Marine Mammals; Incidental Take During Specified Activities, 35363-35427 [2013-13725]

Agencies

• Fish and Wildlife Service
• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 113 (Wednesday, June 12, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35363-35427]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-13725]



[[Page 35363]]

Vol. 78

Wednesday,

No. 113

June 12, 2013

Part II





Department of the Interior





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Fish and Wildlife Service





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50 CFR Part 18





 Marine Mammals; Incidental Take During Specified Activities; Final 
Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 78 , No. 113 / Wednesday, June 12, 2013 / 
Rules and Regulations

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 18

[Docket No. FWS-R7-ES-2012-0043; FF07CAMM00-FXFR133707PB000]
RIN 1018-AY67


Marine Mammals; Incidental Take During Specified Activities

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, 
as amended (MMPA), and its implementing regulations, we, the U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service (Service or we), are finalizing regulations that 
authorize the nonlethal, incidental, unintentional take of small 
numbers of Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) and polar 
bears (Ursus maritimus) during oil and gas Industry (Industry) 
exploration activities in the Chukchi Sea and adjacent western coast of 
Alaska. This rule is effective for 5 years from the date of issuance.
    The total expected takings of Pacific walruses (walruses) and polar 
bears during Industry exploration activities will impact small numbers 
of animals, will have a negligible impact on these species, and will 
not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of these 
species for subsistence use by Alaska Natives. These final regulations 
include: Permissible methods of nonlethal taking; measures to ensure 
that Industry activities will have the least practicable adverse impact 
on the species and their habitat, and on the availability of these 
species for subsistence uses; and requirements for monitoring and 
reporting of any incidental takings that may occur, to the Service. The 
Service will issue Letters of Authorization (LOAs), upon request, for 
activities proposed to be conducted in accordance with the regulations.

DATES: This rule is effective June 12, 2013, and remains effective 
through June 12, 2018.

ADDRESSES: The final rule and associated environmental assessment (EA) 
are available for viewing at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. 
FWS-R7-ES-2012-0043.
    Comments and materials received in response to this action are 
available for public inspection during normal working hours of 8 a.m. 
to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the Marine Mammals Management 
Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, 
AK 99503.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Craig Perham, Marine Mammals 
Management Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 7, 1011 East 
Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99503; telephone: 907-786-3800 or 1-800-362-
5148. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) 
may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-
8339, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Summary

Why We Need To Publish a Final Rule

    Incidental take regulations (ITRs), under section 101(a)(5)(A) of 
the MMPA, allow for incidental, but not intentional, take of small 
numbers of marine mammals that may occur during the conduct of 
otherwise lawful activities within a specific geographical region. If 
the public requests that the ITRs be issued, the Service must first 
determine that the total of such taking during each 5-year (or less) 
period concerned will have a negligible impact on marine mammals and 
will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of 
marine mammals for taking for subsistence uses by Alaska Natives. The 
Service has considered a request from Industry to issue ITRs in the 
Chukchi Sea for a 5-year period to allow for the nonlethal, incidental 
taking of polar bears or walruses during their exploration activities. 
The Service is issuing these ITRs based on our determination that 
potential impacts to polar bears and Pacific walruses will be 
negligible and the potential impacts to subsistence use of polar bears 
and Pacific walruses are mitigable.

What is the effect of this final rule?

    These ITRs provide a mechanism for the Service to work with 
Industry to minimize the effects of Industry activity on marine mammals 
through appropriate mitigation and monitoring measures, which also 
provide important information on marine mammal distribution, behavior, 
movements, and interactions with Industry. Additionally, these 
regulations provide a mechanism whereby persons conducting oil and gas 
exploration activities in the specified area in accordance with the 
terms of an LOA issued pursuant to these regulations will not be 
subject to criminal or civil prosecution under the MMPA.

The Basis for Our Action

    Based upon our review of the nature, scope, and timing of the oil 
and gas exploration activities and mitigation measures, and in 
consideration of the best available scientific information, it is our 
determination that the activities will have a negligible impact on 
walruses and on polar bears and will not have an unmitigable adverse 
impact on the availability of marine mammals for taking for subsistence 
uses by Alaska Natives.

Effective Date

    In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), we find that we have good 
cause to make this rule effective less than 30 days after publication 
(see DATES). Making this rule effective immediately upon publication 
will ensure that Industry implements mitigation measures and monitoring 
programs in the geographic region that reduce the risk of lethal and 
nonlethal effects to polar bears and Pacific walruses by Industry 
activities.

Background

    Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) (16 
U.S.C. 1371(a)(5)(A)) gives the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary), 
through the Director of the Service, the authority to allow the 
incidental, but not intentional, taking of small numbers of marine 
mammals, in response to requests by U.S. citizens [as defined in 50 CFR 
18.27(c)] engaged in a specified activity (other than commercial 
fishing) in a specified geographic region. According to the MMPA, the 
Service shall allow this incidental taking if (1) we make a finding 
that the total of such taking for the 5-year timeframe of the 
regulations will have no more than a negligible impact on these species 
and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of 
these species for taking for subsistence use by Alaska Natives, and (2) 
we issue regulations that set forth (i) permissible methods of taking, 
(ii) means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on the 
species and their habitat and on the availability of the species for 
subsistence uses, and (iii) requirements for monitoring and reporting. 
If we issue regulations allowing such incidental taking, we can issue 
LOAs to conduct activities under the provisions of these regulations 
when requested by citizens of the United States.
    The term ``take,'' as defined by the MMPA, means to harass, hunt, 
capture, or kill, or attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill any 
marine mammal. Harassment, as defined by the MMPA, for activities other 
than military readiness activities or scientific research conducted by 
or on behalf of the Federal Government, means ``any act of pursuit,

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torment, or annoyance which (i) has the potential to injure a marine 
mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild'' [the MMPA calls this 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'' [the MMPA calls this Level B 
harassment] (16 U.S.C. 1362).
    The terms ``negligible impact'' and ``unmitigable adverse impact'' 
are defined at 50 CFR 18.27 as follows. ``Negligible impact'' is ``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.''
    ``Unmitigable adverse impact'' means ``an impact resulting from the 
specified activity: (1) That is likely to reduce the availability of 
the species to a level insufficient for a harvest to meet subsistence 
needs by (i) causing the marine mammals to abandon or avoid hunting 
areas, (ii) directly displacing subsistence users, or (iii) placing 
physical barriers between the marine mammals and the subsistence 
hunters; and (2) that cannot be sufficiently mitigated by other 
measures to increase the availability of marine mammals to allow 
subsistence needs to be met.'' The term ``small numbers'' is also 
defined in the regulations, but we do not rely on that definition here 
as it conflates the ``small numbers'' and ``negligible impact'' 
requirements, which we recognize as two separate and distinct 
requirements for promulgating ITRs under the MMPA. Instead, in our 
small numbers determination, we evaluate whether the number of marine 
mammals likely to be taken is small relative to the size of the overall 
population.
    Industry conducts activities, such as oil and gas exploration, in 
marine mammal habitat that could result in the incidental taking of 
marine mammals. Although Industry is under no legal requirement under 
the MMPA to obtain incidental take authorization, since 1991, Industry 
has requested, and we have issued regulations for, incidental take 
authorization for conducting activities in areas of walrus and polar 
bear habitat. We issued ITRs for walruses and polar bears in the 
Chukchi Sea for the period from 1991 to 1996 (56 FR 27443; June 14, 
1991) and 2008 to 2013 (73 FR 33212; June 11, 2008). These regulations 
are at 50 CFR part 18, subpart I (Sec. Sec.  18.111 to 18.119). In the 
Beaufort Sea, ITRs have been issued from 1993 to present: November 16, 
1993 (58 FR 60402); August 17, 1995 (60 FR 42805); January 28, 1999 (64 
FR 4328); February 3, 2000 (65 FR 5275); March 30, 2000 (65 FR 16828); 
November 28, 2003 (68 FR 66744); August 2, 2006 (71 FR 43926), and 
August 3, 2011 (76 FR 47010). These regulations are at 50 CFR part 18, 
subpart J (Sec. Sec.  18.121 to 18.129).

Summary of Current Request

    On January 31, 2012, the Alaska Oil and Gas Association (AOGA), on 
behalf of its members, and ConocoPhillips, Alaska, Inc. (CPAI), a 
participating party, requested that the Service promulgate regulations 
to allow the nonlethal, incidental take of small numbers of walruses 
and polar bears in the Chukchi Sea and the adjacent western coast of 
Alaska. AOGA requested that the regulations be applicable to all 
persons conducting activities associated with oil and gas exploration 
as described in its petition for a period of 5 years. AOGA is a 
private, nonprofit trade association representing companies active in 
the Alaska oil and gas Industry. AOGA's members include: Alyeska 
Pipeline Service Company, Apache Corporation, BP Exploration (Alaska) 
Inc., Chevron, Eni Petroleum, ExxonMobil Production Company, Flint 
Hills Resources, Inc., Hilcorp Alaska, LLC, Marathon Oil Company, Petro 
Star Inc., Pioneer Natural Resources Alaska, Inc., Repsol, Shell Gulf 
of Mexico, Inc., Statoil, Tesoro Alaska Company, and XTO Energy, Inc.
    The 2012 request was for regulations to allow the incidental, 
nonlethal take of small numbers of walruses and polar bears in 
association with oil and gas activities in the Chukchi Sea and adjacent 
coastline for the period from June 11, 2013, to June 11, 2018. The 
information provided by the petitioners indicates that projected oil 
and gas activities over this timeframe will be limited to exploration 
activities. Within that time, oil and gas exploration activities could 
occur during any month of the year, depending on the type of activity. 
Offshore activities, such as exploration drilling, seismic surveys, and 
shallow hazards surveys, are expected to occur only during the open-
water season (July-November). Onshore activities may occur during 
winter (e.g., geotechnical studies), spring (e.g., hydrological 
studies), or summer-fall (e.g., various fish and wildlife surveys). The 
petitioners have also specifically requested that these regulations be 
issued for nonlethal take. The petitioners have indicated that, through 
the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures, they are 
confident that no lethal take will occur.
    Prior to issuing these regulations in response to this request, we 
evaluated the level of industrial activities, their associated 
potential impacts to walruses and polar bears, and their effects on the 
availability of these species for subsistence use. All projected 
exploration activities described by CPAI and AOGA (on behalf of its 
members) in their petition, as well as projections of reasonably likely 
activities for the period 2013 to 2018, were considered in our 
analysis. The activities and geographic region specified in the 
request, and considered in these regulations, are described in the 
ensuing sections titled ``Description of Geographic Region'' and 
``Description of Activities.''

Description of Final Regulations

    The regulations include: Permissible methods of nonlethal taking; 
measures to ensure the least practicable adverse impact on the species 
and the availability of these species for subsistence uses; and 
requirements for monitoring and reporting. These regulations do not 
authorize, or ``permit,'' the actual activities associated with oil and 
gas exploration, e.g., seismic testing, drilling, or sea floor mapping. 
Rather, they authorize the nonlethal, incidental, unintentional take of 
small numbers of polar bears and walruses associated with those 
activities based on standards set forth in the MMPA. The Bureau of 
Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), the Bureau of Safety and Environmental 
Enforcement (BSEE), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE), and the 
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) are responsible for permitting 
activities associated with oil and gas activities in Federal waters and 
on Federal lands. The State of Alaska is responsible for permitting 
activities on State lands and in State waters.
    Under these final regulations, persons may seek taking 
authorization for particular projects by applying to the Service for an 
LOA for the incidental, nonlethal take associated with exploration 
activities pursuant to the regulations. Each group or individual 
conducting an Industry-related activity within the area covered by 
these regulations will be able to request an LOA. Applicants for LOAs 
will have to submit an Operations Plan for the activity, a marine 
mammal (Pacific walrus and polar bear) interaction plan, and a site-
specific marine mammal monitoring and mitigation plan to monitor any 
effects of authorized activities on walruses and polar bears.

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An after-action report on exploration activities and marine mammal 
monitoring activities will have to be submitted to the Service within 
90 days after completion of the activity. Details of monitoring and 
reporting requirements are further described in ``Potential Effects of 
Oil and Gas Industry Activities on Pacific Walruses and Polar Bears.''
    Applicants will also have to include a Plan of Cooperation (POC) 
describing the availability of these species for subsistence use by 
Alaska Native communities and how that availability may be affected by 
Industry operations. The purpose of the POC is to ensure that oil and 
gas activities will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the 
availability of the species or the stock for subsistence uses. The POC 
must provide the procedures on how Industry will work with the affected 
Alaska Native communities, including a description of the necessary 
actions that will be taken to: (1) Avoid or minimize interference with 
subsistence hunting of polar bears and walruses; and (2) ensure 
continued availability of the species for subsistence use. The POC is 
further described in ``Potential Effects of Oil and Gas Industry 
Activities on Subsistence Uses of Pacific Walruses and Polar Bears.''
    Under these final regulations, we will evaluate each request for an 
LOA based on the specific activity and specific location, and may 
condition the LOA depending on specific circumstances for that activity 
and location. More information on applying for and receiving an LOA can 
be found at 50 CFR 18.27(f).

Description of Geographic Region

    These regulations allow Industry operators to incidentally take 
small numbers of walruses and polar bears within the area, hereafter 
referred to as the Chukchi Sea region (Figure 1; see Final Regulation 
Promulgation section). The geographic area covered by AOGA's request is 
the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) of the Arctic Ocean adjacent to 
western Alaska. This area includes the waters (State of Alaska and OCS 
waters) and seabed of the Chukchi Sea, which encompasses all waters 
north and west of Point Hope (68[deg]20'20'' N, -166[deg]50'40 W, BGN 
1947) to the U.S.-Russia Convention Line of 1867, west of a north-south 
line through Point Barrow (71[deg]23'29'' N, -156[deg]28'30 W, BGN 
1944), and up to 200 miles north of Point Barrow. The Chukchi Sea 
region includes that area defined as the BOEM/BSEE OCS oil and gas 
Lease Sale 193 in the Chukchi Sea Planning Area. The Chukchi Sea region 
also includes the terrestrial coastal land 25 miles inland between the 
western boundary of the south National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A) 
near Icy Cape (70[deg]20'00'', -148[deg]12'00) and the north-south line 
from Point Barrow. The Chukchi Sea region encompasses an area of 
approximately 240,000 square kilometers (km) (approximately 92,644 
square miles). The terrestrial portion of the Chukchi Sea region 
encompasses approximately 10,000 km\2\ (3,861 mi\2\) of the Northwest 
and South Planning Areas of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-
A). The north-south line at Point Barrow is the western border of the 
geographic region in the Beaufort Sea incidental take regulations 
(August 3, 2011; 76 FR 47010).

Description of Activities

    These final regulations cover exploratory drilling, seismic 
surveys, geotechnical surveys, and shallow hazards surveys to be 
conducted in the Chukchi Sea from June 11, 2013, to June 11, 2018. This 
time period includes the entire open-water seasons of 2013 through 
2017, when activities such as exploration drilling, seismic surveys, 
geotechnical surveys, and shallow hazards surveys are likely to occur, 
but terminates before the start of the 2018 open-water season.
    This section reviews the types and scale of oil and gas activities 
projected to occur in the Chukchi Sea region over the specified time 
period (2013 to 2018). Activities covered in these regulations include 
Industry exploration operations of oil and gas reserves, as well as 
environmental monitoring associated with those activities, on the 
western coast of Alaska and the Outer Continental Shelf of the Chukchi 
Sea. This information is based upon activity descriptions provided by 
the petitioners (sections 2.2 and 2.3 of the AOGA Petition for 
Incidental Take Regulations for Oil and Gas Activities in the Chukchi 
Sea and Adjacent Lands in 2013 to 2018, January 31, 2012). These 
regulations are also based on additional activities in the Chukchi Sea 
region that the Service identified and deemed similar to the type 
requested in the petition. In including additional information, the 
Service has used its discretion, in conducting its analysis, to assess 
the potential impacts that more frequent activities may have on polar 
bears or Pacific walruses. For example, we chose to analyze the 
potential impacts of two annual seismic operations on polar bears and 
Pacific walruses, rather than the requested one seismic operation, to 
allow incidental take coverage in the event that more seismic survey 
activities actually occur annually than what the petitioners requested. 
If LOAs are requested for activities that exceed the scope of 
activities analyzed under these final regulations, the LOAs will not be 
issued, and the Service will consider the potential use of other 
management tools to reduce take under different provisions of the MMPA 
or reevaluate its findings before further LOAs are issued.
    As discussed above, these ITRs apply from June 12, 2013, and remain 
effective through June 12, 2018. Within that time, oil and gas 
exploration activities could occur during any month of the year, 
depending on the type of activity. Offshore activities, such as 
exploration drilling, seismic surveys, and shallow hazards surveys, are 
expected to occur only during the open-water season (July-November). 
Onshore activities may occur during winter (e.g., geotechnical 
studies), spring (e.g., hydrological studies), or summer-fall (e.g., 
various fish and wildlife surveys).
    Specific locations, within the designated geographic region, where 
oil and gas exploration will occur will be determined based upon a 
variety of factors, including the outcome of future Federal and State 
oil and gas lease sales and information gathered through subsequent 
rounds of exploration discovery. The information provided by the 
petitioners indicates that offshore exploration activities will be 
carried out during the open-water season to avoid seasonal pack ice. 
Further onshore activities will be limited and are not expected to 
occur in the vicinity of known polar bear denning areas or coastal 
walrus haulouts.
    These ITRs do not authorize the execution, placement, or location 
of Industry activities; they only authorize incidental, nonlethal take 
of walruses and polar bears that may result during the course of 
Industry activities. Authorizing the activity at particular locations 
is part of the permitting process that is authorized by the lead 
permitting agency, such as BOEM/BSEE, the COE, or BLM. The specific 
dates and durations of the individual operations and their geographic 
locations are provided to the Service in detail when requests for LOAs 
are submitted.
    Oil and gas activities anticipated and considered in our analysis 
of these final ITRs include: (1) Offshore exploration drilling; (2) 
offshore 3D and 2D seismic surveys; (3) shallow hazards surveys; (4) 
other geophysical surveys, such as ice gouge, strudel scour, and 
bathymetry surveys; (5) geotechnical surveys; (6) onshore and offshore 
environmental studies; and (7) associated support

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activities for the aforementioned activities. Of these, offshore 
drilling and seismic surveys are expected to have the greatest 
potential effects on Pacific walruses, polar bears, and Alaska Native 
subsistence activities. A summary description of the anticipated 
activities follows, while detailed descriptions provided by the 
petitioners are available on the Service's Marine Mammals Management 
Web page at: https://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/mmm/itr.htm.

Offshore Exploration Drilling

    Offshore exploration drilling will be conducted from either a 
floating drilling unit, such as a drillship or conical drilling unit, 
or a jack-up drilling platform. The operating season for exploration 
drilling with these types of drilling units is expected to be limited 
to the open-water season, from July 1 through November 30, when the 
presence of ice is at a minimum. Petitioners indicate that bottom-
founded platforms will not be used during exploration activities due to 
water depths greater than 30 meters (m) (100 feet [ft]) and possible 
pack ice incursions. Drilling operations are expected to range between 
30 and 90 days at individual well sites, depending on the depth to the 
target formation, and difficulties during drilling. The drilling units 
and any support vessels typically enter the Chukchi Sea at the 
beginning of the season and exit the sea at the end of the season. 
Drillships are generally self-propelled, whereas jack-up rigs must be 
towed to the drill site. These drilling units are largely self-
contained with accommodations for the crew, including quarters, 
galleys, and sanitation facilities.
    Drilling operations will include multiple support vessels in 
addition to the drillship or platform, including ice management 
vessels, survey vessels, and on and offshore support facilities. For 
example, each drillship is likely to be supported by one to two ice 
management vessels, a barge and tug, one to two helicopter flights per 
day, and one to two supply ships per week. Ice management is expected 
to be required for only a small portion of the drilling season, if at 
all, given the lack of sea ice observed over most current lease 
holdings in the Chukchi Sea region in recent years. Most ice management 
will consist of actively pushing the ice off its trajectory with the 
bow of the ice management vessel, but some icebreaking could be 
required. One or more ice management vessels generally support 
drillships to ensure ice does not encroach on operations. Geophysical 
surveys referred to as vertical seismic profiles (VSPs) will likely be 
conducted at many of the Chukchi Sea region drill sites where and when 
an exploration well is being drilled. The purpose of such surveys is to 
ground truth existing seismic data with geological information from the 
wellbore. A small airgun array is deployed at a location near or 
adjacent to the drilling unit, and receivers are placed (temporarily 
anchored) in the wellbore. Exploration drilling programs may entail 
both onshore support facilities for air support where aircraft serving 
crew changes, search and rescue, and/or re-supply functions where 
support facilities will be housed and marine support where vessels may 
access the shoreline. For offshore support purposes, a barge and tug 
typically accompany the vessels to provide a standby safety vessel, oil 
spill response capabilities, and refueling support. Most supplies 
(including fuel) necessary to complete drilling activities are stored 
on the drillship and support vessels. Helicopter servicing of 
drillships can occur as frequently as one to two times per day.
    Since 1989, five exploration wells have been drilled in the Chukchi 
Sea. Based upon information provided by the petitioners, we estimate 
that up to three operators will drill a total of three to eight wells 
per year in the Chukchi Sea region during the 5-year timeframe of these 
final regulations (June 2013 to June 2018).

Offshore 2D and 3D Seismic Surveys

    Seismic survey equipment includes sound energy sources (airguns) 
and receivers (hydrophones/geophones). The airguns store compressed air 
that upon release forms a bubble that expands and contracts in a 
predictable pattern, emitting sound waves. The sound energy from the 
source penetrates the seafloor and is reflected back to the surface 
where it is recorded and analyzed to produce graphic images of the 
subsurface features. Differences in the properties of the various rock 
layers found at different depths reflect the sound energy at different 
positions and times. This reflected energy is received by the 
hydrophones housed in submerged streamers towed behind the survey 
vessel.
    The two general types of offshore seismic surveys, 2D and 3D 
surveys, use similar technology but differ in survey transect patterns, 
number of transects, number of sound sources and receptors, and data 
analysis. For both types, a group of air guns is usually deployed in an 
array to produce a downward focused sound signal. Air gun array volumes 
for both 2D and 3D seismic surveys are expected to range from 49,161 to 
65,548 cm\3\ (3,000 to 4,000 in\3\) operated at about 2,000 pounds per 
square inch (psi) (13,789.5 kilopascal [kPa]). The air guns are fired 
at short, regular intervals, so the arrays emit pulsed rather than 
continuous sound. While most of the energy is focused downward and the 
short duration of each pulse limits the total energy into the water 
column, the sound can propagate horizontally for several kilometers.
    Marine streamer 2D surveys use similar geophysical survey 
techniques as 3D surveys, but both the mode of operation and general 
vessel type used are different. The primary difference between the two 
survey types is that a 3D survey has a denser grid for the transect 
pattern. The 2D surveys provide a less detailed subsurface image 
because the survey lines are spaced farther apart, but they are 
generally designed to cover wider areas to image geologic structure on 
more of a regional basis. Large prospects are easily identified on 2D 
seismic data, but detailed images of the prospective areas within a 
large prospect can only be seen using 3D data. The 2D seismic survey 
vessels generally are smaller than 3D survey vessels, although larger 
3D survey vessels are also capable of conducting 2D surveys. The 2D 
source array typically consists of three or more sub-arrays of six to 
eight air gun sources each. The sound source level (zero-to-peak) 
associated with 2D marine seismic surveys are the same as 3D marine 
seismic surveys (233 to 240 dB re 1 [mu]Pa at 1 m). Typically, a single 
hydrophone streamer cable approximately 8 to 12 km (~5 to 7.5 miles 
[mi]) long is towed behind the survey vessel. The 2D surveys acquire 
data along single track lines that are spread more widely apart 
(usually several km) than are track lines for 3D surveys (usually 
several hundred meters).
    A 3D source array typically consists of two to three sub-arrays of 
six to nine air guns each, and is about 12.5 to 18 m (41 to 59 ft) long 
and 16 to 36 m (52.5 to 118 ft) wide. The size of the source array can 
vary during the seismic survey to optimize the resolution of the 
geophysical data collected at any particular site. Most 3D operations 
use a single source vessel; however, in a few instances, more than one 
source vessel may be used. The sound source level (zero-to-peak) 
associated with typical 3D seismic surveys ranges between 233 and 240 
decibels (dB) at 1 m (dB re 1 [mu]Pa at 1 m).
    The receiving arrays could include multiple (4 to 16) streamer 
receiver cables towed behind the source array. The survey vessel may 
tow up to 12

[[Page 35368]]

cables, or streamers, of up to 8.0 km (5.0 mi) in length, spaced 50 to 
150 m (164 to 492 ft) apart. Streamer cables contain numerous 
hydrophone elements at fixed distances within each cable. Each streamer 
can be 3 to 8 km (2 to 5 mi) long with an overall array width of up to 
1,500 m (1,640 yards) between outermost streamer cables. The wide 
extent of this towed equipment limits both the turning speed and the 
area a vessel covers with a single pass over a geologic target. It is, 
therefore, common practice to acquire data using an offset racetrack 
pattern. Adjacent transit lines for a survey generally are spaced 
several hundred meters apart and are parallel to each other across the 
survey area. Seismic surveys are conducted day and night when ocean 
conditions are favorable, and one survey effort may continue for weeks 
or months throughout the open-water season, depending on the size of 
the survey. Data acquisition is affected by the arrays towed by the 
survey vessel and weather conditions. Typically, data are only 
collected between 25 and 30 percent of the time (or 6 to 8 hours a day) 
because of equipment or weather problems. In addition to downtime due 
to weather, sea conditions, turning between lines, and equipment 
maintenance, surveys could be suspended to avoid interactions with 
biological resources. In the past, BOEM/BSEE has estimated that 
individual surveys could last between 20 to 30 days (with downtime) to 
cover a 322-km\2\ (200-mi\2\) area.
    Both 3D and 2D seismic surveys require a largely ice-free 
environment to allow effective operation and maneuvering of the air gun 
arrays and long streamers. In the Chukchi Sea region, the timing and 
areas of the surveys will be dictated by ice conditions. Given optimal 
conditions, the data acquisition season in the Chukchi Sea could start 
sometime in July and end sometime in early November. Even during the 
short summer season, there are periodic incursions of sea ice; hence 
there is no guarantee that any given location will be ice-free 
throughout the survey.
    In our analysis of the previous 5-year Chukchi Sea regulations 
(2008-2013), we determined that up to three seismic programs operating 
annually, totaling up to 15 surveys over the span of the regulations, 
would have negligible effects on small numbers of walruses and polar 
bears. Since 2006, only seven seismic surveys have been actually 
conducted in total in the Chukchi Sea. For the 5-year time period of 
the regulations we are promulgating today (2013 to 2018), based upon 
information provided by the petitioners, the Service estimates that, in 
any given year one seismic survey program (2D or 3D) would operate in 
the Chukchi Sea region during the open-water season. However, to be 
more comprehensive the Service analyzed an annual estimate of two 
simultaneous seismic operations in the Chukchi Sea region during the 
open-water season. We further estimate that each seismic survey vessel 
will be accompanied or serviced by one to three support vessels, and 
that helicopters may also be used for vessel support and crew changes.

Shallow Hazards Surveys

    Shallow hazards surveys in the Chukchi Sea region are expected to 
be conducted for all OCS leases in the Chukchi Sea Planning Area. 
Shallow hazards surveys, also known as site clearance or high 
resolution surveys, are conducted to collect bathymetric data and 
information on the shallow geology down to depths of about 450 m (1,500 
ft) below the seafloor at areas identified as potential drill sites. 
Detailed maps of the seafloor surface and shallow sub-surface are 
produced with the resulting data in order to identify potential hazards 
in the area. Shallow hazards surveys must be conducted at all 
exploration drill sites in the OCS before drilling can be approved by 
BOEM/BSEE. Specific requirements for these shallow hazards surveys are 
presented in BOEM/BSEE's Notice to Lessee (NTL) 05-A01. Potential 
hazards may include: Shallow faults; shallow gas; permafrost; hydrates; 
and/or archaeological features, such as shipwrecks. Drilling permits 
will only be issued by the BOEM/BSEE for locations that avoid or 
minimize any risks of encountering these types of features.
    Equipment used in past surveys included sub-bottom profilers, 
multi-beam bathymetric sonar, side scan sonar, high resolution seismic 
(airgun array or sparker), and magnetometers. Equipment to be used in 
future surveys in 2013 to 2018 will be expected to be these and similar 
types of equipment as required by the BOEM/BSEE NTLs.
    Shallow hazards surveys are conducted from vessels during the 
summer or open-water season along a series of transects, with different 
line spacing depending on the proximity to the proposed drill site and 
geophysical equipment to be used. Generally, a single vessel is 
required to conduct the survey, but in the Chukchi Sea an additional 
vessel is often used as a marine mammal monitoring platform. The 
geophysical equipment is either hull mounted or towed behind the 
vessel, and sometimes is located on an autonomous underwater vehicle 
(AUV). Small airgun arrays with a total volume of 258 cm\3\ (40 in\3\) 
and pressured to about 2,000 psi (13,789.5 kPa) have been used as the 
energy source for past high resolution seismic surveys and will be 
expected to be used in future surveys in 2013 to 2018, but larger or 
smaller airguns under more or lesser pressure may be used. Sparkers 
have also been used in the Chukchi Sea in the past and may be used in 
the future. The magnetometer is used to locate and identify any human-
made ferrous objects that might be on the seafloor.
    During the period of the previous regulations (2008 to 2013), four 
shallow hazards and site clearance surveys were actually conducted. 
Based upon information provided by the petitioners, we estimate that 
during the timeframe of these regulations (2013 to 2018), up to two 
operators will conduct from four to seven shallow hazards surveys 
annually.

Marine Geophysical Surveys

    Additional types of geophysical surveys are also expected to occur. 
These include ice gouge surveys, strudel scours surveys, and other 
bathymetric surveys (e.g., platform and pipeline surveys). These 
surveys use the same types of remote sensing geophysical equipment used 
in shallow hazards surveys, but they are conducted for different 
purposes in different areas and often lack a seismic (airgun) 
component. Each of these types of surveys is briefly described below.

Ice Gouge Surveys

    Ice gouging is the creation of troughs and ridges on the seafloor 
caused by the contact of the keels of moving ice floes with 
unconsolidated sediments on the seafloor. Oil and gas operators conduct 
these surveys to gain an understanding of the distribution, frequency, 
size, and orientation of ice gouging in their areas of interest in 
order to predict the location, size, and frequency of future ice 
gouging. The surveys may be conducted from June through October when 
the area is sufficiently clear of ice and weather permits. Equipment to 
be used in ice gouge surveys during this time may include, but may not 
be limited to, sub-bottom profilers, multi-beam bathymetric sonar, and 
side scan sonar.

Strudel Scour Surveys

    Strudel scours are formed in the seafloor during a brief period in 
the spring when river discharge commences the breakup of the sea ice. 
The ice is bottom fast, with the river discharge flowing over the top 
of the ice. The overflow spreads offshore and drains

[[Page 35369]]

through the ice sheet at tidal cracks, thermal cracks, stress cracks, 
and seal breathing holes reaching the seafloor with enough force to 
generate distinctive erosion patterns. Oil and gas operators conduct 
surveys to identify locations where this phenomenon occurs and to 
understand the process. Nearshore areas (State waters) by the larger 
rivers are first surveyed from the air with a helicopter at the time 
when rivers are discharging on to the sea ice (typically in May), to 
identify any locations where the discharge is moving through the ice. 
The identified areas are revisited by vessel during the open-water 
season (typically July to October), and bathymetric surveys are 
conducted along a series of transects over the identified areas. 
Equipment to be used in the surveys in 2013 to 2018 will likely 
include, but may not be limited to, multi-beam bathymetric sonar, side 
scan sonar, and single beam bathymetric sonar.

Bathymetry Surveys

    Some surveys are expected to determine the feasibility of future 
development. This effort will include siting such things as pipeline 
and platform surveys. These surveys use geophysical equipment to 
delineate the bathymetry/seafloor relief and characteristics of the 
surficial seafloor sediments. The surveys are conducted from vessels 
along a series of transects. Equipment deployed on the vessel for these 
surveys will likely include, but may not be limited to, sub-bottom 
profilers, multi-beam bathymetric sonar, side scan sonar, and 
magnetometers.
    Based upon information provided by the petitioners, we estimate 
that up to two operators will conduct as many as two geophysical 
surveys, including ice gouge, strudel scour, and bathymetry surveys, in 
any given year during the 5-year timeframe of these regulations (2013 
to 2018).

Geotechnical Surveys

    Geotechnical surveys expected to occur within the Chukchi Sea 
region take place offshore on leases in federal waters of the OCS and 
adjacent onshore areas. Geotechnical site investigations are performed 
to collect detailed data about seafloor sediments, onshore soil, and 
shallow geologic structures. During site investigations, boreholes are 
drilled to depths sufficient to characterize the soils within the zone 
of influence. The borings, cores, or cone penetrometer data collected 
at the site define the stratigraphy and geotechnical properties at that 
specific location. These data are analyzed and used in determining 
optimal facility locations. Site investigations that include 
archaeological, biological, and ecological data assist in the 
development of foundation design criteria for any planned structure. 
Methodology for geotechnical surveys may vary between those conducted 
offshore and onshore. Onshore geotechnical surveys will likely be 
conducted in winter when the tundra is frozen. Rotary drilling 
equipment will be wheeled, tracked, or sled mounted. Offshore 
geotechnical studies will be conducted from dedicated vessels or 
support vessels associated with other operations such as drilling.
    Based upon information provided by the petitioners, we estimate 
that as many as two operators will conduct up to two geotechnical 
surveys in any given year during the 5-year timeframe of these 
regulations (2013 to 2018).

Offshore Environmental Studies

    Offshore environmental studies are likely to include: Ecological 
surveys of the benthos, plankton, fish, bird, and marine mammal 
communities and use of Chukchi Sea waters; acoustical studies of marine 
mammals; sediment and water quality analysis; and physical 
oceanographic investigations of sea ice movement, currents, and 
meteorology. Most bird and marine mammal surveys will be conducted from 
vessels. The vessels will travel along series of transects at slow 
speeds while observers on the vessels identify the number and species 
of animals. Ecological sampling and marine mammal surveys will also be 
conducted from fixed wing aircraft as part of the mandatory marine 
mammal monitoring programs associated with seismic surveys and 
exploration drilling. Various types of buoys will likely be deployed in 
the Chukchi Sea for data collection.

Onshore Environmental Studies

    Various types of environmental studies will likely also occur 
during the life of these regulations. These could include, but may not 
be limited to, hydrology studies; habitat assessments; fish and 
wildlife surveys; and archaeological resource surveys. These studies 
will generally be conducted by small teams of scientists based in 
Chukchi Sea communities and travelling to study sites by helicopter. 
Most surveys will be conducted on foot or from the air. Small boats may 
be used for hydrology studies, fish surveys, and other studies in 
aquatic environments.
    During the previous 5-year time period of the regulations (2008-
2013), a total of six environmental studies were conducted, with one to 
two conducted per year. Based upon information provided by the 
petitioners, we estimate that as many as two environmental studies may 
be conducted in any given year during the 5-year timeframe of these 
regulations (2013 to 2018).

Additional Onshore Activities

    Additional onshore activities may occur as well. The North Slope 
Borough (NSB) operates the Barrow Gas Fields located south and east of 
the city of Barrow. The Barrow Gas Fields include the Walakpa, South, 
and East Gas Fields; of these, the Walakpa Gas Field and a portion of 
the South Gas Field are located within the boundaries of the Chukchi 
Sea geographical region while the East Barrow Gas Field is currently 
regulated under the ITRs for the Beaufort Sea and therefore not 
discussed here. The Walakpa Gas Field operation is currently accessed 
by helicopter and/or a rolligon trail. The South Gas Field is 
accessible by gravel road or dirt trail depending on the individual 
well. Access to this field during the winter will require ice road 
construction. Ice/snow road access and ice pads are proposed where 
needed. In 2007, ConocoPhillips conducted an exploration program south 
of Barrow near the Walakpa Gas Field. The NSB conducted drilling 
activities in 2007, including drilling new gas wells, and plugged and 
abandoned depleted wells in the Barrow Gas Fields. During the 5-year 
timeframe of these regulations (2013 to 2018), we expect the NSB to 
maintain an active presence in the gas fields with the potential for 
additional maintenance of the fields.

Biological Information

Pacific Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus divergens)

    The Pacific walrus is the largest pinniped species (aquatic 
carnivorous mammals with all four limbs modified into flippers) in the 
Arctic. Walruses are readily distinguished from other Arctic pinnipeds 
by their enlarged upper canine teeth, which form prominent tusks. 
Males, which have relatively larger tusks than females, also tend to 
have broader skulls (Fay 1982).
    Two modern subspecies of walruses are generally recognized 
(Wozencraft 2005, p. 525; Integrated Taxonomic Information System, 
2010): The Atlantic walrus (O. r. rosmarus), which ranges from the 
central Canadian Arctic eastward to the Kara Sea (Reeves 1978), and the 
Pacific walrus (O. r. divergens), which ranges across the Bering and 
Chukchi seas (Fay 1982). The small, geographically isolated population 
of walruses in the Laptev Sea (Heptner et al. 1976; Vishnevskaia and 
Bychkov

[[Page 35370]]

1990; Andersen et al. 1998; Wozencraft 2005; Jefferson et al. 2008), 
which was previously known as the Laptev walrus (Lindqvist et al. 
2009), is now considered part of the Pacific walrus population. 
Atlantic and Pacific walruses are genetically and morphologically 
distinct from each other (Cronin et al. 1994), likely because of range 
fragmentation and differentiation during glacial phases of extensive 
Arctic sea ice cover (Harington 2008).
Stock Definition, Range, and Abundance
    Pacific walruses are represented by a single stock of animals that 
inhabit the shallow continental shelf waters of the Bering and Chukchi 
seas (Sease and Chapman 1988). Though some heterogeneity in the 
populations has been documented by Jay et al. (2008) from differences 
in the ratio of trace elements in the teeth, Scribner et al. (1997) 
found no difference in mitochondrial or nuclear DNA among Pacific 
walruses sampled from different breeding areas. The population ranges 
across the international boundaries of the United States and Russian 
Federation, and both nations share common interests with respect to the 
conservation and management of this species. Pacific walruses are 
identified and managed in the United States and the Russian Federation 
as a single population (Service 2010).
    Pacific walruses range across the continental shelf waters of the 
northern Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea, relying principally on broken pack 
ice habitat to access feeding areas of high benthic productivity (Fay 
1982). Pacific walruses migrate up to 1,500 km (932 mi) between summer 
foraging areas in the Arctic (primarily the offshore continental shelf 
of the Chukchi Sea) and highly productive, seasonally ice covered 
waters in the sub-Arctic (northern Bering Sea) in winter. Although many 
adult male Pacific walruses remain in the Bering Sea during the ice-
free season, where they forage from coastal haulouts, most of the 
population migrates north in summer and south in winter following 
seasonal patterns of ice advance and retreat. Walruses are rarely 
spotted south of the Aleutian archipelago; however, migrant animals 
(mostly males) are occasionally reported in the North Pacific. Pacific 
walruses are presently identified and managed as a single panmictic 
population (Service 2010, unpublished data).
    Fossil evidence suggests that walruses occurred in the northwest 
Pacific during the last glacial maximum (20,000 YBP) with specimens 
recovered as far south as northern California (Gingras et al. 2007; 
Harrington 2008). More recently, commercial harvest records indicate 
that Pacific walruses were hunted along the southern coast of the 
Russian Federation in the Sea of Okhotsk and near Unimak Pass (Aleutian 
Islands) and the Shumigan Islands (Alaska Peninsula) of Alaska during 
the 17th Century (Elliott 1882).
    Pacific walruses are highly mobile, and their distribution varies 
markedly in response to seasonal and annual variations in sea ice 
cover. During the January to March breeding season, walruses congregate 
in the Bering Sea pack ice in areas where open leads (fractures in sea 
ice caused by wind drift or ocean currents), polynyas (enclosed areas 
of unfrozen water surrounded by ice) or thin ice allow access to water 
(Fay 1982; Fay et al. 1984). The specific location of winter breeding 
aggregations varies annually depending upon the distribution and extent 
of ice. Breeding aggregations have been reported southwest of St. 
Lawrence Island, Alaska; south of Nunivak Island, Alaska; and south of 
the Chukotka Peninsula in the Gulf of Anadyr, Russian Federation (Fay 
1982; Mymrin et al. 1990; Figure 1 in Garlich-Miller et al. 2011a).
    In spring, as the Bering Sea pack ice deteriorates, most of the 
population migrates northward through the Bering Strait to summer 
feeding areas over the continental shelf in the Chukchi Sea. However, 
several thousand animals, primarily adult males, remain in the Bering 
Sea during the summer months, foraging from coastal haulouts in the 
Gulf of Anadyr, Russian Federation, and in Bristol Bay, Alaska (Figure 
1 in Garlich-Miller et al. 2011a).
    Summer distributions (both males and females) in the Chukchi Sea 
vary annually, depending upon the extent of sea ice. When broken sea 
ice is abundant, walruses are typically found in patchy aggregations 
over continental shelf waters. Individual groups may range from fewer 
than 10 to more than 1,000 animals (Gilbert 1999; Ray et al. 2006). 
Summer concentrations have been reported in loose pack ice off the 
northwestern coast of Alaska, between Icy Cape and Point Barrow, and 
along the coast of Chukotka, Russian Federation, and Wrangel Island 
(Fay 1982; Gilbert et al. 1992; Belikov et al. 1996). In years of low 
ice concentrations in the Chukchi Sea, some animals range east of Point 
Barrow into the Beaufort Sea; walruses have also been observed in the 
Eastern Siberian Sea in late summer (Fay 1982; Belikov et al. 1996). 
The pack ice of the Chukchi Sea usually reaches its minimum extent in 
September. In years when the sea ice retreats north beyond the 
continental shelf, walruses congregate in large numbers (up to several 
tens of thousands of animals in some locations) at terrestrial haulouts 
on Wrangel Island and other sites along the northern coast of the 
Chukotka Peninsula, Russian Federation, and northwestern Alaska (Fay 
1982; Belikov et al. 1996; Kochnev 2004; Ovsyanikov et al. 2007; Kavry 
et al. 2008; MacCracken 2012).
    In late September and October, walruses that summered in the 
Chukchi Sea typically begin moving south in advance of the developing 
sea ice. Satellite telemetry data indicate that male walruses that 
summered at coastal haulouts in the Bering Sea also begin to move 
northward towards winter breeding areas in November (Jay and Hills 
2005). The male walruses' northward movement appears to be driven 
primarily by the presence of females at that time of year (Freitas et 
al. 2009).
Distribution in the Chukchi Sea
    During the summer months, walruses are widely distributed across 
the shallow continental shelf waters of the Chukchi Sea. Significant 
summer concentrations include near Wrangel and Herald Islands in 
Russian waters and at Hanna Shoal (northwest of Point Barrow) in U.S. 
waters (Jay et al. 2012). As the ice edge advances southward in the 
fall, walruses reverse their migration and re-group on the Bering Sea 
pack ice.
    The distribution of walruses in the eastern Chukchi Sea where 
exploration activities will occur is influenced primarily by the 
distribution and extent of seasonal pack ice. In June and July, 
scattered groups of walruses are typically found in loose pack ice 
habitats between Icy Cape and Point Barrow (Fay 1982; Gilbert et al. 
1992). Recent telemetry studies investigating foraging patterns in the 
eastern Chukchi Sea suggest that many walruses focus foraging efforts 
near Hanna Shoal, northwest of Point Barrow (Jay et al. 2012). In 
August and September, concentrations of animals tend to be in areas of 
unconsolidated pack ice, usually within 100 km of the leading edge of 
the ice pack (Gilbert 1999). Individual groups occupying unconsolidated 
pack ice typically range from fewer than 10 to more than 1,000 animals. 
(Gilbert 1999; Ray et al. 2006). In August and September, the edge of 
the pack ice generally retreats northward to about 71[deg] N latitude; 
however in light ice years, the edge can retreat north beyond the 
continental shelf (Douglas 2010). Sea ice normally reaches its minimum 
(northern) extent sometime in September, and ice begins

[[Page 35371]]

to reform rapidly in October and November. Walruses typically migrate 
out of the eastern Chukchi Sea in October in advance of the developing 
sea ice (Fay 1982; Jay et al. 2012).
Hanna Shoal Walrus Use Area
    Hanna Shoal is a region of the northeastern Chukchi Sea of shallow 
water and moderate to high benthic productivity (Grebmeier et al. 2006; 
Dunton 2013) that is important to many species of wildlife, including 
the Pacific walrus. Walruses forage in the region from June to October, 
at times reaching numbers of tens of thousands of animals (Brueggeman 
et al. 1990, 1991; MacCracken 2012; Jay et al. 2012). The Hanna Shoal 
region has been defined variably in different technical and scientific 
documents, based on different attributes such as: bathymetry, currents, 
sea ice dynamics, benthic productivity, animal use patterns, and other 
administrative considerations. For example, the Audubon Society (Smith 
2011) defined Hanna Shoal based on bathymetry, delineating an area of 
approximately 5,700 km\2\ (2,200 mi\2\). The National Marine Fisheries 
Service (NMFS) (2013) defined Hanna Shoal as an area of high biological 
productivity and a feeding area for various marine mammals, including 
bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus) and ringed seals (Pusa hispida). 
Their maps delineate an area of approximately 7,876 km\2\ (3,041 
mi\2\). The BOEM Environmental Studies Program reflects both a Hanna 
Shoal Regional Study Area and a Hanna Shoal Core Study Area of about 
720,000 km\2\ (278,000 mi\2\) and 150,000 km\2\ (58,000 mi\2\), 
respectively (BOEM 2013). For the purposes of these ITRs, the Service 
is delineating the Hanna Shoal region by use patterns of Pacific 
walruses, hereinafter referred to as the Hanna Shoal Walrus Use Area 
(HSWUA), and further described below.
    The Hanna Shoal region has long been recognized as a critical 
foraging area for the Pacific walrus in summer and fall (Brueggeman et 
al. 1990, 1991; MacCracken 2012; Jay et al. 2012), and the Service 
delineated the HSWUA using walrus foraging and occupancy utilization 
distributions (UDs) from Jay et al. (2012) for the months of June 
through September (Figure 2; see Final Regulation Promulgation 
section). Jay et al. (2012) used walrus satellite telemetry from the 
Chukchi Sea to delineate UDs of walrus foraging and occupancy during 
summer and fall from 2008 to 2011. The UDs described in Jay et al. 
(2012) represent the probability of animals using an area during the 
time specified. Utilization distributions are a commonly accepted way 
to delineate areas of concentrated use by a species and the 50 percent 
UD is often identified as the core use area or area of most 
concentrated use in many habitat use studies (Samuel et al. 1985; 
Powell 2000; Laver and Kelley 2008). We consider the combined 50 
percent foraging and occupancy UDs from Jay et al. (2012) at Hanna 
Shoal from June to September to represent the core use area during the 
time of most concentrated use by walruses, and, therefore, the most 
appropriate way to delineate the Hanna Shoal region as it pertains to 
walruses.
    To delineate the HSWUA, we overlaid the 50 percent UDs for both 
foraging and occupancy in Jay et al. (2012) in the Hanna Shoal area, as 
defined bathymetrically by Smith (2011), for the months of June through 
September. The combined area of those 50 percent UDs produced two 
adjacent polygons, one on the north slope of the bathymetrically 
defined shoal and one on the south slope of the bathymetrically defined 
shoal. We recognize that animals using the areas delineated by those 
two polygons would be frequently crossing back and forth between those 
areas and, therefore, joined the two polygons at the closest point on 
the west and east ends. The final HSWUA totals approximately 24,600 
km\2\ (9,500 mi\2\) (Figure 2; see Final Regulation Promulgation 
section) and can be viewed at: https://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/mmm/pdf/itr_fr2013_pb_pw.pdf.
    We believe that it is critical to minimize disturbance to walruses 
in this area of highly concentrated use during July through September. 
Due to the large numbers of walruses that could be encountered in the 
HSWUA from July through September, the Service has determined that 
additional mitigation measures, such as seasonal restrictions, reduced 
vessel traffic, or rerouting vessels, may be necessary for activities 
within the HSWUA to minimize potential disturbance and ensure 
consistency with the MMPA mandates that only small numbers of walruses 
be affected with a negligible impact on the stock. On a case-by-case 
basis, as individual LOA applications are received, we will examine the 
proposed activities in light of the boundaries of the HSWUA, the nature 
and timing of the proposed activities, and other available information 
at the time. If the Service determines that the proposed activity is 
likely to negatively impact more than small numbers of walruses, we 
will consider whether additional mitigation and monitoring measures 
could reduce any potential impacts to meet the small numbers and 
negligible impact standards. The Service will make those determinations 
on a case-by-case basis.
Population Status
    The size of the Pacific walrus population has never been known with 
certainty. Based on large sustained harvests in the 18th and 19th 
centuries, Fay (1982) speculated that the pre-exploitation population 
was represented by a minimum of 200,000 animals. Since that time, 
population size is believed to have fluctuated in response to varying 
levels of human exploitation. Large scale commercial harvests are 
believed to have reduced the population to 50,000 to 100,000 animals by 
the mid-1950s (Fay et al. 1997). The population apparently increased 
rapidly in size during the 1960s and 1970s, in response to harvest 
regulations that limited the take of females (Fay et al. 1989). Between 
1975 and 1990, visual aerial surveys jointly conducted by the United 
States and Soviet Union at 5-year intervals produced population 
estimates ranging from 201,039 to 246,360 (Table 1). Efforts to survey 
the Pacific walrus population were suspended by both countries after 
1990, due to unresolved problems with survey methods that produced 
population estimates with unknown bias and unknown, but presumably 
large, variances that severely limited their utility (Speckman et al. 
2012).
    In 2006, a joint United States-Russian Federation survey was 
conducted in the pack ice of the Bering Sea, using thermal imaging 
systems to detect walruses hauled out on sea ice and satellite 
transmitters to account for walruses in the water (Speckman et al. 
2012). The number of walruses within the surveyed area was estimated at 
129,000, with a 95 percent confidence interval of 55,000 to 507,000 
individuals. This is a conservative minimum estimate, as weather 
conditions forced termination of the survey before much of the 
southwest Bering Sea was surveyed; animals were observed in that region 
as the surveyors returned to Anchorage, Alaska. Table 1 provides a 
summary of survey results.

