Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to a Cruise Ship Terminal Project, 14945-14968 [2015-06431]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 54 (Friday, March 20, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14945-14968]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-06431]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD808


Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; 
Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to a Cruise Ship Terminal Project

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

ACTION: Notice; proposed incidental harassment authorization; request 
for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS has received a request from Huna Totem Corporation (HTC) 
for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to construction 
activities as part of the re-development of the Icy Strait Point Cruise 
Ship Terminal in Hoonah, Alaska. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal 
Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to 
issue an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to HTC to 
incidentally take marine mammals, by Level B Harassment only, during 
the specified activity.

DATES: Comments and information must be received no later than April 
20, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the application should be addressed to Jolie 
Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. Physical comments should 
be sent to 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 and 
electronic comments should be sent to ITP.Pauline@noaa.gov.
    Instructions: NMFS is not responsible for comments sent by any 
other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the 
end of the comment period. Comments received electronically, including 
all attachments, must not exceed a 25-megabyte file size. Attachments 
to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word or Excel or 
Adobe PDF file formats only. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted to the Internet at https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental/construction.htm without 
change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address) 
voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do 
not submit confidential business information or otherwise sensitive or 
protected information.

[[Page 14946]]


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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Availability

    An electronic copy of HTC's application and supporting documents, 
as well as a list of the references cited in this document, may be 
obtained by visiting the Internet at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental/construction.htm. In case of problems accessing 
these documents, please call the contact listed above.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

    We are preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) in accordance 
with NEPA and the regulations published by the Council on Environmental 
Quality and will consider comments submitted in response to this notice 
as part of that process. The EA will be posted at the foregoing Web 
site once it is finalized.

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.
    An 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.''
    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 June 23, 2014 NMFS received an application from HTC for the 
taking of marine mammals incidental to pile driving and removal 
associated with the re-development of the Icy Strait Point Cruise Ship 
Terminal in Hoonah, Alaska. HTC submitted a revised application on 
September 9, 2014. On February 26, 2015 the applicant submitted an 
addendum to the application describing modifications to the specified 
activity. NMFS determined that the application was adequate and 
complete on February 27, 2015. HTC proposes to conduct in-water work 
that may incidentally harass marine mammals (i.e., pile driving and 
removal). In addition, the project would include associated upland 
improvements, which are not anticipated to have the potential to result 
in incidental take of marine mammals. This IHA would be valid from June 
1 through October 31, 2015. However, all pile driving is expected to be 
completed by the end of September. October has been included only to 
cover any contingencies that may arise.
    The use of vibratory and impact pile driving is expected to produce 
underwater sound at levels that have the potential to result in 
behavioral harassment of marine mammals. Species with the expected 
potential to be present during the project timeframe include the 
humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), Steller sea lion (Eumatopius 
jubatus), harbor seal (Phoca vitulina), Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides 
dalli), gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus), harbor porpoise (Phocoena 
phocoena), killer whale (Orcinus orca), minke whale (Balaenoptera 
acutorostrata), and Pacific white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus 
obliquidens).

Description of the Specified Activity

Overview

    The project would construct a new cruise ship berth terminal and 
associated upland improvements at the existing facility. The existing 
facility is served by an approximately 100-foot by 25-foot excursion 
dock, with an approximately 140-foot walkway connecting to shoreline. 
There is also an existing 40-foot by 80-foot fishing pier which is 
connected to the shore by an approximately 120-foot walkway. The new 
terminal would consist of a floating pontoon, which would be connected 
to the shore via a new trestle and transfer span. The new terminal 
would also include two new mooring dolphins, two new breasting 
dolphins, and three or more new reaction dolphins. Each of these would 
be interconnected via pile-supported catwalks. The proposed project 
would require the installation of 25 24-inch piles, 21 30-inch piles, 
53 42-inch piles, and 5 60-inch piles.

Dates and Duration

    In-water work, which is work occurring below the mean higher high 
water (MHHW) will be limited to pile installation and falsework pile 
extraction. These activities will be limited to the period between June 
1 and October 31, 2015 to avoid the period (15 April to 31 May) when 
spawning herring are most likely to be present within the project area. 
However, all pile driving is expected to be completed by the end of 
September. October has been included only to cover any contingencies 
that may arise.
    The project will require the installation of 104 steel pipe piles 
of varying diameters below the MHHW. Total impact hammer time would not 
exceed 5 minutes per pile for 104 piles resulting in less than 10 hours 
of driving time. Total vibratory hammer time would not exceed 5 hours 
per day for a maximum of 20 days resulting in a total of 100 hours.
    The overall project, including work not anticipated to result in 
incidental take, was initiated in September 2014 and will run through 
May 2016.

Specified Geographic Region

    The existing Icy Strait Point site is located in Hoonah, Alaska. 
The project site is located at the junction of Icy Strait and Port 
Frederick, in the Baranof-Chichagof Islands watershed (HUC #19010203). 
Please see Sheet 1 of Appendix A in the HTC application for details.

Detailed Description of Activities

    The proposed action would involve construction of a new cruise ship 
berth terminal and associated upland improvements at the existing 
facility. The existing facility is served by an approximately 100-foot 
by 25-foot excursion dock, with an approximately 140-foot walkway 
connecting to shoreline. There is also an existing 40-foot by 80-foot 
fishing pier which is connected to the shore by an approximately 120-
foot walkway. The new terminal would consist of a floating pontoon, 
which would be connected to the shore via a new trestle and transfer

[[Page 14947]]

span. The new terminal would also include two new mooring dolphins, two 
new breasting dolphins, and three or more new reaction dolphins. Each 
of these would be interconnected via pile-supported catwalks.
    In-water work (work below the MHHW) will be limited to pile 
installation. Over-water work will include construction and 
installation of the steel trestle and transfer span, construction of 
the over-water portions of the mooring, breasting, and reaction 
dolphins, and construction of the catwalk spans. The floating pontoon 
will be fabricated in a dry dock and floated into position.
    In-water and over-water components of the project would be 
constructed in areas with water depths ranging between MHHW and 
approximately -60 feet mean lower low water (MLLW). The majority of the 
in-water and over-water work including construction of the mooring, 
breasting, and reaction dolphins; catwalks, a portion of the transfer 
span and floating pontoon will be completed between approximately -25 
feet and -60 feet MLLW.
    A detailed description of in-water and over-water project 
components may be found in Table 1 of the HTC Application.
    In-water and over-water work will primarily be completed using 
equipment mounted on barges and/or barge-mounted derricks. It is 
anticipated that a maximum of 3 barges, including material barges, will 
be anchored (four anchors per barge) at the site during offshore 
construction. The barges may be anchored with spud anchors in shallow 
water and line anchors in deeper water. Small vessels will be used for 
crew access and miscellaneous construction activities. Limited upland 
equipment will be used to support in-water construction.
    Pile Installation--The over-water structures, except for the 
floating pontoon, will likely be founded on steel pipe piling. Piling 
will be set using a vibratory hammer. Rock excavation will be conducted 
using a down the hole drilling system with an under reaming bit. 
Seating will be achieved with either vibratory or impact hammer 
depending on local geotechnical conditions. The project will require 
the installation of a total of approximately 104 steel pipe piles of 
varying diameters below the MHHW. Piles that will be used include 24-
inch, 30-inch, 42-inch, and 60-inch steel pipe piles. Piles will be set 
by vibratory hammer that will cease operation as soon as bedrock is 
encountered. Vibratory hammer time should be between 10 and 30 minutes 
per pile. It is estimated that each pile will need to be driven 
approximately 50 feet to hit bedrock. Piles will then be drilled into 
bedrock using a down the hole drilling system with an under reaming bit 
for approximately 15 feet. This process will take an estimated 3 hours. 
This is a low energy air-powered system that releases decreased 
acoustic energy compared to impact driving. Proofing or seating of the 
pile into the drilled socket would occur with either a vibratory or 
impact hammer depending on the rock encountered and will be selected in 
the field based on actual sub surface conditions. If a vibratory hammer 
is used it will take 3-5 minutes of vibrating. Should an impact hammer 
be required it is expected to take 50 blows and 3-5 minutes of 
impacting. As described previously total vibratory hammer time would 
not exceed a total of 100 hours and total impact hammer time would 
result in less than 10 hours of driving time. This would occur over 
approximately 16-20 days of driving during the 4 month Authorization 
period.

    Table 1--Summary of Pilings To Be Installed--Diameter and Number
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Pile size  (diameter in inches)              Number of Piles
------------------------------------------------------------------------
24........................................  25
30........................................  21
42........................................  53
60........................................  5
  Total...................................  104
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Trestle and Transfer Span--A new steel trestle (482 feet by 18 
feet) and transfer span (173 feet by 18 feet) with associated steel 
foundations, measuring approximately 1,090 square feet, will be 
constructed to allow vehicle and pedestrian access between the pontoon 
and upland areas. These spans will be supported by approximately 
fifteen 24-inch and twenty-one 30-inch-diameter steel pipe piling that 
will be installed per the pile installation methods described above.
    Pontoon--A new floating steel pontoon (21,500 square feet) with 
associated steel components will be constructed to provide a landing 
surface for cruise ship gangways.
    Mooring Dolphins--Two new mooring dolphins, measuring 1,150 square 
feet (each approximately 575 square feet), will be constructed to 
provide mooring points for lines from the cruise ship vessels. The 
dolphins will be supported by 42-inch-diameter steel pipe piles (seven 
and eight piles, respectively).
    Breasting Dolphins--Two new breasting dolphins, measuring 1,150 
square feet (total), will be constructed to provide mooring points for 
the lines and breasting points for the hulls of cruise ship vessels. 
Each dolphin will be supported by ten 42-inch-diameter steel pipe 
piles.
    Reaction Dolphins--Approximately three new reaction dolphins, 
measuring 1,750 square feet (total), will be constructed to maintain 
the horizontal position of the floating pontoon. The reaction dolphins 
will be supported by eighteen 42-inch diameter and five 60-inch-
diameter steel pipe piles (total piles used for the three dolphins).
    Catwalks--Eight new catwalk spans, measuring 4,150 square feet 
total (5 feet wide by 820 feet plus foundations), will be constructed 
to provide walking access between the pontoon and the mooring and 
breasting dolphins. The catwalks will be supported by ten 24-inch-
diameter steel pipe piles.
    Upland Project Components--The upland portions of the project 
include numerous improvements to the tourist and retail facilities to 
support the increased cruise passenger traffic that will result from 
the new cruise ship berth. Construction associated with these 
improvements will have no impact on marine mammals. A detailed list of 
these structures may be found in the HTC Application.

Proposed Mitigation

    In order to issue an IHA 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.
    For the proposed project, HTC worked with NMFS and proposed the 
following mitigation measures to minimize the potential impacts to 
marine mammals in the project vicinity. The primary purposes of these 
mitigation measures are to minimize sound levels from the activities, 
and to monitor marine mammals within designated zones of influence 
corresponding to NMFS' current Level A and B harassment thresholds 
which are depicted in Table 4 found later in the Estimated Take by 
Incidental Harassment section.
    Monitoring Protocols--Monitoring would be conducted before, during, 
and after pile driving and removal activities. In addition, observers 
shall record all incidents of marine mammal occurrence, regardless of 
distance from

[[Page 14948]]

activity, and shall document any behavioral reactions in concert with 
distance from piles being driven. Observations made outside the 
shutdown zone will not result in shutdown; that pile segment would be 
completed without cessation, unless the animal approaches or enters the 
shutdown zone, at which point all pile driving activities would be 
halted. Monitoring will take place from twenty minutes prior to 
initiation through thirty minutes post-completion of pile driving 
activities. Pile driving activities include the time to remove a single 
pile or series of piles, as long as the time elapsed between uses of 
the pile driving equipment is no more than thirty minutes. Please see 
the Marine Mammal Monitoring Plan (available at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental/construction.htm), developed by HTC with our 
approval, for full details of the monitoring protocols.
    The following additional measures apply to visual monitoring:
    (1) Monitoring will be conducted by qualified observers, who will 
be placed at the best vantage point(s) practicable to monitor for 
marine mammals and implement shutdown/delay procedures when applicable 
by calling for the shutdown to the hammer operator. Qualified observers 
are trained biologists, with the following minimum qualifications:
    (a) Visual acuity in both eyes (correction is permissible) 
sufficient for discernment of moving targets at the water's surface 
with ability to estimate target size and distance; use of binoculars 
may be necessary to correctly identify the target;
    (b) Advanced education in biological science or related field 
(undergraduate degree or higher required);
    (c) Experience and ability to conduct field observations and 
collect data according to assigned protocols (this may include academic 
experience);
    (d) Experience or training in the field identification of marine 
mammals, including the identification of behaviors;
    (e) Sufficient training, orientation, or experience with the 
construction operation to provide for personal safety during 
observations;
    (f) Writing skills sufficient to prepare a report of observations 
including but not limited to the number and species of marine mammals 
observed; dates and times when in-water construction activities were 
conducted; dates and times when in-water construction activities were 
suspended to avoid potential incidental injury from construction sound 
of marine mammals observed within a defined shutdown zone; and marine 
mammal behavior; and
    (g) Ability to communicate orally, by radio or in person, with 
project personnel to provide real-time information on marine mammals 
observed in the area as necessary.
    (2) Prior to the start of pile driving activity, the shutdown zone 
will be monitored for twenty minutes to ensure that it is clear of 
marine mammals. Pile driving will only commence once observers have 
declared the shutdown zone clear of marine mammals; animals will be 
allowed to remain in the shutdown zone (i.e., must leave of their own 
volition) and their behavior will be monitored and documented. The 
shutdown zone may only be declared clear, and pile driving started, 
when the entire shutdown zone is visible (i.e., when not obscured by 
dark, rain, fog, etc.). In addition, if such conditions should arise 
during impact pile driving that is already underway, the activity would 
be halted.
    If a marine mammal approaches or enters the shutdown zone during 
the course of pile driving operations, activity will be halted and 
delayed until either the animal has voluntarily left and been visually 
confirmed beyond the shutdown zone or fifteen minutes have passed 
without re-detection of the animal. Monitoring will be conducted 
throughout the time required to drive a pile.
    Soft Start--The use of a soft start procedure is believed to 
provide additional protection to marine mammals by warning or providing 
a chance to leave the area prior to the hammer operating at full 
capacity, and typically involves a requirement to initiate sound from 
the hammer at reduced energy followed by a waiting period. This 
procedure is repeated two additional times. It is difficult to specify 
the reduction in energy for any given hammer because of variation 
across drivers and, for impact hammers, the actual number of strikes at 
reduced energy will vary because operating the hammer at less than full 
power results in ``bouncing'' of the hammer as it strikes the pile, 
resulting in multiple ``strikes.'' The project will utilize soft start 
techniques for both impact and vibratory pile driving. We require HTC 
to initiate sound from vibratory hammers for fifteen seconds at reduced 
energy followed by a thirty-second waiting period, with the procedure 
repeated two additional times. For impact driving, we require an 
initial set of three strikes from the impact hammer at reduced energy, 
followed by a thirty-second waiting period, then two subsequent three 
strike sets. Soft start will be required at the beginning of each day's 
pile driving work and at any time following a cessation of pile driving 
of 20 minutes or longer (specific to either vibratory or impact 
driving).
    In addition to the measures described later in this section, HTC 
would employ the following standard mitigation measures:
    (a) Conduct briefings between construction supervisors and crews, 
marine mammal monitoring team, and HTC staff prior to the start of all 
pile driving activity, and when new personnel join the work, in order 
to explain responsibilities, communication procedures, marine mammal 
monitoring protocol, and operational procedures.
    (b) For in-water heavy machinery work other than pile driving 
(using, e.g., standard barges, tug boats, barge-mounted excavators, or 
clamshell equipment used to place or remove material), if a marine 
mammal comes within 10 m, operations shall cease and vessels shall 
reduce speed to the minimum level required to maintain steerage and 
safe working conditions. This type of work could include the following 
activities: (1) Movement of the barge to the pile location or (2) 
positioning of the pile on the substrate via a crane (i.e., stabbing 
the pile).

