Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to a 3D Seismic Survey in Prudhoe Bay, Beaufort Sea, Alaska, 36730-36743 [2014-15238]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 125 (Monday, June 30, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36730-36743]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-15238]



[[Page 36730]]

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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD210


Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; 
Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to a 3D Seismic Survey in Prudhoe Bay, 
Beaufort Sea, Alaska

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

ACTION: Notice; issuance of an incidental harassment authorization.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) 
regulations, notice is hereby given that NMFS has issued an Incidental 
Harassment Authorization (IHA) to BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. (BP) to 
take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to conducting an ocean-
bottom sensor seismic survey in Prudhoe Bay, Beaufort Sea, Alaska, 
during the 2014 open water season.

DATES: Effective July 1, 2014, through September 30, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Electronic copies of the IHA, application, and associated 
Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact 
(FONSI) may be obtained by writing to Jolie Harrison, Supervisor, 
Incidental Take Program, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, telephoning the contact listed below 
(see 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 aforementioned address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Candace Nachman, 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 U.S. citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than 
commercial fishing) within a specified geographical region if certain 
findings are made and either regulations are issued 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, other means of 
effecting the least practicable impact on the species or stock and its 
habitat, 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.''
    Except with respect to certain activities not pertinent here, the 
MMPA defines ``harassment'' as: ``any act of pursuit, torment, or 
annoyance which (i) has the potential to injure a marine mammal or 
marine mammal stock in the wild [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 [Level B harassment].''

Summary of Request

    On December 30, 2013, NMFS received an application from BP for the 
taking of marine mammals incidental to conducting a 3D ocean-bottom 
sensor (OBS) seismic survey. NMFS determined that the application was 
adequate and complete on February 14, 2014.
    BP proposes to conduct a 3D OBS seismic survey with a transition 
zone component on state and private lands and Federal and state waters 
in the Prudhoe Bay area of the Beaufort Sea during the open-water 
season of 2014. The activity would occur between July 1 and September 
30; however, airgun operations would cease on August 25. The following 
specific aspects of the activity are likely to result in the take of 
marine mammals: airguns and pingers. Take, by Level B harassment only, 
of 9 marine mammal species is anticipated to result from the specified 
activity.

Description of the Specified Activity

Overview

    BP's proposed OBS seismic survey would utilize sensors located on 
the ocean bottom or buried below ground nearshore (surf zone) and 
onshore. A total of two seismic source vessels will be used during the 
proposed survey, each carrying two airgun sub-arrays. The discharge 
volume of each airgun sub-array will not exceed 620 cubic inches 
(in\3\). To limit the duration of the total survey, the source vessels 
will be operating in a flip-flop mode (i.e., alternating shots); this 
means that one vessel discharges airguns when the other vessel is 
recharging.
    The purpose of the proposed OBS seismic survey is to obtain 
current, high-resolution seismic data to image existing reservoirs. The 
data will increase BP's understanding of the reservoir, allowing for 
more effective reservoir management. Existing datasets of the proposed 
survey area include the 1985 Niakuk and 1990 Point McIntyre vibroseis 
on ice surveys. Data from these two surveys were merged for 
reprocessing in 2004. A complete set of OBS data has not previously 
been acquired in the proposed survey area.

Dates and Duration

    The planned start date of receiver deployment is approximately July 
1, 2014, with seismic data acquisition beginning when open water 
conditions allow. This has typically been around July 15. Seismic 
survey data acquisition may take approximately 45 days to complete, 
which includes downtime for weather and other circumstances. Seismic 
data acquisition will occur on a 24-hour per day schedule with 
staggered crew changes. Receiver retrieval and demobilization of 
equipment and support crew will be completed by the end of September. 
To limit potential impacts to the bowhead whale fall migration and 
subsistence hunting, airgun operations will conclude by midnight on 
August 25. Receiver and equipment retrieval and crew demobilization 
would continue after airgun operations end but would be completed by 
September 30. Therefore, the dates for the IHA are July 1 through 
September 30, 2014.

Specified Geographic Region

    The proposed seismic survey would occur in Federal and state waters 
in the Prudhoe Bay area of the Beaufort Sea, Alaska. The seismic survey 
project area lies mainly within the Prudhoe Bay Unit and also includes 
portions of the Northstar, Dewline, and Duck Island Units, as well as 
non-unit areas. Figures 1 and 2 in BP's application outline the 
proposed seismic acquisition areas. The project area encompasses 
approximately 190 mi\2\, comprised of approximately 129 mi\2\ in water 
depths of 3 ft and greater, 28 mi\2\ in waters less than 3 ft

[[Page 36731]]

deep, and 33 mi\2\ on land. The approximate boundaries of the project 
area are between 70[deg]16' N. and 70[deg]31' N. and between 
147[deg]52' W. and 148[deg]47' W. and include state and federal waters, 
as well as state and private lands. Activity outside the 190 mi\2\ area 
may include source vessels turning from one line to the other while 
using mitigation guns, vessel transits, and project support and 
logistics.

Detailed Description of Activities

    OBS seismic surveys are typically used to acquire 3D seismic data 
in water that is too shallow for towed streamer operations or too deep 
to have grounded ice in winter. Data acquired through this type of 
survey will allow for the generation of a 3D sub-surface image of the 
reservoir area. The generation of a 3D image requires the deployment of 
many parallel receiver lines spaced close together over the area of 
interest. The activities associated with the proposed OBS seismic 
survey include equipment and personnel mobilization and demobilization, 
housing and logistics, temporary support facilities, and seismic data 
acquisition. The Notice of Proposed IHA (79 FR 21354, April 15, 2014) 
contains a full detailed description of the 3D OBS seismic survey, 
including the recording system and seismic source. That information has 
not changed and is therefore not repeated here.

Comments and Responses

    A Notice of Proposed IHA was published in the Federal Register on 
April 15, 2014 (79 FR 21354) for public comment. During the 30-day 
public comment period, NMFS received two comment letters from the 
following: the Marine Mammal Commission (MMC) and one private citizen. 
All of the public comments received on the Notice of Proposed IHA are 
available on the Internet at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/permits/bp_prudhoebay_comments.pdf. Following is a summary of the comments 
and NMFS' responses.
    Comment 1: The private citizen's letter requested that NMFS deny 
BP's request because the survey will kill marine mammals.
    Response: As explained in detail in the analysis of the proposed 
IHA and the associated EA, this seismic survey is not anticipated to 
result in any injuries, serious injuries, or mortalities of marine 
mammals, and NMFS has not authorized any takes by injury or death. The 
most common types of impacts from the proposed survey are minor changes 
in behavior. Moreover, BP proposed to and NMFS has required the 
implementation of several mitigation measures to reduce impacts to 
marine mammals to the lowest level practicable. NMFS determined that 
the impact of the 3D OBS seismic survey may result, at worst, in a 
temporary modification in behavior of small numbers of certain species 
of marine mammals that may occur in the vicinity of the proposed 
activity.
    Comment 2: The MMC states that an accurate characterization of the 
size of the harassment zone is necessary for obtaining reliable 
estimates of the numbers of animals taken. The MMC questioned the use 
of data from sound source verification (SSV) tests from other airgun 
arrays in the Beaufort Sea because of the different discharge volumes. 
The MMC recommends that NMFS require BP to conduct sound source and 
sound propagation measurements for the proposed seismic survey to 
ensure that the exclusion and harassment zones have not been 
underestimated. The methods used to calculate the zones should be 
reviewed and cross-checked before they are implemented. In at least one 
previous IHA, the methods and calculations were not reviewed and the 
zones were reduced during the survey. After the calculations were 
reviewed post-survey, it became apparent that the zones were reduced 
incorrectly. Therefore, the MMC recommends that NMFS only authorize an 
adjustment in the size of the exclusion and/or harassment zones during 
the open-water season if the size(s) of the estimated zones are 
determined to be too small.
    Response: Discharge volume, while a factor in determining sound 
isopleths, is not the only determining factor and not necessarily the 
most important factor. The sound pressure of an array is not a linear 
function of the discharge volume. Rather, the sound pressure is 
dependent on many factors, such as the number of guns in the array, the 
discharge volume of each individual gun, the composition of each 
individual gun (with varying discharge volume) in the array, the 
distance between each gun, the distance between the subarrays, etc. 
Because the sound pressures in the far field from an airgun array 
increase with the number of airguns and with the cube root of the total 
discharge volume, generally speaking, the number of guns is more 
important than the total discharge volume for determining source 
levels. The source levels for the 16-gun 640 in\3\ array (used in 2012 
in Simpson Lagoon, Beaufort Sea, Alaska) and the 16-gun 1240 in\3\ 
(proposed for this Prudhoe Bay survey) are very similar (223 and 224 dB 
re 1 [micro]Pa rms, respectively). Additionally, the source levels for 
the eight-gun 880 in\3\ array (used in 2008 in shallow water 
environments of the Beaufort Sea) and the eight-gun 620 in\3\ array 
(proposed for this Prudhoe Bay survey) are very similar (217 and 218 dB 
re 1 [micro]Pa rms, respectively). BP also used isopleth results from 
previous SSV tests when a 640 in\3\ array and an 880 in\3\ array were 
used in combination. That would then result in a total discharge volume 
of 1520 in\3\, which is greater than the total discharge volume of the 
two subarrays planned for this particular survey (i.e., 1240 in\3\). 
Based on this information, NMFS determined that BP's approach of using 
previous SSV results from very similar airgun arrays used in very 
similar environments in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea was appropriate to 
characterize the size of the harassment zone.
    NMFS determined that requiring additional SSV tests for the array 
proposed to be used in this survey unwarranted. The data used by BP to 
estimate the relevant isopleths for this survey are fair 
representations of what is likely to be expected in Prudhoe Bay. 
Because of the difficulties in conducting SSV tests in extremely 
shallow water environments (generally less than 10-20 ft of water), 
such as the one in the proposed survey area, results would not provide 
any additional useful information. Additionally, the requirement to 
conduct another SSV in a region where numerous such tests have already 
been conducted would add additional, unnecessary sound into the marine 
environment without yielding newer, more valuable data. NMFS does not 
intend to authorize any changes to the estimated isopleths (described 
later in this document) after the IHA is issued.
    Comment 3: The MMC disagrees with using the area of a circle to 
estimate the size of the ensonified area. According to the MMC, this 
would only be correct if the sound source were stationary. For surveys 
in which the source is moving (i.e., towed airgun arrays), the 
ensonified area should instead be based on the total linear distance 
surveyed by the vessel in a day, taking into account the distance to 
the Level B harassment threshold, which would presumably produce an 
area greater than that calculated by using the area of a circle. BP and 
NMFS should use that revised estimate of the ensonified area to 
determine the numbers of animals that could be taken. The MMC 
recommends that NMFS require BP to recalculate take estimates for 
beluga and bowhead whales and ringed, bearded, and spotted seals using 
the revised ensonified area estimate for a moving sound source.
    Response: In shallow water heterogeneous environments (such as