[[Page 35372]]



   Table 1--Estimates of Pacific Walrus Population Size, 1975 to 2006
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                Population size \a\
             Year                  (95% confidence        Reference
                                     interval)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1975..........................  214,687 (-20,000 to  Udevitz et al.
                                 480,000) \b\.        2001.
1980..........................  246,360 (-20,000 to  Johnson et al.
                                 540,000).            1982; Fedoseev
                                                      1984.
1985..........................  242,366 (-20,000 to  Udevitz et al.
                                 510,000).            2001.
1990..........................  201,039 (-19,000 to  Gilbert et al.
                                 460,000).            1992.
2006..........................  129,000 (55,000 to   Speckman et al.
                                 507,000).            2011.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ Due to differences in methods, comparisons of estimates across years
  (population trend) are subject to several caveats and not reliable.
\b\ 95 percent confidence intervals for 1975 to 1990 are from Fig. 1 in
  Hills and Gilbert (1994).

    These estimates suggest that the walrus population has declined; 
however, discrepancies among the survey methods and large confidence 
intervals that in some cases overlap zero do not support such a 
definitive conclusion. Resource managers in the Russian Federation have 
concluded that the population has declined and have reduced harvest 
quotas in recent years accordingly (Kochnev 2004; Kochnev 2005; Kochnev 
2010, pers. comm.), based in part on the lower abundance estimate 
generated from the 2006 survey. However, past survey results are not 
directly comparable due to differences in survey methods, timing of 
surveys, segments of the population surveyed, and incomplete coverage 
of areas where walruses may have been present (Fay et al. 1997); thus, 
these results do not provide a basis for determining trend in 
population size (Hills and Gilbert 1994; Gilbert 1999). Whether prior 
estimates are biased low or high is unknown, because of problems with 
detecting individual animals on ice or land, and in open water, and 
difficulties counting animals in large, dense groups (Speckman et al. 
2011). In addition, no survey has ever been completed within a time 
frame that could account for the redistribution of individuals (leading 
to double counting or undercounting), or before weather conditions 
either delayed the effort or completely terminated the survey before 
the entire area of potentially occupied habitat had been covered 
(Speckman et al. 2011). Due to these problems, as well as seasonal 
differences among surveys (fall or spring) and despite technological 
advancements that correct for some problems, we do not believe the 
survey results provide a reliable basis for estimating a population 
trend.
    Changes in the walrus population have also been investigated by 
examining changes in biological parameters over time. Based on evidence 
of changes in abundance, distributions, condition indices, pregnancy 
rates, and minimum breeding age, Fay et al. (1989) and Fay et al. 
(1997) concluded that the Pacific walrus population increased greatly 
in size during the 1960s and 1970s, and postulated that the population 
was near, or had exceeded, the carrying capacity (K) of its environment 
by the early 1980s. We will expect the population to decline if K is 
exceeded. In addition, harvests increased in the 1980s. Changes in the 
size, composition, and productivity of the sampled walruses harvested 
in the Bering Strait region of Alaska over this time frame are 
consistent with this hypothesis (Garlich-Miller et al. 2006; MacCracken 
2012). Harvest levels declined sharply in the early 1990s, and 
increased reproductive rates and earlier maturation in females 
occurred, suggesting that density dependent regulatory mechanisms had 
been relaxed and the population was likely below K (Garlich-Miller et 
al. 2006; MacCracken 2012). However, Garlich-Miller et al. (2006) also 
noted that there are no data concerning the trend in abundance of the 
walrus population or the status of its prey to verify this hypothesis, 
and that whether density dependent changes in life-history parameters 
might have been mediated by changes in population abundance or changes 
in the carrying capacity of the environment is unknown.
Habitat
    The Pacific walrus is an ice-dependent species that relies on sea 
ice for many aspects of its life history. Unlike other pinnipeds, 
walruses are not adapted for a pelagic existence and must haul out on 
ice or land regularly. Floating pack ice serves as a substrate for 
resting between feeding dives (Ray et al. 2006), breeding behavior (Fay 
et al. 1984), giving birth (Fay 1982), and nursing and care of young 
(Kelly 2001). Sea ice provides access to offshore feeding areas over 
the continental shelf of the Bering and Chukchi Seas, passive 
transportation to new feeding areas (Richard 1990; Ray et al. 2006), 
and isolation from terrestrial predators (Richard 1990; Kochnev 2004; 
Ovsyanikov et al. 2007). Sea ice provides an extensive substrate upon 
which the risk of predation and hunting is greatly reduced (Kelly 2001; 
Fay 1982).
    Sea ice in the Northern Hemisphere is comprised of first year sea 
ice that formed in the most recent autumn/winter period, and multi-year 
ice that has survived at least one summer melt season. Sea ice habitats 
for walruses include openings or leads that provide access to the water 
and to food resources. Walruses generally do not use multi-year ice or 
highly compacted first year ice in which there is an absence of 
persistent leads or polynyas (Richard 1990). Expansive areas of heavy 
ice cover are thought to play a restrictive role in walrus 
distributions across the Arctic and serve as a barrier to the mixing of 
populations (Fay 1982; Dyke et al. 1999; Harington 2008). Walruses 
generally do not occur farther south than the maximum extent of the 
winter pack ice, possibly due to their reliance on sea ice for breeding 
and rearing young (Fay et al. 1984) and isolation from terrestrial 
predators (Kochnev 2004; Ovsyanikov et al. 2007), or because of the 
higher densities of benthic invertebrates in northern waters (Grebmeier 
et al. 2006a).
    Walruses may utilize ice that is greater than 20 cm (~8 in), but 
generally require ice thicknesses of 50 cm (~20 in) or more to support 
their weight, and are not found in areas of extensive, unbroken ice 
(Fay 1982; Richard 1990). Thus, in winter they concentrate in areas of 
broken pack ice associated with divergent ice flow or along the margins 
of persistent polynyas (Burns et al. 1981; Fay et al. 1984; Richard 
1990) in areas with abundant food resources (Ray et al. 2006). Females 
with young generally spend the summer months in pack ice habitats of 
the Chukchi Sea. Some authors have suggested that the size and 
topography of individual ice floes are important features in the 
selection of ice haulouts, noting that some animals have been observed 
returning to the same ice floe between feeding bouts (Ray et al. 2006). 
Conversely, walruses can and will exploit a broad range of ice types 
and

[[Page 35373]]

ice concentrations in order to stay in preferred foraging or breeding 
areas (Freitas et al. 2009; Jay et al. 2010; Ray et al. 2010). Walruses 
tend to make shorter foraging excursions when they are using sea ice 
rather than land haulouts (Udevitz et al. 2009), suggesting that it is 
more energetically efficient for them to haulout on ice than forage 
from shore. Fay (1982) noted that several authors reported that when 
walruses had the choice of ice or land for a resting place, ice was 
always selected. However, walrus occupancy of an area can be somewhat 
independent of ice conditions. Many walruses will stay over productive 
feeding areas even to the point when the ice completely melts out. It 
appears that adult females and younger animals can remain at sea for a 
week or two before coming to shore to rest.
    When suitable sea ice is not available, walruses haul out on land 
to rest. A wide variety of substrates, ranging from sand to boulders, 
are used. Isolated islands, points, spits, and headlands are occupied 
most frequently. The primary consideration for a terrestrial haulout 
site appears to be isolation from disturbances and predators, although 
social factors, learned behavior, protection from strong winds and 
surf, and proximity to food resources also likely influence the choice 
of terrestrial haulout sites (Richard 1990). Walruses tend to use 
established haulout sites repeatedly and exhibit some degree of 
fidelity to these sites (Jay and Hills 2005), although the use of 
coastal haulouts appears to fluctuate over time, possibly due to 
localized prey depletion (Garlich-Miller and Jay 2000). Human 
disturbance is also thought to influence the choice of haulout sites; 
many historic haulouts in the Bering Sea were abandoned in the early 
1900s when the Pacific walrus population was subjected to high levels 
of exploitation (Fay 1982; Fay et al. 1984).
    Adult male walruses use land-based haulouts more than females or 
young, and consequently, have a greater geographical distribution 
through the ice-free season. Many adult males remain in the Bering Sea 
throughout the ice-free season, making foraging trips from coastal 
haulouts in Bristol Bay, Alaska, and the Gulf of Anadyr, Russian 
Federation (Figure 1 in Garlich-Miller et al. 2011a), while females and 
juvenile animals generally stay with the drifting ice pack throughout 
the year (Fay 1982). Females with dependent young may prefer sea ice 
habitats because coastal haulouts pose greater risk from trampling 
injuries and predation (Fay and Kelly 1980; Ovsyanikov et al. 1994; 
Kochnev 2004; Ovsyanikov et al. 2007; Kavry et al. 2008; Mulcahy et al. 
2009). Females may also prefer sea ice habitats because they may have 
difficulty feeding while caring for a young calf that has limited 
swimming range (Cooper et al. 2006; Jay and Fischbach 2008).
    The numbers of male walruses using coastal haulouts in the Bering 
Sea during the summer months, and the relative uses of different 
coastal haulout sites in the Bering Sea, have varied over the past 
century. Harvest records indicate that walrus herds were once common at 
coastal haulouts along the Alaska Peninsula and the islands of northern 
Bristol Bay (Fay et al. 1984). By the early 1950s, most of the 
traditional haulout areas in the southern Bering Sea had been 
abandoned, presumably due to hunting pressure. During the 1950s and 
1960s, Round Island was the only regularly used haulout in Bristol Bay, 
Alaska. In 1960, the State of Alaska established the Walrus Islands 
State Game Sanctuary, which closed Round Island to hunting. Peak counts 
of walruses at Round Island increased from 1,000 to 2,000 animals in 
the late 1950s (Frost et al. 1983) to more than 10,000 animals in the 
early 1980s (Sell and Weiss 2010), but subsequently declined to 2,000 
to 5,000 over the past decade (Sell and Weiss 2010). General 
observations indicate that declining walrus counts at Round Island may, 
in part, reflect a redistribution of animals to other coastal sites in 
the Bristol Bay region. For example, walruses have been observed 
increasingly regularly at the Cape Seniavin haulout on the Alaska 
Peninsula since the 1970s, and at Cape Pierce and Cape Newenham in 
northwest Bristol Bay since the early 1980s (Jay and Hills 2005; 
Winfree 2010; Figure 1 in Garlich-Miller et al. 2011a), and more 
recently at Hagemeister Island.
    Traditional male summer haulouts along the Bering Sea coast of the 
Russian Federation include sites along the Kamchatka Peninsula, the 
Gulf of Anadyr (most notably Rudder and Meechkin spits), and 
Arakamchechen Island (Garlich-Miller and Jay 2000; Figure 1 in Garlich-
Miller et al. 2011a). Walruses have not occupied several of the 
southernmost haulouts along the coast of Kamchatka in recent years, and 
the number of animals in the Gulf of Anadyr has also declined in recent 
years (Kochnev 2005). Factors influencing abundance at Bering Sea 
haulouts are poorly understood, but may include changes in prey 
densities near the haulouts, changes in population size, disturbance 
levels, and changing seasonal distributions (Jay and Hills 2005) 
(presumably mediated by sea ice coverage or temperature).
    Historically, coastal haulouts along the Arctic (Chukchi Sea) coast 
have been used less consistently during the summer months than those in 
the Bering Sea because of the presence of pack ice for much of the year 
in the Chukchi Sea. Since the mid-1990s, reductions of summer sea ice 
coincided with a marked increase in the use of coastal haulouts along 
the Chukchi Sea coast of the Russian Federation during the summer 
months (Kochnev 2004; Kavry et al. 2008). Large, mixed (composed of 
various age and sex groups) herds of walruses, up to several tens of 
thousands of animals, began to use coastal haulouts on Wrangel Island, 
Russian Federation, in the early 1990s, and several coastal haulouts 
along the northern Chukotka coastline of the Russian Federation have 
emerged in recent years, likely as a result of reductions in summer sea 
ice in the Chukchi Sea (Kochnev 2004; Ovsyanikov et al. 2007; Kavry et 
al. 2008; Figure 1 in Garlich-Miller et al. 2011a).
    In 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2011, walruses were also observed hauling 
out in large numbers with mixed sex and age groups along the Chukchi 
Sea coast of Alaska in late August, September, and October (Thomas et 
al. 2009; Service 2010, unpublished data; Garlich-Miller et al. 2011b; 
MacCracken 2012). Monitoring studies conducted in association with oil 
and gas exploration suggest that the use of coastal haulouts along the 
Arctic coast of Alaska during the summer months is dependent upon the 
availability of sea ice. For example, in 2006 and 2008, walruses 
foraging off the Chukchi Sea coast of Alaska remained with the ice pack 
over the continental shelf during the months of August, September, and 
October. However in 2007 and 2009, the pack ice retreated beyond the 
continental shelf and large numbers of walruses hauled out on land at 
several locations between Point Barrow and Cape Lisburne, Alaska 
(Ireland et al. 2009; Thomas et al. 2009; Service 2010, unpublished 
data; Figure 1 in Garlich-Miller et al. 2011a), and in 2010 and 2011, 
at least 20,000 to 30,000 walruses were observed hauled out 
approximately 4.8 km (3 mi) north of the Native Village of Point Lay, 
Alaska (Garlich-Miller et al. 2011b).
    Transitory coastal haulouts have also been reported in late fall 
(October to November) along the southern Chukchi Sea coast, coinciding 
with the southern migration. Mixed herds of walruses frequently come to 
shore to rest for a few days to weeks along the coast before continuing 
on their migration to the

[[Page 35374]]

Bering Sea. Cape Lisburne, Alaska, and Capes Serdtse-Kamen' and 
Dezhnev, Russian Federation, are the most consistently used haulouts in 
the Chukchi Sea at this time of year (Garlich-Miller and Jay 2000). 
Large mixed herds of walruses have also been reported in late fall and 
early winter at coastal haulouts in the northern Bering Sea at the 
Punuk Islands and Saint Lawrence Island, Alaska; Big Diomede Island, 
Russian Federation; and King Island, Alaska, prior to the formation of 
sea ice in offshore breeding and feeding areas (Fay and Kelly 1980; 
Garlich-Miller and Jay 2000; Figure 1 in Garlich-Miller et al. 2011a).
Life History
    Walruses are long-lived animals with low rates of reproduction, 
much lower than other pinniped species. Walruses may live 35 to 40 
years and some may remain reproductively active until relatively late 
in life (Garlich-Miller et al. 2006). Females give birth to one calf 
every 2 or more years. Breeding occurs between January and March in the 
pack ice of the Bering Sea. Calves are usually born in late April or 
May the following year during the northward migration from the Bering 
Sea to the Chukchi Sea. Calving areas in the Chukchi Sea extend from 
the Bering Strait to latitude 70[deg]N (Fay et al. 1984). At birth, 
walrus calves weigh approximately 65 kg (143 pounds [lb]) and are about 
113 cm (44.5 in) long (Fay 1982). Calves are capable of entering the 
water shortly after birth, but tend to haulout frequently, until their 
swimming ability and blubber layer are well developed. Females tend 
newborn calves closely and accompany their mother from birth until 
weaned after 2 years or more. Cows brood neonates to aid in their 
thermoregulation (Fay and Ray 1968), and carry them on their back or 
under their flipper while in the water (Gehnrich 1984). Females with 
newborns often join to form large ``nursery herds'' (Burns 1970). 
Summer distribution of females and young walruses is related to the 
movements of the pack ice relative to feeding areas.
    After the first 7 years of life, the growth rate of female walruses 
declines rapidly, and they reach a maximum body size by approximately 
10 years of age. Females reach sexual maturity at 4 to 9 years of age. 
Adult females can reach lengths of up to 3 m (9.8 ft) and weigh up to 
1,100 kg (2,425 lb). Male walruses tend to grow faster and for a longer 
period than females. Males become fertile at 5 to 7 years of age; 
however, they are usually unable to compete for mates until they reach 
full adult body size at 15 to 16 years of age. Adult males can reach 
lengths of 3.5 m (11.5 ft) and can weigh more than 2,000 kg (4,409 lb) 
(Fay 1982).
Behavior
    Walruses are social and gregarious animals. They tend to travel in 
groups and haul out of the water to rest on ice or land in densely 
packed groups. On land or ice, in any season, walruses tend to lie in 
close physical contact with each other. Young animals often lie on top 
of adults. Group size can range from a few individuals up to several 
thousand animals (Gilbert 1999; Kastelein 2002; Jefferson et al. 2008). 
At any time of the year, when groups are disturbed, stampedes from a 
haulout can result in injuries and mortalities. Calves and young 
animals are particularly vulnerable to trampling injuries (Fay 1980; 
Fay and Kelly 1980). The reaction of walruses to disturbance ranges 
from no reaction to escape into the water, depending on the 
circumstances (Fay et al. 1984). Many factors play into the severity of 
the response, including the age and sex of the animals, the size and 
location of the group (on ice, in water, Fay et al. 1984). Females with 
calves appear to be most sensitive to disturbance, and animals on shore 
are more sensitive than those on ice (Fay et al. 1984). A fright 
response caused by disturbance can cause stampedes on a haulout, 
resulting in injuries and mortalities (Fay and Kelly 1980).
    Mating occurs primarily in January and February in broken pack ice 
habitat in the Bering Sea. Breeding bulls follow herds of females and 
compete for access to groups of females hauled out onto sea ice. Males 
perform visual and acoustical displays in the water to attract females 
and defend a breeding territory. Sub-dominant males remain on the 
periphery of these aggregations and apparently do not display. 
Intruders into display areas are met with threat displays and physical 
attacks. Individual females leave the resting herd to join a male in 
the water, where copulation occurs (Fay et al. 1984; Sjare and Stirling 
1996).
    The social bond between the mother and calf is very strong, and it 
is unusual for a cow to become separated from her calf (Fay 1982). The 
calf normally remains with its mother for at least 2 years, sometimes 
longer, if not supplanted by a new calf (Fay 1982). After separation 
from their mother, young females tend to remain with groups of adult 
females, whereas young males gradually separate from the females and 
begin to associate with groups of other males. Walruses appear to base 
their individual social status on a combination of body size, tusk 
size, and aggressiveness. Individuals do not necessarily associate with 
the same group of animals and must continually reaffirm their social 
status in each new aggregation (Fay 1982; NAMMCO 2004).
    Walruses produce a variety of sounds (barks, knocks, grunts, rasps, 
clicks, whistles, contact calls, etc.; Miller 1985; Stirling et al. 
1987), which range in frequency from 0.1 to 4,000 hertz [Hz] (Miller 
1985; Richardson et al. 1995). Airborne vocalizations accompany nearly 
every social interaction that occurs on land or ice (Miller 1985; 
Charrier et al. 2011) and facilitate kin recognition, male breeding 
displays, recognition of conspecifics, and female mate choice (Insley 
et al. 2003; Charrier et al. 2011). Miller (1985) indicated that barks 
and other calls were used to promote group cohesion and prompted herd 
members to attend to young distressed animals. Walruses also vocalize 
extensively while underwater, which has been used to track movements, 
study behavior, and infer relative abundance (Stirling et al. 1983; 
Hannay et al. 2012, Mouy et al. 2012). The purposes of underwater 
vocalizations are not explicitly known but are associated with breeding 
(Ray and Watkins 1975; Stirling et al. 1987; Sjare et al. 2003), 
swimming, and diving (Hannay et al. 2012). Stirling et al. (1987) 
suggested that variation among individuals in stereotyped underwater 
calls may be used to identify individuals. Mouy et al. (2012) opined 
that knocks made while diving may be used to locate the bottom and 
identify bottom substrates associated with prey. Underwater 
vocalizations may also be used to communicate with other walruses.
    Because of walrus grouping behavior, all vocal communications occur 
within a short distance (Miller 1985). Walruses' underwater 
vocalizations can be detected for only a few kilometers (Mouy et al. 
2012) and likely do not act as long distance communication.
Prey
    Walruses consume mostly benthic (region at the bottom of a body of 
water) invertebrates and are highly adapted to obtain bivalves (Fay 
1982; Bowen and Siniff 1999; Born et al. 2003; Dehn et al. 2007; Boveng 
et al. 2008; Sheffield and Grebmeier 2009). Fish and other vertebrates 
have occasionally been found in their stomachs (Fay 1982; Sheffield and 
Grebmeier 2009). Walruses root in the bottom sediment with their 
muzzles and use their whiskers to locate prey items. They use their 
fore flippers, nose, and jets of water to extract prey buried up to 32 
cm

[[Page 35375]]

(12.6 in) (Fay 1982; Oliver et al. 1983; Kastelein 2002; Levermann et 
al. 2003). The foraging behavior of walruses is thought to have a major 
impact on benthic communities in the Bering and Chukchi Seas (Oliver et 
al. 1983; Klaus et al. 1990). Ray et al. (2006) estimate that walruses 
consume approximately 3 million metric tons (3,307 tons) of benthic 
biomass annually, and that the area affected by walruses foraging is in 
the order of thousands of sq km (thousands of sq mi) annually. 
Consequently, walruses play a major role in benthic ecosystem structure 
and function, which Ray et al. (2006) suggested increased nutrient flux 
and productivity.
    The earliest studies of food habits were based on examination of 
stomachs from walruses killed by hunters. These reports indicated that 
walruses were primarily feeding on bivalves (clams), and that non-
bivalve prey was only incidentally ingested (Fay 1982; Sheffield et al. 
2001). However, these early studies did not take into account the 
differential rate of digestion of prey items (Sheffield et al. 2001). 
Additional research indicates that stomach contents include over 100 
taxa of benthic invertebrates from all major phyla (Fay 1982; Sheffield 
and Grebmeier 2009), and while bivalves remain the primary component, 
walruses are not adapted to a diet solely of clams. Other prey items 
have similar energetic benefits (Wacasey and Atkinson 1987). Based on 
analysis of the contents from fresh stomachs of Pacific walruses 
collected between 1975 and 1985 in the Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea, prey 
consumption likely reflects benthic invertebrate composition (Sheffield 
and Grebmeier 2009). Of the large number of different types of prey, 
statistically significant differences between males and females from 
the Bering Sea were found in the occurrence of only two prey items, and 
there were no statistically significant differences in results for 
males and females from the Chukchi Sea (Sheffield and Grebmeier 2009). 
Although these data are for Pacific walruses stomachs collected 25 to 
35 years ago, we have no reason to believe there has been a change in 
the general pattern of prey use described here.
    Walruses typically swallow invertebrates without shells in their 
entirety (Fay 1982). Walruses remove the soft parts of mollusks from 
their shells by suction, and discard the shells (Fay 1982). Born et al. 
(2003) reported that Atlantic walruses consumed an average of 53.2 
bivalves (range 34 to 89) per dive. Based on caloric need and 
observations of captive walruses, walruses require approximately 29 to 
74 kg (64 to 174 lbs) of food per day (Fay 1982). Adult males forage 
little during the breeding period (Fay 1982; Ray et al. 2006), while 
lactating females may eat two to three times that of non-pregnant, non-
lactating females (Fay 1982). Calves up to 1 year of age depend 
primarily on their mother's milk (Fay 1982) and are gradually weaned in 
their second year (Fisher and Stewart 1997).
    Although walruses are capable of diving to depths of more than 250 
m (820 ft) (Born et al.), they usually forage in waters of 80 m (262 
ft) or less (Fay and Burns 1988, Born et al. 2003; Kovacs and Lydersen 
2008), presumably because of higher productivity of their benthic foods 
in shallow waters (Fay and Burns 1988; Carey 1991; Jay et al. 2001; 
Grebmeier et al. 2006b; Grebmeier et al. 2006a). Walruses make foraging 
trips from land or ice haulouts that range from a few hours up to 
several days and up to 100 km (60 mi) (Jay et al. 2001; Born et al. 
2003; Ray et al. 2006; Udevitz et al. 2009). Walruses tend to make 
shorter and more frequent foraging trips when sea ice is used as a 
foraging platform compared to terrestrial haulouts (Udevitz et al. 
2009). Satellite telemetry data for walruses in the Bering Sea in April 
of 2004, 2005, and 2006 showed they spent an average of 46 hours in the 
water between resting bouts on ice, which averaged 9 hours (Udevitz et 
al. 2009). Because females and young travel with the retreating pack 
ice in the spring and summer, they are passively transported northward 
over feeding grounds across the continental shelves of the Bering and 
Chukchi Seas. Male walruses appear to have greater endurance than 
females, with foraging excursions from land haulouts that can last up 
to 142 hours (about 6 days) (Jay et al. 2001).
Mortality
    Polar bears are known to prey on walrus calves, and killer whales 
(Orcinus orca) have been known to take all age classes of walruses. 
Predation levels are thought to be highest near terrestrial haulout 
sites where large aggregations of walruses can be found; however, few 
observations exist for offshore environs. Pacific walruses have been 
hunted by coastal Natives in Alaska and Chukotka for thousands of 
years. Exploitation of the Pacific walrus population by Europeans has 
also occurred in varying degrees since the late 17th century. Currently 
only Native Alaskans and Chukotkans can hunt Pacific walruses to meet 
subsistence needs. The Service, in partnership with the Eskimo Walrus 
Commission (EWC) and the Association of Traditional Marine Mammal 
Hunters of Chukotka, administered subsistence harvest monitoring 
programs in Alaska and Chukotka between 2000 to 2005. Harvests from 
2006 to 2010 averaged 4,854 walruses per year (Service, unpubl. data). 
These mortality estimates include corrections for under-reported 
harvest and struck and lost animals.
    Intra-specific trauma is also a known source of injury and 
mortality. Disturbance events can cause walruses to stampede into the 
water and have been known to result in hundreds to thousands of 
injuries and mortalities. The risk of stampede-related injuries 
increases with the number of animals hauled out. Calves and young 
animals at the perimeter of these herds are particularly vulnerable to 
trampling injuries.

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus)

Stock Definition and Range
    Polar bears are circumpolar in their distribution in the northern 
hemisphere. In Alaska, polar bears have historically been observed as 
far south in the Bering Sea as St. Matthew Island and the Pribilof 
Islands (Ray 1971). Two subpopulations, or stocks, occur in Alaska: The 
Chukchi/Bering Seas stock (CS), and the Southern Beaufort Sea stock 
(SBS). This final rule primarily discusses the CS stock. A detailed 
description of the CS and SBS polar bear stocks can be found in the 
Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) Stock Assessment Reports at https://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/mmm/stock/final_sbs_polar_bear_sar.pdf and 
https://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/mmm/stock/final_cbs_polar_bear_sar.pdf. A summary of the CS polar bear stock is described below.
    The CS stock is widely distributed on the pack ice in the Chukchi 
Sea and northern Bering Sea and adjacent coastal areas in Alaska and 
Chukotka, Russia. The northeastern boundary of the CS population is 
near the Colville Delta in the central Beaufort Sea (Garner et al.1990; 
Amstrup 1995; Amstrup et al. 2005) and the western boundary is near the 
Kolyma River in northeastern Siberia. The population's southern 
boundary is determined by the extent of annual sea ice in the Bering 
Sea. It is important to note that the eastern boundary of the CS 
population constitutes a large overlap zone with bears in the SBS 
population (Amstrup et al. 2004). In this large overlap zone, roughly 
north of Barrow, Alaska, it is thought that polar bears are 
approximately 50 percent from the CS population and 50 percent from the 
SBS population (Amstrup et al. 2004; Obbard et al. 2010). Currently, 
capture based studies are being conducted by

[[Page 35376]]

the Service in the U.S. portion of the Chukchi Sea to provide updated 
information on population delineation and habitat use.
Distribution in the Chukchi Sea
    Polar bears are common in the Chukchi Sea and their distribution is 
influenced by the movement of the seasonal pack ice. Polar bears in the 
Chukchi Sea migrate seasonally with the pack ice but are typically 
dispersed throughout the region anywhere sea ice and prey may be found 
(Garner et al. 1990; Amstrup 2003). The distance between the northern 
and southern extremes of the seasonal pack ice in the Chukchi/Bearing 
Seas is approximately 1,300 km (~807 mi). There may be, however, 
significant differences year to year. Sea ice throughout the Arctic is 
changing rapidly and dramatically due to climate change (Douglas 2010). 
In May and June, polar bears are likely to be encountered over 
relatively shallow continental shelf waters associated with ice as they 
move northward from the northern Bering Sea, through the Bering Strait 
into the southern Chukchi Sea. During the fall and early winter period 
polar bears are likely to be encountered in the Chukchi Sea during 
their southward migration in late October and November. Polar bears are 
dependent upon the sea ice for foraging, and the most productive areas 
seem to be near the ice edge, leads, or polynyas where the ocean depth 
is minimal (Durner et al. 2004). In addition, polar bears may be 
present along the shoreline in this area, as they will 
opportunistically scavenge on marine mammal carcasses washed up along 
the shoreline (Kalxdorff and Fischbach 1998).
Population Status
    The global population estimate of polar bears is approximately 
20,000 to 25,000 individuals (Obbard et al. 2010). Polar bears 
typically occur at low densities throughout their circumpolar range 
(DeMaster and Stirling 1981). The CS stock likely increased after the 
level of harvest in the United States was reduced subsequent to passage 
of the MMPA in 1972; however, its status is now considered to be 
declining based on reported high levels of illegal killing in Russia 
combined with continued subsistence harvest in the United States, and 
observed and projected losses in sea ice habitat (Obbard et al. 2010). 
Polar bears in the CS stock are classified as depleted under the MMPA 
and listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 
amended (ESA)(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). It has been difficult to obtain 
a reliable population estimate for this stock due to the vast and 
inaccessible nature of the habitat, movement of bears across 
international boundaries, logistical constraints of conducting studies 
in Russian Federation territory, and budget limitations (Amstrup and 
DeMaster 1988; Garner et al. 1992; Garner et al. 1998; Evans et al. 
2003). The recent estimate of the CS stock is approximately 2,000 
animals, based on extrapolation of aerial den surveys (Lunn et al. 
2002; USFWS 2010). Estimates of the stock have been derived from 
observations of dens and aerial surveys (Chelintsev 1977; Stishov 
1991a; Stishov 1991b; Stishov et al. 1991); however, these estimates 
have wide confidence intervals, are considered to be of little value 
for management, and cannot be used to evaluate status and trend for 
this stock. Reliable estimates of population size based upon 
traditional wildlife research methods such as capture-recapture or 
aerial surveys are not available for this region, and measuring the 
population size remains a research challenge (Evans et al. 2003). 
Current and new research studies in the United States and Russian 
Federation are aimed at monitoring population status via ecological 
indicators (e.g., recruitment rates and body condition) and reducing 
uncertainty associated with estimates of survival and population size.
Habitat
    Polar bears depend on the sea-ice-dominated ecosystem for survival. 
Polar bears of the Chukchi Sea are subject to the movements and 
coverage of the pack ice and annual ice as they are dependent on the 
ice as a platform for hunting, feeding, and mating. Historically, polar 
bears of the Chukchi Sea have spent most of their time on the annual 
ice in near-shore, shallow waters over the productive continental 
shelf, which is associated with the shear zone and the active ice 
adjacent to the shear zone. Sea ice and food availability are two 
important factors affecting the distribution of polar bears and their 
use of habitat. During the ice-covered season, bears use the extent of 
the annual ice. The most extensive north-south movements of polar bears 
are associated with the spring and fall ice movement. For example, 
during the 2006 ice-covered season, six bears radio-collared in the 
Beaufort Sea were located in the Chukchi and Bering Seas as far south 
as 59[deg] latitude, which was the farthest extent of the annual ice 
during 2006. In addition, a small number of bears sometimes remain on 
the Russian and Alaskan coasts during the initial stages of ice retreat 
in the spring.
    Polar bear distribution during the open-water season in the Chukchi 
Sea, where maximum open water occurs in September, is dependent upon 
the location of the ice edge as well. The summer ice pack can be 
unconsolidated, and segments move great distances by wind, carrying 
polar bears with them. Recent telemetry movement data are lacking for 
bears in the Chukchi Sea; however, an increased trend by polar bears to 
use coastal habitats in the fall during open-water and freeze-up 
conditions has been noted by researchers since 1992. Recently, during 
the minimum sea ice extents, which occurred in 2005 and 2007, polar 
bears exhibited this coastal movement pattern as observations from 
Russian biologists and satellite telemetry data of bears in the 
Beaufort Sea indicated that bears were found on the sea ice or along 
the Chukotka coast during the open-water period.
    Changes in sea ice are occurring in the Chukchi Sea because of 
climate change (Service 2010). With sea ice decreasing, scientists are 
observing effects of climate change on polar bear habitat, such as an 
increased amount of open water for longer periods; a reduction in the 
stable, multi-year ice; and a retraction of sea ice away from 
productive continental shelf areas (Service 2010). Polar bears using 
the Chukchi Sea are currently experiencing the initial effects of 
changes in the sea-ice conditions (Rode and Regehr et al. 2007) and 
will be vulnerable to seasonal changes in sea ice that could limit 
their access to prey.
    As a measure to protect polar bears and their habitat from the 
effects of climate change, the Service designated critical habitat for 
polar bear populations in the United States effective January 6, 2011 
(75 FR 76086; December 7, 2010). Critical habitat identifies geographic 
areas that contain features essential for the conservation of an 
endangered or threatened species, and that may require special 
management or protection. On January 13, 2013 the U.S. District Court 
for the District of Alaska issued an order (Alaska Oil and Gas 
Association and American Petroleum Institute v. Salazar, Case No. 3:11-
cv-0025-RRB) that vacated and remanded the polar bear critical habitat 
final rule to the Service.
    Although the critical habitat final rule has been vacated, the 
Service still has an obligation to consider the potential impacts of 
Industry activities upon polar bear habitat. Because the Service 
believes the habitat identified in the critical habitat final rule is 
important in any event, our analysis of potential

[[Page 35377]]

impacts of Industry activities upon polar bear habitat evaluates 
impacts on the following habitat types: Barrier island habitat, sea ice 
habitat (both described in geographic terms), and terrestrial denning 
habitat (a functional determination). Barrier island habitat includes 
coastal barrier islands and spits along Alaska's coast, and is used for 
denning, refuge from human disturbance, access to maternal dens and 
feeding habitat, and travel along the coast. Sea ice habitat is located 
over the continental shelf, and includes water 300 m (~984 ft) or less 
in depth. Terrestrial denning habitat includes lands within 32 km (~20 
mi) of the northern coast of Alaska between the Canadian border and the 
Kavik River, and within 8 km (~5 mi) between the Kavik River and 
Barrow. The total area designated covers approximately 484,734 sq km 
(~187,157 sq mi), and is entirely within the lands and waters of the 
United States.
    Important polar bear habitat is described in detail in the final 
rule that designated polar bear critical habitat (75 FR 76086; December 
7, 2010). You can view the rule at: https://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/mmm/polarbear/pdf/federal_register_notice.pdf.
Life History
    Polar bears are specially adapted for life in the Arctic and are 
distributed throughout most ice-covered seas of the circumpolar 
Northern Hemisphere (Amstrup 2003). They are generally limited to areas 
where the sea is ice-covered for much of the year; however, polar bears 
are not evenly distributed throughout their range. They are most 
abundant near the shore in shallow water areas, and in other areas 
where currents and ocean upwelling increase marine productivity and 
maintain some open water during the ice covered season (Stirling and 
Smith 1975; Stirling et al. 1981; Amstrup and DeMaster 1988; Stirling 
1990; Stirling and [Oslash]ritsland 1995; Stirling and Lunn 1997; 
Amstrup et al. 2000; Amstrup 2003). Over most of their range, polar 
bears remain on the sea ice year-round, or spend only short periods on 
land (Amstrup 2003).
Denning and Reproduction
    Female polar bears without dependent cubs breed in the spring. 
Females can produce their first litter of cubs at 5 to 6 years of age 
(Stirling et al. 1976; Stirling et al. 1977; Lentfer and Hensel 1980; 
Lentfer et al. 1980; Ramsay and Stirling 1982, 1988; Furnell and 
Schweinsburg 1984; Amstrup 2003). Pregnant females typically enter 
maternity dens from November through December, and the young are 
usually born in late December or early January (Lentfer and Hensel 
1980; Amstrup 2003). Only pregnant females den for an extended period 
during the winter; other polar bears may excavate temporary dens to 
escape harsh winter conditions, but otherwise remain active year-round 
(Amstrup 2003). Each pregnancy can result in up to three cubs, an 
average pregnancy results in two cubs being born. The average 
reproductive interval for a polar bear is 3 to 4 years, and a female 
polar bear can produce about 8 to 10 cubs in her lifetime. In healthy 
populations, 50 to 60 percent of the cubs may survive through their 
first year of life after leaving the den (Amstrup 2003). In late March 
or early April, the female and cubs emerge from their den. Polar bears 
have extended maternal care and most dependent young remain with their 
mother for approximately 2.3 years (Amstrup 2003). If the mother moves 
young cubs from the den before they can walk or withstand the cold, 
mortality of the cubs may result. Therefore, it is thought that 
successful denning, birthing, and rearing activities require a 
relatively undisturbed environment. Amstrup (2003), however, observed 
that polar bear females in a den are able to cope with and can display 
remarkable tolerance for a variety of human disturbance.
    Radio and satellite telemetry studies indicate that denning can 
occur in multi-year pack ice and on land. Recent studies of the SBS 
indicate that the proportion of dens on pack ice have declined from 
approximately 60 percent from 1985 to 1994, to 40 percent from 1998 to 
2004 (Fischbach et al. 2007). In Alaska, areas of maternal polar bear 
dens of both the CS and SBS stocks appear to be less concentrated than 
stocks located in Canada and the Russian Federation. Though some 
variations in denning occur among polar bears from various stocks, 
there are significant similarities. A common trait of polar bear 
denning habitat is topographic features that accumulate enough drifted 
snow for females to excavate a den (Amstrup 2003; Durner et al. 2003; 
Durner et al. 2006). Certain areas, such as barrier islands (linear 
features of low elevation land adjacent to the main coastline that are 
separated from the mainland by bodies of water), river bank drainages, 
much of the North Slope coastal plain, and coastal bluffs that occur at 
the interface of mainland and marine habitat receive proportionally 
greater use for denning than other areas by bears from the SBS stock 
(Durner et al. 2003; Durner et al. 2006). Maternal denning occurs on 
tundra-bearing barrier islands along the Beaufort Sea and in the large 
river deltas, such as the Colville and Canning Rivers. Denning of bears 
from the CS stock occurs primarily on Wrangel and Herald Islands, and 
on the Chukotka coast in the Russian Federation. Though maternal 
denning habitat is found on the western coast of Alaska, denning on 
land for the U.S. portion of the CS stock is not common. However, 
occasional reports as well as the traditional knowledge of Alaska 
Natives indicate that it does happen.
Prey
    Ringed seals are the primary prey of polar bears in most areas. 
Bearded seals are also common prey for polar bears in the CS stock. 
Pacific walrus calves are hunted occasionally, and walrus carcasses are 
scavenged at haulouts where trampling occurs. Polar bears will 
occasionally feed on bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) carcasses 
opportunistically wherever they may wash ashore and at Point Barrow, 
Cross Island, and Barter Island, which are areas where the remains of 
bowhead whales harvested for subsistence purposes are deposited. There 
are also reports of polar bears killing beluga whales (Delphinapterus 
leucas) trapped in the ice.
    Utilization of sea ice is a vital component of polar bear predatory 
behavior. Polar bears use sea ice as a platform to hunt seals, travel, 
seek mates, and rest, among other things. They may hunt along leads, 
polynyas, and other areas of open water associated with sea ice. Polar 
bears employ a diverse range of methods and tactics to hunt prey. They 
may wait motionless for extended periods at a seal breathing hole, or 
may use scent to locate a seal lair then break through the roof; seal 
lairs are excavated in snow drifts on top of the ice. Polar bears may 
ambush seals along an ice edge from the ice or from the water. Polar 
bears also stalk seals hauled out on the ice during warmer weather in 
the spring. These are just few examples of the predatory methods of 
polar bears. The common factor is the presence of sea ice in order for 
polar bears to access prey. Due to changing sea ice conditions, the 
area and time period of open water and proportion of marginal ice has 
increased. On average, ice in the Chukchi Sea is melting sooner and 
retreating farther north each year, and re-forming later. The annual 
period of time that sea ice is over the shallow, productive waters of 
the continental shelf is also diminishing. These effects may limit the 
availability of seals to polar bears, as the most productive areas

[[Page 35378]]

for seals appear to be over the shallow waters of the continental 
shelf.
    On December 28, 2012, NMFS issued a final determination to list the 
ringed and bearded ice seal populations (77 FR 76706 and 77 FR 76740, 
respectively) that exist in U.S. waters as threatened under the ESA. 
The loss of ice and snow cover were the most significant conservation 
concerns in regards to the ice seals, and NMFS concluded that sea ice 
and snow cover will likely further decrease in the foreseeable future 
resulting in population declines that threaten the survival of both 
seal populations.
Mortality
    Natural causes of mortality among polar bears are not well 
understood (Amstrup 2003). Polar bears are long-lived (up to 30 years 
in captivity); have no natural predators, except other polar bears; and 
do not appear prone to death by diseases or parasites (Amstrup 2003). 
Accidents and injuries incurred in the dynamic and harsh sea ice 
environment, injuries incurred while fighting other bears, starvation 
(usually during extreme youth or old age), freezing (also more common 
during extreme youth or old age), and drowning are all known natural 
causes of polar bear mortality (Derocher and Stirling 1996; Amstrup 
2003). Cannibalism by adult males on cubs and other adult bears is also 
known to occur; however, it is not thought that this is a common or 
significant cause of mortality. After natural causes and old age, the 
most significant source of polar bear mortality is from humans hunting 
polar bears (Amstrup 2003). Other sources of polar bear mortality 
related to human activities, though few and very rare, include research 
activities, euthanasia of sick or injured bears, and defense of life 
kills by non-Natives (Brower et al. 2002).

