Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Shell Ice Overflight Surveys in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas, Alaska, 34371-34384 [2015-14702]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 115 (Tuesday, June 16, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34371-34384]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-14702]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD732


Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; 
Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Shell Ice Overflight Surveys in the 
Beaufort and Chukchi Seas, Alaska

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

ACTION: Notice; issuance of an incidental harassment authorization.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act

[[Page 34372]]

(MMPA) regulations, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued 
an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to Shell Gulf of Mexico 
Inc. (Shell) to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to ice 
overflight surveys in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, Alaska.

DATES: Effective June 10, 2015, through June 9, 2016.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the issued IHA, application with associated 
materials, and NMFS' Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No 
Significant Impact (FONSI) may be obtained by writing to Jolie 
Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, 
Silver Spring, MD 20910, telephoning the contact listed below (see FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT), or visiting the Internet at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm. Documents cited in this 
notice may also be viewed, by appointment, during regular business 
hours, at the aforementioned address.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) 
direct the Secretary of Commerce to allow, upon request, the 
incidental, but not intentional, taking of small numbers of marine 
mammals by 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 December 2, 2014, Shell submitted an application to NMFS for the 
taking of marine mammals incidental to ice overflight surveys the 
Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, Alaska. After receiving comments and 
questions from NMFS, Shell revised its IHA application on January 13, 
2015. NMFS determined that the application was adequate and complete on 
January 15, 2015.
    NMFS published a Notice of Proposed IHA in the Federal Register on 
March 3, 2015 (80 FR 11398). That notice contained in depth 
descriptions and analyses that are generally not repeated in this 
document. Only in cases where descriptions or analyses changed is that 
information updated here.
    The following specific aspects of the proposed activities are 
likely to result in the take of marine mammals: Ice overflight surveys 
using fixed and rotate winged aircraft when flying at low altitudes.
    Shell has requested an authorization to take seven marine mammal 
species by Level B harassment. These species include: Beluga whale 
(Delphinapterus leucas); bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus); gray whale 
(Eschrichtius robustus); bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus); ringed 
seal (Phoca hispida); spotted seal (P. largha); and ribbon seal 
(Histriophoca fasciata).

Description of the Specified Activity

Overview

    Shell plans to conduct two periods of ice overflight surveys within 
the duration of the IHA: Break-up surveys and freeze-up surveys.
    Shell plans to conduct the overflight surveys from fixed wing and 
rotary aircraft. Ice and weather conditions will influence when and 
where the surveys can be conducted.

Specified Geographic Region

    The ice overflight survey areas are the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, 
Alaska, as indicated in Figure 1-1 of Shell's IHA application. Aircraft 
supporting these surveys will operate out of Barrow and Deadhorse, 
Alaska.

Detailed Description of Activities

    The Notice of Proposed IHA (80 FR 11398; March 3, 2015) contained a 
full description of Shell's planned operations. That notice describes 
in details the types of aircraft to be used in the surveys and the 
number of hours planned to conduct the surveys. There is no change on 
Shell's planned ice overflight surveys; therefore, the information is 
not repeated here. Please refer to the proposed IHA for the full 
description of the specified activity.

Comments and Responses

    A Notice of Proposed IHA published in the Federal Register on March 
3, 2015 (80 FR 11398) for public comment. During the 30-day public 
comment period, NMFS received 3 comment letters from the following: The 
Marine Mammal Commission (Commission); the Alaska Eskimo Whaling 
Commission (AEWC); Shell; and Dr. Doreen Dupont.
    All of the public comment letters received on the Notice of 
Proposed IHA (80 FR 11398; March 3, 2015) are available on the Internet 
at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm. Following are 
the public comments and NMFS' responses.
    Comment 1: The Commission notes that NMFS does not typically 
authorize the taking of cetaceans incidental to aerial overflights for 
purposes not associated with directed marine mammal research. The 
Commission recommends that NMFS develop criteria (e.g., based on 
aircraft type, aircraft speed, altitude, potential hovering/circling, 
and affected species or stocks) and guidance for determining when 
prospective applicants should request taking of cetaceans by Level B 
harassment from aircraft overflights.
    Response: Takes of cetaceans (or other marine mammal species) 
incidental to aerial overflights depends on a variety of factors, such 
flight altitude, flight speed, types of aircraft, and species of marine 
mammals and their sensitivity to aircraft and their density in the 
vicinity under the flight route. Further review of Shell's proposed ice 
overflight survey activities and the marine mammal distribution and 
density in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas, the propagation of aircraft 
noise into the water column, and the likelihood of underwater marine 
mammals being exposed to received levels that constitute a take 
prompted NMFS to revise its preliminary analysis in the Federal 
Register Notice of proposed IHA. The updated analysis presented in this 
document concludes that Shell's proposed ice overflight

[[Page 34373]]

surveys in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas would not adversely affect 
cetaceans due to the high flight altitude of most surveys, and the 
inefficiency of airborne noise being transmitted into the water column.
    Comment 2: The Commission states that the density estimates for 
bearded seals in the winter may need to be adjusted upward to account 
for year-round presence in at least portions of the survey area. The 
Commission reasons that studies by MacIntyre et al. (2013) detected 
bearded seal calls year-round in the Beaufort Sea just east of Barrow, 
with an increase in calls during winter and spring (December-June). The 
Commission recommends that NMFS (1) use density estimates for bearded 
seals in winter that are either equal to or greater than spring bearded 
seal density estimates and (2) recalculate take estimates for bearded 
seals during winter, accordingly.
    Response: As stated in Shell's IHA application, few satellite-
tagging studies have been conducted on these species in the Beaufort 
Sea. Winter surveys have not been conducted, and a few bearded seals 
have been reported over the continental shelf in spring prior to 
general break-up. However, the tracks of three bearded seals tagged in 
2009 moved south into the Bering Sea along the continental shelf by 
November (Cameron and Boveng 2009). These species would be more common 
in the area during spring through fall, but it is possible that some 
individuals, bearded seals in particular, may be present in the area 
surveyed in winter. However, it can be concluded from Cameron and 
Boveng (2009) that the densities of bearded seals in the winter are 
much lower than in spring and fall. The Commission's assumption that 
just because bearded seals calls are detected in the winter months, 
does not lead to the conclusion that they are equally abundant in 
winter as they are in other seasons. Density estimates are highly 
uncertain from acoustic measurements as individual animals are 
responsible for multiple calls, the calling rate of bearded seals is 
not known, and individual calls can be detected over several kilometers 
and picked up by multiple recorders. NMFS, therefore, did not modify 
the take estimates for bearded seals.
    Comment 3: The Commission recommends that NMFS incorporate the peer 
review panel's recommendations into the authorization if NMFS issues 
the incidental harassment authorization for Shell's proposed ice 
overflight surveys.
    Response: NMFS conducted a peer review process to evaluate Shell's 
monitoring plan in early March 2015 in Anchorage, AK. The peer review 
panel submitted its report to NMFS in early April and provided 
recommendations to Shell. The panel's recommendations include:
    (1) Training for the crew members on species identification and the 
recording of behavioral responses of pinnipeds to the aircraft, 
especially distance to animals and the altitude at which behavioral 
responses were observed;
    (2) Use of a video camera during overflight surveys to record 
behavioral responses in addition to having PSOs and trained crew 
members record behavioral responses;
    (3) Provide information on the altitude at which aircraft were 
flown and the distance and altitude at which behavioral responses were 
noted. Ideally a map should be included in the 90-day report that shows 
altitudes flown for different tracks and observed behavioral reactions; 
and
    (4) Present sightings and behavioral response data separately for 
landing events.
    In addition, though not requested, the peer review panel 
recommended additional mitigation measures to reduce potential impacts 
to marine mammals. These recommended mitigation measures include:
    (1) Airplanes maintain an altitude of at least 305 m (1,000 ft) 
until they reach the offshore survey areas of interest, and not land on 
ice within 1.6 km (1 mi) of hauled-out pinnipeds; and
    (2) Investigate the possibility of using unmanned aerial systems to 
conduct the ice surveys, at least for the fixed-wing surveys that would 
not involve landing on the ice to collect samples.
    NMFS discussed with Shell the peer review panel report and went 
through these recommendations. As a result, Shell agrees to provide 
information and produce a map on the altitude at which aircraft were 
flown and the distance and altitude at which behavioral responses were 
noted in its 90-day report, and present sightings and behavioral 
response data separately for landing events.
    However, Shell currently is not able to implement the other 
monitoring measures and recommended mitigation measures due to safety, 
technological, and logistical reasons. Therefore, these measures are 
not practicable and are not prescribed in the IHA issued to Shell.
    A detailed discussion on the peer review process and 
recommendations is provided in ``Monitoring Plan Peer Review'' section 
below.
    Comment 4: Noting that in the Federal Register notice (80 FR 11398: 
March 3, 2015) for the proposed IHA NMFS proposed a mitigation measures 
that ``aircraft will not land on ice within 0.5 mi of hauled out 
pinnipeds or polar bears,'' Shell points out that polar bears are not a 
NMFS trust species and requested NMFS to remove the reference of polar 
bears.
    Response: NMFS updated the language and removed the reference of 
polar bears in the final IHA issued to Shell.
    Comment 5: Referring to the proposed reporting measures in the 
Federal Register notice (80 FR 11398; March 3, 2015) that require Shell 
to include the following information in the 90-day report: (i) Time, 
date, and location (latitude/longitude) of the incident; (ii) the name 
and type of vessel involved; (iii) the vessel's speed during and 
leading up to the incident; (iv) description of the incident; (v) 
status of all sound source use in the 24 hours preceding the incident; 
(vi) water depth; (vii) environmental conditions (e.g., wind speed and 
direction, Beaufort sea state, cloud cover, and visibility); (viii) 
description of marine mammal observations in the 24 hours preceding the 
incident; (ix) species identification or description of the animal(s) 
involved; (x) the fate of the animal(s); and (xi) photographs or video 
footage of the animal (if equipment is available), Shell points out 
that items (ii), (iii), and (v) reflect observations from a vessel and 
requests NMFS to modify these proposed reporting measures.
    Response: NMFS revised the final IHA issued (ii) to read: ``the 
name and type of aircraft involved'', and removed provisions (iii) and 
(v).
    Comment 6: The AEWC states that the analysis in the Federal 
Register of potential impacts to subsistence uses should begin with a 
discussion of whether the operator has signed the Conflict Avoidance 
Agreement (CAA) and, if so, what the CAA includes as mitigation 
measures for subsistence activities.
    Response: NMFS has defined ``unmitigable adverse impact'' in 50 CFR 
216.103 as: ``an impact resulting from the specified activity: (1) That 
is likely to reduce the availability of the species to a level 
insufficient for a harvest to meet subsistence needs by: (i) Causing 
the marine mammals to abandon or avoid hunting areas; (ii) Directly 
displacing subsistence users; or (iii) Placing physical barriers 
between the marine mammals and the subsistence hunters; and (2) that 
cannot be sufficiently mitigated by other measures to increase the 
availability of marine mammals to allow subsistence needs to be met. 
Therefore, the analysis of potential impacts to subsistence has a much 
broader scope that solely based on

