Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; U.S. Navy Training in the Southern California Range Complex, 4870-4873 [2011-1847]

Download as PDF 4870 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 18 / Thursday, January 27, 2011 / Notices implementing regulations, and the associated FEIS. NMFS will consider all public comments received during the Secretarial review period, whether they are on the final amendments, the proposed regulations, or the FEIS, prior to final agency action. Scoping Meeting Dates, Times, and Locations All scoping meetings are scheduled to be held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The meetings will be physically accessible to people with disabilities. Request for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to the Council (see ADDRESSES). February 7, 2011, DoubleTree by Hilton San Juan, DeDiego Avenue, San Juan, Puerto Rico. ¨ February 9, 2011, Mayaguez Holiday ¨ Inn, 2701 Hostos Avenue, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. February 10, 2011, Holiday Inn Ponce & Tropical Casino, 3315 Ponce ByPass, Ponce, Puerto Rico. February 16, 2011, The Buccaneer Hotel, Estate Shoys, Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. February 17, 2011, Holiday Inn (Windward Passage Hotel), Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: January 21, 2011. Emily H. Menashes, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2011–1842 Filed 1–26–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XA181 New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of a public meeting. AGENCY: The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) is scheduling a peer review of work completed by its Habitat Plan Development Team on February 15–17, 2011. The review panel is being convened for the purpose of providing expert technical comments and advice on the use of the Swept Area Seabed Impact model in Council fishery management plans. The model is a georeferenced analytical tool that is mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:51 Jan 26, 2011 Jkt 223001 intended to estimate the adverse effects (Z) of fishing on seabed structures by combining fishing effort data, seabed substrate and energy data and gear specific habitat vulnerability parameters. This tool will enable a better understanding of fishing gear impacts on benthic habitats, the spatial distribution of benthic habitat vulnerability to particular fishing gears, and the distribution of adverse effects from fishing activities on benthic habitats. Recommendations from this group will be brought to the full Council for formal consideration. This meeting will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, February 15–17, beginning at 10 a.m. on the first day and 8:30 a.m. on the subsequent days. DATES: The meeting will be held at the Hotel Providence, 130 Mathewson Street, Providence, RI 02903; telephone: (800) 861–8990; fax: (401) 861–8002. Council address: New England Fishery Management Council, 50 Water Street, Mill 2, Newburyport, MA 01950. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul J. Howard, Executive Director, New England Fishery Management Council; telephone: (978) 465–0492. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Tuesday, February 15–17, 2011 Led by a member of the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC), the three to four member panel will determine if the Swept Area Seabed Impact model approach is a reasonable way to estimate the magnitude and location of adverse effects of fishing on essential fish habitat (EFH); also, if the approach, including the geo-statistical and practicability analyses, are a reasonable way to develop and analyze spatially-based management alternatives to minimize the adverse effects of fishing on EFH; and finally, whether existing gaps in data and theoretical understanding of habitat-related processes have been identified during model development. Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come before this group for discussion, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during this meeting. Action will be restricted to those issues specifically listed in this notice and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, provided the public has been notified of the Council’s intent to take final action to address the emergency. PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Special Accommodations This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Paul J. Howard, Executive Director, at (978) 465–0492, at least 5 days prior to the meeting date. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: January 24, 2011. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2011–1763 Filed 1–26–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–AW91 Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; U.S. Navy Training in the Southern California Range Complex National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of issuance of a Letter of Authorization; request for comments on Integrated Comprehensive Management Program Plan. AGENCY: In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, and implementing regulations, notice is hereby given that NMFS has issued a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to the U.S. Navy (Navy) to take marine mammals incidental to Navy training, maintenance, and research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) activities to be conducted within the Southern California (SOCAL) Range Complex, which extends south and southwest off the southern California coast, for the period of January 22, 2011, through January 21, 2012. NMFS also provides notice that the Integrated Comprehensive Management Program (ICMP) Plan, which is intended for use as a planning tool to focus Navy monitoring priorities pursuant to the MMPA and Endangered Species Act (ESA), has been updated for 2011. NMFS encourages the public to review this document and provide comments, information, and suggestions on the ICMP Plan. DATES: This Authorization is effective from January 22, 2011, through January 21, 2012. Comments and information on SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\27JAN1.SGM 27JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 18 / Thursday, January 27, 2011 / Notices mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES the ICMP Plan must be received no later than February 28, 2011. ADDRESSES: The LOA and supporting documentation may be obtained by writing to P. Michael Payne, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 EastWest Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, or by telephoning one of the contacts listed here. The mailbox address for providing email comments on the ICMP Plan is ITP.Hopper@noaa.gov. Comments sent via e-mail, including all attachments, must not exceed a 10-megabyte file size. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Magliocca, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 301–713–2289, ext. 123. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) directs NMFS to allow, upon request, the incidental taking of marine mammals by U.S. citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than commercial fishing), if certain findings are made by NMFS and regulations are issued. Under the MMPA, the term ‘‘take’’ means to harass, hunt, capture, or kill or to attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill marine mammals. Regulations governing the taking of marine mammals by the Navy incidental to training, maintenance, and RDT&E in the SOCAL Range Complex became effective on January 14, 2009 (74 FR 3881, January 21, 2009), and remain in effect through January 14, 2014. For detailed information on this action, please refer to that document. These regulations include mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements and establish a framework to authorize incidental take through the issuance of LOAs. Summary of Request On August 1, 2010, NMFS received a request from the Navy for a renewal of an LOA issued on January 22, 2010, for the taking of marine mammals incidental to training and research activities conducted within the SOCAL Range Complex under regulations issued on January 14, 2009 (74 FR 3881, January 21, 2009). The Navy has complied with the measures required in 50 CFR 216.274 and 216.275, as well as the associated 2010 LOA, and submitted the reports and other documentation required in the final rule and the 2010 LOA. Summary of Activity Under the 2010 LOA As described in the Navy’s exercise reports (both classified and unclassified), in 2010, the training activities conducted by the Navy were VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:51 Jan 26, 2011 Jkt 223001 within the scope and amounts authorized by the 2010 LOA and the levels of take remain within the scope and amounts contemplated by the final rule. Planned Activities and Estimated Take for 2011 In 2011, the Navy expects to conduct the same type and amount of training identified in the 2010 LOA. Similarly, the authorized take will remain within the annual estimates analyzed in the final rule. Summary of Monitoring, Reporting, and Other Requirements Under the 2010 LOA Annual Exercise Reports The Navy submitted their classified and unclassified 2010 exercise reports within the required timeframes and the unclassified report is posted on NMFS Web site: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/ permits/incidental.htm. NMFS has reviewed both reports and they contain the information required by the 2010 LOA. The reports indicate the amounts of different types of training that occurred from August 2, 2009, through August 1, 2010. The Navy conducted five Major Training Exercises (MTEs)— one Sustainment Exercise (SUSTEX), two Integrated Anti-Submarine Warfare Courses (IAC II), and two Composite Training Exercises (C2X) (the rule authorizes eight per year)—for a total of 40 days. The reports also list specific information gathered when marine mammals were detected by Navy watchstanders, such as how far an animal was from the vessel, whether sonar was in use, and whether it was powered or shut down. This information indicates that the Navy implemented the safety zone mitigation measures as required. No instances of obvious behavioral disturbance were reported by the Navy watchstanders in their 210 marine mammal sightings totaling 1,217 animals. 