Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Operations of a Liquified Natural Gas Port Facility in Massachusetts Bay, 42071-42079 [2010-17692]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 138 (Tuesday, July 20, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42071-42079]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-17692]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XX27


Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Operations of a Liquified 
Natural Gas Port Facility in Massachusetts Bay

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

ACTION:  Notice; proposed incidental harassment authorization and 
receipt of application for five year regulations; request for comments 
and information.

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SUMMARY:  NMFS has received a request from the Northeast Gateway Energy 
Bridge\TM\ L.L.C. (Northeast Gateway or NEG) and its partner, Algonquin 
Gas Transmission, LLC (Algonquin), for authorization to take marine 
mammals incidental to operating a liquified natural gas (LNG) port 
facility by NEG and Algonquin, in Massachusetts Bay for the period of 
August 2010 through August 2011. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal 
Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to 
issue an authorization to Northeast Gateway and Algonquin to 
incidentally take, by harassment, small numbers of marine mammals for a 
period of 1 year.

DATES:  Comments and information must be received no later than August 
19, 2010.

ADDRESSES:  Comments 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 3226. The mailbox address for providing email 
comments on this action is PR1.0648-XN24@noaa.gov. Comments sent via 
email, including all attachments, must not exceed a 10 megabyte file 
size. A copy of the application and a list of references used in this 
document may be obtained by writing to this address, by telephoning the 
contact listed here (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) and is also 
available at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm#applications.
    The Maritime Administration (MARAD) and U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) 
Final Environmental Impact Statement (Final EIS) on the Northeast 
Gateway Energy Bridge LNG Deepwater Port license application is 
available for viewing at https://dms.dot.gov under the docket number 
22219.

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 101(a)(5)(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) within a specified geographical region if certain 
findings are made and 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), 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.
    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 June 14, 2010, NMFS received an application from Excelerate 
Energy, L.P. (Excelerate) and Tetra Tech EC, Inc., on behalf of 
Northeast Gateway and Algonquin for an authorization to take 12 species 
of marine mammals by Level B harassment incidental to operations of an 
LNG port facility in Massachusetts Bay. Since LNG Port operation and 
maintenance activities have the potential to take marine mammals, a 
marine mammal take authorization under the MMPA is warranted. NMFS has 
already issued a one year incidental harassment authorization for this 
activity pursuant to section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA (74 FR 45613; 
September 3, 2009), which expires on August 31, 2010. In order to for 
Northeast Gateway and Algonquin to continue their operations of the LNG 
port facility in Massachusetts Bay, both companies are seeking a 
renewal of their IHA.

Description of the Activity

    The Northeast Gateway Port is located in Massachusetts Bay and 
consists of a submerged buoy system to dock specially designed LNG 
carriers approximately 13 mi (21 km) offshore of Massachusetts in 
federal waters approximately 270 to 290 ft (82 to 88 m) in depth. This 
facility delivers regasified LNG to onshore markets via a 16.06 mi 
(25.8 km) long, 24 in (61 cm) outside diameter natural gas pipeline 
lateral (Pipeline Lateral) owned and operated by Algonquin and 
interconnected to Algonquin's existing offshore natural gas pipeline 
system in Massachusetts Bay (HubLine).
    The Northeast Gateway Port consists of two subsea Submerged Turret 
Loading\TM\ (STL\TM\) buoys, each with a flexible riser assembly and a 
manifold connecting the riser assembly, via a steel flowline, to the 
subsea Pipeline Lateral. Northeast Gateway utilizes vessels from its 
current fleet of specially designed Energy Bridge Regasification 
VesselsJ (EBRVs\TM\), each capable of transporting approximately 2.9 
billion ft\3\ (82 million m\3\) of natural gas condensed to 4.9 million 
feet\3\ (138,000

[[Page 42072]]

m\3\) of LNG. Northeast Gateway would also be adding vessels to its 
fleet that will have a cargo capacity of approximately 151,000 cubic 
m\3\. The mooring system installed at the Northeast Gateway Port is 
designed to handle both the existing vessels and any of the larger 
capacity vessels that may come into service in the future. The EBRVs 
would dock to the STL buoys, which would serve as both the single point 
mooring system for the vessels and the delivery conduit for natural 
gas. Each of the STL buoys is secured to the seafloor using a series of 
suction anchors and a combination of chain/cable anchor lines.
    The proposed activity includes Northeast Gateway LNG Port 
operations and maintenance.

NEG Port Operations

    During NEG Port operations, EBRVs servicing the Northeast Gateway 
Port will utilize the newly configured and International Maritime 
Organization (IMO) approved Boston Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) on 
their approach to and departure from the Northeast Gateway Port at the 
earliest practicable point of transit. EBRVs will maintain speeds of 12 
knots or less while in the TSS, unless transiting the Off Race Point 
Seasonal Management Area between the dates of March 1 and April 30, or 
the Great South Channel Seasonal Management Area between the dates of 
April 1 and July 31, when they will not exceed 10-knots or when there 
have been active right whale sightings, active acoustic detections, or 
both, in the vicinity of the transiting EBRV in the TSS or at the 
Northeast Gateway Port, in which case the vessels also will slow their 
speeds to 10 knots or less.
    As an EBRV makes its final approach to the Northeast Gateway Port, 
vessel speed will gradually be reduced to 3 knots at 1.86 mi (3 km) out 
to less than 1 knot at a distance of 1,640 ft (500 m) from the 
Northeast Gateway Port. When an EBRV arrives at the Northeast Gateway 
Port, it would retrieve one of the two permanently anchored submerged 
STL buoys. It would make final connection to the buoy through a series 
of engine and bow thruster actions. The EBRV would require the use of 
thrusters for dynamic positioning during docking procedure. Typically, 
the docking procedure is completed over a 10 to 30 minute period, with 
the thrusters activated as necessary for short periods of time in 
second bursts, not a continuous sound source. Once connected to the 
buoy, the EBRV will begin vaporizing the LNG into its natural gas state 
using the onboard regasification system. As the LNG is regasified, 
natural gas will be transferred at pipeline pressures off the EBRV 
through the STL buoy and flexible riser via a steel flowline leading to 
the connecting Pipeline Lateral. When the LNG vessel is on the buoy, 
wind and current effects on the vessel would be allowed to 
Aweathervane@ on the single point mooring system; therefore, thrusters 
will not be used to maintain a stationary position.
    It is estimated that the NEG Port could receive approximately 65 
cargo deliveries a year. During this time period thrusters would be 
engaged in use for docking at the NEG Port approximately 10 to 30 
minutes for each vessel arrival and departure.

