Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Space Vehicle and Missile Launch Operations at Kodiak Launch Complex, Alaska, 23463-23464 [2012-9480]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 76 / Thursday, April 19, 2012 / Notices based manufacturing extension centers working with small manufacturers to assist them improve their productivity, improve profitability and enhance their economic competitiveness. The information collected will provide the MEP with information regarding MEP Center performance regarding the delivery of technology, and business solutions to U.S.-based manufacturers. The collected information will assist in determining the performance of the MEP Centers at both local and national levels, provide information critical to monitoring and reporting on MEP programmatic performance, and assist management in policy decisions. Responses to the collection of information are mandatory per the regulations governing the operation of the MEP Program (15 CFR parts 290, 291, 292, and H.R. 1274—section 2). The information collected will include center inputs and activities including services delivered, clients served, center staff, quarterly expenses and revenues, partners, strategic plan, operation plans, and client success stories. No confidentiality for information submitted is promised or provided. In order to reflect new initiatives and new data needs, NIST MEP has identified a need to revise its existing reporting processes by modifying existing reporting elements and adding additional elements that will enable NIST MEP to better monitor and assess the extent to which the Centers are meeting program goals and milestones. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES II. Method of Collection The information will be collected from the MEP Centers through the MEP Enterprise Information System (MEIS), https://meis.nist.gov. III. Data OMB Control Number: 0693–0032. Form Number: None. Type of Review: Regular submission (revision of a currently approved information collection). Affected Public: Business or other forprofit organizations. Estimated Number of Respondents: 60. Estimated Time per Response: 160 hours. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 9,600. Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0. IV. Request for Comments 17:10 Apr 18, 2012 Dated: April 16, 2012. Gwellnar Banks, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. 2012–9444 Filed 4–18–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–13–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XB167 Endangered and Threatened Species; Take of Anadromous Fish National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of availability. AGENCY: NMFS has completed a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for 10(a)(1)(A), Enhancement of the Species Permit Application for the collection and transport of Spring-Run Chinook for the San Joaquin River Restoration Program. SUMMARY: Written comments on the draft EA must be received at the appropriate address or fax number (see ADDRESSSES) no later than 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on May 21, 2012. ADDRESSES: Written comments on the draft EA should be submitted to the Protected Resources Division, NMFS, 650 Capitol Mall, Suite 5–100, Sacramento, CA 95814. Comments may also be submitted via fax to (916) 930– 6329 or by email to SJRSpring.Salmon@noaa.gov. DATES: Elif Fehm-Sullivan, Sacramento, CA (ph: 916–930–3723, email: elif.fehmsullivan@noaa.gov). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have VerDate Mar<15>2010 practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record. Jkt 226001 The EA is available for review upon written SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 23463 request or by appointment in the following office: the Protected Resources Division, NMFS, 650 Capitol Mall, Suite 5–100, Sacramento, CA 95814.; or on the Web site https://swr. nmfs.noaa.gov/sjrrestorationprogram/ salmonreintroduction.htm or https://swr. nmfs.noaa.gov/nepa.htm. This EA is for issuance of an Endangered Species Act section 10(a)(1)(A) permit to US Fish and Wildlife Service to collect Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon eggs and juveniles from the Feather River Fish Hatchery to place into the San Joaquin Conservation Facility and enclosed net pens and egg boxes placed within the San Joaquin River, as an initial step to further the process of reestablishing this species in the San Joaquin River below Friant Dam. Meetings Three public meetings are to be held at which the public can make comments on the Draft EA. The first meeting will be held in Chico, CA on May 1 at the Chico Area Recreation and Park District, 545 Vallombrosa Avenue from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The second meeting will be in Fresno, CA on May 3 at the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District Board Meeting Room, 5469 E. Olive from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (The public should park in the front parking area (rear parking area closes at 5:30 p.m. with no exit after that time) and enter the door located on the west side of the front building); and the third meeting will be in Los Banos, CA on May 4 at the Los Banos Community Center, 645 7th Street from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Dated: April 13, 2012. Angela Somma, Chief, Endangered Species Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2012–9479 Filed 4–18–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XA216 Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Space Vehicle and Missile Launch Operations at Kodiak Launch Complex, Alaska National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\19APN1.SGM 19APN1 23464 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 76 / Thursday, April 19, 2012 / Notices Notice of issuance of a Letter of Authorization. ACTION: In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, and implementing regulations, notification is hereby given that a Letter of Authorization (LOA) has been issued to the Alaska Aerospace Corporation (AAC) to take two species of pinnipeds incidental to space vehicle and missile launch operations at the Kodiak Launch Complex (KLC) in Kodiak, Alaska. DATES: Effective from April 30, 2012, through April 29, 2013. ADDRESSES: The