Subsistence Use and Harvest Patterns of Pacific Walruses and Polar 
Bears

    The Alaska Native communities most likely to be impacted by oil and 
gas activities projected to occur in the Chukchi Sea during the 5-year 
timeframe of these regulations are: Barrow, Wainwright, Point Lay, 
Point Hope, Kivalina, Kotzebue, Shishmaref, Little Diomede, Gambell, 
and Savoonga. However, all communities that harvest Pacific walruses or 
polar bears in the Chukchi Sea region could be affected by Industry 
activities. Pacific walruses and polar bears are harvested by Alaska 
Natives for subsistence purposes. The harvest of these species plays an 
important role in the culture and economy of many villages throughout 
northern and western coastal Alaska. Walrus meat is consumed by humans 
while the ivory is used to manufacture traditional handicrafts. Alaska 
Natives hunt polar bears primarily for their fur, which is used to 
manufacture cold weather clothing and handicrafts, but also for their 
meat.
    Under section 101(b) of the MMPA, Alaska Natives who reside in 
Alaska and dwell on the coast of the north Pacific Ocean or the Arctic 
Ocean are allowed to harvest walruses and polar bears if such harvest 
is for subsistence purposes or for purposes of creating and selling 
authentic Native articles of handicrafts and clothing, as long as the 
harvest is not done in a wasteful manner. Additionally, and similar to 
the exemption under the MMPA, section 10(e) of the ESA allows for the 
continued harvest of species listed as endangered or threatened in 
Alaska for subsistence purposes.
    The sale of handmade clothing and handicrafts made of walrus or 
polar bear parts is an important source of income in these remote 
Alaska Native communities. Fundamentally, the production of handicrafts 
is not a commercial activity, but rather a continuation and adaptation 
to a market economy of an ancient Alaska Native tradition of making and 
then bartering handicrafts and clothing for other needed items. The 
limited cash that Alaska Native villagers can make from handmade 
clothing and handicrafts is vital to sustain their subsistence hunting 
and fishing way of life (Pungowiyi 2000).
    The Service collects information on the subsistence harvest of 
Pacific walruses and polar bears in Alaska through the Walrus Harvest 
Monitor Program (WHMP) and the Marking, Tagging and Reporting Program 
(MTRP). The WHMP is an observer-based program focused on the harvest of 
Pacific walruses from the St. Lawrence Island communities Gambell and 
Savoonga. The MTRP program is administered through a network of 
``taggers'' employed in subsistence hunting communities. The marking 
and tagging rule requires that hunters report harvested walruses and 
polar bears to MTRP taggers within 30 days of the harvest. Taggers also 
certify (tag) specified parts (ivory tusks for walruses, hide and skull 
for polar bears) to help control illegal take and trade. The MTRP 
reports are thought to underestimate total U.S. Pacific walrus and 
polar bear subsistence harvest. Harvest levels of polar bears and 
walruses can vary considerably between years, presumably in response to 
differences in animal distribution, sea ice conditions, and hunter 
effort.
    In 2010, the Native villages of Gambell and Savoonga adopted local 
ordinances that limit the number of walruses harvested to four and five 
per hunting trip, respectively, which likely influences the total 
number of animals harvested each year. No Chukchi Sea villages have 
adopted anything similar, but they harvest comparatively few walruses. 
Information on subsistence harvests of walruses and polar bears in 
selected communities derived from MTRP harvest reports from 2007 to 
2011 is summarized in Table 2.
    Table 2. Number of Pacific walruses and polar bears harvested from 
2007 to 2011 in 12 Alaska communities, as reported through the U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) MTRP. Walrus harvest numbers 
presented here are not corrected for MTRP compliance rates or struck-
and-lost estimates.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Pacific
                                                   walrus    Polar  bear
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Barrow........................................           24           49
Gambell.......................................        3,069            9
Kivalina......................................            4            3
Kotzebue......................................            2            3
Little Diomede................................          166           14
Nome..........................................           24            1
Point Hope....................................           25           51
Point Lay.....................................           10            2
Savoonga......................................        2,918           16
Shishmaref....................................           52            6
Wainwright....................................           71            4
Wales.........................................           41            5
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pacific Walrus

Barrow
    Barrow is the northernmost community within the geographical region 
of the final regulations. Most walrus hunting from Barrow occurs in 
June and July when the landfast ice breaks up and hunters can access 
walruses by boat as they migrate north on the retreating pack ice. 
Walrus hunters from Barrow sometimes range up to 60 miles from shore; 
however, most harvests reported through the MTRP have occurred within 
30 miles of the community.
Wainwright
    Wainwright hunters have typically harvested more walruses than 
other mainland coastal subsistence communities on the North Slope. 
Walruses are thought to represent approximately 40 percent of this 
communities' annual subsistence diet of marine mammals. Wainwright 
residents hunt walruses from June through August as the ice retreats 
northward. Walruses can be plentiful in the pack

[[Page 35379]]

ice near the village this time of year. Most of the harvest from 
Wainwright occurs in June and July. Most walrus hunting is thought to 
occur within 20 miles of the community, in all seaward directions.
Point Hope
    Point Hope hunters typically begin their walrus hunt in late May 
and early June as walruses migrate north into the Chukchi Sea. The sea 
ice is usually well off shore of Point Hope by July and does not bring 
animals back into the range of hunters until late August and September. 
Most of the reported walrus harvest at Point Hope occurs in the months 
of June and September. Point Hope harvest occurs mostly within 5 miles 
of the coast, or near coastal haulout sites at Cape Lisburne.
Point Lay
    Point Lay walrus hunting peaks in June and July. Historically, 
harvests have occurred primarily within 40 miles north and south along 
the coast from Point Lay and approximately 30 miles offshore. Beginning 
in 2010, walruses started hauling out on the barrier island about 4 
miles north of Point Lay in August and remain there until late 
September to early October. This provides Point Lay hunters with new 
opportunities to harvest walruses, and reports indicate that from two 
to five animals are harvested at that time of year. Hunters harvest 
during the early stages of haulout formation and as the haulout begins 
to dissipate to avoid creating a disturbance resulting in a large 
stampede.
St. Lawrence Island
    St. Lawrence Island is located in the Bering Sea south of the 
Bering Strait. The two communities on the island are Gambell, on 
western tip, and Savoonga on the north central shore. These two 
subsistence hunting communities account for the majority of the Pacific 
walrus harvest in Alaska. Most of the walrus harvest from Gambell and 
Savoonga takes place in the spring, but some harvest also takes place 
in the fall and winter, depending on ice and weather conditions. 
Hunters from Gambell typically use areas north and east of the island 
while hunters from Savoonga traditionally utilize areas north, west, 
and south of the island. St. Lawrence Island hunters will typically 
travel from 40 to 60 miles, and as much as 90 miles, out to sea to find 
walruses. The consumption of traditional subsistence foods, such as 
marine mammals, and the economic value of marine mammal parts, such as 
walrus ivory, is thought to be more significant in Gambell and Savoonga 
than in communities on the mainland coast of Alaska.

Polar Bears

    Polar bears are harvested by Alaska Natives for subsistence and 
handicraft purposes. This species plays an important role in the 
culture and economy of many villages throughout western and northern 
coastal Alaska, where the polar bear figures prominently in Alaska 
Native stories, art, traditions, and cultural activities. In these 
northern and western coastal Alaskan Native villages, the taking and 
use of the polar bear is a fundamental part of Alaska Native culture. 
For Alaska Natives engaged in subsistence uses, the very acts of 
hunting, fishing, and gathering, coupled with the seasonal cycle of 
these activities and the sharing and celebrations that accompany them, 
are intricately woven into the fabric of their social, psychological, 
and religious life (Pungowiyi 2000).

Polar Bear Harvest Patterns in Alaska

    The following summary is excerpted from the Report of the 
Scientific working group to the US-Russian Federation Polar Bear 
Commission (May 2010), which describes the history of the polar bear 
harvest during the last century. A more detailed description can be 
found at: https://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/mmm/polarbear/bilateral.htm:

    Prior to the 20th century Alaska's polar bears were hunted 
primarily by Alaska Natives for subsistence purposes although 
commercial sales of hides occurred primarily as a result of Yankee 
whaling and arctic exploration ventures. During the 20th century, 
polar bears were harvested for subsistence, handicrafts, and 
recreational sport hunting. Based on records of skins shipped from 
Alaska for 1925 to 1953, the estimated annual statewide harvest 
averaged 120 bears and this take was primarily by Native hunters. 
Recreational hunting by non-Native sport hunters using aircraft 
became popular from 1951 to 1972, increasing the statewide annual 
harvest to 150 during 1951 to 1960 and to 260 during 1960 to 1972 
(Amstrup et al. 1986). During the late 1960s and 1970s the size of 
the Beaufort Sea stock declined substantially (Amstrup et al. 1986) 
due to excessive sport harvest. Hunting by non-Natives was 
prohibited in 1973 when provisions of the Marine Mammal Protection 
Act (MMPA) went into effect. The prohibition of non-Native sport 
hunting led to a reduction in the annual harvest of polar bears from 
the Alaska-Chukotka population from 189  50 bears/year 
for the period 1961 to 1972 to 80  54 bears/year for the 
period 1973 to 1984 (Amstrup et al. 1986; Fig. 1). According to 
Service harvest records, from 1980 through the present, harvest of 
the Alaska-Chukotka population in the U.S. portion has declined. 
Reasons for a decline in the Alaska native subsistence harvest are 
currently unknown, but are currently being investigated. Possible 
causes include decreased hunter effort, decreased polar bear 
numbers, changes in polar bear distribution, and environmental 
conditions that make polar bears less available to hunters.

As stated previously, harvest levels of polar bears can vary 
considerably between years for a variety of reasons, including annual 
variations in animal distribution, sea ice conditions, and hunter 
effort. Table 2 summarizes MTRP harvest reports for polar bears for 
selected western Alaska communities from 2007 to 2011, the most recent 
5-year period for which complete data are available. The harvest 
information in Table 2 provides an insight into the level of polar bear 
harvest by western Alaska communities during the previous 5-year period 
of Chukchi Sea ITRs. Average polar bear harvest levels in Alaska have 
remained relatively stable over the past 20 years in the Southern 
Beaufort Sea, but have declined in the Chukchi/Bering seas. Over these 
past 20 years, six communities (Barrow, Point Hope, Savoonga, Gambell, 
Little Diomede, and Wainwright) consistently account for the majority 
of all polar bears harvested in Alaska. The reason for the decline in 
harvest in western Alaska is unknown, but could be a result of reduced 
hunter effort, changing distribution of bears, and/or a decline in the 
number of bears in the population.
    Polar bears are harvested throughout the calendar year, depending 
on availability. Hunters in western Alaska, from Point Lay to St. 
Lawrence Island, usually harvest bears in winter, since bears moving 
southward with the advancing pack ice are more available in those areas 
later in the season. The number of polar bears harvested from Barrow is 
thought to be influenced by sea ice conditions as well as the number of 
people engaged in subsistence activities. Most polar bear harvests 
reported by Barrow occurred in February and March. Polar bears are 
harvested from Wainwright throughout much of the year, with peak 
harvests reported in May and December within 10 miles of the community. 
Polar bears are typically harvested from Point Hope from January to 
April within 10 miles of the community; however, Point Hope hunters 
reported taking polar bears as far away as Cape Thompson and Cape 
Lisburne.
    Although few people are thought to hunt specifically for polar 
bears, those that do hunt primarily between October and March. Polar 
bears are often harvested coincidentally with beluga and bowhead whale 
harvests. Hunting

[[Page 35380]]

areas for polar bears overlap strongly with areas of bowhead 
subsistence hunting, particularly the area from Point Barrow South to 
Walakpa Lagoon where walrus and whale carcasses are known to 
concentrate polar bears.

Harvest Management of Polar Bears in Alaska

    The Service works through existing co-management agreements with 
Alaska Natives to address future actions that affect polar bears and 
polar bear hunting. This includes working with the Alaska Nanuuq 
Commission (ANC), the NSB and its Native-to-Native Agreement with the 
Inuvialuit Game Council of Canada (Beaufort Sea region), and the Joint 
Commission formed with the Russian Federation under the Bilateral 
Agreement (Chukchi/Bering seas region).
    The ANC was formed in 1994, to represent the villages in North and 
Northwest Alaska on matters concerning the conservation and sustainable 
subsistence use of the polar bear. The mission of ANC is to ``conserve 
Nanuuq and the Arctic ecosystem for present and future generations of 
Arctic Alaska Natives.'' The tribal council of each member village has 
passed a resolution to become a member and to authorize the ANC to 
represent them on matters concerning the polar bear at regional and 
international levels. Fifteen villages are currently members: Barrow; 
Wainwright; Kotzebue; Nuiqsut; Savoonga; Kaktovik; Point Lay; Point 
Hope; Brevig Mission; Shishmaref; Gambell; King Island; Wales; Little 
Diomede; and Kivalina.
    Polar bears harvested from the communities of Barrow, Nuiqsut, 
Kaktovik, Wainwright, and Atqasuk are currently considered part of the 
SBS stock and thus are subject to the terms of the Inuvialuit-Inupiat 
Polar Bear Management Agreement (Inuvialuit-Inupiat Agreement).
    The Inuvialuit-Inupiat Agreement establishes quotas and 
recommendations concerning protection of denning females, family 
groups, and methods of harvest. Adherence to the quota is voluntary in 
the United States, and it has generally been followed since 
implementation of the Inuvialuit-Inupiat Agreement (Brower et al. 
2002). Under the Inuvialuit-Inupiat Agreement, quotas are recommended 
by technical advisors based on estimates of population size and age 
specific estimates of survival and recruitment. The current quota of 70 
total bears per year was established in July 2010, and represents a 
decrease from the previous quota of 80 total bears per year (Brower et 
al. 2002). The quota is allocated to Canadian Inuvialuit and to Alaskan 
Inupiat, with 35 bears each. The Inuvialuit-Inupiat Agreement and its 
quotas are voluntary between the Inupiat and Inuvialuit, and are not 
enforceable by any law or authority of the governments of the United 
States or Canada.
    The ``Agreement Between the Government of the United States of 
America and the Government of the Russian Federation on the 
Conservation and Management of the Alaska-Chukotka Polar Bear 
Population,'' signed in Washington, DC, on October 16, 2000 (the 2000 
Agreement), provides legal protections for the population of polar 
bears found in the Chukchi-Northern Bering Sea. The 2000 Agreement is 
implemented in the United States through Title V of the Marine Mammal 
Protection Act (MMPA) (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) and builds upon those 
protections already provided to this population of polar bears through 
the ``Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears,'' executed in Oslo, 
Norway on November 13, 1973 (the 1973 Agreement), which was a 
significant early step in the international conservation of polar 
bears.
    The 1973 Agreement is a multilateral treaty to which the United 
States and Russia are parties with other polar bear range states: 
Norway, Canada, and Denmark. While the 1973 Agreement provides 
authority for the maintenance of a subsistence harvest of polar bears 
and provides for habitat conservation, the 2000 Agreement specifically 
establishes a common legal, scientific, and administrative framework 
for the conservation and management of the Alaska-Chukotka polar bear 
population between the United States and Russia.
    The 2000 Agreement requires the United States and the Russian 
Federation to manage and conserve polar bears based on reliable science 
and to provide for subsistence harvest by native peoples. The U.S.-
Russian Federation Polar Bear Commission (Commission), which functions 
as the bilateral managing authority, consists of a Native and Federal 
representative of each country. The Commission is advised by a 16-
member Scientific Working Group (SWG), including experts on ice 
habitat, bear ecology and population dynamics, and traditional 
ecological knowledge.
    Meetings of the Commission have occurred yearly since 2009. At the 
fourth meeting of the Commission, which took place from June 25 through 
27, 2012, in Anchorage, Alaska, United States, the Commission, based on 
the recommendation of the SWG, agreed that no change was necessary to 
the sustainable harvest level identified in 2010. In 2012, the 
Commission adopted a 5-year sustainable harvest level of 290 polar 
bears with no more than one third to be female, with the requirements 
that the 5-year sustainable harvest level be allocated over the 5-year 
period using methods recognized by the SWG as biologically sound, and 
that these methods include the identification of annual sustainable 
harvest levels, for consideration by the Commission in setting annual 
taking limits. This cooperative management regime for the subsistence 
harvest of bears is key to both providing for the long term viability 
of the population as well as addressing the social, cultural, and 
subsistence interests of Alaska Natives and the native people of 
Chukotka.

Potential Effects of Oil and Gas Industry Activities on Pacific 
Walruses and Polar Bears

    Industry activities can affect individual walruses and polar bears 
in numerous ways. The petitioners in sections 6.1 and 6.2 of the AOGA 
Petition describe anticipated impacts for Incidental Take Regulations 
for Oil and Gas Activities in the Chukchi Sea and Adjacent Lands in 
2013 to 2018, January 31, 2012. Potential effects, detailed below, from 
Industry activities could include: (1) Disturbance due to noise; (2) 
physical obstructions; (3) human encounters; and (4) effects on prey.
    A thorough discussion of the impacts of Industry activities in the 
Chukchi Sea on marine mammals is found in the Chukchi Sea Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) at https://www.boem.gov/uploadedFiles/BOEM/About_BOEM/BOEM_Regions/Alaska_Region/Environment/Environmental_Analysis/2007-026-Vol%20I.pdf and the 
Chukchi Sea Final Supplemental EIS, Chukchi Sea Planning Area, Oil and 
Gas Lease Sale 193 at https://www.boem.gov/About-BOEM/BOEM-Regions/Alaska-Region/Environment/Environmental-Analysis/OCS-EIS/EA-BOEMRE-2011-041.aspx.

Pacific Walruses

    Oil and gas exploration activities in the Chukchi Sea region 
include the operation of seismic survey vessels, drillships, 
icebreakers, supply boats, fixed wing aircrafts, and helicopters. These 
activities could disturb walruses. Walruses that are disturbed may 
experience insufficient rest, increased stress and energy expenditure, 
interference with feeding, and masking of communication. Cows with 
calves that experience disturbance may alter their care of calves, such 
as staying in

[[Page 35381]]

the water longer or nursing less frequently. Calves that experience 
disturbance could spend an increased amount of time in the water, 
affecting their thermoregulation. Prolonged or repeated disturbances 
could potentially displace individuals or herds from preferred feeding 
or resting areas. Disturbance events could cause walrus groups to 
abandon land or ice haulouts.
    The response of walruses to disturbance stimuli is highly variable. 
Observations by walrus hunters and researchers suggest that males tend 
to be more tolerant of disturbances than females and individuals tend 
to react less than groups. Females with dependent calves are considered 
the least tolerant of disturbances. Hearing sensitivity is assumed to 
be within the 13 Hz and 1,200 Hz range of their own vocalizations. 
Walrus hunters and researchers have noted that walruses tend to react 
to the presence of humans and machines at greater distances from upwind 
approaches than from downwind approaches, suggesting that odor is also 
a stimulus for a flight response. The visual acuity of walruses is 
thought to be less than for other species of pinnipeds (Kastelein et 
al. 1993).
    Walruses must periodically haul out onto ice or land to rest 
between feeding bouts. Aerial surveys in the eastern Chukchi Sea found 
that 80 to 96 percent of walruses were closely associated with sea ice 
and that the number of walruses observed in open water decreased 
significantly with distance from the pack ice. Under minimal or no ice 
conditions, walruses either follow the ice out of the region, or 
relocate to coastal haulouts where their foraging trips are usually 
restricted to near shore habitats. However, in 2010 and 2011, more than 
20,000 walruses hauled out near Point Lay and many traveled to the 
Hanna Shoal area to feed, returning to Point Lay. Therefore, in 
evaluating the potential impacts of exploration activities on walruses, 
the presence or absence of pack ice serves as one indicator of whether 
or not walruses are likely to be found in the area. In addition, if 
walruses are using coastal haulouts near Point Lay, or farther north, 
many walruses could be encountered in the water over or near Hannah 
Shoal as well as between the haul out area and Hanna Shoal (Jay et al. 
2012; Delarue et al. 2012). Activities occurring in or near sea ice 
habitats or areas of high benthic productivity have the greatest 
potential for affecting walruses. Activities occurring during the open-
water period away from known feeding areas are expected to affect 
relatively small numbers of animals except as described above in 
regards to walruses moving between coastal haulouts and offshore 
feeding areas.
1. Disturbance From Noise
    Noise generated by Industry activities, whether stationary or 
mobile, has the potential to disturb walruses. Potential impacts of 
Industry-generated noise include displacement from preferred foraging 
areas, increased stress and energy expenditure, interference with 
feeding, and masking of communications. Most impacts of Industry noise 
on walruses are likely to be limited to a few groups or individuals 
rather than the population due to their geographic range and seasonal 
distribution within the geographic region. Reactions of marine mammals 
to noise sources, particularly mobile sources such as marine vessels, 
vary. Reactions depend on the individuals' prior exposure to the 
disturbance source, their need or desire to be in the particular 
habitat or area where they are exposed to the noise, and visual 
presence of the disturbance sources.
    Unobserved impacts to walruses due to aquatic and airborne noises 
may occur, but cannot be estimated. Airborne noises have the greatest 
potential to impact walruses occurring in large numbers at coastal 
haulouts or on ice floes near Industry activities. However, 
restrictions on aircraft altitude and offset distances, as well as the 
25-mile coastal exclusion zone enacted by BOEM, adequately mitigate 
this potential impact of Industry activities when walruses are on land. 
A detailed discussion of noise disturbance in the marine environment 
follows.
A. Stationary Sources
    An exploratory drill rig is an example of a stationary source of 
sounds, odors, and visual stimuli. In estimating impacts, it is 
difficult to separate those stimuli. However, walruses appear to rely 
primarily on auditory and olfactory senses, and then sight when 
responding to potential predators or other stimuli (Kastelein et al. 
1993). Industrial ambient noise associated with the drilling 
operations, such as generators and other equipment, is expected. 
Walruses may respond to sound sources by either avoidance or tolerance. 
Typically, walruses will avoid a disturbance by moving away.
    In one reported observation in 1989 by Shell Western E & P, Inc., a 
single walrus actually entered the moon pool of a stationary drillship 
several times during a drilling operation. A moon pool is the opening 
to the sea on a drillship for a marine drill apparatus. The drill 
apparatus protrudes from the ship through the moon pool to the sea 
floor. Eventually, the walrus had to be removed from the ship for its 
own safety. During the same time period, Shell Western E & P, Inc., 
also reported encountering multiple walruses close to their drillship 
during offshore drilling operations in the Chukchi Sea.
B. Mobile Sources
    Seismic operations are expected to add significant levels of noise 
into the marine environment. Although the hearing sensitivity of 
walruses is poorly known, source levels associated with Marine 3D and 
2D seismic surveys are thought to be high enough to cause temporary 
hearing loss in other pinniped species. Therefore, walruses found near 
source levels within the 180-decibel (dB re 1 [mu]Pa at 1 m) 
ensonification zone described by Industry for seismic activities could 
potentially suffer shifts in hearing thresholds and temporary hearing 
loss. Ensonification zones are a proxy for the amount of sound or 
seismic disturbance that would be considered to rise to the level of 
biologically significant disturbance, i.e., Level B take. Seismic 
survey vessels will be required to ramp up airguns slowly to allow 
marine mammals the opportunity to move away from potentially injurious 
sound sources. Marine mammal monitors will also be required to monitor 
seismic safety zones and call for the power down or shutdown of airgun 
arrays if any marine mammals are detected within the prescribed safety 
zone.
    Geotechnical seismic surveys and high resolution site clearance 
seismic surveys are expected to occur primarily in open water 
conditions, at a sufficient distance from the pack ice and large 
concentrations of walruses to avoid most disturbances. Although most 
walruses are expected to be closely associated with sea ice or coastal 
haulouts during offshore exploration activities, animals may be 
encountered in open water conditions. Walruses swimming in open water 
would likely be able to detect seismic airgun pulses up to several 
kilometers from a seismic source vessel. The most likely response of 
walruses to noise generated by seismic surveys would be to move away 
from the source of the disturbance. Because of the transitory nature of 
the proposed seismic surveys, impacts to walruses exposed to seismic 
survey operations are expected to be temporary in nature and have 
little or no effects on survival or recruitment.
    Although concentrations of walruses in open water environments are

[[Page 35382]]

expected to be low, groups of foraging or migrating animals transiting 
through the area may be encountered. Adaptive mitigation measures 
(e.g., avoidance distance guidelines, seismic airgun shutdowns) based 
upon monitoring information will be implemented to mitigate potential 
impacts to walrus groups feeding or traveling in offshore locations and 
ensure that these impacts would be limited to small numbers of animals.
C. Vessel Traffic
    Offshore drilling exploration activities are expected to occur 
primarily in areas of open water some distance from the pack ice; 
however, support vessels and/or aircraft may occasionally encounter 
aggregations of walruses hauled out onto sea ice. The sight, sound, or 
smell of humans and machines could potentially displace these animals 
from ice haulouts. The reaction of walruses to vessel traffic is 
dependent upon vessel type, distance, speed, and previous exposure to 
disturbances. Generally, walruses react to vessels by leaving the area, 
but we are aware of at least one occasion where an adult walrus used a 
vessel as a haulout platform in 2009. Walruses in the water appear to 
be less readily disturbed by vessels than walruses hauled out on land 
or sea ice, and it appears that low frequency diesel engines cause less 
of a disturbance than high frequency outboard engines. In addition, 
walrus densities within their normal distribution are highest along the 
edge of the pack ice, and Industry vessels typically avoid these areas. 
Furthermore, barges and vessels associated with Industry activities 
travel in open water and avoid large ice floes or land where walruses 
will be found.
    Monitoring programs associated with exploratory drilling operations 
in the Chukchi Sea in 1989 and 1990 noted that 25 to 60 percent, 
respectively, of walrus groups encountered in the pack ice during 
icebreaking responded by ``escaping'' (Brueggeman et al. 1990, 1991). 
Escape was not defined, but we assume that walruses escaped by 
abandoning the ice and swimming away. Ice management operations are 
expected to have the greatest potential for disturbances since these 
operations typically require vessels to accelerate, reverse direction, 
and turn rapidly, activities that maximize propeller cavitations and 
resulting noise levels. Previous studies (Brueggeman et al. 1990, 1991) 
suggest that icebreaking activities can displace some walrus groups up 
to several miles away; however, most groups of walruses resting on the 
ice showed little reaction when they were beyond 805 m (0.5 mi) from 
the activity.
    When walruses are present, underwater noise from any vessel traffic 
in the Chukchi Sea may ``mask'' ordinary communication between 
individuals and prevent them from locating each other. It may also 
prevent walruses from using potential habitats in the Chukchi Sea and 
may have the potential to impede movement. Vessel traffic will likely 
increase if offshore Industry expands and may increase if warming 
waters and seasonally reduced sea ice cover alter northern shipping 
lanes.
    Impacts associated with transiting support vessels and aircrafts 
are likely to be widely distributed throughout the area. Therefore, 
noise and disturbance from aircraft and vessel traffic associated with 
exploration projects are expected to have localized, short-term 
effects. Nevertheless, the potential for disturbance events resulting 
in injuries, mortalities, or cow-calf separations is of concern. The 
potential for injuries, though unlikely, is expected to increase with 
the size of affected walrus aggregations. Adaptive mitigation measures 
(e.g., distance restrictions, reduced vessel speeds) designed to 
separate Industry activities from walrus aggregations at coastal 
haulouts and in sea ice habitats are expected to reduce the potential 
for animal injuries, mortalities, and cow-calf separations.
    While drilling operations are expected to occur during open water 
conditions, the dynamic movements of sea ice could transport walruses 
hauled out on ice within range of drilling operations. Any potential 
disturbance to walruses in this condition would be through ice 
management practices, where ice management may displace walruses from 
ice in order to prevent displacement of the drill rig. Mitigation 
measures specified in an LOA may include: Requirements for ice 
scouting; surveys for walruses and polar bears near active drilling 
operations and ice breaking activities; requirements for marine mammal 
observers onboard drillships and ice breakers; and operational 
restrictions near walrus and polar bear aggregations. These measures 
are expected to reduce the potential for interactions between walruses 
and drilling operations.
    Ice floes that threaten drilling operations may have to be 
intercepted and moved with a vessel, and those floes could be occupied 
by resting walruses. Observations by icebreaker operators suggest that 
most walruses will abandon drifting ice floes long before they reach 
drilling rigs and before ice management vessels need to intercept a 
floe that has to be deflected or broken. Ice management activities that 
cause walruses to flush from or abandon ice will be considered as 
intentional takes by the Service. Given the observations from previous 
operations (Brueggeman et al. 1990, 1991), we expect this to be a rare 
event and involve only small numbers of animals. In addition, Industry 
has developed an adaptive ice management procedure that requires case-
by-case approval by Service officials prior to managing ice occupied by 
walruses. If ice threatening drilling operations is too large and thick 
to be moved, drilling operations will be suspended, the well would be 
capped, and the drill vessel would be moved until the ice passes. For 
example, in 2012, ice management was required during a total of seven 
days from 31 August to 13 September and was limited to nine discrete 
isolated events, where ice was broken apart only two times at the 
Burger A prospect. During the drilling season the drill ship had to be 
moved off-site for 10 days due to encroachment of ice floes.
D. Aircraft Traffic
    Aircraft overflights may disturb walruses. Reactions to aircraft 
vary with range, aircraft type, and flight pattern, as well as walrus 
age, sex, and group size. Adult females, calves, and immature walruses 
tend to be more sensitive to aircraft disturbance. Fixed wing aircraft 
are less likely to elicit a response than are helicopters. Walruses are 
particularly sensitive to changes in engine, propeller, or rotor noise 
and are more likely to stampede when aircraft turn sharply while 
accelerating or fly low overhead. Researchers conducting aerial surveys 
for walruses in sea ice habitats have observed less reaction to fixed 
wing aircraft above 457 m (1,500 ft) (Service unpubl. data). Although 
the intensity of the reaction to noise is variable, walruses are 
probably most susceptible to disturbance by fast-moving and low-flying 
aircraft, with helicopters usually causing the strongest reactions.
2. Physical Obstructions
    It is unlikely that walrus movements would be displaced by offshore 
stationary facilities, such as an exploratory drill rig. Vessel traffic 
could temporarily interrupt the movement of walruses, or displace some 
animals when vessels pass through an area. This displacement would 
probably have minimal or no effect on animals and would last no more 
than a few hours.

[[Page 35383]]

3. Human Encounters
    Human encounters with walruses could occur during Industry 
operations. These types of encounters will most likely be associated 
with support activities in the coastal environments near walrus coastal 
haulouts. Disturbance events could result in trampling injuries or cow-
calf separations, both of which are potentially fatal. Calves and young 
animals at the perimeter of the herds appear particularly vulnerable to 
trampling injuries. Mortalities from trampling are most severe when 
large numbers of walruses resting on land are disturbed and flee en 
masse to the ocean. In 2007, more than 3,000 calves died along the 
Chukotka coast due to stampedes caused by humans and polar bears. Since 
then, mortalities in the Russian Federation and the United States have 
been fewer than 700 per year. This type of disturbance from Industry 
activity is considered highly unlikely. Areas where and when walrus 
coastal haulouts form in the United States will be protected with 
additional mitigation measures, such as activity exclusion zones, 
airspace restrictions, and close monitoring.
4. Effect on Prey Species
    Walruses feed primarily on immobile benthic invertebrates. The 
effect of Industry activities on benthic invertebrates most likely 
would be from oil discharged into the environment. Oil has the 
potential to impact walrus prey species in a variety of ways including, 
but not limited to, mortality due to smothering or toxicity, 
perturbations in the composition of the benthic community, and altered 
metabolic and growth rates. The low likelihood of an oil spill large 
enough to affect prey populations (see analysis in the section titled 
Potential Impacts of Waste Product Discharge and Oil Spills on Pacific 
Walruses and Polar Bears, Pacific Walrus subsection) indicates that 
Industry activities will likely have limited effects on walruses 
through effects on prey species.

Evaluation of Anticipated Effects on Walruses

    Based on our review of the activities; existing operating 
conditions and mitigation measures; information on the biology, 
ecology, and habitat use patterns of walruses in the Chukchi Sea; 
information on potential effects of oil and gas activities on walruses; 
and the results of previous monitoring efforts associated with Industry 
activity in the Chukchi as well as the Beaufort Sea, we conclude that, 
while the incidental take (by harassment) of walruses is reasonably 
likely to or reasonably expected to occur as a result of the 
activities, the anticipated takes will be limited to minor behavioral 
modifications due to temporary, nonlethal disturbances. These 
behavioral changes are not outside the subspecies' normal range of 
activity and are not reasonably expected to, or likely to, affect rates 
of overall population recruitment or survival. Our review of the nature 
and scope of the activities, when considered in light of the observed 
impacts of past exploration activities by Industry, indicates that it 
is unlikely that there will be any lethal take of walruses associated 
with these activities or any impacts on survival or reproduction.

Polar Bears

    In the Chukchi Sea, polar bears will have a limited presence during 
the open-water season associated with Industry operations. This is 
because most bears move with the ice to the northern portion of the 
Chukchi Sea and distribute along the pack ice during this time, which 
is outside of the geographic region of the final regulations. 
Additionally, they are found more frequently along the Chukotka 
coastline in the Russian Federation. This limits the probability of 
major impacts on polar bears from offshore Industry activities in the 
Alaskan portion of the Chukchi Sea. Although polar bears have been 
observed in open water, miles from the ice edge or ice floes, this has 
been a relatively rare occurrence.
    Polar bears will be present in the region of activity in limited 
numbers and, therefore, oil and gas activities could affect polar bears 
in various ways during both offshore and onshore activities, through: 
(1) Impacts from offshore activities; (2) impacts from onshore 
activities; (3) impacts from human encounters; (4) effects on prey 
species; and (5) effects on polar bear habitat are described below.
1. Offshore Activities
    In the open-water season, Industry activities will be limited to 
vessel-based exploration activities, such as exploratory drilling and 
seismic surveys. These activities avoid ice floes and the multi-year 
ice edge; however, they could contact a limited number of bears in open 
water and on ice floes.
A. Vessel Activities
    Vessel-based activities, including operational support vessels, 
such as barges, supply vessels, oil spill response, and ice management 
vessels, in the Chukchi Sea could affect polar bears in a number of 
ways. Seismic ships, icebreakers, or the drilling rig may become 
physical obstructions to polar bear movements, although these impacts 
will be short-term and localized. Likewise, noise, sights, and smells 
produced by exploration activities could disrupt their natural behavior 
by repelling or attracting bears to human activities.
    Polar bears are curious and tend to investigate novel sights, 
smells, and noises. If bears are present, noise produced by offshore 
activities could elicit several different responses in individual polar 
bears. Noise may act as a deterrent to bears entering the area of 
operation, or the noise could potentially attract curious bears.
    In general, little is known about the potential for seismic survey 
sounds to cause auditory impairment or other physical effects in polar 
bears. Researchers have studied the hearing sensitivity of polar bears 
to understand how noise can affect polar bears, but additional research 
is necessary to understand the potential negative effects of noise 
(Nachtigall et al. 2007; Owen and Bowles 2011). Available data suggest 
that such effects, if they occur at all, would be limited to short 
distances from the sound source and probably to projects involving 
large airgun arrays. Polar bears swim predominantly with their heads 
above the surface, where underwater noises are weak or undetectable, 
and this behavior may naturally limit noise exposure to polar bears. 
There is no evidence that airgun pulses can cause serious injury or 
death to bears, even in the case of large airgun arrays.
    Additionally, the planned monitoring and mitigation measures 
include shutdowns of the airguns, which would reduce any such effects 
that might otherwise occur if polar bears are observed in the 
ensonification zones. Thus, it is doubtful that any single bear will be 
exposed to strong underwater seismic sounds long enough for significant 
disturbance, such as an auditory injury, to occur.
    Though polar bears are known to be extremely curious and may 
approach sounds and objects to investigate, they are also known to move 
away from sources of noise and the sight of vessels, icebreakers, 
aircraft, and helicopters. The effects of retreating from vessels or 
aircraft may be minimal if the event is short and the animal is 
otherwise unstressed. For example, retreating from an active icebreaker 
may produce minimal effects for a healthy animal on a cool day; 
however, on a warm spring or summer day, a short run may be

[[Page 35384]]

enough to overheat a well-insulated polar bear.
    As already stated, polar bears spend the majority of their time on 
pack ice during the open-water season in the Chukchi Sea or along the 
Chukotka coast, which limits the potential of impacts from human and 
Industry activities in the geographic region. In recent years, the 
Chukchi Sea pack ice has receded over the Continental Shelf during the 
open-water season. Although this poses potential foraging 
ramifications, by its nature the exposed open water creates a barrier 
between the majority of the ice-pack-bound bear population and human 
activity occurring in open water, thereby limiting potential 
disturbance.
    Bears in water may be in a stressed state if found near Industry 
sites. Researchers have recently documented that bears occasionally 
swim long distances during the open-water period seeking either ice or 
land. They suspect that the bears may not swim constantly, but find 
solitary icebergs or remnants to haulout on and rest. The movement is 
becoming more common, but highlights the ice-free environment that 
bears are being increasingly exposed to that requires increased energy 
demands. In one study (between 2004 through 2009), researchers noted 
that 52 bears embarked on long-distance swim events. In addition, they 
documented 50 swims that had an average length of 96 miles. They noted 
that long-distance swim events are still uncommon, but 38 percent of 
collared bears took at least one long-distance swim (Pagano et al. 
2012).
    The majority of vessels, such as seismic boats and barges, 
associated with Industry activities travel in open water and avoid 
large ice floes. Some, such as ice management vessels, operate in close 
proximity to the ice edge and unconsolidated ice during open-water 
activities. Vessel traffic could encounter an occasional bear swimming 
in the open water. However, the most likely habitat where bears will be 
encountered during the open-water season is on the pack ice edge or on 
ice floes in open water. During baseline studies conducted in the 
Chukchi Sea between 2008 and 2010, 14 of 16 polar bears encountered by 
a research vessel were observed on the ice, while the remaining two 
bears were observed in the water swimming (USFWS unpublished data).
    If there is an encounter between a vessel and a polar bear, it will 
most likely result in temporary behavioral disturbance only. In open 
water, vessel traffic could result in short-term behavioral responses 
to swimming polar bears through ambient noise produced by the vessels, 
such as underwater propeller cavitation, or activities associated with 
them, such as on-board machinery, where a bear will most likely swim 
away from the vessel. Indeed, observations from monitoring programs 
report that when bears are encountered in open water swimming, bears 
have been observed retreating from the vessel as it passes (USFWS 
unpublished data).
    Polar bears could be encountered if a vessel is operating in ice or 
near ice floes, where the response of bears on ice to vessels is 
varied. Bears on ice have been observed retreating from vessels; 
exhibiting few reactions, such as a cessation in activity or turning 
their head to watch the vessel; and exhibiting no perceived reaction at 
all to the vessel. Bears have also been observed approaching vessels in 
the ice.
B. Aircraft
    Routine, commercial aircraft traffic flying at high altitudes 
(approximately 10,000 to 30,000 feet above ground level (AGL)) appears 
to have little to no effect on polar bears; however, extensive or 
repeated over-flights of fixed wing aircraft or helicopters could 
disturb polar bears. A minimum altitude requirement of 1,500 feet for 
aircraft associated with Industry activity will help mitigate 
disturbance to polar bears. Behavioral reactions of polar bears are 
expected to be limited to short-term changes in behavior that will have 
no long-term impact on individuals and no identifiable impacts on the 
polar bear population.
    In summary, while offshore, open-water seismic exploration 
activities could encounter polar bears in the Chukchi Sea during the 
latter part of the operational period, it is unlikely that exploration 
activities or other geophysical surveys during the open-water season 
would result in more than temporary behavioral disturbance to polar 
bears. Any disturbance would be visual and auditory in nature, and 
likely limited to deflecting bears from their route. Seismic surveys 
are unlikely to cause serious impacts to polar bears as they normally 
swim with their heads above the surface, where noises produced 
underwater are weak, and polar bears rarely dive below the surface. Ice 
management activities in support of the drilling operation have the 
greatest potential to disturb bears by flushing bears off ice floes 
when moving ice out of the path of the drill rig.
    Monitoring and mitigation measures required for open water, 
offshore activities will include, but will not be limited to: (1) A 
0.5-mile operational exclusion zone around polar bear(s) on land, ice, 
or swimming; (2) marine mammal observers (MMOs) on board all vessels; 
(3) requirements for ice scouting; (4) surveys for polar bears in the 
vicinity of active operations and ice breaking activities; and (5) 
operational restrictions near polar bear aggregations. We expect these 
mitigation measures will further reduce the potential for interactions 
between polar bears and offshore operations.
2. Onshore Activities
    While no large exploratory programs, such as drilling or seismic 
surveys, are currently being developed for onshore sites in the Chukchi 
Sea geographic area, land-based support facilities, maintenance of the 
Barrow Gas Fields, and onshore baseline studies may contact polar 
bears. Bear-human interactions at onshore activities are expected to 
occur mainly during the fall and ice-covered season when bears come 
ashore to feed, den, or travel. Noise produced by Industry activities 
during the open-water and ice-covered seasons could potentially result 
in takes of polar bears at onshore sites. Noise disturbance could 
originate from either stationary or mobile sources. Stationary sources 
include support facilities. Mobile sources can include vehicle and 
aircraft traffic in association with Industry activities, such as ice 
road construction. The effects for these sources are described below.
A. Noise
    Noise produced by onshore Industry activities could elicit several 
different responses in polar bears. The noise may act as a deterrent to 
bears entering the area, or the noise could potentially attract bears. 
Noise attracting bears to Industry activities, especially activities in 
the coastal or nearshore environment, could result in bear-human 
interactions, which could result in unintentional harassment, 
deterrence (under a separate authorization), or lethal take of the 
bear. Unintentional harassment would most likely be infrequent, short-
term, and temporary by either attracting a curious bear to the noise or 
causing a bear to move away. Deterrence by nonlethal harassment to move 
a bear away from humans would be much less likely, infrequent, short-
term, and temporary. Lethal take of a polar bear from bear-human 
interaction related to Industry activity is extremely unlikely 
(discussed in the Analysis of Impacts of the Oil and Gas Industry on 
Pacific Walruses and Polar Bears in the Chukchi Sea).
    During the ice-covered season, noise from onshore activities could 
deter

[[Page 35385]]

females from denning in the surrounding area, given the appropriate 
conditions, although a few polar bears have been known to den in 
proximity to industrial activity. Only a minimal amount of denning by 
polar bears has been recorded on the western coast of Alaska; however, 
onshore activities could affect potential den habitat and den site 
selection if they were located near facilities. However, with limited 
onshore denning, Industry impacts to onshore denning are expected to be 
minimal.
    Known polar bear dens around the oil and gas activities are 
monitored by the Service, when practicable. Only a small percentage of 
the total active den locations are known in any year. Industry 
routinely coordinates with the Service to determine the location of 
Industry's activities relative to known dens and den habitat. 
Implementation of mitigation measures, such as the one-mile operational 
exclusion area around known dens or the temporary cessation of Industry 
activities, will ensure that disturbance is minimized.
B. Aircraft
    As with offshore activities, routine high altitude aircraft traffic 
will likely have little to no effect on polar bears; however, extensive 
or repeated low altitude over-flights of fixed wing aircraft for 
monitoring purposes or helicopters used for re-supply of Industry 
operations could disturb polar bears on shore. Behavioral reactions of 
non-denning polar bears are expected to be limited to short-term 
changes in behavior and would have no long-term impact on individuals 
and no impacts on the polar bear population. Mitigation measures, such 
as minimum flight elevations over polar bears or areas of concern and 
flight restrictions around known polar bear dens, will be required, as 
appropriate, to reduce the likelihood that bears are disturbed by 
aircraft.
3. Human Encounters
    While more polar bears transit through the coastal areas than 
inland, we do not anticipate many bear-human interactions due to the 
limited amount of human activity that has occurred on the western coast 
of Alaska. Near-shore activities could potentially increase the rate of 
bear-human interactions, which could result in increased incidents of 
harassment of bears. Industry currently implements company policies, 
implements interaction plans, and conducts employee training to reduce 
and mitigate such encounters under the guidance of the Service. The 
history of the effective application of interaction plans has shown 
reduced interactions between polar bears and humans and no injuries or 
deaths to humans since the implementation of incidental take 
regulations.
    Industry has developed and uses devices to aid in detecting polar 
bears, including human bear monitors, remote cameras, motion and 
infrared detection systems, and closed circuit TV systems. Industry 
also takes steps to actively prevent bears from accessing facilities 
using safety gates and fences. The types of detection and exclusion 
systems are implemented on a case-by-case basis with guidance from the 
Service.
    Bear-human interactions will be mitigated through conditions in 
LOAs, which require the applicant to develop a polar bear interaction 
plan for each operation. These plans outline the steps the applicant 
will take, such as garbage disposal, attractant management, and snow 
management procedures, to minimize impacts to polar bears by reducing 
the attraction of Industry activities to polar bears. Interaction plans 
also outline the chain of command for responding to a polar bear 
sighting.
4. Effect on Prey Species
    Ringed seals are the primary prey of polar bears and bearded seals 
are a secondary prey source. Both species are managed by the NMFS, 
which will evaluate the potential impacts of oil and gas exploration 
activities in the Chukchi Sea through their appropriate authorization 
process and will identify appropriate mitigation measures for those 
species, if a negligible impact finding is appropriate. Industry would 
mainly have an effect on seals through the potential for industrial 
noise disturbance and contamination (oil spills). The Service does not 
expect prey availability to be significantly changed due to Industry 
activities. Mitigation measures for pinnipeds required by BOEM and NMFS 
will reduce the impact of Industry activities on ringed and bearded 
seals. A detailed description of potential Industry effects on 
pinnipeds in the Chukchi Sea can be found in the NMFS biological 
opinion, ``Endangered Species Act--Section 7 Consultation, Biological 
Opinion; Issuance of Incidental Harassment Authorization under section 
101(a)(5)(a) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act to Shell Offshore, 
Inc. for Exploratory Drilling in the Alaskan Chukchi Sea in 2012'' 
(https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/permits/shell_chukchi_opinion.pdf).
5. Polar Bear Habitat
    Industry activities could also have potential impacts to polar bear 
habitat, which in some cases could lead to impacts to bears. The 
Service analyzed the effects of Industry activities on three habitat 
types important for polar bears. These are: (1) Sea ice, used for 
feeding, breeding, denning, and movements; (2) barrier island habitat, 
used for denning, refuge from human disturbance, and transit corridors; 
and (3) terrestrial denning habitat for denning. Industry activities 
may affect these described habitats as discussed below.
A. Sea Ice Habitat
    The regulations only allow exploratory oil and gas activities to 
occur during the open-water season. However, support activities can 
occur throughout the year and may interact with sea ice habitat on a 
limited basis. Ice reconnaissance flights to survey ice characteristics 
and ice management operations using vessels to deflect ice floes from 
drill rigs are two types of activities that have the potential to 
affect sea ice. Support activities outside of the open-water season 
will be limited in scope and would likely have limited effects on sea 
ice habitat during the ice-covered seasons within the timeframe of 
these final regulations (2013 to 2018).
B. Barrier Island Habitat
    Proposed support activities near communities, such as Wainwright 
and Point Lay, for seismic, shallow hazard surveys; open-water marine 
survey; or terrestrial environmental studies are the types of 
exploration activities requested that may affect polar bear barrier 
island habitat. Vessels associated with marine activities operating in 
the Chukchi Sea may use barrier island habitat to ``wait out a storm.'' 
Bears using the islands to rest and travel may encounter temporarily 
beached vessels. Past observations reported to the Service indicate 
that bears will walk by such vessels, but may not rest near them. This 
is a temporary effect associated with the beached vessel, and once the 
vessel is removed from the beach, the bears return to travelling or 
resting on the beach.
    Aerial transport activities in support of Industry programs may 
also encounter barrier island habitat while transiting to and from 
communities. Air operations will have regulatory flight restrictions, 
but in certain circumstances, such as emergencies, flights could 
displace bears from barrier island habitat. Established mitigation 
measures described in these final regulations, such as minimum altitude 
restrictions, wildlife observers and adherence to company polar bear 
interaction plans, will further limit potential disturbances.

[[Page 35386]]

C. Terrestrial Denning Habitat
    In western Alaska, mainland support facilities for offshore 
activities may occur within coastal polar bear habitat. Staging 
activities, remote camps, construction of ice roads, and aerial 
transport to support projects all have the potential to occur in 
coastal areas in or near denning habitat. If necessary, proactive and 
reactive mitigation measures set forth in these final regulations will 
minimize disturbance impacts to denning habitat. The Service may 
require den detection surveys in areas of denning habitat. At times, 
Industry may have to place ice roads or staging activities in coastal 
denning areas. Mitigation measures to minimize potential impacts 
include establishment of the 1-mile exclusion zone around known 
maternal dens, and the reduction of activity levels until the natural 
departure of the bears. Currently, what little is known about the 
denning habits of the Chukchi-Bering Sea population suggests that the 
majority of maternal dens occur in the Russian Federation, 
predominantly on Wrangel Island (DeBruyn et al. 2010). While denning 
habitat exists in western Alaska, few confirmed polar bear dens have 
been recorded in western Alaska since 2006 (Durner et al. 2010). A more 
detailed description of den detection techniques required by the 
Service and employed by exploration activities to limit disturbance and 
minimize impacts to maternal polar bear den sites has been discussed in 
the Service's Beaufort Sea regulations (76 FR 47010; August 3, 2011). 
The Service will implement these techniques if active polar bear dens 
are recorded during Industry activities.
    Although Industry activities may temporarily reduce site-specific 
availability of small portions of polar bear habitat for feeding, 
mating, movements, denning, and access to prey, these actions will be 
temporary and not result in long-term effects on the habitat's 
capabilities to support biological functions of polar bears. Based on 
the information provided by the petitioners, the Service concludes that 
effects from Industry activity on polar bear habitat will be 
insignificant, due to the limited magnitude and the temporary nature of 
the activities.

