Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Operation of Offshore Oil and Gas Facilities in the U.S. Beaufort Sea, 3347-3348 [2014-00997]
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 13 / Tuesday, January 21, 2014 / Notices
Notice is hereby given that a
permit has been issued to Bruce R.
Mate, Ph.D., Hatfield Marine Science
Center, Oregon State University,
Newport, OR 97365 to conduct research
on 78 species of marine mammals for
scientific research.
ADDRESSES: The permit and related
documents are available for review
upon written request or by appointment
in the following offices: See
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Amy Hapeman or Kristy Beard, (301)
427–8401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 1,
2012, notice was published in the
Federal Register (77 FR 32571) that a
request for a permit to conduct research
on marine mammals had been
submitted by the above-named
applicant. The requested permit has
been issued under the authority of the
Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972,
as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the
regulations governing the taking and
importing of marine mammals (50 CFR
part 216), the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531
et seq.), the regulations governing the
taking, importing, and exporting of
endangered and threatened species (50
CFR parts 222–226), and the Fur Seal
Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151
et seq.).
Dr. Mate has been issued a permit that
authorizes the take of 66 species of
cetaceans and 12 species of pinnipeds
in U.S. and international waters
worldwide. The purposes of the
research are to: (1) Identify migration
routes; (2) identify specific feeding and
breeding grounds for each species; (3)
characterize local movements and dive
habits in both feeding and breeding
grounds, and during migration; (4)
examine the relationships between
movements/dive habits and prey
distribution, time of day, geographic
location, or physical and biological
oceanographic conditions; (5)
characterize whale vocalizations; and
(6) characterize sound pressure levels to
which whales are exposed. Researchers
are authorized to conduct aerial and
vessel surveys to perform a suite of
research activities including:
observations, biopsy sampling,
implantable and suction-cup tagging,
photo-identification, behavioral
observation, passive acoustic recording,
post-tag monitoring, and/or import,
receive or export parts. Sixteen
threatened or endangered marine
mammals may be targeted for research
or incidentally harassed during surveys.
The request to attach implantable tags to
minke (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) and
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SUMMARY:
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16:42 Jan 17, 2014
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killer whales (Orcinus orca) was denied.
The permit expires December 31, 2018.
An environmental assessment (EA)
was prepared analyzing the effects of
the permitted activities on the human
environment in compliance with the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). Based on
the analyses in the EA, NMFS
determined that issuance of the permit
would not significantly impact the
quality of the human environment and
that preparation of an environmental
impact statement was not required. That
determination is documented in a
Finding of No Significant Impact, signed
on December 16, 2013.
As required by the ESA, issuance of
this permit was based on a finding that
such permit: (1) Was applied for in good
faith; (2) will not operate to the
disadvantage of such endangered
species; and (3) is consistent with the
purposes and policies set forth in
section 2 of the ESA.
Documents may be reviewed in the
following locations:
Permits and Conservation Division,
Office of Protected Resources, NMFS,
1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705,
Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone (301)
427–8401; fax (301) 713–0376;
Alaska Region, NMFS, P.O. Box
21668, Juneau, AK 99802–1668; phone
(907) 586–7221; fax (907) 586–7249;
West Coast Region, NMFS, 501 West
Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach,
CA 90802–4213; phone (562) 980–4005;
fax (562) 980–4027;
Pacific Islands Region, NMFS, 1601
Kapiolani Blvd., Rm 1110, Honolulu, HI
96814–4700; phone (808) 944–2200; fax
(808) 973–2941;
Northeast Region, NMFS, 55 Great
Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930;
phone (978) 281–9328; fax (978) 281–
9394; and
Southeast Region, NMFS, 263 13th
Avenue South, Saint Petersburg, FL
33701; phone (727) 824–5312; fax (727)
824–5309.
