Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; U.S. Navy Training and Testing Activities in the Mariana Islands Training and Testing Study Area, 58524-58525 [2013-23105]

Download as PDF 58524 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 185 / Tuesday, September 24, 2013 / Notices Dated: September 19, 2013. Dean Swanson, Acting Director, Office of International Affairs, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2013–23203 Filed 9–23–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–BD69 Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; U.S. Navy Training and Testing Activities in the Mariana Islands Training and Testing Study Area National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for letter of authorization; request for comments and information. AGENCY: NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Navy (Navy) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the training and testing activities conducted in the Mariana Islands Training and Testing (MITT) Study Area from July 2015 through July 2020. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is announcing our receipt of the Navy’s request for the development and implementation of regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals and inviting information, suggestions, and comments on the Navy’s application and request. DATES: Comments and information must be received no later than October 24, 2013. SUMMARY: Comments on the application should be addressed to Michael Payne, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910– 3225. The mailbox address for providing email comments is ITP.Magliocca@noaa.gov. NMFS is not responsible for email comments sent to addresses other than the one provided here. Comments sent via email, including all attachments, must not exceed a 10-megabyte file size. Instructions: All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted to https:// www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/ incidental.htm without change. All Personal Identifying Information (for mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES ADDRESSES: VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:49 Sep 23, 2013 Jkt 229001 example, name, address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. A copy of the Navy’s application may be obtained by visiting the internet at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/ incidental.htm. The Navy’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for MITT was made available to the public on September 13, 2013. A 60-day public comment period is open through November 12, 2013. Documents cited in this notice may also be viewed, by appointment, during regular business hours, at the aforementioned address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Magliocca, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, (301) 427–8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) direct the Secretary of Commerce to allow, upon request, the incidental, but not intentional, taking of small numbers of marine mammals by United States citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than commercial fishing) within a specific geographical region if certain findings are made and either regulations are issued or, if the taking is limited to harassment, a notice of a proposed authorization is provided to the public for review. Authorization for incidental takings shall be granted if NMFS finds that the taking will have a negligible impact on the species or stock(s), will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the species or stock(s) for subsistence uses (where relevant), and if the permissible methods of taking and requirements pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring and reporting of such takings are set forth. NMFS has defined ‘‘negligible impact’’ in 50 CFR 216.103 as ‘‘* * *an impact resulting from the specified activity that cannot be reasonably expected to, and is not reasonably likely to, adversely affect the species or stock through effects on annual rates of recruitment or survival.’’ With respect to military readiness activities, the MMPA defines ‘‘harassment’’ as: ‘‘(i) any act that injures or has the significant potential to injure a marine mammal stock in the wild [Level A Harassment]; or (ii) any act that disturbs or is likely to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing disruption of natural behavioral patterns, including, but not limited to, migration, surfacing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 sheltering, to a point where such behavioral patterns are abandoned or significantly altered [Level B Harassment].’’ Summary of Request On April 22, 2013, NMFS received an application from the Navy requesting a Letters of Authorization (LOA) for the take of 26 species of marine mammals incidental to Navy training and testing activities to be conducted in the MITT Study Area over 5 years. The Navy is requesting a 5-year LOA for training and testing activities to be conducted from 2015 through 2020. The Study Area includes the existing Mariana Islands Range Complex, a transit corridor between the Mariana Islands and the Hawaii Range Complex, and Navy pierside locations where sonar maintenance or testing may occur (see Figure 2–1 of the Navy’s application for a map of the MITT Study Area). The activities conducted within the MITT Study Area are classified as military readiness activities. The Navy states that these activities may expose some of the marine mammals present within the MITT Study Area to sound from underwater acoustic sources and explosives. In addition, incidental takes of marine mammals may occur from ship strike. The Navy is requesting authorization to take 26 marine mammal species by Level B (behavioral) harassment; 15 of those marine mammal species may be taken by injury or mortality. Description of the Specified Activity In the application submitted to NMFS, the Navy requests authorization to take marine mammals incidental to conducting the following training and testing activities: anti-surface warfare; anti-submarine warfare; mine warfare; naval special warfare; major training activities; Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) testing; anti-surface warfare testing; anti-submarine warfare testing; Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) testing; and Office of Naval Research (ONR) and Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) testing. Detailed descriptions of these activities, including duration, location, and equipment involved, are provided in