Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Sturgeon Research in the Gulf of Mexico, 18529-18530 [2014-07367]
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tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 63 / Wednesday, April 2, 2014 / Notices
authorized for taking by Level B
harassment are: Pacific harbor seals;
California sea lions; northern elephant
seals; northern fur seals; and Steller sea
lions. For detailed information on this
action, please refer to the final rule (79
FR 10016, February 24, 2014). These
regulations include mitigation,
monitoring, and reporting requirements
for the incidental take of marine
mammals during the specified activities.
This LOA is effective from March 26,
2014, through March 26, 2019, and
authorizes the incidental take of the five
marine mammal species listed above
that may result from launches, aircraft
and helicopter operations, and harbor
activities related to vehicles from VAFB,
California.
The USAF states that these activities
may result in take of marine mammals
from noise or visual disturbance from
rocket and missile launches, as well as
from the use of heavy equipment during
the Delta Mariner (or similar vessel) offloading operations, cargo movement
activities, increased presence of
personnel, and harbor maintenance
dredging. The USAF launch and aircraft
activities create two types of noise:
continuous (but short-duration) noise,
due mostly to combustion effects of
aircraft and launch vehicles; and
impulsive noise, due to sonic boom
effects. Launch operations are the major
source of noise on the marine
environment from VAFB. The operation
of launch vehicle engines produces
significant sound levels. Generally,
noise is generated from four sources
during launches: (1) Combustion noise
from launch vehicle chambers; (2) jet
noise generated by the interaction of the
exhaust jet and the atmosphere; (3)
combustion noise from the post-burning
of combustion products; and (4) sonic
booms. Launch noise levels are highly
dependent on the type of first-stage
booster and the fuel used to propel the
vehicle. Therefore, there is a great
similarity in launch noise production
within each class size of launch
vehicles. The noise generated by VAFB
activities will result in the incidental
harassment of pinnipeds, both
behaviorally and in terms of
physiological (auditory) impacts.
Acoustic and visual stimuli generated
by the use of heavy equipment during
the Delta Mariner (or similar vessel) offloading operations and harbor dredging
and the increased presence of personnel
may have the potential to cause Level B
harassment of any pinnipeds hauled out
in the VAFB harbor. This disturbance
from acoustic and visual stimuli is the
principal means of marine mammal
taking associated with these activities.
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Take of marine mammals will be
minimized through the implementation
of the following mitigation measures: (1)
All aircraft and helicopter flight paths
must maintain a minimum distance of
1,000 ft (305 m) from recognized seal
haul-outs and rookeries (e.g., Point Sal,
Purisima Point, Rocky Point), except in
emergencies or for real-time security
incidents (e.g., search-and-rescue, firefighting) which may require
approaching pinniped haul-outs and
rookeries closer than 1,000 ft (305 m);
(2) for missile and rocket launches,
unless constrained by other factors
including human safety, national
security concerns or launch trajectories,
holders of LOAs must schedule
launches to avoid, whenever possible,
launches during the harbor seal pupping
season of March through June; (3) the
USAF must avoid, whenever possible,
launches which are predicted to
produce a sonic boom on the NCI during
harbor seal, elephant seal, California sea
lion, and northern fur seal pupping
seasons; and (4) if post-launch surveys
determine that an injurious or lethal
take of a marine mammal has occurred,
the launch procedure and the
monitoring methods must be reviewed,
in cooperation with NMFS, and
appropriate changes must be made
through modification to an LOA, prior
to conducting the next launch of the
same vehicle under that LOA. To
minimize marine mammal takes during
harbor activities, the following
mitigation measures will be
implemented: (1) If activities occur
during nighttime hours, turn on lighting
equipment before dusk. The lights
would remain on for the entire night to
avoid startling pinnipeds; (2) initiate
operations before dusk; (3) keep
construction noises at a constant level
(i.e., not interrupted by periods of quiet
in excess of 30 minutes) while
pinnipeds are present; (4) if activities
cease for longer than 30 minutes and
pinnipeds are in the area, initiate a
gradual start-up of activities to ensure a
gradual increase in noise levels; (5) a
qualified observer would visually
monitor the harbor seals on the beach
adjacent to the harbor and on rocks for
any flushing or other behaviors as a
result of the activities; (6) the Delta
Mariner (or similar vessel) and
accompanying vessels would enter the
harbor only when the tide is too high for
harbor seals to haul-out on the rocks;
reducing speed to 1.5 to 2 knots (1.5–
2 nm/hr; 2.8–3.7 km/hr) once the vessel
is within 3 mi (4.83 km) of the harbor.
The vessel would enter the harbor stern
first, approaching the wharf and
moorings at less than 0.75 knot (1.4 km/
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18529
hr); and (7) explore alternate dredge
methods and introduce quieter
techniques and equipment as they
become available.