Evaluation of Anticipated Effects on Polar Bears

    The Service anticipates that potential impacts of seismic noise, 
physical obstructions, human encounters, changes in distribution or 
numbers of prey species in the offshore and onshore environments on 
polar bears will be limited to short-term changes in behavior that will 
have no long-term impact on individuals or identifiable impacts to the 
polar bear population during the 5-year timeframe of these regulations. 
Individual polar bears may be observed in the open water during 
offshore activities in Alaska waters, but the vast majority of the bear 
populations will be found on the pack ice or along the Chukotka 
coastline in the Russian Federation during this time of year. Onshore 
encounters with polar bears are expected to be minimal due to the 
limited activity planned along the coastline of Alaska during the 
timeframe of the regulations. We do not anticipate any lethal take due 
to Industry activities during the 5-year time period of these 
regulations. We expect that specific mitigation measures, such as 
education of Industry personnel, will minimize bear-human interactions 
that could lead to lethal take of polar bears. Our experience in the 
Beaufort Sea similarly suggests that it is unlikely there will be any 
lethal take of bears due to Industry activity within the 5-year time 
period of these regulations.
    Potential impacts to bears will be mitigated through various 
requirements stipulated within LOAs. Mitigation measures that will be 
required for all projects include a polar bear interaction plan and a 
record of communication with affected villages that may serve as the 
precursor to a POC with the village to mitigate effects of the project 
on subsistence activities. Examples of mitigation measures that will be 
used on a case-by-case basis include: The use of trained marine mammal 
observers associated with offshore activities; bear monitors for 
onshore activities; and seismic shutdown procedures in ensonification 
zones. The Service implements an adaptive management approach where 
certain mitigation measures are based on need and effectiveness for 
specific activities based largely on timing and location. For example, 
the Service will implement different mitigation measures for an onshore 
baseline study 20 miles inland, than for an offshore drilling project. 
Based on past monitoring information, bears are more prevalent in the 
coastal areas than 20 miles inland. Therefore, the monitoring and 
mitigation measures that the Service deems appropriate must be 
implemented to limit the disturbance to bears, and the measures deemed 
necessary to limit bear-human interactions may differ depending on 
location and the timing of the activity.
    Furthermore, mitigation measures imposed through BOEM/BSEE lease 
stipulations are designed to avoid Level A harassment (injury), reduce 
Level B harassment, reduce the potential for population level 
significant adverse effects on polar bears, and avoid an unmitigable 
adverse impact on their availability for subsistence purposes. 
Additional measures described in the these ITRs help reduce the level 
of Industry impacts to polar bears during the exploration activities, 
and the issuance of LOAs with site specific operating restrictions and 
monitoring requirements provide mitigation and protection for polar 
bears. Therefore, we conclude that the exploration activities, as 
mitigated through the regulatory process, will only impact small 
numbers of animals, are not expected to have more than negligible 
impacts on polar bears in the Chukchi Sea, and will not have an 
unmitigable, adverse impact on the availability of polar bears for 
subsistence uses.

Potential Impacts of Waste Product Discharge and Oil Spills on Pacific 
Walruses and Polar Bears

    In this section, we discuss the potential effects of oil spills 
from Industry activities on Pacific walruses and polar bears. We 
recognize that a wide range of potential effects from oil spills on 
these species could occur, from minimal effects to potentially 
substantial ones. We emphasize, however, that the only types of spills 
that could have significant effects on these species are large spills. 
Based on projections from BOEM/BSEE, the likelihood of large spills 
from Industry exploration activities are extremely remote, and thus, we 
consider impacts from such spills to be highly unlikely. Nevertheless, 
we provide a full discussion of oil spill risks and possible effects 
from oil spills, in the extremely unlikely event that such a spill 
could occur.

Effects of Waste Discharge and Potential Oil Spills on Pacific Walrus

    The possibility of oil and waste product spills from Industry 
exploration activities and the subsequent impacts on walruses are a 
concern. Little is known about the effects of either on walruses as no 
studies have been conducted and no documented spills have occurred 
affecting walruses in their habitat. Depending on the extent of an oil 
spill, adult walruses may not be severely affected through direct 
contact, but they will be extremely sensitive to any disturbances 
created by spill response activities. In addition, due to the 
gregarious nature of walruses, a release of contaminants will most 
likely affect multiple individuals if it occurred in an area occupied 
by walruses. Walruses may repeatedly expose themselves to waste or oil 
that has accumulated at the

[[Page 35387]]

edge of a shoreline or ice lead as they enter and exit the water.
    Damage to the skin of pinnipeds can occur from contact with oil 
because some of the oil penetrates into the skin, causing inflammation 
and death of some tissue. The dead tissue is discarded, leaving behind 
an ulcer. While these skin lesions have only rarely been found on oiled 
seals, the effects on walruses may be greater because of a lack of hair 
to protect the skin. Like other pinnipeds, walruses are susceptible to 
oil contamination in their eyes. Direct exposure to oil could also 
result in conjunctivitis. Continuous exposure to oil would quickly 
cause permanent eye damage.
    Inhalation of hydrocarbon fumes presents another threat to marine 
mammals. In studies conducted on pinnipeds, pulmonary hemorrhage, 
inflammation, congestion, and nerve damage resulted after exposure to 
concentrated hydrocarbon fumes for a period of 24 hours. If the 
walruses were also under stress from molting, pregnancy, etc., the 
increased heart rate associated with the stress would circulate the 
hydrocarbons more quickly, lowering the tolerance threshold for 
ingestion or inhalation.
    Adult and sub-adult walruses have thick skin and blubber layers for 
insulation and very little hair. Thus, they exhibit no grooming 
behavior, which lessens their chance of ingesting oil. Heat loss is 
regulated by control of peripheral blood flow through the animal's skin 
and blubber. Direct exposure of adult walruses to oil is not believed 
to have any effect on the insulating capacity of their skin and 
blubber, although it is unknown if oil could affect their peripheral 
blood flow.
    Walrus calves are also likely to suffer from the effects of oil 
contamination. Walrus calves can swim almost immediately after birth 
and will often join their mother in the water, increasing their risk of 
being oiled. However, calves have not yet developed enough insulating 
blubber to spend as much time in the water as adults. It is possible 
that oiled walrus calves may not be able to regulate heat loss and may 
be more susceptible to hypothermia. Another possibility is an oiled 
calf that is unable to swim away from the contamination and a cow that 
would not leave without the calf, resulting in the potential exposure 
of both animals. However, it is also possible that an oiled calf would 
be unrecognizable to its mother either by sight or by smell, and be 
abandoned.
    Walruses are benthic feeders, and the fate of benthic prey 
contaminated by an oil spill is difficult to predict. In general, 
benthic invertebrates preferred by walruses (bivalves, gastropods, and 
polychaetes) may either decline or increase as the result of a spill 
(Sanders et al. 1980; Jacobs 1980; Elmgren et al. 1983; Jewett et al. 
1999). Impacts vary among spills and species within a spill, but in 
general, benthic communities move through several successive stages of 
temporal change until the communities approach pre-disturbance 
conditions (Dauvin 1998), which may take 20 years. Much of the benthic 
prey contaminated by an oil spill or gas release, such as methane, may 
be killed immediately. Bivalve mollusks, a favorite prey species of the 
walrus, are not effective at processing hydrocarbon compounds, 
resulting in highly concentrated accumulations and long-term retention 
of the contamination within the organism. In addition, because walruses 
feed primarily on mollusks, they may be highly vulnerable to a loss of 
this prey species. However, epifaunal bivalves were one of the benthic 
community classes that increased following the Exxon Valdez spill in 
Alaska (Jewett et al. 1999).
    Depending on the location and timing, oil spills could affect 
walruses in a number of ways. An offshore spill during open water may 
only affect a few walruses swimming through the affected area. However, 
spilled oil present along ice edges and ice leads in fall or spring 
during formation or breakup of ice presents a greater risk because of 
both the difficulties associated with cleaning oil in mixed, broken 
ice, and the presence of wildlife in prime feeding areas over the 
continental shelf during this period. Oil spills affecting areas where 
walruses and polar bears are concentrated, such as along off-shore 
leads, polynyas, preferred feeding areas, and terrestrial habitat used 
for denning or haulouts would affect more animals than spills in other 
areas.
    The potential impacts to Pacific walruses from a spill could be 
significant, particularly if subsequent cleanup efforts are 
ineffective. These potential impacts would be greatest when walruses 
are aggregated at coastal haulouts. For example, walruses would be most 
vulnerable to the effects of an oil spill at coastal haulouts if the 
oil comes within 60 km of the coast (Garlich-Miller et al. 2010, p. 
87). Spilled oil during the ice-covered season not cleaned up could 
become part of the ice substrate and be eventually released back into 
the environment during the following open-water season. During spring 
melt, oil would be collected by spill response activities, but it could 
eventually contact a limited number of walruses.
    In the unlikely event there is an oil spill and walruses are in the 
same area, mitigation measures, especially those to deflect and deter 
animals from spilled areas, may minimize the associated risks. Fueling 
crews have personnel that are trained to handle operational spills and 
contain them. If a small offshore spill occurs, spill response vessels 
are stationed in close proximity and are required to respond 
immediately. A detailed discussion of oil spill prevention and response 
for walruses can be found at the following Web site: https://www.fws.gov/Contaminants/FWS_OSCP_05/FWSContingencyTOC.htm.
    Although fuel and oil spills have the potential to cause adverse 
impacts to walruses and possibly some prey species, operational spills 
associated with the exploration activities are not considered a major 
threat. Operational spills would likely be of a relatively small 
volume, and occur in areas of open water where walrus densities are 
expected to be low. Furthermore, blowout prevention technology will be 
required for all exploratory drilling operations in the Chukchi Sea by 
the permitting agencies, and the BOEM/BSEE considers the likelihood of 
a blowout occurring during exploratory drilling in the Chukchi Sea as 
negligible (OCS EIS/EA MMS 2007-026). The BOEM/BSEE operating 
stipulations, including oil spill prevention and response plans, reduce 
both the risk and scale of potential spills. For these reasons, any 
impacts associated with an operational spill are expected to be limited 
to a small number of animals.

Effects of Waste Discharge and Potential Oil Spills on Polar Bear

    Individual polar bears can potentially be affected by Industry 
activities through waste product discharge and oil spills. In 1980, 
Canadian scientists performed experiments that studied the effects to 
polar bears of exposure to oil. Effects on experimentally oiled polar 
bears (where bears were forced to remain in oil for prolonged periods) 
included acute inflammation of the nasal passages, marked epidermal 
responses, anemia, anorexia, and biochemical changes indicative of 
stress, renal impairment, and death. Many effects did not become 
evident until several weeks after the experiment ([Oslash]ritsland et 
al. 1981).
    Oiling of the pelt causes significant thermoregulatory problems by 
reducing the insulation value. Irritation or damage to the skin by oil 
may further contribute to impaired thermoregulation. Experiments on 
live polar bears and pelts showed that the

[[Page 35388]]

thermal value of the fur decreased significantly after oiling, and 
oiled bears showed increased metabolic rates and elevated skin 
temperature. Oiled bears are also likely to ingest oil as they groom to 
restore the insulation value of the oiled fur.
    Oil ingestion by polar bears through consumption of contaminated 
prey, and by grooming or nursing, could have pathological effects, 
depending on the amount of oil ingested and the individual's 
physiological state. Death could occur if a large amount of oil is 
ingested or if volatile components of oil were aspirated into the 
lungs. Indeed, two of three bears died in the Canadian experiment, and 
it was suspected that the ingestion of oil was a contributing factor to 
the deaths. Experimentally oiled bears ingested much oil through 
grooming. Much of it was eliminated by vomiting and in the feces; some 
was absorbed and later found in body fluids and tissues.
    Ingestion of sub-lethal amounts of oil can have various 
physiological effects on a polar bear, depending on whether the animal 
is able to excrete or detoxify the hydrocarbons. Petroleum hydrocarbons 
irritate or destroy epithelial cells lining the stomach and intestine, 
thereby affecting motility, digestion, and absorption.
    Polar bears swimming in, or walking adjacent to, an oil spill could 
inhale petroleum vapors. Vapor inhalation by polar bears could result 
in damage to various systems, such as the respiratory and the central 
nervous systems, depending on the amount of exposure.
    Oil may also affect food sources of polar bears. Seals that die 
because of an oil spill could be scavenged by polar bears. This would 
increase exposure of the bears to hydrocarbons and could result in 
lethal impact or reduced survival to individual bears. A local 
reduction in ringed seal numbers because of direct or indirect effects 
of oil could temporarily affect the local distribution of polar bears. 
A reduction in density of seals as a direct result of mortality from 
contact with spilled oil could result in polar bears not using a 
particular area for hunting. Possible impacts from the loss of a food 
source could reduce recruitment and/or survival.
    The persistence of toxic subsurface oil and chronic exposures, even 
at sub-lethal levels, can have long-term effects on wildlife (Peterson 
et al. 2003). Although it may be true that small numbers of bears may 
be affected by an oil spill initially, the long-term impact could be 
much greater. Long-term oil effects could be substantial through 
interactions between natural environmental stressors and compromised 
health of exposed animals, and through chronic, toxic exposure because 
of bioaccumulation. Polar bears are biological sinks for pollutants 
because they are the apical predator of the Arctic ecosystem and are 
opportunistic scavengers of other marine mammals. Additionally, their 
diet is composed mostly of high-fat sealskin and blubber (Norstrom et 
al. 1988). The highest concentrations of persistent organic pollutants 
in Arctic marine mammals have been found in polar bears and seal-eating 
walruses near Svalbard (Norstrom et al. 1988; Andersen et al. 2001; 
Muir et al. 1999). As such, polar bears would be susceptible to the 
effects of bioaccumulation of contaminants associated with spilled oil, 
which could affect the bears' reproduction, survival, and immune 
systems. Sub-lethal, chronic effects of any oil spill may further 
suppress the recovery of polar bear populations due to reduced fitness 
of surviving animals.
    In addition, subadult polar bears are more vulnerable than adults 
are to environmental effects (Taylor et al. 1987). Subadult polar bears 
would be most prone to the lethal and sub-lethal effects of an oil 
spill due to their proclivity for scavenging (thus increasing their 
exposure to oiled marine mammals) and their inexperience in hunting. 
Indeed, grizzly bear researchers in Katmai National Park suspected that 
oil ingestion contributed to the death of two yearling grizzly bears in 
1989, after the Exxon Valdez oil spill. They detected levels of 
naphthalene and phenathrene in the bile of one of the bears. Because of 
the greater maternal investment a weaned subadult represents, reduced 
survival rates of subadult polar bears have a greater impact on 
population growth rate and sustainable harvest than reduced litter 
production rates (Taylor et al. 1987).
    During the open-water season (July to October), bears in the open 
water or on land may encounter and be affected by any such oil spill; 
however, given the seasonal nature of the Industry activities, the 
potential for direct negative impacts to polar bears would be 
minimized. During the ice-covered season (November to May), onshore 
Industry activities will have the greatest likelihood of exposing 
transiting polar bears to potential oil spills. Although the majority 
of the Chukchi Sea polar bear population spends a large amount of time 
offshore on the annual or multi-year pack ice and along the Chukotka 
coastline, some bears could encounter oil from a spill regardless of 
the season and location.
    Small spills of oil or waste products throughout the year by 
Industry activities on land could potentially affect small numbers of 
bears. The effects of fouling fur or ingesting oil or wastes, depending 
on the amount of oil or wastes involved, could be short-term or result 
in death. For example, in April 1988, a dead polar bear was found on 
Leavitt Island, in the Beaufort Sea, approximately 9.3 km (5 nautical 
miles) northeast of Oliktok Point. The cause of death was determined to 
be poisoning by a mixture that included ethylene glycol and Rhodamine B 
dye. While industrial in origin, the source of the mixture was unknown.
    The major concern regarding large oil spills is the impact a spill 
would have on the survival and recruitment of the Chukchi Sea and 
southern Beaufort Sea polar bear populations that use the region. 
Currently, the Southern Beaufort Seas bear population is approximately 
1,500 bears, and the Chukchi Sea bear population estimate is 2,000.
    These populations may be able to sustain the additional mortality 
caused by a large oil spill if a small number of bears are killed; 
however, the additive effect of numerous bear deaths due to the direct 
or indirect effects from a large oil spill are more likely to reduce 
population recruitment and survival. Indirect effects may occur through 
a local reduction in seal productivity or scavenging of oiled seal 
carcasses and other potential impacts, both natural and human-induced. 
The removal of a large number of bears from either population would 
exceed sustainable levels, potentially causing a decline in bear 
populations and affecting bear productivity and subsistence use.
    The time of greatest impact from an oil spill to polar bears is 
most likely during the ice-covered season when bears use the ice. To 
access ringed and bearded seals, polar bears concentrate in shallow 
waters less that 300 m deep over the continental shelf and in areas 
with greater than 50 percent ice cover (Durner et al. 2004). At this 
time, bears may be exposed to any remnant oil from the previous open-
water season. Spilled oil also can concentrate and accumulate in leads 
and openings that occur during spring break-up and autumn freeze-up 
periods. Such a concentration of spilled oil would increase the chance 
that polar bears and their principal prey would be oiled.
    Potential impacts of Industry waste products and oil spills suggest 
that individual bears could be impacted by this type of disturbance 
were it to occur. Depending on the amount of oil or

[[Page 35389]]

wastes involved, and the timing and location of a spill, impacts could 
be short-term, chronic, or lethal. In order for bear population 
reproduction or survival to be impacted, a large-volume oil spill would 
have to take place. According to BOEM/BSEE, during exploratory 
activities, the probability of a large oil spill (defined as 
= 1,000 barrels [bbls]) occurring throughout the duration of 
these regulations (5 years) is very small. In addition, protocols for 
controlling waste products in project permits will limit exposure of 
bears to the waste products. Current management practices by Industry, 
such as requiring the proper use, storage, and disposal of hazardous 
materials, minimize the potential occurrence of such incidents. In the 
event of an oil spill, it is also likely that polar bears would be 
intentionally hazed to keep them away from the area, further reducing 
the likelihood of affecting the population. Oil spill contingency plans 
are authorized by project permitting agencies and, if necessary, would 
limit the exposure of bears to oil.

Description of Waste Product Discharge and Oil Spills

    Waste products are substances that can be accidently introduced 
into the environment by Industry activities. Examples include ethyl 
glycol, drilling muds, or treated water. Generally, they are released 
in small amounts. Oil spills are releases of oil or petroleum products. 
In accordance with the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System 
Permit Program, all oil companies must submit an oil spill contingency 
plan with their projects. It is illegal to discharge oil into the 
environment, and a reporting system requires operators to report even 
small spills. BOEM/BSEE classifies oil spills as either small (< 1,000 
bbls) or large (= 1,000 bbls). A volume of oil of 1,000 bbls 
equals 42,000 U.S. gallons (gal), or 158,987 liters (L). Reported small 
spills are those that have occurred during standard Industry 
operations. Examples include oil, gas, or hydraulic fluid spills from 
mechanized equipment or spills from pipelines or facilities. While oil 
spills are unplanned events, large spills are associated with oil 
platforms, such as drill rigs or pads and pipelines. There is generally 
some form of human error combined with faulty equipment, such as 
pipeline degradation, that causes a large spill.
    Most regional oil spill information comes from the Beaufort Sea 
area, where oil and gas production has already been established. BOEM's 
most current data suggest that between 1977 and 1999, an average of 70 
oil and 234 waste product spills occurred annually on the North Slope 
oil fields in the terrestrial and marine environment. Although most 
spills have been small (less than 50 bbls, 2,100 gal, or 7,950 L) by 
Industry standards, larger spills accounted for much of the annual 
volume. Historically, Industry has had 35 small spills totaling 26.7 
bbls (1,121 gal, 4,245 L) in the OCS. Of the 26.7 bbls spilled, 
approximately 24 bbls (1,008 gal, 3,816 L) were recovered or cleaned 
up. Seven large, terrestrial oil spills occurred between 1985 and 2009 
on the Beaufort Sea North Slope. The largest oil spill occurred in the 
spring of 2006, where approximately 5,714 bbls (260,000 gal, 908,500 L) 
leaked from flow lines near a gathering center. In November 2009, a 
1,095 bbls (46,000 gal, 174,129 L) oil spill occurred as well. Both of 
these spills occurred at production sites. More recently, in 2012, a 
gas blowout occurred at an exploration well on the Colville River Delta 
where approximately 1,000 bbls (42,000 gal, 159,987 L) of drilling mud 
and an unknown amount of natural gas was expelled. These spills were 
terrestrial and posed minimal threat to polar bears and walruses.
    For exploratory operations, according to BOEM/BSEE, Industry has 
drilled 35 offshore exploratory wells, five of which occurred in the 
Chukchi Sea prior to 1992. To date, no major exploratory offshore-
related oil spills have occurred on the North Slope in either the 
Beaufort or Chukchi seas.
    Historical large spills (= 1,000 bbls, 42,000 gal, or 
159,987 L) associated with Alaskan oil and gas activities on the North 
Slope have been production-related, and have occurred at production 
facilities or pipelines connecting wells to the Trans-Alaska Pipeline 
System. The BOEM/BSEE estimates the chance of a large (= 
1,000 bbls, 42,000 gal, or 159,987 L) oil spill from exploratory 
activities in the Chukchi Sea to be low based on the types of spills 
recorded in the Beaufort Sea. The greatest risk potential for oil 
spills from exploration activities likely occurs with the marine 
vessels. From past experiences, BOEM/BSEE believes these would most 
likely be localized and relatively small. Spills in the offshore or 
onshore environments classified as small could occur during normal 
operations (e.g., transfer of fuel, handling of lubricants and liquid 
products, and general maintenance of equipment). The likelihood of 
small spills occurring is higher than large spills. However, because 
small spills would likely be contained and remediated quickly, their 
potential impacts on walruses and polar bears are expected to be low. 
There is a greater potential for large spills in the Chukchi Sea region 
from drilling platforms. Exploratory drilling platforms are required to 
have containment ability in case of a blowout as part of their oil 
spill contingency plans, where the likelihood of a large release during 
the 5-year timeframe of these regulations remains minimal.
    Our analysis of oil and gas development potential and subsequent 
risks was based on the BOEM/BSEE analysis that they conducted for the 
Chukchi Sea lease sale (MMS 2007 and BOEMRE 2011), which is the best 
available information. Due to the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) incident in 
the Gulf of Mexico, offshore oil and gas activities are under increased 
scrutiny. As such, BOEM/BSEE developed a very large oil spill analysis 
(BOEMRE 2011-041; https://www.boem.gov/uploadedFiles/BOEM/About_BOEM/BOEM_Regions/Alaska_Region/Environment/Environmental_Analysis/2011-041v1.pdf), where the potential impacts of a very large oil spill to 
polar bears and Pacific walruses are described (sections IV.E.8 and 
IV.E.11, respectively).
    Of the potential impacts to Pacific walruses and polar bears from 
Industry activity in the Chukchi Sea, the impacts from a very large oil 
spill is of the most concern during the duration of these regulations. 
Though not part of standard operating conditions, we have addressed the 
analysis of a very large oil spill due to the potential that a spill of 
this magnitude could significantly impact Pacific walruses and polar 
bears. During the next 5 years, offshore exploratory drilling would be 
the predominant source of a very large oil spill in the unlikely event 
one occurred.
    Multiple factors have been examined to compare and contrast an oil 
spill in the Arctic to that of Deepwater Horizon. In the event of a 
spill in the Chukchi Sea, factors that could limit the impact of a 
spill could include the drilling depth and the well pressures. The 
Deepwater Horizon blowout occurred in 5,000 ft (1,524 m) of water with 
well pressures of approximately 15,000 psi (approximately 103,421 kPa). 
(Schmidt 2012). The Chukchi Sea sites are calculated to have drilling 
depths of approximately 150 ft (46 m) and well pressures not to exceed 
3,000 to 4,000 psi (approximately 20,684 to 27,579 kPa). With lower 
drilling depths and well pressures, well sites in the Chukchi Sea will 
be more accessible in the event of a spill. However, spill response and 
cleanup of an oil spill in the Arctic has not been fully vetted to the 
point where major concerns no longer remain.

[[Page 35390]]

    The BOEM/BSEE has acknowledged difficulties in effectively 
responding to oil spills in broken ice conditions, and The National 
Academy of Sciences has determined that ``no current cleanup methods 
remove more than a small fraction of oil spilled in marine waters, 
especially in the presence of broken ice'' (NRC 2003). Current oil 
spill responses in the Chukchi Sea include three main response 
mechanisms, blowout prevention, in-situ burning, and chemical 
dispersants (https://www.bsee.gov/OSRP/Shell-Chukchi-OSRP.aspx). Each 
response has associated strengths and weaknesses, where the success 
would be mostly dependent on weather conditions. The BOEM/BSEE 
advocates the use of non-mechanical methods of spill response, such as 
in-situ burning, during periods when broken ice would hamper an 
effective mechanical response (MMS 2008). An in-situ burn has the 
potential to rapidly remove large quantities of oil and can be employed 
when broken-ice conditions may preclude mechanical response. However, 
oil spill cleanup in the broken ice and open water conditions that 
characterize Arctic waters continues to be problematic.
    In addition to the BOEM/BSEE analysis (BOEMRE 2011), policy and 
management changes have occurred within the Department of the Interior 
that are designed to increase the effectiveness of oversight activities 
and further reduce the probability and effects of an accidental oil 
spill (USDOI 2010). As a result, based on projections from BOEM/BSEE, 
we anticipate that the potential for a significant oil spill will 
remain low at the exploration stage; however, we recognize that should 
a large spill occur, effective strategies for oil spill cleanup in the 
broken ice and open-water conditions that characterize walrus and polar 
bear habitat in the Chukchi Sea are limited.
    In the event of a large oil spill, Service-approved response 
strategies are in place to reduce the impact of a spill on walrus and 
polar bear populations. Service response efforts will be conducted 
under a 3-tier approach characterized as: (1) Primary response, 
involving containment, dispersion, burning, or cleanup of oil; (2) 
secondary response, involving hazing, herding, preventative capture/
relocation, or additional methods to remove or deter wildlife from 
affected or potentially affected areas; and (3) tertiary response, 
involving capture, cleaning, treatment, and release of wildlife. If the 
decision is made to conduct response activities, primary and secondary 
response options will be most applicable, as little evidence exists 
that tertiary methods will be effective for cleaning oiled walruses or 
polar bears.
    In 2012, the Service and representatives from oil companies 
operating in the Arctic conducted tests on polar bear fur to evaluate 
appropriate oil cleaning techniques specific to oil grades extracted 
from local Alaskan oil fields. The analysis is ongoing and will be 
reported in the future. In addition, capturing and handling of adult 
walruses is difficult and risky, as walruses do not react well to 
anesthesia, and calves have little probability of survival in the wild 
following capture and rehabilitation. In addition, many Alaska Native 
organizations are opposed to releasing rehabilitated marine mammals 
into the wild due to the potential for disease transmission.
    All Industry projects will have project specific oil spill 
contingency plans that will be approved by the appropriate permitting 
agencies prior to the issuance of an LOA. The contingency plans have a 
wildlife component, which outlines protocols to minimize wildlife 
exposure, including exposure of polar bears and walruses, to oil 
spills. Operators in the OCS are advised to review the Service's Oil 
Spill Response Plan for Polar Bears in Alaska and the Pacific Walrus 
Response Plan at https://www.fws.gov/Contaminants/FWS_OSCP_05/FWSContingencyTOC.htm when developing spill-response tactics. Multiple 
factors will be considered when responding to an oil spill, including: 
the location of the spill; the magnitude of the spill; oil viscosity 
and thickness; accessibility to spill site; spill trajectory; time of 
year; weather conditions (i.e., wind, temperature, precipitation); 
environmental conditions (i.e., presence and thickness of ice); number, 
age, and sex of walruses and polar bears that are (or are likely to be) 
affected; degree of contact; importance of affected habitat; cleanup 
proposal; and likelihood of animal-human interactions.
    As discussed above, large oil spills from Industry activities in 
the Chukchi and Beaufort seas and coastal regions that would impact 
walruses and polar bears have not yet occurred, although the 
exploration of oil and gas has increased the potential for large 
offshore oil spills. With limited background information available 
regarding the effects of potential oil spills on the Arctic 
environment, the outcome of such a spill is uncertain. For example, the 
extent of impacts of a large oil spill as well as the types of 
equipment needed and potential for effective cleanup would be greatly 
influenced by seasonal weather and sea conditions, including 
temperature, winds, wave action, and currents. Based on the experiences 
of cleanup efforts following the Deepwater Horizon and Exxon Valdez oil 
spills, where logistical support was readily available and wildlife 
resources were nevertheless affected, spill response may be largely 
unsuccessful in open-water conditions. Arctic conditions and the 
remoteness of exploration activities would greatly complicate any spill 
response.
    While it is extremely unlikely that a significant amount of oil 
would be discharged into the environment by an exploratory program 
during the regulatory period, the Service is aware of the risk that 
hydrocarbon exploration entails and that a large spill could occur in 
the development and production of oil fields in the future, where 
multiple operations incorporating pads and pipelines would increase the 
possibility of oil spills and impacts to walruses and polar bears. The 
Service will continue to work to minimize impacts to walruses and polar 
bears from Industry activities, including reducing impacts of oil 
spills.

Potential Effects of Oil and Gas Industry Activities on Subsistence 
Uses of Pacific Walruses and Polar Bears

    The open-water season for oil and gas exploration activities 
coincides with peak walrus hunting activities in the Chukchi Sea 
region. The subsistence harvest of polar bears can occur year-round in 
the Chukchi Sea, depending on ice conditions, with peaks usually 
occurring in spring and fall. Effects to subsistence harvests will be 
addressed in Industry POCs. The POCs are discussed in detail later in 
this section.
    Noise and disturbances associated with oil and gas exploration 
activities have the potential to adversely impact subsistence harvests 
of walruses and polar bears by displacing animals beyond the hunting 
range (60 to 100 mi [96.5 to 161 km] from the coast) of these 
communities. Disturbances associated with exploration activities could 
also heighten the sensitivity of animals to humans with potential 
impacts to hunting success. Little information is available to predict 
the effects of exploration activities on the subsistence harvest of 
walruses and polar bears. Hunting success varies considerably from year 
to year because of variable ice and weather conditions. Changing walrus 
distributions due to declining sea ice and accelerated sea ice melt are 
currently affecting hunting opportunities.
    Measures to mitigate potential effects of oil and gas exploration 
activities on marine mammal resources and subsistence use of those 
resources were

[[Page 35391]]

identified and developed through previous BOEM/BSEE Lease Sale National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) review and 
analysis processes. The Final Lease Stipulations for the Oil and Gas 
Lease Sale 193 in the Chukchi Sea identify several existing measures 
designed to mitigate potential effects of oil and gas exploration 
activities on marine mammal resources and subsistence use of those 
resources (https://www.boem.gov/uploadedFiles/BOEM/Oil_and_Gas_Energy_Program/Leasing/Regional_Leasing/Alaska_Region/Alaska_Lease_Sales/Sale_193/Stips.pdf).
    Seven lease stipulations were selected by the Secretary of the 
Interior in the Final Notice of Sale for Lease 193. These are: 
Stipulation (1) Protection of Biological Resources; Stipulation (2) 
Orientation Program; Stipulation (3) Transportation of Hydrocarbons; 
Stipulation (4) Industry Site Specific Monitoring Program for Marine 
Mammal Subsistence Resources; Stipulation (5) Conflict Avoidance 
Mechanisms to Protect Subsistence Whaling and Other Marine Mammal 
Subsistence Harvesting Activities; Stipulation (6) Pre-Booming 
Requirements for Fuel Transfers; and Stipulation (7) Measures to 
Minimize Effects to Spectacled and Steller's Eiders during Exploration 
Activities.
    Lease stipulations that directly support minimizing impacts to 
walruses, polar bears and the subsistence use of those animals include 
Stipulations 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7. Stipulation 1 allows BOEM/BSEE to 
require the lessee to conduct biological surveys for previously 
unidentified biological populations or habitats to determine the extent 
and composition of the population or habitat. Stipulation 2 requires 
that an orientation program be developed by the lessee to inform 
individuals working on the project of the importance of environmental, 
social, and cultural resources, including how to avoid disturbing 
marine mammals and endangered species. Stipulation 4 provides for site-
specific monitoring programs, which will provide information about the 
seasonal distributions of walruses and polar bears. The information can 
be used to improve evaluations of the threat of harm to the species and 
provides immediate information about their activities, and their 
response to specific events, where this stipulation applies 
specifically to the communities of Barrow, Wainwright, Point Lay, and 
Point Hope. This stipulation is expected to reduce the potential 
effects of exploration activities on walruses, polar bears, and the 
subsistence use of these resources. This stipulation also contributes 
important information to ongoing walrus and polar bear research and 
monitoring efforts.
    Stipulation 5 will help reduce potential conflicts between 
subsistence hunters and proposed oil and gas exploration activities. 
This stipulation is meant to help reduce noise and disturbance 
conflicts from oil and gas operations during specific periods, such as 
peak hunting seasons. It requires that the lessee meet with local 
communities and subsistence groups to resolve potential conflicts. The 
consultations required by this stipulation ensure that the lessee, 
including contractors, consult and coordinate both the timing and 
sighting of events with subsistence users. The intent of these 
consultations is to identify any potential conflicts between proposed 
exploration activities and subsistence hunting opportunities in the 
coastal communities. Where potential conflicts are identified, BOEM/
BSEE may require additional mitigation measures as identified by NMFS 
and the Service through MMPA authorizations. Stipulation 6 will limit 
the potential of fuel spill into the environment by requiring the fuel 
barge to be surrounded by an oil spill containment boom during fuel 
transfer.
    While Stipulation 7 is intended to minimize effects to spectacled 
and Steller's eiders during exploration activities, Condition a2b of 
Stipulation 7 addresses vessel traffic in the Ledyard Bay Critical 
Habitat Area and imposes vessel traffic restrictions in this area 
between July 1 to November 15. These restrictions will also help 
minimize impacts to walruses, where the Ledyard Bay Critical Habitat 
Area and the high use areas of Pacific walruses overlap, for example 
along the barrier islands and surrounding waters of the Point Lay 
haulout.
    The BOEM/BSEE lease sale stipulations and mitigation measures will 
be applied to all exploration activities in the Chukchi Lease Sale 
Planning Area and the geographic region of the ITRs. The Service has 
incorporated these BOEM/BSEE lease sale stipulations into its analysis 
of impacts to walruses and polar bears in the Chukchi Sea.
    In addition to the existing BOEM/BSEE Final Lease Stipulations 
described above, the Service has also developed additional mitigation 
measures that will be implemented through these ITRs. These 
stipulations are currently in place under our regulations published on 
June 11, 2008 (73 FR 33212), and will also apply for these final 
regulations. The following LOA stipulations, which will mitigate 
potential impacts to subsistence walrus and polar bear hunting from the 
activities, apply to all incidental take authorizations:
    (1) Prior to receipt of an LOA, applicants must contact and consult 
with the communities of Point Hope, Point Lay, Wainwright, and Barrow 
through their local government organizations to identify any additional 
measures to be taken to minimize adverse impacts to subsistence hunters 
in these communities. A POC will be developed if there is a general 
concern from the community that the activities will impact subsistence 
uses of walruses or polar bears. The POC must address how applicants 
will work with the affected Native communities and what actions will be 
taken to avoid interference with subsistence hunting of walruses and 
polar bears. The Service will review the POC prior to issuance of the 
LOA to ensure that applicants adequately address any concerns raised by 
affected Native communities such that any potential adverse effects on 
the availability of the animals are minimized.
    (2) Authorization will not be issued by the Service for the take of 
polar bears and walruses associated with activities in the marine 
environment that occur within a 40-mile (64 km) radius of Barrow, 
Wainwright, Point Hope, or Point Lay, unless expressly authorized by 
these communities through consultations or through a POC. This 
condition is intended to limit potential interactions between Industry 
activities and subsistence hunting in near shore environments.
    (3) Offshore exploration activities will be authorized only during 
the open-water season, which will not exceed the period of July 1 to 
November 30. This condition is intended to allow communities the 
opportunity to participate in subsistence hunts without interference 
and to minimize impacts to walruses during the spring migration. 
Variances to this operating condition may be issued by the Service on a 
case-by-case basis, based upon a review of seasonal ice conditions and 
available information on walrus and polar bear distributions in the 
area of interest.
    (4) A 15-mile (24-km) separation must be maintained between all 
active seismic survey source vessels and/or drill rigs during 
exploration activities to mitigate cumulative impacts to resting, 
feeding, and migrating walruses. This does not include support vessels.

Plan of Cooperation (POC)

    As a condition of incidental take authorization, and to ensure that 
Industry activities do not impact

[[Page 35392]]

subsistence opportunities for communities within the geographic region 
covered by these final regulations, any applicant requesting an LOA is 
required to present a record of communication that reflects discussions 
with the Alaska Native communities most likely affected by the 
activities. Prior to issuance of an LOA, Industry must provide evidence 
to the Service that an adequate POC has been coordinated with any 
affected subsistence community (or, as appropriate, with the EWC, the 
ANC, and the NSB) if, after community consultations, Industry and the 
community conclude that increased mitigation and monitoring is 
necessary to minimize impacts to subsistence resources. Where relevant, 
a POC will describe measures to be taken to mitigate potential 
conflicts between the Industry activity and subsistence hunting. If 
requested by Industry or the affected subsistence community, the 
Service will provide guidance on the development of the POC. The 
Service will review all POCs and will reject POCs that do not provide 
adequate safeguards to ensure that any taking by Industry will not have 
an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of polar bears and 
walruses for taking for subsistence uses.
    Included as part of the POC process and the overall State and 
Federal permitting process of Industry activities, Industry engages the 
Alaska Native communities in numerous informational meetings. During 
these community meetings, Industry must ascertain if community 
responses indicate that impact to subsistence uses will occur as a 
result of activities in the requested LOA. If community concerns 
suggest that Industry activities may have an impact on the subsistence 
uses of these species, the POC must provide the procedures on how 
Industry will work with the affected Native communities and what 
actions will be taken to avoid interfering with the availability of 
polar bears and walruses for subsistence harvest.
    In making this finding, we considered the following: (1) Historical 
data regarding the timing and location of harvests; (2) effectiveness 
of mitigation measures stipulated by BOEM/BSEE-issued operational 
permits; (3) Service regulations proposed to be codified at 50 CFR 
18.118 for obtaining an LOA, which include requirements for community 
consultations and POCs, as appropriate, between the applicants and 
affected Native communities; (4) effectiveness of mitigation measures 
stipulated by Service-issued LOAs; and (5) anticipated effects of the 
applicants' proposed activities on the distribution and abundance of 
walruses and polar bears. Based on the best scientific information 
available and the results of harvest data, including affected villages, 
the number of animals harvested, the season of the harvests, and the 
location of hunting areas, we find that the effects of the exploration 
activities in the Chukchi Sea region will not have an unmitigable 
adverse impact on the availability of walruses and polar bears for 
taking for subsistence uses during the 5-year timeframe of these 
regulations.

Analysis of Impacts of the Oil and Gas Industry on Pacific Walruses and 
Polar Bears in the Chukchi Sea

Pacific Walrus

    Recent offshore activities in the Chukchi and Beaufort seas from 
the 1980s to the present highlight the type of documented impacts 
offshore activities can have on walruses. More oil and gas activity has 
occurred in the Beaufort Sea OCS than in the Chukchi Sea OCS. Many 
offshore activities required ice management, helicopter traffic, fixed 
wing aircraft monitoring, other support vessels, and stand-by barges. 
Although Industry has encountered walruses while conducting exploratory 
activities in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas, to date, no walruses are 
known to have been injured or killed due to encounters associated with 
Industry activities.
1. Reported Observations
    Aerial surveys and vessel based observations of walruses were 
carried out in 1989 and 1990, to examine the responses of walruses to 
drilling operations at three Chukchi Sea drill prospects (Brueggeman et 
al. 1990, 1991). Aerial surveys documented several thousand walruses in 
the vicinity of the drilling prospects; most of the animals (> 90 
percent) were closely associated with sea ice. The observations 
demonstrated that: (1) Walrus distributions were closely linked with 
pack ice; (2) pack ice was near active drill prospects for short time 
periods; and (3) ice passing near active prospects contained relatively 
few animals. Thus, the effects of the drilling operations on walruses 
were short-term, temporary, and in a discrete area near the drilling 
operations, and the portion of the walrus population affected was 
small.
    Between 2006 and 2011, monitoring by Industry during seismic 
surveys in the Chukchi Sea resulted in 1,801 observed encounters 
involving approximately 11,125 individual walruses (Table 3). We 
classified the behavior of walruses associated with these encounters 
as: (1) No reaction; (2) attention (watched vessel); (3) approach 
(moved toward vessel); (4) avoidance (moved away from vessel at normal 
speed); (5) escape or flee (moved away from vessel at high rate of 
speed); and (6) unknown. These classifications were based on MMO on-
site determinations or their detailed notes on walrus reactions that 
accompanied the observation. Data typically included the behavior of an 
animal or group when initially spotted by the MMO and any subsequent 
change in behavior associated with the approach and passing of the 
vessel. This monitoring protocol was designed to detect walruses far 
from the vessel and avoid and mitigate take, not to estimate the long-
term impacts of the encounters on individual animals.

  Table 3--Summary of Pacific Walrus Responses to Encounters With Seismic Survey Vessels in the Chukchi Sea Oil
            and Gas Lease Sale Area 193 in 2006-2010 as Recorded by On-Board Marine Mammal Observers
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                Mean (SE \a\)
             Walrus reaction                  Number of         Number of       individuals/    Mean (SE) meters
                                             encounters        individuals        encounter       from  vessel
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
None....................................               955             7,310            8(1.7)           710(24)
Attention...............................               285             1,419            5(1.9)           446(29)
Approach................................                47                89            2(0.3)           395(50)
Avoidance...............................               435               940            2(0.1)           440(26)
Flee....................................                47               170            4(0.9)           382(56)
Unknown.................................                32             1,197          37(29.0)           558(78)
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 35393]]

 
    Total or overall mean...............             1,801            11,125            6(1.1)           582(15)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ Standard error.