LOA and supporting documentation are available for review by writing to Tammy C. Adams, Acting Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910–3225, by telephoning the contact listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, or on the Internet at: https:// www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/ incidental.htm#applications. Documents cited in this notice may also be viewed, by appointment, during regular business hours at the above address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Magliocca, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 301–427–8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: Background Sections 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) directs the Secretary of Commerce to allow, upon request, the incidental, but not intentional, taking of small numbers of marine mammals by U.S. citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than commercial fishing) within a specified geographical region if certain findings are made and either regulations are issued. Under the MMPA, the term ‘‘take’’ means to harass, hunt, capture, or kill, or attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill marine mammals. Authorization for incidental takings shall be granted if NMFS finds that the taking will have a negligible impact on the identified species or stock(s), will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the species or stock(s) for subsistence uses (where relevant), and if the permissible methods of taking and requirements pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring and reporting of such takings are set forth in the regulations. 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 VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:10 Apr 18, 2012 Jkt 226001 reasonably likely to, adversely affect the species or stock through effects on annual rates of recruitment or survival.’’ Regulations governing the taking of Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), by harassment, and harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) (adults by harassment and pups by injury or mortality), incidental to space vehicle and missile launch operations at the KLC, were issued on March 22, 2011 (76 FR 16311, March 23, 2011), and remain in effect until March 21, 2016. For detailed information on the action, please refer to that document. The regulations include mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements for the incidental take of marine mammals during space vehicle and missile launch operations at the KLC. Summary of Request On February 27, 2012, NMFS received a request from the AAC for renewal of an LOA issued on April 30, 2011, authorizing the take of marine mammals incidental to a maximum of 12 space launch vehicles, long-range ballistic target missiles, and other smaller missile systems at the KLC. The AAC has complied with the measures required in 50 CFR 217.70–75, as well as the associated 2011–2012 LOA, and submitted the reports and other documentation required by the final rule and the 2011–2012 LOA. Summary of Activity Under the 2011– 2012 LOA As described in the AAC’s 2011–2012 annual report, launch activities conducted at the KLC were within the scope and amounts authorized by the 2011–2012 LOA and the levels of take remain within the scope and amounts contemplated by the final rule. Only one launch occurred at the KLC under the 2011–2012 LOA. Planned Activities and Estimated Take for 2012–2013 In 2012–2013, the AAC expects to conduct the same type and amount of launches identified in the 2011–2012 LOA. Similarly, the authorized take will remain within the annual estimates analyzed in the final rule. Summary of Monitoring and Reporting Under the 2011–2012 LOA The AAC submitted their annual monitoring report within the required timeframe and the report is posted on NMFS Web site: https://www.nmfs.noaa. gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm# applications. NMFS has reviewed the report and it contains the information required by the 2011–2012 LOA. The AAC’s monitoring activities included a PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 quarterly aerial survey on September 21, 2011, and launch-related monitoring on September 26–27, 2011, using a remote camera system. One of the planned quarterly aerial surveys was postponed twice due to stormy weather. Another aerial survey is scheduled to occur before the 2011–2012 LOA expires. The annual report for last year’s LOA reported no Steller sea lions observed in the area before or after the launch and there were no sightings of injury or mortality to Pacific harbor seals. Last year, no launches occurred during harbor seal pupping season (May 15–June 30). Authorization The AAC complied with the requirements of the 2011–2012 LOA. Based on our review of the record, NMFS has determined that the marine mammal take resulting from the 2011– 2012 launch operations falls within the levels previously anticipated, analyzed, and authorized. The record supports NMFS’ conclusion that the number of marine mammals taken by the 2012– 2013 launch operations 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 1-year LOA for launch operations conducted at the KLC from April 30, 2012, through April 29, 2013. Dated: April 11, 2012. Helen M. Golde, Acting Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2012–9480 Filed 4–18–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION Updates to List of National System of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) NOAA, Department of Commerce (DOC). ACTION: Notice of updates to the List of National System of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and response to comments on nominations of existing MPAs to the national system. AGENCY: The National System of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) provides a mechanism for MPAs managed by diverse government agencies to work together on common conservation priorities. In July 2011, NOAA and the Department of the Interior (DOI) invited federal, state, SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\19APN1.SGM 19APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 76 (Thursday, April 19, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23463-23464]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-9480]