[[Page 36732]]

that for the proposed survey), propagation conditions change as the 
vessels move; therefore, using the total linear distance surveyed by 
the vessel in a day would not necessarily result in estimates that are 
any more accurate than the method of using the area of a circle. In 
deeper water with more constant oceanographic and bathymetric 
conditions, a complex polygon based on propagation modeling is likely a 
better method to employ. However, BP will conduct surveys in extremely 
shallow water (75% of the survey in water depths less than 20 ft and 
the remaining survey in water depths less than 40 ft). The total 
ensonified area, as estimated in BP's application, also slightly 
overestimates the total area because BP did not delete the areas of 
overlap between the two seismic source vessels. NMFS agrees that the 
methods used to calculate take provide an accurate representation of 
the numbers of marine mammals that may potentially occur in the Level B 
harassment zone.
    Comment 4: The MMC states that for beluga and bowhead whales, NMFS 
used average rather than maximum densities as the basis for its 
proposed takes. NMFS indicated that 2012/2013 survey data included 
sightings and effort data in the estimation of densities from areas 
more offshore than what would be included in the proposed survey, thus 
the maximum densities would overestimate the numbers of animals 
expected in the nearshore waters of the survey. According to the MMC, 
although that rationale might be appropriate for beluga whales, which 
are typically found in greater numbers offshore than in the proposed 
survey area, it is not appropriate for bowhead whales, which the MMC 
expects would be more likely to occur at maximum densities closer to 
shore. In any case, the MMC has commented on several occasions that 
NMFS is inconsistent in its use of average versus maximum densities to 
estimate takes and has recommended that maximum densities be used due 
to uncertainties in the density and abundance of marine mammal species 
in the Beaufort Sea and the increasing inter-annual variability in 
environmental conditions in the Arctic. Takes based on maximum 
densities would also provide greater assurance that the total potential 
taking has no more than a negligible impact on the affected stocks. For 
those reasons, the MMC recommends that NMFS use species-specific 
maximum density estimates as the basis for estimating the numbers of 
marine mammals to be taken.
    Response: NMFS determined that the use of average rather than 
maximum density estimates for bowhead whales was appropriate for 
estimating takes. In July and August (the months when BP proposes to 
conduct seismic data acquisition), bowhead whales are not commonly 
observed in the central Alaskan Beaufort Sea. During this time of year, 
the majority of the bowhead whale population is found in the Canadian 
Beaufort Sea. The fall migration westward through the Alaskan Beaufort 
Sea does not typically begin until late August or early September, 
after BP will have completed seismic airgun operations. Moreover, 
during a similar survey in Simpson Lagoon in 2012, there were no 
cetacean sightings during the entirety of the project. Therefore, NMFS 
determined that the method used to calculate bowhead whale takes was 
appropriate.
    While there is a chance that the inter-annual variability in 
environmental conditions in the Arctic may lead to changes in the 
presence and density estimates of marine mammals, BP relied on the most 
recent, best available data in deriving its density estimates for 
bowhead and beluga whales. By using data from NMFS aerial surveys flown 
in 2012 and 2013, higher density estimates were derived than if data 
from previous years had been used. Again indicating that the estimates 
are likely accurate. Additionally, NMFS determined that the total 
potential taking will have no more than a negligible impact on the 
affected stocks.
    Comment 5: The MMC states that BP has proposed that observers would 
monitor for marine mammals 30 minutes before and during the proposed 
activities. NMFS agreed with that approach but did not include a 
requirement for post-activity monitoring. The MMC states, in general, 
post-activity monitoring is needed to ensure that marine mammals are 
not taken in unexpected or unauthorized ways or in unanticipated 
numbers. Some types of taking (e.g., taking by death or serious injury) 
may not be observed until after the activity has ceased. Post-activity 
monitoring is the best way, and in some situations may be the only 
reliable way, to detect certain impacts. Accordingly, the MMC 
recommends that NMFS require BP to monitor for marine mammals 30 
minutes before, during, and 30 minutes after the proposed activities.
    Response: NMFS has included a requirement in the IHA that observers 
monitor for marine mammals 30 minutes before, during, and 30 minutes 
after the use of the seismic airguns.
    Comment 6: The MMC states that two observers would increase the 
probability of detecting marine mammals approaching or within 
harassment zones, especially when they are of considerable size. 
Additional observers could also assist in the collection of data on 
activities, behavior, and movements of marine mammals in the exclusion 
and disturbance zones. Behavioral response information is critical for 
understanding the effect of acoustic activities on various marine 
mammal species. The MMC recommends that NMFS require BP to deploy a 
minimum of two protected species observers (PSOs) to: (1) Increase the 
probability of detecting all marine mammals in or approaching the Level 
B harassment zones, and (2) assist in the collection of data on 
activities, behavior, and movements of marine mammals around the 
source.
    Response: The two source vessels are small, with little space 
available for extra people to be onboard. While there will be two PSOs 
on each source vessel, only one will officially be on duty per shift. 
However, the other PSO, as well as the crew members will help to locate 
marine mammals when possible and notify the on-duty PSO. Because two 
source vessels will be operating, each with a requirement for an on-
duty PSO during seismic airgun operations, two PSOs will be on-duty 
during all active operations (just not on the same vessel).
    NMFS does not anticipate that PSOs will be able to document all 
marine mammals within the Level B harassment zone. However, because of 
the small size of the Level A harassment zones for the full array (300 
m for the 190 dB isopleth and 600 m for the 180 dB isopleth), NMFS 
determined that the PSOs will be able to effectively implement 
mitigation measures, especially with the aid of crew members calling 
for the implementation of mitigation measures. Also, based on the 
location and time frame of the survey, cetaceans are highly unlikely to 
occur in the vicinity of the survey. Therefore, NMFS determined that 
one PSO on-duty per vessel per shift is sufficient to watch for and 
record information about marine mammals.

Description of Marine Mammals in the Area of the Specified Activity

    The Beaufort Sea supports a diverse assemblage of marine mammals. 
Table 1 lists the 12 marine mammal species under NMFS jurisdiction with 
confirmed or possible occurrence in the proposed project area.

[[Page 36733]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN30JN14.065

    The highlighted (grayed out) species in Table 1 are so rarely 
sighted in the central Alaskan Beaufort Sea that their presence in the 
proposed project area, and therefore take, is unlikely. Minke whales 
are relatively common in the Bering and southern Chukchi seas and have 
recently also been sighted in the northeastern Chukchi Sea (Aerts et 
al., 2013; Clarke et al., 2013). Minke whales are rare in the Beaufort 
Sea. They have not been reported in the Beaufort Sea during the Bowhead 
Whale Aerial Survey Project/Aerial Surveys of Arctic Marine Mammals 
(BWASP/ASAMM) surveys (Clarke et al., 2011, 2012; 2013; Monnet and 
Treacy, 2005), and there was only one observation in 2007 during 
vessel-based surveys in the region (Funk et al., 2010). Humpback whales 
have not generally been found in the Arctic Ocean. However, subsistence 
hunters have spotted humpback whales in low numbers around Barrow, and 
there have been several confirmed sightings of humpback whales in the 
northeastern Chukchi Sea in recent years (Aerts et al., 2013; Clarke et 
al., 2013). The first confirmed sighting of a humpback whale in the 
Beaufort Sea was recorded in August 2007 (Hashagen et al., 2009) when a 
cow and calf were observed 54 mi east of Point Barrow. No additional 
sightings have been documented in the Beaufort Sea. Narwhal are common 
in the waters of northern Canada, west Greenland, and in the European 
Arctic, but rarely occur in the Beaufort Sea (COSEWIC, 2004).

[[Page 36734]]

Only a handful of sightings have occurred in Alaskan waters (Allen and 
Angliss, 2013). These three species are not considered further in this 
IHA notice. Both the walrus and the polar bear could occur in the U.S. 
Beaufort Sea; however, these species are managed by the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service (USFWS) and are not considered further in this IHA.
    The Beaufort Sea is a main corridor of the bowhead whale migration 
route. The main migration periods occur in spring from April to June 
and in fall from late August/early September through October to early 
November. During the fall migration, several locations in the U.S. 
Beaufort Sea serve as feeding grounds for bowhead whales. Small numbers 
of bowhead whales that remain in the U.S. Arctic Ocean during summer 
also feed in these areas. The U.S. Beaufort Sea is not a main feeding 
or calving area for any other cetacean species. Ringed seals breed and 
pup in the Beaufort Sea; however, this does not occur during the summer 
or early fall. Further information on the biology and local 
distribution of these species can be found in BP's application (see 
ADDRESSES) and the NMFS Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports, which 
are available online at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/.

