Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; U.S. Navy Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore Training in Virginia and North Carolina, 54970-54971 [2014-21886]

Download as PDF 54970 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 178 / Monday, September 15, 2014 / Notices collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record. Dated: September 9, 2014. Gwellnar Banks, Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. 2014–21879 Filed 9–12–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration RIN 0648–XD477 Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; U.S. Navy Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore Training in Virginia and North Carolina National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for letter of authorization; request for comments and information. AGENCY: NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Navy (Navy) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to conducting Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) training activities in Virginia and North Carolina, from June 2015 through June 2020. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is announcing our receipt of the Navy’s request for the development and implementation of regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals and inviting information, suggestions, and comments on the Navy’s application and request. DATES: Comments and information must be received no later than October 15, 2014. ADDRESSES: Comments on the application should be addressed to Jolie Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. The mailbox address for providing email comments is ITP.Guan@noaa.gov. NMFS is not responsible for email tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:10 Sep 12, 2014 Jkt 232001 comments sent to addresses other than the one provided here. Comments sent via email, including all attachments, must not exceed a 25-megabyte file size. Instructions: All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted to https:// www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/ incidental.htm without change. All Personal Identifying Information (for example, name, address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. A copy of the Navy’s application may be obtained by visiting the internet at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/ incidental.htm. Documents cited in this notice may also be viewed, by appointment, during regular business hours, at the aforementioned address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shane Guan, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, (301) 427–8401. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) direct the Secretary of Commerce to allow, upon request, the incidental, but not intentional, taking of small numbers of marine mammals by United States citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than commercial fishing) within a specific geographical region if certain findings are made and either regulations are issued or, if the taking is limited to harassment, a notice of a proposed authorization is provided to the public for review. Authorization for incidental takings shall be granted if NMFS finds that the taking will have a negligible impact on the species or stock(s), will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the species or stock(s) for subsistence uses (where relevant), and if the permissible methods of taking and requirements pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring and reporting of such takings are set forth. NMFS has defined ‘‘negligible impact’’ in 50 CFR 216.103 as ‘‘ . . . an impact resulting from the specified activity that cannot be reasonably expected to, and is not reasonably likely to, adversely affect the species or stock through effects on annual rates of recruitment or survival.’’ With respect to military readiness activities, the MMPA defines ‘‘harassment’’ as: ‘‘(i) Any act that injures or has the significant potential to injure a marine mammal stock in the wild [Level A Harassment]; or (ii) any act that disturbs or is likely to disturb PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing disruption of natural behavioral patterns, including, but not limited to, migration, surfacing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering, to a point where such behavioral patterns are abandoned or significantly altered [Level B Harassment].’’ Summary of Request On August 20, 2014, NMFS received an application from the Navy requesting a letter of authorization (LOA) for the take of bottlenose and Atlantic spotted dolphins incidental to the Navy’s JLOTS training activities in nearshore waters at the Joint Expeditionary Base (JEB) Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia and at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. The Navy is requesting a 5-year LOA for these activities. These activities are classified as military readiness activities. The Navy states that these activities may result in take of marine mammals from noise or visual disturbance from temporary pier construction associated with the JLOTS training activities. The Navy requests to take bottlenose and Atlantic spotted dolphins by Level B harassment. Description of the Specified Activity JLOTS training is the movement of cargo and personnel from ships to shore in areas that do not have existing fixed port facilities. Among the several coordinated exercises of the JLOTS training, the only activity that has the potential to harass marine mammals is the construction of the Elevated Causeway System, Modular [ELCAS(M)] by introducing noise into the water. The ELCAS (M) is a temporary pier constructed from the beach into the water past the surf zone. It provides a means of delivering containers, vehicles, and bulk cargo ashore without lighterage craft having to enter the surf zone. The ELCAS (M) consists of a series of 24- by 40-ft. (7.3- by 12.2-m) pontoon sections joined together and supported by piles driven into the sea floor. To build the pier, piles are driven into the sand with a diesel-powered impact hammer. The piles used typically are hollow, half-inch steel uncapped piles, 24 inches (0.5 m) in diameter, and can be of various lengths (38 ft. [11.6 m], 57 ft. [17.4 m], or 76 ft. [23.2 m]) depending on local bathymetry. The depth to which the piles are driven is between 30 and 40 ft. (9.1 to 12.2 m) and installation takes approximately 15 minutes per pile. Typically, 6 piles would be installed in a day. Two pile drivers are generally used, but not simultaneously: while one is driving a E:\FR\FM\15SEN1.SGM 15SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 178 / Monday, September 15, 2014 / Notices pile, the other is being re-positioned for the next pile. Construction may take up to 20 days. A pier length of 1,500 ft (457 m) is typical for training, with approximately 119 supporting piles. Once the ELCAS (M) is constructed, offloading operations are similar to those of a conventional pier. Containerhandling operations consist primarily of transferring containers from lighterage vessels (e.g., Landing Craft Utility or Landing Craft Mechanized) to the pier. Empty trucks or trailers are driven onto a turntable at the seaward end of the ELCAS (M) and are loaded with containers using the same cranes from construction. The ELCAS (M) is wide enough to accommodate two-way traffic. Rolling stock may be lifted by crane to the pier and driven to the beach as well. Operations typically involve the use of two forklifts and an average of six cargo trucks a day during the exercise. Power for the operation of the turntable and the lighting of the ELCAS (M) is provided by up to two 30-kilowatt (kW) and two 100-kW generators. The ELCAS (M) is dismantled by removing the pontoon sections and extracting the piles with a vibratory hammer, which takes approximately 6 minutes per pile, over the course of 10 days. Typically, 12 piles are removed in a day. On the beach, the modified area re-graded to its original elevation. Information Solicited Interested persons may submit information, suggestions, and comments concerning the Navy’s request (see ADDRESSES). All input related to the Navy’s request and NMFS’ role in governing the incidental taking of marine mammals will be considered by NMFS when developing, if appropriate, the most effective regulations governing the issuance of an LOA. Dated: September 9, 2014. Donna S. Wieting, Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2014–21886 Filed 9–12–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Office of the Secretary tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES [Docket ID: DoD–2013–HA–0192] Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request ACTION: Notice. The Department of Defense has submitted to OMB for clearance, the following proposal for collection of SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 17:10 Sep 12, 2014 Jkt 232001 information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act. DATES: Consideration will be given to all comments received by October 15, 2014. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Fred Licari, 571–372–0493. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Title, Associated Form and OMB Number: Department of Defense Suicide Event Report (DoDSER); OMB Control Number 0720–TBD. Type of Request: New. Number of Respondents: 1375. Responses per Respondent: 1. Annual Responses: 1375. Average Burden Per Response: 10 minutes. Annual Burden Hours: 229. Needs and Uses: This data system will provide integrated enterprise and survey data to be used for direct reporting of suicide events and ongoing population-based health surveillance activities. These surveillance activities include the systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of outcome-specific data for use in planning, implementation, evaluation, and prevention of suicide behaviors within the Department of Defense. Data are collected on individuals with reportable suicide and self-harm behaviors (to include suicide attempts, self-harm behaviors, and suicidal ideation). All other DoD active and reserve military personnel records collected without evidence of reportable suicide and self-harm behaviors will exist as a control group. Records are integrated from enterprise systems and created and revised by civilian and military personnel in the performance of their duties. Affected Public: Individuals or households. Frequency: On occasion. Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary. OMB Desk Officer: Ms. Megan Larkin. Written comments and recommendations on the proposed information collection should be sent to Ms. Megan Larkin at the Office of Management and Budget, Desk Officer for DoD, Room 10236, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503. You may also submit comments, identified by docket number and title, by the following method: • Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name, docket number and title for this Federal Register document. The general policy for comments and other submissions from members of the public is to make PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 54971 these submissions available for public viewing on the Internet at https:// www.regulations.gov as they are received without change, including any personal identifiers or contact information. DOD Clearance Officer: Mr. Frederick Licari. Written requests for copies of the information collection proposal should be sent to Mr. Licari at WHS/ESD Directives Division, 4800 Mark Center Drive, East Tower, Suite 02G09, Alexandria, VA 22350–3100. Dated: September 10, 2014. Aaron Siegel, Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. [FR Doc. 2014–21936 Filed 9–12–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001–06–P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records—Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound Institute of Education Sciences, Department of Education. ACTION: Notice of a new system of records. AGENCY: In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (Privacy Act), the Department of Education (Department) publishes this notice of a new system of records entitled ‘‘Study of Enhanced College Advising in Upward Bound’’ (18–13– 36). The National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance at the Department’s Institute of Education Sciences awarded a contract in September 2012 to Abt Associates Inc. to conduct an impact evaluation of a strategy to enhance college advising within Upward Bound—consisting of a professional development program for Upward Bound staff that includes a set of tools and resources for staff and students. The system of records will contain records on approximately 136,000 Upward Bound students and 200 Upward Bound project staff and will be used to conduct the study. DATES: Submit your comments on this proposed new system of records on or before October 15, 2014. The Department filed a report describing the new system of records covered by this notice with the Chair of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, the Chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\15SEN1.SGM 15SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 178 (Monday, September 15, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54970-54971]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-21886]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD477


Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; U.S. 
Navy Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore Training in Virginia and North 
Carolina

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

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

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

SUMMARY: NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Navy (Navy) for 
authorization to take marine mammals incidental to conducting Joint 
Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) training activities in Virginia and 
North Carolina, from June 2015 through June 2020. Pursuant to the 
Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is announcing our receipt of 
the Navy's request for the development and implementation of 
regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals and 
inviting information, suggestions, and comments on the Navy's 
application and request.

DATES: Comments and information must be received no later than October 
15, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the application should be addressed to Jolie 
Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, 
Silver Spring, MD 20910. The mailbox address for providing email 
comments is ITP.Guan@noaa.gov. NMFS is not responsible for email 
comments sent to addresses other than the one provided here. Comments 
sent via email, including all attachments, must not exceed a 25-
megabyte file size.
    Instructions: All comments received are a part of the public record 
and will generally be posted to https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm without change. All Personal Identifying Information 
(for example, name, address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by the 
commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit Confidential 
Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information.
    A copy of the Navy's application may be obtained by visiting the 
internet at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm. 
Documents cited in this notice may also be viewed, by appointment, 
during regular business hours, at the aforementioned address.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

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

Summary of Request

    On August 20, 2014, NMFS received an application from the Navy 
requesting a letter of authorization (LOA) for the take of bottlenose 
and Atlantic spotted dolphins incidental to the Navy's JLOTS training 
activities in nearshore waters at the Joint Expeditionary Base (JEB) 
Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia and at Camp Lejeune in North 
Carolina. The Navy is requesting a 5-year LOA for these activities. 
These activities are classified as military readiness activities. The 
Navy states that these activities may result in take of marine mammals 
from noise or visual disturbance from temporary pier construction 
associated with the JLOTS training activities. The Navy requests to 
take bottlenose and Atlantic spotted dolphins by Level B harassment.

Description of the Specified Activity

    JLOTS training is the movement of cargo and personnel from ships to 
shore in areas that do not have existing fixed port facilities. Among 
the several coordinated exercises of the JLOTS training, the only 
activity that has the potential to harass marine mammals is the 
construction of the Elevated Causeway System, Modular [ELCAS(M)] by 
introducing noise into the water.
    The ELCAS (M) is a temporary pier constructed from the beach into 
the water past the surf zone. It provides a means of delivering 
containers, vehicles, and bulk cargo ashore without lighterage craft 
having to enter the surf zone. The ELCAS (M) consists of a series of 
24- by 40-ft. (7.3- by 12.2-m) pontoon sections joined together and 
supported by piles driven into the sea floor.
    To build the pier, piles are driven into the sand with a diesel-
powered impact hammer. The piles used typically are hollow, half-inch 
steel uncapped piles, 24 inches (0.5 m) in diameter, and can be of 
various lengths (38 ft. [11.6 m], 57 ft. [17.4 m], or 76 ft. [23.2 m]) 
depending on local bathymetry. The depth to which the piles are driven 
is between 30 and 40 ft. (9.1 to 12.2 m) and installation takes 
approximately 15 minutes per pile. Typically, 6 piles would be 
installed in a day. Two pile drivers are generally used, but not 
simultaneously: while one is driving a

[[Page 54971]]

pile, the other is being re-positioned for the next pile. Construction 
may take up to 20 days. A pier length of 1,500 ft (457 m) is typical 
for training, with approximately 119 supporting piles.
    Once the ELCAS (M) is constructed, offloading operations are 
similar to those of a conventional pier. Container-handling operations 
consist primarily of transferring containers from lighterage vessels 
(e.g., Landing Craft Utility or Landing Craft Mechanized) to the pier. 
Empty trucks or trailers are driven onto a turntable at the seaward end 
of the ELCAS (M) and are loaded with containers using the same cranes 
from construction. The ELCAS (M) is wide enough to accommodate two-way 
traffic. Rolling stock may be lifted by crane to the pier and driven to 
the beach as well. Operations typically involve the use of two 
forklifts and an average of six cargo trucks a day during the exercise. 
Power for the operation of the turntable and the lighting of the ELCAS 
(M) is provided by up to two 30-kilowatt (kW) and two 100-kW 
generators.
    The ELCAS (M) is dismantled by removing the pontoon sections and 
extracting the piles with a vibratory hammer, which takes approximately 
6 minutes per pile, over the course of 10 days. Typically, 12 piles are 
removed in a day. On the beach, the modified area re-graded to its 
original elevation.

Information Solicited

    Interested persons may submit information, suggestions, and 
comments concerning the Navy's request (see ADDRESSES). All input 
related to the Navy's request and NMFS' role in governing the 
incidental taking of marine mammals will be considered by NMFS when 
developing, if appropriate, the most effective regulations governing 
the issuance of an LOA.

    Dated: September 9, 2014.
Donna S. Wieting,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-21886 Filed 9-12-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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