the Navy’s application. The Navy has also prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) analyzing the effects on the human environment of implementing their preferred alternative (among others). Information Solicited Interested persons may submit information, suggestions, and comments concerning the Navy’s request (see E:\FR\FM\24SEN1.SGM 24SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 185 / Tuesday, September 24, 2013 / Notices ADDRESSES). All input related to the Navy’s MITT request and NMFS’ role in governing the incidental taking of marine mammals will be considered by NMFS when developing, if appropriate, the most effective regulations governing the issuance of a Letter of Authorization. Dated: September 12, 2013. Perry Gayaldo, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2013–23105 Filed 9–23–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Office of the Secretary [Docket ID: DoD–2013–OS–0197] Proposed Collection; Comment Request Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, DoD. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: In compliance with Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. DATES: Consideration will be given to all comments received by November 25, 2013. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number and title, by any of the following methods: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. • Mail: Federal Docket Management System Office, 4800 Mark Center Drive, East Tower, Suite 02G09, Alexandria, VA 22350–3100. Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name, docket number and title for this Federal mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:49 Sep 23, 2013 Jkt 229001 Register document. The general policy for comments and other submissions from members of the public is to make these submissions available for public viewing on the Internet at https:// www.regulations.gov as they are received without change, including any personal identifiers or contact information. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request more information on this proposed information collection or to obtain a copy of the proposal and associated collection instruments, please write to the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, 3010 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301–3010, or call at (703)602–4353. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title; Associated Form; and OMB Number: Application for Homeowners Assistance; DD form 1607; OMB Control Number 0704–0463. Needs and Uses: The Department plans to expand its Homeowners Assistance Program (HAP), with $555 million in Recovery Act funds dedicated to helping military families and DoD civilians who recently sold their homes at a loss. The expanded program will assist families forced to relocate due to base closures or normal assignment rotations. But, the most important aspect is that priority access to the funds will go to survivors of those killed during deployment, and those who were wounded, ill or injured during deployment. Affected Public: Individuals or Households Annual Burden Hours: 17,000 hours Number of Respondents: 17,000 Responses Per Respondent: 1 Average Burden per Response: 1 hour Frequency: On Occasion The Secretary of Defense is authorized to provide financial help to eligible homeowners serving or employed at or near military installations which were ordered closed or partially closed, realigned or were ordered to reduce the scope of operations. The Department of the Army acts as executive agent for DoD in administering the program for all military departments. Before benefits can be paid, certain conditions must be met. Eligible homeowners use the DD Form 1607, ‘‘Application for Homeowners Assistance’’ to apply. The application is reviewed by a department personnel office, military or civilian, for verification of service or employment and mailed to the appropriate office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers which administers the program. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will notify the applicant. PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 58525 It is the objective of the Department of Defense to assure that all applications for assistance under this program are given full consideration and that benefits under the program are extended to all homeowners who are entitled to assistance in accordance with applicable policies and procedures. This request has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for emergency approval. Any comments received on this notice will be addressed in a subsequent information collection package to be submitted to OMB under regular processing timeframes. Dated: September 19, 2013, Aaron Siegel, Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. [FR Doc. 2013–23196 Filed 9–23–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001–06–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Office of the Secretary Meeting of the National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force Director of Administration and Management, DoD. ACTION: Notice of Advisory Committee Meeting. AGENCY: The Department of Defense is publishing this notice to announce that the following Federal Advisory Committee closed meeting of the National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force (‘‘the Commission’’) will take place. DATES: Dates of Closed Meeting, including Hearing and Commission Discussion: Thursday, September 26, 2013, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ADDRESSES: 2521 South Clark Street, Suite 525, Crystal City, VA 22202 and a secure video teleconferencing line. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mrs. Marcia Moore, Designated Federal Officer, National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force, 1950 Defense Pentagon, Room 3A874, Washington, DC 20301–1950. Email: marcia.l.moore12.civ@mail.mil. Desk (703) 545–9113. Facsimile (703) 692– 5625. SUMMARY: Purpose of Meeting: The members of the Commission will hear testimony from General Charles H. Jacoby, Jr, the Commander of the U.S. Northern Command, in the form of a question and answer session and then will discuss the information presented at the hearing. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\24SEN1.SGM 24SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 185 (Tuesday, September 24, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58524-58525]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-23105]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-BD69


Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; U.S. 
Navy Training and Testing Activities in the Mariana Islands Training 
and Testing Study Area

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

ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for letter of authorization; 
request for comments and information.

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

SUMMARY: NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Navy (Navy) for 
authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the training and 
testing activities conducted in the Mariana Islands Training and 
Testing (MITT) Study Area from July 2015 through July 2020. Pursuant to 
the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is announcing our receipt 
of the Navy's request for the development and implementation of 
regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals and 
inviting information, suggestions, and comments on the Navy's 
application and request.

DATES: Comments and information must be received no later than October 
24, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the application should be addressed to Michael 
Payne, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, 
Silver Spring, MD 20910-3225. The mailbox address for providing email 
comments is ITP.Magliocca@noaa.gov. NMFS is not responsible for email 
comments sent to addresses other than the one provided here. Comments 
sent via email, including all attachments, must not exceed a 10-
megabyte file size.
    Instructions: All comments received are a part of the public record 
and will generally be posted to https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm without change. All Personal Identifying Information 
(for example, name, address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by the 
commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit Confidential 
Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information.
    A copy of the Navy's application may be obtained by visiting the 
internet at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm. The 
Navy's Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for MITT was made 
available to the public on September 13, 2013. A 60-day public comment 
period is open through November 12, 2013. Documents cited in this 
notice may also be viewed, by appointment, during regular business 
hours, at the aforementioned address.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) 
direct the Secretary of Commerce to allow, upon request, the 
incidental, but not intentional, taking of small numbers of marine 
mammals by United States citizens who engage in a specified activity 
(other than commercial fishing) within a specific geographical region 
if certain findings are made and either regulations are issued or, if 
the taking is limited to harassment, a notice of a proposed 
authorization is provided to the public for review.
    Authorization for incidental takings shall be granted if NMFS finds 
that the taking will have a negligible impact on the species or 
stock(s), will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the 
availability of the species or stock(s) for subsistence uses (where 
relevant), and if the permissible methods of taking and requirements 
pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring and reporting of such takings 
are set forth. NMFS has defined ``negligible impact'' in 50 CFR 216.103 
as ``* * *an impact resulting from the specified activity that cannot 
be reasonably expected to, and is not reasonably likely to, adversely 
affect the species or stock through effects on annual rates of 
recruitment or survival.''
    With respect to military readiness activities, the MMPA defines 
``harassment'' as: ``(i) any act that injures or has the significant 
potential to injure a marine mammal stock in the wild [Level A 
Harassment]; or (ii) any act that disturbs or is likely to disturb a 
marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing disruption 
of natural behavioral patterns, including, but not limited to, 
migration, surfacing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering, to a 
point where such behavioral patterns are abandoned or significantly 
altered [Level B Harassment].''

Summary of Request

    On April 22, 2013, NMFS received an application from the Navy 
requesting a Letters of Authorization (LOA) for the take of 26 species 
of marine mammals incidental to Navy training and testing activities to 
be conducted in the MITT Study Area over 5 years. The Navy is 
requesting a 5-year LOA for training and testing activities to be 
conducted from 2015 through 2020. The Study Area includes the existing 
Mariana Islands Range Complex, a transit corridor between the Mariana 
Islands and the Hawaii Range Complex, and Navy pierside locations where 
sonar maintenance or testing may occur (see Figure 2-1 of the Navy's 
application for a map of the MITT Study Area). The activities conducted 
within the MITT Study Area are classified as military readiness 
activities. The Navy states that these activities may expose some of 
the marine mammals present within the MITT Study Area to sound from 
underwater acoustic sources and explosives. In addition, incidental 
takes of marine mammals may occur from ship strike. The Navy is 
requesting authorization to take 26 marine mammal species by Level B 
(behavioral) harassment; 15 of those marine mammal species may be taken 
by injury or mortality.

Description of the Specified Activity

    In the application submitted to NMFS, the Navy requests 
authorization to take marine mammals incidental to conducting the 
following training and testing activities: anti-surface warfare; anti-
submarine warfare; mine warfare; naval special warfare; major training 
activities; Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) testing; anti-surface 
warfare testing; anti-submarine warfare testing; Naval Sea Systems 
Command (NAVSEA) testing; and Office of Naval Research (ONR) and Naval 
Research Laboratory (NRL) testing. Detailed descriptions of these 
activities, including duration, location, and equipment involved, are 
provided in the Navy's application. The Navy has also prepared a Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) analyzing the effects on the 
human environment of implementing their preferred alternative (among 
others).

Information Solicited

    Interested persons may submit information, suggestions, and 
comments concerning the Navy's request (see

[[Page 58525]]

ADDRESSES). All input related to the Navy's MITT request and NMFS' role 
in governing the incidental taking of marine mammals will be considered 
by NMFS when developing, if appropriate, the most effective regulations 
governing the issuance of a Letter of Authorization.

    Dated: September 12, 2013.
Perry Gayaldo,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-23105 Filed 9-23-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P

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