    Nonetheless, the data do provide insight as to the short-term 
responses of walruses to vessel encounters.
    Descriptive statistics were estimated based on both the number of 
encounters and number of individuals involved (Table 3). For both 
metrics (encounters and individuals), the most prevalent behavioral 
response was no response (53 and 66 percent, respectively) (Table 3); 
followed by attention or avoidance (8 and 24 percent combined, 
respectively), with the fewest animals exhibiting a flight response (3 
and 2 percent, respectively). Based on these observation data, it is 
likely that relatively few animals were encountered during these 
operations each year (less than 2 percent of a minimum population of 
129,000) and that of those encountered, walrus responses to vessel 
encounters were minimal. The most vigorous observed reaction of 
walruses to the vessels was a flight response, which is within their 
normal range of activity. Walruses vigorously flee predators such as 
killer whales and polar bears. However, unlike a passing ship, those 
encounters are likely to last for some time causing more stress as 
predators often spend time pursuing, testing, and manipulating 
potential prey before initiating an attack. As most observed animals 
exhibited minimal responses to Industry activity and relatively few 
animals exhibited a flight response, we do not anticipate that 
interactions will impact survival or reproduction of walruses at the 
individual or population level.
    We do not know the length of time or distance traveled by walruses 
that approached, avoided, or fled from the vessels before resuming 
normal activities. However, it is likely that those responses lasted 
less than 30 minutes and covered less than 805 m (0.5 mi), based on 
data reported by the MMO programs.
    MMO data collected in 2012 for 48 walrus observations indicate that 
walrus encounter times ranged from less than 1 to 31 minutes, averaging 
3 minutes. The shortest duration encounters usually involved single 
animals that did not react to the vessel or dove and were not seen 
again. The longest duration encounter occurred when a vessel was moving 
through broken ice and encountered several groups of walruses in rapid 
succession. These data indicate that most encounters were of single 
animals where behavioral response times were limited to short 
durations.
    During 2006-2011, observations from Industry activities in the 
Beaufort Sea indicate that, in most cases, walruses appeared 
undisturbed by human interactions. Walruses have hauled out on the 
armor of offshore drilling islands or coastal facilities and exhibited 
mild reactions (raise head and observe) to helicopter noise. There is 
no evidence that there were any physical effects or impacts to these 
individual walruses based on the observed interactions with Industry. A 
more detailed account of Industry-generated noise effects can be found 
in the Potential Effects of Oil and Gas Industry Activities on Pacific 
Walruses and Polar Bears, Pacific Walrus, 1. Disturbance from Noise 
section.
2. Cumulative Impacts
    The 2010 status review of the Pacific walrus (Garlich-Miller et al. 
2011) prepared by the Service (https://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/mmm/walrus/pdf/review_2011.pdf) and Jay et al. (2012) describe natural and 
human factors that could contribute to cumulative effects that could 
impact walruses into the future. Factors other than oil and gas 
activities that could affect walruses within the 5-year period of these 
regulations include climate change, harvest, and increased shipping, 
all of which are discussed below.
A. Climate Change
    Analysis of long-term environmental data sets indicates that 
substantial reductions in both the extent and thickness of the Arctic 
sea ice cover have occurred over the past 40 years. The record minimum 
sea ice extent occurred in September 2012 with 2002, 2005, 2007, 2009, 
2010, and 2011 ice extent close to the record low and substantially 
below the 20-year mean (NSIDC 2012). Walruses rely on suitable sea ice 
as a substrate for resting between foraging bouts, calving, molting, 
isolation from predators, and protection from storm events. The 
juxtaposition of sea ice over shallow shelf habitat suitable for 
benthic feeding is important to walruses. The recent trend in the 
Chukchi Sea has resulted in seasonal sea ice retreat off the 
continental shelf and over deep Arctic Ocean waters, presenting 
significant adaptive challenges to walruses in the region. Observed 
impacts to walruses as a result of diminishing sea ice cover include: A 
northward shift in range and declines in Bering Sea haulout use; an 
increase in the speed of the spring migration; earlier formation and 
longer duration of Chukchi Sea coastal haulouts; and increased 
vulnerability to predation and disturbance while at Chukchi Sea coastal 
haulouts, resulting in increased mortality rates among younger animals. 
Postulated effects include: Premature separation of females and 
dependent calves; reductions in the prey base; declines in animal 
health and condition; increased interactions with development 
activities; population decline; and the potential for the harvest to 
become unsustainable.
    Future studies investigating walrus distributions, population 
status and trend, harvest sustainability, and habitat use patterns in 
the Chukchi Sea are important for responding to walrus conservation and 
management issues associated with environmental and habitat changes.
    Icebreaking by vessels is a concern to some who believe that this 
activity could accelerate climate change and detrimentally affect 
walrus or polar bear ice habitat. However, according to the National 
Snow and Ice Data Center (https://nsidc.org/arcticseaicenews/faq/#icebreakers), ``When icebreakers travel through sea ice, they leave 
trails of open water in their wake. Dark open water does not reflect 
nearly as much sunlight as ice does, so sometimes people wonder if 
icebreakers speed up or exacerbate sea ice decline. In summer, the 
passages created by icebreakers do increase local summertime melting 
because the ships cut through the ice and expose new areas of water to 
warm air. The melt caused by an icebreaker is small and localized. 
Channels created

[[Page 35394]]

by icebreakers are quite narrow and few in number compared to natural 
gaps in the ice. In winter, any openings caused by icebreakers will 
quickly freeze over again. Scientists do not think that icebreakers 
play a significant role in accelerating the decline in Arctic sea 
ice.'' More information on this topic is available at (https://nsidc.org/icelights/2012/04/12/are-icebreakers-changing-the-climate/).
    For activities in the Chukchi Sea, Industry ice management will 
consist of actively pushing the ice off its trajectory with the bow of 
the ice management vessel, but some ice-breaking could be required for 
the safety of property and assets, such as a drill rig.
    For our analysis, we determined that the only ice breaking that 
will occur would be if a large floe needed to be deflected from 
Industry equipment (including ships and drilling platforms), and it 
would be more efficient to break up that floe. For example, in 2012, 
ice management was required during a total of 7 days from 31 August to 
13 September and was limited to 9 discrete isolated events, where ice 
was broken apart only two times. Further, if ice floes are too large, 
the drill rig will cease operations, secure the site, release the 
anchors, and move from the site until the floe has passed, as occurred 
in 2012 at the Burger A prospect, which required the drill ship to be 
off-site for 10 days.
B. Harvest
    Walruses have an intrinsically low rate of reproduction and are 
thus limited in their capacity to respond to exploitation. In the late 
19th century, American whalers intensively harvested walruses in the 
northern Bering and southern Chukchi seas. Between 1869 and 1879, 
catches averaged more than 10,000 per year, with many more animals 
struck and lost. The population was substantially depleted by the end 
of the century, and the commercial hunting Industry collapsed in the 
early 1900s. Since 1930, the combined walrus harvests of the United 
States and Russian Federation have ranged from 2,300 to 9,500 animals 
per year. Notable harvest peaks occurred during 1930 to 1960 (4,500 to 
9,500 per year) and in the 1980s (7,000 to 16,000 per year). Commercial 
hunting continued in the Russian Federation until 1991, under a quota 
system of up to 3,000 animals per year. Since 1992, the harvest of 
walruses has been limited to the subsistence catch of coastal 
communities in Alaska and Chukotka. Harvest levels through the 1990s 
ranged from approximately 4,100 to 7,600 animals per year and 3,800 to 
6,800 in the 2000s. As described in detail earlier in the Subsistence 
Use and Harvest Patterns of Pacific Walruses and Polar Bears section, 
recent harvest levels are lower than historic highs. The Service is 
currently working to assess population size and sustainable harvest 
rates.
C. Commercial Fishing and Marine Vessel Traffic
    Available data suggest that walruses rarely interact with 
commercial fishing and marine vessel traffic. Walruses are normally 
closely associated with sea ice, which limits their interactions with 
fishing vessels and barge traffic. However, as previously noted, the 
temporal and seasonal extent of the sea ice is projected to diminish in 
the future. Commercial shipping through the Northwest Passage and 
Northern Sea Route may increase in coming decades. Commercial fishing 
opportunities may also expand should the sea ice continue to diminish. 
The result could be increased temporal and spatial overlap between 
fishing and shipping operations and walrus habitat use and increased 
interactions between walruses and marine vessels.
    Hunting pressure, declining sea ice due to climate change, and the 
expansion of commercial activities into walrus habitat all have 
potential to impact walruses. Combined, these factors are expected to 
present significant challenges to future walrus conservation and 
management efforts. The success of future management efforts will rely 
in part on continued investments in research investigating population 
status and trend and habitat use patterns. Research by the U.S. 
Geological Survey (USGS) and the Chukotka Branch of the Pacific 
Fisheries Research Center examining walrus habitat use patterns in the 
Chukchi Sea is beginning to provide useable results (Jay et al. 2012). 
In addition, the Service is beginning to develop and test some methods 
for a genetic mark-recapture project to estimate walrus population size 
and trend and demographic parameters. The effectiveness of various 
mitigation measures and management actions will also need to be 
continually evaluated through monitoring programs and adjusted as 
necessary. The decline in sea ice is of particular concern, and will be 
considered in the evaluation of future activities and as more 
information on walrus population status becomes available.

Evaluation of Documented Impacts to Pacific Walrus

    The projects, including the most extensive activities, such as 
seismic surveys and exploratory drilling operations, identified by the 
petitioners are likely to result in some incremental cumulative effects 
to walruses through the potential exclusion or avoidance of walruses 
from feeding or resting areas and the disruption of associated 
biological behaviors. However, based on the habitat use patterns of 
walruses in the Chukchi Sea and their close association with seasonal 
pack ice, relatively small numbers of walruses are likely to be 
encountered in the open sea conditions where most of the Industry 
activities are expected to occur. In the Hanna Shoal area, we can 
reliably predict that many walruses will likely remain even after the 
ice melts for foraging purposes. Because of this, Industry activities 
that occur near coastal haulouts within the HSWUA, or intersect travel 
corridors between haulouts and the HSWUA, may require close monitoring 
and additional special mitigation procedures, such as seasonal 
restrictions (e.g., July to September) of Industry activities from 
Hanna Shoal and rerouting vessel traffic and aircraft flights around 
walrus travel corridors. Required monitoring and mitigation measures, 
designed to minimize interactions between authorized projects and 
concentrations of resting or feeding walruses, are expected to limit 
interactions and trigger real time consultations if needed. Therefore, 
we conclude that the exploration activities, especially as mitigated 
through the regulatory process, are not at this time expected to add 
significantly to the cumulative impacts on the walrus population from 
past, present, and future activities that are reasonably likely to 
occur within the 5-year period covered by these regulations.

Polar Bear

    Information regarding interactions between oil and gas activities 
and polar bears in the Chukchi and Beaufort seas has been collected for 
several decades. To date, most impacts to polar bears from Industry 
operations in the Chukchi Sea have been temporary disturbance events, 
some of which have led to deterrence actions. Monitoring efforts by 
Industry required under previous regulations for the incidental take of 
polar bears documented various types of interactions between polar 
bears and Industry (USFWS unpublished data). This analysis concentrates 
on the Chukchi Sea information collected through regulatory 
requirements and is useful in predicting how polar bears are likely to 
be affected by Industry activities.
    To date, most impacts to polar bears from Industry operations in 
the Chukchi Sea have been temporary disturbance

[[Page 35395]]

events, some of which have led to deterrence events. Monitoring efforts 
by Industry required under previous regulations for the incidental take 
of polar bears documented various types of interactions between polar 
bears and Industry.
1. Reported Observations
    From 1989 to 1991, Shell Western E&P conducted drilling operations 
in the Chukchi Sea. A total of 110 polar bears were recorded from 
aerial surveys and from support and ice management vessels during the 3 
years. In 1989, 18 bears were sighted in the pack ice during the 
monitoring programs associated with the drilling program. In 1990, a 
total of 25 polar bears were observed on the pack ice in the Chukchi 
Sea between June 29 and August 11, 1990. Seventeen bears were 
encountered by the support vessel, Robert LeMeur, during an ice 
reconnaissance survey before drilling began at the prospects. During 
drilling operations, four bears were observed near (<9 km or 5.5 mi) 
active prospects, and the remainder were considerably beyond the 
drilling operation (15 to 40 km or 9.3 to 24.8 mi). These bears 
responded to the drilling or icebreaking operations by approaching (two 
bears), watching (nine bears), slowly moving away (seven bears), or 
ignoring (five bears) the activities; response was not evaluated for 
two bears. During the 1991 drilling program, 64 polar bears were 
observed on the pack ice, and one was observed swimming south of the 
ice edge. The researchers of the 1990 monitoring program for the Shell 
exploration concluded that: (1) Polar bear distributions were closely 
linked to the pack ice; (2) the pack ice was near the active prospects 
for a brief time; and (3) the ice passing near active prospects 
contained few animals. These data were collected when sea ice in the 
region was more prevalent than today, and we anticipate that current 
and future operations will observe fewer bears; however, we expect that 
behaviorally the bears observed will react similarly.
    Between 2006 and 2011, 16 offshore projects were issued incidental 
take authority for polar bears: Seven seismic surveys; four shallow 
hazards and site clearance surveys; and five environmental studies, 
including ice observation flights and onshore and offshore 
environmental baseline surveys. Observers associated with these 16 
projects documented 62 individual bears in 47 different observations. 
These observations and bear responses are discussed below.
    The majority of the bears were observed on land (50 percent; 31 of 
62 polar bears). Twenty-one bears (34 percent) were recorded on the 
ice, mainly in unconsolidated ice on ice floes, and 10 bears (16 
percent) were observed swimming in the water. Fifty-seven percent of 
the polar bears (35 of 62 bears) were observed from vessels, while 35 
percent (22 of 62 bears) were sighted from aerial surveys and 8 percent 
(5 of 62 bears) were observed from the ground.
    Of the 62 polar bears documented, 32 percent (20 of 62 bears) of 
the observations were recorded as Level B harassment takes, where the 
bears exhibited short-term, temporary reactions to the conveyance, 
vessel, plane, or vehicle, such as moving away from the conveyance. No 
polar bears were intentionally deterred. Sixty-five percent of the 
bears (40 of 62 bears) exhibited no behavioral reactions to the 
conveyance, while the reactions of 3 percent of the bears (2 of 62 
bears) were unknown (not observed or not recorded). Most polar bears 
were observed during secondary or support activities, such as aerial 
surveys or transiting between project areas. These activities were 
associated with a primary project, such as a seismic operation. No 
polar bears were observed during active seismic operations.
    Additionally, other activities have occurred in the Chukchi Sea 
region that have resulted in reports of polar bear sightings to the 
Service. Five polar bear observations (11 individuals) were recorded 
during the University of Texas at Austin's marine geophysical survey 
performed by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Cutter Healy in 2006. All 
bears were observed on the ice between July 21 and August 19. The 
closest point of approach distances of bears from the Healy ranged from 
780 m to 2.5 km (853 yards [yd] to 1.5 mi). One bear was observed 
approximately 575 m (628.8 yd) from a helicopter conducting ice 
reconnaissance. Four of the groups exhibited possible reactions to the 
helicopter or vessel, suggesting that disturbances from offshore vessel 
operations when they occur are short-term and limited to minor changes 
in behavior.
    In 2007, a female bear and her cub were observed approximately 100 
meters (110 yd) from a drill pad at the Intrepid exploration drilling 
site, located on the Chukchi Sea coast south of Barrow. The bear did 
not appear concerned about the activity and eventually the female 
changed her direction of movement and left the area.
    Additional information exists on Industry and polar bear encounters 
from the Beaufort Sea (76 FR 47010; August 3, 2011). Documented impacts 
on polar bears by Industry in the Beaufort Sea during the past 30 years 
appear minimal. Polar bears spend time on land, coming ashore to feed, 
den, or move to other areas. Recent studies suggest that bears are 
spending more time on land than they have in the past in response to 
changing ice conditions.
    Annual monitoring reports from Industry activities and community 
observations in the Beaufort Sea indicate that fall storms, combined 
with reduced sea ice, force bears to concentrate along the coastline 
(between August to October) where bears remain until the ice returns. 
For this reason, polar bears have been encountered at or near most 
coastal and offshore production facilities, or along the roads and 
causeways that link these facilities to the mainland. During those 
periods, the likelihood of interactions between polar bears and 
Industry activities increases. During 2011, in the Beaufort Sea region, 
companies observed 237 polar bears in 140 sightings on land and in the 
nearshore marine environment. Of the 237 bears observed in 2011, 44 
bears (19 percent of the total observed) were recorded as Level B takes 
as they were deterred (hazed) away from facilities and people. Industry 
monitoring reports indicate that most bears are observed within a mile 
of the coastline. Similarly, we expect intermittent periods with high 
concentrations of bears to occur along the Chukchi Sea coastline as 50 
percent of the bear encounters between 2006 and 2011 were documented in 
the onshore habitat.
    While no lethal take of polar bears has occurred in the Chukchi 
Sea, a lethal take associated with Industry occurred at the Beaufort 
Sea Endicott facility in 2011, when a security guard mistakenly used a 
crackershell in place of a bean bag deterrent round and killed the bear 
during a deterrence action. Prior to issuance of regulations, lethal 
takes by Industry were rare. Since 1968, there have been two documented 
cases, one in the winter of 1968-1969, and one in 1990, of lethal take 
of polar bears associated with oil and gas activities; in both of these 
instances, the lethal take was reported to be in defense of human life.
2. Cumulative Impacts
    Cumulative impacts of oil and gas activities are assessed, in part, 
through the information we gain in monitoring reports, which are a 
required component of each operator's LOA under the authorizations. We 
have over 20 years of monitoring reports, and the information on all 
incidental and intentional polar bear interactions

[[Page 35396]]

provides a comprehensive history of past effects of Industry activities 
on polar bears. We use the information on previous impacts to evaluate 
potential impacts from existing and future Industry activities and 
facilities. Additional information used in our cumulative effects 
assessment includes: Service, USGS, and other polar bear research and 
data; traditional knowledge of polar bear habitat use; anecdotal 
observations; and professional judgment.
    While the number of LOAs being requested does not represent the 
potential for direct impact to polar bears, they do offer an index as 
to the effort and type of Industry activity that is currently being 
conducted. LOA trend data also help the Service track progress on 
various projects as they move through the stages of oil field 
development. An increase in Industry projects across the Arctic has the 
ability to increase bear-human interactions.
    The Polar Bear Status Review describes cumulative effects of oil 
and gas development on polar bears in Alaska (see pages 175 to 181 of 
the status review). This document can be found at: https://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/mmm/polarbear/pdf/Polar_Bear_%20Status_Assessment.pdf. The status review concentrated on oil and gas 
development in the Beaufort Sea because of the established presence of 
Industry in the Beaufort Sea. The Service believes the conclusions of 
the status review will apply to Industry activities in the Chukchi Sea 
during the 5-year timeframe of these regulations as the exploratory 
activities in the Beaufort Sea are similar to those in the Chukchi Sea.
    In addition, in 2003, the National Research Council published a 
description of the cumulative effects that oil and gas development will 
have on polar bears and seals in Alaska. They concluded that:
    (1) ``Industrial activity in the marine waters of the Beaufort Sea 
has been limited and sporadic and likely has not caused serious 
cumulative effects to ringed seals or polar bears.'' Industry activity 
in the Chukchi Sea during the timeframe of these regulations will be 
limited to exploration activities, such as seismic, drilling, and 
support activities.
    (2) ``Careful mitigation can help to reduce the effects of oil and 
gas development and their accumulation, especially if there is no major 
oil spill.'' The Service will use mitigation measures similar to those 
established in the Beaufort Sea to limit impacts of polar bears in the 
Chukchi Sea. ``However, the effects of full scale industrial 
development off the North Slope will accumulate through the 
displacement of polar bears and ringed seals from their habitats, 
increased mortality, and decreased reproductive success.'' Full-scale 
development of this nature will not occur during the prescribed 
timeframe of these regulations in the Chukchi Sea.
    (3) ``A major Beaufort Sea oil spill would have major effects on 
polar bears and ringed seals.'' One of the concerns for future oil and 
gas development is for those activities that occur in the marine 
environment due to the chance for oil spills to impact polar bears or 
their habitats. No production activities are planned for the Chukchi 
Sea during the duration of these regulations. Oil spills as a result of 
exploratory drilling activity could occur in the Chukchi Sea; however, 
the probability of a large spill at the exploration stage is expected 
to be low.
    (4) ``Climatic warming at predicted rates in the Beaufort and 
Chukchi seas region is likely to have serious consequences for ringed 
seals and polar bears, and those effects will accumulate with the 
effects of oil and gas activities in the region.'' The Service is 
currently working to minimize the impacts of climate change on its 
trust species. The implementation of ITRs is one effective way to 
address and minimize impacts to polar bears.
    (5) ``Unless studies to address the potential accumulation of 
effects on North Slope polar bears or ringed seals are designed, 
funded, and conducted over long periods of time, it will be impossible 
to verify whether such effects occur, to measure them, or to explain 
their causes.'' Current studies in the Chukchi Sea are examining polar 
bear habitat use and distribution, reproduction, and survival relative 
to a changing sea ice environment.
    Climate change, predominantly through sea ice decline, will alter 
polar bear habitat because seasonal changes, such as extended duration 
of open water, will preclude sea ice habitat use by restricting some 
bears to coastal areas. Biological effects on polar bears are expected 
to include increased movements or travel, changes in bear distribution 
throughout their range, changes to the access and allocation of denning 
areas, and increased open water swimming. Demographic effects that may 
be influenced by climate change include changes in prey availability to 
polar bears, a potential reduction in the access to prey, and changes 
in seal productivity.
    In the Chukchi Sea, it is expected that the reduction of sea ice 
extent will affect the timing of polar bear seasonal movements between 
the coastal regions and the pack ice. If the sea ice continues to 
recede as predicted, the Service anticipates that there may be an 
increased use of terrestrial habitat in the fall period by polar bears 
on the western coast of Alaska and an increased use of terrestrial 
habitat by denning bears in the same area, which may expose bears to 
Industry activity. Mitigation measures will be effective in minimizing 
any additional effects attributed to seasonal shifts in distributions 
of denning polar bears during the 5-year timeframe of these 
regulations. It is likely that, due to potential seasonal changes in 
abundance and distribution of polar bears during the fall, more 
frequent encounters may occur and that Industry may have to implement 
mitigation measures more often, for example, increasing polar bear 
deterrence events. As with the Beaufort Sea, the challenge in the 
Chukchi Sea will be predicting changes in ice habitat and coastal 
habitats in relation to changes in polar bear distribution and use of 
habitat.
    A detailed description of climate change and its potential effects 
on polar bears by the Service can be found in the documents supporting 
the decision to list the polar bear as a threatened species under the 
ESA at: https://alaska.fws.gov/fisheries/mmm/polarbear/esa.htm#listing. 
Additional detailed information by the USGS regarding the status of the 
SBS stock in relation to decreasing sea ice due to increasing 
temperatures in the Arctic, projections of habitat and populations, and 
forecasts of range-wide status can be found at: https://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/special/polar_bears.
    The activities (drilling operations, seismic surveys, and support 
operations) identified by the petitioners are likely to result in some 
incremental cumulative effects to polar bears during the 5-year 
timeframe of these regulations. This could occur through the potential 
exclusion or avoidance of polar bears from feeding, resting, or denning 
areas and disruption of associated biological behaviors. However, the 
level of cumulative effects, including those of climate change, during 
the 5-year timeframe of these regulations are projected to result in 
negligible effects on the bear population.

Evaluation of Documented Impacts on Polar Bears

    Monitoring results from Industry, analyzed by the Service, indicate 
that little to no short-term impacts on polar bears have resulted from 
oil and gas activities. We evaluated both subtle and acute impacts 
likely to occur from industrial activity, and we determined

[[Page 35397]]

that all direct and indirect effects, including cumulative effects, of 
industrial activities have not adversely affected the species through 
effects on rates of recruitment or survival. Based on past monitoring 
reports, the level of interaction between Industry and polar bears has 
been minimal and provides evidence that these populations have not been 
adversely affected. For the 5-year timeframe of these regulations, we 
anticipate the level of oil and gas Industry interactions with polar 
bears would likely increase in response to more bears on shore and more 
activity along the coast; however we do not anticipate significant 
impacts on bears to occur.

Summary of Take Estimates for Pacific Walruses and Polar Bears

Small Numbers Determination

    As discussed in the ``Biological Information'' section, the dynamic 
nature of sea ice habitats influences seasonal and annual distribution 
and abundance of polar bears and walruses in the specified geographical 
region (eastern Chukchi Sea). The following analysis demonstrates that, 
with these regulations, only small numbers of walruses and polar bears 
are likely to be taken incidental to the described Industry activities. 
This analysis is based upon known distribution patterns and habitat use 
of walruses and polar bears.

Pacific Walrus

    The Service has based its small numbers determination on an 
examination of the best available information concerning the range of 
this species and its habitat use patterns (see Biological Information 
for additional details); information regarding the siting, timing, 
scope, and footprint of Industry activities (see Description of 
Activities for additional details); information regarding monitoring 
requirements and mitigation measures designed to avoid and mitigate 
incidental take of walruses during authorized activities (see Section 
18.118 Mitigation, Monitoring, and Reporting Requirements in the Final 
Regulation Promulgation section for additional details); and the 
Chukchi Sea Lease Sale 193 stipulations by the Mineral Management 
Service (now BOEM in February 2008 regarding protection of biological 
resources. The objective of this analysis is to determine whether or 
not Industry activities described in the ITR petition are likely to 
impact small numbers of individual animals.
    The specified geographic region covered by this request includes 
the waters (State of Alaska and OCS) and bed of the Chukchi Sea, as 
well as terrestrial habitat up to 40 km (25 mi) inland (Figure 1; see 
Final Regulation Promulgation section). The marine environment and 
terrestrial coastal haulouts are considered walrus habitat for this 
analysis. The petition specifies that offshore exploration activities 
will be limited to the July 1 to November 30 open-water season to avoid 
seasonal pack ice. Furthermore, the petition specifies that onshore or 
near shore activities will not occur in the vicinity of coastal walrus 
haulouts. Oil and gas activities anticipated and considered in our 
analysis include: (1) Offshore exploration drilling; (2) offshore 3D 
and 2D seismic surveys; (3) shallow hazards surveys; (4) other 
geophysical surveys, such as ice gouge, strudel scour, and bathymetry 
surveys; (5) geotechnical surveys; (6) onshore and offshore 
environmental studies; and (7) associated support activities for the 
aforementioned activities. A full description of these activities can 
be found in this document in the Description of Activities section.

Distribution of Walruses During the Open-Water Season

    During the July to November open-water season, the Pacific walrus 
population ranges well beyond the boundaries of the specified 
geographic region (Figure 1; see Final Regulation Promulgation 
section). Based on population surveys, haulout monitoring studies, and 
satellite tracking studies, the population generally occurs in three 
areas: The majority of males remain in the Bering Sea outside of the 
specified geographic region. Juveniles, adult females, and calves are 
distributed in the western Chukchi Sea in the vicinity of both Wrangel 
and Herald Islands in Russian waters. Another subset of females and 
young are in the eastern Chukchi Sea, which includes the specified 
geographic region, with high densities in the Hanna Shoal area (Fay 
1982; Jay et al. 2012). Therefore, the animals in the northeast Chukchi 
Sea that could potentially be influenced by Industry activities 
represent only a portion of the overall population.
    Though the specified geographic region of these regulations (Figure 
1; see Final Regulation Promulgation section) includes areas of 
potential walrus habitat, the actual area of Industry activities 
occurring within this region will be relatively small. The entire 
Chukchi Sea is approximately 600,000 km\2\ (231,660 mi\2\). The area of 
the specified geographic region (Figure 1; see Final Regulation 
Promulgation section) is approximately 240,000 km\2\ (92,664 mi\2\), 
and the area covered by Lease Sale 193 offered in 2006 was 
approximately 138,000 km\2\ (53,282 mi\2\), with currently active 
leases covering approximately 11,163 km\2\ (4,310 mi\2\). The Chukchi 
Sea is only a portion of the overall Pacific walrus range, and though 
most of it contains suitable walrus habitat, some portions are not 
suitable (e.g., where water depths exceed 100 m). However, if we assume 
that the entire 600,000 km\2\ (231,660 mi\2\) of the Chukchi Sea is 
utilized by walruses, then the specified geographic region (Figure 1; 
see Final Regulation Promulgation section) covers approximately 40 
percent, Lease Sale 193 area covers approximately 23 percent, and 
current active leases cover approximately 2 percent of the Chukchi Sea, 
respectively. In any single year, and over the 5-year period of these 
regulations, Industry activity will only occur on a portion of the 
active lease area. For example, AOGA indicates in its petition that one 
seismic survey will occur each year during the 5-year period of these 
regulations. AOGA further estimates that a typical marine 3D seismic 
survey is expected to ensonify approximately 1680 km\2\ (649 mi\2\) of 
sea floor. This equates to roughly 15 percent of the active lease area, 
0.7 percent of the specified geographic region (Figure 1; see Final 
Regulation Promulgation section), and 0.28 percent of the Chukchi Sea 
per year, respectively.
    We anticipate that Industry activities will impact a relatively 
small proportion of the potential walrus habitat in the specified 
geographical region at any given time, whether or not the habitat is 
occupied by walruses. The narrow scope and footprint of activities that 
will occur in any given year limits the potential for Industry to 
interact with the subset of the walruses that may be distributed in the 
eastern Chukchi Sea during the open-water season.

Habitat Use Patterns in the Specified Geographic Region

    The subset of the overall walrus population residing in the eastern 
Chukchi Sea can be widespread and abundant depending on ice conditions 
and distribution. Walruses typically migrate into the region in early 
June along lead systems that form along the coast. Walruses summering 
in the eastern Chukchi Sea exhibit strong selection for sea ice 
habitats. Previous aerial survey efforts in the area found that 80 to 
96 percent of walruses were closely associated with sea ice habitats, 
and that the number of walruses observed in open water habitats

[[Page 35398]]

decreased significantly with distance from the pack ice (Gilbert 1999).
    The distribution of the subset of the walrus population that occurs 
in the specified geographic region (Figure 1; see Final Regulation 
Promulgation section) each year is primarily influenced by the 
distribution and extent of seasonal pack ice, which is expected to vary 
substantially both seasonally and annually. In June and July, scattered 
groups of walruses are typically associated with loose pack ice 
habitats between Icy Cape and Point Barrow (Fay 1982; Gilbert et al. 
1992). Recent walrus telemetry studies investigating foraging patterns 
suggest that many walruses focus foraging efforts near Hanna Shoal in 
the eastern Chukchi Sea, northwest of Point Barrow (Jay et al. 2012). 
In August and September, concentrations of animals tend to be in areas 
of unconsolidated pack ice, usually within 100 km (62 mi) of the 
leading edge of the ice pack (Gilbert 1999). Individual groups 
occupying unconsolidated pack ice typically range from fewer than 10 to 
more than 1,000 animals (Gilbert 1999; Ray et al. 2006). In August and 
September, the edge of the pack ice generally retreats north to 
approximately 71[deg] N latitude (the majority of active lease blocks 
are between 71 and 72[deg] N), but in light ice years can retreat north 
of the continental shelf (Douglas 2010), about 73 to 75[deg] N. Sea ice 
normally reaches its minimum (northern) extent in September, and ice 
begins to reform rapidly in October and November. Walruses typically 
migrate out of the eastern Chukchi Sea in October in advance of the 
developing sea ice (Fay 1982; Jay et al. 2012).
    Sea ice has historically persisted in the Chukchi Sea region 
through the entire year although the extent of sea ice cover over 
continental shelf areas during the summer and fall has been highly 
variable. Over the past decade, sea ice has begun to retreat beyond 
shallow continental shelf waters in late summer. For example, in 5 of 
the last 8 years (2004 to 2012), the continental shelf waters of the 
eastern Chukchi Sea have become ice free in late summer, for a period 
ranging from a few weeks up to 2 months. Climate-based models suggest 
that the observed trend of rapid ice loss from continental shelf 
regions of the Chukchi Sea is expected to persist, and perhaps 
accelerate in the future (Douglas 2010).
    Based on telemetry studies, during periods of minimal or no-ice 
cover over continental shelf regions of the eastern Chukchi Sea, we 
expect that most walruses in that subset of the population will either 
migrate out of the region beyond the scope of Industry activities in 
pursuit of more favorable ice habitats (i.e., the western Chukchi Sea), 
or relocate to coastal haulouts where they can rest on land between 
foraging excursions (Jay et al. 2012). Walruses occupying coastal 
haulouts along the Chukchi Sea coast tend to aggregate in large dense 
groups, which are vulnerable to disturbances that can result in 
trampling injuries and mortalities (Garlich-Miller et. al. 2011). The 
AOGA petition specifically notes that Industry activities will not 
occur near coastal walrus haulouts. In addition, OCS Lease Sale Area 
193 excluded a 40-km (25-mi) coastal buffer zone from the lease area to 
protect sensitive coastal habitats and mitigate potential interactions 
with subsistence hunting activities along the coast. We expect that a 
similar coastal buffer zone will be included in future lease sales in 
the region. Moreover, required mitigation measures for authorized 
activities pursuant to the final ITRs expressly forbid operating near 
coastal walrus haulouts (see mitigation measures below). For example, 
all support vessels and aircraft will be required to maintain a 1-mile 
buffer area around groups of walruses hauled out on land. Because of 
these limitations on authorized activities near coastal walrus 
haulouts, we do not expect that any takes will occur at coastal 
haulouts from Industry activities.
    We expect that the density of walruses in offshore, open water 
environments, where most exploration activities are expected to occur, 
will be relatively low. Based on previous aerial survey efforts in the 
region (Gilbert 1999) and satellite tracking of walrus distributions 
and movement patterns in the region (Jay et al. 2012), we expect that 
most walruses in the subset of the overall population in the specified 
geographic region will be closely associated with broken pack ice 
during the open-water season. This would limit the exposure of walruses 
to seismic surveys and exploratory drilling operations, where we expect 
Industry operations to avoid these areas of broken ice cover in order 
to avoid damaging their equipment. Furthermore, during the open-water 
season, walruses could also occupy coastal haulouts when ice 
concentrations are low in offshore regions.
    Telemetry studies investigating the foraging behavior of walruses 
at coastal haulouts indicate that most animals forage within 30 to 60 
km (19 to 37 mi) of coastal haulouts (Fischbach et al. 2010), primarily 
within the 40-km (25-mi) coastal buffer, which is closed to seismic 
surveys and drilling. However, some animals appear to make long 
foraging excursions from coastal haulouts to offshore feeding areas 
near Hanna Shoal (about 180 km, 112 mi from Point Lay, AK) (Jay et al. 
2012). This movement pattern is also apparent based on walrus 
vocalizations recorded at buoys placed throughout the area in 2010 
(Delarue et al. 2012). Given this observed behavior, we expect that the 
density of walruses in the HSWUA could be relatively high compared with 
other offshore regions, even during periods of minimal sea ice cover. 
Most of the lease sale blocks in the HSWUA region are currently not 
leased. Based on the significant biological value of HSWUA to walrus 
foraging, and the likelihood of encountering large groups of foraging 
walruses in that area through September, additional mitigation measures 
may be anticipated to limit disturbances and impacts to Pacific 
walruses when they are using this area.
    Authorized Industry activities occurring near Hanna Shoal could 
potentially encounter groups of walruses moving from other areas, 
including coastal haulouts. The timing and movement routes between 
coastal haulouts and offshore foraging areas are not known, and are 
likely to vary from year to year. Although it is difficult to predict 
where groups of moving or feeding walruses are likely to be encountered 
in offshore open water environments, monitoring requirements and 
adaptive mitigation measures are expected to limit interactions with 
groups of walruses encountered in open water habitats. For example, all 
authorized support vessels must employ MMOs to monitor for the presence 
of walruses and other marine mammals. Vessel operators are required to 
take every precaution to avoid interactions with concentrations of 
feeding or moving walruses, and must maintain a minimum 805-m (0.5-mi) 
operational exclusion zone around walrus groups encountered in open 
water. Although monitoring requirements and adaptive mitigation 
measures are not expected to completely eliminate interactions with 
walruses in open water habitats, they are expected to limit takes to 
relatively small numbers of animals.
    In summary, based upon scientific knowledge of the habitat use 
patterns of walruses in the specified region, we expect the number of 
animals using pelagic waters during the operating season to be small 
relative to the number of animals using habitats preferred by and more 
favorable to walruses (i.e., pack ice habitats and/or coastal haulouts 
and near-shore environments). Industry will not be

[[Page 35399]]

operating in areas with extensive ice cover due to their own operating 
limitations, and therefore Industry activities will avoid preferred 
walrus habitats. Further regulatory restrictions, such as stipulations 
on activities near haulouts, will ensure that Industry activities will 
not occur in or near those preferred walrus habitat areas. Moreover, it 
is possible that LOAs may not be issued for seismic and drilling 
activities in the HSWUA. Industry requests for incidental take 
authorization in the HSWUA during seasons of high walrus use will be 
considered on a case-by-case basis and Industry may be required to 
implement increased mitigation measures.
    Most of the Industry oil and gas exploration activity is projected 
to occur in offshore areas under open water conditions where densities 
of walruses are expected to be low. Support vessels and aircraft 
transiting through areas of broken ice habitat where densities of 
walruses may be higher will be required to employ monitoring and 
adaptive mitigation measures intended to reduce interactions with 
walruses. Accordingly, in consideration of the habitat characteristics 
where most exploration activities are expected to occur (open-water 
environments) and specific mitigation measures designed to reduce 
potential interactions with walruses and other marine mammals, we 
expect that interactions will be limited to relatively small numbers of 
animals compared to the number of walruses in the specified geographic 
region as well as the overall population.

The Use of Monitoring Requirements and Mitigation Measures

    We believe the mitigation measures and monitoring requirements we 
have included in this rule are effective in ensuring the ``least 
practicable adverse impact'' from oil and gas exploration activities to 
Pacific walruses in the Chukchi Sea. Similar mitigation measures and 
monitoring requirements in prior incidental take authorizations for the 
Chukchi Sea have proved highly effective at eliminating or mitigating 
adverse impacts to Pacific walruses. In addition, the mitigation 
measures in this rule have been updated with the best available 
scientific evidence, and in some instances, these measures have been 
made more restrictive on Industry activities.
    Holders of an LOA must use methods and conduct activities in a 
manner that minimizes adverse impacts on walruses to the greatest 
extent practicable. Monitoring programs are required to inform 
operators of the presence of marine mammals and sea ice. Adaptive 
management responses based on real-time monitoring information 
(described in these final regulations) will be used to avoid or 
minimize interactions with walruses. Adaptive management approaches, 
such as temporal or spatial limitations in response to the presence of 
walruses in a particular place or time, or in response to the 
occurrence of walruses engaged in a particularly sensitive activity, 
such as feeding, will be used to avoid or minimize interactions with 
walruses.
    However, monitoring programs can always be improved. Determining 
the longer-term impacts of Industry activities on marine mammals is 
important in assessing the negligible impact requirement of the MMPA. 
Monitoring programs currently detect animals at the surface in 
proximity to vessels to initiate mitigation measures. Monitors also 
document some of the immediate reactions of animals in immediate 
proximity to Industry activities. However, as there are no ``controls'' 
or reference data, the ability of the Service to estimate the full 
impacts of these activities is limited. In addition, we know little 
about the longer-term response of animals to various types of 
anthropogenic stimulus. Both of these types of data will help better 
inform the determination of a negligible impact as required under the 
MMPA. To estimate longer term impacts, there is a need to be able to 
monitor animals after exposure to any given activity for an extended 
period. One way to acquire this data is a random sampling of 
individuals and observations of those individuals prior to, during, and 
following an encounter. This type of study may require the use of 
additional vessels or aircraft or telemetry equipment to track animals 
encountered for extended periods of time. For example, resting walruses 
flushed from an ice floe would need to be tracked until they 
subsequently hauled out on the ice to rest. The Service sees the 
potential development of this type of study as an effort that could be 
jointly and cooperatively undertaken by this process between Industry 
and the regulatory agencies. When opportunities arise for these types 
of cooperative activities, we believe Industry and the regulatory 
agencies should work together to capitalize on them to further our 
understanding of impacts to animals and address remaining information. 
The inclusion in the monitoring and mitigation measures of the ``track 
animals'' stipulation is to provide a mechanism by which the Service 
may work with Industry to accomplish this goal. If such studies were 
pursued, appropriate scientific research permits would need to be 
obtained.
    A full description of the mitigation, monitoring, and reporting 
requirements associated with LOAs under these regulations can be found 
in Section 18.118 Mitigation, Monitoring, and Reporting Requirements in 
the Final Regulation Promulgation section. Some of the mitigation 
measures expected to limit interactions with walruses will include:
    1. Industry operations are not permitted in the geographic region 
until July 1. This condition is intended to allow walruses the 
opportunity to disperse from the confines of the spring lead system and 
minimize Industry interactions with subsistence walrus hunters.
    2. Vessels must be staffed with MMOs to alert crew of the presence 
of walruses and initiate adaptive mitigation responses when walruses 
are encountered.
    3. Vessels should take all practical measures (i.e., reduce speed, 
change course heading) to maintain a minimum 805-m (0.5-mi) operational 
exclusion zone around groups of 12 or more walruses encountered in the 
water. Vessels may not be operated in such a way as to separate members 
of a group of walruses. We note that we reviewed the data on Industry 
encounters with walruses during 1989, 1990, and 2006-2012 and 
calculated the average size of groups of walruses which was 16 in 1989, 
13 in 1990, and 7 from 2006-2012 resulting in a mean of 12. 
Observations of 12 or more walruses at the surface of the water likely 
represent a larger number of walruses in the immediate area that are 
not observed (possibly 70 or more).
    4. Set back distances have been established between walruses and 
vessels to minimize impacts and limit disturbance. These set back 
distances are 805 m (0.5 mi) when walruses are observed on ice and in 
the water, and 1,610 m (1 mi) when observed on land.
    5. Set back distances have been established between walruses and 
aircraft to minimize impacts and limit disturbance. No fixed-wing 
aircraft may operate at an altitude lower than 457 m (1,500 ft) within 
805 m of walrus groups observed on ice, or within 1,610 m (1 mi) of 
walrus groups observed on land. No rotary winged aircraft (helicopter) 
may operate at an altitude lower than 914 m (3,000 ft) elevation within 
a lateral distance of 1,610 m (1 mi) of walrus groups observed on land. 
These operating conditions are intended to avoid and mitigate the 
potential for walruses to be flushed from ice floes or

[[Page 35400]]

land-based haulouts. In past regulations, the altitude associated with 
rotary-winged aircraft was 1,500 ft. However, we have determined that 
walruses at land-based haulouts are more susceptible to disturbance and 
have increased the height restriction, which in turn should decrease 
the possibility of disturbance.
    6. Operators must maintain a minimum spacing of 24 km (15 mi) 
between all active seismic-source vessels and/or drill rigs during 
exploration activities to avoid significant synergistic or cumulative 
effects from multiple oil and gas exploration activities on foraging or 
migrating walruses. This does not include support vessels for these 
operations.
    7. Any offshore exploration activity expected to include the 
production of downward-directed, pulsed underwater sounds with sound 
source levels >=160 dB re 1 [mu]Pa will be required to establish and 
monitor acoustic exclusion and disturbance zones.
    8. Trained MMOs must establish acoustically verified exclusion 
zones for walruses surrounding seismic airgun arrays where the received 
level would be >= 180 dB re 1 [mu]Pa and >= 160 dB re 1 [mu]Pa in order 
to monitor incidental take.
    9. Whenever 12 or more walruses are detected within the 
acoustically verified 160-dB re 1 [mu]Pa disturbance zone ahead of or 
perpendicular to the seismic vessel track, operators must immediately 
power down or shut down the seismic airgun array and/or other acoustic 
sources to ensure sound pressure levels at the shortest distance to the 
aggregation do not exceed 160-dB re 1 [mu]Pa, and operators cannot 
begin powering up the seismic airgun array until it can be established 
that there are no walrus aggregations within the 160-dB disturbance 
zone based upon ship course, direction to walruses, and distance from 
last sighting.
    These monitoring requirements and mitigation measures are not 
expected to completely eliminate the potential for walruses to be taken 
incidental to Industry activities in the region; however, they are 
expected to significantly reduce the number of takes and the number of 
walruses affected. By substantially limiting the season of operation 
and by requiring buffer areas around groups of walruses on land, ice, 
and in open water areas, we conclude that mitigation measures will 
significantly reduce the number of walruses incidentally taken by 
Industry activities.

Pacific Walrus Small Number Conclusion

    Based upon our review of the best scientific information available, 
we conclude that Industry activities described in the AOGA petition 
will impact a relatively small number of walruses both within the 
specified geographical region and at the broader population scale. The 
information available includes the range, distribution, and habitat use 
patterns of Pacific walruses during the operating season, the 
relatively small footprint and scope of authorized projects both within 
the specified geographic region and on a broader scale within the known 
range of this species during the open-water season, and consideration 
of monitoring requirements and adaptive mitigation measures intended to 
avoid and limit the number of takes to walruses encountered through the 
course of authorized activities.

Polar Bears

Distribution of Polar Bears During the Open-Water Season
    The number of polar bears occupying the specified geographical 
region during the open-water exploration season, when the majority of 
Industry activities are anticipated to occur, is expected to be smaller 
than the number of animals distributed throughout their range. Polar 
bears range well beyond the boundaries of the geographic region of the 
ITRs and the Chukchi Sea Lease Sale area. Even though they are 
naturally widely distributed throughout their range, a relatively large 
proportion of bears from the CS population utilize the western Chukchi 
Sea region of the Russian Federation during the open-water season. 
Concurrently, polar bears from the SBS population predominantly utilize 
the central Beaufort Sea region of the Alaskan and Canadian Arctic 
during this period. These areas are well outside of the geographic 
region of these regulations. Movement data and habitat use analysis of 
bears from the CS and SBS populations suggest that they utilize the ice 
habitat as a platform to survive, by feeding and resting. As the ice 
recedes, the majority of the bears ``move'' with it. A small portion of 
bears can be associated with the coast during the open-water season. In 
addition, open water is not selected habitat for polar bears and bears 
observed in the water likely try to move to a more stable habitat 
platform, such as sea ice or land.
    As stated earlier, though the specified geographic region described 
for these regulations (Figure 1; see Final Regulation Promulgation 
section) includes areas of polar bear habitat, the actual area of 
Industry activity occurring within this region will be relatively 
small. The entire Chukchi Sea is approximately 600,000 km\2\ (231,660 
mi\2\). The area of the specified geographic region (Figure 1; see 
Final Regulation Promulgation section) is approximately 240,000 km\2\ 
(92,664 mi\2\), the lease sale 193 area offered for leases was 
approximately 138,000 km\2\ (53,282 mi\2\) with active leases of 
approximately 11,163 km\2\ (4,310 mi\2\). The Chukchi Sea is only a 
portion of the overall polar bear range and though most of it contains 
suitable polar bear habitat, some portions are not suitable. However, 
if we conservatively assume that the entire approximately 600,000 km\2\ 
(231,660 mi\2\) of the Chukchi Sea is utilized by polar bears, then the 
specified geographic region (Figure 1; see Final Regulation 
Promulgation section) covers approximately 40 percent, the lease sale 
193 area approximately 23 percent, and current active leases are 
approximately 2 percent of that area, respectively. In any single year, 
and over the 5-year period of these regulations, Industry activity will 
occur only on a portion of the active lease area. The area of 
individual marine activities is expected to comprise a small percentage 
of the lease area. Vessel operations will be operating in habitats 
where polar bear densities are expected to be lowest, that is, open 
water. Although it is impossible to predict with certainty the number 
of polar bears that might be present in the offshore environment of the 
lease sale area in a given year, or in a specific project area during 
the open-water season, based on habitat characteristics where most 
exploration activities will occur (open-water environments) and based 
on scientific knowledge and observation of the species, only small 
numbers of polar bears are expected to contact Industry operations, and 
of those, only a small percentage will exhibit behavioral responses 
constituting take.
    Likewise, the number of polar bears expected to be incidentally 
taken by Industry activities is a small proportion of the species' 
abundance. The estimate for Level B incidental take of polar bears is 
based on the past monitoring data from 2006 to 2011; the timing (open-
water season) of the primary, off-shore Industry activities in the 
Chukchi Sea region; and the limited use of the pelagic environment by 
polar bears during the open-water season. The estimated total Level B 
incidental take for polar bears is expected to be 25 animals per year. 
This is a conservative estimate which takes into account that

[[Page 35401]]

between 2006 to 2011, only 20 polar bears of the 62 polar bears 
documented by Industry exhibited behavioral responses equivalent to 
Level B harassment takes (3.3 Level B takes of bears/year). This number 
is less than 1 percent of the estimated combined populations of the CS 
and SBS polar bear stocks (approximately 2,000 and 1,500, 
respectively). This estimate reflects the low densities of polar bears 
occurring in the Alaska region of the Chukchi Sea during the open-water 
period. The majority of interactions between polar bears and Industry 
are expected to occur near the pack ice edge habitat and in the 
terrestrial environment, where this estimate anticipates a potential 
increase of bears interacting with terrestrial facilities through the 
duration of the regulatory period (2013 to 2018).
Habitat Use Patterns in the Specified Geographic Region
    Within the specified geographic region, the number of polar bears 
utilizing open water habitats, where the primary activity (offshore 
exploration operations) would occur, is expected to be small relative 
to the number of animals utilizing pack ice habitats or coastal areas. 
Polar bears are capable of swimming long distances across open water 
(Pagano et al. 2012). However, polar bears remain closely associated 
with primarily sea ice (where food availability is high) during the 
open-water season (Durner et al. 2004). A limited number of bears could 
also be found in coastal areas. We expect the number of polar bears 
using pelagic waters during open-water exploration activities to be 
very small relative to the number of animals exploiting more favorable 
habitats in the region (i.e., pack ice habitats and/or coastal haulouts 
and near shore environments).
    In addition, a small portion of terrestrial habitat used by polar 
bears may be exposed to Industry activities. As detailed in the section 
``Description of Geographic Region,'' terrestrial habitat encompasses 
approximately 10,000 km\2\ (3,861 mi\2\) of the NPR-A. Bears can use 
the terrestrial habitat to travel and possibly den and a smaller 
portion of this habitat situated along the coast could be potential 
polar bear denning habitat. However, the majority of coastal denning 
for the Chukchi Sea bears occurs along the Chukotka coast in the 
Russian Federation, outside of the geographic region. Hence, Industry 
activities operating on the Alaskan coast have the potential to impact 
only a small number of bears. Additionally, where terrestrial 
activities may occur in coastal areas of Alaska in polar bear denning 
habitat, specific mitigation measures will be required to minimize 
Industry impacts.
The Use of Monitoring Requirements and Mitigation Measures
    Holders of an LOA must adopt monitoring requirements and mitigation 
measures designed to reduce potential impacts of their operations on 
polar bears. Restrictions on the season of operation (July to November) 
for marine activities are intended to limit operations to ice-free 
conditions when polar bear densities are expected to be low in the area 
of Industry operation. Additional mitigation measures could also occur 
near important polar bear habitat. Specific aircraft or vessel traffic 
patterns will be implemented when appropriate to minimize potential 
impacts to animals. Monitoring programs are required to inform 
operators of the presence of marine mammals and sea ice incursions. 
Adaptive management responses based on real-time monitoring information 
(described in these final regulations) will be used to avoid or 
minimize interactions with polar bears. For example, for Industry 
activities in terrestrial environments where denning polar bears may be 
a factor, mitigation measures will require that den detection surveys 
be conducted and Industry will maintain at least a 1-mile distance from 
any known polar bear den. A full description of the required Industry 
mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements associated with an 
LOA can be found in 50 CFR 18.118. While these regulations describe a 
suite of general requirements, additional mitigation measures could be 
developed at the project level given site-specific parameters or 
techniques developed in the future that could be more appropriate to 
minimize Industry impacts.
Polar Bear Small Number Conclusion
    We anticipate a low number of polar bears at any given time in the 
areas the Service anticipates Industry operations to occur, and given 
the size of the operations and the mitigation factors anticipated, the 
likelihood of impacting individual animals is low. We anticipate that 
the type of take will be similar to that observed in 2006 to 2011, 
i.e., nonlethal, minor, short-term behavioral changes that will not 
cause a disruption in normal activities of polar bears. In addition, 
these takes are unlikely to have cumulative effects from year to year 
as the response of bears will be short-lived, behavioral or 
physiological responses, and the same individuals are unlikely to be 
exposed in subsequent years. Overall, these takes (25 annually) are not 
expected to result in adverse effects that will influence population-
level reproduction, recruitment, or survival.