Monitoring and Shutdown for Pile Driving

    The following measures would apply to HTC's mitigation through 
shutdown and disturbance zones:
    Shutdown Zone--For all pile driving activities, HTC will establish 
a shutdown zone. Shutdown zones are intended to contain the area in 
which SPLs equal or exceed the 180/190 dB rms acoustic injury criteria, 
with the purpose being to define an area within which shutdown of 
activity would occur upon sighting of a marine mammal (or in 
anticipation of an animal entering the defined area), thus preventing 
injury of marine mammals. For vibratory driving, HTC's activities are 
not expected to produce sound at or above the 180 dB rms injury 
criterion (see ``Estimated Take by Incidental Harassment''). As 
described above, HTC would, however, implement a minimum shutdown zone 
of 10 m radius for all marine mammals around all vibratory pile driving 
and removal activity and 100 m radius around impact pile driving 
activity. These precautionary measures are intended to further reduce 
the unlikely possibility of injury from direct physical interaction 
with construction operations.
    Disturbance Zone--Disturbance zones are the areas in which SPLs 
equal or exceed 120 dB rms (for continuous

[[Page 14949]]

sound) for pile driving installation and removal. Disturbance zones 
provide utility for monitoring conducted for mitigation purposes (i.e., 
shutdown zone monitoring) by establishing monitoring protocols for 
areas adjacent to the shutdown zones. Monitoring of disturbance zones 
enables observers to be aware of and communicate the presence of marine 
mammals in the project area but outside the shutdown zone and thus 
prepare for potential shutdowns of activity. However, the primary 
purpose of disturbance zone monitoring is for documenting incidents of 
Level B harassment; disturbance zone monitoring is discussed in greater 
detail later (see ``Proposed Monitoring and Reporting''). Nominal 
radial distances for disturbance zones are shown in Table 5. Given the 
size of the disturbance zone for vibratory pile driving, it is 
impossible to guarantee that all animals would be observed or to make 
comprehensive observations of fine-scale behavioral reactions to sound. 
We discuss monitoring objectives and protocols in greater depth in 
``Proposed Monitoring and Reporting.''
    In order to document observed incidents of harassment, monitors 
record all marine mammal observations, regardless of location. The 
observer's location, as well as the location of the pile being driven, 
is known from a GPS. The location of the animal is estimated as a 
distance from the observer, which is then compared to the location from 
the pile and the estimated ZOIs for relevant activities (i.e., pile 
installation and removal). This information may then be used to 
extrapolate observed takes to reach an approximate understanding of 
actual total takes.
    Time Restrictions--Work would occur only during daylight hours, 
when visual monitoring of marine mammals can be conducted. In addition, 
all in-water construction will be limited to the period between June 1 
and October 31, 2015. However, all pile driving is expected to be 
completed by the end of September. October has only been included to 
cover any contingencies that may arise.

Mitigation Conclusions

    NMFS has carefully evaluated the applicant's proposed mitigation 
measures and considered a range of other measures in the context of 
ensuring that NMFS prescribes the means of affecting 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 measure is expected to minimize 
adverse impacts to marine mammals.
     The proven or likely efficacy of the specific measure to 
minimize adverse impacts as planned.
     The practicability of the measure for applicant 
implementation.
    Any mitigation measure(s) prescribed by NMFS should be able to 
accomplish, have a reasonable likelihood of accomplishing (based on 
current science), or contribute to the accomplishment of one or more of 
the general goals listed below:
    1. Avoidance or minimization of injury or death of marine mammals 
wherever possible (goals 2, 3, and 4 may contribute to this goal).
    2. A reduction in the numbers of marine mammals (total number or 
number at biologically important time or location) exposed to received 
levels of pile driving, or other activities expected to result in the 
take of marine mammals (this goal may contribute to 1, above, or to 
reducing harassment takes only).
    3. A reduction in the number of times (total number or number at 
biologically important time or location) individuals would be exposed 
to received levels of pile driving, or other activities expected to 
result in the take of marine mammals (this goal may contribute to 1, 
above, or to reducing harassment takes only).
    4. A reduction in the intensity of exposures (either total number 
or number at biologically important time or location) to received 
levels of pile driving, or other activities expected to result in the 
take of marine mammals (this goal may contribute to a, above, or to 
reducing the severity of harassment takes only).
    5. Avoidance or minimization of adverse effects to marine mammal 
habitat, paying special attention to the food base, activities that 
block or limit passage to or from biologically important areas, 
permanent destruction of habitat, or temporary destruction/disturbance 
of habitat during a biologically important time.
    6. For monitoring directly related to mitigation--an increase in 
the probability of detecting marine mammals, thus allowing for more 
effective implementation of the mitigation.
    The potential use of bubble curtains was discussed with HTC. 
However, impact driving would only occur for brief, irregular periods. 
Additionally, the project is being conducted in relatively deep water 
where it is difficult to deploy bubble curtains and their efficacy 
would be uncertain. Therefore, NMFS does not propose to require the use 
of bubble curtains.
    Based on our evaluation of the applicant's proposed measures, as 
well as other measures considered by NMFS, NMFS has preliminarily 
determined that the proposed 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.

Description of Marine Mammals in the Area of the Specified Activity

    Table 2--List of Marine Mammal Species Under NMFS Jurisdiction That Occur in the Vicinity of the HTC Cruise Ship Terminal Re-Development Project
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                             Stock abundance (CV,
            Common name                     Stock            Scientific name     ESA Status;  Strategic Y/N    Nmin, most recent    Relative occurrence
                                                                                                              abundance survey) *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Order Cetartiodactyla--Cetacea--Superfamily Mysticeti (baleen whales)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Family Eschrichtiidae:
    Gray whale....................  Eastern North         Eschrichtius          Not listed/N...............  19,126 (0.071;        Uncommon.
                                     Pacific Stock.        robustus.                                          18,017; 2007).
Family Balaenopteridae (rorquals):
    Humpback whale................  Entire Central North  Megaptera             Endangered/Y...............  10,103 (0.03; 7,890;  Common.
                                     Pacific Stock.        novaeangliae.                                      2006).

[[Page 14950]]

 
    Minke whale...................  Gulf of Alaska and    Balaenoptera          Not listed/N...............  Unknown.............  Uncommon.
                                     Western Aleutians.    acutorostrata).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Order Cetartiodactyla--Cetacea--Superfamily Odontoceti (toothed whales, dolphins, and porpoises)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Family Delphinidae:
    Pacific white-sided dolphin...  entire North Pacific  Lagenorhynchus        Not listed/N...............  26,880 (N/A; N/A;     Uncommon.
                                     Stock.                obliquidens.                                       1990).
    Killer whale..................  AK Resident Stock...  Orcinus orca........  Not listed/N...............  2,347 (N/A; 2,3477;   Common.
                                                                                                              2012).
                                    GOA, Bering Sea,      ....................  ...........................  587 (N/A; 587; 2012)  Uncommon.
                                     Aleutian Transient
                                     Stock.
                                    West Coat Transient   ....................  ...........................  354 (N/A; 243; 2009)  Uncommon.
                                     Stock.
Family Phocoenidae (porpoises):
    Harbor porpoise...............  Southeast Alaskan     Phocoena phocoena...  Not listed/S...............  11,146 (0.242;        Common.
                                     Stock.                                                                   9,116; 1997).
    Dall's porpoise...............  Alaska..............  Phocoenoides dalli..  Not listed/NS..............  83,000 (0.097; N/A;   Common
                                                                                                              1993).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Order Carnivora--Superfamily Pinnipedia
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Family Otariidae (eared seals and
 sea lions):
    Steller Sea Lion..............  Eastern DPS.........  Eumatopius jubatus..  Not Listed/S...............  60,131-74,448         Common.
                                                                                                              (36,551; 2013).
                                    Western DPS.........  ....................  Endangered/S...............  55,422 (48,676;       Common.
                                                                                                              2013).
Family Phocidae (earless seals):
    Harbor seal...................  Glacier Bay/Icy       Phoca vitulina......  Not listed/NS..............  5,042 (4,735; 2007).  Common.
                                     Strait Stock.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Estimated abundance numbers come primarily from NMFS 2014 Draft Alaska Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Report (Allen and Angliss 2014), with the
  exception of the abundance data for gray whale, which comes from the Draft 2013 Pacific Region Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Report (Carretta et al.
  2013).

    Nine marine mammal species have known distribution ranges that 
include the portion of Icy Strait/Port Frederick in which construction 
activities will occur. These are humpback whale, Steller sea lion, 
harbor seal, Dall's porpoise, gray whale, harbor porpoise, killer 
whale, minke whale, and Pacific white-sided dolphin. There are specific 
stocks of individual species that may occur in the vicinity of the 
Project area. These include the Eastern North Pacific stock of gray 
whale; the North Central Pacific Stock of humpback whale; Gulf of 
Alaska and Western Aleutians stock of minke whale; North Pacific Stock 
of Pacific white-sided dolphin; Alaska Resident stock of killer whale; 
Golf of Alaska, Bering Sea, Aleutian transient stock of Killer whale; 
West coast transient stock of killer whale; Southeast Alaska stock of 
harbor porpoise; Alaska stock of Dall's porpoise; eastern depleted 
population stock (DPS) of Steller's sea lion; western DPS of Steller's 
sea lion; and Glacier Bay/Icy Strait stock of harbor seal.
    This IHA application assesses the potential impacts of the proposed 
project on these 12 stocks.
    We have reviewed HTC's detailed species descriptions, including 
life history information, for accuracy and completeness and refer the 
reader to Section 3 of HTC's application instead of reprinting the 
information here. Please also refer to NMFS' Web site 
(www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals) for generalized species 
accounts. Table 2 lists the 12 marine mammal stocks that could occur in 
the vicinity of Icy Strait during the project timeframe and summarizes 
key information regarding stock status and abundance. Please see NMFS' 
Stock Assessment Reports (SAR), available at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars, 
for more detailed accounts of these stocks' status and abundance.
    In the species accounts provided here, we offer a brief 
introduction to the species and relevant stock as well as available 
information regarding population trends and threats, and describe any 
information regarding local occurrence.

Cetaceans

Humpback Whale
    Humpback whales range from California to the Chukchi Sea, Hawaii, 
and the Mariana Islands (NMFS 1991). During summer and fall, humpback 
whales in the North Pacific forage over the continental shelf and along 
the coasts of the Pacific Rim, from Point Conception, California, north 
to the Gulf of Alaska, Prince William Sound, and Kodiak Island. Within 
this feeding area there are three relatively separate populations that 
migrate from these colder, highly productive higher-latitude waters to 
winter/spring calving and mating areas in warmer, lower-latitude 
coastal waters. Humpback whales in the waters of southeast Alaska 
belong to the Central North Pacific stock. This stock forages 
seasonally in the waters of British Columbia and Alaska and then, 
during winter, migrates to the Hawaiian Islands for mating and calving; 
however, a portion

[[Page 14951]]

of the population remains in southeast Alaska waters year-round. 
Humpback whales are primarily observed foraging in southeast Alaska 
from May through December with numbers peaking in late August and 
September.
    While the estimated population of the North Pacific stock remains 
much lower than the population size before whaling, humpback whales are 
increasing in abundance throughout much of their range. While the 
species currently remains listed as endangered throughout its range, 
the State of Alaska, in 2014, filed a petition with NMFS to designate 
the Central North Pacific Stock of humpback whale as a DPS and to 
delist this DPS under the ESA (ADF&G 2014).
    In the North Pacific, humpback abundance was estimated at fewer 
than 1,400 whales in 1966, after heavy commercial exploitation. The 
current abundance estimate for the Central North Pacific stock is 
approximately 10,103 whales (Allen and Angliss 2013). The population 
across Southeast Alaska experienced a 10.6% annual population increase 
over the 1991-2007 study period (Dahlheim et al., 2008). Humpback 
whales have been observed within the waters of the action area during 
all months of the year, with annual concentrations of humpback whales 
occurring consistently in the waters in and adjacent to Icy Strait in 
the spring (April/May) (Dahlheim et al., 2008). This is probably when 
whales are preying on heavily schooled fishes (NMFS 1991). Overall 
numbers of humpback whales tend to increase during the summer (June/
July) and fall (August/September) but are more evenly distributed with 
fewer identifiable population concentrations (Dahlheim et al. 2008). 
However, Port Frederick has been identified as being of relatively 
higher importance during the later summer months, when whales are 
preying more heavily on swarming euphasiids (NMFS 1991).
Dall's Porpoise
    Dall's porpoise are only found in the North Pacific and adjacent 
seas. Based primarily on the population response data and preliminary 
genetics analyses (Winans and Jones 1988), a delineation between Bering 
Sea and western North Pacific stocks has been recognized. However, 
similar data are not available for the eastern North Pacific, thus one 
stock of Dall's porpoise is recognized in Alaskan waters. Dall's 
porpoise along the west coast of the continental U. S. from California 
to Washington comprise a separate stock (Allen and Angliss 2013).
    Dall's porpoise occur throughout Alaska, and in general, are 
considered to be common throughout their range (Buckland et al. 1993a). 
This porpoise was also one of the most frequently sighted species 
during summer seismic surveys in the central and eastern Gulf of Alaska 
and southeast Alaska (MacLean and Koski 2005; Hauser and Holst 2009). 
In one study from 1991-2007, Dall's porpoise were encountered 
throughout Southeast Alaska with concentrations of animals consistently 
found in Icy Strait (Dahlheim et al., 2008). Dall's porpoise also have 
strong seasonal patterns in Southeast Alaska, with the highest numbers 
observed in the spring and numbers lowest in the fall (Dahlheim et al., 
2008).
    The current best population estimate for the Alaskan stock of 
Dall's porpoise is 83,400 (Allen and Angliss 2013). However, surveys 
for this stock are greater than 12 years old and, consequently, NMFS 
considers the minimum population estimate to be ``unknown'', and has 
also not calculated a Potential Biological Removal (PBR) level for 
Dall's porpoise (Allen and Angliss 2013). In the Southeast Alaska 
region, Dall's porpoise populations increased annually by 2.5% between 
1991 and 2007(Dahlheim et al., 2008). Dall's porpoise are not 
designated as ``depleted'' under the MMPA or listed as ``threatened'' 
or ``endangered'' under the Endangered Species Act. The level of human-
caused mortality and serious injury is not known to exceed the PBR, 
which is undetermined as the most recent abundance estimate is more 
than 8 years old. The Alaska stock of Dall's porpoise is not classified 
as a strategic stock (Allen and Angliss 2013).
Gray Whale
    Gray whales are common along the Gulf of Alaska coast, but rare in 
the inside waters of southeastern Alaska (Braham 1984). During a four-
year opportunistic marine mammal survey in Glacier Bay and Icy Strait, 
only a single gray whale was documented (Gabriele and Lewis, 2000).
    Gray whales are found primarily in shallow water and usually remain 
closer to shore than any other large cetacean. Two stocks of gray 
whales are recognized in the Pacific: the Eastern North Pacific stock 
and the Western North Pacific stock (Carretta et al. 2013). The eastern 
gray whale population ranges from the Chukchi and Beaufort seas to the 
Gulf of California (Rice 1998). Most of the eastern Pacific population 
makes a round-trip annual migration of more than 18,000 km. From late 
May to early October, the majority of the population concentrates in 
the northern and western Bering Sea and in the Chukchi Sea. However, 
some individuals spend the summer months scattered along the coasts of 
southeast Alaska, B.C., Washington, Oregon, and northern California.
    The current best population estimate for the Eastern North Pacific 
stock is 19,126 (Carretta et. al. 2013). In 1994, the Eastern North 
Pacific stock of gray whales was removed from the Endangered Species 
List as it was no longer considered endangered or threatened under the 
ESA. NMFS has not designated gray whales as ``depleted'' under the 
MMPA. Based on currently available data, the level of human- caused 
mortality and serious injury is not known to exceed the potential 
biological removal (PBR) level for Eastern North Pacific gray whales, 
which is calculated at 558 whales per year (Carretta et. al. 2013). 
Therefore, Eastern North Pacific gray whales are not classified as a 
strategic stock.
Harbor Porpoise
    The harbor porpoise inhabits temporal, subarctic, and arctic 
waters. In the eastern North Pacific, harbor porpoises range from Point 
Barrow, Alaska, to Point Conception, California. Harbor porpoise 
primarily frequent coastal waters and in the Gulf of Alaska and 
Southeast Alaska, they occur most frequently in waters less than 100 m 
deep (Hobbs and Waite 2010).
    Within the inland waters of Southeast Alaska harbor porpoise 
distribution is clumped in several areas with high densities observed 
in the Glacier Bay/Icy Strait region (Dahlheim et al. 2009, Allen and 
Angliss, 2013). Data collected between 2010 and 2012 indicated that 
there are an estimated 322 harbor porpoise that reside in the Icy 
Strait area, including Excursion Inlet and Port Frederick (Dahlheim 
2015). Another study found no evidence of seasonality for harbor 
porpoise across spring, summer or fall (Dahlheim et al., 2008).
    In Alaska, there are three separate stocks of harbor porpoise: 
Southeast Alaska, Gulf of Alaska, and Bering Sea. The Southeast Alaska 
Stock occurs from northern B.C. to Cape Suckling, and the Gulf of 
Alaska Stock ranges from Cape Suckling to Unimak Pass. The population 
estimates for the Southeast Alaska stock is 11,146 (Allen and Angliss 
2013). However, this abundance estimate is based on surveys conducted 
between 1993 and 1997(Dahlheim et. al 2000). NMFS has not established a 
PBR for Southeast Alaska stock harbor porpoise, due to the fact that 
the available abundance estimates are greater than 8 years old. 
Similarly, due to the age of the abundance estimates,