NEG Port Maintenance

    The specified design life of the NEG Port is about 40 years, with 
the exception of the anchors, mooring chain/rope, and riser/umbilical 
assemblies, which are based on a maintenance free design life of 20 
years. The buoy pick up system components are considered consumable and 
would be inspected following each buoy connection, and replaced (from 
inside the STL compartment during the normal cargo discharge period) as 
deemed necessary. The underwater components of the NEG Port would be 
inspected once yearly in accordance with Classification Society Rules 
(American Bureau of Shipping) using either divers or remotely operated 
vehicles (ROVs) to inspect and record the condition of the various STL 
system components. These activities would be conducted using the NEG 
Port's normal support vessel (125-foot, 99 gross ton, 2,700 horsepower, 
aluminum mono-hull vessel), and to the extent possible would coincide 
with planned weekly visits to the NEG Port. Helicopters would not be 
used for marker line maintenance inspections.
    Detailed information on the operations and maintenance activities 
can be found in the MARAD/USCG Final EIS on the Northeast Gateway 
Project (see ADDRESSES for availability). Detailed information on the 
LNG facility's operation and maintenance activities, and noise 
generated from operations was also published in the Federal Register 
for the proposed IHA for Northeast Gateway's LNG Port construction and 
operations on March 13, 2007 (72 FR 11328).

Description of Marine Mammals in the Area of the Specified Activities

    Marine mammal species that potentially occur in the vicinity of the 
Northeast Gateway facility include several species of cetaceans and 
pinnipeds:
    North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis),
    humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae),
    fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus),
    minke whale (B. acutorostrata),
    long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas),
    Atlantic white sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus),
    bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus),
    common dolphin (Delphinus delphis),
    killer whale (Orcinus orca),
    harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena),
    harbor seal (Phoca vitulina), and
    gray seal (Halichoerus grypus).
    Information on those species that may be affected by this activity 
is discussed in detail in the USCG Final EIS on the Northeast Gateway 
LNG proposal. Please refer to that document for more information on 
these species and potential impacts from construction and operation of 
this LNG facility. In addition, general information on these marine 
mammal species can also be found in W?rsig et al. (2000) and in the 
NMFS Stock Assessment Reports (Waring et al., 2010). This latter 
document is available at: https://www.nefsc.noaa.gov/publications/tm/tm213/. An updated summary on several commonly sighted marine mammal 
species distribution and abundance in the vicinity of the proposed 
action area is provided below.

Humpback Whale

    The highest abundance for humpback whales is distributed primarily 
along a relatively narrow corridor following the 100 m (328 ft) isobath 
across the southern Gulf of Maine from the northwestern slope of 
Georges Bank, south to the Great South Channel, and northward alongside 
Cape Cod to Stellwagen Bank and Jeffreys Ledge. The relative abundance 
of whales increases in the spring with the highest occurrence along the 
slope waters (between the 40- and 140-m, or 131- and 459-ft, isobaths) 
off Cape Cod and Davis Bank, Stellwagen Basin and Tillies Basin and 
between the 50 and 200 m (164- and 656-ft) isobaths along the inner 
slope of Georges Bank. High abundance is also estimated for the waters 
around Platts Bank. In the summer months, abundance increases markedly 
over the shallow waters (<50 m, or <164 ft) of Stellwagen Bank, the 
waters (100-200 m, or 328-656 ft) between Platts Bank and Jeffreys 
Ledge, the steep slopes (between the 30 and 160 m isobaths) of Phelps 
and Davis Bank north of the Great South Channel towards Cape Cod, and 
between the 50-

[[Page 42073]]

and 100-m (164- and 328-ft) isobath for almost the entire length of the 
steeply sloping northern edge of Georges Bank. This general 
distribution pattern persists in all seasons except winter, when 
humpbacks remain at high abundance in only a few locations including 
Porpoise and Neddick Basins adjacent to Jeffreys Ledge, northern 
Stellwagen Bank and Tillies Basin, and the Great South Channel.

Fin Whale

    Spatial patterns of habitat utilization by fin whales are very 
similar to those of humpback whales. Spring and summer high use areas 
follow the 100-m (328 ft) isobath along the northern edge of Georges 
Bank (between the 50- and 200-m (164 and 656 ft) isobaths), and 
northward from the Great South Channel (between the 50- and 160-m, or 
164- and 525-ft, isobaths). Waters around Cashes Ledge, Platts Bank, 
and Jeffreys Ledge are all high use areas in the summer months. 
Stellwagen Bank is a high use area for fin whales in all seasons, with 
highest abundance occurring over the southern Stellwagen Bank in the 
summer months. In fact, the southern portion of the Stellwagen Bank 
National Marine Sanctuary (SBNMS) is used more frequently than the 
northern portion in all months except winter, when high abundance is 
recorded over the northern tip of Stellwagen Bank. In addition to 
Stellwagen Bank, high abundance in winter is estimated for Jeffreys 
Ledge and the adjacent Porpoise Basin (10- to 160-m, 328- to 656-ft, 
isobaths), as well as Georges Basin and northern Georges Bank.

Minke Whale

    Like other piscivorous baleen whales, highest abundance for minke 
whale is strongly associated with regions between the 50- and 100-m 
(164- and 328-ft) isobaths, but with a slightly stronger preference for 
the shallower waters along the slopes of Davis Bank, Phelps Bank, Great 
South Channel and Georges Shoals on Georges Bank. Minke whales are 
sighted in the SBNMS in all seasons, with highest abundance estimated 
for the shallow waters (approximately 40 m, or 131 ft) over southern 
Stellwagen Bank in the summer and fall months. Platts Bank, Cashes 
Ledge, Jeffreys Ledge, and the adjacent basins (Neddick, Porpoise and 
Scantium) also support high relative abundance. Very low densities of 
minke whales remain throughout most of the southern Gulf of Maine in 
winter.