Potential Effects of the Specified Activity on Marine Mammals

    This section includes a summary and discussion of the ways that the 
types of stressors associated with the specified activity (e.g., 
seismic airgun and pinger operation, vessel movement) have been 
observed to or are thought to impact marine mammals. This section may 
include a discussion of known effects that do not rise to the level of 
an MMPA take (for example, with acoustics, we may include a discussion 
of studies that showed animals not reacting at all to sound or 
exhibiting barely measurable avoidance). The discussion may also 
include reactions that we consider to rise to the level of a take and 
those that we do not consider to rise to the level of a take. This 
section is intended as a background of potential effects and does not 
consider either the specific manner in which this activity will be 
carried out or the mitigation that will be implemented or how either of 
those will shape the anticipated impacts from this specific activity. 
The ``Estimated Take by Incidental Harassment'' section later in this 
document will include a quantitative analysis of the number of 
individuals that are expected to be taken by this activity. The 
``Negligible Impact Analysis'' section will include the analysis of how 
this specific activity will impact marine mammals and will consider the 
content of this section, the ``Estimated Take by Incidental 
Harassment'' section, the ``Mitigation'' section, and the ``Anticipated 
Effects on Marine Mammal Habitat'' section to draw conclusions 
regarding the likely impacts of this activity on the reproductive 
success or survivorship of individuals and from that on the affected 
marine mammal populations or stocks.
    Operating active acoustic sources, such as airgun arrays, has the 
potential for adverse effects on marine mammals. The majority of 
anticipated impacts would be from the use of acoustic sources.
    The effects of sound from airgun pulses might include one or more 
of the following: tolerance, masking of natural sounds, behavioral 
disturbance, and temporary or permanent hearing impairment or non-
auditory effects (Richardson et al., 1995). However, for reasons 
discussed in the proposed IHA, it is unlikely that there would be any 
cases of temporary, or especially permanent, hearing impairment 
resulting from BP's activities. As outlined in previous NMFS documents, 
the effects of noise on marine mammals are highly variable, often 
depending on species and contextual factors (based on Richardson et 
al., 1995).
    In the ``Potential Effects of the Specified Activity on Marine 
Mammals'' section of the Notice of Proposed IHA (79 FR 21354, April 15, 
2014), NMFS included a qualitative discussion of the different ways 
that BP's 2014 3D OBS seismic survey program may potentially affect 
marine mammals. The discussion focused on information and data 
regarding potential acoustic and non-acoustic effects from seismic 
activities (i.e., use of airguns, pingers, and support vessels and 
aircraft). Marine mammals may experience masking and behavioral 
disturbance. The information contained in the ``Potential Effects of 
Specified Activities on Marine Mammals'' section from the proposed IHA 
has not changed. Please refer to the proposed IHA for the full 
discussion (79 FR 21354, April 15, 2014). A short summary is provided 
here.
    Marine mammals may behaviorally react when exposed to anthropogenic 
sound. These behavioral reactions are often shown as: changing 
durations of surfacing and dives, number of blows per surfacing, or 
moving direction and/or speed; reduced/increased vocal activities; 
changing/cessation of certain behavioral activities (such as 
socializing or feeding); visible startle response or aggressive 
behavior (such as tail/fluke slapping or jaw clapping); avoidance of 
areas where sound sources are located; and/or flight responses (e.g., 
pinnipeds flushing into water from haulouts or rookeries).
    Masking is the obscuring of sounds of interest by other sounds, 
often at similar frequencies. Marine mammals use acoustic signals for a 
variety of purposes, which differ among species, but include 
communication between individuals, navigation, foraging, reproduction, 
avoiding predators, and learning about their environment (Erbe and 
Farmer, 2000; Tyack, 2000). Masking, or auditory interference, 
generally occurs when sounds in the environment are louder than, and of 
a similar frequency as, auditory signals an animal is trying to 
receive. Masking is a phenomenon that affects animals that are trying 
to receive acoustic information about their environment, including 
sounds from other members of their species, predators, prey, and sounds 
that allow them to orient in their environment. Masking these acoustic 
signals can disturb the behavior of individual animals, groups of 
animals, or entire populations. For the airgun sound generated from the 
proposed seismic survey, sound will consist of low frequency (under 500 
Hz) pulses with extremely short durations (less than one second). There 
is little concern regarding masking near the sound source due to the 
brief duration of these pulses and relatively longer silence between 
airgun shots (approximately 5-6 seconds). Masking from airguns is more 
likely in low-frequency marine mammals like mysticetes (which are not 
expected to occur in high numbers in the survey area in July and 
August). It is less likely for mid- to high-frequency cetaceans and 
pinnipeds.
    Hearing impairment (either temporary or permanent) is unlikely. 
Given the higher level of sound necessary to cause permanent threshold 
shift as compared with temporary threshold shift, it is considerably 
less likely that permanent threshold shift would occur during the 
seismic survey in Prudhoe Bay. Cetaceans generally avoid the immediate 
area around operating seismic vessels, as do some other marine mammals. 
Some pinnipeds show avoidance reactions to airguns, but their avoidance 
reactions are generally not as strong or consistent as those of 
cetaceans, and occasionally they seem to be attracted to operating 
seismic vessels (NMFS, 2010).
    Serious injury or mortality is not anticipated from use of the 
equipment. To date, there is no evidence that serious injury, death, or 
stranding by marine mammals can occur from exposure to airgun pulses, 
even in the

[[Page 36735]]

case of large airgun arrays. Additionally, BP's project will use medium 
sized airgun arrays in shallow water. NMFS does not expect any marine 
mammals will incur serious injury or mortality in the shallow waters of 
Prudhoe Bay or strand as a result of the proposed seismic survey.
    Active acoustic sources other than the airguns (i.e., pingers) are 
proposed for BP's 2014 seismic survey in Prudhoe Bay, Beaufort Sea, 
Alaska. In general, the potential effects of this equipment on marine 
mammals are similar to those from the airguns, except the magnitude of 
the impacts is expected to be much less due to the lower intensity of 
the source.
    Vessel activity and noise associated with vessel activity will 
temporarily increase in the action area during BP's seismic survey as a 
result of the operation of 8-10 vessels. To minimize the effects of 
vessels and noise associated with vessel activity, BP will alter speed 
if a marine mammal gets too close to a vessel. In addition, source 
vessels will be operating at slow speed (1-5 knots) when conducting 
surveys. Marine mammal monitoring observers will alert vessel captains 
as animals are detected to ensure safe and effective measures are 
applied to avoid coming into direct contact with marine mammals. 
Therefore, NMFS neither anticipates nor authorizes takes of marine 
mammals from ship strikes.

Anticipated Effects on Marine Mammal Habitat

    The primary potential impacts to marine mammal habitat and other 
marine species are associated with elevated sound levels produced by 
airguns and other active acoustic sources. However, other potential 
impacts to the surrounding habitat from physical disturbance are also 
possible. The proposed IHA contains a full discussion of the potential 
impacts to marine mammal habitat and prey species in the project area. 
No changes have been made to that discussion. Please refer to the 
proposed IHA for the full discussion of potential impacts to marine 
mammal habitat (79 FR 21354, April 15, 2014). NMFS has determined that 
BP's 3D OBS seismic survey program is not expected to have any habitat-
related effects that could cause significant or long-term consequences 
for individual marine mammals or their populations.

Mitigation

    In order to issue an incidental take authorization (ITA) under 
section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA, NMFS must set forth the permissible 
methods of taking pursuant to such activity, and other means of 
effecting the least practicable impact on such species or stock and its 
habitat, paying particular attention to rookeries, mating grounds, and 
areas of similar significance, and on the availability of such species 
or stock for taking for certain subsistence uses (where relevant). This 
section summarizes the required mitigation measures contained in the 
IHA.

