitoring and
mitigation measures are provided in the applications.
Information Solicited
Interested persons may submit information, suggestions, and
comments concerning the Navy's request (see ADDRESSES). All
information, suggestions, and comments related to the Navy's Cherry
Point Range Complex request and NMFS' potential development and
implementation of regulations governing the incidental taking of marine
mammals by the Navy's training activities will be considered by NMFS in
developing, if appropriate, the most effective regulations governing
the issuance of letters of authorization.
Dated: July 2, 2008.
James H. Lecky,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-15472 Filed 7-7-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S