North Atlantic Right Whale

    North Atlantic right whales are generally distributed widely across 
the southern Gulf of Maine in spring with highest abundance locate over 
the deeper waters (100- to 160-m, or 328- to 525-ft, isobaths) on the 
northern edge of the Great South Channel and deep waters (100 - 300 m, 
328-984 ft) parallel to the 100-m (328-ft) isobath of northern Georges 
Bank and Georges Basin. High abundance is also found in the shallowest 
waters (< 30 m, or <98 ft) of Cape Cod Bay, over Platts Bank and around 
Cashes Ledge. Lower relative abundance is estimated over deep water 
basins including Wilkinson Basin, Rodgers Basin and Franklin Basin. In 
the summer months, right whales move almost entirely away from the 
coast to deep waters over basins in the central Gulf of Maine 
(Wilkinson Basin, Cashes Basin between the 160- and 200-m, or 525- and 
656-ft, isobaths) and north of Georges Bank (Rogers, Crowell and 
Georges Basins). Highest abundance is found north of the 100-m (328-ft) 
isobath at the Great South Channel and over the deep slope waters and 
basins along the northern edge of Georges Bank. The waters between 
Fippennies Ledge and Cashes Ledge are also estimated as high use areas. 
In the fall months, right whales are sighted infrequently in the Gulf 
of Maine, with highest densities over Jeffreys Ledge and over deeper 
waters near Cashes Ledge and Wilkinson Basin. In winter, Cape Cod Bay, 
Scantum Basin, Jeffreys Ledge, and Cashes Ledge were the main high use 
areas. Although SBNMS does not appear to support the highest abundance 
of right whales, sightings within SBNMS are reported for all four 
seasons, albeit at low relative abundance. Highest sighting within 
SBNMS occured along the southern edge of the Bank.

Long-finned Pilot Whale

    The long finned pilot whale is more generally found along the edge 
of the continental shelf (a depth of 330 to 3,300 ft, or 100 to 1,000 
m), choosing areas of high relief or submerged banks in cold or 
temperate shoreline waters. This species is split between two 
subspecies: the Northern and Southern subspecies. The Southern 
subspecies is circumpolar with northern limits of Brazil and South 
Africa. The Northern subspecies, which could be encountered during 
operation of the NEG Port, ranges from North Carolina to Greenland 
(Reeves et al., 2002; Wilson and Ruff, 1999). In the western North 
Atlantic, long-finned pilot whales are pelagic, occurring in especially 
high densities in winter and spring over the continental slope, then 
moving inshore and onto the shelf in summer and autumn following squid 
and mackerel populations (Reeves et al., 2002). They frequently travel 
into the central and northern Georges Bank, Great South Channel, and 
Gulf of Maine areas during the summer and early fall (May and October) 
(NOAA, 1993). According to the species stock report, the population 
estimate for the Western North Atlantic long finned pilot whale is 
26,535 individuals (Waring et al., 2010).

Atlantic White Sided Dolphin

    In spring, summer and fall, Atlantic white sided dolphins are 
widespread throughout the southern Gulf of Maine, with the high use 
areas widely located either side of the 100-m (328-ft) isobath along 
the northern edge of Georges Bank, and north from the Great South 
Channel to Stellwagen Bank, Jeffreys Ledge, Platts Bank and Cashes 
Ledge. In spring, high use areas exist in the Great South Channel, 
northern Georges Bank, the steeply sloping edge of Davis Bank and Cape 
Cod, southern Stellwagen Bank and the waters between Jeffreys Ledge and 
Platts Bank. In summer, there is a shift and expansion of habitat 
toward the east and northeast. High use areas are identified along most 
of the northern edge of Georges Bank between the 50- and 200-m (164- 
and 656-ft) isobaths and northward from the Great South Channel along 
the slopes of Davis Bank and Cape Cod. High sightings are also recorded 
over Truxton Swell, Wilkinson Basin, Cashes Ledge and the 
bathymetrically complex area northeast of Platts Bank. High sightings 
of white sided dolphin are recorded within SBNMS in all seasons, with 
highest density in summer and most widespread distributions in spring 
locate mainly over the southern end of Stellwagen Bank. In winter, high 
sightings are recorded at the northern tip of Stellwagen Bank and 
Tillies Basin.
    A comparison of spatial distribution patterns for all baleen whales 
(Mysticeti) and all porpoises and dolphins combined show that both 
groups have very similar spatial patterns of high and low use areas. 
The baleen whales, whether piscivorous or planktivorous, are more 
concentrated than the dolphins and porpoises. They utilize a corridor 
that extended broadly along the most linear and steeply sloping edges 
in the southern Gulf of Maine indicated broadly by the 100 m (328 ft) 
isobath. Stellwagen Bank and Jeffreys Ledge support a high abundance of 
baleen whales throughout the year. Species richness maps indicate that 
high use areas for individual whales and dolphin species co occurr, 
resulting in similar patterns of species richness primarily along the 
southern portion of

[[Page 42074]]

the 100-m (328-ft) isobath extending northeast and northwest from the 
Great South Channel. The southern edge of Stellwagen Bank and the 
waters around the northern tip of Cape Cod are also highlighted as 
supporting high cetacean species richness. Intermediate to high numbers 
of species are also calculated for the waters surrounding Jeffreys 
Ledge, the entire Stellwagen Bank, Platts Bank, Fippennies Ledge and 
Cashes Ledge.

Killer Whale, Common Dolphin, Bottlenose Dolphin, and Harbor Porpoise

    Although these four species are some of the most widely distributed 
small cetacean species in the world (Jefferson et al., 1993), they are 
not commonly seen in the vicinity of the proposed project area in 
Massachusetts Bay (Wiley et al., 1994; NCCOS, 2006; Northeast Gateway 
Marine Mammal Monitoring Weekly Reports, 2007).

Harbor Seal and Gray Seal

    In the U.S. waters of the western North Atlantic, both harbor and 
gray seals are usually found from the coast of Maine south to southern 
New England and New York (Warrings et al., 2010).
    Along the southern New England and New York coasts, harbor seals 
occur seasonally from September through late May (Schneider and Payne, 
1983). In recent years, their seasonal interval along the southern New 
England to New Jersey coasts has increased (deHart, 2002). In U.S. 
waters, harbor seal breeding and pupping normally occur in waters north 
of the New Hampshire/Maine border, although breeding has occurred as 
far south as Cape Cod in the early part of the 20th century (Temte et 
al., 1991; Katona et al., 1993).
    Although gray seals are often seen off the coast from New England 
to Labrador, within the U.S. waters, only small numbers of gray seals 
have been observed pupping on several isolated islands along the Maine 
coast and in Nantucket Vineyard Sound, Massachusetts (Katona et al., 
1993; Rough, 1995). In the late 1990s, a year round breeding population 
of approximately over 400 gray seals was documented on outer Cape Cod 
and Muskeget Island (Warring et al., 2007).