2010 Monitoring The Navy conducted the monitoring required by the 2010 LOA and described in the Monitoring Plan, which included aerial and vessel surveys of sonar and exercises by dedicated MMOs, passive acoustic monitoring utilizing highfrequency acoustic recording packages (HARPs), and marine mammal tagging and tracking. The Navy submitted their 2010 Monitoring Report, which is posted on NMFS’ Web site (https:// www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/ incidental.htm), within the required timeframe. The Navy included a summary of their 2010 monitoring effort and results (beginning on page 182 of PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 4871 the monitoring report) and the specific reports for each individual effort are presented in the appendices. Because data is gathered through August 1 and the report is due in October, some of the data analysis will occur in the subsequent year’s report. Navy-funded marine mammal monitoring accomplishments within SOCAL for the past year include the following: Visual Surveys The Navy completed a total of 1,061 hours of visual surveys during or after training events. During this time, there were 331 sightings of approximately 29,269 marine mammals and 26.3 hours of detailed behavioral focal follows were recorded. Preliminary results from a single survey show that the most frequent initial behavioral state observed for common dolphins and fin whales was traveling. While fin whales were only observed traveling (although sometimes at different speeds), common dolphins were also observed logging, milling, and resting. There was one interesting observation of a minke whale breaching at a time when no active sonar was being used and no Navy vessels were in the area. The Navy plans to upload visual data from the aerial surveys to OBIS–SEAMAP, a spatially referenced online database, by summer 2011. Marine Mammal Observations A total of 144 hours of marine mammal observer (MMO) effort was completed during Navy training events. Of the 210 Navy marine mammal sightings during MTEs, there were 62 sightings of 306 marine mammals within 1,000 yards that qualified as mitigation events. Of the 306 individuals observed, 71 percent were dolphins, 16 percent were whales, and 12 percent were pinnipeds. Of the 62 mitigation events, sonar was turned off during 29 periods and turned down during 27 periods. The remaining six periods when mitigation did not occur were explained due to bowriding dolphins (for which there is an exception in the shutdown requirements) or marine mammals leaving a mitigation zone. In total, the Navy lost a minimum of 20 hours of training time due to mitigation events. There were no reports of marine mammals behaving in any unusual manner during these events. Passive Acoustic Monitoring Two Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) devices were deployed for a total of 15,335 hours of high-frequency acoustic recording package (HARP) recordings before, during, and after E:\FR\FM\27JAN1.SGM 27JAN1 4872 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 18 / Thursday, January 27, 2011 / Notices Navy training exercises. The devices detected at least 11 different marine mammal species during the monitoring period. Recordings from the delphinid species have been incorporated into a larger database of cetacean acoustic data and there are several current projects assessing clicks and/or whistles for species- and population-specific call structures. mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES Tagging A total of 19 satellite tags were deployed on five different species of marine mammals. Highlights from the tagging results show long-term movement of Cuvier’s beaked whales, one of the first indications that Southern California beaked whales may engage in non-local, out of area movement. Movements of a fin whale over a 160day period have also been recorded. In conclusion, the Navy’s implementation of the monitoring plan accomplished several goals, primarily through contributions to larger bodies of data intended to better characterize the abundance, distribution, life history, and behaviors of the species in the SOCAL Range Complex. The monitoring satisfied the objectives of the monitoring plan and specifically contributed to a greater knowledge and understanding of: The density and distribution of species within the SOCAL Range Complex, which will be added to a growing database of marine mammal aggregations around the world; the vocalizations of different species, which contributes to the development of automated classification software; the movement patterns of individuals (both vertically in the water column on a daily basis, as well as horizontally over weeks and months); and the observable behavioral patterns of marine mammals, both with and without exposure to Navy training activities. Except as described below in the Adaptive Management section, NMFS concludes that the results of these monitoring efforts, when taken together with the findings presented in the 2010 exercise report (see Annual Exercise Report section), do not warrant making changes to the current monitoring and mitigation requirements identified in the LOA. While the data collected by the Navy through monitoring and reporting builds on the existing body of information in a valuable way, none of the new data contradict, or amend, the assumptions that underlie the findings in the 2009 rule in a manner that would suggest that the mitigation or monitoring should change. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:51 Jan 26, 2011 Jkt 223001 Adaptive Management NMFS and the Navy conducted an adaptive management meeting in October, 2010, which representatives from the Marine Mammal Commission participated in, wherein we reviewed the Navy monitoring results through August 1, 2010, discussed other Navy research and development efforts, and discussed other new information that could potentially inform decisions regarding Navy mitigation and monitoring. Based on the implementation of the 2010 monitoring, the Navy proposed some slight modifications to their monitoring plan for 2011, which NMFS agreed were appropriate. Beyond those changes, none of the information discussed led NMFS to recommend any modifications to the existing mitigation or monitoring measures. The final modifications to the monitoring plan and justifications are described in Section 13 of the Navy’s 2011 LOA Application, which may be viewed at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ pr/permits/incidental.htm. Integrated Comprehensive Monitoring Report The 2010 LOA required that the Navy update the ICMP Plan to reflect development in three areas, specifically: (1) Identifying more specific monitoring sub-goals under the major goals that have been identified; (2) characterizing Navy Range Complexes and study areas within the context of the prioritization guidelines described in the ICMP Plan; and (3) continuing to develop data management, organization, and access procedures. The Navy has updated the ICMP Plan as required. Because the ICMP is an evolving Program, we have posted the ICMP on NMFS Web site: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/ incidental.htm and are specifically requesting input, which the Navy and NMFS will consider and apply as appropriate. Further, the Navy convened a monitoring meeting in October, 2010 to solicit input from NMFS and marine mammal and acoustic scientists regarding the comprehensive development and improvement of the more specific monitoring that should occur across the Navy’s training areas. Subsequent to those discussions, the Navy has developed a scientific advisory group composed of individuals from the research community and academia that will develop a proposed Strategic Plan for Navy monitoring that better considers the biological, logistical, and resource-specific factors that are applicable in each training area (and which are summarized in the PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 updated ICMP) to maximize the effectiveness of Navy monitoring within the context of the information that is most needed. Subsequently, NMFS and MMC representatives will review this proposed Strategic Plan for marine species monitoring, which may reflect monitoring differences in some Navy training areas from what is required in the 2010 LOA. This Navy-wide Strategic Monitoring Plan will then be available for review and discussion at the required 2011 Navy Monitoring Meeting, which will take place in mid-2011. The Navy and NMFS will then modify the Navy-wide Strategic Plan for monitoring based on applicable input from the 2011 Monitoring Meeting and propose appropriate changes to the monitoring measures in specific LOAs for the different Range Complexes and training areas. For training areas with substantive monitoring modifications, NMFS will subsequently publish proposed LOAs, with the modifications, in the Federal Register and solicit public input. After addressing public comments and making changes as appropriate, NMFS would, as appropriate, issue new LOAs for the different training areas that reflect the updated ICMP and associated new Strategic Plan for Navy monitoring. Whale Strikes in 2009 In 2009, a Navy vessel associated with the activities covered by the 2009 SOCAL Range Complex regulations collided with and injured or killed two large whales. Of note, in both cases, the Navy was in compliance with the mitigation and monitoring measures required by the rule and LOA, contacted NMFS in a timely manner, and provided the specific information outlined in the SOCAL Stranding Response Plan for whale strikes, as well as additional information. Due to these incidents, NMFS is working on a proposed modification to the 2009 SOCAL rule, which will establish a framework to authorize the incidental take of large whales by injury or mortality for the remainder of the five-year regulatory period. Authorization The Navy complied with the requirements of the 2010 LOA. Based on our review of the record, NMFS has determined that the marine mammal take resulting from the 2010 military readiness training and research activities falls within the levels previously anticipated, analyzed, and authorized. Further, the level of taking authorized in 2011 for the Navy’s SOCAL Range Complex activities is E:\FR\FM\27JAN1.SGM 27JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 18 / Thursday, January 27, 2011 / Notices consistent with our previous findings made for the total taking allowed under the SOCAL Range Complex regulations. Finally, the record supports NMFS’ conclusion that the total number of marine mammals taken by the 2011 activities in the SOCAL Range Complex will have no more than a negligible impact on the affected species or stock of marine mammals and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of these species or stocks for taking for subsistence uses. Accordingly, NMFS has issued a oneyear LOA for Navy training exercises