Mitigation Measures in BP's Application

    BP described general mitigation measures that apply to all vessels 
involved in the survey and specific mitigation measures that apply to 
the source vessels operating airguns. The protocols are discussed next 
and can also be found in Section 11 of BP's application (see 
ADDRESSES).
1. General Mitigation Measures
    These general mitigation measures apply to all vessels that are 
part of the Prudhoe Bay seismic survey, including crew transfer 
vessels. The two source vessels will also operate under an additional 
set of specific mitigation measures during airgun operations (described 
later in this document).
    The general mitigation measures include: (1) Adjusting speed to 
avoid collisions with whales and during periods of low visibility; (2) 
checking the waters immediately adjacent to vessels with propellers to 
ensure that no marine mammals will be injured; (3) avoiding 
concentrations of groups of whales and not operating vessels in a way 
that separates members of a group; (4) reducing vessel speeds to less 
than 10 knots in the presence of feeding whales; (5) reducing speed and 
steering around groups of whales if circumstances allow (but never 
cutting off a whale's travel path) and avoiding multiple changes in 
direction and speed when within 900 ft of whales; (6) maintaining an 
altitude of at least 1,000 ft when flying helicopters, except in 
emergency situations or during take-offs and landings; and (7) not 
hovering or circling with helicopters above or within 0.3 mi of groups 
of whales.
2. Seismic Airgun Mitigation Measures
    BP will establish and monitor Level A harassment exclusion zones 
for all marine mammal species. These zones will be monitored by PSOs 
(more detail later). Should marine mammals enter these exclusion zones, 
the PSOs will call for and implement the suite of mitigation measures 
described next.
    Ramp-up Procedure: Ramp-up procedures of an airgun array involve a 
step-wise increase in the number of operating airguns until the 
required discharge volume is achieved. The purpose of a ramp-up 
(sometimes referred to as ``soft-start'') is to provide marine mammals 
in the vicinity of the activity the opportunity to leave the area and 
to avoid the potential for injury or impairment of their hearing 
abilities.
    During ramp-up, BP will implement the common procedure of doubling 
the number of operating airguns at 5-minute intervals, starting with 
the smallest gun in the array. For the 620 in\3\ sub-array this is 
estimated to take approximately 15 minutes and for the 1,240 in\3\ 
airgun array approximately 20 minutes. During ramp-up, the exclusion 
zone for the full airgun array will be observed. The ramp-up procedures 
will be applied as follows:
    1. A ramp-up, following a cold start, can be applied if the 
exclusion zone has been free of marine mammals for a consecutive 30-
minute period. The entire exclusion zone must have been visible during 
these 30 minutes. If the entire exclusion zone is not visible, then 
ramp-up from a cold start cannot begin.
    2. Ramp-up procedures from a cold start will be delayed if a marine 
mammal is sighted within the exclusion zone during the 30-minute period 
prior to the ramp-up. The delay will last until the marine mammal(s) 
has been observed to leave the exclusion zone or until the animal(s) is 
not sighted for at least 15 minutes (seals) or 30 minutes (cetaceans).
    3. A ramp-up, following a shutdown, can be applied if the marine 
mammal(s) for which the shutdown occurred has been observed to leave 
the exclusion zone or until the animal(s) has not been sighted for at 
least 15 minutes (seals) or 30 minutes (cetaceans). This assumes there 
was a continuous observation effort prior to the shutdown and the 
entire exclusion zone is visible.
    4. If, for any reason, power to the airgun array has been 
discontinued for a period of 10 minutes or more, ramp-up procedures 
need to be implemented. Only if the PSO watch has been suspended, a 30-
minute clearance of the exclusion zone is required prior to commencing 
ramp-up. Discontinuation of airgun activity for less than 10 minutes 
does not require a ramp-up.
    5. The seismic operator and PSOs will maintain records of the times 
when ramp-ups start and when the airgun arrays reach full power.
    Power Down Procedure: A power down is the immediate reduction in 
the number of operating airguns such that the radii of the 190 dB and 
180 dB (rms) zones are decreased to the extent that an observed marine 
mammal is not in the applicable exclusion zone of the full array. 
During a power down, one airgun

[[Page 36736]]

(or some other number of airguns less than the full airgun array) 
continues firing. The continued operation of one airgun is intended to 
(a) alert marine mammals to the presence of airgun activity, and (b) 
retain the option of initiating a ramp up to full operations under poor 
visibility conditions.
    1. The array will be immediately powered down whenever a marine 
mammal is sighted approaching close to or within the applicable 
exclusion zone of the full array, but is outside the applicable 
exclusion zone of the single mitigation airgun;
    2. Likewise, if a mammal is already within the exclusion zone when 
first detected, the airguns will be powered down immediately;
    3. If a marine mammal is sighted within or about to enter the 
applicable exclusion zone of the single mitigation airgun, it too will 
be shut down; and
    4. Following a power down, ramp-up to the full airgun array will 
not resume until the marine mammal has cleared the applicable exclusion 
zone. The animal will be considered to have cleared the exclusion zone 
if it has been visually observed leaving the exclusion zone of the full 
array, or has not been seen within the zone for 15 minutes (seals) or 
30 minutes (cetaceans).
    Shut-down Procedures: The operating airgun(s) will be shut down 
completely if a marine mammal approaches or enters the 190 or 180 dB 
(rms) exclusion radius of the smallest airgun. Airgun activity will not 
resume until the marine mammal has cleared the applicable exclusion 
radius of the full array. The animal will be considered to have cleared 
the exclusion radius as described above under ramp-up procedures.
    Poor Visibility Conditions: BP plans to conduct 24-hr operations. 
PSOs will not be on duty during ongoing seismic operations during 
darkness, given the very limited effectiveness of visual observation at 
night (there will be no periods of darkness in the survey area until 
mid-August). The provisions associated with operations at night or in 
periods of poor visibility include the following:
     If during foggy conditions, heavy snow or rain, or 
darkness (which may be encountered starting in late August), the full 
180 dB exclusion zone is not visible, the airguns cannot commence a 
ramp-up procedure from a full shut-down; and
     If one or more airguns have been operational before 
nightfall or before the onset of poor visibility conditions, they can 
remain operational throughout the night or poor visibility conditions. 
In this case ramp-up procedures can be initiated, even though the 
exclusion zone may not be visible, on the assumption that marine 
mammals will be alerted by the sounds from the single airgun and have 
moved away.
    BP is aware that available techniques to more effectively detect 
marine mammals during limited visibility conditions (darkness, fog, 
snow, and rain) are in need of development and has in recent years 
supported research and field trials intended to improve methods of 
detecting marine mammals under these conditions. BP intends to continue 
research and field trials to improve methods of detecting marine 
mammals during periods of low visibility.

Additional Mitigation Measures Required by NMFS

    The mitigation airgun will be operated at approximately one shot 
per minute and will not be operated for longer than three hours in 
duration during daylight hours and good visibility. In cases when the 
next start-up after the turn is expected to be during lowlight or low 
visibility, use of the mitigation airgun may be initiated 30 minutes 
before darkness or low visibility conditions occur and may be operated 
until the start of the next seismic acquisition line. The mitigation 
gun must still be operated at approximately one shot per minute.
    NMFS clarified or refined some of the mitigation measures contained 
in BP's application (and listed earlier in this section). In low 
visibility conditions, NMFS requires BP to reduce speeds to 9 knots or 
less. Separately, NMFS has defined a group or concentration of whales 
as five or more individuals.

Mitigation Conclusions

    NMFS has carefully evaluated BP's mitigation measures and 
considered a range of other measures in the context of ensuring that 
NMFS prescribes the means of effecting the least practicable impact on 
the affected marine mammal species and stocks and their habitat. Our 
evaluation of potential measures included consideration of the 
following factors in relation to one another:
     The manner in which, and the degree to which, the 
successful implementation of the measures are expected to minimize 
adverse impacts to marine mammals;
     The proven or likely efficacy of the specific measure to 
minimize adverse impacts as planned; and
     The practicability of the measure for applicant 
implementation.
    Based on our evaluation of the applicant's proposed measures, as 
well as other measures considered by NMFS and those recommended by the 
public, NMFS has determined that the required mitigation measures 
provide the means of effecting the least practicable impact on marine 
mammals species or stocks and their habitat, paying particular 
attention to rookeries, mating grounds, and areas of similar 
significance. Measures to ensure availability of such species or stock 
for taking for certain subsistence uses are discussed later in this 
document (see ``Impact on Availability of Affected Species or Stock for 
Taking for Subsistence Uses'' section).

Monitoring and Reporting

    In order to issue an ITA for an activity, section 101(a)(5)(D) of 
the MMPA states that NMFS must set forth ``requirements pertaining to 
the monitoring and reporting of such taking''. The MMPA implementing 
regulations at 50 CFR 216.104(a)(13) indicate that requests for ITAs 
must include the suggested means of accomplishing the necessary 
monitoring and reporting that will result in increased knowledge of the 
species and of the level of taking or impacts on populations of marine 
mammals that are expected to be present in the proposed action area. BP 
submitted information regarding marine mammal monitoring to be 
conducted during seismic operations as part of the IHA application. 
That information can be found in Sections 11 and 13 of the application.

Monitoring Measures

1. Visual Monitoring
    Two observers referred to as PSOs will be present on each seismic 
source vessel. Of these two PSOs, one will be on watch at all times to 
monitor the 190 and 180 dB exclusion zones for the presence of marine 
mammals during airgun operations. The main objectives of the vessel-
based marine mammal monitoring are as follows: (1) To implement 
mitigation measures during seismic operations (e.g. course alteration, 
airgun power down, shut-down and ramp-up); and (2) To record all marine 
mammal data needed to estimate the number of marine mammals potentially 
affected, which must be reported to NMFS within 90 days after the 
survey.
    BP intends to work with experienced PSOs. At least one Alaska 
Native resident, who is knowledgeable about Arctic marine mammals and 
the subsistence hunt, is expected to be included as one of the team 
members aboard the vessels. Before the start of the seismic survey, the 
crew of the seismic source vessels will be briefed on