Dated: January 15, 2014.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division,
Office of Protected Resources, National
Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–01023 Filed 1–17–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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3347
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XD067
Taking and Importing Marine
Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals
Incidental to Operation of Offshore Oil
and Gas Facilities in the U.S. Beaufort
Sea
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of issuance of a Letter of
Authorization.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Marine Mammal Protection Act
(MMPA), as amended, and
implementing regulations, notification
is hereby given that a Letter of
Authorization (LOA) has been issued to
BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. (BP) to take
marine mammals, by harassment,
incidental to operation of offshore oil
and gas facilities in the U.S. Beaufort
Sea, Alaska.
DATES: Effective from January 13, 2014,
through January 14, 2019.
ADDRESSES: The LOA and supporting
documentation may be obtained by
writing to Jolie Harrison, Supervisor,
Incidental Take Program, Permits and
Conservation Division, Office of
Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East
West Highway, Silver Spring, MD
20910, calling the contact listed under
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, or
visiting the Internet at: https://
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/
incidental.htm. Documents cited in this
notice may also be viewed, by
appointment, during regular business
hours at the above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Candace Nachman, Office of Protected
Resources, NMFS, (301) 427–8401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
Background
Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA (16
U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) directs the Secretary
of Commerce to allow, upon request, the
incidental, but not intentional, taking of
small numbers of marine mammals by
U.S. citizens who engage in a specified
activity (other than commercial fishing)
within a specified geographical region if
certain findings are made and
regulations are issued. Under the
MMPA, the term ‘‘take’’ means to
harass, hunt, capture, or kill or to
attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill
any marine mammal.
Authorization for incidental takings
may be granted for periods up to 5
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21JAN1
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
3348
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 13 / Tuesday, January 21, 2014 / Notices
years, after notification and opportunity
for public comment, 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.’’
Regulations governing the take of six
species of marine mammals, by Level B
harassment, and the take of one species
by Level A harassment, serious injury,
or mortality incidental to operation of
the Northstar development in the
Beaufort Sea, Alaska, were issued on
December 12, 2013 (78 FR 75488). These
regulations are effective from January
13, 2014, through January 14, 2019 (78
FR 75488, December 12, 2013). The
species which are authorized for taking
by Level B harassment are: Bowhead,
gray, and beluga whales and ringed,
bearded, and spotted seals. BP is also
authorized to take five individual ringed
seals by injury or mortality annually
over the course of the 5-year rule. For
detailed information on this action,
please refer to the final rule (78 FR
75488, December 12, 2013). These
regulations include mitigation,
monitoring, and reporting requirements
for the incidental take of marine
mammals during operation and
maintenance activities at the BP
Northstar development facility.
This LOA is effective from January 13,
2014, through January 14, 2019, and
authorizes the incidental take of the six
marine mammal species listed above
that may result from operations,
including maintenance activities, at the
BP Northstar development in the U.S.
Beaufort Sea.
Potential effects of BP’s operation of
the Norsthar development involve both
acoustic and non-acoustic effects.
Potential non-acoustic effects could
result from the physical presence of
personnel, structures and equipment,
construction or maintenance activities,
and the occurrence of oil spills. Ice road
construction may also impact ringed
seals. A major oil spill is unlikely.
Potential acoustic effects could result
from island construction, maintenance,
and drilling, as well as vehicles
operating on the ice, vessels, aircraft,
generators, production machinery, gas
flaring, and camp operations. Marine
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16:42 Jan 17, 2014
Jkt 232001
mammals may experience masking and
behavioral disturbance.
Take of marine mammals will be
minimized through the implementation
of the following mitigation measures: (1)
Surveying with specially-trained dogs if
any ice road or construction activities
occur after March 1 in previously
undisturbed areas in waters deeper than
10 ft (3 m) in order to identify and avoid
ringed seal structures by a minimum of
492 ft (150 m); (2) scheduling all nonessential boat, hovercraft, barge, and air
traffic to avoid periods when whales
(especially bowhead whales) are
migrating through the area; (3)
maintaining a minimum altitude of
1,000 ft (305 m) and specific corridor
from Seal Island to the mainland for all
helicopter flights, except when limited
by weather or personnel safety or during
takeoffs and landings; (4) establishing
exclusion zones for cetaceans and
pinnipeds of 180 and 190 dB re 1 mPa
(rms), respectively, when impact pile
driving activities will occur; (5) shutting
down impact pile driving activities if
marine mammals enter the applicable
exclusion zones; and (6) no new drilling
into oil-bearing strata during either
open-water or spring-time broken ice
conditions. In addition to these
mitigation measures, BP has an oil spill
prevention and contingency plan in
place, which was developed and
approved by the Alaska Department of
Environmental Conservation, U.S.