Small Number Summary and Conclusion

    To summarize, relative to species abundance, only a small number of 
the Pacific walrus population and the Chukchi/Bering Sea and Southern 
Beaufort Sea polar bear populations will be impacted by Industry 
activities. This statement can be made with a high level of confidence 
because:
    (1) Pacific walruses and polar bears are expected to remain closely 
associated with either sea ice or coastal zones, predominantly the 
Russian Federation coast, where food availability is high and not in 
open water where Industry activities will occur.
    (2) Vessel observations from 2006 to 2011 recorded encountering 
11,125 walruses, which is a small percentage of the overall walrus 
population. Of this small percentage of walruses observed, only 2,448 
individuals appeared to have exhibited mild forms of behavioral 
response, such as being attentive to the vessel. During the same 6-year 
period, 62 polar bears were observed, which is a small percentage of 
the overall Alaskan population. Of this small percentage of observed 
polar bears, only 20 individuals exhibited mild forms of behavioral 
response.
    (3) The restrictive monitoring and mitigation measures that will be 
required of Industry activity will further reduce the number of animals 
encountered and minimize any potential impacts to those individuals 
encountered.
    (4) The continued predicted decline in sea ice extent as the result 
of climate change is anticipated to further reduce the number of polar 
bears and walruses occurring in the specified geographic area during 
Industry activities because neither species prefers using the open 
water environment. This will further reduce the potential for 
interactions with Industry activities during the open-water season.
    In conclusion, given the spatial distribution, habitat 
requirements, and applicable data, the number of animals interacting 
with Industry activities will be small compared to the total Pacific 
walrus and the Chukchi and Southern Beaufort Sea polar bear 
populations. Moreover, not all interactions will result in a taking as 
defined under the MMPA, which will reduce the numbers even further.

[[Page 35402]]

Negligible Effects Determination

    Based upon our review of the nature, scope, and timing of the 
proposed Industry activities and mitigation measures, and in 
consideration of the best available scientific information, it is our 
determination that the activities will have a negligible impact on 
walruses and on polar bears. We considered multiple factors in our 
negligible effects determination.
    The predicted impacts of Industry activities on walruses and polar 
bears will be nonlethal, temporary, passive takes of animals. The 
documented impacts of previous similar Industry activities on walruses 
and polar bears, taking into consideration cumulative effects, provides 
direct information that the Industry activities analyzed for this final 
rule are likely to have minimal effects on individual polar bears and 
Pacific walruses. All anticipated effects will be short-term, temporary 
behavioral changes, such as avoiding the activity and/or moving away 
from the activity. Any minor displacement will not result in more than 
negligible impacts because habitats of similar value are not limited to 
the area of immediate activity and are abundantly available within the 
region. The Service does not anticipate that these impacts will cause 
disruptions in normal behavioral patterns of affected animals. The 
Service predicts the impacts of Industry activities on walruses and 
polar bears will be infrequent, sporadic, and of short duration. 
Additionally, impacts will involve passive forms of take and are not 
likely to adversely affect overall population reproduction, 
recruitment, or survival. The potential effects of Industry activities 
are discussed in detail in the section ``Potential Effects of Oil and 
Gas Industry Activities on Pacific Walruses and Polar Bears.''
    A review of similar Industry activities and associated impacts in 
2006 to 2011 in the Chukchi Sea, where the majority of the proposed 
activities will occur, help us predict the type of impacts and their 
effects that will likely occur during the timeframe of these 
regulations. Vessel-based monitors reported 11,125 walrus sightings 
during Industry seismic activity from 2006 to 2011. Approximately 7,310 
animals exhibited no response to the vessels while 2,448 of the 
walruses sighted exhibited some form of behavioral response to stimuli 
(auditory or visual) originating from the vessels, primarily exhibiting 
attentiveness, approach, avoidance, or fleeing. Again, other than a 
short-term change in behavior, no negative impacts were noted, and the 
numbers of animals demonstrating a change in behavior was small in 
comparison to those observed in the area.
    During the same time, polar bears documented during Industry 
activities in the Chukchi Sea were observed on land, on ice, and in the 
water. Bears reacted to the human presence, whether the conveyance was 
marine, aerial, or ground-based, by distancing themselves from the 
conveyance. In addition, polar bear reactions recorded during 
activities suggested that 65 percent of the bears (45 of 62 individual 
bears) observed elicited no reaction at all to the human presence. 
Thirty-two percent of the bears exhibited temporary, minor changes in 
behavior.
    Mitigation measures will limit potential effects of Industry 
activities. As described above in the Small Numbers Determination, 
holders of an LOA must adopt monitoring requirements and mitigation 
measures designed to reduce potential impacts of their operations on 
walruses and polar bears. Seasonal restrictions, required monitoring 
programs to inform operators of the presence of marine mammals and sea 
ice incursions, den detection surveys for polar bears, and adaptive 
management responses based on real-time monitoring information 
(described in these final regulations) will all be used to avoid or 
minimize interactions with walruses and polar bears and therefore limit 
Industry impacts on these animals. First, restricting Industry 
activities to the open-water season (July to November) will ensure that 
walruses reach preferred summering areas without interference and polar 
bears are able to exploit sea ice habitats in active lease sale areas. 
Second, MMOs on all vessels will inform the bridge when animals are 
observed; identify their location and distance; and identify situations 
when seismic survey shutdowns, course changes, and speed reductions are 
needed to maintain specified separation distances designed to avoid 
take. Third, the data collected by MMOs about encounters will be used 
to refine mitigation measures, if needed. Fourth, standard operation 
procedures for aircraft (altitude requirements and lateral distance 
separation) are also designed to avoid disturbance of walruses and 
polar bears.
    We conclude that any incidental take reasonably likely to occur as 
a result of carrying out any of the activities described under these 
regulations will have no more than negligible impacts on walruses and 
polar bears in the Chukchi Sea region, and we do not expect any 
resulting disturbances to negatively impact the rates of recruitment or 
survival for the Pacific walrus and polar bear populations. As 
described in detail previously, we expect that only small numbers of 
Pacific walruses and polar bears will be exposed to Industry 
activities. We expect that individual Pacific walruses and polar bears 
that are exposed to Industry activity will experience only short-term, 
temporary, and minimal changes to their normal behavior. These 
regulations will not authorize lethal take, and we do not anticipate 
any lethal take will occur.

Findings

    We make the following findings regarding this action:

Small Numbers

    The Service finds that any incidental take reasonably likely to 
result from the effects of the proposed activities, as mitigated 
through this regulatory process, will be limited to small numbers of 
walruses and polar bears relative to species abundance. In making this 
finding the Service developed a ``small numbers'' analysis based on: 
(a) The seasonal distributions and habitat use patterns of walruses and 
polar bears in the Chukchi Sea; (b) the timing, scale, and habitats 
associated with Industry activities and the limited potential area of 
impact in open water habitats, and (c) monitoring requirements and 
mitigation measures designed to limit interactions with, and impacts 
to, polar bears and walruses. We concluded that only a subset of the 
overall walrus population will occur in the specified geographic region 
and that a small proportion of that subset will encounter Industry 
operations. In addition, only a small proportion of the relevant stocks 
of polar bear and Pacific walruses will likely be impacted by Industry 
activities because: (1) The proportion of walruses and polar bears in 
the U.S. portion of the Chukchi Sea during the open-water season is 
relatively small compared to numbers of walruses and polar bears found 
outside the region; (2) within the specified geographical region, only 
small numbers of walruses or polar bears will occur in the open water 
habitat where proposed marine Industry activities will occur; (3) 
within the specified geographical region, the scope of marine 
operations is a small percentage of the open water habitat in the 
region; (4) based on monitoring information, only a portion of the 
animals in the vicinity of the Industry activities are likely to be 
affected; and (5) the required monitoring requirements and mitigation 
measures described below will further reduce impacts.
    The number of animals likely to be affected is small, because: (1) 
A small

[[Page 35403]]

proportion of the Pacific walrus population or the Chukchi Sea and 
Southern Beaufort Sea polar bear populations will be present in the 
area of proposed Industry activities; (2) of that portion, a small 
percentage will come in contact with Industry activities; and (3) of 
those individuals that may come in contact with Industry activities, 
less than one-third are anticipated to exhibit a behavioral response 
that may rise to the level of harassment as defined by the MMPA.

Negligible Effects

    The Service finds that any incidental take reasonably likely to 
result from the effects of oil and gas related exploration activities 
during the period of this rule in the Chukchi Sea and adjacent western 
coast of Alaska will have no more than a negligible effect, if any, on 
Pacific walruses and polar bears. We make this finding based on the 
best scientific information available including: (1) The results of 
monitoring data from our previous regulations (19 years of monitoring 
and reporting data); (2) the review of information generated in 
connection with listing the polar bear as a threatened species; (3) the 
analysis of the listing of the Pacific walrus as a candidate species 
under the ESA, and the status of the population; (4) the biological and 
behavioral characteristics of the species, which is expected to limit 
the amount of interactions between walruses, polar bears, and Industry; 
(5) the nature of oil and gas Industry activities; (6) the potential 
effects of Industry activities on the species, which will not impact 
the rates of recruitment and survival of polar bears and walruses in 
the Chukchi Sea region; (7) the documented impacts of Industry 
activities on the species, where nonlethal, temporary, passive takes of 
animals occur, taking into consideration cumulative effects; (8) 
potential impacts of declining sea ice due to climate change, where 
both walruses and polar bears can potentially be redistributed to 
locations outside the areas of Industry activity due to their fidelity 
to sea ice; (9) mitigation measures that will minimize Industry impacts 
through adaptive management; and (10) other data provided by monitoring 
activities through the incidental take program in the Beaufort Sea 
(1993 to 2011) and in the Chukchi Sea (1989 to 1996 and 2006 to 2011).
    In making these findings, we considered the following:
    (1) The distribution of the species (through 10 years of aerial 
surveys and studies of feeding ecology, and analysis of pack ice 
position and Pacific walrus and polar bear distribution);
    (2) The biological characteristics of the species (through harvest 
data, biopsy information, and radio telemetry data);
    (3) The nature of oil and gas Industry activities;
    (4) The potential effects of Industry activities and potential oil 
spills on the species;
    (5) The probability of oil spills occurring;
    (6) The documented impacts of Industry activities on the species 
taking into consideration cumulative effects;
    (7) The potential impacts of climate change, where both walruses 
and polar bears can potentially be displaced from preferred habitat;
    (8) Mitigation measures designed to minimize Industry impacts 
through adaptive management; and
    (9) Other data provided by Industry monitoring programs in the 
Beaufort and Chukchi seas.
    We also considered the specific Congressional direction in 
balancing the potential for a significant impact with the likelihood of 
that event occurring. The specific Congressional direction that 
justifies balancing probabilities with impacts follows:

    If potential effects of a specified activity are conjectural or 
speculative, a finding of negligible impact may be appropriate. A 
finding of negligible impact may also be appropriate if the 
probability of occurrence is low but the potential effects may be 
significant. In this case, the probability of occurrence of impacts 
must be balanced with the potential severity of harm to the species 
or stock when determining negligible impact. In applying this 
balancing test, the Service will thoroughly evaluate the risks 
involved and the potential impacts on marine mammal populations. 
Such a determination will be made based on the best available 
scientific information [53 FR 8474, March 15, 1988; 132 Cong. Rec. S 
16305 (October 15, 1986)].

    We reviewed the effects of the oil and gas Industry activities on 
polar bears and walruses, including impacts from noise, physical 
obstructions, human encounters, and oil spills. Based on our review of 
these potential impacts, past LOA monitoring reports, and the biology 
and natural history of walruses and polar bears, we conclude that any 
incidental take reasonably likely to or reasonably expected to occur as 
a result of Industry activities will have a negligible impact on polar 
bear and Pacific walrus populations. Furthermore, we do not expect 
these disturbances to affect the annual rates of recruitment or 
survival for the walrus and polar bear populations. These regulations 
will not authorize lethal take, and we do not anticipate any lethal 
take will occur.
    The probability of an oil spill from exploration activities that 
would cause significant impacts to walruses and polar bears appears to 
be low during the 5-year timeframe of these regulations. In the 
unlikely event of a catastrophic spill, we will take immediate action 
to minimize the impacts to these species and reconsider the 
appropriateness of authorizations for incidental taking through section 
101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA.
    Our finding of ``negligible impact'' applies to incidental take 
associated with the oil and gas exploration activities as mitigated 
through the regulatory process. The regulations establish monitoring 
and reporting requirements to evaluate the potential impacts of 
authorized activities, as well as mitigation measures designed to 
minimize interactions with and impacts to walruses and polar bears. We 
will evaluate each request for an LOA based on the specific activity 
and the specific geographic location where the activities are projected 
to occur to ensure that the level of activity and potential take is 
consistent with our finding of negligible impact. Depending on the 
results of the evaluation, we may grant the authorization, add further 
operating restrictions, or deny the authorization.
    Conditions are attached to each LOA. These conditions minimize 
interference with normal breeding, feeding, and possible migration 
patterns to ensure that the effects to the species remain negligible. A 
complete list and description of conditions attached to all LOAs is 
found at the end of this document in the changes to 50 CFR 18.118. 
Examples of conditions include, but are not limited to: (1) These 
regulations do not authorize intentional taking of polar bears or 
walruses or lethal incidental take; (2) for the protection of pregnant 
polar bears during denning activities (den selection, birthing, and 
maturation of cubs) in known denning areas, Industry activities may be 
restricted in specific locations during specified times of the year; 
and (3) each activity covered by an LOA requires a site specific plan 
of operation and a site specific polar bear and walrus interaction 
plan. We may add additional measures depending upon site specific and 
species specific concerns. We will analyze the required plan of 
operation and interaction plans to ensure that the level of activity 
and possible take are consistent with our finding that total incidental 
takes will have a negligible impact on polar bear and walruses and, 
where relevant, will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the 
availability of these species for subsistence uses.

[[Page 35404]]

    Further, because of our concerns over the HSWUA, we have determined 
that minimizing potential disturbance to walruses during the period of 
July through September, when they may be concentrated in large numbers 
and heavily utilizing this food rich environment, is necessary to 
ensure their continued contribution to the marine environment. 
Therefore, we have also determined that, for Industry activities such 
as seismic surveys and exploration drilling, it is unlikely that LOAs 
issued by the Service pursuant to the ITRs would authorize take from 
such activities in the HSWUA during times of high walrus use. As 
individual LOA applications are received, we will examine the proposed 
activities in light of the boundaries of the HSWUA, actual walrus 
distributions at that time, and the timing of the proposed activities. 
If the Service determines that the proposed activity is likely to 
negatively impact more than small numbers of walruses, we will consider 
whether additional mitigation and monitoring measures, including 
seasonal and spatial restrictions, could reduce any potential impacts 
to meet the small numbers and negligible impact standards. The Service 
will make those determinations on a case-by-case basis.
    We have evaluated climate change in regard to polar bears and 
walruses. Although climate change is a worldwide phenomenon, it was 
analyzed as a contributing effect that could alter polar bear and 
walrus habitat and behavior. Climate change could alter walrus and 
polar bear habitat because seasonal changes, such as extended duration 
of open water, may preclude sea ice habitat use and restrict some 
animals to coastal areas. The reduction of sea ice extent, caused by 
climate change, may also affect the timing of walrus and polar bear 
seasonal movements between the coastal regions and the pack ice. If the 
sea ice continues to recede as predicted, it is hypothesized that polar 
bears may spend more time on land rather than on sea ice similar to 
what has been recorded in Hudson Bay, Canada. Climate change could also 
alter terrestrial denning habitat through coastal erosion brought about 
by accelerated wave action. The challenge will be predicting changes in 
ice habitat, barrier islands, and coastal habitats in relation to 
changes in polar bear and walrus distribution and use of habitat.
    Climate change over time continues to be a major concern to the 
Service, and we are currently involved in the collection of baseline 
data to help us understand how the effects of climate change will be 
manifested in the Chukchi Sea walrus and polar bear populations. As we 
gain a better understanding of climate change effects on the Chukchi 
Sea population, we will incorporate the information in future actions. 
Ongoing studies include those led by the Service and the USGS Alaska 
Science Center to examine polar bear and walrus habitat use, 
reproduction, and survival relative to a changing sea ice environment. 
Specific objectives of the project include: An enhanced understanding 
of walrus and polar bear habitat availability and quality influenced by 
ongoing climate changes and the response by polar bears and walruses; 
the effects of walrus and polar bear responses to climate-induced 
changes to the sea ice environment on body condition of adults, numbers 
and sizes of offspring, and survival of offspring to weaning 
(recruitment); and population age structure.

Impact on Subsistence Take

    Based on the best scientific information available and the results 
of harvest data, including affected villages, the number of animals 
harvested, the season of the harvests, and the location of hunting 
areas, we find that the effects of the exploration activities in the 
Chukchi Sea region will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the 
availability of walruses and polar bears for taking for subsistence 
uses during the period of the rule. In making this finding, we 
considered the following: (1) Historical data regarding the timing and 
location of harvests; (2) effectiveness of mitigation measures 
stipulated by Service regulations for obtaining an LOA at 50 CFR 
18.118, which includes requirements for community consultations and 
POCs, as appropriate, between the applicants and affected Native 
communities; (3) the BOEM/BSEE issued operational permits; (4) records 
on subsistence harvest from the Service's Marking, Tagging, and 
Reporting Program; (5) community consultations; (6) effectiveness of 
the POC process between Industry and affected Native communities; and 
(7) anticipated 5-year effects of Industry activities on subsistence 
hunting.
    Applicants must use methods and conduct activities identified in 
their LOAs in a manner that minimizes to the greatest extent 
practicable adverse impacts on walruses and polar bears, their habitat, 
and on the availability of these marine mammals for subsistence uses. 
Prior to receipt of an LOA, Industry must provide evidence to us that 
community consultations have occurred and that an adequate POC has been 
presented to the subsistence communities. Industry will be required to 
contact subsistence communities that may be affected by its activities 
to discuss potential conflicts caused by location, timing, and methods 
of proposed operations. Industry must make reasonable efforts to ensure 
that activities do not interfere with subsistence hunting and that 
adverse effects on the availability of polar bear or walruses are 
minimized. Documentation of all consultations must be included in LOA 
applications. Documentation must include meeting minutes, a summary of 
any concerns identified by community members, and the applicant's 
responses to identified concerns. If community concerns suggest that 
Industry activities could have an adverse impact on the subsistence 
uses of these species, conflict avoidance issues must be addressed 
through a POC. The POC will help ensure that oil and gas activities 
will continue to not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the 
availability of the species or stock for subsistence uses.
    Where prescribed, holders of LOAs must have a POC on file with the 
Service and on site. The POC must address how applicants will work with 
potentially affected Native communities and what actions will be taken 
to avoid interference with subsistence hunting opportunities for 
walruses and polar bears. The POC must include:
    1. A description of the procedures by which the holder of the LOA 
will work and consult with potentially affected subsistence hunters.
    2. A description of specific measures that have been or will be 
taken to avoid or minimize interference with subsistence hunting of 
walruses and polar bears, and to ensure continued availability of the 
species for subsistence use.
    The Service will review the POC to ensure any potential adverse 
effects on the availability of the animals are minimized. The Service 
will reject POCs if they do not provide adequate safeguards to ensure 
that marine mammals will remain available for subsistence use.
    The Service has not received any reports and is aware of no 
information that indicates that polar bears or walruses are being or 
will be deflected from hunting areas or impacted in any way that 
diminishes their availability for subsistence use by the expected level 
of oil and gas activity. If there is evidence during the 5-year period 
of these regulations that oil and gas activities are affecting the 
availability of walruses or polar bears for take for subsistence uses, 
we will reevaluate our findings regarding permissible limits of take 
and the measures required to

[[Page 35405]]

ensure continued subsistence hunting opportunities.

Monitoring and Reporting

    The purpose of monitoring requirements is to assess the effects of 
industrial activities on polar bears and walruses, to ensure that take 
is consistent with that anticipated in the negligible impact and 
subsistence use analyses, and to detect any unanticipated effects on 
the species. Monitoring plans document when and how bears and walruses 
are encountered, the number of bears and walruses, and their behavior 
during the encounter. This information allows the Service to measure 
encounter rates and trends of bear and walrus activity in the 
industrial areas (such as numbers and gender, activity, seasonal use) 
and to estimate numbers of animals potentially affected by Industry. 
Monitoring plans are site-specific and dependent on the proximity of 
the activity to important habitat areas, such as den sites, travel 
corridors, and food sources; however, all Industry operators are 
required to report all sightings of polar bears and walruses. To the 
extent possible, monitors will record group size, age, sex, reaction, 
duration of interaction, and closest approach to Industry. Activities 
within the coast of the geographic region may incorporate daily watch 
logs as well, which record 24-hour animal observations throughout the 
duration of the project. Polar bear monitors will be incorporated into 
the monitoring plan if bears are known to frequent the area or known 
polar bear dens are present in the area. At offshore Industry sites, 
systematic monitoring protocols will be implemented to statistically 
monitor observation trends of walruses or polar bears in the nearshore 
areas where they usually occur.
    Monitoring activities are summarized and reported in a formal 
report each year. The applicant must submit an annual monitoring and 
reporting plan at least 90 days prior to the initiation of an activity, 
and the applicant must submit a final monitoring report to us no later 
than 90 days after the completion of the activity. We base each year's 
monitoring objective on the previous year's monitoring results.
    We require an approved plan for monitoring and reporting the 
effects of oil and gas Industry exploration, development, and 
production activities on polar bears and walruses prior to issuance of 
an LOA. Since production activities are continuous and long-term, upon 
approval, LOAs and their required monitoring and reporting plans will 
be issued for the life of the activity or until the expiration of the 
regulations, whichever occurs first. Each year, prior to January 15, we 
require that the operator submit development and production activity 
monitoring results of the previous year's activity. We require approval 
of the monitoring results for continued operation under the LOA.
Treaty Obligations
    The regulations are consistent with the Bilateral Agreement for the 
Conservation and Management of the Polar Bear between the United States 
and the Russian Federation. Article II of the Polar Bear Agreement 
lists three obligations of the Parties in protecting polar bear 
habitat:
    (1) ``Take appropriate action to protect the ecosystem of which 
polar bears are a part'';
    (2) ``Give special attention to habitat components such as denning 
and feeding sites and migration patterns''; and
    (3) ``Manage polar bear populations in accordance with sound 
conservation practices based on the best available scientific data.''
    This rule is also consistent with the Service's treaty obligations 
because it incorporates mitigation measures that ensure the protection 
of polar bear habitat. LOAs for industrial activities are conditioned 
to include area or seasonal timing limitations or prohibitions, such as 
placing 1-mile avoidance buffers around known or observed dens (which 
halts or limits activity until the bear naturally leaves the den), 
building roads perpendicular to the coast to allow for polar bear 
movements along the coast, and monitoring the effects of the activities 
on polar bears. Available denning habitat maps are provided by the 
USGS.

Summary of Changes From the Proposed Rule

    In preparing these final regulations for the Pacific walrus and 
polar bear, we reviewed and considered comments and information from 
the public on our proposed rule published in the Federal Register on 
January 9, 2013 (78 FR 1942). We also considered the analysis in our 
environmental assessment (EA). Based on those considerations, we are 
finalizing these regulations with the following changes from our 
proposed rule:
    In this final rule, we have clarified:
    (1) Numerical limitation on seismic and drilling operations;
    (2) Geographic region subject to ITRs;
    (3) Icebreaking and ice management issues;
    (4) The definition and geographic delineation of Hanna Shoal as 
utilized by Pacific walruses;
    (5) Special mitigation measures for coastal haulouts;
    (6) Special mitigation measures for HSWUA;
    (7) Spacing requirements for seismic vessels and exploratory 
drilling operations;
    (8) Research studies and monitoring issues;
    (9) The timing of activities;
    (10) Helicopter height restrictions;
    (11) The definition of a walrus group;
    (12) Walrus Level B Harassment issues;
    (13) Mitigation measures for vessel speeds;
    (14) Treatment of polar bear critical habitat;
    (15) Ice seal ESA listing; and
    (16) Incentivizing new technology.

Summary of and Responses to Comments and Recommendations

    During the public comment period, we requested written comments 
from the public in order to ensure that any final action be as accurate 
and as effective as possible. The comment period on the proposed ITRs 
opened on January 9, 2013 (78 FR 1942), and closed on February 8, 2013. 
During that time, we received 15 submissions from the public; these 
included comments on the proposed rule as well as the draft EA.
    The Service received comments from the Marine Mammal Commission, 
State of Alaska, private companies, trade and environmental 
organizations, and the general public. We reviewed all comments 
received for substantive issues, new information, and recommendations 
regarding these ITRs and the draft EA. The comments on the proposed 
ITRs, aggregated by subject matter, summarized and addressed below, are 
incorporated into the final rule as appropriate. The Service has 
summarized and responded to comments pertaining to the draft EA in our 
final EA.

Response to Comments

1. Project Specific
    Comment 1: Numerous commenters expressed general opposition to the 
promulgation of the ITRs.
    Response: Language within section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA requires 
the Service to allow the incidental taking of small numbers of marine 
mammals provided the Service has made certain determinations regarding 
the specified activity; simply choosing to not promulgate regulations 
is not consistent with these statutory requirements.

[[Page 35406]]

    Comment 2: The ITRs appear to regulate the level of exploration 
activities that could be conducted in the Chukchi Sea to 1 per year; 
this is too restrictive and the level should be increased to consider 
multiple simultaneous operations.
    Response: The Service does not regulate the level or type of 
exploration activities conducted by Industry. Instead as required by 
section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA, the Service analyzes those activities 
associated with a request by a petitioner in considering potential 
impacts to Pacific walruses and polar bears for the purpose of 
promulgating regulations regarding the incidental take of these 
species. Specifically, we have based our take estimates for these two 
species on the types and levels of activities that have been described 
to us in AOGA's January 13, 2012, petition.
    The petition identified one seismic activity per year for the 5-
year regulatory period. However, the Service has the discretion in 
conducting its analysis to assess the potential impacts that more 
frequent activities may have on polar bears or Pacific walruses. We 
chose to analyze the potential impacts of two seismic operations on 
polar bears and Pacific walruses to make sure we did not underestimate 
inputs in our analysis; this was also based on the level of activities 
proposed in prior years. The text of this final rule has been updated 
to explain this analysis.
    Comment 3: The Service provided no science-based rationale for the 
limit on the number of simultaneous operations.
    Response: In most instances, the Service analyzes the potential 
effects of Industry activities in the geographic region based mainly on 
information presented in the petition. In this case the Service's 
analysis is based on an assessment of inputs from a greater number of 
annual operations than requested by the petitioners as previously 
explained. Based on this analysis, the Service has determined that 
issuing regulations for the incidental take of polar bears and walruses 
that may result from Industry activities is appropriate. In issuing the 
regulations, the Service is neither authorizing nor restricting the 
actual activities that may occur. Rather, it is evaluating the impacts 
from activities that may warrant incidental take authorization.
    Comment 4: The regulations should identify and include the specific 
types and numbers of activities upon which the Service has made its 
small numbers and negligible impacts findings.
    Response: As discussed in previous regulations (see 73 FR 33212; 
June 11, 2008), these regulations provide petitioners an overall 
``umbrella'' set of guidelines which, when followed, allow certain oil 
and gas exploration activities to proceed in such a manner that 
minimizes the potential incidental take of polar bears and Pacific 
walruses. This ensures that no more than small numbers will be taken, 
there is no more than a negligible impact on these species, and there 
is no unmitigable impact on subsistence use of these species. To that 
end, the Service has described the general types of activities to be 
authorized, as requested by the petitioners; the projected scale of 
each activity; and the anticipated impacts that could occur during the 
specified time period. The regulations acknowledge that in the planning 
phases, most projects contain some element of uncertainty. 
Consequently, in addition to requiring certain mitigation measures 
common to all projects, a separate LOA will be required for each 
specific survey, seismic, or drilling activity. This allows each 
specific LOA request to be evaluated for additional mitigation methods 
over and above those required in the umbrella guidelines. The 
regulations set forth in this final rule specify those mitigation 
measures required for all oil and gas activities, as well as those 
mitigation measures that may be required depending on the type or 
location of the activity. Further, these regulations describe under 
what conditions the various types of mitigation measure will be 
required.
    Comment 5: The regulations should refrain from authorizing taking 
of marine mammals incidental to in-ice surveys until the Service has 
either (1) proposed regulations to authorize such taking, given the 
public an opportunity to comment on those regulations, and issued final 
regulations that specifically authorize such taking or (2) issued an 
alternative authorization for those activities (e.g., an incidental 
harassment authorization).
    Response: The petitioner did not request in-ice seismic programs. 
As a result, the regulations do not authorize incidental take 
associated with them.
    Comment 6: The geographic region identified in the proposed rule 
does not include the full area set forth in AOGA's petition, or 
alternately offer an explanation as to why it modified the map.
    Response: In the absence of specific information about where 
activities are projected to occur in this area, we analyzed the effects 
of potential activities in the geographic region of the prior 
regulations (73 FR 33212; June 11, 2008), including the NPR-A. We will 
address any activities proposed for those areas outside the geographic 
region of these ITRs on a case-by-case basis, considering the use of 
other potential management tools under provisions of the MMPA other 
than section 101(a)(5)(A) to minimize take of polar bears and walruses.
    Comment 7: The Service does not identify ``specific geographic 
regions'' within which Industry activities will occur.
    Response: We disagree. The specific geographic region is identified 
as the Chukchi Sea, including near shore and coastal land areas, and is 
described in these final regulations in the Description of Geographic 
Region section. This description of the geographic region is the same 
as that set forth in our proposed regulations.
    Comment 8: The Service did not analyze the impact of Industry 
activities in all areas where those activities will occur.
    Response: We disagree. The Service's analysis encompassed the 
potential impacts of the Industry activities as identified in the 
petitioners' request. This analysis was unique to the specified 
geographical region as discussed above.
    Comment 9: The Service may not authorize takes of any marine 
mammals in the Chukchi Sea until it requires Industry applicants to 
disclose more specific geographical regions in which they intend to 
operate during the course of the next 5 years, makes that information 
available to the public, and provides an opportunity for the public to 
comment.
    Response: By issuing the regulations here, the Service has 
considered the effects of Industry activities, as set forth in the 
petition, in the geographic area described previously. Based on this 
information and projected effects of these activities, the Service has 
determined that no more than small numbers will be taken, the 
activities are likely to have a negligible impact on polar bears and 
Pacific walruses, the activities and will not have an unmitigable 
adverse impact on the availability of those species for subsistence 
use. Based on this determination, individual LOAs may be requested and 
granted for activities based on a more specific description of the 
nature, location, and timing of the activities provided during the LOA 
application process.
    Comment 10: The Service should provide a reasoned explanation for 
including the coverage of the Barrow Gas Fields within the final rule 
when it was not requested by the petitioners.

[[Page 35407]]

    Response: We agree. The petition did not specifically identify the 
Barrow Gas Fields in its request to the Service for the issuance of 
ITRs. However, the petition did include a description of this area as 
part of its request. Additionally, a portion of the Barrow Gas Fields 
are similarly described in our ITRs issued on August 3, 2011, for the 
Beaufort Sea (76 FR 47010), while the remainder is located in the 
Chukchi Sea geographic region. Therefore, as part of this analysis, the 
Service opted to include the Barrow Gas Fields in the event that LOAs 
for activities on the Chukchi Sea side of the field are requested.
    Comment 11: The Service should include accurate descriptions of 
additional types of surveys, such as 4D, multi-azimuth, full-azimuth, 
and/or ocean bottom seismic surveys in the proposed rule or EA so that 
they are included in the scope of activities considered.
    Response: We agree, and note that all activities described and 
requested within AOGA's petition were analyzed in our proposed rule as 
well as these final regulations, and they are discussed in the 
Description of Activities section.
    Comment 12: The estimated airgun array size (4,000 cubic inches) 
should be increased to 6,000 cubic inches to better reflect potential 
activities and to reflect the range of volumes currently used by 
Industry.
    Response: While Industry and government analysis standards may be 
6,000 cubic inches, the petitioners only described estimated gun arrays 
of up to 4,000 cubic inches in the petition. Thus, the Service only 
considered the use of airguns up to 4,000 cubic inches.
    Comment 13: The ITRs should not authorize Arctic ice-breaking due 
to the concern of the effects ice breaking may have on climate change.
    Response: These regulations do not allow ``Arctic ice-breaking'' as 
the commenter suggests. This rule evaluates the potential incidental 
take of polar bears and Pacific walruses by a proposed group of 
activities and provides a process by which an authorization may be 
obtained for such take. The petitioners did not propose ``ice-
breaking'' as an activity, but do propose ``ice management,'' which may 
include some ice-breaking. As proposed by the petitioners, ice 
management would consist of actively pushing the ice off its trajectory 
with the bow of the ice management vessel, but some ice-breaking could 
be required for the safety of property and assets, such as a drill rig. 
This was considered and analyzed in the development of these ITRs.
2. Project Impacts
    Comment 14: The Service should consider the cumulative impacts of 
exploration, including ice-breaking, as a climate hazard, where sea ice 
will be broken with icebreaker vessels deflecting ice floes from drill 
rigs.
    Response: The scope of climate change goes beyond this regulatory 
analysis, which is to determine whether the total level of incidental 
take as a result of the exploration activities proposed by the oil and 
gas Industry will affect only small numbers of polar bears and 
walruses, have a negligible impact on these animals, and have no 
unmitigable adverse impact on subsistence use of these species. For 
this analysis, the only ice breaking we analyzed is that which may 
occur if a large floe needed to be deflected from Industry equipment 
(including ships and drilling platforms), and whether breaking up that 
floe would be necessary for success and safety. For example, in 2012, 
ice management was required during a total of 7 days from August 31 to 
September 13, and was limited to nine discrete isolated events. Of 
these nine events, ice was broken apart only two times. Further, if ice 
floes are too large, the drill rig will cease operations, secure the 
site, release the anchors, and move from the site until the floe has 
passed, as occurred in 2012, at the Burger A prospect, where the drill 
ship was moved off-site for 10 days to avoid ice.
    Comment 15: The Service needs to consider the greenhouse gas 
emissions (GHG) involved in exploration activities in the Arctic 
region.
    Response: While the Service recognizes the primary threat to the 
continued existence of the polar bear is loss of sea ice habitat due to 
climate change, and loss of sea ice habitat is also of concern for the 
Pacific walrus, the Service addressed its position on GHG in a final 
rule establishing a special rule under section 4(d) of the ESA for the 
polar bear (78 FR 11766; February 20, 2013). In that rule, the Service 
finds that while GHG emissions are clearly contributing to climate 
change, the comprehensive authority to regulate those emissions is not 
found in the statutes that govern the management of marine mammals, 
such as the MMPA or the ESA. The challenge posed by climate change and 
its ultimate solution is much broader. Federal and State governments, 
Industry, and nonprofit organizations are exploring ways to 
collectively reduce GHG emissions as we continue to meet our nation's 
energy needs.
    The Service is working in other arenas to address the effects of 
climate change on polar bears. For example, the Service's recently 
released ``Rising to the Urgent Challenge: Strategic Plan for 
Responding to Accelerating Climate Change'' (https://www.fws.gov/home/climatechange/pdf/CCStrategicPlan.pdf) acknowledges that no single 
organization or agency can address an environmental challenge of such 
global proportions without allying itself with others in partnerships 
across the nation and around the world. Specifically, this Strategic 
Plan commits the Service to (1) lay out our vision for accomplishing 
our mission to ``work with others to conserve, protect, and enhance 
fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing 
benefit of the American people'' in the face of accelerating climate 
change and (2) provide direction for our own organization and its 
employees, defining our role within the context of the Department of 
the Interior and the larger conservation community.
    Comment 16: The Service should consider potential impacts to under-
ice phytoplankton algal blooms in the Chukchi Sea resulting from ice-
breaking activities.
    Response: Because activities will be conducted primarily during the 
open-water period, well after any bloom may occur, potential impacts to 
the under-ice algal bloom due to ice-breaking are expected to be 
insignificant.
    Comment 17: This regulation could negatively impact other migrating 
and local species integral to the ecosystem.
    Response: In this rule, the Service analyzed incidental take and 
potential impacts of potential Industry activities on Pacific walruses 
and polar bears. These regulations do not address the other species 
potentially affected by Industry activities; those effects are 
described in other agency documents, such as BOEM's Chukchi Sea 
Planning Area, Oil and Gas Lease Sale 193 Final Environmental Impact 
Statement (FEIS). However, the specified period of open-water 
operations and affiliated mitigation measures are designed to account 
for the bulk of the walrus migration and will likely reduce conflicts 
with other local and migrating marine mammals and birds.
    Comment 18: Current noise conditions should be documented in the 
arctic marine environment.
    Response: We agree. However, documenting noise conditions in the 
arctic is a large, complex, and expensive task. Ambient noise, vessel 
traffic noise, seismic survey noises, drilling noise, ice-management 
noise, etc., have been documented since 2006, through

[[Page 35408]]

ongoing cooperative studies. A study investigating baseline acoustic 
and environmental noise in the Chukchi Sea is currently underway and 
will continue under these regulations.
    Comment 19: One commenter expressed concern that the cumulative 
addition of any potential fatal impacts from oil and gas Industry 
activities will push both species closer to extinction.
    Response: The petition did not include, and these regulations do 
not authorize, lethal incidental take of Pacific walruses or polar 
bears. Nevertheless, the Service has considered a potential for 
accidental death to an animal. For example, a polar bear did die in the 
Southern Beaufort Sea in 2011, as a result of Industry activities. 
Based on our analysis, we have determined that the likelihood of a 
lethal take is small and the impact to polar bear and Pacific walrus 
populations is negligible The Service is only authorizing nonlethal, 
unintentional incidental take.
    Comment 20: The Service did not model for an oil spill in the 
Chukchi Sea. Had the Service modeled the impacts of a very large oil 
spill in the Chukchi Sea, the take estimates for the permitted 
activities would have been much greater, calling into question its 
small numbers and negligible impact determinations.
    Response: We acknowledge that an oil spill is a possible outcome of 
Industry activity, and for this reason we have analyzed and discussed 
potential spills and their impacts to Pacific walruses or polar bears 
(see Potential Impacts of Waste Product Discharge and Oil Spills on 
Pacific Walruses and Polar Bears). For our evaluation, we relied on the 
BOEM oil spill models described in the BOEM Lease Sale 193 EIS and 
Supplemental EIS, and based on our analysis we conclude that the 
probabilities of a large oil spill are low. Should such a spill occur, 
oil will impact any animals that come in contact with it; therefore, we 
are currently working on developing an oil spill risk assessment model 
specific to polar bears in the Chukchi Sea as well as updating our oil 
spill response plan for Pacific walrus.
    Comment 21: One commenter stated that even if the probability of a 
blowout and very large oil spill in the Chukchi Sea is low, the 
magnitude of the consequences of such a spill make it worthy of 
consideration.
    Response: The Service considered the impacts of a very large spill 
to Pacific walruses and polar bears (see Potential Impacts of Waste 
Product Discharge and Oil Spills on Pacific Walruses and Polar Bears). 
To date, there have been no major spills associated with exploration 
activities in either the Beaufort or Chukchi Seas. Large spills (>1,000 
bbls) have historically been associated with production facilities or 
at pipelines connecting wells to the pipeline system. It is anticipated 
that during the authorized exploratory activities, adherence to the 
current regulatory standards and practices for prevention, containment, 
and clean-up will minimize potential adverse impacts from oil spills. 
In the unlikely event of a very large spill, we will reassess the 
impacts to the polar bear and walrus populations and reconsider the 
appropriateness of authorizations for taking through this regulation 
under section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA.
    Comment 22: One commenter stated that a stronger oil spill response 
plan should be developed and more research needs to be conducted on 
information gaps before activities are permitted.
    Response: Research efforts that may serve to enhance our 
understanding of the potential response needs in the event of an oil 
spill event are ongoing. For example, there are currently numerous 
research projects investigating many of the ecosystem components of the 
Chukchi Sea, such as the Chukchi Sea Environmental Studies Program 
sponsored by the Industry, ecosystem studies funded by BOEM 
Environmental Studies Program, walrus and polar bear research conducted 
by USGS and the Service, and the Aerial Surveys of Arctic Marine 
Mammals project conducted by NMFS. The Service has used and will 
continue to use both preliminary and final results of this research in 
the development of ITRs when and where applicable. Also, the Service 
continues to contribute to the oil spill response plans developed by 
the USCG, which are continuously being improved as new information, 
technology, and infrastructure becomes available.
    Comment 23: With high winds and rough weather, it is quite easy for 
waste products to leave the vessels and quickly pollute the surrounding 
environment. This could cause further damage and interruption to the 
ecosystem and the life cycle of polar bears.
    Response: It is beyond the authority of the Service and the MMPA to 
regulate potential accidental waste product discharge into the 
environment. Waste product discharge into the environment is regulated 
under other laws and permits, such as provisions of the Clean Water Act 
(33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) and the Oil Pollution Act (33 U.S.C. 2701 et 
seq.), among others. We have, however, taken such an eventuality into 
account in our small spill analysis and have determined that there is a 
low probability of such an occurrence. We have further determined that 
any potential impacts will affect only a small number of polar bears 
and Pacific walruses, will have a negligible impact on these species, 
and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on their availability 
for subsistence uses.
3. Mitigation and Monitoring
    Comment 24: The Service should reconsider seasonal mitigation 
procedures, including seasonal exclusions, that will be required near 
coastal haulouts and, specifically, near the Hanna Shoal area because 
they may result in unnecessary and burdensome exclusions from areas 
located near purchased leases.
    Response: The general protective measures associated with these 
ITRs include limitation on Industry activities around walruses on land 
or ice and are intended to prevent mortality and level A harassment 
(potential to injure) resulting from panic responses and intra-specific 
trauma (e.g., trampling injuries by large groups of animals). These 
standards are based upon the best available information concerning 
walrus flight responses to vessels and aircrafts, and are consistent 
with current guidelines in other parts of Alaska. The potential for 
intra-specific trauma is greatly reduced when animals are encountered 
in the water. Although these mitigation measures are also expected to 
help reduce incidences of Level B (potential to disturb) harassment, 
they are not intended to completely eliminate the possibility of 
disturbances. Required monitoring during operations is expected to 
contribute data regarding flight responses, which will be used to 
evaluate the efficacy of these buffer areas in future impact 
assessments.
    Additionally, we recognize that the Hanna Shoal area is an 
important feeding area for Pacific walruses regardless of sea ice 
presence or not. For example, telemetry studies indicate that animals 
will travel to the region even when there is no sea ice to haulout on, 
and once feeding bouts are complete, the animals will return to shore-
based resting areas. This ensures continued, undisturbed access to this 
highly productive feeding area and is consistent with our determination 
of minimal impacts to the overall health and well-being of the Pacific 
walrus, where any potential impacts will affect only small numbers of 
walruses, will have a negligible impact on them, and will not have an 
unmitigable adverse

[[Page 35409]]

impact on their availability for subsistence uses.
    Comment 25: The Service should define the Hanna Shoal referenced in 
the rule.
    Response: We agree with this comment, and text has been added to 
the regulations.
    Comment 26: Several commenters wanted further clarification on the 
provisions for seasonal restrictions and mitigation measures on oil and 
gas exploration and support activities near coastal haulout areas and 
in the travel corridor between Hanna Shoal and those areas.
    Response: Walruses occupying coastal haulout areas along Alaska's 
Chukchi Sea coast are protected from disturbances through a variety of 
measures. Currently, the Service works in collaboration with the 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish seasonal over-flight 
restrictions, and with the USCG to establish marine buffer areas to 
coastal walrus haulouts throughout Alaska. Through general guidance on 
how to operate around haulouts and temporary closures, these buffer 
areas help to protect and minimize disturbance to the haulouts. The 
flight restrictions and approach guidelines for marine vessels 
operating near coastal walrus haulouts set forth in these regulations 
are consistent with those in place in other areas (e.g., Bristol Bay) 
where coastal walrus haulouts develop. When a coastal haulout develops, 
the Service works with the FAA and USCG to establish airspace closures 
and marine buffer areas around the haulout. Haulout occupancy is 
monitored in collaboration with the NSB, the Alaska Department of Fish 
and Game, the NMFS, and local communities. These restrictions and 
monitoring remain in place until the haulout disbands, typically by 
mid-October. These restrictions have proven to be effective at 
mitigating disturbance events that can result in incidental injury and 
mortality.
    Satellite telemetry studies of walruses occupying the eastern 
Chukchi Sea (Jay et al. 2012) indicate that most animals are utilizing 
a haulout area 4 miles (7.4 km) north of the coastal community of Point 
Lay. In addition to existing seasonal flight restrictions and marine 
buffer areas specific to coastal walrus haulouts, Industry-associated 
vessels and aircraft are restricted within an area of Ledyard Bay that 
is designated critical habitat for the spectacled eider (66 FR 9146; 
February 6, 2001); we refer to this area as the Ledyard Bay Critical 
Habitat Unit (LBCHU), and it extends seaward out approximately 40 miles 
(74 km) from the Point Lay haulout site. Although the operating 
restrictions in the LBCHU are intended primarily to provide protection 
to spectacled eiders, they also effectively serve to establish a 
protective buffer area from Industry activities at the Point Lay walrus 
haulout, and their migratory routes to offshore feeding areas. 
Telemetry data suggest that most walrus activity occurring near the 
Point Lay walrus haulout occurs in August and September in an area 
encompassed by LBCHU. Aircraft and marine vessels are restricted in the 
LBCHU between July 1 and November 15.
    Industry activities authorized under these ITRs are also restricted 
within a 40-mile (74-km) radius of all coastal communities along the 
Chukchi Sea coast (including the community of Point Lay), unless 
expressly provided for in a POC. Although the intent of this 
restriction is to prevent interference with traditional marine mammal 
hunting activities, it also provides protection to walruses hauled out 
onto land or migrating through areas near the communities. The Service 
will review any request to operate within these defined subsistence 
buffer areas for consistency with our small numbers determination, and 
our finding that authorized activities will have a negligible impact on 
polar bears and walruses, and will not have an unmitigable adverse 
impact on the availability of these species for taking for subsistence 
uses.
    Comment 27: The Service should do more to affirmatively protect the 
Hanna Shoal area from any activities that could disturb walruses from 
prohibiting all oil and gas activities on Hanna Shoal to creating time/
place restrictions and an exclusion zone around the shoal that 
precludes activity that could disturb walrus use of the shoal.
    Response: The separation distances described in the Response to 
Comment 26 will help mitigate impacts to walruses when at Hanna Shoal 
and when moving between Hanna Shoal and coastal haulouts. In the 
future, the cooperative studies to define important walrus areas within 
the Hanna Shoal area will inform our management of the area. However, 
to limit disturbance to walruses and to increase the effectiveness of 
the MMPA provisions and protect coastal haulouts, the Service works 
with BOEM, FAA, USCG, the State of Alaska, the NSB, and local 
communities to limit disturbances at haulouts. In addition, the 
Service's Office of Law Enforcement investigates reports of potential 
MMPA violations when and where they occur.
    We do not anticipate issuing LOAs for certain Industry activities 
in the HSWUA during times of high walrus use in the 5-year regulatory 
period. As individual LOA applications are received, we will examine 
the proposed activities in light of the boundaries of the HSWUA, actual 
walrus distributions at that time, and the timing of the proposed 
activities. If the Service determines that the proposed activity is 
likely to negatively impact more than small numbers of walruses, we 
will consider whether additional mitigation and monitoring measures, 
including seasonal and spatial restrictions, could reduce any potential 
impacts to meet the small numbers and negligible impact standards. The 
Service will make those determinations on a case-by-case basis.
    However, to protect the area effectively and consistently we need 
to explicitly define the boundaries of the area. As noted above, we 
have defined a HSWUA based on areas most important to walruses, as 
described earlier in this document.
    Comment 28: The 15-mile exclusion zone associated with open-water 
operations is a concept for penetration seismic operations developed by 
BOEM (formerly MMS) to minimize interference among operators. However, 
if there is a biological reason for this exclusion zone, the proposed 
rule should reference the source information.
    Response: As the commenters noted, the 15-mile exclusion zone was, 
in part, originally a BOEM stipulation for separation of seismic 
operations. As noted in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
for the Chukchi Sea Planning Area (OCS EIS/EA MMS 2007-026, May 2007), 
mitigation measures such as the 15-mile exclusion zone put in place for 
future exploration activities contributed to the protection of walruses 
and their continued availability to subsistence hunters (OCS EIS/EA MMS 
2007-026 page IV-147).
    Based on our best professional judgment, we agree and find that the 
15-mile buffer will ameliorate potential impacts to walrus by ensuring 
a corridor for walrus to transit without experiencing take caused from 
seismic or drill activities. Seismic surveys have the potential to 
cause temporary or permanent hearing damage, mask underwater 
communications, and displace animals from preferred habitat (Richardson 
et al. 1995; Kastak et al. 2005; NRC 2003, 2005). We have determined 
that the biological benefits of a 15-mile separation of activities 
include: Reduction of the potential for hearing damage; reduction of 
potential noise density in a single area while allowing routes and 
areas for walruses to exit an area; reduction of the