[[Page 14952]]

and due to the fact that the frequency of incidental mortality in 
commercial fisheries is not known, the Southeast Alaska stock of harbor 
porpoise is classified as a strategic stock. Preliminary analysis of 
harbor porpoise trend in Southeast Alaska, as reported in NMFS 2012 
marine mammal stock reports, indicated the population declined between 
1991 and 2010. However, a new estimate shows that abundance in 2011 was 
comparable to those from the early 1990s, suggesting the decline was 
not as steep as previously thought (Allen and Angliss, 2014). Dahlheim 
et al. (2008) noted a slight annual increase (0.2%) was found for 
harbor porpoise populations between 1991 and 2007.
Killer Whale
    Although resident in some parts of its range, the killer whale can 
also be transient. Killer whale movements generally appear to follow 
the distribution of their prey, which includes marine mammals, fish, 
and squid. Of eight killer whale stocks currently recognized in the 
Pacific U.S., four occur in Southeast Alaskan waters: (1) Alaska 
Residents, from southeast Alaska to the Aleutians and Bering Sea, (2) 
Northern Residents, from B.C. through parts of southeast Alaska, (3) 
Gulf of Alaska, Aleutians, and Bering Sea Transients, from Prince 
William Sound through to the Aleutians and Bering Sea, and (4) West 
Coast Transients, from California through southeast Alaska (Allen and 
Angliss 2013). However, Northern resident killer whales have not been 
observed in the Icy Strait area over the course of two decades of 
research and have been eliminated from any additional consideration 
(Dahlheim, 2015).
    Resident killer whales have been found in all major waterways of 
Southeast Alaska as well as in protected bays and inlets and observed 
in all seasons. Two specific resident pods were frequently encountered 
throughout Icy Strait. These would be the AG pod numbering a minimum of 
42 whales and the AF pod with a minimum count of 79 whales. Whales have 
been seen there every month of the year and the Icy Strait corridor is 
a major route for them both entering and exiting inland waters. The AG 
pod has been observed inside Port Frederick, passing directly off the 
shore of Hoonah (Dahlheim, 2015).
    The current best abundance estimate for the North Pacific Alaska 
Resident stock of killer whales is 2,347 (Allen and Angliss 2013). This 
stock of killer whales is not designated as ``depleted'' under the MMPA 
nor are they listed as ``threatened'' or ``endangered'' under the ESA. 
Based on currently available data, the level of human- caused mortality 
and serious injury is not known to exceed the potential biological 
removal (PBR) level for this stock, which is calculated at 23.4 
individuals (Allen and Angliss 2013). Therefore, the North Pacific 
Alaska Resident stock of killer whales is not classified as a strategic 
stock.
    The current best abundance estimate for the Gulf of Alaska, 
Aleutian Islands, and Bering Sea transient stock of killer whales is 
587 individuals. These whales occur mainly from Prince William Sound 
through the Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea though their range includes 
all of the U.S. EEZ in Alaska (Allen and Angliss, 2013). In recent 
years, a small number of the `Gulf of Alaska' transients (identified by 
genetics and association) have been seen in southeastern Alaska where 
previously only West coast transients had been seen.
    This stock of killer whales is not designated as ``depleted'' under 
the MMPA nor are they listed as ``threatened'' or ``endangered'' under 
the ESA. Based on currently available data, the level of human-caused 
mortality and serious injury is not known to exceed the potential 
biological removal (PBR) level for this stock, which is calculated at 
5.9 individuals (Allen and Angliss 2013). Therefore, the Gulf of 
Alaska, Aleutian Islands, and Bering Sea transient stock of killer 
whales is not classified as a strategic stock.
    The West Coast transient stock ranges from Southeast Alaska to 
California. Allen and Angliss (2012) provide an abundance estimate of 
354 for the West Coast transient stock. Although this estimate is more 
than eight years old, NMFS is not aware of a more recent estimate for 
the entire stock. A more recent estimate of 243 whales is available, 
however this estimate excludes whales of this stock from California. 
Therefore, 354 describes the number of whales believed to occur 
throughout the entire stock's range, including whales from California. 
A notable percentage of whales from the West Coast transient stock have 
never been observed in Southeast Alaska. Only 155 West Coast transient 
killer whales have been identified as occurring in Southeast Alaska 
according to Dahlheim and White (2010). The same study identified three 
pods of transients, equivalent to 19 animals, that remained almost 
exclusively in the southern part of Southeast Alaska (i.e. Clarence 
Strait and Sumner Strait).
    This stock of killer whales is not designated as ``depleted'' under 
the MMPA nor are they listed as ``threatened'' or ``endangered'' under 
the ESA. Based on currently available data, the level of human- caused 
mortality and serious injury is not known to exceed the potential 
biological removal (PBR) level for this stock, which is calculated at 
2.4 individuals (Allen and Angliss 2013). Therefore, the West Coast 
transient stock of killer whales is not classified as a strategic 
stock.
Minke Whale
    In the Northern Hemisphere, minke whales are usually seen in 
coastal areas, but can also be seen in pelagic waters during northward 
migrations in spring and summer, and southward migration in autumn. In 
the North Pacific, the summer range of the minke whale extends to the 
Chukchi Sea; in the winter, the whales move farther south close within 
2[deg] of the equator (Perrin and Brownell 2002).
    The International Whaling Commission (IWC) recognizes three stocks 
of minke whales in the North Pacific: the Sea of Japan/East China Sea, 
the rest of the western Pacific west of 180[deg]N, and the remainder of 
the Pacific (Donovan 1991). For management purposes in Pacific U.S. 
waters, three stocks of minke whales are recognized--the Alaska, 
Hawaii, and California/Oregon/Washington stocks (Allen and Angliss 
2013). Minke whales that could potentially occur within the action area 
are members of the Alaska stock.
    Minke whales are relatively common in the Bering and Chukchi seas 
and in the inshore waters of the Gulf of Alaska. They are not 
considered abundant in any other part of the eastern Pacific, but they 
are seen occasionally around Glacier Bay in southeast Alaska and in 
central Icy Strait. Gabriele and Lewis (2000) documented a total of 29 
minke whales during a four-year period conducting opportunistic marine 
mammal surveys in Glacier Bay and Icy Strait. Another study found Minke 
whales scattered throughout inland waters from Glacier Bay and Icy 
Strait to Clarence Strait with concentrations near the entrance of 
Glacier Bay. Although sightings of minke whales were infrequent over 
the 17-year study period, minke whales were encountered during all 
seasons, with a few animals recorded each year. (Dahlheim et al. 2008)
    The current best abundance estimate for the Alaska stock of minke 
whales is unknown. (Allen and Angliss 2013). This stock of minke whales 
is not designated as ``depleted'' under the MMPA nor are they listed as 
``threatened'' or ``endangered'' under the ESA. The greatest 
uncertainty regarding the status of the Alaska minke whale stock has to 
do with the uncertainty

[[Page 14953]]

pertaining to the stock structure of this species in the eastern North 
Pacific (Allen and Angliss 2013). Because minke whales are considered 
common in the waters off Alaska and because the number of human-related 
removals is currently thought to be minimal, this stock is currently 
presumed to not be a strategic stock (Allen and Angliss 2013). Reliable 
estimates of the minimum population size, population trends, PBR, and 
status of the stock relative to optimum sustainable population size are 
currently not available.
Pacific White-Sided Dolphin
    The Pacific white-sided dolphin is found throughout the temperate 
North Pacific Ocean, north of the coasts of Japan and Baja California, 
Mexico. In the eastern North Pacific the species occurs from the 
southern Gulf of California, north to the Gulf of Alaska, west to 
Amchitka in the Aleutian Islands, and is rarely encountered in the 
southern Bering Sea. The species is common both on the high seas and 
along the continental margins, and animals are known to enter the 
inshore passes of Alaska, British Columbia, and Washington (Ferrero and 
Walker 1996). Two management stocks of Pacific white-sided dolphin are 
currently recognized: (1) The California/Oregon/Washington stock, and 
(2) the North Pacific stock. Pacific white-sided dolphins that could 
potentially be present within the action area would be members of the 
North Pacific stock. Pacific white-sided dolphin were not documented in 
the waters of Icy Strait. It also appears that when Pacific white-sided 
dolphins are present in Southeast Alaska they tend to occur in highest 
concentrations during the spring (Dahlheim et al., 2008).
    The current best abundance estimate for the North Pacific stock of 
Pacific white-sided dolphin is 26,880 individuals (Allen and Angliss 
2013). However, this estimate is based on survey data that is greater 
than 8 years old. As a result, NMFS reports the minimum population 
estimate as currently unknown (Allen and Angliss 2013). This stock of 
Pacific white-sided dolphin is not designated as ``depleted'' under the 
MMPA nor are they listed as ``threatened'' or ``endangered'' under the 
ESA. The level of human-caused mortality and serious injury is not 
known to exceed the PBR, which is undetermined as the most recent 
abundance estimate is more than 8 years old. Because the PBR is 
undetermined, the level of annual U.S. commercial fishery-related 
mortality that can be considered insignificant and approaching zero 
mortality and serious injury rate is unknown. The Alaska stock of 
Pacific white-sided dolphins is not classified as a strategic stock, 
but reliable estimates of the minimum population size, population 
trends, PBR, and status of the stock relative to optimum sustainable 
population size are currently not available (Allen and Angliss 2013).

Pinnipeds

Harbor Seal
    Harbor seals range from Baja California, north along the western 
coasts of the U.S., B.C., and southeast Alaska, west through the GOA, 
PWS, and the Aleutian Islands, and north in the Bering Sea to Cape 
Newenham and the Pribilof Islands.
    In 2010, the National Marine Fisheries Service and their co-
management partners, the Alaska Native Harbor Seal Commission, defined 
12 separate stocks of seals harbor based largely on the genetic 
structure. Given the genetic samples were not obtained continuously 
throughout the range, a total evidence approach was used to consider 
additional factors such as population trends, observed harbor seal 
movements and traditional Alaska Native use areas in the final 
designation of stock boundaries. This represents a significant increase 
in the number of harbor seal stocks from the three stocks (Bering Sea, 
Gulf of Alaska, Southeast Alaska) previously recognized. Harbor seals 
that occur within the proposed project area are part of the Glacier 
Bay/Icy Strait Stock (Allen and Angliss 2013).
    Harbor seals are commonly present throughout the waters of Icy 
Strait and Port Frederick and are found in all water depths, but tend 
to congregate in the near- shore waters of both Glacier Bay and Icy 
Strait. Harbor seals typically inhabit estuarine and coastal waters, 
hauling out on rocks, reefs, beaches, and glacial ice flows. They are 
generally non-migratory, but move locally with the tides, weather, 
season, food availability, and reproduction. Female harbor seals give 
birth to a single pup while hauled out on shore or on glacial ice 
flows. Pups are born from May to mid-July. The mother and pup remain 
together until weaning occurs at 3-6 weeks (Bishop 1967; Bigg 1969). 
Little is known about breeding behavior in harbor seals. When molting, 
which occurs primarily in late August, seals spend the majority of the 
time hauled out on shore, glacial ice, or other substrates. Harbor 
seals have also historically been an important subsistence resource for 
Alaska Natives in SE Alaska (Wolfe et al. 2012). The current best 
population estimate for the Glacier Bay/Icy Strait stock is 5,042 
individuals (Allen and Angliss 2013).
    Harbor seals have not been observed hauling out, molting, or 
pupping at Icy Strait Point. However, they likely do haulout at least 
occasionally within the action area.
    According to the most recent stock assessment NMFS (Allen and 
Angliss 2013), harbor seals are not designated as ``depleted'' under 
the MMPA nor are they listed as ``threatened'' or ``endangered'' under 
the ESA. Based on currently available data, the level of human-caused 
mortality and serious injury is not known to exceed the potential 
biological removal (PBR) level for harbor seals comprise the Glacier 
Bay/Icy Strait stock, which is calculated at 142 harbor seals per year 
(Allen and Angliss 2013). Therefore, the Glacier Bay/Icy Strait stock 
of harbor seals is not classified as a strategic stock. However, a 
noticeable decline in harbor seal population has been documented in 
Glacier Bay National Park (Womble et al., 2010).
Steller Sea Lion
    The Steller sea lion is a pinniped and the largest of the eared 
seals. Steller sea lion populations that primarily occur east of 
144[deg] W (Cape Suckling, Alaska) comprise the Eastern Distinct 
Population Segment (DPS), which was de-listed and removed from the list 
of Endangered Species List on November 4, 2013 (78 FR 66140). The 
population west of 144[deg] W longitude comprise the Western DPS, which 
is listed as endangered, based largely on over-fishing of the seal's 
food supply.
    The range of the Steller sea lion includes the North Pacific Ocean 
rim from California to northern Japan. Steller sea lions forage in 
nearshore and pelagic waters where they are opportunistic predators. 
They feed primarily on a wide variety of fishes and cephalopods. 
Steller sea lions use terrestrial haulout sites to rest and take 
refuge. They also gather on well-defined, traditionally used rookeries 
to pup and breed. These habitats are typically gravel, rocky, or sand 
beaches; ledges; or rocky reefs (Allen and Angliss, 2013).
    In southeast Alaska, designated critical habitat for Steller sea 
lions includes major rookery and haulout sites (i.e., used by more than 
200 animals) and associated terrestrial, air, and aquatic zones within 
3,000 feet, as well as three large offshore foraging areas (one in the 
Gulf of Alaska and two in the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands area). There 
is no designated critical habitat in the proposed project area. The 
nearest designated critical habitat is located

[[Page 14954]]

over 40 miles west of the action area, at Graves Rocks, near the mouth 
of Cross Sound.
    The western stock of Steller sea lions in Alaska was listed as 
endangered in 1997. Declines in Steller sea lion populations are 
probably attributable to declines in fish populations due to increasing 
commercial fisheries in the Gulf of Alaska. Drowning, entanglement in 
nets, and shooting by fishermen are listed as possible reasons for the 
Steller sea lion decline.
    The action area is located at approximately 135[deg] W longitude, 
which is over 150 miles east of the 144[deg] W longitude line. It is 
likely that most Steller sea lions travelling within the waters of Icy 
Strait and Port Frederick are likely to be members of the Eastern DPS. 
However, the action area is known to be an area that is used by both 
Western and Eastern DPS Steller sea lions. In fact, regular movement of 
Western DPS across the144[deg] W longitude has been documented and they 
are described as commonly occurring north of Sumner Strait (NMFS, 
2013). For this reason, Western DPS Steller sea lions could potentially 
be present within the action area. Since no known breeding rookeries 
are present within the action area, Steller sea lion are considered 
less likely to be present during the summer months when they return to 
rookeries to give birth. The current best population estimate for the 
Eastern DPS is 57,966, while the population estimate for the Western 
DPS is 52,200 (Allen and Angliss 2013). Additionally, it recently been 
documented that the population of Stellar sea lions in the Glacier Bay/
Icy Strait/Cross Sound region has increased by 8.2% per year from 1970 
to 2009, though the proportional increase associated with each DPS is 
not clear (Matthews et al., 2011).
    Further information on the biology and local distribution of these 
species can be found in HTC's application available online at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental/construction.htm and the NMFS 
Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports, which may be found at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/.