Potential Effects of Noise on Marine Mammals

    The effects of noise on marine mammals are highly variable, and can 
be categorized as follows (based on Richardson et al., 1995): (1) The 
noise may be too weak to be heard at the location of the animal (i.e., 
lower than the prevailing ambient noise level, the hearing threshold of 
the animal at relevant frequencies, or both); (2) The noise may be 
audible but not strong enough to elicit any overt behavioral response; 
(3) The noise may elicit reactions of variable conspicuousness and 
variable relevance to the well being of the marine mammal; these can 
range from temporary alert responses to active avoidance reactions such 
as vacating an area at least until the noise event ceases; (4) Upon 
repeated exposure, a marine mammal may exhibit diminishing 
responsiveness (habituation), or disturbance effects may persist; the 
latter is most likely with sounds that are highly variable in 
characteristics, infrequent and unpredictable in occurrence, and 
associated with situations that a marine mammal perceives as a threat; 
(5) Any anthropogenic noise that is strong enough to be heard has the 
potential to reduce (mask) the ability of a marine mammal to hear 
natural sounds at similar frequencies, including calls from 
conspecifics, and underwater environmental sounds such as surf noise; 
(6) If mammals remain in an area because it is important for feeding, 
breeding or some other biologically important purpose even though there 
is chronic exposure to noise, it is possible that there could be noise 
induced physiological stress; this might in turn have negative effects 
on the well being or reproduction of the animals involved; and (7) Very 
strong sounds have the potential to cause temporary or permanent 
reduction in hearing sensitivity. In terrestrial mammals, and 
presumably marine mammals, received sound levels must far exceed the 
animal's hearing threshold for there to be any temporary threshold 
shift (TTS) in its hearing ability. For transient sounds, the sound 
level necessary to cause TTS is inversely related to the duration of 
the sound. Received sound levels must be even higher for there to be 
risk of permanent hearing impairment. In addition, intense acoustic (or 
explosive events) may cause trauma to tissues associated with organs 
vital for hearing, sound production, respiration and other functions. 
This trauma may include minor to severe hemorrhage.
    There are three general categories of sounds recognized by NMFS: 
continuous (such as shipping sounds), intermittent (such as vibratory 
pile driving sounds), and impulse. No impulse noise activities, such as 
blasting or standard pile driving, are associated with this project. 
The noise sources of potential concern are regasification/offloading 
(which is a continuous sound) and dynamic positioning of vessels using 
thrusters (an intermittent sound) from EBRVs during docking at the NEG 
port facility. Based on research by Malme et al. (1983; 1984), for both 
continuous and intermittent sound sources, Level B harassment is 
presumed to begin at received levels of 120 dB. The detailed 
description of the noise that would result from the proposed LNG Port 
operations is provided in the Federal Register for the initial 
construction and operations of the NEG LNG Port facility and Pipeline 
Lateral in 2007 (72 FR 27077; May 14, 2007).

NEG Port Activities

    Underwater noise generated at the NEG Port has the potential to 
result from two distinct actions, including closed-loop regasification 
of LNG and/or EBRV maneuvering during coupling and decoupling with STL 
buoys. To evaluate the potential for these activities to result in 
underwater noise that could harass marine mammals, Excelerate conducted 
field sound survey studies during periods of March 21 to 25, 2005 and 
August 6 to 9, 2006 while the EBRV Excelsior was both maneuvering and 
moored at the operational Gulf Gateway Port located 116 mi (187 km) 
offshore in the Gulf of Mexico (the Gulf) (see Appendices B and C of 
the NEG and Algonquin application). EBRV maneuvering conditions 
included the use of both stern and bow thrusters required for dynamic 
positioning during coupling. These data were used to model underwater 
sound propagation at the NEG Port. The pertinent results of the field 
survey are provided as underwater sound source pressure levels as 
follows:
     Sound levels during closed-loop regasification ranged from 
104 to 110 decibel linear (dBL). Maximum levels during steady state 
operations were 108 dBL.
     Sound levels during coupling operations were dominated by 
the periodic use of the bow and stern thrusters and ranged from 160 to 
170 dBL.
    Figures 1-1 and 1-2 of the NEG and Algonquin's revised MMPA permit 
application present the net acoustic impact of one EBRV operating at 
the NEG Port. Thrusters are operated intermittently and only for 
relatively short durations of time. The resulting area within the 120 
dB isopleth is less than 1 km\2\ with the linear distance to the 
isopleths extending 430 m (1,411 ft). The area within the 180 dB 
isopleth is very localized and will not extend beyond the immediate 
area where EBRV coupling operations are occurring.

[[Page 42075]]

    The potential impacts to marine mammals associated with sound 
propagation from vessel movements, anchors, chains and LNG 
regasification/offloading could be the temporary and short term 
displacement of seals and whales from within the 120 dB zones 
ensonified by these noise sources. Animals would be expected to re 
occupy the area once the noise ceases.