Department of Transportation, U.S.
Coast Guard, and the former Minerals
Management Service. Additionally, the
rule includes an adaptive management
component that allows for timely
modification of mitigation or monitoring
measures based on new information,
when appropriate.
Through this LOA, BP is required to
monitor for marine mammals using both
visual observers and passive acoustic
monitoring systems. BP is required to
submit an annual report to NMFS by
June 1 of each year. The report will
include data collected from the visual
and acoustic monitoring program during
the period of November 1 through
October 31 each year. Additional
information on the mitigation,
monitoring, and reporting requirements
can be found in the final rule (78 FR
75488, December 12, 2013). BP is also
required to submit a comprehensive
report, which shall provide full
documentation of methods, results, and
interpretation of all monitoring during
the period of effectiveness of this LOA.
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Dated: January 14, 2014.
Donna S. Wieting,
Director, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–00997 Filed 1–17–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL
PROTECTION
[Docket No: CFPB–2014–0002]
Agency Information Collection
Activities: Submission for OMB
Review; Comment Request
Bureau of Consumer Financial
Protection.
ACTION: Notice and request for comment.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
(PRA), the Consumer Financial
Protection Bureau (Bureau) is proposing
to renew the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) approval for an existing
information collection titled, ‘‘Fair
Credit Reporting Act (Regulation V) 12
CFR 1022’’.
DATES: Written comments are
encouraged and must be received on or
before February 20, 2014 to be assured
of consideration.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,
identified by the title of the information
collection, OMB Control Number (see
below), and docket number (see above),
by any of the following methods:
• Electronic: https://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
• Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier:
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
(Attention: PRA Office), 1700 G Street
NW., Washington, DC 20552.
Please note that comments submitted
by fax or email and those submitted
after the comment period will not be
accepted. In general, all comments
received will be posted without change
to regulations.gov, including any
personal information provided.
Sensitive personal information, such as
account numbers or social security
numbers, should not be included.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Documentation prepared in support of
this information collection request is
available at www.reginfo.gov. Requests
for additional information should be
directed to the Consumer Financial
Protection Bureau, (Attention: PRA
Office), 1700 G Street NW., Washington,
DC 20552, (202) 435–9575, or email:
PRA@cfpb.gov. Please do not submit
comments to this email box.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\21JAN1.SGM
21JAN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 21, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3347-3348]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-00997]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XD067
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals
Incidental to Operation of Offshore Oil and Gas Facilities in the U.S.
Beaufort Sea
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of issuance of a Letter of Authorization.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as
amended, and implementing regulations, notification is hereby given
that a Letter of Authorization (LOA) has been issued to BP Exploration
(Alaska) Inc. (BP) to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to
operation of offshore oil and gas facilities in the U.S. Beaufort Sea,
Alaska.
DATES: Effective from January 13, 2014, through January 14, 2019.
ADDRESSES: The LOA and supporting documentation may be obtained by
writing to Jolie Harrison, Supervisor, Incidental Take Program, Permits
and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315
East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, calling the contact listed
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, or visiting the Internet at:
https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm. Documents cited in
this notice may also be viewed, by appointment, during regular business
hours at the above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Candace Nachman, Office of Protected
Resources, NMFS, (301) 427-8401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) directs
the Secretary of Commerce to allow, upon request, the incidental, but
not intentional, taking of small numbers of marine mammals by U.S.
citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than commercial
fishing) within a specified geographical region if certain findings are
made and regulations are issued. Under the MMPA, the term ``take''
means to harass, hunt, capture, or kill or to attempt to harass, hunt,
capture, or kill any marine mammal.