Potential Effects of the Specified Activity on Marine Mammals and Their 
Habitat

    This section includes a summary and discussion of the ways that 
stressors, (e.g. pile driving,) and potential mitigation activities, 
associated with the redevelopment of the Icy Strait Cruise Ship 
Terminal may impact marine mammals and their habitat. 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, 
and the ``Proposed Mitigation'' 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. In the following discussion, we provide general 
background information on sound and marine mammal hearing before 
considering potential effects to marine mammals from sound produced by 
vibratory pile driving.

Description of Sound Sources

    Sound travels in waves, the basic components of which are 
frequency, wavelength, velocity, and amplitude. Frequency is the number 
of pressure waves that pass by a reference point per unit of time and 
is measured in hertz (Hz) or cycles per second. Wavelength is the 
distance between two peaks of a sound wave; lower frequency sounds have 
longer wavelengths than higher frequency sounds and attenuate 
(decrease) more rapidly in shallower water. Amplitude is the height of 
the sound pressure wave or the `loudness' of a sound and is typically 
measured using the decibel (dB) scale. A dB is the ratio between a 
measured pressure (with sound) and a reference pressure (sound at a 
constant pressure, established by scientific standards). It is a 
logarithmic unit that accounts for large variations in amplitude; 
therefore, relatively small changes in dB ratings correspond to large 
changes in sound pressure. When referring to sound pressure levels 
(SPLs; the sound force per unit area), sound is referenced in the 
context of underwater sound pressure to 1 microPascal ([mu]Pa). One 
pascal is the pressure resulting from a force of one newton exerted 
over an area of one square meter. The source level (SL) represents the 
sound level at a distance of 1 m from the source (referenced to 1 
[mu]Pa). The received level is the sound level at the listener's 
position. Note that all underwater sound levels in this document are 
referenced to a pressure of 1 [mu]Pa and all airborne sound levels in 
this document are referenced to a pressure of 20 [mu]Pa.
    Root mean square (rms) is the quadratic mean sound pressure over 
the duration of an impulse. Rms is calculated by squaring all of the 
sound amplitudes, averaging the squares, and then taking the square 
root of the average (Urick, 1983). Rms accounts for both positive and 
negative values; squaring the pressures makes all values positive so 
that they may be accounted for in the summation of pressure levels 
(Hastings and Popper, 2005). This measurement is often used in the 
context of discussing behavioral effects, in part because behavioral 
effects, which often result from auditory cues, may be better expressed 
through averaged units than by peak pressures.
    When underwater objects vibrate or activity occurs, sound-pressure 
waves are created. These waves alternately compress and decompress the 
water as the sound wave travels. Underwater sound waves radiate in all 
directions away from the source (similar to ripples on the surface of a 
pond), except in cases where the source is directional. The 
compressions and decompressions associated with sound waves are 
detected as changes in pressure by aquatic life and man-made sound 
receptors such as hydrophones.
    Even in the absence of sound from the specified activity, the 
underwater environment is typically loud due to ambient sound. Ambient 
sound is defined as environmental background sound levels lacking a 
single source or point (Richardson et al., 1995), and the sound level 
of a region is defined by the total acoustical energy being generated 
by known and unknown sources. These sources may include physical (e.g., 
waves, earthquakes, ice, atmospheric sound), biological (e.g., sounds 
produced by marine mammals, fish, and invertebrates), and anthropogenic 
sound (e.g., vessels, dredging, aircraft, construction). A number of 
sources contribute to ambient sound, including the following 
(Richardson et al., 1995):
     Wind and waves: The complex interactions between wind and 
water surface, including processes such as breaking waves and wave-
induced bubble oscillations and cavitation, are a main source of 
naturally occurring ambient noise for frequencies between 200 Hz and 50 
kHz (Mitson, 1995). In general, ambient sound levels tend to increase 
with increasing wind speed and wave height. Surf noise becomes 
important near shore, with measurements collected at a distance of 8.5 
km from shore showing an increase of 10 dB in the 100 to 700 Hz band 
during heavy surf conditions.
     Precipitation: Sound from rain and hail impacting the 
water surface can become an important component of total noise at 
frequencies above 500 Hz, and

[[Page 14955]]

possibly down to 100 Hz during quiet times.
     Biological: Marine mammals can contribute significantly to 
ambient noise levels, as can some fish and shrimp. The frequency band 
for biological contributions is from approximately 12 Hz to over 100 
kHz.
     Anthropogenic: Sources of ambient noise related to human 
activity include transportation (surface vessels and aircraft), 
dredging and construction, oil and gas drilling and production, seismic 
surveys, sonar, explosions, and ocean acoustic studies. Shipping noise 
typically dominates the total ambient noise for frequencies between 20 
and 300 Hz. In general, the frequencies of anthropogenic sounds are 
below 1 kHz and, if higher frequency sound levels are created, they 
attenuate rapidly (Richardson et al., 1995). Sound from identifiable 
anthropogenic sources other than the activity of interest (e.g., a 
passing vessel) is sometimes termed background sound, as opposed to 
ambient sound.
    The sum of the various natural and anthropogenic sound sources at 
any given location and time--which comprise ``ambient'' or 
``background'' sound--depends not only on the source levels (as 
determined by current weather conditions and levels of biological and 
shipping activity) but also on the ability of sound to propagate 
through the environment. In turn, sound propagation is dependent on the 
spatially and temporally varying properties of the water column and sea 
floor, and is frequency-dependent. As a result of the dependence on a 
large number of varying factors, ambient sound levels can be expected 
to vary widely over both coarse and fine spatial and temporal scales. 
Sound levels at a given frequency and location can vary by 10-20 dB 
from day to day (Richardson et al., 1995). The result is that, 
depending on the source type and its intensity, sound from the 
specified activity may be a negligible addition to the local 
environment or could form a distinctive signal that may affect marine 
mammals.

                          Table 3--Representative Sound Levels of Anthropogenic Sources
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Frequency
              Sound source                  range (Hz)      Underwater sound level            References
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small vessels...........................       250-1,000  151 dB rms at 1 m.........  Richardson et al., 1995.
Tug docking gravel barge................      200, 1,000  149 dB rms at 100 m.......  Blackwell and Greene,
                                                                                       2002.
Vibratory driving of 72-in steel pipe           10-1,500  180 dB rms at 10 m........  Reyff, 2007.
 pile.
Impact driving of 36-in steel pipe pile.        10-1,500  195 dB rms at 10 m........  Laughlin, 2007.
Impact driving of 66-in cast-in-steel-          10-1,500  195 dB at rms 10 m........  Reviewed in Hastings and
 shell (CISS) pile.                                                                    Popper, 2005.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In-water construction activities associated with the project would 
include vibratory pile driving, impact pile driving, and down the hole 
drilling. There are two general categories of sound types: Impulse and 
non-pulse (defined in the following). Vibratory pile driving and down 
the hole drilling are considered to be continuous or non-pulsed while 
impact pile driving is considered to be an impulse or pulsed sound 
type. The distinction between these two sound types is important 
because they have differing potential to cause physical effects, 
particularly with regard to hearing (e.g., Ward, 1997 in Southall et 
al., 2007). Please see Southall et al., (2007) for an in-depth 
discussion of these concepts.
    Pulsed sound sources (e.g., explosions, gunshots, sonic booms, 
impact pile driving) produce signals that are brief (typically 
considered to be less than one second), broadband, atonal transients 
(ANSI, 1986; Harris, 1998; NIOSH, 1998; ISO, 2003; ANSI, 2005) and 
occur either as isolated events or repeated in some succession. Pulsed 
sounds are all characterized by a relatively rapid rise from ambient 
pressure to a maximal pressure value followed by a rapid decay period 
that may include a period of diminishing, oscillating maximal and 
minimal pressures, and generally have an increased capacity to induce 
physical injury as compared with sounds that lack these features.
    Non-pulsed sounds can be tonal, narrowband, or broadband, brief or 
prolonged, and may be either continuous or non-continuous (ANSI, 1995; 
NIOSH, 1998). Some of these non-pulsed sounds can be transient signals 
of short duration but without the essential properties of pulses (e.g., 
rapid rise time). Examples of non-pulsed sounds include those produced 
by vessels, aircraft, machinery operations such as drilling or 
dredging, vibratory pile driving, and active sonar systems (such as 
those used by the U.S. Navy). The duration of such sounds, as received 
at a distance, can be greatly extended in a highly reverberant 
environment.
    The likely or possible impacts of the proposed pile driving program 
in the Icy Strait area on marine mammals could involve both non-
acoustic and acoustic stressors. Potential non-acoustic stressors could 
result from the physical presence of the equipment and personnel. Any 
impacts to marine mammals, however, are expected to primarily be 
acoustic in nature.

Marine Mammal Hearing

    When considering the influence of various kinds of sound on the 
marine environment, it is necessary to understand that different kinds 
of marine life are sensitive to different frequencies of sound. Based 
on available behavioral data, audiograms have been derived using 
auditory evoked potentials, anatomical modeling, and other data, 
Southall et al. (2007) designate ``functional hearing groups'' for 
marine mammals and estimate the lower and upper frequencies of 
functional hearing of the groups. The functional groups and the 
associated frequencies are indicated below (though animals are less 
sensitive to sounds at the outer edge of their functional range and 
most sensitive to sounds of frequencies within a smaller range 
somewhere in the middle of their functional hearing range):
     Low frequency cetaceans (13 species of mysticetes): 
Functional hearing is estimated to occur between approximately 7 Hz and 
30 kHz;
     Mid-frequency cetaceans (32 species of dolphins, six 
species of larger toothed whales, and 19 species of beaked and 
bottlenose whales): Functional hearing is estimated to occur between 
approximately 150 Hz and 160 kHz;
     High frequency cetaceans (eight species of true porpoises, 
six species of river dolphins, Kogia, the franciscana, and four species 
of cephalorhynchids): Functional hearing is estimated to occur between 
approximately 200 Hz and 180 kHz;
     Phocid pinnipeds in Water: Functional hearing is estimated 
to occur

[[Page 14956]]

between approximately 75 Hz and 100 kHz; and
     Otariid pinnipeds in Water: Functional hearing is 
estimated to occur between approximately 100 Hz and 40 kHz.
    As mentioned previously in this document, nine marine mammal 
species (seven cetacean and two pinniped) may occur in the Icy Strait 
project area. Of the five cetacean species likely to occur in the 
proposed project area and for which take is requested, two are 
classified as low-frequency cetaceans (i.e., minke and gray whales), 
one is classified as a mid-frequency cetacean (i.e., killer whale), and 
two are classified as high-frequency cetaceans (i.e., harbor and Dall's 
porpoises) (Southall et al., 2007). Additionally, harbor seals are 
classified as members of the phocid pinnipeds in water functional 
hearing group while Stellar sea lions are grouped under the Otariid 
pinnipeds in water functional hearing group. A species' functional 
hearing group is a consideration when we analyze the effects of 
exposure to sound on marine mammals.

Acoustic Impacts

    Potential Effects of Pile Driving Sound--The effects of sounds from 
pile driving might result in one or more of the following: Temporary or 
permanent hearing impairment, non-auditory physical or physiological 
effects, behavioral disturbance, and masking (Richardson et al., 1995; 
Gordon et al., 2004; Nowacek et al., 2007; Southall et al., 2007). The 
effects of pile driving on marine mammals are dependent on several 
factors, including the size, type, and depth of the animal; the depth, 
intensity, and duration of the pile driving sound; the depth of the 
water column; the substrate of the habitat; the standoff distance 
between the pile and the animal; and the sound propagation properties 
of the environment. Impacts to marine mammals from pile driving 
activities are expected to result primarily from acoustic pathways. As 
such, the degree of effect is intrinsically related to the received 
level and duration of the sound exposure, which are in turn influenced 
by the distance between the animal and the source. The further away 
from the source, the less intense the exposure should be. The substrate 
and depth of the habitat affect the sound propagation properties of the 
environment. Shallow environments are typically more structurally 
complex, which leads to rapid sound attenuation. In addition, 
substrates that are soft (e.g., sand) would absorb or attenuate the 
sound more readily than hard substrates (e.g., rock) which may reflect 
the acoustic wave. Soft porous substrates would also likely require 
less time to drive the pile, and possibly less forceful equipment, 
which would ultimately decrease the intensity of the acoustic source.
    In the absence of mitigation, impacts to marine species would be 
expected to result from physiological and behavioral responses to both 
the type and strength of the acoustic signature (Viada et al., 2008). 
The type and severity of behavioral impacts are more difficult to 
define due to limited studies addressing the behavioral effects of 
impulse sounds on marine mammals. Potential effects from impulse sound 
sources can range in severity from effects such as behavioral 
disturbance or tactile perception to physical discomfort, slight injury 
of the internal organs and the auditory system, or mortality (Yelverton 
et al., 1973).
    Hearing Impairment and Other Physical Effects--Marine mammals 
exposed to high intensity sound repeatedly or for prolonged periods can 
experience hearing threshold shift (TS), which is the loss of hearing 
sensitivity at certain frequency ranges (Kastak et al., 1999; Schlundt 
et al., 2000; Finneran et al., 2002, 2005). TS can be permanent (PTS), 
in which case the loss of hearing sensitivity is not recoverable, or 
temporary (TTS), in which case the animal's hearing threshold would 
recover over time (Southall et al., 2007). Marine mammals depend on 
acoustic cues for vital biological functions, (e.g., orientation, 
communication, finding prey, avoiding predators); thus, TTS may result 
in reduced fitness in survival and reproduction. However, this depends 
on the frequency and duration of TTS, as well as the biological context 
in which it occurs. TTS of limited duration, occurring in a frequency 
range that does not coincide with that used for recognition of 
important acoustic cues, would have little to no effect on an animal's 
fitness. Repeated sound exposure that leads to TTS could cause PTS. PTS 
constitutes injury, but TTS does not (Southall et al., 2007). The 
following subsections discuss in somewhat more detail the possibilities 
of TTS, PTS, and non-auditory physical effects.
    Temporary Threshold Shift--TTS is the mildest form of hearing 
impairment that can occur during exposure to a strong sound (Kryter, 
1985). While experiencing TTS, the hearing threshold rises, and a sound 
must be stronger in order to be heard. In terrestrial mammals, TTS can 
last from minutes or hours to days (in cases of strong TTS). For sound 
exposures at or somewhat above the TTS threshold, hearing sensitivity 
in both terrestrial and marine mammals recovers rapidly after exposure 
to the sound ends. Few data on sound levels and durations necessary to 
elicit mild TTS have been obtained for marine mammals, and none of the 
published data concern TTS elicited by exposure to multiple pulses of 
sound. Available data on TTS in marine mammals are summarized in 
Southall et al. (2007).
    Given the available data, the received level of a single pulse 
(with no frequency weighting) might need to be approximately 186 dB re 
1 [mu]Pa\2\-s (i.e., 186 dB sound exposure level [SEL] or approximately 
221-226 dB p-p [peak]) in order to produce brief, mild TTS. Exposure to 
several strong pulses that each have received levels near 190 dB rms 
(175-180 dB SEL) might result in cumulative exposure of approximately 
186 dB SEL and thus slight TTS in a small odontocete, assuming the TTS 
threshold is (to a first approximation) a function of the total 
received pulse energy.
    The above TTS information for odontocetes is derived from studies 
on the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and beluga whale 
(Delphinapterus leucas). There is no published TTS information for 
other species of cetaceans. However, preliminary evidence from a harbor 
porpoise exposed to pulsed sound suggests that its TTS threshold may 
have been lower (Lucke et al., 2009). As summarized above, data that 
are now available imply that TTS is unlikely to occur unless 
odontocetes are exposed to pile driving pulses stronger than 180 dB re 
1 [mu]Pa rms.
    Permanent Threshold Shift--When PTS occurs, there is physical 
damage to the sound receptors in the ear. In severe cases, there can be 
total or partial deafness, while in other cases the animal has an 
impaired ability to hear sounds in specific frequency ranges (Kryter, 
1985). There is no specific evidence that exposure to pulses of sound 
can cause PTS in any marine mammal. However, given the possibility that 
mammals close to a sound source can incur TTS, it is possible that some 
individuals might incur PTS. Single or occasional occurrences of mild 
TTS are not indicative of permanent auditory damage, but repeated or 
(in some cases) single exposures to a level well above that causing TTS 
onset might elicit PTS.
    Relationships between TTS and PTS thresholds have not been studied 
in marine mammals but are assumed to be similar to those in humans and 
other terrestrial mammals, based on anatomical similarities. PTS might 
occur at a received sound level at least