[[Page 36737]]

the function of the PSOs, their monitoring protocol, and mitigation 
measures to be implemented.
    On all source vessels, at least one observer will monitor for 
marine mammals at any time during daylight hours (there will be no 
periods of total darkness until mid-August). PSOs will be on duty in 
shifts of a maximum of 4 hours at a time, although the exact shift 
schedule will be established by the lead PSO in consultation with the 
other PSOs. In response to a public comment, language has been included 
in the IHA to clarify that the on-duty PSO must monitor for marine 
mammals 30 minutes before, during, and 30 minutes after the use of the 
seismic airguns.
    The source vessels will offer suitable platforms for marine mammal 
observations. Observations will be made from locations where PSOs have 
the best view around the vessel. During daytime, the PSO(s) will scan 
the area around the vessel systematically with reticle binoculars and 
with the naked eye. Because the main purpose of the PSO on board the 
vessel is detecting marine mammals for the implementation of mitigation 
measures according to specific guidelines, BP prefers (and NMFS agrees) 
to keep the information to be recorded as concise as possible, allowing 
the PSO to focus on detecting marine mammals. The following information 
will be collected by the PSOs:
     Environmental conditions--consisting of sea state (in 
Beaufort Wind force scale according to NOAA), visibility (in km, with 
10 km indicating the horizon on a clear day), and sun glare (position 
and severity). These will be recorded at the start of each shift, 
whenever there is an obvious change in one or more of the environmental 
variables, and whenever the observer changes shifts;
     Project activity--consisting of airgun operations (on or 
off), number of active guns, line number. This will be recorded at the 
start of each shift, whenever there is an obvious change in project 
activity, and whenever the observer changes shifts; and
     Sighting information--consisting of the species (if 
determinable), group size, position and heading relative to the vessel, 
behavior, movement, and distance relative to the vessel (initial and 
closest approach). These will be recorded upon sighting a marine mammal 
or group of animals.
    When marine mammals in the water are detected within or about to 
enter the designated exclusion zones, the airgun(s) power down or shut-
down procedures will be implemented immediately. To assure prompt 
implementation of power downs and shut-downs, multiple channels of 
communication between the PSOs and the airgun technicians will be 
established. During the power down and shut-down, the PSO(s) will 
continue to maintain watch to determine when the animal(s) are outside 
the exclusion radius. Airgun operations can resume with a ramp-up 
procedure (depending on the extent of the power down) if the observers 
have visually confirmed that the animal(s) moved outside the exclusion 
zone, or if the animal(s) were not observed within the exclusion zone 
for 15 minutes (seals) or for 30 minutes (cetaceans). Direct 
communication with the airgun operator will be maintained throughout 
these procedures.
    All marine mammal observations and any airgun power down, shut-
down, and ramp-up will be recorded in a standardized format. Data will 
be entered into or transferred to a custom database. The accuracy of 
the data entry will be verified daily through QA/QC procedures. 
Recording procedures will allow initial summaries of data to be 
prepared during and shortly after the field program, and will 
facilitate transfer of the data to other programs for further 
processing and archiving.
2. Fish and Airgun Sound Monitoring
    BP proposes to conduct research on fish species in relation to 
airgun operations, including prey species important to ice seals, 
during the proposed seismic survey. The North Prudhoe Bay OBS seismic 
survey offers a unique opportunity to assess the impacts of airgun 
sounds on fish, specifically on changes in fish abundance in fyke nets 
that have been sampled in the area for more than 30 years. The 
monitoring study would occur over a 2-month period during the open-
water season. During this time, fish are counted and sized every day, 
unless sampling is prevented by weather, the presence of bears, or 
other events. Fish mortality is also noted.
    The fish-sampling period coincides with the North Prudhoe seismic 
survey, resulting in a situation where each of the four fyke nets will 
be exposed to varying daily exposures to airgun sounds. That is, as 
source vessels move back and forth across the project area, fish caught 
in nets will be exposed to different sounds levels at different nets 
each day. To document relationships between fish catch in each fyke net 
and received sound levels, BP will attempt to instrument each fyke net 
location with a recording hydrophone. Recording hydrophones, to the 
extent possible, will have a dynamic range that extends low enough to 
record near ambient sounds and high enough to capture sound levels 
during relatively close approaches by the airgun array (i.e., likely 
levels as high as about 200 dB re 1 uPa). Bandwidth will extend from 
about 10 Hz to at least 500 Hz. In addition, because some fish 
(especially salmonids) are likely to be sensitive to particle velocity 
instead of or in addition to sound pressure level, BP will attempt to 
instrument each fyke net location with a recording particle velocity 
meter. Acoustic and environmental data will be used in statistical 
models to assess relationships between acoustic and fish variables. 
Additional information on the details of the fish monitoring study can 
be found in Section 13.1 of BP's application (see ADDRESSES).

Monitoring Plan Peer Review

    The MMPA requires that monitoring plans be independently peer 
reviewed ``where the proposed activity may affect the availability of a 
species or stock for taking for subsistence uses'' (16 U.S.C. 
1371(a)(5)(D)(ii)(III)). Regarding this requirement, NMFS' implementing 
regulations state, ``Upon receipt of a complete monitoring plan, and at 
its discretion, [NMFS] will either submit the plan to members of a peer 
review panel for review or within 60 days of receipt of the proposed 
monitoring plan, schedule a workshop to review the plan'' (50 CFR 
216.108(d)).
    NMFS convened an independent peer review panel, comprised of 
experts in the fields of marine mammal ecology and underwater 
acoustics, to review BP's Prudhoe Bay OBS Seismic Survey Monitoring 
Plan. The panel met on January 8-9, 2013, and provided their final 
report to NMFS on February 25, 2013. The full panel report can be 
viewed on the Internet at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/pdfs/permits/openwater/bp_panel2013.pdf.
    NMFS provided the panel with BP's monitoring plan and asked the 
panel to answer the following questions regarding the plan:
    1. Will the applicant's stated objectives effectively further the 
understanding of the impacts of their activities on marine mammals and 
otherwise accomplish the goals stated above? If not, how should the 
objectives be modified to better accomplish the goals above?
    2. Can the applicant achieve the stated objectives based on the 
methods described in the plan?
    3. Are there technical modifications to the proposed monitoring 
techniques and methodologies proposed by the applicant that should be 
considered to

[[Page 36738]]

better accomplish their stated objectives?
    4. Are there techniques not proposed by the applicant (i.e., 
additional monitoring techniques or methodologies) that should be 
considered for inclusion in the applicant's monitoring program to 
better accomplish their stated objectives?
    5. What is the best way for an applicant to present their data and 
results (formatting, metrics, graphics, etc.) in the required reports 
that are to be submitted to NMFS (i.e., 90-day report and comprehensive 
report)?
    NMFS shared the panel's report with BP in March 2013. BP originally 
submitted this IHA application with a monitoring plan to conduct this 
program during the 2013 open-water season; however, after undergoing 
peer review of the monitoring plan in early 2013, BP subsequently 
cancelled the 2013 operation. The 2014 program is the same as that 
reviewed by the panel in 2013. BP reviewed the 2013 panel 
recommendation report and incorporated several of the panel's 
recommendations into the monitoring plan contained in the 2014 
application. NMFS reviewed the panel's report and agrees with the 
recommendations included in BP's 2014 monitoring plan. A summary of the 
measures that were included is provided next.
    Based on the panel report, BP will follow a pre-determined regime 
for scanning of the area by PSOs that is based on the relative 
importance of detecting marine mammals in the near- and far fields. 
PSOs will simply record the primary behavioral state (i.e., traveling, 
socializing, feeding, resting, approaching or moving away from vessels) 
and relative location of the observed marine mammals and not try to 
precisely determine the behavior or the context.
    Other recommendations made by panel members that NMFS supports and 
has included in the monitoring measures include: (1) Recording 
observations of pinnipeds on land and not just in the water; (2) 
developing a means by which PSOs record data with as little impact on 
observation time as possible; (3) continuing PSO observation watches 
when there is an extended period when no airguns on any of the source 
vessels are operating to collect additional observation data during 
periods of non-seismic; and (4) accounting for factors such as water 
depth when estimating the actual level of takes because of the 
difficulties in monitoring during darkness or inclement weather. 
Moreover, the panel recommended and NMFS agrees that BP should be very 
clear in the 90-day technical report about what periods are considered 
``seismic'' and ``non-seismic'' for their analyses.
    As recommended by the panel, NMFS encourages BP to examine data 
from ASAMM and other such programs to assess possible impacts from 
their seismic surveys. As noted earlier in this document, BP has 
proposed a fish and airgun sound monitoring study, which has been well 
received by past panel members. This study will also allow BP to 
collect sound signature data on equipment used during this proposed 
survey.
    The panel also recommended that BP work to understand the 
cumulative nature of the activity and sound footprint. As described in 
Section 14 of the IHA application, BP remains committed to working with 
a wide range of experts to improve understanding of the cumulative 
effects of multiple sound sources and has sponsored an expert working 
group on the issue.

Reporting Measures

1. 90-Day Technical Report
    A report will be submitted to NMFS within 90 days after the end of 
the proposed seismic survey. The report will summarize all activities 
and monitoring results conducted during in-water seismic surveys. The 
Technical Report will include the following:
     Summary of project start and end dates, airgun activity, 
number of guns, and the number and circumstances of implementing ramp-
up, power down, shutdown, and other mitigation actions;
     Summaries of monitoring effort (e.g., total hours, total 
distances, and marine mammal distribution through the study period, 
accounting for sea state and other factors affecting visibility and 
detectability of marine mammals);
     Analyses of the effects of various factors influencing 
detectability of marine mammals (e.g., sea state, number of observers, 
and fog/glare);
     Species composition, occurrence, and distribution of 
marine mammal sightings, including date, water depth, numbers, age/
size/gender categories (if determinable), and group sizes;
     Analyses of the effects of survey operations;
     Sighting rates of marine mammals during periods with and 
without seismic survey activities (and other variables that could 
affect detectability), such as: (i) Initial sighting distances versus 
survey activity state; (ii) closest point of approach versus survey 
activity state; (iii) observed behaviors and types of movements versus 
survey activity state; (iv) numbers of sightings/individuals seen 
versus survey activity state; (v) distribution around the source 
vessels versus survey activity state; and (vi) estimates of exposures 
of marine mammals to Level B harassment thresholds based on presence in 
the 160 dB harassment zone.
2. Fish and Airgun Sound Report
    BP will present the results of the fish and airgun sound study to 
NMFS in a detailed report. BP proposes to also submit that report to a 
peer reviewed journal for publication and present the results at a 
scientific conference and in Barrow and Nuiqsut.
3. Notification of Injured or Dead Marine Mammals
    In the unanticipated event that the specified activity clearly 
causes the take of a marine mammal in a manner prohibited by the IHA, 
such as an injury (Level A harassment), serious injury or mortality 
(e.g., ship-strike, gear interaction, and/or entanglement), BP would 
immediately cease the specified activities and immediately report the 
incident to the Chief of the Permits and Conservation Division, Office 
of Protected Resources, NMFS, and the Alaska Regional Stranding 
Coordinators. The report would include the following information:
     Time, date, and location (latitude/longitude) of the 
incident;
     Name and type of vessel involved;
     Vessel's speed during and leading up to the incident;
     Description of the incident;
     Status of all sound source use in the 24 hours preceding 
the incident;
     Water depth;
     Environmental conditions (e.g., wind speed and direction, 
Beaufort sea state, cloud cover, and visibility);
     Description of all marine mammal observations in the 24 
hours preceding the incident;
     Species identification or description of the animal(s) 
involved;
     Fate of the animal(s); and
     Photographs or video footage of the animal(s) (if 
equipment is available).
    Activities would not resume until NMFS is able to review the 
circumstances of the prohibited take. NMFS would work with BP to 
determine what is necessary to minimize the likelihood of further 
prohibited take and ensure MMPA compliance. BP would not be able to 
resume their activities until notified by NMFS via letter, email, or 
telephone.
    In the event that BP discovers an injured or dead marine mammal, 
and the lead PSO determines that the cause of the injury or death is 
unknown and the death is relatively recent (i.e., in less