Authorization for incidental takings may be granted for periods up
to 5
[[Page 3348]]
years, after notification and opportunity for public comment, 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.''
Regulations governing the take of six species of marine mammals, by
Level B harassment, and the take of one species by Level A harassment,
serious injury, or mortality incidental to operation of the Northstar
development in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska, were issued on December 12,
2013 (78 FR 75488). These regulations are effective from January 13,
2014, through January 14, 2019 (78 FR 75488, December 12, 2013). The
species which are authorized for taking by Level B harassment are:
Bowhead, gray, and beluga whales and ringed, bearded, and spotted
seals. BP is also authorized to take five individual ringed seals by
injury or mortality annually over the course of the 5-year rule. For
detailed information on this action, please refer to the final rule (78
FR 75488, December 12, 2013). These regulations include mitigation,
monitoring, and reporting requirements for the incidental take of
marine mammals during operation and maintenance activities at the BP
Northstar development facility.
This LOA is effective from January 13, 2014, through January 14,
2019, and authorizes the incidental take of the six marine mammal
species listed above that may result from operations, including
maintenance activities, at the BP Northstar development in the U.S.
Beaufort Sea.
Potential effects of BP's operation of the Norsthar development
involve both acoustic and non-acoustic effects. Potential non-acoustic
effects could result from the physical presence of personnel,
structures and equipment, construction or maintenance activities, and
the occurrence of oil spills. Ice road construction may also impact
ringed seals. A major oil spill is unlikely. Potential acoustic effects
could result from island construction, maintenance, and drilling, as
well as vehicles operating on the ice, vessels, aircraft, generators,
production machinery, gas flaring, and camp operations. Marine mammals
may experience masking and behavioral disturbance.
Take of marine mammals will be minimized through the implementation
of the following mitigation measures: (1) Surveying with specially-
trained dogs if any ice road or construction activities occur after
March 1 in previously undisturbed areas in waters deeper than 10 ft (3
m) in order to identify and avoid ringed seal structures by a minimum
of 492 ft (150 m); (2) scheduling all non-essential boat, hovercraft,
barge, and air traffic to avoid periods when whales (especially bowhead
whales) are migrating through the area; (3) maintaining a minimum
altitude of 1,000 ft (305 m) and specific corridor from Seal Island to
the mainland for all helicopter flights, except when limited by weather
or personnel safety or during takeoffs and landings; (4) establishing
exclusion zones for cetaceans and pinnipeds of 180 and 190 dB re 1
[mu]Pa (rms), respectively, when impact pile driving activities will
occur; (5) shutting down impact pile driving activities if marine
mammals enter the applicable exclusion zones; and (6) no new drilling
into oil-bearing strata during either open-water or spring-time broken
ice conditions. In addition to these mitigation measures, BP has an oil
spill prevention and contingency plan in place, which was developed and
approved by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, U.S.
Department of Transportation, U.S. Coast Guard, and the former Minerals
Management Service. Additionally, the rule includes an adaptive
management component that allows for timely modification of mitigation
or monitoring measures based on new information, when appropriate.
Through this LOA, BP is required to monitor for marine mammals
using both visual observers and passive acoustic monitoring systems. BP
is required to submit an annual report to NMFS by June 1 of each year.
The report will include data collected from the visual and acoustic
monitoring program during the period of November 1 through October 31
each year. Additional information on the mitigation, monitoring, and
reporting requirements can be found in the final rule (78 FR 75488,
December 12, 2013). BP is also required to submit a comprehensive
report, which shall provide full documentation of methods, results, and
interpretation of all monitoring during the period of effectiveness of
this LOA.
Dated: January 14, 2014.
Donna S. Wieting,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-00997 Filed 1-17-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