[[Page 34374]]

whether the applicant has signed a CAA. Nevertheless, in our analysis, 
we did consider the CAA negotiation between the Shell and the Native 
subsistence users. In the Federal Register notice for the proposed IHA, 
NMFS noted that Shell attended the 2012-2014 CAA negotiation meetings 
in support of exploration drilling, offshore surveys, and future 
drilling plans. Shell informed NMFS that it would do the same for the 
upcoming 2015 exploration drilling program and has signed the CAA. 
Shell states that it is committed to a CAA process and will make a 
good-faith effort to negotiate an agreement every year it has planned 
activities.
    Comment 7: The AEWC points out that the proposed IHA should also 
include general provisions for avoiding interference with bowhead 
whales or subsistence whale hunting activities. Specifically, the AEWC 
states that the IHA should require that aircraft routes are planned so 
as to minimize any potential conflict with bowhead whales or bowhead 
subsistence whaling activities, not operate below 1,500 feet in areas 
of active whaling, and stay at least 5 miles in-land when traveling 
over land until taking a perpendicular route from land to the start of 
the offshore survey area. AEWC also points out that Shell's IHA 
application, the Federal Register notice for the proposed IHA, and NMFS 
draft EA all note that aircraft will not operate below 1,500 feet in 
areas of active whaling, but the proposed IHA does not include this 
measure.
    Response: NMFS has included the provision of requiring aircraft not 
flown below 1,500 feet in areas of active whaling in the IHA issued to 
Shell, as proposed in the Federal Register notice for the proposed IHA 
and the draft EA. Regarding requiring flight routes to be planned and 
limiting aircraft to stay at least 5 miles in-land when traveling over 
land until taking a perpendicular route from land to the start of the 
offshore survey area, NMFS conducted further analysis and discussed 
this proposed measure with Shell. Shell states that many of the ice 
survey areas far offshore locations and the aircraft needs a direct and 
the shortest route to access these areas for economics and safety 
concerns. In addition, as analyzed in this document, cetaceans in the 
open-water are not expected to be affected, and there are already 
mitigation measures in place for minimizing and/or avoiding pinniped 
impacts when the animals are hauled out. Furthermore, Shell is required 
to communicate with the native communities to make sure that its 
activity will not have unmitigable impacts to subsistent use of marine 
mammals. Therefore, NMFS determined that such requirement does not 
contribute to our no-unmitigable adverse impact finding to subsistence 
harvest of marine mammals. NMFS further noted that this language 
appears in the 2015 CAA, which Shell has signed.
    Comment 8: The AEWC points out that NMFS should include in its 
analysis of the effectiveness of mitigation measures, input from the 
peer review panel in its EA. The AEWC further states that the EA should 
also specifically identify each of the planned operations for the 
Beaufort and Chukchi seas during the 2015 open-water season and address 
the potential cumulative effects of these activities.
    Response: The effectiveness of mitigation measures was addressed in 
the Federal Register notice for the proposed IHA, and the input from 
the peer review panel on Shell's monitoring plan is discussed in detail 
in this document. Both discussions were incorporated by reference in 
the final EA. The draft and final EA address cumulative effects from 
the IHA for Shell's planned ice overflight survey activities. 
Furthermore, cumulative effects from overall oil and gas development in 
the Arctic are reviewed in the Chukchi Sea Planning Area Oil and Gas 
Lease Sale 193 in the Chukchi Sea, Alaska, Final Second Supplemental 
Environmental Impact Statement prepared by the Bureau of Ocean Energy 
Management. NMFS evaluated the cumulative effects from the incremental 
impact of the proposed action when added to other past, present, and 
reasonably foreseeable actions in the entire Arctic to ensure an 
overarching analysis, because actions overlapping within close 
proximity to the proposed action can reasonably be expected to have 
more potential for cumulative effects on ``shared resources'' than 
actions that may be geographically separated.
    Comment 9: Dr. Doreen Dupont claims that Shell used vague 
irrelevant statistics, and that Shell oil drilling in itself is 
unnecessary and dangerous to the ``heating environment.'' Dr. Dupont 
says that the entire study should be banned.
    Response: NMFS does not agree with Dr. Dupont's assessment. First, 
the proposed IHA addressed in the Federal Register notice (80 FR 11398; 
March 3, 2015) is for ice overflight surveys, not for drilling 
activities. Further, the proposed IHA Notice provided in depth analyses 
on the potential impacts of Shell's proposed ice overflight surveys on 
marine mammals and their habitat, and on the availability of marine 
mammals to subsistence use. NMFS was able to reach a determination that 
the issuance of an IHA will have a negligible impact on affected marine 
mammals species or stocks in the area, and will have no unmitigable 
adverse impact on their availability for taking for subsistence uses. 
Under the MMPA, an authorization for incidental takings shall be 
granted if NMFS can make those findings. Therefore, NMFS cannot deny 
Shell's request based on its analysis.
    Comment 10: Dr. Dupont points out that the analysis of aircraft 
noises was not based on particular aircraft speed and noise levels 
which Shell would like to use, therefore, a permit cannot be issued 
until exact aircraft to be used are known, already under contract with 
Shell. Further, Dr. Dupont claims that to allow these surveys without 
knowing exactly which aircraft are being used, down to the aircraft VIN 
numbers, leaves tremendous loopholes in which unanticipated damage can 
occur to marine mammals.
    Response: NMFS does not agree with Dr. Dupont's statement. Aircraft 
noise analysis was discussed in details in the Federal Register notice 
(80 FR 11398; March 3, 2015), with references to scientific studies on 
general aircraft noise and its potential impacts to marine mammals, and 
transmission of airborne noise into water (Richardson et al. 1995).
    Comment 11: Dr. Dupont points out that aircraft are flying hundreds 
of feet above sea level and use Fujinon 7 x 50 binoculars for visual 
monitoring, and that from that distance, with those binoculars, they 
will not able ``to see injuries to feet of seals by getting scratched 
or crushed in a mad run to the water from fear from the sound.'' Dr. 
Dupont further claims that ``[e]ven if the low estimates of animals was 
near accurate, by chance only, as so many factors have changed, and in 
the case of ringed seals in the winter, never counted.''
    Response: NMFS does not agree with Dr. Dupont's statement. The 
potential impacts of pinnipeds (ringed seals included) from aircraft 
overflight and noise are analyzed in the Federal Register notice (80 FR 
11398; March 3, 2015) for the proposed IHA, which also includes an 
analysis on potential stampede. Since seals typically are found as 
individuals or in very small groups when they are in the project area, 
the chance of a stampede event is very unlikely. Finally, ice seals are 
well adapted to move between ice and water without injury, including 
``escape reactions'' to avoid predators. Finally, seals do not have 
feet.