Estimates of Take by Harassment

    Although Northeast Gateway stated that the ensonified area of 120-
dB isopleths by EBRV's decoupling would be less than 1 km\2\ as 
measured in the Gulf of Mexico in 2005, due to the lack of more recent 
sound source verification and the lack of source measurement in 
Massachusetts Bay, NMFS uses a more conservative spreading model to 
calculate the 120 dB isopleth received sound level. This model was also 
used to establish 120-dB zone of influence (ZOI) for the previous IHAs 
issued to Northeast Gateway. In the vicinity of the LNG Port, where the 
water depth is about 80 m (262 ft), the 120 dB radius is estimated to 
be 2.56 km (1.6 mi) maximum from the sound source during dynamic 
positioning for the container ship, making a maximum ZOI of 21 km\2\ 
(8.1 mi\2\). For shallow water depth (40 m or 131 ft) representative of 
the northern segment of the Algonquin Pipeline Lateral, the 120-dB 
radius is estimated to be 3.31 km (2.06 mi), the associated ZOI is 34 
km\2\ (13.1 mi\2\).
    The basis for Northeast Gateway and Algonquin's ``take'' estimate 
is the number of marine mammals that would be exposed to sound levels 
in excess of 120 dB. For the NEG port facility operations, the take 
estimates are determined by multiplying the area of the EBRV's ZOI (21 
km\2\) by local marine mammal density estimates, corrected to account 
for 50 percent more marine mammals that may be underwater, and then 
multiplying by the estimated LNG container ship visits per year. In the 
case of data gaps, a conservative approach was used to ensure the 
potential number of takes is not underestimated, as described next.
    NMFS recognizes that baleen whale species other than North Atlantic 
right whales have been sighted in the project area from May to 
November. However, the occurrence and abundance of fin, humpback, and 
minke whales is not well documented within the project area. 
Nonetheless, NMFS uses the data on cetacean distribution within 
Massachusetts Bay, such as those published by the National Centers for 
Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS, 2006), to estimate potential takes of 
marine mammals species in the vicinity of project area.
    The NCCOS study used cetacean sightings from two sources: (1) the 
North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium (NARWC) sightings database held 
at the University of Rhode Island (Kenney, 2001); and (2) the Manomet 
Bird Observatory (MBO) database, held at NMFS Northeast Fisheries 
Science Center (NEFSC). The NARWC data contained survey efforts and 
sightings data from ship and aerial surveys and opportunistic sources 
between 1970 and 2005. The main data contributors included: Cetacean 
and Turtles Assessment Program (CETAP), Canadian Department of 
Fisheries and Oceans, PCCS, International Fund for Animal Welfare, 
NOAA's NEFSC, New England Aquarium, Woods Hole Oceanographic 
Institution, and the University of Rhode Island. A total of 653,725 km 
(406,293 mi) of survey track and 34,589 cetacean observations were 
provisionally selected for the NCCOS study in order to minimize bias 
from uneven allocation of survey effort in both time and space. The 
sightings per unit effort (SPUE) was calculated for all cetacean 
species by month covering the southern Gulf of Maine study area, which 
also includes the project area (NCCOS, 2006).
    The MBO's Cetacean and Seabird Assessment Program (CSAP) was 
contracted from 1980 to 1988 by NMFS NEFSC to provide an assessment of 
the relative abundance and distribution of cetaceans, seabirds, and 
marine turtles in the shelf waters of the northeastern United States 
(MBO, 1987). The CSAP program was designed to be completely compatible 
with NMFS NEFSC databases so that marine mammal data could be compared 
directly with fisheries data throughout the time series during which 
both types of information were gathered. A total of 5,210 km (8,383 mi) 
of survey distance and 636 cetacean observations from the MBO data were 
included in the NCCOS analysis. Combined valid survey effort for the 
NCCOS studies included 567,955 km (913,840 mi) of survey track for 
small cetaceans (dolphins and porpoises) and 658,935 km (1,060,226 mi) 
for large cetaceans (whales) in the southern Gulf of Maine. The NCCOS 
study then combined these two data sets by extracting cetacean sighting 
records, updating database field names to match the NARWC database, 
creating geometry to represent survey tracklines and applying a set of 
data selection criteria designed to minimize uncertainty and bias in 
the data used.
    Owing to the comprehensiveness and total coverage of the NCCOS 
cetacean distribution and abundance study, NMFS calculated the 
estimated take number of marine mammals based on the most recent NCCOS 
report published in December 2006. A summary of seasonal cetacean 
distribution and abundance in the project area is provided above, in 
the Marine Mammals Affected by the Activity section. For a detailed 
description and calculation of the cetacean abundance data and sighting 
per unit effort (SPUE), please refer to the NCCOS study (NCCOS, 2006). 
These data show that the relative abundance of North Atlantic right, 
fin, humpback, minke, and pilot whales, and Atlantic white sided 
dolphins for all seasons, as calculated by SPUE in number of animals 
per square kilometer, is 0.0082, 0.0097, 0.0265, 0.0059, 0.0407, and 
0.1314 n/km, respectively.
    In calculating the area density of these species from these linear 
density data, NMFS used 0.4 km (0.25 mi), which is a quarter the 
distance of the radius for visual monitoring (see Proposed Monitoring, 
Mitigation, and Reporting section below), as a conservative 
hypothetical strip width (W). Thus the area density (D) of these 
species in the project area can be obtained by the following formula:
    D = SPUE/2W.
    Based on this calculation method, the estimated take numbers per 
year for North Atlantic right, fin, humpback, minke, sei, and pilot 
whales, and Atlantic white sided dolphins by the NEG Port facility 
operations, which is an average of 65 visits by LNG container ships to 
the project area per year (or approximately 1.25 visits per week), 
operating the vessels= thrusters for dynamic positioning before 
offloading natural gas, corrected for 50 percent underwater, are 21, 
25, 68, 15, 11, 104, and 336, respectively. These numbers represent 
maximum of 6.08, 1.09, 8.01, 0.46, 2.78, 0.39, and 0.53 percent of the 
populations for these species, respectively. Since it is very likely 
that individual animals could be Ataken@ by harassment multiple times, 
these percentages are the upper boundary of the animal population that 
could be affected. Therefore, the actual number of individual animals 
being exposed or taken would be far less. There is no danger of injury, 
death, or hearing impairment from the exposure to these noise levels.
    In addition, bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, killer whales, 
harbor porpoises, harbor seals, and gray seals could also be taken by 
Level B harassment as a result of deepwater LNG port operations. The 
numbers of estimated take of these species are not available because 
they are rare in the

[[Page 42076]]

project area. The population estimates of these marine mammal species 
and stock in the west North Atlantic basin are 81,588; 120,743; 89,054; 
99,340; and 195,000 for bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, harbor 
porpoises, and harbor seals, respectively (Waring et al., 2010). No 
population estimate is available for the North Atlantic stock of killer 
whales and gray seals, however, their occurrence within the proposed 
project area is rare. Since the Massachusetts Bay represents only a 
small fraction of the west North Atlantic basin where these animals 
occur, and these animals do not congregate in the vicinity of the 
project area, NMFS believes that only relatively small numbers of these 
marine mammal species would be potentially affected by the Northeast 
Gateway LNG deepwater project. From the most conservative estimates of 
both marine mammal densities in the project area and the size of the 
120 dB zone of (noise) influence, the calculated number of individual 
marine mammals for each species that could potentially be harassed 
annually is small relative to the overall population size.