[[Page 14957]]

several decibels above that inducing mild TTS if the animal were 
exposed to strong sound pulses with rapid rise time. Based on data from 
terrestrial mammals, a precautionary assumption is that the PTS 
threshold for impulse sounds (such as pile driving pulses as received 
close to the source) is at least 6 dB higher than the TTS threshold on 
a peak-pressure basis and probably greater than 6 dB (Southall et al., 
2007). On an SEL basis, Southall et al. (2007) estimated that received 
levels would need to exceed the TTS threshold by at least 15 dB for 
there to be risk of PTS. Thus, for cetaceans, Southall et al. (2007) 
estimate that the PTS threshold might be an M-weighted SEL (for the 
sequence of received pulses) of approximately 198 dB re 1 [mu]Pa\2\-s 
(15 dB higher than the TTS threshold for an impulse). Given the higher 
level of sound necessary to cause PTS as compared with TTS, it is 
considerably less likely that PTS could occur.
    Measured source levels from impact pile driving can be as high as 
214 dB rms. Although no marine mammals have been shown to experience 
TTS or PTS as a result of being exposed to pile driving activities, 
captive bottlenose dolphins and beluga whales exhibited changes in 
behavior when exposed to strong pulsed sounds (Finneran et al., 2000, 
2002, 2005). The animals tolerated high received levels of sound before 
exhibiting aversive behaviors. Experiments on a beluga whale showed 
that exposure to a single watergun impulse at a received level of 207 
kPa (30 psi) p-p, which is equivalent to 228 dB p-p, resulted in a 7 
and 6 dB TTS in the beluga whale at 0.4 and 30 kHz, respectively. 
Thresholds returned to within 2 dB of the pre-exposure level within 
four minutes of the exposure (Finneran et al., 2002). Although the 
source level of pile driving from one hammer strike is expected to be 
much lower than the single watergun impulse cited here, animals being 
exposed for a prolonged period to repeated hammer strikes could receive 
more sound exposure in terms of SEL than from the single watergun 
impulse (estimated at 188 dB re 1 [mu]Pa\2\-s) in the aforementioned 
experiment (Finneran et al., 2002). However, in order for marine 
mammals to experience TTS or PTS, the animals have to be close enough 
to be exposed to high intensity sound levels for a prolonged period of 
time. Based on the best scientific information available, these SPLs 
are far below the thresholds that could cause TTS or the onset of PTS.
    Non-auditory Physiological Effects--Non-auditory physiological 
effects or injuries that theoretically might occur in marine mammals 
exposed to strong underwater sound include stress, neurological 
effects, bubble formation, resonance effects, and other types of organ 
or tissue damage (Cox et al., 2006; Southall et al., 2007). Studies 
examining such effects are limited. In general, little is known about 
the potential for pile driving to cause auditory impairment or other 
physical effects in marine mammals. Available data suggest that such 
effects, if they occur at all, would presumably be limited to short 
distances from the sound source and to activities that extend over a 
prolonged period. The available data do not allow identification of a 
specific exposure level above which non-auditory effects can be 
expected (Southall et al., 2007) or any meaningful quantitative 
predictions of the numbers (if any) of marine mammals that might be 
affected in those ways. Marine mammals that show behavioral avoidance 
of pile driving, including some odontocetes and some pinnipeds, are 
especially unlikely to incur auditory impairment or non-auditory 
physical effects.

Disturbance Reactions

    Disturbance includes a variety of effects, including subtle changes 
in behavior, more conspicuous changes in activities, and displacement. 
Behavioral responses to sound are highly variable and context-specific 
and reactions, if any, depend on species, state of maturity, 
experience, current activity, reproductive state, auditory sensitivity, 
time of day, and many other factors (Richardson et al., 1995; Wartzok 
et al., 2003; Southall et al., 2007).
    Habituation can occur when an animal's response to a stimulus wanes 
with repeated exposure, usually in the absence of unpleasant associated 
events (Wartzok et al., 2003). Animals are most likely to habituate to 
sounds that are predictable and unvarying. The opposite process is 
sensitization, when an unpleasant experience leads to subsequent 
responses, often in the form of avoidance, at a lower level of 
exposure. Behavioral state may affect the type of response as well. For 
example, animals that are resting may show greater behavioral change in 
response to disturbing sound levels than animals that are highly 
motivated to remain in an area for feeding (Richardson et al., 1995; 
NRC, 2003; Wartzok et al., 2003).
    Controlled experiments with captive marine mammals showed 
pronounced behavioral reactions, including avoidance of loud sound 
sources (Ridgway et al., 1997; Finneran et al., 2003). Observed 
responses of wild marine mammals to loud pulsed sound sources 
(typically seismic guns or acoustic harassment devices, but also 
including pile driving) have been varied but often consist of avoidance 
behavior or other behavioral changes suggesting discomfort (Morton and 
Symonds, 2002; Thorson and Reyff, 2006; see also Gordon et al., 2004; 
Wartzok et al., 2003; Nowacek et al., 2007). Responses to continuous 
sound, such as vibratory pile installation, have not been documented as 
well as responses to pulsed sounds.
    With both types of pile driving, it is likely that the onset of 
pile driving could result in temporary, short term changes in an 
animal's typical behavior and/or avoidance of the affected area. These 
behavioral changes may include (Richardson et al., 1995): 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 haul-outs or rookeries). Pinnipeds 
may increase their haul-out time, possibly to avoid in-water 
disturbance (Thorson and Reyff, 2006).
    The biological significance of many of these behavioral 
disturbances is difficult to predict, especially if the detected 
disturbances appear minor. However, the consequences of behavioral 
modification could be expected to be biologically significant if the 
change affects growth, survival, or reproduction. Significant 
behavioral modifications that could potentially lead to effects on 
growth, survival, or reproduction include:
     Drastic changes in diving/surfacing patterns (such as 
those thought to cause beaked whale stranding due to exposure to 
military mid-frequency tactical sonar);
     Habitat abandonment due to loss of desirable acoustic 
environment; and
     Cessation of feeding or social interaction.
    The onset of behavioral disturbance from anthropogenic sound 
depends on both external factors (characteristics of sound sources and 
their paths) and the specific characteristics of the receiving animals 
(hearing, motivation, experience, demography) and is difficult to 
predict (Southall et al., 2007).
    Auditory Masking--Natural and artificial sounds can disrupt 
behavior by masking, or interfering with, a marine mammal's ability to 
hear other sounds.

[[Page 14958]]

Masking occurs when the receipt of a sound is interfered with by 
another coincident sound at similar frequencies and at similar or 
higher levels. Chronic exposure to excessive, though not high-
intensity, sound could cause masking at particular frequencies for 
marine mammals that utilize sound for vital biological functions. 
Masking can interfere with detection of acoustic signals such as 
communication calls, echolocation sounds, and environmental sounds 
important to marine mammals. Therefore, under certain circumstances, 
marine mammals whose acoustical sensors or environment are being 
severely masked could also be impaired from maximizing their 
performance fitness in survival and reproduction. If the coincident 
(masking) sound were anthropogenic, it could be potentially harassing 
if it disrupted hearing-related behavior. It is important to 
distinguish TTS and PTS, which persist after the sound exposure, from 
masking, which occurs only during the sound exposure. Because masking 
(without resulting in TS) is not associated with abnormal physiological 
function, it is not considered a physiological effect, but rather a 
potential behavioral effect.
    Masking occurs at the frequency band which the animals utilize so 
the frequency range of the potentially masking sound is important in 
determining any potential behavioral impacts. Because sound generated 
from in-water vibratory pile driving is mostly concentrated at low 
frequency ranges, it may have less effect on high frequency 
echolocation sounds made by porpoises. However, lower frequency man-
made sounds are more likely to affect detection of communication calls 
and other potentially important natural sounds such as surf and prey 
sound. It may also affect communication signals when they occur near 
the sound band and thus reduce the communication space of animals 
(e.g., Clark et al., 2009) and cause increased stress levels (e.g., 
Foote et al., 2004; Holt et al., 2009).
    Masking has the potential to impact species at the population or 
community levels as well as at individual levels. Masking affects both 
senders and receivers of the signals and can potentially have long-term 
chronic effects on marine mammal species and populations. Recent 
research suggests that low frequency ambient sound levels have 
increased by as much as 20 dB (more than three times in terms of SPL) 
in the world's ocean from pre-industrial periods, and that most of 
these increases are from distant shipping (Hildebrand, 2009). All 
anthropogenic sound sources, such as those from vessel traffic, pile 
driving, and dredging activities, contribute to the elevated ambient 
sound levels, thus intensifying masking.
    Vibratory pile driving is relatively short-term, with rapid 
oscillations occurring for 10 to 30 minutes per installed pile. It is 
possible that vibratory pile driving resulting from this proposed 
action may mask acoustic signals important to the behavior and survival 
of marine mammal species, but the short-term duration and limited 
affected area would result in insignificant impacts from masking. Any 
masking event that could possibly rise to Level B harassment under the 
MMPA would occur concurrently within the zones of behavioral harassment 
already estimated for vibratory pile driving, and which have already 
been taken into account in the exposure analysis.
    Acoustic Effects, Airborne--Marine mammals that occur in the 
project area could be exposed to airborne sounds associated with pile 
driving that have the potential to cause harassment, depending on their 
distance from pile driving activities. Airborne pile driving sound 
would have less impact on cetaceans than pinnipeds because sound from 
atmospheric sources does not transmit well underwater (Richardson et 
al., 1995); thus, airborne sound would only be an issue for pinnipeds 
either hauled-out or looking with heads above water in the project 
area. Most likely, airborne sound would cause behavioral responses 
similar to those discussed above in relation to underwater sound. For 
instance, anthropogenic sound could cause hauled-out pinnipeds to 
exhibit changes in their normal behavior, such as reduction in 
vocalizations, or cause them to temporarily abandon their habitat and 
move further from the source. Studies by Blackwell et al. (2004) and 
Moulton et al. (2005) indicate a tolerance or lack of response to 
unweighted airborne sounds as high as 112 dB peak and 96 dB rms.

Vessel Interaction

    Besides being susceptible to vessel strikes, cetacean and pinniped 
responses to vessels may result in behavioral changes, including 
greater variability in the dive, surfacing, and respiration patterns; 
changes in vocalizations; and changes in swimming speed or direction 
(NRC 2003). There will be a temporary and localized increase in vessel 
traffic during construction. A maximum of three work barges will be 
present at any time during the in-water and over water work. The barges 
will be located near each other where construction is occurring. 
Additionally, the floating pier will be tugged into position prior to 
installation.

Potential Effects on Marine Mammal Habitat

    The primary potential impacts to marine mammal habitat are 
associated with elevated sound levels produced by vibratory pile 
removal, down the hole drilling and pile driving in the area. However, 
other potential impacts to the surrounding habitat from physical 
disturbance are also possible.
    Potential Pile Driving Effects on Prey--Construction activities 
would produce continuous (i.e., vibratory pile driving, drilling) 
sounds and, potentially, pulsed (e.g. if impact driving is required) 
sounds. Fish react to sounds that are especially strong and/or 
intermittent low-frequency sounds. Short duration, sharp sounds can 
cause overt or subtle changes in fish behavior and local distribution. 
Hastings and Popper (2005) identified several studies that suggest fish 
may relocate to avoid certain areas of sound energy. Additional studies 
have documented effects of pile driving on fish, although several are 
based on studies in support of large, multiyear bridge construction 
projects (e.g., Scholik and Yan, 2001, 2002; Popper and Hastings, 
2009). Sound pulses at received levels of 160 dB may cause subtle 
changes in fish behavior. SPLs of 180 dB may cause noticeable changes 
in behavior (Pearson et al., 1992; Skalski et al., 1992). SPLs of 
sufficient strength have been known to cause injury to fish and fish 
mortality. The most likely impact to fish from pile driving activities 
at the project area would be temporary behavioral avoidance of the 
area. The duration of fish avoidance of this area after pile driving 
stops is unknown, but a rapid return to normal recruitment, 
distribution and behavior is anticipated. In general, impacts to marine 
mammal prey species are expected to be minor and temporary due to the 
short timeframe for the project.
    Effects to Foraging Habitat--Pile installation may temporarily 
increase turbidity resulting from suspended sediments. Any increases 
would be temporary, localized, and minimal. HTC must comply with state 
water quality standards during these operations by limiting the extent 
of turbidity to the immediate project area. In general, turbidity 
associated with pile installation is localized to about a 25-foot 
radius around the pile (Everitt et al. 1980). Cetaceans are not 
expected to be close enough to the HTC project pile driving areas to 
experience effects of turbidity, and any pinnipeds will be

[[Page 14959]]

transiting the terminal area and could avoid localized areas of 
turbidity. Therefore, the impact from increased turbidity levels is 
expected to be discountable to marine mammals. Furthermore, pile 
driving and removal at the project site will not obstruct movements or 
migration of marine mammals.
    Natural tidal currents and flow patterns in the waters of Icy 
Strait and Port Frederick routinely disturbing sediments. High volume 
tidal events can result in hydraulic forces that re-suspend benthic 
sediments, temporarily elevating turbidity locally. Any temporary 
increase in turbidity as a result of the proposed action is not 
anticipated to measurably exceed levels caused by these normal, natural 
periods.

Estimated Take by Incidental Harassment

    Except with respect to certain activities not pertinent here, 
section 3(18) of 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].''
    All anticipated takes would be by Level B harassment resulting from 
vibratory pile driving/removal and impact pile driving and are likely 
to involve temporary changes in behavior. Injurious or lethal takes are 
not expected due to the expected source levels and sound source 
characteristics associated with the activity, and the proposed 
mitigation and monitoring measures are expected to further minimize the 
possibility of such take.
    If a marine mammal responds to a stimulus by changing its behavior 
(e.g., through relatively minor changes in locomotion direction/speed 
or vocalization behavior), the response may or may not constitute 
taking at the individual level, and is unlikely to affect the stock or 
the species as a whole. However, if a sound source displaces marine 
mammals from an important feeding or breeding area for a prolonged 
period, impacts on animals or on the stock or species could potentially 
be significant (e.g., Lusseau and Bejder, 2007; Weilgart, 2007). Given 
the many uncertainties in predicting the quantity and types of impacts 
of sound on marine mammals, it is common practice to estimate how many 
animals are likely to be present within a particular distance of a 
given activity, or exposed to a particular level of sound.
    Upland work can generate airborne sound and create visual 
disturbance that could potentially result in disturbance to marine 
mammals (specifically, pinnipeds) that are hauled out or at the water's 
surface with heads above the water. However, because there are no 
regular haul-outs in the vicinity of the site of the proposed project 
area, we believe that incidents of incidental take resulting from 
airborne sound or visual disturbance are unlikely.
    A down the hole drill will be used for rock excavation and reaming. 
This is a low energy system powered by air. The down hole drill is 
contained inside the pile annulus so the energy form the drill is 
captured inside the pile. The tip of the pile will be between 5 and 20 
feet below the mud line. Energy transmitted from the drill has to 
travel through the pile and through the marine sediment which dampens 
the energy before it can enter the water column. The interior of the 
pile is filled with air and air bubbles from the drilling process so 
the pile annulus and exhaust air works similar to a bubble curtain 
inside the pile to mitigate noise transmission. For these reasons 
drilling is unlikely to result in the harassment of marine mammals.
    HTC has requested authorization for the incidental taking of small 
numbers of humpback whale, Steller sea lion, harbor seal, Dall's 
porpoise, gray whale, harbor porpoise, killer whale (Orcinus orca), 
minke whale, and Pacific white-sided dolphin near Icy Strait Point that 
may result from vibratory and impact pile driving during construction 
activities associated with the re-development of the cruise ship 
terminal described previously in this document.
    In order to estimate the potential incidents of take that may occur 
incidental to the specified activity, we must first estimate the extent 
of the sound field that may be produced by the activity and then 
consider in combination with information about marine mammal density or 
abundance in the project area. We first provide information on 
applicable sound thresholds for determining effects to marine mammals 
before describing the information used in estimating the sound fields, 
the available marine mammal density or abundance information, and the 
method of estimating potential incidences of take.