[[Page 34375]]

    Comment 12: Dr. Dupont claims that ``[i]llegal take, by injury from 
harassment from whales outside of water, will not be easily apparent by 
short fly overs. Should a whale matriarch develop injured hearing and 
echolocation capabilities, which the application maintains is unlikely 
but indeed possible if the whale breeches during the flyover and/or 
chase of hunt, then the entire pod will be permanently damaged and this 
may indeed effect survival of its species.''
    Response: NMFS does not agree with Dr. Dupont's statement. First, 
cetaceans do not typically stay outside the water, and breaching events 
by cetaceans are brief and are unlikely to coincide with aircraft 
overflight. Second, as provided in details in the Federal Register 
notice (80 FR 11398; March 3, 2015), even for marine mammals outside 
water, such as hauled out seals, no injury or TTS is expected. Finally, 
none of the cetaceans in the Arctic forms matriarchal social groups.
    Comment 13: Dr. Dupont states that the majority of the studies on 
ice distribution and its dampening effects of the sounds of the 
aircrafts are over 10 years old, and that with recent major shifts in 
``ice shelves,'' melting and ``water temperature shifts,'' safe 
assumptions about whales and seals being protected cannot be made from 
such ``old'' statistics. Dr. Dupont ``expects whales to be jumping out 
of water and as such, will be subject to loud sounds which could 
permanently damage their fine hearing and echolocation ability.''
    Response: NMFS does not agree with Dr. Dupont's statement. Ice 
coverage in the Arctic changes from year to year and in different 
seasons. The objective of Shell's ice overflight surveys is to study 
the ice break-up and freeze-up in late spring and late fall, 
respectively. So these studies are timed to the period when there is 
ice coverage. Lastly, even during the flights when the aircraft is over 
open water, as discussed in detail in the Federal Register notice (80 
FR 11398; March 3, 2015) and in this document, airborne noise from 
aircraft overflight does not transmit into the water column 
efficiently. Therefore, no cetacean is expected to be affected by 
Shell's proposed ice overflight surveys.
    Comment 14: Dr. Dupont claims that there is not real protection 
afforded to Native sustenance other than Shell's say-so to cooperate 
with them, and that ``[t]here are no outside agencies overlooking 
NMFS.'' Dr. Dupont further goes on saying that ``Shell executives have 
been known to schmooze local whale hunters to get them to cooperate 
with their own agenda'' and that ``[i]n an attempt to charm the 
indigenous cultures of Alaska, a Shell oil company executive ate the 
raw meat of the endangered bowhead whale whenever it was offered to 
him, even though he didn't care for it.'' Dr. Dupont states that 
``Shell can not be trusted to self-report, to not have conflicts of 
interests with their own POC, nor the interests and safeties of the 
endangered protected Marine Mammals, not the native whalers. NOAA 
itself must more directly oversee such a dangerous and delicate plan. 
Not NMFS and the Stranding Network.''
    Response: NMFS does not agree with Dr. Dupont's statement. First, 
regulations at 50 CFR 216.104(a)(12) require IHA applicants for 
activities that take place in Arctic waters to provide a Plan of 
Cooperation (POC) or information that identifies what measures have 
been taken and/or will be taken to minimize adverse effects on the 
availability of marine mammals for subsistence purposes. In order for 
NMFS to make a no unmitigable adverse impact determination on 
subsistence activity, Shell is required to work with the Alaskan 
subsistence communities to ensure that its activities are: (1) Not 
likely to reduce the availability of the species to a level 
insufficient for a harvest to meet subsistence needs by: (i) Causing 
the marine mammals to abandon or avoid hunting areas; (ii) Directly 
displacing subsistence users; or (iii) Placing physical barriers 
between the marine mammals and the subsistence hunters; and (2) Can be 
sufficiently mitigated by other measures to increase the availability 
of marine mammals to allow subsistence needs to be met.
    To meet these commitments, Shell conducted multiple meeting with 
the Arctic subsistence communities and developed a POC as required 
under the IHA issued. In addition, Shell signed a CAA with AEWC as a 
good faith agreement to ensure that its program will not affect 
subsistence whaling activities in the project area. By delegation NMFS 
administers the marine mammal incidental take program and the NMFS 
Marine Mammal Stranding Network is authorized and has the expertise and 
skills related to marine mammal stranding issues, should they come up.
    Comment 15: Dr. Dupont points out that since winter surveys for 
ringed seals have not been performed, it should not be assumed that 
their number is minimal or ``negligible risk to behavioral 
disturbances.'' Dr. Dupont further states that ``[s]eals will panic to 
the sound of an airplane or helicopter overhead and in the panic may 
trample their babies, and or damage their feet with scrapes from their 
nails.''
    Response: NMFS does not agree with Dr. Dupont's statement. Although 
there is no density data on ringed seal in winter, its distribution, 
movement, and behavior are well studied and are described in the 
Federal Register notice (80 FR 11398; March 3, 2015) for the proposed 
IHA. During winter, ringed seals occupy landfast ice and offshore pack 
ice of the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas. In winter and spring, 
the highest densities of ringed seals are found on stable shorefast 
ice. However, in some areas where there is limited fast ice but wide 
expanses of pack ice, including the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas and 
Baffin Bay, total numbers of ringed seals on pack ice may exceed those 
on shorefast ice (Burns 1970, Stirling et al. 1982, Finley et al. 
1983). Adult ringed seals maintain breathing holes in the ice and 
occupy lairs in accumulated snow (Smith and Stirling 1975) while some 
subadult ringed seals appear to winter near the pack-ice edge in the 
Bering Sea (Crawford et al. 2012). Based on this knowledge, it is 
reasonable to use ringed seal density data obtained offshore aerial 
surveys of the pack ice zone conducted in spring 1999 and 2000 
(Bengtson et al. 2005). Seal distribution and density in spring, prior 
to break-up, are thought to reflect distribution patterns established 
earlier in the year (i.e., during the winter months; Frost et al. 
2004).
    Ringed seals give birth in lairs from mid-March through April, 
nurse their pups in the lairs for 5-8 weeks, and mate in late April and 
May (Smith 1973, Hammill et al. 1991, Lydersen and Hammill 1993). 
Finally, as stated earlier, ringed seals do not have feet.

Description of Marine Mammals in the Area of the Specified Activity

    The Chukchi and Beaufort Seas support a diverse assemblage of 
marine mammals, including: Bowhead, gray, beluga, killer, minke, 
humpback, and fin whales; harbor porpoise; ringed, ribbon, spotted, and 
bearded seals; narwhals; polar bears; and walruses. Both the walrus and 
the polar bear are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
(USFWS) and are not considered further in this proposed IHA notice.
    Among the rest of marine mammal species, only beluga, bowhead, and 
gray whales, and ringed, spotted, bearded, and ribbon seals could 
potentially be affected by the proposed ice overflight activity. The 
remaining cetacean species are rare and not likely to be encountered 
during Shell's ice overflight surveys, which are planned either during 
winter when nearly 10/10 ice coverage is

[[Page 34376]]

present, or during spring when sea ice also predominates the study 
area. Therefore, these species are not further discussed.
    The bowhead whale is listed as ``endangered'' under the Endangered 
Species Act (ESA) and as depleted under the MMPA. The ringed seal is 
listed as ``threatened'' under the ESA. Certain stocks or populations 
of gray and beluga whales and spotted seals are listed as endangered 
under the ESA; however, none of those stocks or populations occur in 
the proposed activity area.
    Shell's application contains information on the status, 
distribution, seasonal distribution, abundance, and life history of 
each of the species under NMFS' jurisdiction mentioned in this 
document. When reviewing the application, NMFS determined that the 
species descriptions provided by Shell correctly characterized the 
status, distribution, seasonal distribution, and abundance of each 
species. Please refer to the application for that information (see 
ADDRESSES). Additional information can also be found in the NMFS Stock 
Assessment Reports (SAR). The Alaska 2013 SAR is available at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/pdf/ak2013_final.pdf.
    Table 1 lists the seven marine mammal species under NMFS' 
jurisdiction with confirmed or possible occurrence in the proposed 
project area.