[[Page 35410]]

potential number of animals exposed to multiple activities 
simultaneously, or in sequence within a short period of time, thus 
reducing the potential for taking of marine mammals by disturbance, 
allowing for uninterrupted underwater vocal communications, reducing 
the cumulative effects of operations that are in close proximity to 
each other and walruses, and reducing the potential for seismic surveys 
to interfere with subsistence hunters. We have, therefore, determined 
that it is important, effective, and efficient to include this 15-mile 
exclusion zone as a part of our mitigation measures.
    This conclusion is consistent with the benefits attributed to 
cetaceans by a 15-mile buffer (see Supplemental draft EIS addressing 
effects of oil and gas operations in the Arctic, NOAA 2013). Further, 
because the requirement of a 15-mile buffer has been in place since 
publication of the 2008 Chukchi Sea ITRs and is already required by 
BOEM for operational reasons, we do not anticipate it will add a 
substantial burden.
    Comment 29: One commenter disagreed with the Service's 
characterization of ``ice scouting'' as a mitigation measure.
    Response: We are not requiring ice scouting as a potential 
mitigation measure rather, our intent is to require additional 
mitigation measures for the activity of ice scouting, if necessary, to 
minimize potential impacts to walruses or polar bears. For example, a 
mitigation measure of ice scouting could be a vessel setback from any 
animals observed on the ice. Although ice scouting is primarily an 
operational activity within the broader exploratory programs, it does 
have the potential to trigger mitigation measures. MMOs are on all ice 
scouting vessels, and vessels are often requested to reduce speed and 
alter course to maintain separation with walruses and polar bears when 
scouting ice. In addition, because walruses and polar bears are closely 
associated with the ice pack, ice scouting is valuable for identifying 
floes that harbor animals and providing information for operators of 
support vessels, aircraft, and drill rigs to avoid them.
    Comment 30: Two commenters requested clarification of the intent of 
our requirement that Industry ``track animals.'' The commenters 
indicated that physically tracking animals, whether by vessel, 
aircraft, or telemetry equipment, can increase harassment. The 
commenters requested that the rule clarify that qualified individuals 
should only ``observe'' Pacific walruses and polar bears 
opportunistically and that the rule not require that mammals be 
followed for the purposes of observation.
    Response: The only way to determine the longer-term impacts of 
Industry activities on marine mammals is to monitor impacts in some 
manner. This is important in assessing whether Industry activities meet 
the negligible impact requirement under the MMPA. Monitoring programs 
currently detect animals at the surface in proximity to vessels to 
initiate mitigation measures. Monitoring programs also document some of 
the immediate reactions of animals in proximity to Industry activities. 
However, we do not know the longer-term response of animals. Both of 
these types of data will inform the determination of whether there is 
only a negligible impact as required under the MMPA. To estimate 
longer-term impacts, there is a need to be able to monitor or ``track'' 
animals after exposure to any given activity in some fashion. That 
being said, we see this as a joint cooperative process between Industry 
and the regulatory agencies. When opportunities arise, we should take 
advantage of them to further our understanding of impacts to animals 
and address these information gaps. The inclusion of ``tracking 
animals'' in the monitoring and mitigation measures is to provide a 
mechanism by which the Service may work with Industry to accomplish 
this goal. Any such studies would need to be authorized under an 
appropriate scientific research permit.
    Comment 31: The proposed rule includes a number of new mitigation 
and monitoring provisions that are either not included in current (or 
previous) ITRs for the Chukchi Sea.
    Response: The Service recognizes that new or adjusted mitigation 
and monitoring has been included in these regulations and has added 
clarifying text to the measures to better explain our reasoning for 
including these new measures. It is the Service's mandate to manage and 
conserve our trust species, and our understanding of potential impacts 
has evolved as new information has become available regarding marine 
mammals and the magnitude of Industry activities. We have and will 
continue to adjust mitigation measures to help minimize impacts to 
walruses and polar bears. For example, the 3,000-ft aircraft minimum 
altitude restriction near coastal walrus haulouts is a modification of 
a previous mitigation measure (1,000-ft altitude and 0.5 mi lateral 
distance) based on new information since the time of the last 
regulations. Specifically, we have found that flight altitudes of 2,000 
ft disturb land-based walrus haulouts (USFWS Administrative Report, R7/
MMM 13-1, page 55); we anticipate that disturbance events will be 
reduced by increasing the minimum altitude over the haulout by another 
1,000 ft to 3,000 ft while maintaining the 0.5 mi lateral distance 
separation. The new and adjusted mitigation and monitoring provisions 
help ensure that the negligible impacts standard of the MMPA 
requirement is met.
    Comment 32: The Service should continue to implement the \1/2\-mile 
separation requirement between Industry activities and Pacific 
walruses, as stated in current regulations, rather than expanding it.
    Response: The Service is continuing to implement the \1/2\-mile 
restriction for walruses in the water and on sea ice. The Service has 
modified the distance restriction for vessels operating near occupied 
coastal haulouts from \1/2\ mile to 1 mile. New information indicates 
that the 1-mile separation is needed near coastal haulouts to avoid 
disturbing animals while at the coastal haulouts, particularly for 
vessels 100 feet or more in length. We have based this determination, 
in part, on direct observations made by haulout monitors stationed at 
coastal walrus haulouts in Bristol Bay, who in turn, noted responses of 
walruses to passing vessels (Jonathon Snyder, USFWS, 2012, pers. 
comm.). The proposed 1-mile buffer area is anticipated to significantly 
reduce the potential for haulout disturbances and mortalities. 
Additionally this buffer zone is consistent with, though less 
restrictive than, State of Alaska regulations (5 AAC 92.066) 
establishing a 3 mile buffer zone around the ``Walrus Islands State 
Game Sanctuary.'' By adjusting our protective measures to meet the 
evolving requirements of walrus management, we seek to reduce stampede 
events, which in turn result in walrus injury or mortality (Fay and 
Kelly 1980; Ovsyanikov et al. 1994, 2008; Kochnev 1999, 2006; Kavry et 
al. 2006, 2008).
    Comment 33: The Service should specify in its regulations 
mitigation measures that will be required for drilling operations, 
shallow hazards surveys, other geophysical surveys, and geotechnical 
surveys.
    Response: To the best of our ability, the Service has discussed and 
specified a suite of mitigation measures that will be used to mitigate 
incidental take of polar bears and Pacific walruses. The Service 
believes that the mitigation and monitoring measures identified in the 
rule encompass the overall suite of measures that are necessary to 
ensure the activities affect only small numbers of polar bears and 
walruses, have no more than a negligible impact on the

[[Page 35411]]

stocks, and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the 
availability of these species for subsistence uses. When a request for 
an LOA is made, the Service will determine which of the mitigation and 
monitoring measures will be necessary for the particular activity based 
on the details provided in the request. Through the LOA process, the 
Service will examine the siting and timing of specific activities to 
determine the potential interactions with, and impacts to, polar bears 
and walruses and will use this information to prescribe the appropriate 
mitigation measures to ensure the least practicable impact on polar 
bears and walruses, and on subsistence use of these species. In 
addition, the Service will review monitoring results to examine the 
responses of polar bears and walruses to various exploration activities 
and to adjust mitigation measures as necessary. We will also consider 
adjusting monitoring methodologies and mitigation measures as new 
technologies become available and practical.
    Comment 34: The Service needs to strictly regulate and monitor all 
activities, including oil and gas exploration activities in the Chukchi 
Sea and adjacent coast of the United States, for the purposes of 
ensuring that Industry activities do not harm polar bears and walruses, 
and in instances where some impact cannot be avoided, to minimize such 
harm to a negligible level.
    Response: The regulation of activities, including oil and gas 
activities, fall under a number of appropriate jurisdictions, including 
permitting by BOEM, BSEE, and BLM, depending on the location of the 
activity. The Service will issue LOAs for Industry activities that are 
consistent with these final regulations. The Service has determined 
that the monitoring and mitigation measures described in the 
regulations ensure that Industry activities will only affect small 
numbers of polar bears and walruses, will have only negligible impact 
on the stocks of polar bears and walruses, and will not have an 
unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of these species for 
subsistence uses. The Service does and will continue to play a key role 
in monitoring, and where appropriate, regulating such activities to 
ensure disturbance is minimized.
    Comment 35: Commenters suggested increasing the length of the time 
period for open-water operations, seismic, and drilling programs by: 
(1) Allowing for an earlier beginning of the operational period prior 
to July 1; (2) extending the end date to December 31; and (3) allowing 
year-round activities in the marine environment. Commenter stated that 
adding specific criteria regarding the seasonal ice conditions and 
distribution information allowed for such extensions.
    Response: The July 1 start date was specified to ensure that the 
majority of walruses utilizing the geographic area covered by these 
regulations will be out of the active seismic and drilling areas prior 
to initiation of these activities. In most years, sea ice will be rare 
in the geographic region by July 1, and walruses will either be in 
other areas of the Chukchi Sea where ice occurs or at coastal haulouts. 
In those rare years when ice and walruses may remain after July 1 in 
areas of Industry activities, mitigation measures will be implemented 
to minimize the take of animals should activities occur near ice. In 
addition to walrus considerations, some coastal communities, e.g., 
Point Lay, have requested that operations do not begin before July 1 to 
avoid conflicts with subsistence activities.
    Operators can request a variance to enter the geographic region 
prior to July 1. The Service will analyze any requests for variances 
based primarily on the location and numbers of walruses in the transit 
area, as well as ice locations. Because the timing of the walrus 
migration varies from year to year and is dependent on sea ice 
conditions at that time, it is unlikely that we will be able to issue 
any variances until the actual conditions in any given year are fully 
understood. Likewise, the Service could review variance requests for 
late season extensions. The Service maintains the ability to allow for 
a variance for a change in timing of industrial activities based on 
biological and environmental conditions. A variance will be addressed 
with Industry activities on a case-by-case basis.
    Comment 36: The Service should provide specific criteria regarding 
the seasonal ice conditions and distribution information that will 
allow for the issuance of exemptions to restrictions on (1) activities 
during the open-water season or (2) transit of operational or support 
vessels through the Chukchi Sea prior to July 1. Those criteria will 
also be needed to determine when to apply seasonal restrictions on oil 
and gas operational and support activities near coastal haulout areas 
and in the travel corridor between Hanna Shoal and those areas.
    Response: Our LOAs apply specific mitigation measures to specific 
activities and the Service does have the flexibility, when appropriate, 
to respond to changing sea ice conditions. For example, if sea ice and 
walruses are not found to be in an area where exploration activities 
are to occur prior to July 1, the Service may issue a variance on an 
LOA that allows for such activities to commence. The Service believes 
allowing activities to occur earlier could be advantageous, as it will 
increase the likelihood that Industry will be able to meet its annual 
goals and reduce pressure to achieve those goals as November 30 draws 
closer. Because any such variance, or other action, requires a real-
time assessment of walrus densities, weather conditions, and potential 
changes in conditions, which in turn, are based on actual ice dynamics, 
the Service does not believe a list of potential exceptions will be 
beneficial to the regulated public.
    Comment 37: The proposed rule imposes a 3,000-ft height restriction 
on helicopters within 1 mile of walrus groups observed on land. This 
restriction is new, and is not explained in the proposed rule.
    Response: This mitigation measure has been in effect for the last 3 
years, but was not described in the previous rule. This mitigation 
measure is necessary to protect coastal haulouts, and text has been 
added to this final regulation to further explain this measure.
    Comment 38: Two commenters requested that the Service exempt 
unmanned aerial systems (UASs) from the requirements in the ITRs 
pertaining to this type of aircraft and suggested that UAS may be used 
to monitor walruses and/or polar bears.
    Response: The Service does not regulate the use of UASs. The FAA is 
responsible for that activity. We will not exempt UASs from aerial 
requirements until more information is available on the potential for 
these aircraft to cause disturbance to Pacific walruses, especially 
those in aggregations, and polar bears. Further, the Service recognizes 
that UASs vary greatly in size, configuration and potential uses, and 
the potential for an aircraft to disturb marine mammals will likewise 
vary; therefore, a blanket exemption is not prudent at this time. The 
use of UASs will have to undergo rigorous evaluations and testing 
before they can be approved to monitor walruses or polar bears. Once 
more information is known, exceptions may be possible based on multiple 
factors, such as the size of the UAS, flight distances to animals, the 
reaction of the animals to the UAS, and the need to be in the vicinity 
of animals.
    Comment 39: One commenter stated that the approval of an 
interaction plan should be eliminated or the rule needs

[[Page 35412]]

to explain who must approve the plan and how this approval is to be 
obtained.
    Response: The Service disagrees. The requirement for an approved 
polar bear and/or Pacific walrus interaction plan has existed for many 
years in prior ITRs for both the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, and has 
proven to be a highly effective tool for avoiding, minimizing, 
monitoring, and reporting interactions between oil and gas activities 
and personnel and polar bears and Pacific walruses. The Service 
considers such interaction plans an important and mandatory component 
for any request for an LOA. Interaction plans are reviewed and approved 
by the Service as part of the process for a request for an LOA. The 
Service considers this process clear as described in the regulations 
(see 50 CFR 18.118(a)(1)(iii)).
    Comment 40: The Service should use the term ``designated'' MMOs, 
rather than ``dedicated'' MMOs.
    Response: 50 CFR 18.118(a)(1)(ii) states that ``Holders of Letters 
of Authorization must designate a qualified individual or individuals 
to observe, record, and report on the effects of their activities on 
polar bears and Pacific walruses.'' Section 18.118(a)(2)(i) states that 
``Operational and support vessels must be staffed with dedicated marine 
mammal observers to alert crew of the presence of walruses and polar 
bears and initiate adaptive mitigation responses.'' The term 
``dedicated'' is not merely a semantic interpretation of the duties of 
MMOs. When an individual is trained as a dedicated MMO their dedicated 
duties are to: (1) Alert crew of the presence of walruses and polar 
bears; (2) initiate adaptive mitigation responses; and (3) carry out 
specified monitoring activities identified in the marine mammal 
monitoring and mitigation plan necessary to evaluate the impact of 
authorized activities on walruses, polar bears, and the subsistence use 
of these subsistence resources. The MMOs must have completed a marine 
mammal observer training course approved by the Service. In addition, 
they should not have others duties on the vessel that may create a 
conflict of interest, e.g., the captain of the vessel should not also 
be an MMO.
    Comment 41: One commenter felt it was burdensome to add a monitor 
on-site if dedicated MMOs are on-site.
    Response: The Service disagrees. The Service maintains that as a 
stipulation contained within any LOA issued under this rule, we may 
require a monitor on the site of the activity or onboard drillships, 
drill rigs, aircraft, icebreakers, or other support vessels or vehicles 
to monitor the impacts of Industry's activity on polar bears and 
Pacific walruses. Such a monitor will be designated at the discretion 
of the Service and will be independent of any MMOs. For example, a 
Service law enforcement agent, wildlife biologist, or regulatory 
specialist may be designated to monitor a situation depending upon the 
circumstances. Given the significant expense, logistics, and technology 
required to conduct oil and gas exploration in the Chukchi Sea, the 
Service fails to see how the additional presence of a monitor will be 
burdensome.
    Comment 42: In light of the knowledge gained in the past 5 years, 
the Service should reconsider which mitigation measures and monitoring 
requirements are absolutely necessary.
    Response: The Service evaluated the request for this rule based on 
the best available scientific evidence. The Service utilized knowledge 
gained in the last 5 years, as well as that gained well beyond the past 
five years. The standard by which the Service must make a determination 
is not ``which mitigation measures and monitoring requirements are 
absolutely necessary,'' as stated by the commenter. As set forth in 50 
CFR 18.27(d), in evaluating an authorization request, if the Service 
finds that mitigating measures would render the impact of the specified 
activity negligible when it would not otherwise satisfy that 
requirement, the Service may make a finding of negligible impact 
subject to those mitigation measures. As new information is developed, 
through monitoring, reporting, or research, the regulations may be 
modified, in whole or part, after notice and opportunity for public 
review.
    Comment 43: The Service should consider the use of passive acoustic 
monitoring (PAM) to clear the exclusion zones associated with seismic 
operations when it is not possible to do so visually.
    Response: The Service considered the availability and feasibility 
(economic and technological) of equipment, methods, and manner of 
conducting proposed activities or other means of effecting the least 
practicable adverse impact upon the affected species or stocks, their 
habitat, and on their availability for subsistence uses. Passive 
acoustic monitoring (PAM) has been evaluated by Industry for use in the 
Chukchi Sea. It is a potentially useful technology, but has not yet 
been widely adopted in the Chukchi Sea due to technical limitations. 
Therefore, while the Service encourages the continuing development and 
testing of technologies such as PAM, we have not required its use in 
these regulations.
    Comment 44: The Service should reconsider the requirement to 
monitor for aggregations of walruses within 160 dB isopleth because it 
requires very large observation zones that are both highly questionable 
given a science-based risk assessment and impractical to implement with 
confidence.
    Response: We agree; however, the intent of this mitigation measure 
is to detect animals before they venture into the 180 dB isopleth where 
temporary or permanent threshold shifts may occur. By monitoring as 
much of the 160 dB isopleth as possible, MMOs on seismic vessels will 
detect the majority of animals before they are potentially injured and 
Industry will have adequate time to implement mitigation measures so 
that potential injury is avoided.
    Comment 45: The proposed rule uses the sound pressure level of 160 
dB re 1 [mu]Pa (RMS) as a threshold for behavioral, sub-lethal take of 
Pacific walruses. This approach does not reflect the best available 
science, and the choice of threshold is not sufficiently conservative.
    Response: There are no sound pressure level studies specific to 
walruses of which we are aware. However, data are available for three 
arctic seal species, and our use of thresholds is consistent with that 
data.
    Comment 46: The Service cannot rationally defend its conclusion 
that proposed seismic surveys will harm no more than small numbers of 
marine mammals and will have no more than negligible impacts on those 
species or stocks. The Service should consider an alternative that 
examines whether takes occur at sound thresholds lower than 160 dB.
    Response: The 160 dB threshold is the only acoustic threshold that 
has been described for pinnipeds, predominantly for seals, and our use 
of these thresholds for walruses is consistent with that data. 
Currently, there are no data available to analyze a different lower 
limit. Damage to hearing has not been demonstrated at 160 dB, and the 
160 dB isopleth defines the area in which operators must begin to take 
measures (ramp down, shut down) to avoid hearing loss in walruses 
(which presumably occurs at 180 dB) similar to other pinnipeds.
    Comment 47: Pre-booming requirements for fuel transfer during 
seismic survey operations is not possible and should be removed as a 
requirement.
    Response: The Service acknowledges that pre-booming for moving 
vessels, such as during a seismic survey operation, is not possible. 
Pre-booming

[[Page 35413]]

for fuel transfers during seismic survey operations is not a specific 
requirement in this rule. It is discussed in the SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION section of the proposed rule in the context of BOEM Lease 
Sale 193 Lease Stipulations. This is a stipulation from a different 
Federal agency that could potentially benefit our trust species by 
minimizing impacts in the environment. This text has been revised in 
this final rule to indicate that operators must operate in full 
compliance with a BOEM/BSEE approved Oil Spill Prevention and Response 
Plan. Proposed operations in sensitive habitat areas will be reviewed 
by the Service on a case-by-case basis and may result in the 
prescription of additional mitigation measures (such as pre-booming of 
vessels during fuel transfers) through the LOA process.
    Comment 48: The Service needs to provide a template in regards to 
the raw data requirement for collecting and transmitting marine mammal 
data.
    Response: The Service worked with Industry to create such a 
template, and this template is already in use by several operators and 
their consultants in the Chukchi Sea. The Service provides the template 
when issuing an LOA, and we believe the current template is sufficient 
for current data collections. If new types of data are collected, the 
Service will work with Industry to develop an appropriate updated 
template.
    Comment 49: The Service should more precisely (spatially and 
temporally) tailor coastal exclusion zones to protect subsistence 
activities where and when they occur.
    Response: The Service disagrees. It is not appropriate to restrict 
exclusion zones temporally because hunting could occur at any time of 
the year. It is not appropriate to spatially restrict exclusions zones 
because the Service considered the best available information 
concerning walrus and polar bear hunting practices along the western 
coast of Alaska adjacent to the Chukchi Sea, including discussions with 
hunting boat captains and other hunters over the years in the field and 
information collected through the Service Marking Tagging and Reporting 
Program (harvest monitoring) in defining the 40-mile radius around 
subsistence hunting communities. Additional studies will be considered 
when they become available. Based on the information at hand, the 
Service believes the 40-mile radius is an accurate depiction of the 
open-water season area used by a majority of walrus and polar bear 
hunters. A minority of hunters have reported hunting trips that include 
a 60- to 70-mile one-way distance from their village.
    Comment 50: The Service should develop and consider an alternative 
approach with seismic survey exclusion zones based on the levels at 
which received sound begins to disrupt walrus and polar bear behavior 
patterns, as opposed to actually causing physiological injury.
    Response: The Service is not in a position to develop an 
alternative approach with exclusion zones based on the levels at which 
received sound begins to disrupt walrus and polar bear behavior 
patterns. This would be very hard, if not impossible, to determine for 
animals in the wild. Testing of captive animals in a zoo is not 
relevant for behavioral change, as aquaria conditions are unique and 
confined. The Service assumes that the majority of walruses exposed to 
anthropogenic sounds will leave the area. In fact, we specify seismic 
ramp-up procedures to clear an area of animals before potential injury-
producing surveys can occur. Research suggests that behavioral 
responses can be observed in seals exposed to 160 dB levels. However, 
not all animals are disturbed at this level. In addition, these 
behavioral responses are generally not biologically significant in 
terms of altering the survival or reproductive potential of the 
individual or the population.
4. Takings
    Comment 51: It is not clear what the Service relied on to arrive at 
the number ``12'' as a trigger for special regulatory protections for 
walruses, and the Service has not indicated what potential biologically 
significant activities might be indicated by 12 individual walruses.
    Response: The number 12 is used to define a group of walruses in 
the water that are assumed to be foraging or migrating. The number 12 
was originally adopted in 2006, because it was consistent with NMFS' 
incidental harassment authorizations (IHAs) for foraging whales, which 
was the best information available at that time. However, NMFS no 
longer uses that standard. As an alternative, the Service reviewed the 
data on Industry encounters with walruses during 1989, 1990, and 2006-
2012, and calculated the average reported group size of walruses. Group 
sizes ranged from 7 to 16 walruses, with a mean of 12 (16 in 1989, 13 
in 1990, and 7 from 2006-2012). Furthermore, observations of 12 or more 
walruses at the surface of the water likely represent a larger number 
of walruses in the immediate area that are not observed (possibly up to 
70 individuals or more).
    Comment 52: The best available data and information demonstrate 
that all (not ``most'') of the anticipated walrus takes will be limited 
to minor behavioral modifications and short-term changes in behavior, 
or Level B harassment.
    Response: We do not agree that it would be accurate to state that 
``the best available data and information demonstrate that all (not 
``most'') of the anticipated walrus takes will be limited to minor 
behavioral modifications and short-term changes in behavior.'' The 
Service believes that there is a small chance for some harassment to 
occur beyond Level B. We note, however, that the only type of take we 
anticipate to occur under these regulations is Level B harassment, 
which is defined as any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance which has 
the potential to disturb a marine mammal or stock by causing disruption 
of behavioral patterns, including migration, breathing, nursing, 
breeding, feeding, or sheltering.
    Comment 53: The Service should clarify whether protecting polar 
bears or walruses through intentional hazing will be authorized under 
this rule during various activities, such as ice management.
    Response: The proposed rule clearly states that intentional take, 
also called directed take or deterrence, is not covered (50 CFR 18.116 
and 18.117) under this rule. The discussion in the preamble relates to 
how a situation with walruses on ice in the vicinity of a drill rig may 
be managed under various authorities of the MMPA, where activities 
deemed necessary to minimize potential injury to the animals could be 
authorized under separate sections of the MMPA.
    Comment 54: It is unclear whether the proposed rule does or does 
not authorize management of ice floes occupied by walruses or polar 
bears.
    Response: The proposed rule would authorize the management of ice 
floes occupied by walruses and polar bears. Ice floes that have the 
potential to move into the path of the exploration program will be 
monitored by the Industry. If any walruses are on a floe that might 
need to be deflected or broken apart they will be monitored in order to 
plan the appropriate time to actively manage the floe. During this time 
period, incidental take of the animals may occur. In the event that 
walruses remain on the ice floe(s) in question, the Service will work 
cooperatively with Industry to make a determination that the floe(s) 
containing walruses need to be deflected or broken up in order to 
minimize damage to the drill rig or moorings. At that time, the Service 
will make a determination for

[[Page 35414]]

Industry to actively (intentionally) move the walruses off the ice in a 
safe manner to minimize disturbance and limit impacts to the walruses 
so that the floe can be actively managed by deflecting it or breaking 
it apart. This activity, the intentional take of walruses, will be 
addressed under a separate provision of the MMPA. Polar bears could 
also be intentionally moved in the same manner if the Service made the 
determination that it was in the best interest of the animal.
    The regulations also state that this will be dealt with in real 
time on a case-by-case basis. For example, if a floe has to be managed 
and it contains walruses, the operator will call Service personnel 
before taking any action. Once the Service is apprised of the 
particulars of the situation, we will make recommendations about how to 
proceed, maintaining direct, real-time communication with the operator 
as long as necessary.
    Comment 55: The Service erroneously concludes that seismic surveys 
are unlikely to cause serious impacts to polar bears because they 
rarely dive below the surface. However, bears can specialize in aquatic 
stalks of seals at which time they may be impacted.
    Response: The Service disagrees. Polar bears do stalk seals through 
the water when seals are resting or basking on floes of sea ice. Polar 
bears may swim for a short period of time under water while stalking 
and may encounter underwater noise created by oil and gas activities. 
However, there is no indication that the mere presence of anthropogenic 
noise in the underwater environment will affect the success of a hunt 
by a polar bear. Ultimately the bear is approaching a seal out of 
water. Although the underwater hearing characteristics of polar bears 
are poorly known, the Service has no reason to believe that bears are 
more prone to acoustical injury than other marine mammals.
    Furthermore, polar bears, seals, ice, and excessive anthropogenic 
noise have to be in the same place at the same time for a situation 
such as the one described by the commenter to occur. There is very 
limited ice during the open-water period, when oil and gas activity 
occurs in the region, and polar bears are rarely encountered in the 
water during this time period. Furthermore, there is a low probability 
that seals will be disturbed from resting or basking due to 
anthropogenic noise, as there is limited ice for seals to bask on at 
this time, and as most oil and gas operations do not operate in or near 
ice during the open-water period. Seismic surveys, for example, avoid 
sea ice because of the complexity of navigating through ice and the 
likelihood that the ice will interfere with the towed seismic array. In 
the absence of specific data on polar bears, the Service has adopted 
monitoring and mitigation standards established for other marine mammal 
species. Additionally, monitoring and reporting conditions specified in 
this rule require oil and gas activities to maintain certain minimum 
distances from observed polar bears and Pacific walruses. The Service 
believes these mitigation and monitoring measures will ensure that the 
negligible impact requirement of the MMPA is met.
    Comment 56: The Service has not analyzed impacts or estimated take 
to either of the two distinct walrus population stocks. Further, the 
Service has not even acknowledged their separate status.
    Response: Currently, the Society for Marine Mammalogy recognizes 
only one stock/population of Pacific walruses. This conclusion is based 
on both genetic and morphological analyses of the groups that winter in 
different regions and the resulting little differentiation with the 
group that winters in the Laptev Sea that was previously considered a 
separate population.
    Comment 57: The Service fails to find that only a small number of 
takes will occur and has likely significantly underestimated the number 
of takes that will occur.
    Response: The Service is confident that only small numbers of 
walruses and polar bears will be taken by the proposed activities. 
Although a precise numerical estimate of the number of Pacific walruses 
and polar bears that might be taken incidental to specified activities 
currently could not be practically obtained, the Service deduced that 
only small numbers of Pacific walruses and polar bears, relative to 
their populations, have the potential to be impacted by the proposed 
Industry activities described in these regulations. This conclusion was 
based on the best available scientific information regarding the 
habitat use patterns of walruses and polar bears, and the distribution 
of walruses and bears relative to where Industry activities are 
expected to occur. In addition to our response, we have further 
clarified our explanation of small numbers in this rule (see Summary of 
Take Estimates for Pacific Walruses and Polar Bears).
    Furthermore, the Service's analysis of oil and gas activities for 
this rulemaking encapsulates all of the known oil and gas Industry's 
activities, as outlined in the petition submitted by AOGA, that will 
occur in the geographic region during the 5-year regulatory period. If 
any additional activities are proposed that were not included in the 
Industry petition or otherwise known at this time, the Service will 
evaluate the potential impacts associated with those projects to 
determine whether a given project lies within the scope of the analysis 
for these regulations. The Service has analyzed oil and gas operations 
and has taken into account risk factors to polar bears and walruses, 
such as potential habitat loss due to climate change, hunting, disease, 
oil spills, contaminants, and effects on prey species within the 
geographic region. The Service's analysis for this rulemaking also 
considers cumulative effects of all oil and gas activities in the area 
over time. Cumulative impacts of oil and gas activities are assessed, 
in part, through the information we gain in monitoring reports, which 
are required for each operator under the authorizations. ITRs have been 
in place in the Arctic oil and gas fields for the past 22 years. 
Information from these reports provides a history of past effects on 
walruses and polar bears from interactions with oil and gas activities. 
The Service used information on previous levels of impacts to evaluate 
future impacts from existing and proposed Industry activities and 
facilities. In addition, our cumulative effects assessment includes 
research publications and data, traditional knowledge of polar bear and 
walrus habitat use, anecdotal observations, and professional judgment.
    Monitoring results indicate minor, short-term to no impact on polar 
bears or Pacific walruses from oil and gas activities. We evaluated the 
sum total of both subtle and acute impacts likely to occur from 
industrial activity and, using this information, we determined that all 
direct and indirect effects, including cumulative effects, of 
industrial activities will not adversely affect the species through 
effects on annual rates of recruitment or survival. Based on past 
monitoring reports, the level of interaction between Industry and polar 
bears and Pacific walruses is minimal. Additional information, such as 
subsistence harvest levels and incidental observations of polar bears 
near shore, provide evidence that these populations have not been 
adversely affected. For the next 5 years, we anticipate the level of 
oil and gas Industry interactions with polar bears and Pacific walruses 
will be similar to interactions in previous years.
    Comment 58: The Service lacks sufficient scientific evidence to 
authorize takes of marine mammals, and where the Service has not 
complied

[[Page 35415]]

with section 1373 of the MMPA, the Service may not authorize takes.
    Response: The Service disagrees. The Service believes that it is in 
full compliance with the MMPA in this rule. Using the best available 
scientific information, the Service analyzed marine mammal data from 
our agency, Industry, and other outside sources to make a determination 
that the described activities in the proposed rule will affect only 
small numbers of polar bears and walruses, and have no more than a 
negligible impact on the stock.
    Comment 59: The Service has underestimated the number of takes that 
will occur due to aquatic anthropogenic sound, because it only 
considered takes in the form of actual hearing injuries (e.g., hearing 
threshold shifts), and failed to account for takes in the form of 
behavioral disturbance.
    Response: The Service did consider behavioral disturbances when 
analyzing the level of take likely to occur. We believe that the 
behavioral responses observed during previous Industry activities, 
which were analyzed for take, were only non-injurious (Level B 
harassment) takes. Further, we do not anticipate any actual injury to 
animals (Level A harassment).
5. Analysis
    Comment 60: The Service's conclusions are not based on the best 
available science and are therefore questionable.
    Response: We disagree. The Service put significant effort into 
ensuring that it was using the best available scientific information 
before making affirmative determinations that the incidental take under 
this rule will affect only small numbers of polar bears and walruses, 
have no more than a negligible impact on the stocks, and will not have 
an unmitigable adverse effect on the availability of those species for 
subsistence uses. In addition, the mitigation measures required under 
the rule further reduce the potential for negative impacts on 
population or subsistence. Although the Service is actively engaged in 
ongoing studies on climate change, polar bears, and walruses in the 
Arctic, the Service is required to make a determination on ``best 
available'' science and is not required to wait until additional 
science is publically available.
    Comment 61: The Service should provide its best estimate of the 
numbers and types of walrus takes that could result from the proposed 
exploration activities each year.
    Response: This cannot be accomplished with much reliability due to 
the highly variable environmental conditions (e.g., currents, winds, 
sea ice dynamics, walrus migration patterns and distribution, Industry 
activity levels and locations, etc.) that occur among and within years. 
However, numbers of animals encountered during Industry activities in 
previous years does provide an indication of the type and numbers of 
takes that may be expected, which are presented in Table 3 in the 
Analysis of Impacts of the Oil and Gas Industry on Pacific Walruses and 
Polar Bears in the Chukchi Sea section of this final rule.
    Comment 62: The proposed regulations do not ensure that only small 
numbers of marine mammals will be taken.
    Response: We disagree. Authorized activities are limited by the 
operating restrictions set forth in this rule and by conditions 
stipulated in LOAs. Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA provides for the 
incidental, but not intentional, take of small numbers of marine 
mammals, provided that the total take will have no more than a 
negligible impact on the populations and will not affect the 
availability of the species for subsistence users. The Service believes 
that potential impacts to walruses, polar bears, and the subsistence 
use of these resources are greatly reduced through the operating 
restrictions, monitoring programs, and adaptive management responses 
set forth in this rule.
    Based on observations from 2006-2010 (Table 3 in the Analysis of 
Impacts of the Oil and Gas Industry on Pacific Walruses and Polar Bears 
in the Chukchi Sea section of this final rule), we can conclude that 
less than 2 percent of a population of over 129,000 walruses will be 
encountered during Industry activities annually. In addition, less than 
34 percent of those encounters will result in a reaction by walruses, 
and few if any of these reactions are biologically significant in terms 
of survival and reproduction at the individual or population level. To 
help ensure that the small numbers standard is met, the Service 
monitors the take of walruses and polar bears weekly as operations are 
occurring and will alert Industry operators when takes may begin to 
exceed small numbers.
    Comment 63: The Service has not estimated existing levels of 
walruses or polar bears.
    Response: The Service has analyzed population estimates for 
walruses and polar bears. However, there is no recent, reliable census 
information for either walruses or polar bears in the Chukchi Sea 
region. Furthermore, the distribution and abundance of walruses and 
polar bears in the specified geographical region considered in these 
regulations is expected to fluctuate dramatically on a seasonal and 
annual basis in response to dynamic ice conditions. Consequently, it is 
not practical to provide a priori numerical estimates of the number of 
walruses or polar bears that might occur within the specified 
geographical region in any given year, or to quantify, with any 
statistical reliability, the number of animals that could potentially 
be exposed to industrial noise during this time frame. Nevertheless, 
based on other factors, such as Industry monitoring reports and agency 
monitoring programs (ASAMM), we are able to deduce with a high degree 
of confidence that only small numbers of Pacific walruses and polar 
bears are likely to be impacted by the proposed activities based on 
observations from 2006-2012. The factors considered in this finding are 
detailed in the Summary of Take Estimates for Pacific Walruses and 
Polar Bears.
    Comment 64: The Service should work independently or jointly with 
the National Marine Fisheries Service and Marine Mammal Commission to 
develop a policy that sets forth the criteria for determining what 
constitutes ``small numbers'' and ``negligible impact'' for the 
purposes of authorizing incidental takes of marine mammals.
    Response: In finalizing this rule, the Service has considered what 
constitutes small numbers as well as negligible impact for the purposes 
of authorizing the incidental take of marine mammals. We recognize the 
important contributions NMFS and the Marine Mammal Commission have made 
in our agencies' requirements to implement the MMPA, and we are always 
willing to discuss joint efforts where we hold a shared interest in the 
conservation of species and the environment.
    Comment 65: The Service fails to explain how 125 polar bears is a 
``small number.''
    Response: The Service's determination that 125 polar bears (25 
bears annually) constitutes a small number within the meaning of the 
MMPA is based on the fact the 125 polar bears is small relative to the 
total abundance of the Chukchi-Bering Sea and Southern Beaufort Sea 
polar bear populations, which consists of approximately 3,500 total 
bears collectively.
    Comment 66: The Service improperly conflates ``small numbers'' with 
``negligible impacts.''
    Response: We disagree. The Service's determination that the takings 
are limited to small numbers was analyzed independently of its 
determination that those takings will have a negligible impact. The 
Service's analysis of

[[Page 35416]]

negligible impact was based on the distribution and number of the 
species during proposed activities, its biological characteristics, the 
nature of the proposed activities, the potential effects, documented 
impacts, mitigation measures that will be implemented, as well as other 
data provided by monitoring programs in the Chukchi Sea.
    Comment 67: The Service has failed to prescribe methods and means 
of affecting the ``least practicable adverse impact'' on the species or 
stock and its habitat. It relies on mitigation measures that have been 
proven to be ineffective while declining to require more appropriate 
mitigation.
    Response: The Service disagrees. However, the Service welcomes any 
new evidence or specific information on how our proposed mitigation, 
monitoring, and reporting measures have proven to be ineffective or how 
they may be improved. The Service will consider such information when 
provided.
    Comment 68: The proposed rule fails to consider that seismic survey 
vessels use the lowest practicable sound source levels, minimize 
horizontal propagation of the sound signal from acoustic arrays, and 
minimize the density of seismic survey track lines.
    Response: The Service believes that the monitoring and mitigation 
measures set forth in these regulations are necessary and appropriate 
to limit disturbance and Industry impacts on polar bears and Pacific 
walruses.
    Comment 69: The proposed rule fails to consider a requirement that 
all vessels undergo measurement for their underwater noise output per 
American National Standards Institute/Acoustical Society of America 
standards, that all vessels undergo regular maintenance to minimize 
propeller cavitation, and/or that all new vessels be required to employ 
the best ship quieting designs and technologies available for their 
class of ship.
    Response: The Service believes that the monitoring and mitigation 
measures set forth in these regulations are necessary and appropriate 
to limit disturbance and Industry impacts on polar bears and Pacific 
walruses. However, many of the practices recommended by the commenter 
are utilized by various Industry operators and some are required by 
other agencies, regulations, and permits.
    Comment 70: The proposed rule fails to consider a speed limit 
(e.g., 10 knots) placed on all vessels transiting to and from a work 
site, with consideration for additional limits on vessel speed when 
transiting through important habitat areas.
    Response: The Service does not consider a universal speed limit 
(e.g., 10 knots) on all vessels to be a practicable or effective 
mitigation measure. However, MMO observations of polar bears or 
walruses can trigger speed reductions and other mitigation responses 
from vessels.
    Comment 71: The proposed rule fails to consider additional best 
practices for monitoring and maintaining safety zones around active 
airgun arrays as set forth in Weir and Dolman (2007) and Parsons et al. 
(2009).
    Response: While the Service does not adopt all the recommendations 
in the references cited by the commenter, we do adopt most of them. The 
mitigation, monitoring and reporting measures included in this rule are 
consistent with the best practices ``for monitoring and maintaining 
safety zones around active airgun arrays.'' In fact, the measures 
proposed for seismic survey operations in this rule, and contained in 
past ITRs, exceed the requirements of many jurisdictions elsewhere in 
the world. Taken in conjunction with other regulations and permits by 
other agencies, the practices for mitigation, monitoring, and reporting 
for seismic survey activities in the Chukchi Sea will limit 
disturbances to polar bears and walruses.
    Comment 72: The proposed rule fails to consider a deferral on 
exploration drilling until the concerns detailed by the U.S. Oil Spill 
Commission are adequately addressed.
    Response: The Service does not have the authority under the MMPA to 
authorize or ``permit'' the actual activities associated with oil and 
gas exploration, e.g., exploratory drilling. Rather, these regulations 
only authorize the nonlethal, incidental, unintentional take of small 
numbers of polar bears and walruses associated with those activities 
based on standards set forth in the MMPA.
    Comment 73: The MMPA explicitly requires that the prescribed 
regulations include other ``means of effecting the least practicable 
adverse impact'' on a species, stock, or habitat. Regulations must 
explain why measures that will reduce the impact on a species were not 
chosen (i.e., why they were not ``practicable'').
    Response: Although the MMPA does provide a mechanism for the 
Secretary to prescribe regulations that include ``other means of 
affecting the least practicable adverse impact'' on a species, stock, 
and its habitat, the regulations do not require the Secretary to 
provide an explanation for measures that were determined to be 
impracticable. In fact, all measures that are practicable and will 
provide a means to minimize adverse impacts to the species as a result 
of the proposed activities should be included in the prescribed 
regulations. The Service believes it has included a full suite of means 
to minimize impacts to Pacific walruses and polar bears that could 
result from oil and gas exploration activities. As mentioned above, the 
regulations describe which mitigation measures are always required for 
certain activities and which can be selectively used to mitigate Level 
B harassment of polar bears and walruses. The Service adaptively 
prescribes these additional mitigation and monitoring requirements 
through the LOA process on a case-by-case basis because certain 
mitigation measures may not be appropriate in every situation. This 
adaptability allows us to implement all ``means of affecting the least 
practicable impact.''
    Comment 74: The Service should specify reduced vessel speeds of 9 
knots or less when (1) weather conditions or darkness reduce visibility 
and (2) within 805 m (0.5 mi) of aggregations of 12 or more walruses.
    Response: We disagree. We recognize that MMO data indicate that 
speeds are generally reduced when walruses within 0.5 mi are 
encountered, sometimes to 4 or 5 knots. However, we note that ship 
safety is ultimately not determined by the Service. For example, 
vessels towing barges have less ability to reduce speeds and maintain 
control of the tow. Therefore, while a general requirement of reduced 
speed is appropriate such that Pacific walruses or polar bears are not 
disturbed, we believe that the actual navigation of the vessels should 
be based on prevailing conditions and the vessel operators.
6. Other Regulatory Issues and Agreements
    Comment 75: One commenter supported the timely issuance of 5-year 
ITRs authorizing nonlethal, incidental, unintentional take.
    Response: We agree. The Service views ITRs as an important 
conservation management tool for Pacific walruses and polar bears.
    Comment 76: The ITRs and draft EA do not clearly explain in the 
environmental consequences analyses when a seismic exposure has a 
behavioral effect, whether this rises to be a countable take, and 
finally whether any of this is biologically significant at either an 
individual or population level.
    Response: The ensonification zones are a proxy for the amount of 
sound or seismic disturbance that will be