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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA216

Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals
Incidental to Space Vehicle and Missile Launch Operations at Kodiak
Launch Complex, Alaska

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

[[Page 23464]]

ACTION: Notice of issuance of a Letter of Authorization.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as
amended, and implementing regulations, notification is hereby given
that a Letter of Authorization (LOA) has been issued to the Alaska
Aerospace Corporation (AAC) to take two species of pinnipeds incidental
to space vehicle and missile launch operations at the Kodiak Launch
Complex (KLC) in Kodiak, Alaska.

DATES: Effective from April 30, 2012, through April 29, 2013.

ADDRESSES: The LOA and supporting documentation are available for
review by writing to Tammy C. Adams, Acting Chief, Permits and
Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine
Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-
3225, by telephoning the contact listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT, or on the Internet at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm#applications. Documents cited in this notice may also be
viewed, by appointment, during regular business hours at the above
address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Magliocca, Office of
Protected Resources, NMFS, 301-427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Sections 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) directs
the Secretary of Commerce to allow, upon request, the incidental, but
not intentional, taking of small numbers of marine mammals by U.S.
citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than commercial
fishing) within a specified geographical region if certain findings are
made and either regulations are issued. Under the MMPA, the term
``take'' means to harass, hunt, capture, or kill, or attempt to harass,
hunt, capture, or kill marine mammals.
Authorization for incidental takings shall be granted if NMFS finds
that the taking will have a negligible impact on the identified species
or stock(s), will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the
availability of the species or stock(s) for subsistence uses (where
relevant), and if the permissible methods of taking and requirements
pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring and reporting of such takings
are set forth in the regulations. 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.''
Regulations governing the taking of Steller sea lions (Eumetopias
jubatus), by harassment, and harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) (adults by
harassment and pups by injury or mortality), incidental to space
vehicle and missile launch operations at the KLC, were issued on March
22, 2011 (76 FR 16311, March 23, 2011), and remain in effect until
March 21, 2016. For detailed information on the action, please refer to
that document. The regulations include mitigation, monitoring, and
reporting requirements for the incidental take of marine mammals during
space vehicle and missile launch operations at the KLC.

Summary of Request

On February 27, 2012, NMFS received a request from the AAC for
renewal of an LOA issued on April 30, 2011, authorizing the take of
marine mammals incidental to a maximum of 12 space launch vehicles,
long-range ballistic target missiles, and other smaller missile systems
at the KLC. The AAC has complied with the measures required in 50 CFR
217.70-75, as well as the associated 2011-2012 LOA, and submitted the
reports and other documentation required by the final rule and the
2011-2012 LOA.

Summary of Activity Under the 2011-2012 LOA

As described in the AAC's 2011-2012 annual report, launch
activities conducted at the KLC were within the scope and amounts
authorized by the 2011-2012 LOA and the levels of take remain within
the scope and amounts contemplated by the final rule. Only one launch
occurred at the KLC under the 2011-2012 LOA.

Planned Activities and Estimated Take for 2012-2013

In 2012-2013, the AAC expects to conduct the same type and amount
of launches identified in the 2011-2012 LOA. Similarly, the authorized
take will remain within the annual estimates analyzed in the final
rule.

Summary of Monitoring and Reporting Under the 2011-2012 LOA

The AAC submitted their annual monitoring report within the
required timeframe and the report is posted on NMFS Web site: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm#applications. NMFS has
reviewed the report and it contains the information required by the
2011-2012 LOA. The AAC's monitoring activities included a quarterly
aerial survey on September 21, 2011, and launch-related monitoring on
September 26-27, 2011, using a remote camera system. One of the planned
quarterly aerial surveys was postponed twice due to stormy weather.
Another aerial survey is scheduled to occur before the 2011-2012 LOA
expires. The annual report for last year's LOA reported no Steller sea
lions observed in the area before or after the launch and there were no
sightings of injury or mortality to Pacific harbor seals. Last year, no
launches occurred during harbor seal pupping season (May 15-June 30).

Authorization

The AAC complied with the requirements of the 2011-2012 LOA. Based
on our review of the record, NMFS has determined that the marine mammal
take resulting from the 2011-2012 launch operations falls within the
levels previously anticipated, analyzed, and authorized. The record
supports NMFS' conclusion that the number of marine mammals taken by
the 2012-2013 launch operations 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 1-year LOA for launch operations conducted at the KLC from April 30,
2012, through April 29, 2013.

Dated: April 11, 2012.
Helen M. Golde,
Acting Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-9480 Filed 4-18-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.