conducted in the SOCAL Range Complex from January 22, 2011, through January 21, 2012. Dated: January 21, 2011. Helen M. Golde, Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2011–1847 Filed 1–26–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Patent and Trademark Office mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35). Agency: United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Title: Third-Party Submissions and Protests (formerly Green Technology Pilot Program). Form Number(s): None. Agency Approval Number: 0651– 0062. Type of Request: Revision of a currently approved collection. Burden: 9,350 hours annually. Number of Respondents: 1,225 responses per year. Avg. Hours Per Response: The USPTO estimates that it will take the public between 7.5 and 10 hours, depending upon the complexity of the situation, to gather the necessary information, prepare the appropriate form or documents, and submit the information to the USPTO. Needs and Uses: This information is required by 35 U.S.C. 122(c), 131 and 151 and administered by the USPTO through 37 CFR 1.99 and 1.291. This information collection is necessary so that the public may (i) make a submission in a published application and (ii) protest a pending application. VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:51 Jan 26, 2011 Jkt 223001 Affected Public: Individuals or households; businesses or other forprofits; not-for-profit institutions. Frequency: On occasion. Respondent’s Obligation: Required to obtain or retain benefits. OMB Desk Officer: Nicholas A. Fraser, e-mail: Nicholas_A_Fraser@omb.eop.gov. Once submitted, the request will be publicly available in electronic format through the Information Collection Review page at https://www.reginfo.gov. Paper copies can be obtained by: • E-mail: InformationCollection@uspto.gov. Include ‘‘0651–0062 copy request’’ in the subject line of the message. • Fax: 571–273–0112, marked to the attention of Susan K. Fawcett. • Mail: Susan K. Fawcett, Records Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer, United States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313–1450. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent on or before February 28, 2011 to Nicholas A. Fraser, OMB Desk Officer, via e-mail at Nicholas_A_Fraser@omb.eop.gov or by fax to 202–395–5167, marked to the attention of Nicholas A. Fraser. Dated: January 24, 2011. Susan K. Fawcett, Records Officer, USPTO, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. 2011–1731 Filed 1–26–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–16–P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Notice of Submission for OMB Review Department of Education. Comment request. AGENCY: ACTION: The Director, Information Collection Clearance Division, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management invites comments on the submission for OMB review as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104–13). DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before February 28, 2011. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attention: Education Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street, NW., Room 10222, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503, be faxed to (202) 395–5806 or e-mailed to oira_submission@omb.eop.gov with a SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 4873 cc: to ICDocketMgr@ed.gov. Please note that written comments received in response to this notice will be considered public records. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35) requires that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) provide interested Federal agencies and the public an early opportunity to comment on information collection requests. The OMB is particularly interested in comments which: (1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) evaluate the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Dated: January 24, 2011. Darrin A. King, Director, Information Collection Clearance Division, Regulatory Information Management Services, Office of Management. Office of Elementary and Secondary Education Type of Review: New. Title of Collection: Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy Discretionary Grants. OMB Control Number: Pending. Agency Form Number(s): N/A. Frequency of Responses: Once. Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal Government, State Educational Agencies or Local Educational Agencies. Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 48. Total Estimated Annual Burden Hours: 9,600. Abstract: The Striving Readers Comprehensive Literacy program is authorized as part of the FY 2010 Consolidated Appropriations Act (Pub. L. 111–117) under the Title I demonstration authority (Part E, Section 1502 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)). The FY 2010 Appropriations Act provides $200 million for a comprehensive literacy development and education program to advance literacy skills for students from birth through grade 12. The Act reserves eighty-nine percent of the funds E:\FR\FM\27JAN1.SGM 27JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 18 (Thursday, January 27, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4870-4873]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-1847]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-AW91


Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; U.S. Navy Training in the 
Southern California Range Complex

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

ACTION: Notice of issuance of a Letter of Authorization; request for 
comments on Integrated Comprehensive Management Program Plan.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as 
amended, and implementing regulations, notice is hereby given that NMFS 
has issued a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to the U.S. Navy (Navy) to 
take marine mammals incidental to Navy training, maintenance, and 
research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) activities to be 
conducted within the Southern California (SOCAL) Range Complex, which 
extends south and southwest off the southern California coast, for the 
period of January 22, 2011, through January 21, 2012.
    NMFS also provides notice that the Integrated Comprehensive 
Management Program (ICMP) Plan, which is intended for use as a planning 
tool to focus Navy monitoring priorities pursuant to the MMPA and 
Endangered Species Act (ESA), has been updated for 2011. NMFS 
encourages the public to review this document and provide comments, 
information, and suggestions on the ICMP Plan.

DATES: This Authorization is effective from January 22, 2011, through 
January 21, 2012. Comments and information on

[[Page 4871]]

the ICMP Plan must be received no later than February 28, 2011.

ADDRESSES: The LOA and supporting documentation may be obtained by 
writing to P. Michael Payne, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 
East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, or by telephoning one of 
the contacts listed here. The mailbox address for providing email 
comments on the ICMP Plan is ITP.Hopper@noaa.gov. Comments sent via e-
mail, including all attachments, must not exceed a 10-megabyte file 
size.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Magliocca, Office of 
Protected Resources, NMFS, 301-713-2289, ext. 123.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 
1361 et seq.) directs NMFS to allow, upon request, the incidental 
taking of marine mammals by U.S. citizens who engage in a specified 
activity (other than commercial fishing), if certain findings are made 
by NMFS and regulations are issued. Under the MMPA, the term ``take'' 
means to harass, hunt, capture, or kill or to attempt to harass, hunt, 
capture, or kill marine mammals.
    Regulations governing the taking of marine mammals by the Navy 
incidental to training, maintenance, and RDT&E in the SOCAL Range 
Complex became effective on January 14, 2009 (74 FR 3881, January 21, 
2009), and remain in effect through January 14, 2014. For detailed 
information on this action, please refer to that document. These 
regulations include mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements 
and establish a framework to authorize incidental take through the 
issuance of LOAs.

Summary of Request

    On August 1, 2010, NMFS received a request from the Navy for a 
renewal of an LOA issued on January 22, 2010, for the taking of marine 
mammals incidental to training and research activities conducted within 
the SOCAL Range Complex under regulations issued on January 14, 2009 
(74 FR 3881, January 21, 2009). The Navy has complied with the measures 
required in 50 CFR 216.274 and 216.275, as well as the associated 2010 
LOA, and submitted the reports and other documentation required in the 
final rule and the 2010 LOA.

Summary of Activity Under the 2010 LOA

    As described in the Navy's exercise reports (both classified and 
unclassified), in 2010, the training activities conducted by the Navy 
were within the scope and amounts authorized by the 2010 LOA and the 
levels of take remain within the scope and amounts contemplated by the 
final rule.

Planned Activities and Estimated Take for 2011

    In 2011, the Navy expects to conduct the same type and amount of 
training identified in the 2010 LOA. Similarly, the authorized take 
will remain within the annual estimates analyzed in the final rule.

Summary of Monitoring, Reporting, and Other Requirements Under the 2010 
LOA Annual Exercise Reports

    The Navy submitted their classified and unclassified 2010 exercise 
reports within the required timeframes and the unclassified report is 
posted on NMFS Web site: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm. NMFS has reviewed both reports and they contain the 
information required by the 2010 LOA. The reports indicate the amounts 
of different types of training that occurred from August 2, 2009, 
through August 1, 2010. The Navy conducted five Major Training 
Exercises (MTEs)--one Sustainment Exercise (SUSTEX), two Integrated 
Anti-Submarine Warfare Courses (IAC II), and two Composite Training 
Exercises (C2X) (the rule authorizes eight per year)--for a total of 40 
days.
    The reports also list specific information gathered when marine 
mammals were detected by Navy watchstanders, such as how far an animal 
was from the vessel, whether sonar was in use, and whether it was 
powered or shut down. This information indicates that the Navy 
implemented the safety zone mitigation measures as required. No 
instances of obvious behavioral disturbance were reported by the Navy 
watchstanders in their 210 marine mammal sightings totaling 1,217 
animals.

2010 Monitoring

    The Navy conducted the monitoring required by the 2010 LOA and 
described in the Monitoring Plan, which included aerial and vessel 
surveys of sonar and exercises by dedicated MMOs, passive acoustic 
monitoring utilizing high-frequency acoustic recording packages 
(HARPs), and marine mammal tagging and tracking. The Navy submitted 
their 2010 Monitoring Report, which is posted on NMFS' Web site (https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm), within the required 
timeframe. The Navy included a summary of their 2010 monitoring effort 
and results (beginning on page 182 of the monitoring report) and the 
specific reports for each individual effort are presented in the 
appendices. Because data is gathered through August 1 and the report is 
due in October, some of the data analysis will occur in the subsequent 
year's report. Navy-funded marine mammal monitoring accomplishments 
within SOCAL for the past year include the following:

Visual Surveys

    The Navy completed a total of 1,061 hours of visual surveys during 
or after training events. During this time, there were 331 sightings of 
approximately 29,269 marine mammals and 26.3 hours of detailed 
behavioral focal follows were recorded. Preliminary results from a 
single survey show that the most frequent initial behavioral state 
observed for common dolphins and fin whales was traveling. While fin 
whales were only observed traveling (although sometimes at different 
speeds), common dolphins were also observed logging, milling, and 
resting. There was one interesting observation of a minke whale 
breaching at a time when no active sonar was being used and no Navy 
vessels were in the area. The Navy plans to upload visual data from the 
aerial surveys to OBIS-SEAMAP, a spatially referenced online database, 
by summer 2011.

Marine Mammal Observations

    A total of 144 hours of marine mammal observer (MMO) effort was 
completed during Navy training events. Of the 210 Navy marine mammal 
sightings during MTEs, there were 62 sightings of 306 marine mammals 
within 1,000 yards that qualified as mitigation events. Of the 306 
individuals observed, 71 percent were dolphins, 16 percent were whales, 
and 12 percent were pinnipeds. Of the 62 mitigation events, sonar was 
turned off during 29 periods and turned down during 27 periods. The 
remaining six periods when mitigation did not occur were explained due 
to bowriding dolphins (for which there is an exception in the shutdown 
requirements) or marine mammals leaving a mitigation zone. In total, 
the Navy lost a minimum of 20 hours of training time due to mitigation 
events. There were no reports of marine mammals behaving in any unusual 
manner during these events.

Passive Acoustic Monitoring

    Two Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) devices were deployed for a 
total of 15,335 hours of high-frequency acoustic recording package 
(HARP) recordings before, during, and after

[[Page 4872]]

Navy training exercises. The devices detected at least 11 different 
marine mammal species during the monitoring period. Recordings from the 
delphinid species have been incorporated into a larger database of 
cetacean acoustic data and there are several current projects assessing 
clicks and/or whistles for species- and population-specific call 
structures.

Tagging

    A total of 19 satellite tags were deployed on five different 
species of marine mammals. Highlights from the tagging results show 
long-term movement of Cuvier's beaked whales, one of the first 
indications that Southern California beaked whales may engage in non-
local, out of area movement. Movements of a fin whale over a 160-day 
period have also been recorded.
    In conclusion, the Navy's implementation of the monitoring plan 
accomplished several goals, primarily through contributions to larger 
bodies of data intended to better characterize the abundance, 
distribution, life history, and behaviors of the species in the SOCAL 
Range Complex. The monitoring satisfied the objectives of the 
monitoring plan and specifically contributed to a greater knowledge and 
understanding of: The density and distribution of species within the 
SOCAL Range Complex, which will be added to a growing database of 
marine mammal aggregations around the world; the vocalizations of 
different species, which contributes to the development of automated 
classification software; the movement patterns of individuals (both 
vertically in the water column on a daily basis, as well as 
horizontally over weeks and months); and the observable behavioral 
patterns of marine mammals, both with and without exposure to Navy 
training activities.
    Except as described below in the Adaptive Management section, NMFS 
concludes that the results of these monitoring efforts, when taken 
together with the findings presented in the 2010 exercise report (see 
Annual Exercise Report section), do not warrant making changes to the 
current monitoring and mitigation requirements identified in the LOA. 
While the data collected by the Navy through monitoring and reporting 
builds on the existing body of information in a valuable way, none of 
the new data contradict, or amend, the assumptions that underlie the 
findings in the 2009 rule in a manner that would suggest that the 
mitigation or monitoring should change.

Adaptive Management

    NMFS and the Navy conducted an adaptive management meeting in 
October, 2010, which representatives from the Marine Mammal Commission 
participated in, wherein we reviewed the Navy monitoring results 
through August 1, 2010, discussed other Navy research and development 
efforts, and discussed other new information that could potentially 
inform decisions regarding Navy mitigation and monitoring. Based on the 
implementation of the 2010 monitoring, the Navy proposed some slight 
modifications to their monitoring plan for 2011, which NMFS agreed were 
appropriate. Beyond those changes, none of the information discussed 
led NMFS to recommend any modifications to the existing mitigation or 
monitoring measures. The final modifications to the monitoring plan and 
justifications are described in Section 13 of the Navy's 2011 LOA 
Application, which may be viewed at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm.