Potential Impact on Habitat

    Approximately 4.8 acres of seafloor has been converted from soft 
substrate to artificial hard substrate. The soft-bottom benthic 
community may be replaced with organisms associated with naturally 
occurring hard substrate, such as sponges, hydroids, bryozoans, and 
associated species. The benthic community in the up to 43 acres (worst 
case scenario based on severe 100-year storm with EBRVs occupying both 
STL buoys) of soft bottom that may be swept by the anchor chains while 
EBRVs are docked will have limited opportunity to recover, so this area 
will experience a long-term reduction in benthic productivity. In 
addition, disturbance from anchor chain movement would result in 
increased turbidity levels in the vicinity of the buoys that could 
affect prey species for marine mammals; however, as indicated in the 
final EIS/FEIR, these impacts are expected to be short-term, indirect, 
and minor.
    Daily removal of sea water from EBRV intakes will reduce the food 
resources available for planktivorous organisms. Water usage would be 
limited to the standard requirements of NEG's normal support vessel. As 
with all vessels operating in Massachusetts Bay, sea water uptake and 
discharge is required to support engine cooling, typically using a 
once-through system. The rate of seawater uptake varies with the ship's 
horsepower and activity and therefore will differ between vessels and 
activity type. For example, the Gateway Endeavor is a 90-foot vessel 
powered with a 1,200 horsepower diesel engine with a four-pump seawater 
cooling system. This system requires seawater intake of about 68 
gallons per minute (gpm) while idling and up to about 150 gpm at full 
power. Use of full power is required generally for transit. A 
conservatively high estimate of vessel activity for the Gateway 
Endeavor would be operation at idle for 75% of the time and full power 
for 25% of the time. During the routine activities this would equate to 
approximately 42,480 gallons of seawater per 8-hour work day. When 
compared to the engine cooling requirements of an EBRV over an 8-hour 
period (approximately 17.62 million gallons), the Gateway Endeavour 
uses about 0.2% of the EBRV requirement. To put this water use into 
context, the Project's final EIS/EIR concluded that the impacts to fish 
populations and to marine mammals that feed on fish or plankton 
resulting from water use by an EBRV during port operations 
(approximately 39,780,000 gallons over each 8-day regasification 
period) would be minor. Water use by support vessels during routine 
port activities would not materially add to the overall impacts 
evaluated in the final EIS/EIR. Additionally, discharges associated 
with the Gateway Endeavor and/or other support/maintenance vessels that 
are 79 feet or greater in length, are now regulated under the Clean 
Water Act (CWA) and must receive and comply with the United States 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Vessel General Permit (VGP). The 
permit incorporates the USCG mandatory ballast water management and 
exchange standards, and provides technology- and water quality-based 
effluent limits for other types of discharges, including deck runoff, 
bilge water, graywater, and other pollutants. It also establishes 
specific corrective actions, inspection and monitoring requirements, 
and recordkeeping and reporting requirements for each vessel. 
Massachusetts Bay circulation will not be altered, however, so plankton 
will be continuously transported into the NEG Port area. The removal of 
these species is minor and unlikely to affect in a measurable way the 
food sources available to marine mammals.

Proposed Monitoring and Mitigation Measures

    During the construction and operations of the NEG LNG Port facility 
in prior years, Northeast Gateway submitted reports on marine mammal 
sightings in the area. While it is difficult to draw biological 
conclusions from these reports, NMFS can make some general conclusions. 
Data gathered by MMOs is generally useful to indicate the presence or 
absence of marine mammals (often to a species level) within the safety 
zones (and sometimes without) and to document the implementation of 
mitigation measures. Though it is by no means conclusory, it is worth 
noting that no instances of obvious behavioral disturbance as a result 
of Northeast Gateway's activities were observed by the MMOs.
    In addition, Northeast Gateway was required to maintain an array of 
Marine Autonomous Recording Units (MARUs) to monitor calling North 
Atlantic right whales (humpback, fin, and minke whale calls were also 
able to be detected). The Bioacoustics Research Program (BRP) of the 
Cornell University analyzed the data and submitted a report covering 
the operations of the project between January and December 2008. During 
the operations period, right whales were detected on only 1,982 of the 
136,776 total hours sampled (1.45% of recorded hours). Right whales 
were detected hourly throughout the year, but were more commonly 
detected in the late February through June period.
    The Cornell's BRP performed acoustic analyses on background noise 
of all recordings from the MARUs. A comparison of the noise metrics 
derived from these analyses before, during, and after operations 
activities revealed increases in noise level during operations. A 
comparison of noise levels from areas including and near areas of known 
operations activities with levels from other areas showed increased 
noise levels for areas that included or were near the known operations 
activities. These increases in noise levels were evident for each of 
the three frequency bands utilized by fin, humpback, and right whales, 
with the greatest increase in the right whale band and the next highest 
increase in the humpback whale band. However, the BRP report did not 
provide an interpretation of this overall increase in noise conditions 
throughout the period when operations activities occurred. 
Nevertheless, NMFS does not consider that the sporadic exposure of 
marine mammals to continuous sound received levels above 120 dB by a 
single EBRV would have acute or chronicle significant affects to these 
animals in the vicinity of the LNG port facility. These MARUs will 
remain deployed during the time frame of this proposed IHA in order to 
obtain information during the operational phase of the Port facility 
(see below).
    For the proposed NEG LNG port operations, NMFS proposes the

[[Page 42077]]

following monitoring and mitigation measures.

Marine Mammal Observers

    For activities related to the NEG LNG port operations, all 
individuals onboard the EBRVs responsible for the navigation and 
lookout duties on the vessel must receive training prior to assuming 
navigation and lookout duties, a component of which will be training on 
marine mammal sighting/reporting and vessel strike avoidance measures. 
Crew training of EBRV personnel will stress individual responsibility 
for marine mammal awareness and reporting.
    If a marine mammal is sighted by a crew member, an immediate 
notification will be made to the Person in Charge on board the vessel 
and the Northeast Port Manager, who will ensure that the required 
vessel strike avoidance measures and reporting procedures are followed.

Vessel Strike Avoidance

    (1) All EBRVs approaching or departing the port will comply with 
the Mandatory Ship Reporting (MSR) system to keep apprised of right 
whale sightings in the vicinity. Vessel operators will also receive 
active detections from an existing passive acoustic array prior to and 
during transit through the northern leg of the Boston TSS where the 
buoys are installed.
    (2) In response to active right whale sightings (detected 
acoustically or reported through other means such as the MSR or 
Sighting Advisory System (SAS)), and taking into account safety and 
weather conditions, EBRVs will take appropriate actions to minimize the 
risk of striking whales, including reducing speed to 10 knots or less 
and alerting personnel responsible for navigation and lookout duties to 
concentrate their efforts.
    (3) EBRVs will maintain speeds of 12 knots or less while in the TSS 
until reaching the vicinity of the buoys (except during the seasons and 
areas defined below, when speed will be limited to 10 knots or less). 
At 1.86 mi (3 km) from the NEG port, speed will be reduced to 3 knots, 
and to less than 1 knot at 1,640 ft (500 m) from the buoy.
    (4) EBRVs will reduce transit speed to 10 knots or less over ground 
from March 1 April 30 in all waters bounded by straight lines 
connecting the following points in the order stated below. This area is 
known as the Off Race Point Seasonal Management Area (SMA) and tracks 
NMFS regulations at 50 CFR 224.105:

    42[deg]30'00.0'' N - 069[deg]45'00.0'' W; thence to 42[deg]30'00.0; 
N - 070[deg]30'00.0'' W; thence to 42[deg]12'00.0'' N - 
070[deg]30'00.0'' W; thence to 42[deg]12'00.0'' N - 070[deg]12'00.0'' 
W; thence to 42[deg]04'56.5'' N - 070o12'00.0'' W; thence along charted 
mean high water line and inshore limits of COLREGS limit to a latitude 
of 41[deg]40'00.0'' N; thence due east to 41[deg]41'00.0'' N - 
069[deg]45'00.0'' W; thence back to starting point.
    (5) EBRVs will reduce transit speed to 10 knots or less over ground 
from April 1 July 31 in all waters bounded by straight lines connecting 
the following points in the order stated below. This area is also known 
as the Great South Channel SMA and tracks NMFS regulations at 50 CFR 
224.105:
    42[deg]30'00.0'' N-69[deg]45'00.0'' W
    41[deg]40'00.0'' N- 69[deg]45'00.0'' W
    41[deg]00'00.0'' N- 69[deg]05'00.0'' W
    42[deg]09'00.0'' N- 67[deg]08'24.0'' W
    42[deg]30'00.0'' N- 67[deg]27'00.0'' W
    42[deg]30'00.0'' N- 69[deg]45'00.0'' W
    (6) LNGRVs are not expected to transit Cape Cod Bay. However, in 
the event transit through Cape Cod Bay is required, LNGRVs will reduce 
transit speed to 10 knots or less over ground from January 1 May 15 in 
all waters in Cape Cod Bay, extending to all shorelines of Cape Cod 
Bay, with a northern boundary of 42[deg]12'00.0'' N latitude.
    (7) A vessel may operate at a speed necessary to maintain safe 
maneuvering speed instead of the required ten knots only if justified 
because the vessel is in an area where oceanographic,
    hydrographic and/or meteorological conditions severely restrict the 
maneuverability of the vessel and the need to operate at such speed is 
confirmed by the pilot on board or, when a vessel is not carrying a 
pilot, the master of the vessel. If a deviation from the ten knot speed 
limit is necessary, the reasons for the deviation, the speed at which 
the vessel is operated, the latitude and longitude of the area, and the 
time and duration of such deviation shall be entered into the logbook 
of the vessel. The master of the vessel shall attest to the accuracy of 
the logbook entry by signing and dating it.

Research Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) Program

    Northeast Gateway shall monitor the noise environment in 
Massachusetts Bay in the vicinity of the NEG Port using an array of 19 
Marine Autonomous Recording Units (MARUs) that were deployed initially 
in April 2007 to collect data during the preconstruction and active 
construction phases of the NEG Port and Algonquin Pipeline Lateral. A 
description of the MARUs can be found in Appendix A of the NEG and 
Algonquin application. These 19 MARUs will remain in the same 
configuration during full operation of the NEG Port. The MARUs collect 
archival noise data and are not designed to provide real-time or near-
real-time information about vocalizing whales. Rather, the acoustic 
data collected by the MARUs shall be analyzed to document the seasonal 
occurrences and overall distributions of whales (primarily fin, 
humpback, and right whales) within approximately 10 nautical miles of 
the NEG Port, and shall measure and document the noise ``budget'' of 
Massachusetts Bay so as to eventually assist in determining whether an 
overall increase in noise in the Bay associated with the NEG Port might 
be having a potentially negative impact on marine mammals. The overall 
intent of this system is to provide better information for both 
regulators and the general public regarding the acoustic footprint 
associated with long-term operation of the NEG Port in Massachusetts 
Bay, and the distribution of vocalizing marine mammals during NEG Port 
activities. In addition to the 19 MARUs, Northeast Gateway will deploy 
10 ABs within the TSS for the operational life of the NEG Port. A 
description of the ABs is provided in Appendix A of this NEG and 
Algonquin's application. The purpose of the ABs shall be to detect a 
calling North Atlantic right whale an average of 5 nm (9.26 km) from 
each AB (detection ranges will vary based on ambient underwater 
conditions). The AB system shall be the primary detection mechanism 
that alerts the EBRV captains to the occurrence of right whales, 
heightens EBRV awareness, and triggers necessary mitigation actions as 
described in the Marine Mammal Detection, Monitoring, and Response Plan 
included as Appendix A of the NEG application.
    Northeast Gateway has engaged representatives from Cornell 
University's Bioacoustics Research Program (BRP) and the Woods Hole 
Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) as the consultants for developing, 
implementing, collecting, and analyzing the acoustic data; reporting; 
and maintaining the acoustic monitoring system.
    Further information detailing the deployment and operation of 
arrays of 19 passive seafloor acoustic recording units (MARUs) centered 
on the terminal site and the 10 ABs that are to be placed at 
approximately 5-m (8.0-km) intervals within the recently modified TSS 
can be found in the Marine Mammal Detection, Monitoring, and Response 
Plan

[[Page 42078]]

included as Appendix A of the NEG and Algonquin application.

Reporting

    The Project area is within the Mandatory Ship Reporting Area 
(MSRA), so all vessels entering and exiting the MSRA will report their 
activities to WHALESNORTH. During all phases of the Northeast Gateway 
LNG Port operations, sightings of any injured or dead marine mammals 
will be reported immediately to the USCG or NMFS, regardless of whether 
the injury or death is caused by project activities.
    An annual report on marine mammal monitoring and mitigation would 
be submitted to NMFS Office of Protected Resources and NMFS Northeast 
Regional Office within 90 days after the expiration of an LOA. The 
annual report shall include data collected for each distinct marine 
mammal species observed in the project area in the Massachusetts Bay 
during the period of LNG facility operation. Description of marine 
mammal behavior, overall numbers of individuals observed, frequency of 
observation, and any behavioral changes and the context of the changes 
relative to operation activities shall also be included in the annual 
report.