           Table 1--Marine Mammal Species and Stocks That Could Be Affected by Shell's Ice Overflight Surveys in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Common name              Scientific name           Status              Occurrence          Seasonality            Range           Abundance
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Odontocetes.....................  Dephinapterus        ....................  Common.............  Mostly spring and   Russia to Canada..           3,710
Beluga whale (Eastern Chukchi      leucas.                                                         fall with some in
 Sea stock).                                                                                       summer.
Beluga whale (Beaufort Sea        Delphinapterus       ....................  Common.............  Mostly spring and   Russia to Canada..          39,258
 stock).                           leucas.                                                         fall with some in
                                                                                                   summer.
Mysticetes......................  Balaena mysticetus.  Endangered; Depleted  Common.............  Mostly spring and   Russia to Canada..          19,534
Bowhead whale...................                                                                   fall with some in
                                                                                                   summer.
Gray whale......................  Eschrichtius         ....................  Somewhat common....  Mostly summer.....  Mexico to the U.S.          19,126
                                   robustus.                                                                           Arctic Ocean.
Pinnipeds.......................  Erigathus barbatus.  Candidate...........  Common.............  Spring and summer.  Bering, Chukchi,           155,000
Bearded seal (Beringia distinct                                                                                        and Beaufort Seas.
 population segment).
Ringed seal (Arctic stock)......  Phoca hispida......  Threatened; Depleted  Common.............  Year round........  Bering, Chukchi,           300,000
                                                                                                                       and Beaufort Seas.
Spotted seal....................  Phoca largha.......  ....................  Common.............  Summer............  Japan to U.S.              141,479
                                                                                                                       Arctic Ocean.
Ribbon seal.....................  Histriophoca         Species of concern..  Occasional.........  Summer............  Russia to U.S.              49,000
                                   fasciata.                                                                           Arctic Ocean.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Potential Effects of the Specified Activity on Marine Mammals

    This section includes a summary and discussion of the ways that the 
types of stressors associated with the specified activity (e.g., 
aircraft overflight) have been observed to or are thought to impact 
marine mammals. This section may include a discussion of known effects 
that do not rise to the level of an MMPA take (for example, with 
acoustics, we may include a discussion of studies that showed animals 
not reacting at all to sound or exhibiting barely measurable 
avoidance). The discussion may also include reactions that we consider 
to rise to the level of a take and those that we do not consider to 
rise to the level of a take. This section is intended as a background 
of potential effects and does not consider either the specific manner 
in which this activity will be carried out or the mitigation that will 
be implemented or how either of those will shape the anticipated 
impacts from this specific activity. The ``Estimated Take by Incidental 
Harassment'' section later in this document will include a quantitative 
analysis of the number of individuals that are expected to be taken by 
this activity. The ``Negligible Impact Analysis'' section will include 
the analysis of how this specific activity will impact marine mammals 
and will consider the content of this section, the ``Estimated Take by 
Incidental Harassment'' section, the ``Mitigation'' section, and the 
``Anticipated Effects on Marine Mammal Habitat'' section to draw 
conclusions regarding the likely impacts of this activity on the 
reproductive success or survivorship of individuals and from that on 
the affected marine mammal populations or stocks.
    The reasonably expected or reasonably likely impacts of the 
specified activities on marine mammals will be related primarily to 
localized, short-term acoustic disturbance from aircraft flying 
primarily over areas covered by sea ice with limited flight activity 
over open water and adjacent ice edges. The acoustic sense of marine 
mammals probably constitutes their most important distance receptor 
system. Potential acoustic effects relate to sound produced by 
helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.
    Dominant tones in noise spectra from helicopters are generally 
below 500 Hz (Greene and Moore 1995). Harmonics of the main rotor and 
tail rotor usually dominate the sound from helicopters; however, many 
additional tones associated with the engines and other rotating parts 
are sometimes present. Because of Doppler shift effects, the 
frequencies of tones received at a stationary site diminish when an 
aircraft passes overhead. The apparent frequency is increased while the 
aircraft approaches and is reduced while it moves away.
    Aircraft flyovers are not heard underwater for very long, 
especially when compared to how long they are heard in air as the 
aircraft approaches an observer. Very few cetaceans, including the 
species in the proposed ice overflight survey areas, are expected to be 
encountered during ice overflights due to the low density of cetacean

[[Page 34377]]

species in the winter survey area and small area to be flown over open 
water during spring. Most of these effects are expected in open-water 
where limited aircraft noise could penetrate into the water column. For 
cetaceans under the ice, the noise levels from the aircraft are 
expected to be dramatically reduced by floating ice. Long-term or 
population level effects are not expected.
    Evidence from flyover studies of ringed and bearded seals suggests 
that a reaction to helicopters is more common than to fixed wing 
aircraft, all else being equal (Born et al. 1999; Burns and Frost 
1979). Under calm conditions, rotor and engine sounds are coupled into 
the water through ice within a 26[deg] cone beneath the aircraft 
(Richardson et al. 1995). Scattering and absorption, however, will 
limit lateral propagation in the shallow water (Greene and Moore 1995). 
The majority of seals encountered by fixed wing aircraft are unlikely 
to show a notable disturbance reaction, and approximately half of the 
seals encountered by helicopters may react by moving from ice into the 
water (Born et al. 1999). Any potential disturbance from aircraft to 
seals in the area of ice overflights will be localized and short-term 
in duration with no population level effects.
    Historically, there have been far greater levels of aviation 
activity in the offshore Chukchi and Beaufort Seas compared with that 
of the proposed ice overflights. None of this previous offshore 
aviation activity is believed to have resulted in long-term impacts to 
marine mammals, as demonstrated by results from a wide range of 
monitoring programs and scientific studies. Impacts to marine mammals 
from aviation activities in Arctic offshore habitats have been shown to 
be, at most, short-term and highly-localized in nature (e.g., Funk et 
al. 2013; Richardson et al. 1985a, b; Patenaude et al. 2002; Born et 
al. 1999).
    The effect of aircraft overflight on marine mammals will depend on 
the behavior of the animal at the time of reception of the stimulus, as 
well as the distance from the aircraft and received level of sound. 
Cetaceans (such as bowhead, gray, and beluga whales) would need to be 
right at the surface, and thus have the potential to be disturbed, when 
aircraft fly over open water in between ice floes at low altitude (< 
1,000 ft); seals may be disturbed when aircraft are over open water or 
over ice on which seals may be present. Disturbance reactions are 
likely to vary among some of the seals in the general vicinity, and not 
all of the seals present are expected to react to fixed wing aircraft 
and helicopters.
    A more comprehensive and in depth analysis of potential impacts to 
pinnipeds from Shell's proposed ice overflight surveys is provided in 
the Federal Register notice (80 FR 11398; March 3, 2015) for the 
proposed IHA. The information regarding the potential impacts on 
pinnipeds from the proposed IHA has not changed. Please refer to the 
proposed IHA for the full discussion.
    Regarding effects of aircraft overflight on cetaceans, NMFS 
conducted additional analysis to evaluate the potential airborne noise 
that enters water which might result in takes of cetacean species. 
Takes of cetaceans (or other marine mammal species) incidental to 
aerial overflights depends on a variety of factors, such flight 
altitude, flight speed, types of aircraft, and species of marine 
mammals and their sensitivity to aircraft and their density in the 
vicinity under the flight route.
    Shell stated that the potential maximum areas under a 26[deg] cone 
of sea surface when the aircraft fly below 1,000 ft is 169 km\2\. 
Multiplying this area by cetacean density yielded a total of 1 beluga, 
2 bowhead, and 2 gray whales being exposed in the total area of the 
26[deg] cone. However, received noise levels within this 26[deg] cone 
area is expected to vary greatly from the center below the flight path 
to the edge where the 13[deg] incidental angle forms between the 
aircraft and sea surface. The only area where cetacean could be exposed 
to aircraft noise with minimum reflection from the sea surface is where 
the animal is normal to the aircraft, i.e., right beneath the flight 
path. As the one considers the distribution of animals that are not 
right beneath the flight path, the amount of airborne noise enters the 
water column is reduced exponentially as one moves away from the normal 
angle, thus the underwater acoustic intensity away from the center is 
also reduced exponentially. At an incident angle of 13[deg] from the 
aircraft, the acoustic wave undergoes total reflection. Therefore, NMFS 
considers that only a fraction of the cetaceans initially assessed in 
the Federal Register notice for the proposed IHA could be exposed, if 
they are at the sea surface. As a result, NMFS concludes that it is 
very unlikely that cetaceans would be affected by Shell's proposed ice 
overflight survey activities. Consequently, in the IHA issued to Shell, 
NMFS does not authorize any takes of cetacean species.

Anticipated Effects on Marine Mammal Habitat

    Shell's planned 2015/16 ice overflight surveys will not result in 
any permanent impact on habitats used by marine mammals, or to their 
prey sources. The primary potential impacts on marine mammal habitat 
and prey resources that are reasonably expected or reasonably likely 
are associated with elevated sound levels from the aircraft passing 
overhead. Effects on marine mammal habitat from the generation of sound 
from the planned surveys would be negligible and temporary, lasting 
only as long as the aircraft is overhead. Water column effects will be 
localized and ephemeral, lasting only the duration of the aircrafts 
presence. All effects on marine mammal habitat from the planned surveys 
are expected to be negligible and confined to very small areas within 
the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas. The proposed IHA contains a full 
discussion of the potential impacts to marine mammal habitat and prey 
species in the project area. No changes have been made to that 
discussion. Please refer to the proposed IHA for the full discussion of 
potential impacts to marine mammal habitat (80 FR 11398, March 3, 
2015). NMFS has determined that Shell's ice overflight surveys are not 
expected to have any habitat-related effects that could cause 
significant or long-term consequences for marine mammals or on the food 
sources that they utilize.