Sound Thresholds

    We use generic sound exposure thresholds to determine when an 
activity that produces sound might result in impacts to a marine mammal 
such that a take by harassment might occur. To date, no studies have 
been conducted that explicitly examine impacts to marine mammals from 
pile driving sounds or from which empirical sound thresholds have been 
established. These thresholds (Table 4) are used to estimate when 
harassment may occur (i.e., when an animal is exposed to levels equal 
to or exceeding the relevant criterion) in specific contexts; however, 
useful contextual information that may inform our assessment of effects 
is typically lacking and we consider these thresholds as step 
functions. NMFS is working to revise these acoustic guidelines; for 
more information on that process, please visit www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/acoustics/guidelines.htm.

             Table 4--Underwater Injury and Disturbance Threshold Decibel Levels for Marine Mammals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Criterion                     Criterion Definition                      Threshold *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Level A harassment...................  PTS (injury) conservatively    190 dB RMS for pinnipeds.
                                        based on TTS **.              180 dB RMS for cetaceans.
Level B harassment...................  Behavioral disruption for      160 dB RMS.
                                        impulse noise (e.g., impact
                                        pile driving).
Level B harassment...................  Behavioral disruption for non- 120 dB RMS.
                                        pulse noise (e.g., vibratory
                                        pile driving, drilling).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* All decibel levels referenced to 1 micropascal (re: 1 [mu]Pa). Note all thresholds are based off root mean
  square (RMS) levels
** PTS=Permanent Threshold Shift; TTS=Temporary Threshold Shift


[[Page 14960]]

Distance to Sound Thresholds

    Underwater Sound Propagation Formula--Pile driving generates 
underwater noise that can potentially result in disturbance to marine 
mammals in the project area. Transmission loss (TL) is the decrease in 
acoustic intensity as an acoustic pressure wave propagates out from a 
source. TL parameters vary with frequency, temperature, sea conditions, 
current, source and receiver depth, water depth, water chemistry, and 
bottom composition and topography. The general formula for underwater 
TL is:

TL = B * log 10 (R1/R2),

Where:

R1 = the distance of the modeled SPL from the driven 
pile, and
R2 = the distance from the driven pile of the initial 
measurement.
    This formula neglects loss due to scattering and absorption, which 
is assumed to be zero here. The degree to which underwater sound 
propagates away from a sound source is dependent on a variety of 
factors, most notably the water bathymetry and presence or absence of 
reflective or absorptive conditions including in-water structures and 
sediments. Spherical spreading occurs in a perfectly unobstructed 
(free-field) environment not limited by depth or water surface, 
resulting in a 6 dB reduction in sound level for each doubling of 
distance from the source (20*log[range]). Cylindrical spreading occurs 
in an environment in which sound propagation is bounded by the water 
surface and sea bottom, resulting in a reduction of 3 dB in sound level 
for each doubling of distance from the source (10*log[range]). A 
practical spreading value of fifteen is often used under conditions 
where water increases with depth as the receiver moves away from the 
shoreline, resulting in an expected propagation environment that would 
lie between spherical and cylindrical spreading loss conditions. 
Practical spreading loss (4.5 dB reduction in sound level for each 
doubling of distance) is assumed here.
    According to the Caltrans (2012) compendium there is an average 
sound pressure level of 195 dB rms for impact driving of 60-in pile and 
170 dB rms reported for 72-in steel pipe pile vibratory driving. Based 
on the formula listed above, it has been determined that the 190 dB rms 
Level A harassment (injury) threshold for underwater noise for pinniped 
species could be exceeded at a distance of up to approximately 22 
meters during impact pile driving activities, and the 180 dB rms Level 
A harassment (injury) threshold for cetacean species could be exceeded 
at a distance of up to approximately 100 meters during impact pile 
driving activities. Additionally, the 160 dB rms Level B harassment 
(behavioral disruption) for impulsive source underwater noise for 
pinniped and cetacean species could be exceeded at a distance of up to 
approximately 2,150 meters, during impact pile driving and the 120 dB 
21,544 meters during vibratory driving as is shown in Table 5.
    Note that the actual area ensonified by pile driving activities is 
significantly constrained by local topography relative to the threshold 
radius depicted in Table 5. This is represented in in the monitoring 
plan submitted by HTC in Appendix B, Figure B-1

                                Table 5--Distances to Relevant Sound Thresholds *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Distance to threshold                  190 dB m        180 dB m        160 dB m        120 dB km
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vibratory Driving...............................  ..............  ..............             n/a            21.5
Impact Driving..................................            21.5             100           2,154  ..............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* SPLs used for calculations were: 195 dB for impact driving, 170 dB for vibratory diving.

    Incidental take is estimated for each species by estimating the 
likelihood of a marine mammal being present within a ZOI, described 
earlier in the mitigation section, during active pile driving. Expected 
marine mammal presence is determined by past observations and general 
abundance near the project area during the construction window. 
Typically, potential take is estimated by multiplying the area of the 
ZOI by the local animal density. This provides an estimate of the 
number of animals that might occupy the ZOI at any given moment, or a 
daily density, which can then be multiplied by the anticipated number 
of pile driving days to give a total exposure estimate. However, this 
type of calculation is not applicable in this case, because there are 
no specific local animal densities for the marine mammal species under 
examination. As a result, the take requests were estimated using local 
marine mammal data sets, (e.g. Federal agencies), opinions from Federal 
agencies, and opportunistic marine mammal surveys.

Humpback Whale

    The National Park Service has monitored humpback whales in the bay 
every year since 1985 to document the number of individuals, residence 
times, spatial and temporal distribution, feeding behavior and 
interactions with vessels (Neilson et. al 2013). This monitoring 
program covers most of Glacier Bay and Icy Strait. Results of 2012 
monitoring documented a total of 208 individual humpback whales 
(including 16 mother-calf pairs) in Glacier Bay and adjacent waters of 
Icy Strait in the 3-month peak survey period between June and August. 
Of these 208 whales, 152 were documented as remaining in the vicinity 
for a period greater than 20 days (Neilson et. al 2013). This averages 
out to be approximately 70 whale sightings per month. Given that the 
period of active pile driving is likely to be four months (June through 
September), a worst-case estimate would predict that up to 280 Level B 
takes of humpback whale could occur as a result of the proposed action. 
This represents a very conservative estimate of the maximum number of 
humpback whales that could potentially be exposed to elevated 
underwater noise

Steller Sea Lion

    The Western DPS of Steller sea lion includes all animals at, and 
west of, Cape Suckling, Alaska (144[deg]W). The Eastern DPS of Steller 
sea lions are those animals east of this longitudinal boundary. While 
it was once thought that most of the Steller sea lions present in the 
waters of Icy Strait were members of the eastern DPS, western DPS 
Steller sea lions are also commonly observed in waters of Icy Strait 
(Allen and Angliss, 2013). There is little recent data available 
regarding the population density or abundance of Steller sea lions in 
Icy Strait or the vicinity other than populations at a number of 
haulout sites in the area have increased by 8.2% per year between 1970 
and 2009. (Matthews et al., 2011). The National Park Service has, 
however, published data from opportunistic marine mammal surveys 
conducted in Glacier Bay and Icy Strait between 1994 and 1999 (Gabriele 
and

[[Page 14961]]

Lewis 2000). These data provide information regarding opportunistic 
sightings of marine mammals of several species that were recorded 
during humpback whale surveys conducted between June and August of each 
monitoring year. The results of the National Park Service opportunistic 
surveys documented that the number of Steller sea lions sightings 
remained consistent at roughly 40 sightings during a three-month period 
between June and August each year. This averages out to be 
approximately 14 sightings per month. Since the authorization period is 
four months, a worst-case estimate would mean that up to 56 individual 
Level B takes of Stellar sea lions could occur as a result of pile 
driving activities. Assuming that all 56 were from the Eastern DPS 
(60,131-74,448)), this would represent less than 0.01% of that 
population. Under a scenario in which all takes were Western DPS sea 
lions, 56 takes would also account for less than 0.01% of that 
population segment (55,422). Individuals taken would be expected to be 
a mix of solitary adult males and females. Juvenile Steller sea lions 
would not be expected to be exposed, as there are no breeding rookeries 
within the vicinity. (Allen and Angliss, 2014).

Harbor Seal

    The results of the National Park Service opportunistic surveys 
conducted in Glacier Bay and Icy Strait from 1994 and 1999 during a 
three-month period between June and August each year revealed that the 
maximum number of sightings in any 3 month period was recorded in 1997, 
when 359 sightings were documented. This averages out to be 
approximately 120 seal sightings per month. Given that the period of 
active pile driving is likely to be four months (June through 
September), a worst-case estimate would predict that up to 480 
individual Level B takes of harbor seals could occur as a result of the 
proposed action. This represents 9.5% of the current best population 
estimate (5,042) for the Glacier Bay/Icy Strait stock (Allen and 
Angliss 2013). Juvenile harbor seals would not be expected to be 
exposed, as there are no documented breeding rookeries within the area 
that could potentially be exposed to noise levels above the Level B 
harassment threshold.

Dall's Porpoise

    Dahlheim et al. (2008) encountered Dall's porpoise throughout 
Southeast Alaska and consistently found concentrations of animals in 
Icy Strait (Dahlheim et al., 2008). However, there is little 
comprehensive population density data regarding Dall's porpoise 
presence in Icy Strait and Port Frederick. Another study conducted in 
Glacier Bay and Icy Strait between 1994 and 1999 (Gabriele and Lewis 
2000) indicated that Dall's porpoise are documented occasionally within 
waters of Icy Strait. Gabriele and Lewis (2000) documented a total of 6 
Dall's porpoises during a four-year period conducting opportunistic 
marine mammal surveys in Glacier Bay and Icy Strait. All of these 
sightings were from waters of Icy Strait. In 2 of 4 years, no Dall's 
porpoises were sighted, while in 1999, a total of 12 Dall's porpoise 
sightings were recorded (on a total of 2 occasions). Using this number 
as a worst case estimate, the project could result in up to a maximum 
of 12 Level B takes of Dall's porpoise. This represents less than 0.01% 
of the current best population estimate (83,400) for this species 
(Allen and Angliss 2013). Since Dall's porpoises in the eastern North 
Pacific typically reside year-round, there is a potential that 
individuals exposed to be Level B take could be equally likely to be 
adult or juvenile, male or female.

Gray Whale

    Gray whales are common along the Gulf of Alaska coast, but rare in 
the inside waters of southeastern Alaska (Braham 1984). Gabriele and 
Lewis (2000) documented only a single gray whale during a four-year 
period conducting opportunistic marine mammal surveys in Glacier Bay 
and Icy Strait. Using this number as a worst case estimate, the project 
could result in up to 1 Level B take of gray whale, representing less 
than 0.01% of the Eastern North Pacific stock (19,126) of gray whale 
(Carretta et al. 2013). Because whales of this stock migrate to the 
southern end of their range for breeding and calving, it is assumed 
that any individual gray whale that were to be exposed to a Level B 
harassment, would be a solitary adult male or female.

Harbor Porpoise

    The waters of Glacier Bay and the adjacent waters of Icy Strait are 
considered to be an area of relatively high harbor porpoise density 
(Allen and Angliss 2013, Dahlheim et al., 2008). Between 2010 and 2012, 
Dahlheim documented an estimated 332 harbor porpoise that reside in the 
Icy Strait area (Dahlheim 2015). Harbor porpoise was one of the most 
frequently documented marine mammal species during opportunistic marine 
mammal surveys conducted in Glacier Bay and Icy Strait between 1994 and 
1999 (Gabriele and Lewis 2000). The number of sightings of harbor 
porpoise during the monitoring period ranged between 378 and 137 for 
the three-month period. Using a maximum of 378 sightings over a three 
month period results in a monthly average of 126. The period of active 
pile driving is likely to be four months (June through September) which 
would result in a worst case estimate of up to 504 individual Level B 
takes of harbor porpoise could occur as a result of the proposed 
action, representing 0.05% of the estimated population of the Southeast 
Alaska stock of harbor porpoise (Allen and Angliss 2013).

Killer Whale

    Killer whales occur commonly in the waters of the action area, and 
could include members of several designated stocks that may occur in 
the vicinity of the proposed project area. These include (1) Alaska 
Residents, from southeast Alaska to the Aleutians and Bering Sea, (2) 
Gulf of Alaska, Aleutians, and Bering Sea Transients, from Prince 
William Sound through to the Aleutians and Bering Sea, and (3) West 
Coast Transients, from California through southeast Alaska (Allen and 
Angliss 2013).
    One study conducted in Glacier Bay and Icy Strait between 1994 and 
1999 determined that killer whales are documented occasionally within 
waters of Icy Strait (Gabriele and Lewis 2000). The number of sightings 
of killer whales during the monitoring period ranged between 36 and 88 
for the three-month period. Sightings of 88 killer whales over a three-
month period equates to a monthly average of 30 individuals. Applying 
that average to the four-month permit authorization period would 
provide a worst-case estimate of up to 120 Level B takes of killer 
whales occurring as a result of the proposed action.

Minke Whale

    Minke whales are relatively common in the Bering and Chukchi seas 
and in the inshore waters of the Gulf of Alaska. They are not 
considered abundant in any other part of the eastern Pacific, but they 
are seen occasionally around Glacier Bay in southeast Alaska and in 
central Icy Strait. Gabriele and Lewis (2000) documented a total of 29 
minke whales during a four-year period conducting opportunistic marine 
mammal surveys in Glacier Bay and Icy Strait. The maximum number of 
individual sightings in any given year was 8 minke whales. At this 
time, it is not possible to produce a reliable estimate of minimum 
abundance for this stock, as current data is not available.

[[Page 14962]]

However, line-transect surveys were conducted in shelf and near shore 
waters (within 30-45nm of land) in 2001-2003 from the Kenai Fjords in 
the Gulf of Alaska to the central Aleutian Islands. Minke whale 
abundance in this limited area was estimated to be 1,233 (Allen and 
Angliss 2013). Using this number as a worst case estimate, it is 
estimated that the project could result in up to a maximum of 8 Level B 
takes of minke whale, equivalent to less than 0.01% of the population. 
Minke whales are most commonly found in coastal waters during spring 
migrations, tending to move to offshore waters in the winter. Breeding 
typically occurs in the winter, though in some regions, breeding may 
occur year-round. For this reason, there is a potential that 
individuals exposed to be Level B take could be equally likely to be 
adult or juvenile, male or female.