[[Page 35417]]

considered to rise to the level of biologically significant 
disturbance, i.e., Level B take. All of this was considered in our 
small numbers and negligible impact analysis as explained in the 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of the proposed rule and this final 
rule.
    Comment 77: For seismic operations, the requirements associated 
with monitoring and shutdown for aggregation of walruses is 
questionable based upon the documented behavior of this species in the 
2008-2013 monitoring data.
    Response: We disagree. The Service applies mitigation measures in a 
conservative manner, as we are tasked with trying to minimize 
disturbance and impacts to animals observed and unobserved in the 
water. The data indicate that for the most part, these measures are 
effective, as the majority of observable walruses do not respond to 
Industry activities.
    Comment 78: One commenter encouraged the Service to work with the 
Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to ``energize and return to the 
MMPA's original policy ideals.''
    Response: The Service and CEQ work together to ensure the 
regulatory framework reflects the meaning and intent of the laws passed 
by Congress.
    Comment 79: The Service should facilitate the development of 
conflict avoidance agreements to ensure consensus-based agreement 
between potentially affected communities and oil and gas operators 
regarding measures to avoid unmitigable adverse impacts on polar bears 
and walruses taken for subsistence purposes.
    Response: As stated in 50 CFR 18.114, the Service relies on a POC 
to mitigate potential conflicts between the proposed activity and 
potentially affected communities where subsistence hunting may be 
impacted, rather than a conflict avoidance agreement, generally used by 
NMFS to mitigate Industry impacts to their trust species. The POC is 
developed by Industry and is a document that involves Industry and the 
affected subsistence communities. It is included as a section of the 
incidental take request packet submitted by Industry to the Service. 
Within that context, the POC process requires presentation of project 
specific information, such as operation plans, to the communities to 
identify any specific concerns that need to be addressed. It is 
impossible to develop a POC until the nature of specific projects is 
identified and the concerns of the affected community are heard. 
Coordination with the affected subsistence communities and development 
of the POC is the responsibility of Industry; however, the Service 
offers guidance during the process, if necessary. The requirements and 
process for the POC, including the Services' right to review and reject 
the POC if it does not provide adequate safeguards to ensure that 
marine mammals will remain available for subsistence use, are described 
in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this rule and reiterated in 
the regulations.
    Comment 80: The proposed regulations do not comply with the MMPA.
    Response: We disagree. Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA provides 
for the incidental, but not intentional, take of small numbers of 
marine mammals, provided that the total take will have a negligible 
impact on the population and will not affect the availability of the 
species for subsistence users. In accordance with the regulations, 
Industry activities will be subject to the operating restrictions, 
monitoring requirements, and adaptive management responses set forth in 
this rule and by conditions stipulated in LOAs, which the Service 
believes will greatly reduce potential impacts to walruses, polar 
bears, and the subsistence use of these resources. Accordingly, the 
Service believes that the take of walruses and polar bears incidental 
to Industry activities satisfies the requirements of section 
101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA.
    Comment 81: One commenter urged the Service to take a 
precautionary, science-based, approach to the petitioners' request, and 
specifically requested that, if the regulations are issued, the Service 
include strict monitoring and oversight requirements to ensure that the 
MMPA's standards are met and transparently documented to the public.
    Response: We agree. The Service is committed to conserving and 
managing Pacific walruses and polar bears. We believe these regulations 
include the necessary mitigation and monitoring requirements to meet 
all aspects of the MMPA, and the Service is committed to being a 
transparent and open government agency.
    Comment 82: One commenter encouraged the Service to complete an 
intra-agency consultation on polar bears.
    Response: We agree and completed intra-Service consultation under 
the ESA on the polar bear and conference on the Pacific walruses prior 
to issuing these final regulations.
    Comment 83: The Service should advise AOGA of the desirability of 
initiating a conference for the walrus to help fulfill its obligations 
under the Endangered Species Act for the 5-year period of these final 
regulations.
    Response: The Service agrees with this comment. Since the notice 
announcing the conclusion of the status review of the Pacific walrus 
was published (76 FR 7634; February 10, 2011) and the Pacific walrus 
was added to the list of candidate species under the ESA, we have 
advised applicants for LOAs, when applicable and appropriate, of their 
option to initiate a conference with the Service regarding Pacific 
walruses.
    Comment 84: The proposed rule and draft EA should be updated to 
reflect recent legal developments regarding polar bear critical 
habitat.
    Response: We agree. We added text to this rule to acknowledge that 
the final rule designating critical habitat for the polar bear (75 FR 
76086; December 7, 2010) was recently vacated in Federal district 
court.
    Comment 85: The Service should consider restricting activities in 
specific polar bear critical habitat areas.
    Response: Because the final rule designating critical habitat for 
the polar bear (75 FR 76086; December 7, 2010) was recently vacated in 
Federal district court, critical habitat is no longer designated for 
the polar bear.
    Comment 86: The proposed rule does not explain that certain ringed 
and bearded seal subspecies have recently been listed as ``threatened'' 
under the ESA. The final rule should reflect this change in status.
    Response: Ringed and bearded seals are not managed by the Service, 
and we do not issue take authorization for those species. However, we 
are aware of the recent listing of these species, and text has been 
added to this rule to explain the recent determination.
    Comment 87: The proposed regulations appear to be inconsistent and 
contravene both the 1973 Agreement on Conservation of Polar Bears and 
the 2000 Bilateral Agreement for the Conservation and Management of the 
Polar Bear between the United States and the Russian Federation, 
because authorizing Industry activities violates the mandates of the 
these agreements to protect important polar bear habitat.
    Response: We disagree. The regulations are consistent with the 
mandates of both the 1973 and 2000 Agreements as set forth in Article 
II of each of the agreements. Those provisions require that the United 
States take actions to protect the ecosystem of which polar bears are a 
part, giving ``special attention to habitat components such as denning 
and feeding sites and migration patterns,'' and to manage

[[Page 35418]]

polar bear populations in accordance with ``sound conservation 
practices'' based on the best available scientific data.
    This rule is consistent with the Service's treaty obligations 
because it incorporates mitigation measures that ensure the protection 
of polar bear habitat. The anticipated LOAs for industrial activities 
will be conditioned to include area or seasonal timing limitations or 
prohibitions that will adequately protect polar bear habitat. For 
example, 1-mile avoidance buffers will be placed around known or 
observed dens, which will stop or limit Industry activity until the 
bear naturally leaves the den.
    In addition to the protections provided for known or observed dens, 
we have incorporated considerations in the ITRs for Industry to use or 
assist in use of Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR) thermal imagery to 
detect the heat signatures of polar bear dens. By conducting FLIR 
surveys prior to initiating activities to identify potential polar bear 
dens, disturbance of even unknown denning females is limited. Industry 
has also used digital elevation models and aerial imagery to identify 
habitats suitable for denning.
    Other important protections in LOAs issued in accordance with these 
final ITRs include the development of polar bear-human interaction 
plans to minimize potential for encounters and to mitigate adverse 
effects should an encounter occur. These plans protect and enhance the 
safety of polar bears using habitats within the area of industrial 
activity. Finally, as outlined in our regulations at 50 CFR 
18.27(f)(5), LOAs may be withdrawn or suspended, if noncompliance of 
the prescribed regulations occurs.
    Comment 88: The Service must prepare a full environmental impact 
statement (EIS) to meet the requirements of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
    Response: The regulations implementing NEPA at 40 CFR 1501.4(b) 
provide that, in determining whether to prepare an EIS, a Federal 
agency may prepare an EA and, based on the EA document, make a 
determination whether to prepare an EIS. The Department of the 
Interior's policy and procedures for compliance with NEPA (69 FR 10866; 
March 8, 2004) further affirm that the purpose of an EA is to allow the 
responsible official to determine whether to prepare an EIS or a 
``Finding of No Significant Impact'' (FONSI). The Service analyzed the 
proposed activity, i.e., issuance of implementing regulations, in 
accordance with the criteria of NEPA, and made a determination that it 
does not constitute a major Federal action significantly affecting the 
quality of the human environment. It should be noted that the Service 
does not authorize the actual Industry activities, as those activities 
are authorized by other State and Federal agencies. The Service merely 
authorizes the take of polar bears and walruses incidental to those 
activities. We note that these regulations provide the Service with a 
means of interacting with Industry through the mitigation and 
monitoring programs of individual projects to ensure that the impacts 
to polar bears and Pacific walruses are minimized. We have determined 
that the regulations will result in the nonlethal, incidental take of 
only small numbers of polar bears and Pacific walruses, will have only 
a negligible impact on the stocks, and will not have an unmitigable 
adverse impact on subsistence users. As a result, we determined the 
regulations will not significantly affect the quality of the human 
environment and, therefore, a FONSI is appropriate. Accordingly, an EIS 
is not required under NEPA.
7. Additional Suggested Requirements
    Comment 89: The proposed rule fails to include any measures to 
require, incentivize, or test the use of new technologies in the 
Arctic.
    Response: The Service does not have the authority under the MMPA 
nor the technical expertise to require, incentivize, or test the use of 
new technologies in the manner the commenter suggests. The Service does 
work with various partners to recommend the use of new technologies, 
such as FLIR imagery to detect polar bears on the ice or their dens or 
the use of UASs to conduct offshore marine mammal monitoring. The MMPA 
does not provide specific mechanisms for the Service to accomplish this 
goal, but we will work with those seeking LOAs during the regulatory 
process to capitalize on existing and emerging technologies. Clarifying 
text has been added to this rule.
    Comment 90: The proposed rule appears to be shifting from 
monitoring of existing operations to an extensive research program.
    Response: As stated earlier, the type of monitoring activities 
required by these ITRs has been clarified through additional 
explanation. All such monitoring and reporting requirements provide us 
with additional information upon which to assess the efficacy of these 
regulations, our associated LOAs, and ultimately any impacts to polar 
bears and Pacific walruses.
    While one basic purpose of monitoring polar bears and walruses in 
association with Industry is to establish baseline information on 
habitat use and encounters and to detect any unforeseen effects of 
Industry activities, broad-based, long-term monitoring programs are 
useful to refine our understanding of the impacts of oil and gas 
activities on polar bears, walruses, and their habitat over time in the 
Chukchi Sea. However, a broad-based population monitoring plan will 
need to incorporate research elements as well. When making our 
findings, the Service uses the best and most current information 
regarding polar bears and walruses. The integration of, and improvement 
in, research and monitoring programs are useful to assess potential 
effects to rates of recruitment and survival and to the population 
parameters linked to assessing population-level impacts from oil and 
gas development. Our description in these regulations is an extension 
of this type of thinking.
    As expressed in previous regulations, where information gaps are 
identified, the Service will work to address them. Monitoring and 
reporting results specified through the LOA process during authorized 
exploration activities are expected to contribute information 
concerning walrus and polar bear distributions and habitat use patterns 
within the Chukchi Sea Lease sale area. The Service has analyzed the 
results of a joint U.S./Russia walrus population survey carried out in 
2006, and is sponsoring research investigating the distribution and 
habitat use patterns of Pacific walruses in the Chukchi Sea. This 
information will be incorporated into the decision-making process.
    Monitoring provisions associated with these types of regulations 
were never intended as the sole means to determine whether the 
activities will have a negligible effect on polar bear or walrus 
populations. There is nothing in the MMPA that indicates that Industry 
is wholly responsible for conducting general population research, but 
participation may be requested to help answer biological questions. 
Thus, we have not required Industry to conduct such population research 
and instead require monitoring of the observed effect of the activity 
on polar bear and walrus. We are constantly accumulating information, 
such as reviewing elements of existing and future research and 
monitoring plans that will improve our ability to detect and measure 
changes in the polar bear and walrus populations. We further 
acknowledge that additional or complimentary research, studies, and 
information, collected in a timely fashion, are useful to better 
evaluate the

[[Page 35419]]

effects of oil and gas activities on polar bears and walruses in the 
future.

Required Determinations

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Considerations

    We have prepared an environmental assessment (EA) in conjunction 
with this rulemaking, and have determined that this rulemaking is not a 
major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human 
environment within the meaning of Section 102(2)(C) of the NEPA of 
1969. For a copy of the EA, go to https://www.regulations.gov and search 
for Docket No. FWS-R7-ES-2012-0043 or contact the individual identified 
above in the section FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

Endangered Species Act (ESA)

    On May 15, 2008, the Service listed the polar bear as a threatened 
species under the ESA (73 FR 28212), and on December 7, 2010 (75 FR 
76086), the Service designated critical habitat for polar bear 
populations in the United States, effective January 6, 2011. On January 
13, 2013, the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska issued an 
order that vacated and remanded to the Service the final rule 
designating critical habitat for the polar bear. Sections 7(a)(1) and 
7(a)(2) of the ESA (16 U.S.C. 1536(a)(1) and (2)) direct the Service to 
review its programs and to utilize such programs in the furtherance of 
the purposes of the ESA and to ensure that an action is not likely to 
jeopardize the continued existence of an ESA-listed species or result 
in the destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat. In 
addition, the status of walruses rangewide was reviewed for potential 
listing under the ESA. The listing of walruses was found to be 
warranted, but precluded due to higher priority listing actions (i.e., 
walrus is a candidate species) on February 10, 2011 (76 FR 7634). 
Consistent with our statutory obligations, the Service's Marine Mammal 
Management Office initiated an intra-Service section 7 consultation 
regarding the effects of these regulations on the polar bear with the 
Service's Fairbanks Ecological Services Field Office. Consistent with 
established agency policy, we also conducted a conference regarding the 
effects of these regulations on the Pacific walrus and the area set 
forth in the proposed rule to designate critical habitat for the polar 
bear (74 FR 56058; October 29, 2009). In a biological opinion issued on 
May 20, 2013, the Service concluded that the action is not likely to 
jeopardize the continued existence of any listed or candidate species 
or destroy or adversely modify designated critical habitat.

Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Order 12866 and 13563)

    Executive Order 12866 provides that the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) will review all significant rules. The OIRA 
has determined that this rule is not significant.
    Executive Order 13563 reaffirms the principles of E.O. 12866 while 
calling for improvements in the nation's regulatory system to promote 
predictability, to reduce uncertainly, and to use the best, most 
innovative, and least burdensome tools for achieving regulatory ends. 
The executive order directs agencies to consider regulatory approaches 
that reduce burdens and maintain flexibility and freedom of choice for 
the public where these approaches are relevant, feasible, and 
consistent with regulatory objectives. E.O. 13563 emphasizes further 
that regulations must be based on the best available science and that 
the rulemaking process must allow for public participation and an open 
exchange of ideas. We have developed this rule in a manner consistent 
with these requirements.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    We have determined that this rule is not a major rule under 5 
U.S.C. 804(2), the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. 
The rule is not likely to result in a major increase in costs or prices 
for consumers, individual industries, or government agencies or have 
significant adverse effects on competition, employment, productivity, 
innovation, or on the ability of U.S. based enterprises to compete with 
foreign-based enterprises in domestic or export markets.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    We have also determined that this rule will not have a significant 
economic effect on a substantial number of small entities under the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq. Oil companies and 
their contractors conducting exploration, development, and production 
activities in Alaska have been identified as the only likely applicants 
under these regulations. Expenses will be related to, but not 
necessarily limited to, the development of applications for LOAs, 
monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting activities conducted during 
Industry oil and gas operations, development of polar bear interaction 
plans, and coordination with Alaska Natives to minimize effects of 
operations on subsistence hunting. Compliance with the rule is not 
expected to result in additional costs to Industry that it has not 
already been subjected to for the previous 7 years. Realistically, 
these costs are minimal in comparison to those related to actual oil 
and gas exploration, development, and production operations. The actual 
costs to Industry to develop the petition for promulgation of 
regulations and LOA requests probably do not exceed $500,000 per year, 
which is short of the ``major rule'' threshold that would require 
preparation of a regulatory impact analysis. Therefore, a Regulatory 
Flexibility Analysis is not required. In addition, these potential 
applicants have not been identified as small businesses and, therefore, 
a Small Entity Compliance Guide is not required. The analysis for this 
rule is available from the individual identified above in the section 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

Takings Implications

    This rule does not have takings implications under Executive Order 
12630 because it allows the authorization of nonlethal, incidental, but 
not intentional, take of walruses and polar bears by oil and gas 
Industry companies and thereby exempts these companies from civil and 
criminal liability as long as they operate in compliance with the terms 
of their LOAs. Therefore, a takings implications assessment is not 
required.

Federalism Effects

    This rule does not contain policies with Federalism implications 
sufficient to warrant preparation of a federalism impact summary 
statement under Executive Order 13132. The MMPA gives the Service the 
authority and responsibility to protect walruses and polar bears.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    In accordance with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1501, 
et seq.), this rule will not ``significantly or uniquely'' affect small 
governments. A Small Government Agency Plan is not required. The 
Service has determined and certifies pursuant to the Unfunded Mandates 
Reform Act that this rulemaking will not impose a cost of $100 million 
or more in any given year on local or State governments or private 
entities. This rule will not produce a Federal mandate of $100 million 
or greater in any year, i.e., it is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.

[[Page 35420]]

Government-to-Government Relationship With Tribes

    In accordance with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994, 
``Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal 
Governments'' (59 FR 22951), Executive Order 13175, Secretarial Order 
3225, and the Department of the Interior's manual at 512 DM 2, we 
readily acknowledge our responsibility to communicate meaningfully with 
federally recognized Tribes on a Government-to-Government basis. In 
accordance with Secretarial Order 3225 of January 19, 2001 [Endangered 
Species Act and Subsistence Uses in Alaska (Supplement to Secretarial 
Order 3206)], Department of the Interior Memorandum of January 18, 2001 
(Alaska Government-to-Government Policy), Department of the Interior 
Secretarial Order 3317 of December 1, 2011 (Tribal Consultation and 
Policy), and the Native American Policy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, June 28, 1994, we acknowledge our responsibilities to work 
directly with Alaska Natives in developing programs for healthy 
ecosystems, to seek their full and meaningful participation in 
evaluating and addressing conservation concerns for listed species, to 
remain sensitive to Alaska Native culture, and to make information 
available to Tribes. We have evaluated possible effects on federally 
recognized Alaska Native tribes. Through the LOA process identified in 
the regulations, Industry presents a communication process, culminating 
in a POC, if warranted, with the Native communities most likely to be 
affected and engages these communities in numerous informational 
meetings.
    To facilitate co-management activities, cooperative agreements have 
been completed by the Service, the Alaska Nanuuq Commission (ANC), the 
Eskimo Walrus Commission (EWC), and Qayassiq Walrus Commission (QWC). 
The cooperative agreements fund a wide variety of management issues, 
including: Commission co-management operations; biological sampling 
programs; harvest monitoring; collection of Native knowledge in 
management; international coordination on management issues; 
cooperative enforcement of the MMPA; and development of local 
conservation plans. To help realize mutual management goals, the 
Service, ANC, QWC, and EWC regularly hold meetings to discuss future 
expectations and outline a shared vision of co-management.
    The Service also has ongoing cooperative relationships with the NSB 
and the Inupiat-Inuvialuit Game Commission where we work cooperatively 
to ensure that data collected from harvest and research are used to 
ensure that polar bears are available for harvest in the future; 
provide information to co-management partners that allows them to 
evaluate harvest relative to their management agreements and 
objectives; and provide information that allows evaluation of the 
status, trends, and health of polar bear populations.
    Through various interactions and partnerships, we have determined 
that the issuance of these regulations is appropriate. We are open to 
discussing ways to continually improve our coordination and information 
exchange, including through the LOA/POC process, as may be requested by 
Tribes.

Civil Justice Reform

    The Departmental Solicitor's Office has determined that these 
regulations do not unduly burden the judicial system and meet the 
applicable standards provided in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive 
Order 12988.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rule contains information collection requirements. We may not 
conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a 
collection of information unless it displays a currently valid Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The Information 
collection requirements included in this rule are approved by the OMB 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). The 
OMB control number assigned to these information collection 
requirements is 1018-0070, which expires on January 31, 2014. This 
control number covers the information collection, recordkeeping, and 
reporting requirements in 50 CFR part 18, subpart I, which are 
associated with the development and issuance of specific regulations 
and LOAs.

Energy Effects

    Executive Order 13211 requires agencies to prepare Statements of 
Energy Effects when undertaking certain actions. This rule provides 
exceptions from the taking prohibitions of the MMPA for entities 
engaged in the exploration of oil and gas in the Chukchi Sea and 
adjacent coast of Alaska. By providing certainty regarding compliance 
with the MMPA, this rule has a positive effect on Industry and its 
activities. Although the rule requires Industry to take a number of 
actions, these actions have been undertaken by Industry for many years 
as part of similar past regulations. Therefore, this rule is not 
expected to significantly affect energy supplies, distribution, or use 
and does not constitute a significant energy action. No Statement of 
Energy Effects is required.

References

    A list of the references cited in this rule is available on the 
Federal eRulemaking portal (https://www.regulations.gov) under Docket 
No. FWS-R7-ES-2012-0043.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 18

    Administrative practice and procedure, Alaska, Imports, Indians, 
Marine mammals, Oil and gas exploration, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Transportation.

Final Regulation Promulgation

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Service amends part 
18, subchapter B of chapter 1, title 50 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations as set forth below.

PART 18--MARINE MAMMALS

0
1. The authority citation of 50 CFR part 18 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.


0
2. Add a new subpart I to part 18 to read as follows:
Subpart I--Nonlethal Taking of Pacific Walruses and Polar Bears 
Incidental to Oil and Gas Exploration Activities in the Chukchi Sea and 
Adjacent Coast of Alaska
Sec.
18.111 What specified activities does this subpart cover?
18.112 In what specified geographic region does this subpart apply?
18.113 When is this subpart effective?
18.114 How do I obtain a Letter of Authorization?
18.115 What criteria does the Service use to evaluate Letter of 
Authorization requests?
18.116 What does a Letter of Authorization allow?
18.117 What activities are prohibited?
18.118 What are the mitigation, monitoring, and reporting 
requirements?
18.119 What are the information collection requirements?

Subpart I--Nonlethal Taking of Pacific Walruses and Polar Bears 
Incidental to Oil and Gas Exploration Activities in the Chukchi Sea 
and Adjacent Coast of Alaska


Sec.  18.111  What specified activities does this subpart cover?

    Regulations in this subpart apply to the nonlethal incidental, but 
not

[[Page 35421]]

intentional, take of small numbers of Pacific walruses and polar bears 
by you (U.S. citizens as defined in Sec.  18.27(c)) while engaged in 
oil and gas exploration activities in the Chukchi Sea and adjacent 
western coast of Alaska.


Sec.  18.112  In what specified geographic region does this subpart 
apply?

    This subpart applies to the specified geographic region defined as 
the continental shelf of the Arctic Ocean adjacent to western Alaska. 
This area includes the waters (State of Alaska and Outer Continental 
Shelf waters) and seabed of the Chukchi Sea, which encompasses all 
waters north and west of Point Hope (68[deg]20'20'' N, -166[deg]50'40 
W, BGN 1947) to the U.S.-Russia Convention Line of 1867, west of a 
north-south line through Point Barrow (71[deg]23'29'' N, -156[deg]28'30 
W, BGN 1944), and up to 200 miles north of Point Barrow. The region 
also includes the terrestrial coastal land 25 miles inland between the 
western boundary of the south National Petroleum Reserve--Alaska (NPR-
A) near Icy Cape (70[deg]20'00'' N, -148[deg]12'00 W) and the north-
south line from Point Barrow. This terrestrial region encompasses a 
portion of the Northwest and South Planning Areas of the NPR-A. Figure 
1 shows the area where this subpart applies.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR12JN13.000

Sec.  18.113  When is this subpart effective?

    Regulations in this subpart are effective from June 12, 2013 
through June 12, 2018 for year-round oil and gas exploration 
activities.


Sec.  18.114  How do I obtain a Letter of Authorization?

    (a) You must be a U.S. citizen as defined in Sec.  18.27(c).
    (b) If you are conducting an oil and gas exploration activity in 
the specified geographic region described in Sec.  18.112 that may 
cause the taking of Pacific walruses (walruses) or polar bears and you 
want nonlethal incidental take authorization under this rule, you must 
apply for a Letter of Authorization for each exploration activity. You 
must submit the application for authorization to our Alaska Regional 
Director (see 50 CFR 2.2 for address) at least 90 days prior to the 
start of the proposed activity.
    (c) Your application for a Letter of Authorization must include the 
following information:
    (1) A description of the activity, the dates and duration of the 
activity, the specific location, and the estimated area affected by 
that activity, i.e., a plan of operation.
    (2) A site-specific plan to monitor and mitigate the effects of the 
activity on polar bears and Pacific walruses that may be present during 
the ongoing activities (i.e., marine mammal monitoring and mitigation 
plan). Your monitoring program must document the effects to these 
marine mammals and estimate the actual level and type of

[[Page 35422]]

take. The monitoring requirements provided by the Service will vary 
depending on the activity, the location, and the time of year.
    (3) A site-specific polar bear and/or walrus awareness and 
interaction plan. An interaction plan for each operation will outline 
the steps the applicant will take to limit animal-human interactions, 
increase site safety, and minimize impacts to marine mammals.
    (4) A record of community consultation or a Plan of Cooperation 
(POC) to mitigate potential conflicts between the proposed activity and 
subsistence hunting, when necessary. Applicants must consult with 
potentially affected subsistence communities along the Chukchi Sea 
coast (Point Hope, Point Lay, Wainwright, and Barrow) and appropriate 
subsistence user organizations (the Eskimo Walrus Commission and the 
Alaska Nanuuq Commission) to discuss the location, timing, and methods 
of proposed operations and support activities and to identify any 
potential conflicts with subsistence walrus and polar bear hunting 
activities in the communities. Applications for Letters of 
Authorization must include documentation of all consultations with 
potentially affected user groups and a record of community 
consultation. Documentation must include a summary of any concerns 
identified by community members and hunter organizations, and the 
applicant's responses to identified concerns. Mitigation measures are 
described in Sec.  18.118.


Sec.  18.115  What criteria does the Service use to evaluate Letter of 
Authorization requests?

    (a) We will evaluate each request for a Letter of Authorization 
based on the specific activity and the specific geographic location. We 
will determine whether the level of activity identified in the request 
exceeds that analyzed by us in considering the number of animals likely 
to be taken and evaluating whether there will be a negligible impact on 
the species or adverse impact on the availability of the species for 
subsistence uses. If the level of activity is greater, we will 
reevaluate our findings to determine if those findings continue to be 
appropriate based on the greater level of activity that you have 
requested. Depending on the results of the evaluation, we may grant the 
authorization, add further conditions, or deny the authorization.
    (b) In accordance with Sec.  18.27(f)(5), we will make decisions 
concerning withdrawals of Letters of Authorization, either on an 
individual or class basis, only after notice and opportunity for public 
comment.
    (c) The requirement for notice and public comment in paragraph (b) 
of this section will not apply if we determine that an emergency exists 
that poses a significant risk to the well-being of species or stocks of 
Pacific walruses or polar bears.


Sec.  18.116  What does a Letter of Authorization allow?

    (a) Your Letter of Authorization may allow the nonlethal 
incidental, but not intentional, take of walruses and polar bears when 
you are carrying out one or more of the following activities:
    (1) Conducting geological and geophysical surveys and associated 
activities;
    (2) Drilling exploratory wells and associated activities; or
    (3) Conducting environmental monitoring activities associated with 
exploration activities to determine specific impacts of each activity.
    (b) Each Letter of Authorization will identify conditions or 
methods that are specific to the activity and location.


Sec.  18.117  What activities are prohibited?

    (a) Intentional take and lethal incidental take of walruses or 
polar bears; and
    (b) Any take that fails to comply with this part or with the terms 
and conditions of your Letter of Authorization.


Sec.  18.118  What are the mitigation, monitoring, and reporting 
requirements?

    (a) Mitigation. Holders of a Letter of Authorization must use 
methods and conduct activities in a manner that minimizes to the 
greatest extent practicable adverse impacts on walruses and polar 
bears, their habitat, and on the availability of these marine mammals 
for subsistence uses. Dynamic management approaches, such as temporal 
or spatial limitations in response to the presence of marine mammals in 
a particular place or time or the occurrence of marine mammals engaged 
in a particularly sensitive activity (such as feeding), must be used to 
avoid or minimize interactions with polar bears, walruses, and 
subsistence users of these resources.
    (1) All applicants. (i) We require holders of Letters of 
Authorization to cooperate with us and other designated Federal, State, 
and local agencies to monitor the impacts of oil and gas exploration 
activities on polar bears and Pacific walruses.
    (ii) Holders of Letters of Authorization must designate a qualified 
individual or individuals to observe, record, and report on the effects 
of their activities on polar bears and Pacific walruses.
    (iii) Holders of Letters of Authorization must have an approved 
polar bear and/or walrus interaction plan on file with the Service and 
onsite, and polar bear awareness training will be required of certain 
personnel. Interaction plans must include:
    (A) The type of activity and where and when the activity will 
occur, i.e., a plan of operation;
    (B) A food and waste management plan;
    (C) Personnel training materials and procedures;
    (D) Site at-risk locations and situations;
    (E) Walrus and bear observation and reporting procedures; and
    (F) Bear and walrus avoidance and encounter procedures.
    (iv) All applicants for a Letter of Authorization must contact 
affected subsistence communities to discuss potential conflicts caused 
by location, timing, and methods of proposed operations and submit to 
us a record of communication that documents these discussions. If 
appropriate, the applicant for a Letter of Authorization must also 
submit to us a POC that ensures that activities will not interfere with 
subsistence hunting and that adverse effects on the availability of 
polar bear or Pacific walruses are minimized (see Sec.  18.114(c)(4)).
    (v) If deemed appropriate by the Service, holders of a Letter of 
Authorization will be required to hire and train polar bear monitors to 
alert crew of the presence of polar bears and initiate adaptive 
mitigation responses.
    (2) Operating conditions for operational and support vessels. (i) 
Operational and support vessels must be staffed with dedicated marine 
mammal observers to alert crew of the presence of walruses and polar 
bears and initiate adaptive mitigation responses.
    (ii) At all times, vessels must maintain the maximum distance 
possible from concentrations of walruses or polar bears. Under no 
circumstances, other than an emergency, should any vessel approach 
within an 805-m (0.5-mi) radius of walruses or polar bears observed on 
ice. Under no circumstances, other than an emergency, should any vessel 
approach within 1,610 m (1 mi) of groups of walruses observed on land 
or within an 805-m (0.5-mi) radius of polar bears observed on land.
    (iii) Vessel operators must take every precaution to avoid 
harassment of concentrations of feeding walruses when a vessel is 
operating near these

[[Page 35423]]

animals. Vessels should reduce speed and maintain a minimum 805-m (0.5-
mi) operational exclusion zone around groups of 12 or more walruses 
encountered in the water. Vessels may not be operated in such a way as 
to separate members of a group of walruses from other members of the 
group. When weather conditions require, such as when visibility drops, 
vessels should adjust speed accordingly to avoid the likelihood of 
injury to walruses.
    (iv) The transit of operational and support vessels through the 
specified geographic region is not authorized prior to July 1. This 
operating condition is intended to allow walruses the opportunity to 
disperse from the confines of the spring lead system and minimize 
interactions with subsistence walrus hunters. Variances to this 
operating condition may be issued by the Service on a case-by-case 
basis, based upon a review of seasonal ice conditions and available 
information on walrus and polar bear distributions in the area of 
interest.
    (v) All vessels must avoid areas of active or anticipated 
subsistence hunting for walrus or polar bear as determined through 
community consultations.
    (vi) We may require a monitor on the site of the activity or on 
board drillships, drill rigs, aircraft, icebreakers, or other support 
vessels or vehicles to monitor the impacts of Industry's activity on 
polar bear and Pacific walruses.
    (3) Operating conditions for aircraft. (i) Operators of support 
aircraft should, at all times, conduct their activities at the maximum 
distance possible from concentrations of walruses or polar bears.
    (ii) Under no circumstances, other than an emergency, should fixed 
wing aircraft operate at an altitude lower than 457 m (1,500 ft) within 
805 m (0.5 mi) of walrus groups observed on ice, or within 1,610 m (1 
mi) of walrus groups observed on land. Under no circumstances, other 
than an emergency, should rotary winged aircraft (helicopters) operate 
at an altitude lower than 914 m (3,000 ft) within 1,610 m (1 mi) of 
walrus groups observed on land. Under no circumstances, other than an 
emergency, should aircraft operate at an altitude lower than 457 m 
(1,500 ft) within 805 m (0.5 mi) of polar bears observed on ice or 
land. Helicopters may not hover or circle above such areas or within 
805 m (0.5 mile) of such areas. When weather conditions do not allow a 
457-m (1,500-ft) flying altitude, such as during severe storms or when 
cloud cover is low, aircraft may be operated below the required 
altitudes stipulated above. However, when aircraft are operated at 
altitudes below 457 m (1,500 ft) because of weather conditions, the 
operator must avoid areas of known walrus and polar bear concentrations 
and should take precautions to avoid flying directly over or within 805 
m (0.5 mile) of these areas.
    (iii) Plan all aircraft routes to minimize any potential conflict 
with active or anticipated walrus or polar bear hunting activity as 
determined through community consultations.
    (4) Additional mitigation measures for offshore exploration 
activities. (i) Offshore exploration activities will be authorized only 
during the open-water season, defined as the period July 1 to November 
30. Variances to the specified open-water season may be issued by the 
Service on a case-by-case basis, based upon a review of seasonal ice 
conditions and available information on walrus and polar bear 
distributions in the area of interest.
    (ii) To avoid significant synergistic or cumulative effects from 
multiple oil and gas exploration activities on foraging or migrating 
walruses, operators must maintain a minimum spacing of 24 km (15 mi) 
between all active seismic source vessels and/or drill rigs during 
exploration activities. This does not include support vessels for these 
operations. No more than two simultaneous seismic operations and three 
offshore exploratory drilling operations will be authorized in the 
Chukchi Sea region at any time.
    (iii) No offshore exploration activities will be authorized within 
a 64-km (40-mi) radius of the communities of Barrow, Wainwright, Point 
Lay, or Point Hope, unless provided for in a Service-approved, site-
specific Plan of Cooperation as described in paragraph (a)(7) of this 
section.
    (iv) A monitoring program acceptable to the Service will be 
required to estimate the number of walruses and polar bears in a 
proposed project area.
    (v) Hanna Shoal Walrus Use Area (HSWUA). The HSWUA is a high use 
area for Pacific walruses (Figure 2). Due to the large number of 
walruses that could be encountered in the HSWUA from July through 
September, additional mitigation measures may be applied to activities 
within the HSWUA on a case-by-case basis. These mitigation measures 
include, but may not be limited to, seasonal restrictions, reduced 
vessel traffic, or rerouting of vessels. To the maximum extent 
practicable, aircraft supporting exploration activities shall avoid 
operating below 1,500 feet ASL over the HSWUA between July 1 and 
September 30.
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

[[Page 35424]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR12JN13.001

BILLING CODE 4310-55-C
    (5) Additional mitigation measures for offshore seismic surveys. 
Any offshore exploration activity expected to include the production of 
pulsed underwater sounds with sound source levels >=160 dB re 1 [mu]Pa 
will be required to establish and monitor acoustic exclusion and 
disturbance zones and implement adaptive mitigation measures as 
follows:
    (i) Monitor zones. Establish and monitor with trained marine mammal 
observers an acoustically verified exclusion zone for walruses 
surrounding seismic airgun arrays where the received level will be >= 
180 dB re 1 [mu]Pa; an acoustically verified exclusion zone for polar 
bear surrounding seismic airgun arrays where the received level will be 
>= 190 dB re 1 [mu]Pa; and an acoustically verified walrus disturbance 
zone ahead of and perpendicular to the seismic vessel track where the 
received level will be >= 160 dB re 1 [mu]Pa.
    (ii) Ramp-up procedures. For all seismic surveys, including airgun 
testing, use the following ramp-up procedures to allow marine mammals 
to depart the exclusion zone before seismic surveying begins:
    (A) Visually monitor the exclusion zone and adjacent waters for the 
absence of polar bears and walruses for at least 30 minutes before 
initiating ramp-up procedures. If no polar bears or walruses are 
detected, you may initiate ramp-up procedures. Do not initiate ramp-up 
procedures at night or when you cannot visually monitor the exclusion 
zone for marine mammals.

[[Page 35425]]

    (B) Initiate ramp-up procedures by firing a single airgun. The 
preferred airgun to begin with should be the smallest airgun, in terms 
of energy output (dB) and volume (in\3\).
    (C) Continue ramp-up by gradually activating additional airguns 
over a period of at least 20 minutes, but no longer than 40 minutes, 
until the desired operating level of the airgun array is obtained.
    (iii) Power down/Shutdown. Immediately power down or shutdown the 
seismic airgun array and/or other acoustic sources whenever any 
walruses are sighted approaching close to or within the area delineated 
by the 180 dB re 1 [mu]Pa walrus exclusion zone, or polar bears are 
sighted approaching close to or within the area delineated by the 190 
dB re 1 [mu]Pa polar bear exclusion zone. If the power down operation 
cannot reduce the received sound pressure level to 180 dB re 1 [mu]Pa 
(walrus) or 190 dB re 1 [mu]Pa (polar bear), the operator must 
immediately shutdown the seismic airgun array and/or other acoustic 
sources.
    (iv) Emergency shutdown. If observations are made or credible 
reports are received that one or more walruses and/or polar bears are 
within the area of the seismic survey and are in an injured or mortal 
state, or are indicating acute distress due to seismic noise, the 
seismic airgun array will be immediately shutdown and the Service 
contacted. The airgun array will not be restarted until review and 
approval has been given by the Service. The ramp-up procedures provided 
in paragraph (a)(5)(ii) of this section must be followed when 
restarting.
    (v) Adaptive response for walrus aggregations. Whenever an 
aggregation of 12 or more walruses are detected within an acoustically 
verified 160 dB re 1 [mu]Pa disturbance zone ahead of or perpendicular 
to the seismic vessel track, the holder of this Authorization must:
    (A) Immediately power down or shutdown the seismic airgun array 
and/or other acoustic sources to ensure sound pressure levels at the 
shortest distance to the aggregation do not exceed 160-dB re 1 [mu]Pa; 
and
    (B) Not proceed with powering up the seismic airgun array until it 
can be established that there are no walrus aggregations within the 160 
dB zone based upon ship course, direction, and distance from last 
sighting. If shutdown was required, the ramp-up procedures provided in 
paragraph (a)(5)(ii) of this section must be followed when restarting.
    (6) Additional mitigation measures for onshore exploration 
activities. (i) Polar bear monitors. If deemed appropriate by the 
Service, holders of a Letter of Authorization will be required to hire 
and train polar bear monitors to alert crew of the presence of polar 
bears and initiate adaptive mitigation responses.
    (ii) Efforts to minimize disturbance around known polar bear dens. 
As part of potential terrestrial activities during the winter season, 
holders of a Letter of Authorization must take efforts to limit 
disturbance around known polar bear dens.
    (A) Efforts to locate polar bear dens. Holders of a Letter of 
Authorization seeking to carry out onshore exploration activities in 
known or suspected polar bear denning habitat during the denning season 
(November to April) must make efforts to locate occupied polar bear 
dens within and near proposed areas of operation, utilizing appropriate 
tools, such as forward looking infrared (FLIR) imagery and/or polar 
bear scent trained dogs. All observed or suspected polar bear dens must 
be reported to the Service prior to the initiation of exploration 
activities.
    (B) Exclusion zone around known polar bear dens. Operators must 
observe a 1-mile operational exclusion zone around all known polar bear 
dens during the denning season (November to April, or until the female 
and cubs leave the areas). Should previously unknown occupied dens be 
discovered within 1 mile of activities, work in the immediate area must 
cease and the Service contacted for guidance. The Service will evaluate 
these instances on a case-by-case basis to determine the appropriate 
action. Potential actions may range from cessation or modification of 
work to conducting additional monitoring, and the holder of the 
authorization must comply with any additional measures specified.
    (7) Mitigation measures for the subsistence use of walruses and 
polar bears. Holders of Letters of Authorization must conduct their 
activities in a manner that, to the greatest extent practicable, 
minimizes adverse impacts on the availability of Pacific walruses and 
polar bears for subsistence uses.
    (i) Community Consultation. Prior to receipt of a Letter of 
Authorization, applicants must consult with potentially affected 
communities and appropriate subsistence user organizations to discuss 
potential conflicts with subsistence hunting of walrus and polar bear 
caused by the location, timing, and methods of Industry operations and 
support activities (see Sec.  18.114(c)(4) for details). If community 
concerns suggest that the Industry activities may have an adverse 
impact on the subsistence uses of these species, the applicant must 
address conflict avoidance issues through a Plan of Cooperation as 
described in paragraph (a)(7)(ii) of this section.
    (ii) Plan of Cooperation (POC). Where prescribed, holders of 
Letters of Authorization will be required to develop and implement a 
Service-approved POC.
    (A) The POC must include:
    (1) A description of the procedures by which the holder of the 
Letter of Authorization will work and consult with potentially affected 
subsistence hunters; and
    (2) A description of specific measures that have been or will be 
taken to avoid or minimize interference with subsistence hunting of 
walruses and polar bears and to ensure continued availability of the 
species for subsistence use.
    (B) The Service will review the POC to ensure that any potential 
adverse effects on the availability of the animals are minimized. The 
Service will reject POCs if they do not provide adequate safeguards to 
ensure the least practicable adverse impact on the availability of 
walruses and polar bears for subsistence use.
    (b) Monitoring. Depending on the siting, timing, and nature of 
Industry activities, holders of Letters of Authorization will be 
required to:
    (1) Maintain trained, Service-approved, on-site observers to carry 
out monitoring programs for polar bears and walruses necessary for 
initiating adaptive mitigation responses.
    (i) Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs) will be required on board all 
operational and support vessels to alert crew of the presence of 
walruses and polar bears and initiate adaptive mitigation responses 
identified in paragraph (a) of this section, and to carry out specified 
monitoring activities identified in the marine mammal monitoring and 
mitigation plan (see paragraph (b)(2) of this section) necessary to 
evaluate the impact of authorized activities on walruses, polar bears, 
and the subsistence use of these subsistence resources. The MMOs must 
have completed a marine mammal observer training course approved by the 
Service.
    (ii) Polar bear monitors. Polar bear monitors will be required 
under the monitoring plan if polar bears are known to frequent the area 
or known polar bear dens are present in the area. Monitors will act as 
an early detection system concerning proximate bear activity to 
Industry facilities.
    (2) Develop and implement a site-specific, Service-approved marine

[[Page 35426]]

mammal monitoring and mitigation plan to monitor and evaluate the 
effects of authorized activities on polar bears, walruses, and the 
subsistence use of these resources.
    (i) The marine mammal monitoring and mitigation plan must enumerate 
the number of walruses and polar bears encountered during specified 
exploration activities, estimate the number of incidental takes that 
occurred during specified exploration activities (i.e., document 
immediate behavioral responses as well as longer term, when requested), 
and evaluate the effectiveness of prescribed mitigation measures.
    (ii) Applicants must fund an independent peer review of proposed 
monitoring plans and draft reports of monitoring results after 
consultation with the Service. This peer review will consist of 
independent reviewers who have knowledge and experience in statistics, 
marine mammal behavior, and the type and extent of Industry operations. 
The applicant will provide the results of these peer reviews to the 
Service for consideration in final approval of monitoring plans and 
final reports. The Service will distribute copies of monitoring reports 
to appropriate resource management agencies and co-management 
organizations.
    (3) Cooperate with the Service and other designated Federal, State, 
and local agencies to monitor the impacts of oil and gas exploration 
activities in the Chukchi Sea on walruses or polar bears. Where 
insufficient information exists to evaluate the potential effects of 
Industry activities on walruses, polar bears, and the subsistence use 
of these resources, holders of Letters of Authorization may be 
requested to participate in monitoring and/or research efforts in order 
to help the Service address these information needs and ensure the 
least practicable impact to these resources. These monitoring and 
research efforts will employ rigorous study designs and sampling 
protocols in order to provide useful information. As an example, 
operators could test new technologies during their activities that will 
be beneficial in minimizing disturbance to animals. Information gaps 
and needs in the Chukchi Sea include, but are not limited to:
    (i) Distribution, abundance, movements, and habitat use patterns of 
walruses and polar bears in offshore environments;
    (ii) Patterns of subsistence hunting activities by the Native 
Villages of Kivalina, Point Hope, Point Lay, Wainwright, and Barrow for 
walruses and polar bears;
    (iii) Immediate and longer term (when possible) behavioral and 
other responses of walruses and polar bears to seismic airguns, 
drilling operations, vessel traffic, and fixed wing aircraft and 
helicopters;
    (iv) Contaminant levels in walruses, polar bears, and their prey;
    (v) Cumulative effects of multiple simultaneous operations on 
walruses and polar bears; and
    (vi) Oil spill risk assessment for the marine and shoreline 
environment of walruses, polar bears, their prey, and important habitat 
areas (e.g., coastal haulouts and den sites).
    (c) Reporting requirements. Holders of Letters of Authorization 
must report the results of specified monitoring activities to the 
Service's Alaska Regional Director (see 50 CFR 2.2 for address).
    (1) In-season monitoring reports--(i) Activity progress reports. 
Operators must keep the Service informed on the progress of authorized 
activities by:
    (A) Notifying the Service at least 48 hours prior to the onset of 
activities;
    (B) Providing weekly progress reports of authorized activities 
noting any significant changes in operating state and or location; and
    (C) Notifying the Service within 48 hours of ending activity.
    (ii) Walrus observation reports. The operator must report, on a 
weekly basis, all observations of walruses during any Industry 
operation. Information within the observation report will include, but 
is not limited to:
    (A) Date, time, and location of each walrus sighting;
    (B) Number, sex, and age of walruses (if determinable);
    (C) Observer name, company name, vessel name or aircraft number, 
LOA number, and contact information;
    (D) Weather, visibility, and ice conditions at the time of 
observation;
    (E) Estimated distance from the animal or group when initially 
sighted, at closest approach, and end of the encounter;
    (F) Industry activity at time of sighting and throughout the 
encounter. If a seismic survey, record the estimated radius of the zone 
of ensonification;
    (G) Behavior of animals at initial sighting, any change in behavior 
during the observation period, and distance from the observers 
associated with those behavioral changes;
    (H) Detailed description of the encounter;
    (I) Duration of the encounter;
    (J) Duration of any behavioral response (e.g., time and distance of 
a flight response) and;
    (K) Actions taken.
    (iii) Polar bear observation reports. The operator must report, 
within 24 hours, all observations of polar bears during any Industry 
operation. Information within the observation report will include, but 
is not limited to:
    (A) Date, time, and location of observation;
    (B) Number, sex, and age of bears (if determinable);
    (C) Observer name, company name, vessel name, LOA number, and 
contact information;
    (D) Weather, visibility, and ice conditions at the time of 
observation;
    (E) Estimated closest point of approach for bears from personnel 
and/or vessel/facilities;
    (F) Industry activity at time of sighting, and possible attractants 
present;
    (G) Behavior of animals at initial sighting and after contact;
    (H) Description of the encounter;
    (I) Duration of the encounter; and
    (J) Actions taken.
    (iv) Notification of incident report. Reports should include all 
information specified under the species observation report, as well as 
a full written description of the encounter and actions taken by the 
operator. The operator must report to the Service within 24 hours:
    (A) Any incidental lethal take or injury of a polar bear or walrus; 
and
    (B) Observations of walruses or polar bears within prescribed 
mitigation monitoring zones.
    (2) After-action monitoring reports. The results of monitoring 
efforts identified in the marine mammal monitoring and mitigation plan 
must be submitted to the Service for review within 90 days of 
completing the year's activities. Results must include, but are not 
limited to, the following information:
    (i) A summary of monitoring effort including: Total hours, total 
distances, and distribution through study period of each vessel and 
aircraft;
    (ii) Analysis of factors affecting the visibility and detectability 
of walruses and polar bears by specified monitoring;
    (iii) Analysis of the distribution, abundance, and behavior of 
walrus and polar bear sightings in relation to date, location, ice 
conditions, and operational state;
    (iv) Estimates of take based on the number of animals encountered/
kilometer of vessel and aircraft operations by behavioral response (no 
response, moved away, dove, etc.), and animals encountered per day by 
behavioral response for stationary drilling operations; and
    (v) Raw data in electronic format (i.e., Excel spreadsheet) as 
specified by the Service in consultation with Industry representatives.

[[Page 35427]]

Sec.  18.119  What are the information collection requirements?

    (a) The Office of Management and Budget has approved the collection 
of information contained in this subpart and assigned control number 
1018-0070. You must respond to this information collection request to 
obtain a benefit pursuant to section 101(a)(5) of the Marine Mammal 
Protection Act. We will use the information to:
    (1) Evaluate the application and determine whether or not to issue 
specific Letters of Authorization.
    (2) Monitor impacts of activities conducted under the Letters of 
Authorization.
    (b) You should direct comments regarding the burden estimate or any 
other aspect of this requirement to the Information Collection 
Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the 
Interior, Mail Stop 2042-PDM, 1849 C Street NW., Washington, DC 20240.

    Dated: May 30, 2013.
Rachel Jacobson,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 2013-13725 Filed 6-11-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P