[[Page 36739]]

than a moderate state of decomposition as described in the next 
paragraph), BP would immediately report the incident to the Chief of 
the Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
NMFS, and the NMFS Alaska Stranding Hotline and/or by email to the 
Alaska Regional Stranding Coordinators. The report would include the 
same information identified in the paragraph above. Activities would be 
able to continue while NMFS reviews the circumstances of the incident. 
NMFS would work with BP to determine whether modifications in the 
activities are appropriate.
    In the event that BP discovers an injured or dead marine mammal, 
and the lead PSO determines that the injury or death is not associated 
with or related to the activities authorized in the IHA (e.g., carcass 
with moderate to advanced decomposition, or scavenger damage), BP would 
report the incident to the Chief of the Permits and Conservation 
Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, and the NMFS Alaska 
Stranding Hotline and/or by email to the Alaska Regional Stranding 
Coordinators, within 24 hours of the discovery. BP would provide 
photographs or video footage (if available) or other documentation of 
the stranded animal sighting to NMFS and the Marine Mammal Stranding 
Network. Activities may continue while NMFS reviews the circumstances 
of the incident.

Estimated Take by Incidental Harassment

    Except with respect to certain activities not pertinent here, the 
MMPA defines ``harassment'' as: Any act of pursuit, torment, or 
annoyance which (i) has the potential to injure a marine mammal or 
marine mammal stock in the wild [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 [Level B harassment]. Only take by Level B behavioral 
harassment of some species is anticipated as a result of the OBS 
seismic survey. Anticipated impacts to marine mammals are associated 
with noise propagation from the sound sources (e.g., airguns and 
pingers) used in the seismic survey. No take is expected to result from 
vessel strikes because of the slow speed of the vessels (1-5 knots 
while acquiring seismic data) and because of mitigation measures to 
reduce collisions with marine mammals. Additionally, no take is 
expected to result from helicopter operations because of altitude 
restrictions.
    BP requested take of 11 marine mammal species by Level B 
harassment. However, for reasons mentioned earlier in this document, we 
have determined it is highly unlikely that humpback and minke whales 
would occur in the seismic survey area. Therefore, NMFS has not 
authorized take of these two species. The species for which take, by 
Level B harassment only, is authorized include: Bowhead, beluga, gray, 
and killer whales; harbor porpoise; and ringed, bearded, spotted, and 
ribbon seals.
    The airguns produce impulsive sounds. The current acoustic 
thresholds used by NMFS to estimate Level B and Level A harassment are 
presented in Table 2.

        Table 2--Current Acoustic Exposure Criteria Used by NMFS
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Criterion
            Criterion                 definition           Threshold
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Level A Harassment (Injury).....  Permanent           180 dB re 1
                                   Threshold Shift     microPa-m
                                   (PTS) (Any level    (cetaceans)/190
                                   above that which    dB re 1 microPa-m
                                   is known to cause   (pinnipeds) root
                                   TTS).               mean square
                                                       (rms).
Level B Harassment..............  Behavioral          160 dB re 1
                                   Disruption (for     microPa-m (rms).
                                   impulse noises).
Level B Harassment..............  Behavioral          120 dB re 1
                                   Disruption (for     microPa-m (rms).
                                   continuous,
                                   noise).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 6 of BP's application contains a description of the 
methodology used by BP to estimate takes by harassment, including 
calculations for the 160 dB (rms) isopleth and marine mammal densities 
in the areas of operation (see ADDRESSES), which was also provided in 
the proposed IHA notice (79 FR 21354, April 15, 2014). NMFS verified 
BP's methods, and used the density and sound isopleth measurements in 
estimating take. However, after initiating ESA section 7 consultation 
on this action, NMFS noticed that BP rounded the average 180 and 190 dB 
(rms) isopleths to the nearest 100 but rounded the average 160 dB (rms) 
isopleth to the nearest 5 km instead of the nearest 100. This resulted 
in a 160 dB isopleth more than twice the average expected distance of 
the isopleth. Table 7 in BP's application presented the largest average 
160 dB isopleth as 2,182 m but calculated take assuming a 160 dB 
isopleth as 5,000 m. To remain consistent with the estimation of the 
other isopleths, NMFS has only rounded the average 160 dB isopleth for 
the 620 in\3\ array to 2,200 m. However, for reasons explained below 
this only changed the estimated take level for bowhead whales. Also, as 
noted later in this section, NMFS authorized the maximum number of 
estimated takes for all species, not just for cetaceans as presented by 
BP in order to ensure that exposure estimates are not underestimated 
for pinnipeds.
    During data acquisition, the source vessels of the proposed OBS 
Prudhoe Bay seismic survey will cover an area of about 190 mi\2\ in 
water depths ranging from 3 to 50 ft. Seismic data acquisition will be 
halted at the start of the Cross Island fall bowhead whale hunt. The 
total duration of seismic data acquisition in the Prudhoe Bay area is 
estimated to be approximately 45 days. About 25% of downtime is 
included in this total, so the actual number of days that airguns are 
expected to be operating is about 34, based on a continuous 24-hr 
operation.

Marine Mammal Density Estimates

    The Notice of Proposed IHA (79 FR 21354, April 15, 2014) contained 
a complete description of the derivation of the marine mammal density 
estimates. That discussion has not changed and is therefore not 
repeated here.

Level A and Level B Harassment Zone Distances

    For the 2014 OBS seismic survey, BP used existing SSV measurements 
to establish distances to received sound pressure levels (SPLs). The 
Notice of Proposed IHA (79 FR 21354, April 15, 2014) contained a 
complete description of the derivation of the Level A and Level B 
harassment zone distances. With the exception of slightly altering the 
distances of the Level B harassment zone, as described above, nothing 
in the discussion has changed. Therefore, the entire discussion is not 
repeated here.
    Table 3 in this document presents the radii used to estimate take 
(160 dB isopleth) and to implement mitigation measures (180 dB and 190 
dB isopleths)

[[Page 36740]]

from the full airgun array and the 40 in\3\ and 10 in\3\ mitigation 
guns. However, take is only estimated using the larger radius of the 
full airgun array.

 Table 3--Distances (in Meters) To Be Used for Estimating Take by Level B Harassment and for Mitigation Purposes
                            During the Proposed 2014 North Prudhoe Bay Seismic Survey
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Airgun discharge volume  (in\3\)       190 dB re 1 [mu]Pa       180 dB re 1 [mu]Pa       160 dB re 1 [mu]Pa
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
620-1240 in\3\.......................                      300                      600                     2200
40 in\3\.............................                       70                      200                     1100
10 in\3\.............................                       20                       50                      500
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Numbers of Marine Mammals Potentially Taken by Harassment

    The potential number of marine mammals that might be exposed to the 
160 dB re 1 [mu]Pa (rms) SPL was calculated differently for cetaceans 
and pinnipeds, as described in Section 6.3 of BP's application and the 
Notice of Proposed IHA (79 FR 21354, April 15, 2014). The change to the 
160 dB isopleth for the full array only had implications for the take 
estimate for bowhead whales. Because of the method used to calculate 
takes for pinnipeds, the isopleth change did not change the pinniped 
takes described in those earlier documents. Additionally, the change 
did not alter the proposed take estimates for other cetacean species. 
Therefore, those discussions are not repeated here.
1. Number of Bowheads Potentially Taken by Harassment
    The potential number of bowhead whales that might be exposed to the 
160 dB re 1 [mu]Pa (rms) SPL was calculated by multiplying:
     The expected bowhead density as provided in Table 5 in 
BP's application;
     The anticipated area around each source vessel that is 
ensonified by the 160 dB re 1 [mu]Pa (rms) SPL; and
     The estimated number of 24-hr days that the source vessels 
are operating.
    The area expected to be ensonified by the 620-1,240 in\3\ array was 
determined based on the distance to the 160 dB re 1 [mu]Pa (rms) SPL as 
determined from the average 640-880 in\3\ array measurements (Table 7 
in BP's application and summarized in Table 3 in this document), 
rounded to the nearest 100. Based on a radius of 2.2 km, the 160 dB 
isopleth used in the exposure calculations was 15.2 km\2\. It is 
expected that on average, two source vessels will be operating 
simultaneously, although one source vessel might sometimes be engaged 
in crew change, maintenance, fueling, or other activities that do not 
require the operation of airguns. The minimum distance between the two 
source vessels will be about 550 ft. Although there will be an overlap 
in the ensonified area, for the estimated number of exposures, BP 
summed the exposed area of each source vessel. Using the maximum 
distance and summing the isopleths of both source vessels provides a 
likely overestimate of marine mammal exposures.
    The estimated number of 24-hr days of airgun operations was 
determined by assuming a 25% downtime during the 45-day planned data 
acquisition period. Downtime is related to weather, equipment 
maintenance, mitigation implementation, and other circumstances. The 
total number of full 24-hr days that data acquisition is expected to 
occur is approximately 34 days or 816 hours.
    Based on this revision to the 160 dB isopleth, the average and 
maximum number of bowhead whales potentially exposed to sound levels of 
160 dB re 1[mu]Pa (rms) or more is estimated at 2 and 6, respectively. 
NMFS has authorized the maximum number of expected exposures based on 
the unexpected large numbers of bowheads observed in August during the 
2013 ASAMM survey. These estimated exposures do not take into account 
the proposed mitigation measures, such as PSOs watching for animals, 
shutdowns or power downs of the airguns when marine mammals are seen 
within defined ranges, and ramp-up of airguns.