Negligible Impact and Small Numbers Analysis and Preliminary 
Determination

    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.'' In making a negligible impact determination, NMFS considers 
a variety of factors, including but not limited to: (1) the number of 
anticipated mortalities; (2) the number and nature of anticipated 
injuries; (3) the number, nature, intensity, and duration of Level B 
harassment; and (4) the context in which the takes occur.
    No injuries or mortalities are anticipated to occur as a result of 
Northeast Gateway's proposed port operation and maintenance activities, 
and none are proposed to be authorized by NMFS. Additionally, animals 
in the area are not anticipated to incur any hearing impairment (i.e., 
TTS or PTS), as the modeling of source levels indicating none of the 
source received levels exceeds 180 dB (rms).
    While some of the species occur in the proposed project area year-
round, some species only occur in the area during certain seasons. Sei 
whales are only anticipated in the area during the spring. Therefore, 
if shipments and/or maintenance activities occur in other seasons, the 
likelihood of sei whales being affected is quite low. Humpback and 
minke whales are not expected in the project area in the winter. During 
the winter, a large portion of the North Atlantic right whale 
population occurs in the southeastern U.S. calving grounds (i.e., South 
Carolina, Georgia, and northern Florida). The fact that certain 
activities will occur during times when certain species are not 
commonly found in the area will help reduce the amount of Level B 
harassment for these species.
    Many animals perform vital functions, such as feeding, resting, 
traveling, and socializing, on a diel cycle (24-hr cycle). Behavioral 
reactions to noise exposure (such as disruption of critical life 
functions, displacement, or avoidance of important habitat) are more 
likely to be significant if they last more than one diel cycle or recur 
on subsequent days (Southall et al., 2007). Consequently, a behavioral 
response lasting less than one day and not recurring on subsequent days 
is not considered particularly severe unless it could directly affect 
reproduction or survival (Southall et al., 2007). Operational 
activities are not anticipated to occur at the Port on consecutive 
days. In addition, Northeast Gateway EBRVs are expected to make 65 port 
calls throughout the year, with thruster use needed for a couple of 
hours. Therefore, Northeast Gateway will not be creating increased 
sound levels in the marine environment for prolonged period of time.
    Of the 12 marine mammal species likely to occur in the area, four 
are listed as endangered under the ESA: North Atlantic right, humpback, 
fin, and sei whales. All of these species, as well as the northern 
coastal stock of bottlenose dolphin, are also considered depleted under 
the MMPA. There is currently no designated critical habitat or known 
reproductive areas for any of these species in or near the proposed 
project area. However, there are several well known North Atlantic 
right whale feeding grounds in the Cape Cod Bay and Great South 
Channel. No mortality or injury is expected to occur and due to the 
nature, degree, and context of the Level B harassment anticipated, the 
activity is not expected to impact rates of recruitment or survival.
    The population estimates for the species that may be taken by 
harassment from the most recent U.S. Atlantic Stock Assessment Reports 
were provided earlier in this document. From the most conservative 
estimates of both marine mammal densities in the project area and the 
size of the 120-dB ZOI, the maximum calculated number of individual 
marine mammals for each species that could potentially be harassed 
annually is small relative to the overall population sizes (8.01 
percent for humpback whales and 6.08 percent for North Atlantic right 
whales and no more than 2.78 percent of any other species).
    Based on the analysis contained herein of the likely effects of the 
specified activity on marine mammals and their habitat, and taking into 
consideration the implementation of the mitigation and monitoring 
measures, NMFS preliminarily finds that operation, including repair and 
maintenance activities, of the Northeast Gateway LNG Port will result 
in the incidental take of small numbers of marine mammals, by Level B 
harassment only, and that the total taking from Northeast Gateway's 
proposed activiites will have a negligible impact on the affected 
species or stocks.

Impact on Availability of Affected Species or Stock for Taking for 
Subsistence Uses

    There are no relevant subsistence uses of marine mammals implicated 
by this action.

Endangered Species Act

    On February 5, 2007, NMFS concluded consultation with MARAD and the 
USCG, under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), on the 
proposed construction and operation of the Northeast Gateway LNG 
facility and issued a biological opinion. The finding of that 
consultation was that the construction and operation of the Northeast 
Gateway LNG terminal may adversely affect, but is not likely to 
jeopardize, the continued existence of northern right, humpback, and 
fin whales, and is not likely to adversely affect sperm, sei, or blue 
whales and Kemp's ridley, loggerhead, green or leatherback sea turtles. 
An incidental take statement (ITS) was issued following NMFS' issuance 
of the IHA.
    On November 15, 2007, Northeast Gateway and Algonquin submitted a 
letter to NMFS requesting an extension for the LNG Port construction 
into December 2007. Upon reviewing Northeast Gateway's weekly marine 
mammal monitoring reports submitted under the previous IHA, NMFS 
recognized that the potential take of some marine mammals resulting 
from the LNG Port and Pipeline Lateral by Level B behavioral harassment 
likely had exceeded the original take estimates. Therefore, NMFS 
Northeast Region (NER) reinitiated consultation

[[Page 42079]]

with MARAD and USCG on the construction and operation of the Northeast 
Gateway LNG facility. On November 30, 2007, NMFS NER issued a revised 
biological opinion, reflecting the revised construction time period and 
including a revised ITS. This revised biological opinion concluded that 
the construction and operation of the Northeast Gateway LNG terminal 
may adversely affect, but is not likely to jeopardize, the continued 
existence of northern right, humpback, and fin whales, and is not 
likely to adversely affect sperm, sei, or blue whales.

NEPA

    MARAD and the USCG released a Final EIS/Environmental Impact Report 
(EIR) for the proposed Northeast Gateway Port and Pipeline Lateral. A 
notice of availability was published by MARAD on October 26, 2006 (71 
FR 62657). The Final EIS/EIR provides detailed information on the 
proposed project facilities, construction methods and analysis of 
potential impacts on marine mammal.
    NMFS was a cooperating agency (as defined by the Council on 
Environmental Quality (40 CFR 1501.6)) in the preparation of the Draft 
and Final EISs. NMFS has reviewed the Final EIS and has adopted it. 
Therefore, the preparation of another EIS or EA is not warranted.

Preliminary Determinations

    NMFS has preliminarily determined that the impact of operations of 
the Northeast Gateway LNG Port facility may result, at worst, in a 
temporary modification in behavior of small numbers of certain species 
of marine mammals that may be in close proximity to the Northeast 
Gateway LNG facility during its operations and maintenance. These 
activities are expected to result in some local short term displacement 
and will have no more than a negligible impact on the affected species 
or stocks of marine mammals.
    This preliminary determination is supported by proposed mitigation, 
monitoring, and reporting measures described in this document on this 
action.
    As a result of the described proposed mitigation and monitoring 
measures, no take by injury or death would be requested, anticipated or 
authorized, and the potential for temporary or permanent hearing 
impairment is very unlikely due to the relatively low noise levels (and 
consequently small zone of impact).
    While the number of marine mammals that may be harassed will depend 
on the distribution and abundance of marine mammals in the vicinity of 
the LNG Port facility, the estimated numbers of marine mammals to be 
harassed is small relative to the affected species or stock sizes. 
Please see Estimate of Take by Harassment section above for the 
calculation of these take numbers.

Proposed Authorization

    NMFS proposes to issue an IHA to Northeast Gateway and Algonquin 
for conducting LNG Port facility operations and maintenance in 
Massachusetts Bay, provided the previously mentioned mitigation, 
monitoring, and reporting requirements are incorporated.

Information Solicited

    NMFS requests interested persons to submit comments and information 
concerning this proposed IHA and Northeast Gateway and Algonquin's 
application for incidental take regulations (see ADDRESSES). NMFS 
requests interested persons to submit comments, information, and 
suggestions concerning both the request and the structure and content 
of future regulations to allow this taking. NMFS will consider this 
information in developing proposed regulations to govern the taking.

    Dated: July 13, 2010.
Helen M. Golde,
Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-17692 Filed 7-19-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S