Mitigation

    In order to issue an incidental take authorization (ITA) under 
sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA, NMFS must, where applicable, 
set forth the permissible methods of taking pursuant to such activity, 
and other means of effecting the least practicable impact on such 
species or stock and its habitat, paying particular attention to 
rookeries, mating grounds, and areas of similar significance, and on 
the availability of such species or stock for taking for certain 
subsistence uses (where relevant). A summary of the mitigation measures 
prescribed in the IHA issued to Shell include:
     A PSO will be aboard all flights recording all sightings/
observations (e.g. including number of individuals, approximate age 
(when possible to determine), and any type of potential reaction to the 
aircraft). Environmental information the observer will record includes 
weather, air temperature, cloud and ice cover, visibility conditions, 
and wind speed.
     The aircraft will maintain a 1 mi radius when flying over 
areas where

[[Page 34378]]

seals appear to be concentrated in groups of >= 5 individuals;
     The aircraft will not land on ice within 0.5 mi of hauled 
out pinnipeds or polar bears;
     The aircraft will avoid flying over polynyas and along 
adjacent ice margins as much as possible to minimize potential 
disturbance to cetaceans; and
     Shell will routinely engage with local communities and 
subsistence groups to ensure no disturbance of whaling or other 
subsistence activities.

Mitigation Conclusions

    NMFS has carefully evaluated the applicant's proposed mitigation 
measures and considered other measures in the context of ensuring that 
NMFS prescribes the means of effecting the least practicable impact on 
the affected marine mammal species and stocks and their habitat. Our 
evaluation of potential measures included consideration of the 
following factors in relation to one another:
     The manner in which, and the degree to which, the 
successful implementation of the 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, and
     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 noises generated from ice overflight surveys, 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 noises generated from ice overflight surveys, 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 noises generated from ice overflight surveys, 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.
    Based on our evaluation of the applicant's mitigation measures, as 
well as other measures considered by NMFS, NMFS has determined that the 
prescribed 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.
    Mitigation measures to ensure availability of such species or stock 
for taking for certain subsistence uses are discussed later in this 
document (see ``Impact on Availability of Affected Species or Stock for 
Taking for Subsistence Uses'' section).

Monitoring and Reporting

    In order to issue an ITA for an activity, section 101(a)(5)(D) of 
the MMPA states that NMFS must, where applicable, 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 action area.
    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 noises generated from exploration 
drilling and associated activities 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:
     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);
     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);
     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.

Monitoring Measures

(1) Protected Species Observers
    Aerial monitoring for marine mammals will be conducted by a trained 
protected species observer (PSO) aboard each flight. PSO duties will 
include watching for and identifying marine mammals, recording their 
numbers, distances from, and potential reactions to the presence of the 
aircraft, in addition to working with the helicopter pilots to identify 
areas for landings on ice that are clear of marine mammals.
(2) Observer Qualifications and Training
    Observers will have previous marine mammal observation experience 
in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas. All observers will be trained and 
familiar with the marine mammals of the area, data collection 
protocols, reporting procedures, and required mitigation measures.
(3) Specialized Field Equipment
    The following specialized field equipment for use by the onboard 
PSO: Fujinon 7 X 50 binoculars for visual monitoring, a GPS unit to 
document the route of each ice overflight, a laptop computer for data 
entry, a voice

[[Page 34379]]

recorder to capture detailed observations and data for post flight 
entry into the computer, and digital still cameras.
(4) Field Data-Recording
    The observer on the aircraft will record observations directly into 
computers using a custom software package. The accuracy of the data 
entry will be verified in the field by computerized validity checks as 
the data are entered, and by subsequent manual checking following the 
flight. Additionally, observers will capture the details of sightings 
and other observations with a voice recorder, which will maximize 
observation time and the collection of data. These procedures will 
allow initial summaries of data to be prepared during and shortly after 
the surveys, and will facilitate transfer of the data to statistical, 
graphical or other programs for further processing.
    During the course of the flights, the observer will record 
information for each sighting including number of individuals, 
approximate age (when possible to determine), and any type of potential 
reaction to the aircraft. Environmental information the observer will 
record includes weather, air temperature, cloud and ice cover, 
visibility conditions, and wind speed.

Reporting Measures

(1) Final Report
    The results of Shell's ice overflight monitoring report will be 
presented in an initial ``90-day'' final report due to NMFS within 90 
days after the expiration of the IHA. The report will include:
     Summaries of monitoring effort: total hours, total 
distances flown, and environmental conditions during surveys;
     Summaries of occurrence, species composition, and 
distribution of all marine mammal sightings including date, numbers, 
age/size/gender categories (when discernible), group sizes, ice cover 
and other environmental variables; data will be visualized by plotting 
sightings relative to the position of the aircraft;
     Analyses of the potential effects of ice overflights on 
marine mammals and the number of individuals that may have been 
disturbed by aircraft;
     Information and a map on the altitude at which aircraft 
were flown and the distance and altitude at which behavioral responses 
were noted; and
     Marine mammal sightings and behavioral response data for 
landing events.
    The ``90-day'' report will be subject to review and comment by 
NMFS. Any recommendations made by NMFS must be addressed in the final 
report prior to acceptance by NMFS.
(2) Notification of Injured or Dead Marine Mammals
    Shell will be required to notify NMFS' Office of Protected 
Resources and NMFS' Stranding Network of any sighting of an injured or 
dead marine mammal. Based on different circumstances, Shell may or may 
not be required to stop operations upon such a sighting. Shell will 
provide NMFS with the species or description of the animal(s), the 
condition of the animal(s) (including carcass condition if the animal 
is dead), location, time of first discovery, observed behaviors (if 
alive), and photo or video (if available).

Monitoring Plan Peer Review

    The MMPA requires that monitoring plans be independently peer 
reviewed ``where the proposed activity may affect the availability of a 
species or stock for taking for subsistence uses'' (16 U.S.C. 
1371(a)(5)(D)(ii)(III)). Regarding this requirement, NMFS' implementing 
regulations state, ``Upon receipt of a complete monitoring plan, and at 
its discretion, [NMFS] will either submit the plan to members of a peer 
review panel for review or within 60 days of receipt of the proposed 
monitoring plan, schedule a workshop to review the plan'' (50 CFR 
216.108(d)).
    NMFS established an independent peer review panel to review Shell's 
4MP for the proposed ice overflight surveys in the Beaufort and Chukchi 
Seas. The panel met in early March 2015, and provided comments and 
recommendations to NMFS in April 2015. The full panel report can be 
viewed on the Internet at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm.
    NMFS provided the panel with Shell's IHA application and monitoring 
plan and asked the panel to answer the following questions:
    1. Will the applicant's stated objectives effectively further the 
understanding of the impacts of their activities on marine mammals and 
otherwise accomplish the goals stated above? If not, how should the 
objectives be modified to better accomplish the goals above?
    2. Can the applicant achieve the stated objectives based on the 
methods described in the plan?
    3. Are there technical modifications to the proposed monitoring 
techniques and methodologies proposed by the applicant that should be 
considered to better accomplish their stated objectives?
    4. Are there techniques not proposed by the applicant (i.e., 
additional monitoring techniques or methodologies) that should be 
considered for inclusion in the applicant's monitoring program to 
better accomplish their stated objectives?
    5. What is the best way for an applicant to present their data and 
results (formatting, metrics, graphics, etc.) in the required reports 
that are to be submitted to NMFS (i.e., 90-day report and comprehensive 
report)?
    The peer-review panel report contains recommendations that the 
panel members felt were applicable to the Shell' monitoring plans. 
Specifically, the panel recommended that:
    (1) Aircraft crew members receive the same training as PSOs so that 
they are able to (1) detect pinnipeds hauled out on the ice, (2) 
identify marine mammals sighted by species (when possible) and (3) 
indicate any behavioral response of marine mammals to the aircraft;
    (2) Use of a video camera during overflight surveys to record 
behavioral responses in addition to having PSOs and trained crew 
members record behavioral responses;
    (3) Provide information and a map on the altitude at which aircraft 
were flown and the distance and altitude at which behavioral responses 
were noted in the 90-day report; and
    (4) Present sightings and behavioral response data separately for 
landing events (if animals were seen during that time).
    NMFS discussed these recommendations with Shell to improve its 
monitoring and reporting measures. As a result, Shell agrees to provide 
information and a map on the altitude at which aircraft were flown and 
the distance and altitude at which behavioral responses were noted in 
the 90-day report. In addition, Shell will present sightings and 
behavioral response data separately for landing events (if animals were 
seen during that time).
    However, NMFS considers that using aircraft crew members (the 
pilots) to collect marine mammal data a safety concern and could not be 
implemented under Shell's aviation standards. As stated in the 
monitoring plan, one trained biologist PSO will be aboard each flight 
collecting data. All personnel aboard the aircraft will be instructed 
to inform the PSO if they observe a marine mammal hauled out in the 
vicinity of a location where landing is being considered. Species 
identification training will not be necessary to perform this task.