Estimated Take by Harassment Summary

    Table 4 here outlines the density estimates used to estimate Level 
B takes, the authorized Level B harassment take levels, the abundance 
of each species in the Beaufort Sea, the percentage of each species or 
stock estimated to be taken, and current population trends. NMFS 
authorized the maximum estimates of exposures. Density estimates are 
not available for species that are uncommon in the proposed seismic 
survey area.

  Table 4--Density Estimates or Species Sighting Rates, Authorized Level B Harassment Take Levels, Species or Stock Abundance, Percentage of Population
                                                     Proposed To Be Taken, and Species Trend Status
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Density      Sighting                                 Percentage
                Species                 (/   rate (ind/    Authorized     Abundance        of                          Trend
                                           km\2\)         hr)      Level B take                 population
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beluga whale..........................       0.0105  ............            75        39,258          0.19  No reliable information.
Killer whale..........................           NA  ............             3           552          0.54  Stable.
Harbor porpoise.......................           NA  ............             3        48,215          0.01  No reliable information.
Bowhead whale.........................       0.0055  ............             6        16,892          0.04  Increasing.
Gray whale............................           NA  ............             3        19,126          0.02  Increasing.
Bearded seal..........................  ...........         0.107            87       155,000          0.06  No reliable information.
Ringed seal...........................  ...........         0.397           324       300,000          0.11  No reliable information.
Spotted seal..........................  ...........         0.126           103       141,479          0.07  No reliable information.
Ribbon seal...........................  ...........            NA             3        49,000          0.01  No reliable information.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 36741]]

Analysis and Determinations

Negligible Impact

    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'' (50 CFR 216.103). A 
negligible impact finding is based on the lack of likely adverse 
effects on annual rates of recruitment or survival (i.e., population-
level effects). An estimate of the number of Level B harassment takes, 
alone, is not enough information on which to base an impact 
determination. In addition to considering estimates of the number of 
marine mammals that might be ``taken'' through behavioral harassment, 
NMFS must consider other factors, such as the likely nature of any 
responses (their intensity, duration, etc.), the context of any 
responses (critical reproductive time or location, migration, etc.), as 
well as the number and nature of estimated Level A harassment takes, 
the number of estimated mortalities, effects on habitat, and the status 
of the species.
    No injuries or mortalities are anticipated to occur as a result of 
BP's 3D OBS seismic survey, and none are authorized. Additionally, 
animals in the area are not expected to incur hearing impairment or 
non-auditory physiological effects. The number of takes that are 
authorized are expected to be limited to short-term Level B behavioral 
harassment. While the airguns will be operated continuously for about 
34 days, the project time frame will occur when cetacean species are 
typically not found in the project area or are found only in low 
numbers. While pinnipeds are likely to be found in the project area 
more frequently, their distribution is dispersed enough that they 
likely will not be in the Level B harassment zone continuously. As 
mentioned previously, pinnipeds appear to be more tolerant of 
anthropogenic sound than mystiectes.
    The Alaskan Beaufort Sea is part of the main migration route of the 
Western Arctic stock of bowhead whales. However, the seismic survey has 
been planned to occur when the majority of the population is found in 
the Canadian Beaufort Sea. Active airgun operations will cease by 
midnight on August 25 before the main fall migration begins and well 
before cow/calf pairs begin migrating through the area. Additionally, 
several locations within the Beaufort Sea serve as feeding grounds for 
bowhead whales. However, the primary feeding grounds are not found in 
Prudhoe Bay. The majority of bowhead whales feed in the Alaskan 
Beaufort Sea during the fall migration period, which will occur after 
the cessation of the airgun survey.
    Belugas that migrate through the U.S. Beaufort Sea typically do so 
farther offshore (more than 37 mi [60 km]) and in deeper waters (more 
than 656 ft [200 m]) than where the 3D OBS seismic survey activities 
would occur. Gray whales are rarely sighted this far east in the U.S. 
Beaufort Sea. Additionally, there are no known feeding grounds for gray 
whales in the Prudhoe Bay area. The most northern feeding sites known 
for this species are located in the Chukchi Sea near Hanna Shoal and 
Point Barrow. The other cetacean species for which take is authorized 
are uncommon in Prudhoe Bay, and no known feeding or calving grounds 
occur in Prudhoe Bay for these species. Based on these factors, 
exposures of cetaceans to anthropogenic sounds are not expected to last 
for prolonged periods (i.e., several days or weeks) since they are not 
known to remain in the area for extended periods of time in July and 
August. Also, the shallow water location of the survey makes it 
unlikely that cetaceans would remain in the area for prolonged periods. 
Based on all of this information, the proposed project is not 
anticipated to affect annual rates of recruitment or survival for 
cetaceans in the area.
    Ringed seals breed and pup in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea; however, 
the seismic survey will occur outside of the breeding and pupping 
seasons. The Beaufort Sea does not provide suitable habitat for the 
other three ice seal species for breeding and pupping. Based on this 
information, the proposed project is not anticipated to affect annual 
rates of recruitment or survival for pinnipeds in the area.
    Of the nine marine mammal species for which take is authorized, one 
is listed as endangered under the ESA--the bowhead whale--and two are 
listed as threatened--ringed and bearded seals. Schweder et al. (2009) 
estimated the yearly growth rate for bowhead whales to be 3.2% (95% CI 
= 0.5-4.8%) between 1984 and 2003 using a sight-resight analysis of 
aerial photographs. There are currently no reliable data on trends of 
the ringed and bearded seal stocks in Alaska. The ribbon seal is listed 
as a species of concern under the ESA. Certain stocks or populations of 
gray, killer, and beluga whales and spotted seals are listed as 
endangered or are proposed for listing under the ESA; however, none of 
those stocks or populations occur in the activity area. There is 
currently no established critical habitat in the project area for any 
of these nine species.
    Based on the analysis contained herein of the likely effects of the 
specified activity on marine mammals and their habitat, and taking into 
consideration the implementation of the required monitoring and 
mitigation measures, NMFS finds that the total marine mammal take from 
BP's 3D OBS seismic survey in Prudhoe Bay, Beaufort Sea, Alaska, will 
have a negligible impact on the affected marine mammal species or 
stocks.

Small Numbers

    The requested takes authorized represent less than 1% of all 
populations or stocks (see Table 4 in this document). These take 
estimates represent the percentage of each species or stock that could 
be taken by Level B behavioral harassment if each animal is taken only 
once. The numbers of marine mammals taken are small relative to the 
affected species or stock sizes. In addition, the mitigation and 
monitoring measures (described previously in this document) required in 
the IHA are expected to reduce even further any potential disturbance 
to marine mammals. NMFS finds that small numbers of marine mammals will 
be taken relative to the populations of the affected species or stocks.

Impact on Availability of Affected Species or Stock for Taking for 
Subsistence Uses

Relevant Subsistence Uses

    The disturbance and potential displacement of marine mammals by 
sounds from the seismic survey are the principal concerns related to 
subsistence use of the area. Subsistence remains the basis for Alaska 
Native culture and community. Marine mammals are legally hunted in 
Alaskan waters by coastal Alaska Natives. In rural Alaska, subsistence 
activities are often central to many aspects of human existence, 
including patterns of family life, artistic expression, and community 
religious and celebratory activities. Additionally, the animals taken 
for subsistence provide a significant portion of the food that will 
last the community throughout the year. The main species that are 
hunted include bowhead and beluga whales, ringed, spotted, and bearded 
seals, walruses, and polar bears. (As mentioned previously in this 
document, both the walrus and the polar bear are under the USFWS' 
jurisdiction.) The importance of each of these species varies among the 
communities and is largely based on availability.