Pacific White-Sided Dolphin

    Gabriele and Lewis (2000) does not document any Pacific white-sided 
dolphin during a four-year period conducting opportunistic marine 
mammal surveys in Glacier Bay and Icy Strait while Dahlheim et al. 
(2008) reported similar findings for the Icy Strait region over a 17-
year study period.
    However, since there is a possibility that Pacific white-sided 
dolphin could potentially occur, it is estimated that the project could 
result in up to 1 Level B take of Pacific white-sided dolphin, 
representing less than 0.01% of the estimated population (26,880) 
(Allen and Angliss 2013). Dolphins are not known to breed in waters of 
Southeast Alaska, and it is assumed therefore that any individual 
Pacific white-sided dolphin that were to be exposed to a Level B 
harassment, would be a solitary adult male or female.

             Table 6--Estimated Numbers of Marine Mammals That May Be Exposed to Level B Harassment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Total proposed
                            Species                               authorized        Abundance      Percentage of
                                                                     takes                          total stock
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Humpback whale (CNP Stock)....................................             280            10,103             2.7
Steller sea lion (Eastern DPS)................................              56     60,131-74,448         * <0.01
Steller sea lion (Western DPS)................................  ..............            55,422         * <0.01
Harbor seal...................................................             480             5,042             9.5
Dall's porpoise...............................................              12            83,400           <0.01
Gray whale....................................................               1            19,126           <0.01
Harbor porpoise...............................................             504            11,146            0.05
Killer whale, AK Resident Stock...............................             120             2,347         ** 0.05
Killer whale, GOA, Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea Transient       ..............               587         ** 20.4
 Stock........................................................
Killer whale, West Coast Transient Stock......................  ..............               354        **+ 33.9
Minke whale...................................................               8             1,233           <0.01
Pacific white-sided dolphin...................................               1            26,880           <0.01
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* These percentages assume a worst-case, unlikely scenario in which all 56 estimated takes accrue to a single
  Steller sea lion DPSs.
** These percentages assume a worst-case, unlikely scenario in which all 120 estimated takes accrue to a single
  killer whale stock.
+ See Small Numbers section for further explanation.

Analysis and Preliminary 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.
    Pile driving activities associated with the cruise ship terminal 
re-development, as outlined previously, have the potential to disturb 
or displace marine mammals. Specifically, the specified activities may 
result in take, in the form of Level B harassment (behavioral 
disturbance) only, from underwater sounds generated from pile driving. 
Potential takes could occur if individuals of these species are present 
in the ensonified zone when pile driving is happening.
    No injury, serious injury, or mortality is anticipated given the 
nature of the activity and measures designed to minimize the 
possibility of injury to marine mammals. The potential for these 
outcomes is minimized through the construction method and the 
implementation of the planned mitigation measures. Specifically, 
vibratory hammers will be the primary method of installation, though 
impact driving may be used for brief, irregular periods. Vibratory 
driving does not have significant potential to cause injury to marine 
mammals due to the relatively low source levels produced (site-specific 
acoustic monitoring data show no source level measurements above 180 dB 
rms) and the lack of potentially injurious source characteristics. 
Impact pile driving produces short, sharp pulses with higher peak 
levels and much sharper rise time to reach those peaks. When impact 
driving is necessary, required measures (implementation of shutdown 
zones) significantly reduce any possibility of injury. Given sufficient 
``notice'' through use of soft start (for impact driving), marine 
mammals are expected to move away from a sound source that is annoying 
prior to its becoming potentially injurious. The likelihood that marine 
mammal detection ability by trained observers is high under the 
environmental conditions described for Icy Strait Point further enables 
the implementation of shutdowns to avoid injury, serious injury, or 
mortality.
    HTC's proposed activities are localized and of short duration. The 
entire project area is limited to the Icy Strait cruise ship terminal 
area and its immediate surroundings. The project will require the 
installation of a total of

[[Page 14963]]

approximately 104 steel pipe piles of varying diameters below the MHHW. 
Piles that will be used include 24-inch, 30-inch, 42-inch, and 60-inch 
steel pipe piles. Total impact hammer time would not exceed 5 minutes 
per pile for 104 piles resulting in less than 10 hours of driving time. 
Total vibratory hammer time would not exceed 5 hours per day for a 
maximum of 20 days resulting in a total of 100 hours over a four-month 
period. These localized and short-term noise exposures may cause brief 
startle reactions or short-term behavioral modification by the animals. 
These reactions and behavioral changes are expected to subside quickly 
when the exposures cease. Moreover, the proposed mitigation and 
monitoring measures are expected to reduce potential exposures and 
behavioral modifications even further. Additionally, no important 
feeding and/or reproductive areas for marine mammals are known to be 
near the proposed action area. Therefore, the take resulting from the 
proposed HTC re-development of the Icy Strait Point Cruise Ship 
Terminal is not reasonably expected to and is not reasonably likely to 
adversely affect the marine mammal species or stocks through effects on 
annual rates of recruitment or survival.
    The project also is not expected to have significant adverse 
effects on affected marine mammals' habitat, as analyzed in detail in 
the ``Anticipated Effects on Marine Mammal Habitat'' section. The 
project activities would not modify existing marine mammal habitat. The 
activities may cause some fish to leave the area of disturbance, thus 
temporarily impacting marine mammals' foraging opportunities in a 
limited portion of the foraging range; but, because of the short 
duration of the activities and the relatively small area of the habitat 
that may be affected, the impacts to marine mammal habitat are not 
expected to cause significant or long-term negative consequences.
    Effects on individuals that are taken by Level B harassment, on the 
basis of reports in the literature as well as monitoring from other 
similar activities, will likely be limited to reactions such as 
increased swimming speeds, increased surfacing time, or decreased 
foraging (if such activity were occurring) (e.g., Thorson and Reyff, 
2006; HDR, 2012; Lerma, 2014). Most likely, individuals will simply 
move away from the sound source and be temporarily displaced from the 
areas of pile driving, although even this reaction has been observed 
primarily only in association with impact pile driving. In response to 
vibratory driving, pinnipeds (which may become somewhat habituated to 
human activity in industrial or urban waterways) have been observed to 
orient towards and sometimes move towards the sound. The pile driving 
activities analyzed here are similar to, or less impactful than, 
numerous construction activities conducted in other similar locations, 
which have taken place with no reported injuries or mortality to marine 
mammals, and no known long-term adverse consequences from behavioral 
harassment. Repeated exposures of individuals to levels of sound that 
may cause Level B harassment are unlikely to result in hearing 
impairment or to significantly disrupt foraging behavior. Thus, even 
repeated Level B harassment of some small subset of the overall stock 
is unlikely to result in any significant realized decrease in fitness 
for the affected individuals, and thus would not result in any adverse 
impact to the stock as a whole. Level B harassment will be reduced to 
the level of least practicable impact through use of mitigation 
measures described herein and, if sound produced by project activities 
is sufficiently disturbing, animals are likely to simply avoid the 
project area while the activity is occurring.
    In summary, this negligible impact analysis is founded on the 
following factors: (1) The possibility of injury, serious injury, or 
mortality may reasonably be considered discountable; (2) the 
anticipated incidents of Level B harassment consist of, at worst, 
temporary modifications in behavior; (3) the absence of any significant 
habitat within the project area, including rookeries, significant haul-
outs, or known areas or features of special significance for foraging 
or reproduction; (4) the presumed efficacy of the proposed mitigation 
measures in reducing the effects of the specified activity to the level 
of least practicable impact. In combination, we believe that these 
factors, as well as the available body of evidence from other similar 
activities, demonstrate that the potential effects of the specified 
activity will have only short-term effects on individuals. The 
specified activity is not expected to impact rates of recruitment or 
survival and will therefore not result in population-level impacts.
    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 proposed monitoring and 
mitigation measures, NMFS preliminarily finds that the total marine 
mammal take from HTC's re-development of the Icy Strait Point Cruise 
Ship Terminal will have a negligible impact on the affected marine 
mammal species or stocks.

Small Numbers

    Table 6 demonstrates the number of animals that could be exposed to 
received noise levels that could cause Level B behavioral harassment 
for the proposed work associated with the re-development of the Icy 
Strait Point Cruise Ship Terminal in Hoonah, Alaska. With the exception 
of the West Coast transient stock of killer whales, the analyses 
provided above represents between <0.01% to 20.4% of the populations of 
these stocks that could be affected by Level B behavioral harassment. 
These are small percentages relative to the total populations of the 
affected species or stocks.
    As explained previously, we are proposing to authorize the taking, 
by Level B harassment only, of 120 killer whales. Three stocks of 
killer whales are known to occur in the Icy Strait area: (1) Alaska 
resident stock; (2) Gulf of Alaska, Aleutian Islands, and Bering Sea 
transient stock; and (3) West Coast transient stock. Under a scenario 
in which all of the proposed 120 killer whale takes came from only one 
of the three identified stocks, the number of takes would represent 
0.05% of the Alaska resident stock; 20.4% of the Gulf of Alaska, 
Aleutian Islands, and Bering Sea transient stock; and 33.9% of the West 
Coast transient stock.
    The West Coast transient stock is of potential concern with 120 
proposed takes accounting for 33.9% of their population. However, 120 
represents the maximum number of takes proposed to be authorized for 
all three stocks of killer whales; given that all three stocks occur in 
the Icy Strait Area, the 120 proposed takes will most likely be 
apportioned among the three stocks, resulting in a smaller percentage 
of the West Coast transient stock that are likely to be taken. NMFS 
also believes that small numbers of the West Coast transient stock 
would be taken based on the limited region of exposure in comparison 
with the known distribution of the transient stock. The West Coast 
transient stock ranges from Southeast Alaska to California while the 
proposed project activity would be stationary. As described above in 
the Description of Marine Mammals in the Area of the Specified Activity 
section, a notable percentage of West Coast transient whales have never 
been observed in Southeast Alaska. A notable percentage of West Coast 
transient whales have never been observed in Southeast Alaska. Only 155 
West Coast transient killer whales have been identified as occurring in 
Southeast Alaska according

[[Page 14964]]

to Dahlheim and White (2010). The same study identified three pods of 
transients, equivalent to 19 animals, that remained almost exclusively 
in the southern part of Southeast Alaska (i.e. Clarence Strait and 
Sumner Strait). This information indicates that only a subset of the 
entire West Coast Transient stock would be at risk for take in the Icy 
Strait area because a sizable portion of the stock has either not been 
observed in Southeast Alaska or consistently remains far south of Icy 
Strait. Finally, the number of takes proposed to be authorized 
represents the estimated incidents of take, not the number of 
individuals taken. That is, we believe the estimated numbers of takes, 
were they to occur, likely represent repeated exposures of a much 
smaller number of transient killer whales.
    In summary, NMFS preliminarily finds that small numbers of the West 
Coast transient stock of killer whales would be affected by the 
proposed action. This conclusion is based on the small likelihood that 
all of the incidents of take would come from only one stock; the 
reduced percentage of the stock likely to be found in the Icy Strait 
area; the limited region of exposure in comparison with the known 
distribution of the transient stock; and the likelihood of repeated 
exposure of a subset of this stock. Therefore, the estimated incidents 
of take represent small numbers of West Coast transient killer whales.
    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 mitigation and monitoring 
measures, which are expected to reduce the number of marine mammals 
potentially affected by the proposed action, NMFS preliminarily 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 for Taking for Subsistence 
Uses
    There are no subsistence uses of marine mammals in the proposed 
project area; and, thus, no subsistence uses impacted by this action. 
The nearest locations where subsistence hunting may occur are at Eagle 
Point, located approximately 10 miles distant from the Icy Strait 
Cruise Terminal project site and at Flynn Cove, located approximately 
7.5 miles from the project site. Peak subsistence hunting months are 
March, May, and October and the pile driving is slated to occur in the 
June to September timeframe. Therefore, NMFS has preliminarily 
determined that the total taking of affected species or stocks would 
not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of such 
species or stocks for taking for subsistence purposes.
Proposed 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. 
HTC submitted a marine mammal monitoring plan as part of the IHA 
application. It can be found in [Appendix B of the HTC Application]. 
The plan may be modified or supplemented based on comments or new 
information received from the public during the public comment period.
    Monitoring measures prescribed by NMFS should accomplish one or 
more of the following general goals:
    1. An increase in the probability of detecting marine mammals, both 
within the mitigation zone (thus allowing for more effective 
implementation of the mitigation) and in general to generate more data 
to contribute to the analyses mentioned below;
    2. An increase in our understanding of how many marine mammals are 
likely to be exposed to levels of pile driving that we associate with 
specific adverse effects, such as behavioral harassment, TTS, or PTS;
    3. An increase in our understanding of how marine mammals respond 
to stimuli expected to result in take and how anticipated adverse 
effects on individuals (in different ways and to varying degrees) may 
impact the population, species, or stock (specifically through effects 
on annual rates of recruitment or survival) through any of the 
following methods:
    [ssquf] Behavioral observations in the presence of stimuli compared 
to observations in the absence of stimuli (need to be able to 
accurately predict received level, distance from source, and other 
pertinent information);
    [ssquf] Physiological measurements in the presence of stimuli 
compared to observations in the absence of stimuli (need to be able to 
accurately predict received level, distance from source, and other 
pertinent information);
    [ssquf] Distribution and/or abundance comparisons in times or areas 
with concentrated stimuli versus times or areas without stimuli;
    4. An increased knowledge of the affected species; and
    5. An increase in our understanding of the effectiveness of certain 
mitigation and monitoring measures.
    HTC submitted a marine mammal monitoring plan as part of the IHA 
application for this project, which can be found on the Internet at 
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental/construction.htm. The plan may 
be modified or supplemented based on comments or new information 
received from the public during the public comment period.

Visual Marine Mammal Observation

    HTC will collect sighting data and behavioral responses to 
construction for marine mammal species observed in the region of 
activity during the period of activity. All observers will be trained 
in marine mammal identification and behaviors and are required to have 
no other construction-related tasks while conducting monitoring. HTC 
will monitor the shutdown zone and disturbance zone before, during, and 
after pile driving, with observers located at the best practicable 
vantage points. Based on our requirements, the Marine Mammal Monitoring 
Plan would implement the following procedures for pile driving:
     Three individuals meeting the minimum qualifications 
identified in Appendix B of the monitoring plan submitted by HTC will 
monitor the Level A and B harassment zones during impact pile driving, 
and the Level B harassment zone during vibratory pile driving.
     During impact pile driving, the area within 100 meters of 
pile driving activity will be monitored and maintained as marine mammal 
buffer area in which pile installation will not commence or will be 
suspended temporarily if any marine mammals are observed within or 
approaching the area of potential disturbance. This area will be 
monitored by one qualified field monitor stationed either on the pile 
driving rig or in the immediate vicinity.
     The area within the Level B harassment threshold for 
impact driving (shown in Figure B-2 of Appendix B of the revised marine 
mammal monitoring plan) will be monitored by the field monitor 
stationed either on the pile driving rig or in the vicinity, and by a 
second qualified field monitor stationed on or in the vicinity of 
Halibut Island near the 2,150 meter limit of the Level B harassment 
zone. A third qualified

[[Page 14965]]

observer will also monitor from a boat that is conducting a transect 
along the 2,150 meter limit of the Level B harassment zone. Marine 
mammal presence within this Level B harassment zone, if any, will be 
monitored, but impact pile driving activity will not be stopped if 
marine mammals are found to be present. Any marine mammal documented 
within the Level B harassment zone during impact driving would 
constitute a Level B take (harassment), and will be recorded and 
reported as such.
     During vibratory pile driving, the area within 10 meters 
of pile driving activity will be monitored and maintained as marine 
mammal buffer area in which pile installation will not commence or will 
be suspended temporarily if any marine mammals are observed within or 
approaching the area of potential disturbance. The Level B harassment 
area will be monitored by three qualified observers (Figure B-2). One 
individual will be stationed either on the pile driving rig or in the 
immediate vicinity, a second individual will be stationed on either 
Halibut Island or a location in the vicinity, and a third observer will 
be located on a vessel that is conducting meander transects throughout 
the Level B harassment zone. The monitoring staff will record any 
presence of marine mammals by species, will document any behavioral 
responses noted, and record Level B takes when sightings overlap with 
pile installation activities.
     The individuals will scan the waters within each 
monitoring zone activity using binoculars (Vector 10X42 or equivalent), 
spotting scopes (Swarovski 20-60 zoom or equivalent), and visual 
observation.
     The area within which the Level A harassment thresholds 
could be exceeded (the 100 meter radius) will be maintained as a marine 
mammal exclusion zone, in which impact pile driving will be shut down 
immediately if any marine mammal is observed with the area.
     The area within which the Level B harassment thresholds 
could be exceeded during impact pile driving (Figure B-2) and vibratory 
pile driving (Figure B-3) will also be monitored for the presence of 
marine mammals during all impact and vibratory pile driving. Marine 
mammal presence within these zones, if any, will be monitored but pile 
driving activity will not be stopped if marine mammals were found to be 
present. Any marine mammal documented within the Level B harassment 
zone will constitute a Level B take, and will be recorded and used to 
document the number of take incidents.
     If waters exceed a sea-state which restricts the 
observers' ability to make observations within the marine mammal buffer 
zone (the 100 meter radius) (e.g. excessive wind or fog), impact pile 
installation will cease until conditions allow the resumption of 
monitoring.
     The waters will be scanned 20 minutes prior to commencing 
pile driving at the beginning of each day, and prior to commencing pile 
driving after any stoppage of 20 minutes or greater. If marine mammals 
enter or are observed within the designated marine mammal buffer zone 
(the 100m radius) during or 20 minutes prior to impact pile driving, 
the monitors will notify the on-site construction manager to not begin 
until the animal has moved outside the designated radius.
     The waters will continue to be scanned for at least 20 
minutes after pile driving has completed each day, and after each 
stoppage of 20 minutes or greater.