[[Page 34380]]

    NMFS also discussed with Shell in regards to the panel's 
recommendation of using video camera. Based on Shell's experience from 
testing a video camera during marine mammal aerial survey flights in 
2012, we confirmed that the resolution is not good enough to observe 
seals ahead of the aircraft without using a long lens (or high 
magnification setting). Use of a long lens significantly reduces the 
field of view of the camera and thereby reduces the chance of recording 
animals as the aircraft approaches close to and over them. Use of a 
long lens also significantly limits the lateral swath covered which 
limits the ability to record and assess potential reactions at 
increasing lateral distances. Therefore, NMFS does not consider adding 
a video camera would achieve intended results of behavioral 
observation.
    Additionally, though not requested, the peer review panel also 
provided two recommendations for mitigation measures listed below:
    (1) Aircraft maintain an altitude of at least 305 m (1,000 ft) 
until they reach the offshore survey areas of interest, and not land on 
ice within 1.6 km (1 mi) of hauled-out pinnipeds. These technical 
modifications should help to minimize disturbance of marine mammals 
encountered during surveys and quantify more accurately numbers of 
Level B harassment takes.
    (2) Investigate the possibility of using unmanned aerial systems 
(UAS) to conduct the ice surveys, at least for the fixed-wing surveys 
that would not involve landing on the ice to collect samples.
    NMFS discussed with Shell these mitigation recommendations and 
concluded that these measures were not practicable, as explained next.
    Shell states that their objectives of data collection on ice 
conditions would not be met if flights were conducted entirely at or 
above the altitude recommended by the panel. Nevertheless, Shell agrees 
to not landing on ice within 1,400 m of hauled-out pinnipeds. The 
updated mitigation measure is included in the IHA issued to Shell.
    Shell states that it is interested in and actively pursuing the use 
of unmanned systems to conduct aerial surveys. However, the available 
technology and permitting process will not allow for the collection of 
the data sought by the proposed ice overflights at this time. Shell is 
collaborating with BOEM and NMML to improve use of UAS for open water 
observations and developing detection software to quickly process the 
thousands of digital images taken during a typical aerial survey. Shell 
is also advocating for rule changes by the FAA to allow for expanded 
commercial use of UAS systems.

Estimated Take by Incidental Harassment

    Except with respect to certain activities not pertinent here, the 
MMPA defines ``harassment'' as: Any act of pursuit, torment, or 
annoyance which (i) has the potential to injure a marine mammal or 
marine mammal stock in the wild [Level A harassment]; or (ii) has the 
potential to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild 
by causing disruption of behavioral patterns, including, but not 
limited to, migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or 
sheltering [Level B harassment]. Only take by Level B behavioral 
harassment is anticipated as a result of the proposed ice overflight 
surveys.
    As discussed earlier in this document, regarding effects of 
aircraft overflight on cetaceans, NMFS conducted additional analysis 
and determined that airborne noise from aircraft will not affect 
cetaceans. Therefore, no cetacean take is authorized for Shell's ice 
overflight surveys.

Basis for Estimating ``Take by Harassment''

    Exposures of seals were calculated by multiplying the anticipated 
area to be flown over open water and ice in each season (winter and 
spring) by the expected densities of seals that may occur in the survey 
area by the proportion of seals on ice that may actually show a 
disturbance reaction to each type of aircraft (Born et al. 1999).

Marine Mammal Density Estimates

    Marine mammal density estimates in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas 
have been derived for two time periods: The winter period covering 
November through April, and the spring period including May through 
early July.
    There is some uncertainty about the representativeness of the data 
and assumptions used in the calculations. To provide some allowance for 
uncertainties, ``average'' as well as ``maximum'' estimates of the 
numbers of marine mammals potentially affected have been derived. For a 
few species, several density estimates were available. In those cases, 
the mean and maximum estimates were determined from the reported 
densities or survey data. In other cases, only one or no applicable 
estimate was available, so correction factors were used to arrive at 
``average'' and ``maximum'' estimates. These are described in detail in 
the following sections.
    In Polar Regions, most pinnipeds are associated with sea ice and 
typical census methods involve counting pinnipeds when they are hauled 
out on ice. In the Beaufort Sea, abundance surveys typically occur in 
spring when ringed seals emerge from their lairs (Frost et al. 2004). 
Depending on the species and study, a correction factor for the 
proportion of animals hauled out at any one time may or may not have 
been applied (depending on whether an appropriate correction factor was 
available for the particular species, area, and time period). By 
applying a correction factor, the density of the pinniped species in an 
area can be estimated.
    Detectability bias, quantified in part by f(0), is associated with 
diminishing sightability with increasing lateral distance from the 
survey trackline. Availability bias, g(0), refers to the fact that 
there is <100 percent probability of sighting an animal that is present 
along the survey trackline. Some sources below included these 
correction factors in the reported densities (e.g. ringed seals in 
Bengtson et al. 2005) and the best available correction factors were 
applied to reported results when they had not already been included 
(e.g. bearded seals in Bengtson et al. 2005).
(1) Pinnipeds: Winter
(A) Ringed Seals
    Ringed seal densities were taken from offshore aerial surveys of 
the pack ice zone conducted in spring 1999 and 2000 (Bengtson et al. 
2005). Seal distribution and density in spring, prior to break-up, are 
thought to reflect distribution patterns established earlier in the 
year (i.e., during the winter months; Frost et al. 2004). The average 
density from those two years (weighted by survey effort) was 0.4892 
seals/km\2\. This value served as the average density while the highest 
density from the two years (0.8100 seals/km\2\ in 1999) was used as the 
maximum density.
(B) Other Seal Species
    Other seal species are not expected to be present in the ice 
overflight survey area in large numbers during the winter period of the 
ice overflights. Bearded, spotted, and ribbon seals would be present in 
the area in smaller numbers than ringed seals during spring through 
fall summer, but these less common seal species generally migrate into 
the southern Chukchi and Bering Seas during fall and remain there 
through the winter (Allen and Angliss 2014). Few satellite-tagging 
studies have been conducted on these species in the Beaufort Sea, 
winter surveys have not

[[Page 34381]]

been conducted, and a few bearded seals have been reported over the 
continental shelf in spring prior to general break-up. However, the 
tracks of three bearded seals tagged in 2009 moved south into the 
Bering Sea along the continental shelf by November (Cameron and Boveng 
2009). These species would be more common in the area during spring 
through fall, but it is possible that some individuals, bearded seals 
in particular, may be present in the area surveyed in winter. Ribbon 
seals are unlikely to be present in the survey area during winter as 
they also migrate southward from the northeastern Chukchi Sea during 
this period. In the absence of better information from the published 
literature or other sources that would indicate that significant 
numbers of any of these species might be present during winter, minimal 
density estimates were used for these species. Estimates for bearded 
seals were assumed to be slightly higher than those for spotted and 
ribbon seals.
(2) Pinnipeds: Spring
    Three species of pinnipeds under NMFS' jurisdiction are likely to 
be encountered in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas during planned ice 
overflights in spring of 2015: Ringed, bearded, and spotted seals. 
Ringed and bearded seals are associated with both the ice margin and 
the nearshore open water area during spring. Spotted seals are often 
considered to be predominantly a coastal species except in the spring 
when they may be found in the southern margin of the retreating sea 
ice. However, satellite tagging has shown that some individuals 
undertake long excursions into offshore waters during summer (Lowry et 
al. 1994, 1998). Ribbon seals have been reported in very small numbers 
within the Chukchi Sea by observers on industry vessels (Patterson et 
al. 2007, Hartin et al. 2013).
(A) Ringed Seal and Bearded Seal
    Ringed seal and bearded seal ``average'' and ``maximum'' spring 
densities were available in Bengtson et al. (2005) from spring surveys 
in the offshore pack ice zone (zone 12P) of the northern Chukchi Sea. 
However, corrections for bearded seal availability, g(0), based on 
haulout and diving patterns were not available.
(B) Spotted Seal
    Little information on spotted seal densities in offshore areas of 
the Alaskan Arctic is available. Spotted seal densities in the spring 
were estimated by multiplying the ringed seal densities by 0.02. This 
was based on the ratio of the estimated occurrence of the two species 
during ice overflight surveys and the assumption that the vast majority 
of seals present in areas of pack ice would be ringed seals (Funk et 
al., 2010; 2013).
(C) Ribbon Seal
    Four ribbon seal sightings were reported during industry vessel 
operations in the Chukchi Sea in 2006-2010 (Hartin et al. 2013). The 
resulting density estimate of 0.0007/km\2\ was used as the average 
density and 4 times that was used as the maximum for the spring season.