[[Page 36742]]

    Residents of the village of Nuiqsut are the primary subsistence 
users in the project area. The communities of Barrow and Kaktovik also 
harvest resources that pass through the area of interest but do not 
hunt in or near the Prudhoe Bay area. Subsistence hunters from all 
three communities conduct an annual hunt for autumn-migrating bowhead 
whales. Barrow also conducts a bowhead hunt in spring. Residents of all 
three communities hunt seals. Other subsistence activities include 
fishing, waterfowl and seaduck harvests, and hunting for walrus, beluga 
whales, polar bears, caribou, and moose.
    Nuiqsut is the community closest to the seismic survey area 
(approximately 54 mi [87 km] southwest). Nuiqsut hunters harvest 
bowhead whales only during the fall whaling season (Long, 1996). In 
recent years, Nuiqsut whalers have typically landed three or four 
whales per year. Nuiqsut whalers concentrate their efforts on areas 
north and east of Cross Island, generally in water depths greater than 
66 ft (20 m; Galginaitis, 2009). Cross Island is the principal base for 
Nuiqsut whalers while they are hunting bowheads (Long, 1996). Cross 
Island is located approximately 35 mi (56.4 km) east of the seismic 
survey area.
    Kaktovik whalers search for whales east, north, and occasionally 
west of Kaktovik. Kaktovik is located approximately 120 mi (193 km) 
east of Prudhoe Bay. The western most reported harvest location was 
about 13 mi (21 km) west of Kaktovik, near 70[deg]10' N., 144[deg]11' 
W. (Kaleak, 1996). That site is about 112 mi (180 km) east of the 
proposed survey area.
    Barrow whalers search for whales much farther from the Prudhoe Bay 
area--about 155+ mi (250+ km) to the west. Barrow hunters have 
expressed concerns about ``downstream'' effects to bowhead whales 
during the westward fall migration; however, BP will cease airgun 
operations prior to the start of the fall migration.
    Beluga whales are not a prevailing subsistence resource in the 
communities of Kaktovik and Nuiqsut. Kaktovik hunters may harvest one 
beluga whale in conjunction with the bowhead hunt; however, it appears 
that most households obtain beluga through exchanges with other 
communities. Although Nuiqsut hunters have not hunted belugas for many 
years while on Cross Island for the fall hunt, this does not mean that 
they may not return to this practice in the future. Data presented by 
Braund and Kruse (2009) indicate that only 1% of Barrow's total harvest 
between 1962 and 1982 was of beluga whales and that it did not account 
for any of the harvested animals between 1987 and 1989.
    Ringed seals are available to subsistence users in the Beaufort Sea 
year-round, but they are primarily hunted in the winter or spring due 
to the rich availability of other mammals in the summer. Bearded seals 
are primarily hunted during July in the Beaufort Sea; however, in 2007, 
bearded seals were harvested in the months of August and September at 
the mouth of the Colville River Delta, which is approximately 50+ mi 
(80+ km) from the proposed seismic survey area. However, this sealing 
area can reach as far east as Pingok Island, which is approximately 20 
mi (32 km) west of the survey area. An annual bearded seal harvest 
occurs in the vicinity of Thetis Island (which is a considerable 
distance from Prudhoe Bay) in July through August. Approximately 20 
bearded seals are harvested annually through this hunt. Spotted seals 
are harvested by some of the villages in the summer months. Nuiqsut 
hunters typically hunt spotted seals in the nearshore waters off the 
Colville River Delta. The majority of the more established seal hunts 
that occur in the Beaufort Sea, such as the Colville delta area hunts, 
are located a significant distance (in some instances 50 mi [80 km] or 
more) from the project area.

Potential Impacts to Subsistence Uses

    NMFS has defined ``unmitigable adverse impact'' in 50 CFR 216.103 
as: ``. . . 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.''
    Noise and general activity during BP's 3D OBS seismic survey have 
the potential to impact marine mammals hunted by Native Alaskan. In the 
case of cetaceans, the most common reaction to anthropogenic sounds (as 
noted previously) is avoidance of the ensonified area. In the case of 
bowhead whales, this often means that the animals divert from their 
normal migratory path by several kilometers. Helicopter activity also 
has the potential to disturb cetaceans and pinnipeds by causing them to 
vacate the area. Additionally, general vessel presence in the vicinity 
of traditional hunting areas could negatively impact a hunt. Native 
knowledge indicates that bowhead whales become increasingly 
``skittish'' in the presence of seismic noise. Whales are more wary 
around the hunters and tend to expose a much smaller portion of their 
back when surfacing (which makes harvesting more difficult). 
Additionally, natives report that bowheads exhibit angry behaviors in 
the presence of seismic, such as tail-slapping, which translate to 
danger for nearby subsistence harvesters.

Plan of Cooperation or Measures to Minimize Impacts to Subsistence 
Hunts

    Regulations at 50 CFR 216.104(a)(12) require IHA applicants for 
activities that take place in Arctic waters to provide a Plan of 
Cooperation or information that identifies what measures have been 
taken and/or will be taken to minimize adverse effects on the 
availability of marine mammals for subsistence purposes. BP signed the 
2014 Conflict Avoidance Agreement (CAA) with the Alaska Eskimo Whaling 
Commission (AEWC), which is developed to minimize potential 
interference with bowhead subsistence hunting. BP also attended and 
participated in meetings with the AEWC on December 13, 2013, and 
additional meetings in 2014. The CAA describes measures to minimize any 
adverse effects on the availability of bowhead whales for subsistence 
uses.
    The North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management (NSB-DWM) 
was consulted, and BP presented the project to the NSB Planning 
Commission in 2014. BP held meetings in the community of Nuiqsut to 
present the proposed project, address questions and concerns from 
community members, and provide them with contact information of project 
management to which they can direct concerns during the survey. During 
the NMFS Open-Water Meeting in Anchorage in 2013, BP presented their 
proposed projects to various stakeholders that were present during this 
meeting.
    BP will continue to engage with the affected subsistence 
communities regarding its Beaufort Sea activities. As in previous 
years, BP will meet formally and/or informally with several stakeholder 
entities: the NSB Planning Department, NSB-DWM, NMFS, AEWC, Inupiat 
Community of the Arctic Slope, Inupiat History Language and Culture 
Center, USFWS, Nanuq and Walrus Commissions, and Alaska Department of 
Fish & Game.
    Project information was provided to and input on subsistence 
obtained from the AEWC and Nanuq Commission at the following meetings:

[[Page 36743]]

     AEWC, October 17, 2013; and
     Nanuq Commission, October 17, 2013.
    BP will implement several mitigation measures to reduce impacts on 
the availability of marine mammals for subsistence hunts in the 
Beaufort Sea. Many of these measures were developed from the 2013 CAA 
and previous NSB Development Permits. In addition to the measures 
listed next, BP will conclude all airgun operations by midnight on 
August 25 to allow time for the Beaufort Sea communities to prepare for 
their fall bowhead whale hunts prior to the beginning of the fall 
westward migration through the Beaufort Sea. Some of the measures 
mentioned next have been mentioned previously in this document:
     PSOs on board vessels are tasked with looking out for 
whales and other marine mammals in the vicinity of the vessel to assist 
the vessel captain in avoiding harm to whales and other marine 
mammals.;
     Vessels and aircraft will avoid areas where species that 
are sensitive to noise or vessel movements are concentrated;
     Communications and conflict resolution are detailed in the 
CAA. BP will participate in the Communications Center that is operated 
annually during the bowhead subsistence hunt;
     Communications with the village of Nuiqsut to discuss 
community questions or concerns including all subsistence hunting 
activities. Pre-project meeting(s) with Nuiqsut representatives will be 
held at agreed times with groups in the community of Nuiqsut. If 
additional meetings are requested, they will be set up in a similar 
manner;
     Contact information for BP will be provided to community 
members and distributed in a manner agreed at the community meeting;
     BP has contracted with a liaison from Nuiqsut who will 
help coordinate meetings and serve as an additional contact for local 
residents during planning and operations; and
     Inupiat Communicators will be employed and work on seismic 
source vessels. They will also serve as PSOs.

Unmitigable Adverse Impact Analysis and Determination

    BP has adopted a spatial and temporal strategy for its Prudhoe Bay 
survey that should minimize impacts to subsistence hunters. First, BP's 
activities will not commence until after the spring hunts have 
occurred. Second, BP will conclude all airgun operations by midnight on 
August 25 prior to the start of the bowhead whale fall westward 
migration and any fall subsistence hunts by Beaufort Sea communities. 
Prudhoe Bay is not commonly used for subsistence hunts. Although some 
seal hunting co-occurs temporally with BP's seismic survey, the 
locations do not overlap. BP's presence will not place physical 
barriers between the sealers and the seals. BP will work closely with 
the closest affected communities and support Communications Centers and 
employ local Inupiat Communicators. Based on the description of the 
specified activity, the measures described to minimize adverse effects 
on the availability of marine mammals for subsistence purposes, and the 
required mitigation and monitoring measures, NMFS has determined that 
there will not be an unmitigable adverse impact on subsistence uses 
from BP's activities.

Endangered Species Act (ESA)

    Within the project area, the bowhead whale is listed as endangered 
and the ringed and bearded seals are listed as threatened under the 
ESA. The NMFS Office of Protected Resources Permits and Conservation 
Division consulted with the NMFS Alaska Regional Office (AKRO) 
Protected Resources Division (PRD) on the issuance of an IHA under 
Section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA because the action of issuing the IHA 
may affect threatened and endangered species under NMFS' jurisdiction. 
On June 10, 2014, NMFS AKRO PRD issued a Biological Opinion, which 
concluded that the issuance of an IHA to BP for the 3D OBS seismic 
survey is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the 
endangered bowhead whale, threatened Arctic subspecies of ringed seal, 
or the threatened Beringia distinct population segment of bearded seal. 
There is no critical habitat for any of these species in the survey 
area.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

    NMFS prepared an EA that includes an analysis of potential 
environmental effects associated with NMFS' issuance of an IHA to BP to 
take marine mammals incidental to conducting a 3D OBS seismic survey 
program in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska. NMFS has finalized the EA and 
prepared a FONSI for this action. Therefore, preparation of an 
Environmental Impact Statement is not necessary.

Authorization

    As a result of these determinations, NMFS has issued an IHA to BP 
for conducting a 3D OBS seismic survey in the Prudhoe Bay area of the 
Beaufort Sea, Alaska, during the 2014 open-water season, provided the 
previously mentioned mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements 
are incorporated.

    Dated: June 25, 2014.
Perry F. Gayaldo,
Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-15238 Filed 6-27-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P