Through this LOA, the USAF is
required to monitor for marine
mammals. The USAF is required to
submit an annual report to NMFS by
March 1 of each year. The report will
include data collected from the
monitoring program. Additional
information on the mitigation,
monitoring, and reporting requirements
can be found in the final rule (79 FR
10016, February 26, 2014). The USAF 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: March 26, 2014.
Donna S. Wieting,
Director, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–07316 Filed 4–1–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XB094
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to
Specified Activities; Taking Marine
Mammals Incidental to Sturgeon
Research in the Gulf of Mexico
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; withdrawal of a request
for incidental take authorization.
AGENCY:
Notice is hereby given that
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(FWS) has withdrawn its request for
authorization to take small numbers of
marine mammals incidental to
conducting sturgeon research in the
Gulf of Mexico (GOM), over the course
of five years from the date of issuance.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ben
Laws, Office of Protected Resources,
NMFS, (301) 427–8401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On
January 27, 2012, we received a
complete application from FWS
requesting authorization for take of four
species of marine mammal incidental to
sturgeon research conducted by and in
collaboration with FWS in the GOM. On
April 10, 2012 (77 FR 21539), we
published a Notice of Receipt of that
request in the Federal Register, inviting
information, suggestions, and comments
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\02APN1.SGM
02APN1
18530
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 63 / Wednesday, April 2, 2014 / Notices
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
on FWS’s application and request. We
did not receive any comments in
response to the notice.
Two bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops
truncatus) were incidentally killed on
April 12, 2011, in gillnets deployed
during sturgeon research conducted for
the Natural Resources Damage
Assessment of the Deepwater Horizon
oil spill. As a result, FWS determined
that this and other similar research had
the potential to incidentally take
additional marine mammals via
entanglement in gillnets, resulting in
injury, serious injury, or mortality.
Therefore, FWS determined that a
request for incidental take authorization
was warranted, and requested
authorization to take bottlenose
dolphins, Atlantic spotted dolphins
(Stenella frontalis), pantropical spotted
dolphins (S. attenuata), and striped
dolphins (S. coeruleoalba) by injury,
serious injury, or mortality.
On April 15 and July 8, 2011,
respectively, NMFS’ Southeast Regional
Office (SERO) provided FWS with
marine mammal mitigation measures for
spring sampling and marine mammal
conservation measures and
recommendations for summer and fall
sampling. These measures were
designed to prevent additional incidents
of take incidental to sturgeon research,
and FWS agreed to adhere to these
measures. Subsequently, NMFS’ Office
of Protected Resources determined, in
consultation with SERO, that
implementation of the measures as
described would mitigate the risk of
incidental capture of marine mammals
in sturgeon sampling gear to
discountable levels. Therefore, we
determined that an incidental take
authorization was no longer warranted.
On February 14, 2014, FWS submitted
a withdrawal of their previous request
for incidental take authorization,
reiterating their commitment to working
closely with NMFS and other partners
on sturgeon research in the GOM while
implementing the mitigation measures
as described by SERO. No further
incidents of incidental capture have
occurred since FWS began
implementing the prescribed measures.
Dated: March 28, 2014.
Donna S. Wieting,
Director, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014–07367 Filed 4–2–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
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Jkt 232001
COMMISSION OF FINE ARTS
Commission of Fine Arts; Notice of
Meeting
The next meeting of the U.S.
Commission of Fine Arts is scheduled
for 17 April 2014, at 9:00 a.m. in the
Commission offices at the National
Building Museum, Suite 312, Judiciary
Square, 401 F Street NW., Washington
DC 20001–2728. Items of discussion
may include buildings, parks, and
memorials.
Draft agendas and additional
information regarding the Commission
are available on our Web site:
www.cfa.gov. Inquiries regarding the
agenda and requests to submit written
or oral statements should be addressed
to Thomas Luebke, Secretary, U.S.
Commission of Fine Arts, at the above
address; by emailing CFAStaff@cfa.gov;
or by calling 202–504–2200. Individuals
requiring sign language interpretation
for the hearing impaired should contact
the Secretary at least 10 days before the
meeting date.
Dated: March 24, 2014, in Washington, DC.
Thomas Luebke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2014–07252 Filed 4–1–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6331–01–M
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army; Corps of
Engineers
Inland Waterways Users Board
Meeting Notice
Department of the Army, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of open Federal advisory
committee meeting.
AGENCY:
The Department of the Army
is publishing this notice to announce
the following Federal advisory
committee meeting of the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, Inland Waterways
Users Board (Board). This meeting is
open to the public. For additional
information about the Board, please
visit the committee’s Web site at: https://
www.iwr.usace.army.mil/Missions/
Navigation/
InlandWaterwaysUsersBoard.aspx.
DATES: The Army Corps of Engineers,
Inland Waterways Users Board will
meet from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 1,
2014. Public registration will begin at
8:30 a.m.