Estimated Areas Where Seals May Be Encountered by Aircraft

    Fixed wing and helicopter flights over ice at ice overflight survey 
altitudes have the potential to disturb seals hauled out on ice, 
although the flight altitude and lateral distances at which seals may 
react to aircraft are highly variable (Born et al. 1999; Burns et al. 
1982; Burns and Frost 1979). The probability of a seal hauled out on 
ice reacting to a fixed wing aircraft or helicopter is influenced by a 
combination of variables such as flight altitude, lateral distance from 
the aircraft, ambient conditions (e.g., wind chill), activity, and time 
of day (Born et al. 1999). Evidence from flyover studies of ringed and 
bearded seals suggests that a reaction to helicopters is more common 
than to fixed wing aircraft, all else being equal (Born et al. 1999; 
Burns and Frost 1979).
    Born et al. (1999) investigated the reactions of ringed seals 
hauled out on ice to aircraft. The threshold lateral distances from the 
aircraft trackline out to which the vast majority of reactions were 
observed were 600 and 1500 m for fixed wing aircraft and helicopters, 
respectively. Many individual ringed seals within these distances; 
however, did not react (Born et al. 1999). Results indicated ~6% and 
~49% of total seals observed reacted to fixed wing aircraft and 
helicopters, respectively, by entering the water when aircraft were 
flown over ice at altitudes similar to those proposed for Shell's ice 
overflight surveys as described in the Description of the Specific 
Activity section. These lateral distances and reaction probabilities 
were used as guidelines for estimating the area of sea ice habitat 
within which hauled out seals may be disturbed by aircraft and the 
number of seals that might react. Born et al. 1999, also was used as a 
guideline in a similar fashion for estimating the numbers of seals that 
would react to helicopters during US Fish and Wildlife Service polar 
bear tagging in 2011 and 2012, in which an IHA was issued by NMFS (NMFS 
2011).
    Table 2 summarizes potential disturbance radii, maximum flight 
distances, and potential disturbance areas for seals from fixed wing 
aircraft and helicopters during Shell's proposed ice overflights 
program in winter (November through April) and spring (May through 
early July). Based on maximum flight distances and potential 
disturbance radii of 600 and 1500 m for fixed wing aircraft and 
helicopters, respectively, a total of 11,112 km\2\ (of sea ice could be 
disturbed. Based on Born et al.'s (1999) observations, however, it is 
estimated that only ~6 and ~49% of seals in these areas will exhibit a 
notable reaction to fixed wing aircraft and helicopters, respectively, 
by entering the water. Approximately 60% of this total area would be 
surveyed in winter and the remaining 40% would be surveyed during 
spring.

 Table 2--Potential Disturbance Radii, Maximum Flight Distances Over Open Water, and Potential Disturbance Areas
   for Seals in Open Water From Fixed Wing Aircraft and Helicopters in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, Alaska,
                           During the Proposed 2015-2016 Ice Overflight Survey Program
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Maximum flight distance (km)     Potential disturbance area
                                     Potential   --------------------------------              (km2)
            Aircraft                disturbance                                  -------------------------------
                                    radius (km)       Winter          Spring          Winter          Spring
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fixed Wing......................             0.6           4,630           2,778           5,557           3,335
Helicopter......................             1.5             370             370           1,110           1,110
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Grand Totals................  ..............           5,000           3,148           6,667           4,445
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 34382]]

Potential Number of ``Takes by Harassment''

    This subsection provides estimates of the number of individual ice 
seals that could potentially be harassed by aircraft during Shell's 
proposed ice overflights. The estimates are based on a consideration of 
the proposed flight distances, proximity of seals to the aircraft 
trackline, and the proportion of ice seals present that might actually 
be disturbed appreciably (i.e. moving from the ice into the water) by 
flight operations in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas and the anticipated 
area that could be subjected to disturbance from overflights.
    The number of individuals of each ice seal species potentially 
disturbed by fixed wing aircraft or helicopters was estimated by 
multiplying:
     The potential disturbance area from each aircraft (fixed 
wing and helicopter) for each season (winter and spring), by
     The expected seal density in each season, and by
     The expected proportion of seals expected to react to each 
type of aircraft in a way that could be interpreted as disturbance.
    The numbers of individuals potentially disturbed were then summed 
for each species across the two seasons.
    Estimates of the average number of individual seals that may be 
disturbed are shown by season in Table 3. The estimates shown represent 
proportions of the total number of seals encountered that may actually 
demonstrate a disturbance reaction to each type of aircraft. Estimates 
shown in Table 3 were based on Born et al. 1999, which assumed that ~6 
and ~49% of seals would react within lateral distances of 600 and 1,500 
m of fixed wing aircraft and helicopters, respectively.
    Ringed seal is by far the most abundant species expected to be 
encountered during the planned ice overflights. The best (average) 
estimate of the numbers of ringed seals potentially disturbed during 
ice overflights is 793 individuals, which represents only a small 
proportion of the estimated population of ringed seals in the Chukchi 
and Beaufort Seas. Fewer individuals of other pinniped species are 
estimated to be encountered during ice overflights, also representing 
very small proportions of their populations.

  Table 3--The Total Number of Potential Exposures of Marine Mammals During the Shell's Proposed Ice Overflight
   Surveys in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, Alaska, 2015-2016. Estimates Are Also Shown as a Percent of Each
                                                   Population
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Number potential       % estimated
                       Species                             Abundance           exposure           population
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bearded seal........................................             155,000                  11               0.007
Ribbon seal.........................................              49,000                   1               0.002
Ringed seal.........................................             300,000                 793               0.264
Spotted seal........................................             141,479                   7               0.005
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Analysis and Determinations

Negligible Impact

    Negligible impact is ``an impact resulting from the specified 
activity that cannot be reasonably expected to, and is not reasonably 
likely to, adversely affect the species or stock through effects on 
annual rates of recruitment or survival'' (50 CFR 216.103). A 
negligible impact finding is based on the lack of likely adverse 
effects on annual rates of recruitment or survival (i.e., population-
level effects). An estimate of the number of Level B harassment takes, 
alone, is not enough information on which to base an impact 
determination. In addition to considering estimates of the number of 
marine mammals that might be ``taken'' through behavioral harassment, 
NMFS must consider other factors, such as the likely nature of any 
responses (their intensity, duration, etc.), the context of any 
responses (critical reproductive time or location, migration, etc.), as 
well as the number and nature of estimated Level A harassment takes, 
the number of estimated mortalities, effects on habitat, and the status 
of the species. To avoid repetition, the discussion of our analyses 
applies to all the species listed in Table 1, given that the 
anticipated effects of this project on different marine mammal species 
are expected to be relatively similar in nature. Additionally, there is 
no information about the size, status, or structure of any species or 
stock that would lead to a different analysis for this activity.
    No injuries or mortalities are anticipated to occur as a result of 
Shell's proposed ice overflight surveys in the Beaufort and Chukchi 
Seas, and none are authorized. Additionally, animals in the area are 
not expected to incur hearing impairment (i.e., TTS or PTS) or non-
auditory physiological effects. Instead, any impact that could result 
from Shell's activities is most likely to be behavioral harassment of 
brief duration as the aircraft flies by. Although it is possible that 
some individuals may be exposed to sounds from aircraft overflight more 
than once, during the migratory periods it is less likely that this 
will occur since animals will continue to move across the Chukchi Sea 
towards their wintering grounds.
    Aircraft noises are heard underwater only within a very limited 
area within a 26 degree cone and their intensities are expected to 
diminish exponentially away from directly under the fly path. 
Therefore, cetaceans are not expected to be affected.
    Of the four pinniped species likely to occur in the proposed ice 
overflight survey area, only the Artic stock of ringed seal is listed 
as threatened under the ESA. This species is also designated as 
``depleted'' under the MMPA. On July 25, 2014 the U.S. District Court 
for the District of Alaska vacated the rule listing to the Beringia 
bearded seal DPS and remanded the rule to NMFS to correct the 
deficiencies identified in the opinion. None of the other species that 
may occur in the project area is listed as threatened or endangered 
under the ESA or designated as depleted under the MMPA. There is 
currently no established critical habitat in the proposed project area 
for any of these pinniped species.
    Potential impacts to marine mammal habitat were discussed 
previously in this document (see the ``Anticipated Effects on Habitat'' 
section). Although some disturbance is possible to food sources of 
marine mammals, the impacts are anticipated to be minor. Based on the 
vast size of the Arctic Ocean where feeding by marine mammals occurs 
versus the localized area of the ice overflight surveys, any missed 
feeding opportunities in the direct project area would be of little 
consequence, as marine mammals

[[Page 34383]]

would have access to other feeding grounds.
    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 finds that the total marine mammal take from 
Shell's proposed 2015 ice overflight surveys in the Chukchi and 
Beaufort Seas will have a negligible impact on the affected marine 
mammal species or stocks.