Data Collection

    We require that observers use approved data forms. Among other 
pieces of information, HTC will record detailed information about any 
implementation of shutdowns, including the distance of animals to the 
pile and description of specific actions that ensued and resulting 
behavior of the animal, if any. In addition, HTC will attempt to 
distinguish between the number of individual animals taken and the 
number of incidents of take. We require that, at a minimum, the 
following information be collected on the sighting forms:
     Date and time that monitored activity begins or ends;
     Construction activities occurring during each observation 
period;
     Weather parameters (e.g., percent cover, visibility);
     Water conditions (e.g., sea state, tide state);
     Species, numbers, and, if possible, sex and age class of 
marine mammals;
     Description of any observable marine mammal behavior 
patterns, including bearing and direction of travel and distance from 
pile driving activity;
     Distance from pile driving activities to marine mammals 
and distance from the marine mammals to the observation point;
     Locations of all marine mammal observations; and
     Other human activity in the area.

Reporting Measures

    HTC would provide NMFS with a draft monitoring report within 90 
days of the conclusion of the proposed construction work. This report 
will detail the monitoring protocol, summarize the data recorded during 
monitoring, and estimate the number of marine mammals that may have 
been harassed. If no comments are received from NMFS within 30 days, 
the draft final report will constitute the final report. If comments 
are received, a final report must be submitted within 30 days after 
receipt of comments.
    In the unanticipated event that the specified activity clearly 
causes the take of a marine mammal in a manner prohibited by the IHA 
(if issued), such as an injury (Level A harassment), serious injury or 
mortality (e.g., ship-strike, gear interaction, and/or entanglement), 
HTC 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 HTC to 
determine what is necessary to minimize the likelihood of further 
prohibited take and ensure MMPA compliance. HTC would not be able to 
resume their activities until notified by NMFS via letter, email, or 
telephone.
    In the event that HTC discovers an injured or dead marine mammal, 
and the lead MMO determines that the cause of the injury or death is 
unknown and the death is relatively recent (i.e., in less than a 
moderate state of decomposition as described in the next paragraph), 
HTC would immediately report the incident to the Chief of the Permits 
and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, and the

[[Page 14966]]

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 HTC to determine whether modifications in the activities are 
appropriate.
    In the event that HTC discovers an injured or dead marine mammal, 
and the lead MMO determines that the injury or death is not associated 
with or related to the activities authorized in the IHA (e.g., 
previously wounded animal, carcass with moderate to advanced 
decomposition, or scavenger damage), HTC 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. HTC would provide photographs or video footage (if 
available) or other documentation of the stranded animal sighting to 
NMFS and the Marine Mammal Stranding Network.

Endangered Species Act (ESA)

    There are two marine mammal species that are listed as endangered 
under the ESA with confirmed or possible occurrence in the study area: 
humpback whale and Steller sea lion (Western DPS). NMFS' Permits and 
Conservation Division has initiated consultation with NMFS' Protected 
Resources Division under section 7 of the ESA on the issuance of an IHA 
to HTC under section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA for this activity. 
Consultation will be concluded prior to a determination on the issuance 
of an IHA.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

    NMFS is also preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) in 
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and will 
consider comments submitted in response to this notice as part of that 
process. The EA will be posted at https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental/construction.htm once it is finalized.

Proposed Authorization

    As a result of these preliminary determinations, NMFS proposes to 
issue an IHA to HTC for conducting the re-development of the Icy Strait 
Point Cruise Ship Terminal in Hoonah, Alaska, provided the previously 
mentioned mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements are 
incorporated. The proposed IHA language is provided next.

1. This Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) is valid from June 
1, 2015, through October 31, 2015. All active pile driving is 
expected to be completed by the end of September. October has only 
been included as part of this Authorization to cover any 
contingencies that may occur.
2. This Authorization is valid only for in-water construction work 
associated with the Re-development of the Icy Strait Point Cruise 
Ship Terminal Project in Hoonah, Alaska.
3. General Conditions
    (a) A copy of this IHA must be in the possession of HTC, its 
designees, and work crew personnel operating under the authority of 
this IHA.
    (b) The species authorized for taking are humpback whale 
(Megaptera novaeangliae), Steller sea lion (Eumatopius jubatus), 
harbor seal (Phoca vitulina), Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli), 
gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus), harbor porpoise (Phocoena 
phocoena), killer whale (Orcinus orca), minke whale (Balaenoptera 
acutorostrata), and Pacific white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus 
obliquidens)
    (c) The taking, by Level B harassment only, is limited to the 
species listed in condition 3(b).
    (d) The taking by injury (Level A harassment), serious injury, 
or death of any of the species listed in condition 3(b) of the 
Authorization or any taking of any other species of marine mammal is 
prohibited and may result in the modification, suspension, or 
revocation of this IHA.
    (e) HTC shall conduct briefings between construction supervisors 
and crews, marine mammal monitoring team, and staff prior to the 
start of all in-water pile driving, and when new personnel join the 
work, in order to explain responsibilities, communication 
procedures, marine mammal monitoring protocol, and operational 
procedures.
4. Mitigation Measures
    The holder of this Authorization is required to implement the 
following mitigation measures:
    (a) Time Restriction: For all in-water pile driving activities, 
HTC shall operate only during daylight hours when visual monitoring 
of marine mammals can be conducted.
    (b) Establishment of Level B Harassment (ZOI)
    (i) Before the commencement of in-water pile driving activities, 
HTC shall establish Level B behavioral harassment ZOI where received 
underwater sound pressure levels (SPLs) are higher than 160 dB (rms) 
and 120 dB (rms) re 1 [micro]Pa for impulse noise sources (impact 
pile driving) and non-pulse sources (vibratory hammer) respectively. 
The ZOIs delineate where Level B harassment would occur. For impact 
driving, the area within the Level B harassment threshold is between 
approximately 100 m and 2,150 m from pile driving activity. For 
vibratory driving, the level B harassment area is between 10 m and 
21 km. These zones are illustrated in Figures B-1 and B-3 of 
Appendix B in the marine mammal monitoring plan.
    (c) Establishment of shutdown zone
    (i) Implement a minimum shutdown zone of 100 m radius around the 
pile during impact pile driving and 10 m during vibratory driving 
activities. If a marine mammal comes within or approaches the 
shutdown zone, such operations shall cease.
    (ii) See Appendix B Figure B-3 for additional information.
    (d) Use of Soft-start
    (i) The project will utilize soft start techniques for both 
impact and vibratory pile driving. We require HTC to initiate sound 
from vibratory hammers for fifteen seconds at reduced energy 
followed by a thirty-second waiting period, with the procedure 
repeated two additional times. For impact driving, we require an 
initial set of three strikes from the impact hammer at reduced 
energy, followed by a thirty-second waiting period, then two 
subsequent three strike sets. Soft start will be required at the 
beginning of each day's pile driving work and at any time following 
a cessation of pile driving of thirty minutes or longer (specific to 
either vibratory or impact driving).
    (ii) Whenever there has been downtime of 20 minutes or more 
without vibratory or impact driving, the contractor will initiate 
the driving with soft-start procedures described above.
    (e) Standard mitigation measures
    (i) Conduct briefings between construction supervisors and 
crews, marine mammal monitoring team, and HTC staff prior to the 
start of all pile driving activity, and when new personnel join the 
work, in order to explain responsibilities, communication 
procedures, marine mammal monitoring protocol, and operational 
procedures.
    (ii) For in-water heavy machinery work other than pile driving 
(using, e.g., standard barges, tug boats, barge-mounted excavators, 
or clamshell equipment used to place or remove material), if a 
marine mammal comes within 10 m, operations shall cease and vessels 
shall reduce speed to the minimum level required to maintain 
steerage and safe working conditions. This type of work could 
include the following activities: (1) Movement of the barge to the 
pile location or (2) positioning of the pile on the substrate via a 
crane (i.e., stabbing the pile).
    (f) HTC shall establish monitoring locations as described below.
5. Monitoring and Reporting.
    The holder of this Authorization is required to report all 
monitoring conducted under the IHA within 90 calendar days of the 
completion of the marine mammal monitoring.
    (a) Visual Marine Mammal Monitoring and Observation.
    (i) Three individuals meeting the minimum qualifications 
identified in Appendix B

[[Page 14967]]

of the monitoring plan submitted by HTC will monitor the Level A and 
B harassment zones during impact pile driving, and the Level B 
harassment zone during vibratory pile driving.
    (ii) During impact pile driving, the area within 100 meters of 
pile driving activity will be monitored and maintained as marine 
mammal buffer area in which pile installation will not commence or 
will be suspended temporarily if any marine mammals are observed 
within or approaching the area of potential disturbance. This area 
will be monitored by one qualified field monitor stationed either on 
the pile driving rig or in the immediate vicinity.
    (iii) The area within the Level B harassment threshold for 
impact driving (shown in Figure B-2 of Appendix B of the revised 
marine mammal monitoring plan) will be monitored by the field 
monitor stationed either on the pile driving rig or in the vicinity, 
and by a second qualified field monitor stationed on or in the 
vicinity of Halibut Island near the 2,150 meter limit of the Level B 
harassment zone. A third qualified observer will also monitor from a 
boat that is conducting a transect along the 2,150 meter limit of 
the Level B harassment zone. Marine mammal presence within this 
Level B harassment zone, if any, will be monitored, but impact pile 
driving activity will not be stopped if marine mammals are found to 
be present. Any marine mammal documented within the Level B 
harassment zone during impact driving would constitute a Level B 
take (harassment), and will be recorded and reported as such.
    (iv) During vibratory pile driving, the area within 10 meters of 
pile driving activity will be monitored and maintained as marine 
mammal buffer area in which pile installation will not commence or 
will be suspended temporarily if any marine mammals are observed 
within or approaching the area of potential disturbance. The Level B 
harassment area will be monitored by three qualified observers 
(Figure B-2). One individual will be stationed either on the pile 
driving rig or in the immediate vicinity, a second individual will 
be stationed on either Halibut Island or a location in the vicinity, 
and a third observer will be located on a vessel that is conducting 
meander transects throughout the Level B harassment zone. The 
monitoring staff will record any presence of marine mammals by 
species, will document any behavioral responses noted, and record 
Level B takes when sightings overlap with pile installation 
activities.
    (v) The individuals will scan the waters within each monitoring 
zone activity using binoculars (Vector 10X42 or equivalent), 
spotting scopes (Swarovski 20-60 zoom or equivalent), and visual 
observation.
    (vi) If waters exceed a sea-state which restricts the observers' 
ability to make observations within the marine mammal buffer zone 
(the 100 meter radius) (e.g. excessive wind or fog), impact pile 
installation will cease until conditions allow the resumption of 
monitoring.
    (vii) The waters will be scanned 20 minutes prior to commencing 
pile driving at the beginning of each day, and prior to commencing 
pile driving after any stoppage of 20 minutes or greater. If marine 
mammals enter or are observed within the designated marine mammal 
buffer zone (the 100m radius) during or 20 minutes prior to impact 
pile driving, the monitors will notify the on-site construction 
manager to not begin until the animal has moved outside the 
designated radius.
    (viii) The waters will continue to be scanned for at least 20 
minutes after pile driving has completed each day, and after each 
stoppage of 20 minutes or greater.
    (b) Data Collection.
    (i) Observers are required to use approved data forms. Among 
other pieces of information, HTC will record detailed information 
about any implementation of shutdowns, including the distance of 
animals to the pile and description of specific actions that ensued 
and resulting behavior of the animal, if any. In addition, HTC will 
attempt to distinguish between the number of individual animals 
taken and the number of incidents of take. At a minimum, the 
following information be collected on the sighting forms:
    1. Date and time that monitored activity begins or ends;
    2. Construction activities occurring during each observation 
period;
    3. Weather parameters (e.g., percent cover, visibility);
    4. Water conditions (e.g., sea state, tide state);
    5. Species, numbers, and, if possible, sex and age class of 
marine mammals;
    6. Description of any observable marine mammal behavior 
patterns, including bearing and direction of travel and distance 
from pile driving activity;
    7. Distance from pile driving activities to marine mammals and 
distance from the marine mammals to the observation point;
    8. Locations of all marine mammal observations; and
    9. Other human activity in the area.
    (c) Reporting Measures.
    (i) 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), HTC 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:
    1. Time, date, and location (latitude/longitude) of the 
incident;
    2. Name and type of vessel involved;
    3. Vessel's speed during and leading up to the incident;
    4. Description of the incident;
    5. Status of all sound source use in the 24 hours preceding the 
incident;
    6. Water depth;
    7. Environmental conditions (e.g., wind speed and direction, 
Beaufort sea state, cloud cover, and visibility);
    8. Description of all marine mammal observations in the 24 hours 
preceding the incident;
    9. Species identification or description of the animal(s) 
involved;
    10. Fate of the animal(s); and
    11. Photographs or video footage of the animal(s) (if equipment 
is available).
    (ii) Activities would not resume until NMFS is able to review 
the circumstances of the prohibited take. NMFS would work with HTC 
to determine what is necessary to minimize the likelihood of further 
prohibited take and ensure MMPA compliance. HTC would not be able to 
resume their activities until notified by NMFS via letter, email, or 
telephone.
    (iii) In the event that HTC discovers an injured or dead marine 
mammal, and the lead MMO determines that the cause of the injury or 
death is unknown and the death is relatively recent (i.e., in less 
than a moderate state of decomposition as described in the next 
paragraph), HTC 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 HTC to determine 
whether modifications in the activities are appropriate.
    (iv) In the event that HTC discovers an injured or dead marine 
mammal, and the lead MMO determines that the injury or death is not 
associated with or related to the activities authorized in the IHA 
(e.g., previously wounded animal, carcass with moderate to advanced 
decomposition, or scavenger damage), HTC 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. HTC would provide photographs or 
video footage (if available) or other documentation of the stranded 
animal sighting to NMFS and the Marine Mammal Stranding Network.
    6. This Authorization may be modified, suspended or withdrawn if 
the holder fails to abide by the conditions prescribed herein, or if 
NMFS determines the authorized taking is having more than a 
negligible impact on the species or stock of affected marine 
mammals.

[[Page 14968]]

Request for Public Comments

    NMFS requests comment on our analysis, the draft authorization, and 
any other aspect of the Notice of Proposed IHA for HTC's redevelopment 
of the Icy Strait Cruise Ship Terminal in Hoonah, Alaska. Please 
include with your comments any supporting data or literature citations 
to help inform our final decision on HTC's request for an MMPA 
authorization.

    Dated: March 16, 2015.
Perry F. Gayaldo,
Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-06431 Filed 3-19-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P