ADDRESSES: The Board meeting will be
conducted at the Wyndham Riverfront
Little Rock Hotel, 2 Riverfront Place,
North Little Rock, AR 72114, at 501–
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00024
Fmt 4703
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371–9000, or www.wyndham.com/
hotels/arkansas/north-little-rock/
wundham-riverfront-little-rock/hoteloverview.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Mindy M. Simmons, the Designated
Federal Officer (DFO) for the committee,
in writing at Headquarters, U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CECW–IP,
441 G Street NW., Washington, DC
20314–1000; by telephone at 202–761–
1934; and by email at
Mindy.M.Simmons@usace.army.mil. In
the alternative, contact Mr. Mark R.
Pointon, the Alternate Designated
Federal Officer (ADFO), in writing at the
Institute for Water Resources, U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CEIWR–GM,
7701 Telegraph Road, Casey Building,
Alexandria, VA 22315–3868; by
telephone at 703–428–6438; and by
email at Mark.Pointon@usace.army.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
committee meeting is being held under
the provisions of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act of 1972 (5 U.S.C.,
Appendix, as amended), the
Government in the Sunshine Act of
1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), and
41 CFR 102–3.150.
Purpose of the Meeting: The Board is
chartered to provide independent
advice and recommendations to the
Secretary of the Army on construction
and rehabilitation project investments
on the commercial navigation features
of the inland waterways system of the
United States. At this meeting, the
Board will receive briefings and
presentations regarding the investments,
projects and status of the inland
waterways system of the United States
and conduct discussions and
deliberations on those matters. The
Board is interested in written and verbal
comments from the public relevant to
these purposes.
Proposed Agenda: At this meeting the
agenda will include the status of
funding for inland navigation projects
and studies, the status of the Inland
Waterways Trust Fund, funding for
Fiscal Year 2014, status of the Olmsted
Locks and Dam Project, status of the
Mississippi River Lock and Dam #27
Major Rehabilitation, review of the
Inner Harbor Navigation Canal Lock Sill
Depth Design, review of the Bayou
Sorrel Lock Economic Assessment, and
an update of Risk-based Infrastructure
Management for the Inland Waterways.
Availability of Materials for the
Meeting. A copy of the agenda or any
updates to the agenda for the May 1,
2013 meeting.
Public Accessibility to the Meeting:
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended,
and 41 CFR 102–3.140 through
E:\FR\FM\02APN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 2, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18529-18530]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-07367]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XB094
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities;
Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Sturgeon Research in the Gulf of
Mexico
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; withdrawal of a request for incidental take
authorization.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(FWS) has withdrawn its request for authorization to take small numbers
of marine mammals incidental to conducting sturgeon research in the
Gulf of Mexico (GOM), over the course of five years from the date of
issuance.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ben Laws, Office of Protected
Resources, NMFS, (301) 427-8401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On January 27, 2012, we received a complete
application from FWS requesting authorization for take of four species
of marine mammal incidental to sturgeon research conducted by and in
collaboration with FWS in the GOM. On April 10, 2012 (77 FR 21539), we
published a Notice of Receipt of that request in the Federal Register,
inviting information, suggestions, and comments
[[Page 18530]]
on FWS's application and request. We did not receive any comments in
response to the notice.
Two bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) were incidentally
killed on April 12, 2011, in gillnets deployed during sturgeon research
conducted for the Natural Resources Damage Assessment of the Deepwater
Horizon oil spill. As a result, FWS determined that this and other
similar research had the potential to incidentally take additional
marine mammals via entanglement in gillnets, resulting in injury,
serious injury, or mortality. Therefore, FWS determined that a request
for incidental take authorization was warranted, and requested
authorization to take bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic spotted dolphins
(Stenella frontalis), pantropical spotted dolphins (S. attenuata), and
striped dolphins (S. coeruleoalba) by injury, serious injury, or
mortality.
On April 15 and July 8, 2011, respectively, NMFS' Southeast
Regional Office (SERO) provided FWS with marine mammal mitigation
measures for spring sampling and marine mammal conservation measures
and recommendations for summer and fall sampling. These measures were
designed to prevent additional incidents of take incidental to sturgeon
research, and FWS agreed to adhere to these measures. Subsequently,
NMFS' Office of Protected Resources determined, in consultation with
SERO, that implementation of the measures as described would mitigate
the risk of incidental capture of marine mammals in sturgeon sampling
gear to discountable levels. Therefore, we determined that an
incidental take authorization was no longer warranted. On February 14,
2014, FWS submitted a withdrawal of their previous request for
incidental take authorization, reiterating their commitment to working
closely with NMFS and other partners on sturgeon research in the GOM
while implementing the mitigation measures as described by SERO. No
further incidents of incidental capture have occurred since FWS began
implementing the prescribed measures.
Dated: March 28, 2014.
Donna S. Wieting,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-07367 Filed 4-2-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