Integrated Comprehensive Monitoring Report

    The 2010 LOA required that the Navy update the ICMP Plan to reflect 
development in three areas, specifically: (1) Identifying more specific 
monitoring sub-goals under the major goals that have been identified; 
(2) characterizing Navy Range Complexes and study areas within the 
context of the prioritization guidelines described in the ICMP Plan; 
and (3) continuing to develop data management, organization, and access 
procedures. The Navy has updated the ICMP Plan as required. Because the 
ICMP is an evolving Program, we have posted the ICMP on NMFS Web site: 
https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm and are specifically 
requesting input, which the Navy and NMFS will consider and apply as 
appropriate.
    Further, the Navy convened a monitoring meeting in October, 2010 to 
solicit input from NMFS and marine mammal and acoustic scientists 
regarding the comprehensive development and improvement of the more 
specific monitoring that should occur across the Navy's training areas. 
Subsequent to those discussions, the Navy has developed a scientific 
advisory group composed of individuals from the research community and 
academia that will develop a proposed Strategic Plan for Navy 
monitoring that better considers the biological, logistical, and 
resource-specific factors that are applicable in each training area 
(and which are summarized in the updated ICMP) to maximize the 
effectiveness of Navy monitoring within the context of the information 
that is most needed. Subsequently, NMFS and MMC representatives will 
review this proposed Strategic Plan for marine species monitoring, 
which may reflect monitoring differences in some Navy training areas 
from what is required in the 2010 LOA.
    This Navy-wide Strategic Monitoring Plan will then be available for 
review and discussion at the required 2011 Navy Monitoring Meeting, 
which will take place in mid-2011. The Navy and NMFS will then modify 
the Navy-wide Strategic Plan for monitoring based on applicable input 
from the 2011 Monitoring Meeting and propose appropriate changes to the 
monitoring measures in specific LOAs for the different Range Complexes 
and training areas. For training areas with substantive monitoring 
modifications, NMFS will subsequently publish proposed LOAs, with the 
modifications, in the Federal Register and solicit public input. After 
addressing public comments and making changes as appropriate, NMFS 
would, as appropriate, issue new LOAs for the different training areas 
that reflect the updated ICMP and associated new Strategic Plan for 
Navy monitoring.

Whale Strikes in 2009

    In 2009, a Navy vessel associated with the activities covered by 
the 2009 SOCAL Range Complex regulations collided with and injured or 
killed two large whales. Of note, in both cases, the Navy was in 
compliance with the mitigation and monitoring measures required by the 
rule and LOA, contacted NMFS in a timely manner, and provided the 
specific information outlined in the SOCAL Stranding Response Plan for 
whale strikes, as well as additional information. Due to these 
incidents, NMFS is working on a proposed modification to the 2009 SOCAL 
rule, which will establish a framework to authorize the incidental take 
of large whales by injury or mortality for the remainder of the five-
year regulatory period.

Authorization

    The Navy complied with the requirements of the 2010 LOA. Based on 
our review of the record, NMFS has determined that the marine mammal 
take resulting from the 2010 military readiness training and research 
activities falls within the levels previously anticipated, analyzed, 
and authorized. Further, the level of taking authorized in 2011 for the 
Navy's SOCAL Range Complex activities is

[[Page 4873]]

consistent with our previous findings made for the total taking allowed 
under the SOCAL Range Complex regulations. Finally, the record supports 
NMFS' conclusion that the total number of marine mammals taken by the 
2011 activities in the SOCAL Range Complex will have no more than a 
negligible impact on the affected species or stock of marine mammals 
and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of 
these species or stocks for taking for subsistence uses. Accordingly, 
NMFS has issued a one-year LOA for Navy training exercises conducted in 
the SOCAL Range Complex from January 22, 2011, through January 21, 
2012.

    Dated: January 21, 2011.
Helen M. Golde,
Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-1847 Filed 1-26-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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