Small Numbers

    The estimated takes proposed to be authorized represent less than 
0.3% of the affected population or stock for all species in the survey 
area. Based on this, NMFS finds that small numbers of marine mammals 
will be taken relative to the populations of the affected species or 
stocks.

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

Potential Impacts to Subsistence Uses

    NMFS has defined ``unmitigable adverse impact'' in 50 CFR 216.103 
as: ``an impact resulting from the specified activity: (1) That is 
likely to reduce the availability of the species to a level 
insufficient for a harvest to meet subsistence needs by: (i) Causing 
the marine mammals to abandon or avoid hunting areas; (ii) Directly 
displacing subsistence users; or (iii) Placing physical barriers 
between the marine mammals and the subsistence hunters; and (2) That 
cannot be sufficiently mitigated by other measures to increase the 
availability of marine mammals to allow subsistence needs to be met.
    Subsistence hunting continues to be an essential aspect of Inupiat 
Native life, especially in rural coastal villages. The Inupiat 
participate in subsistence hunting activities in and around the 
Beaufort and Chukchi Seas. The animals taken for subsistence provide a 
significant portion of the food that will last the community through 
the year. Marine mammals represent on the order of 60-80% of the total 
subsistence harvest. Along with the nourishment necessary for survival, 
the subsistence activities strengthen bonds within the culture, provide 
a means for educating the younger generation, provide supplies for 
artistic expression, and allow for important celebratory events.

Bowhead Whale

    Activities associated with Shell's planned ice overflight survey 
program are not likely to have an unmitigable adverse impact on the 
availability of bowhead whales for taking for subsistence uses. Ice 
overflight surveys that may occur near Point Lay, Wainwright, Barrow, 
Nuiqsut, and Kaktovik would traverse bowhead subsistence areas. The 
most commonly observed reactions of bowheads to aircraft traffic are 
hasty dives, but changes in orientation, dispersal, and changes in 
activity are sometimes noted. Such reactions could potentially affect 
subsistence hunts if the flights occurred near and at the same time as 
the hunt. Most flights will take place after the fall and prior to 
spring bowhead whale hunting from the villages. Shell will implement a 
number of mitigation measures to avoid such impacts. These mitigation 
measures include minimum flight altitudes, use of Village Community 
Liaison Officers (CLOs), Subsistence Advisors (SAs), and Communication 
Centers in order to avoid conflicts with subsistence activities. SA 
calls will be held while subsistence activities are underway during the 
ice overflight survey program and are attended by operations staff, 
logistics staff, and CLOs. Aircraft flights are adjusted as needed and 
planned in a manner that avoids potential impacts to bowhead whale 
hunts and other subsistence activities.

Beluga Whale

    Activities associated with Shell's planned ice overflight survey 
program will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability 
of beluga whales for taking for subsistence uses.
    Ice overflight surveys may occur near Point Lay, Wainwright, 
Barrow, Nuiqsut, and Kaktovik would and traverse beluga whale hunt 
subsistence areas. Most flights would take place when belugas are not 
typically harvested. Survey activities could potentially affect 
subsistence hunts if the flights occurred near and at the same time as 
the hunt. Shell has developed mitigation measures to avoid any such 
impacts. These mitigation measures include minimum flight altitudes, 
use of CLOs, SAs, and Communication Centers. SA calls will be held 
while subsistence activities are underway during the ice overflight 
survey program and are attended by operations staff, logistics staff, 
and CLOs. Aircraft flights are adjusted as needed and planned in a 
manner that avoids any potential impacts to beluga whale hunts and 
other subsistence activities.

Seals

    Seals are an important subsistence resource with ringed and bearded 
seals making up the bulk of the seal harvest. The survey areas are far 
outside of areas reportedly utilized for the harvest of seals by the 
villages of Point Hope, thus the ice overflight surveys will not have 
an un-mitigable adverse impact on the availability of ice seals for 
taking for subsistence uses. The survey areas encompass some areas 
utilized by residents of Point Lay, Wainwright, Barrow, Nuiqsut and 
Kaktovik for the harvest of seals. Most ringed and bearded seals are 
harvested in the winter and a harvest of seals could possibly be 
affected by Shell's planned activities. Spotted seals are harvested 
during the summer and may overlap briefly with Shell's planned 
activities. Most seals are harvested in coastal waters, with available 
maps of recent and past subsistence use areas indicating that seal 
harvests have occurred only within 30-40 mi (48-64 km) off the 
coastline. Some of the planned ice overflight surveys would take place 
in areas used by the village residents for the harvest of seals. The 
survey aircraft could potentially travel over areas used by residents 
for seal hunting and could potentially disturb seals and, therefore, 
subsistence hunts for seals. Any such effects from the survey 
activities would be minimal due to the infrequency of the planned 
surveys. Shell will implement a number of mitigation measures which 
include a proposed 4MP, use of CLOs, SAs, operation of Communication 
Centers, and minimum altitude requirements. SA calls will be held while 
subsistence activities are underway during the ice overflight survey 
program and are attended by operations staff, logistics staff, and 
CLO's. Aircraft movements and activities are adjusted as needed and 
planned in a manner that avoids potential impacts to subsistence 
activities. With these mitigation measures any effects on ringed, 
bearded, and spotted seals as subsistence resources, or effects on 
subsistence hunts for seals, would be minimal.

Plan of Cooperation or Measures To Minimize Impacts to Subsistence 
Hunts

    Regulations at 50 CFR 216.104(a)(12) require IHA applicants for 
activities that take place in Arctic waters to provide a Plan of 
Cooperation (POC) or information that identifies what measures have 
been taken and/or will be taken to minimize adverse effects on the 
availability of marine mammals for subsistence purposes.
    Shell has prepared a POC in accordance with NMFS' regulations. The 
POC relies upon the Chukchi Sea Communication Plans to identify the 
measures that Shell has developed in consultation with North Slope

[[Page 34384]]

subsistence communities and will implement during its planned 2015/2016 
ice overflight surveys to minimize any adverse effects on the 
availability of marine mammals for subsistence uses. In addition, the 
POC details Shell's communications and consultations with local 
subsistence communities concerning its planned 2015/2016 program, 
potential conflicts with subsistence activities, and means of resolving 
any such conflicts (50 CFR 216.104(a) (12) (i), (ii), and (iv)). The 
POC identifies and documents potential conflicts and associated 
measures that will be taken to minimize any adverse effects on the 
availability of marine mammals for subsistence use.
    Meetings between Shell and villages were held in Barrow and Point 
Lay in early November 2014 and in other villages in early 2015. 
Throughout 2015 and 2016 Shell anticipates continued engagement with 
the marine mammal commissions and committees active in the subsistence 
harvests and marine mammal research.
    Following the 2015/2016 season, Shell intends to have a post-season 
co-management meeting with the commissioners and committee heads to 
discuss results of mitigation measures and outcomes of the preceding 
season. The goal of the post-season meeting is to build upon the 
knowledge base, discuss successful or unsuccessful outcomes of 
mitigation measures, and possibly refine plans or mitigation measures 
if necessary.
    In addition to the POC, the following subsistence mitigation 
measures will be implemented for Shell's ice overflight surveys and are 
required in the IHA issued to Shell.
(1) Communications
     Shell has developed a Communication Plan and will 
implement this plan before initiating ice overflight survey operations 
to coordinate activities with local subsistence users, as well as 
Village Whaling Captains' Associations, to minimize the risk of 
interfering with subsistence hunting activities, and keep current as to 
the timing and status of the bowhead whale hunt and other subsistence 
hunts.
     Shell will employ local CLOs and/or SAs from the Chukchi 
Sea villages that are potentially impacted by Shell's ice overflight 
surveys. The CLOs and SAs will provide consultation and guidance 
regarding the whale migration and subsistence activities. There will be 
one per village. The CLO and/or SA will use local knowledge 
(Traditional Knowledge) to gather data on the subsistence lifestyle 
within the community and provide advice on ways to minimize and 
mitigate potential negative impacts to subsistence resources during the 
survey season. Responsibilities include reporting any subsistence 
concerns or conflicts; coordinating with subsistence users; reporting 
subsistence-related comments, concerns, and information; and advising 
how to avoid subsistence conflicts.
(2) Aircraft Travel
     The aircraft will maintain a 1 mi (1.6 km) radius when 
flying over areas where seals appear to be concentrated in groups of >= 
5 individuals.
     The aircraft will not land on ice within 1,400 m of hauled 
out pinnipeds.
     The aircraft will avoid flying over polynyas and along 
adjacent ice margins as much as possible to minimize potential 
disturbance to cetaceans.
     Aircraft shall not operate below 1,500 ft (457 m) in areas 
of active whale hunting; such areas to be identified through 
communications with the Com Centers and SAs.
     Shell will routinely engage with local communities and 
subsistence groups to ensure no disturbance of whaling or other 
subsistence activities.

Unmitigable Adverse Impact Analysis and Determination

    Based on the description of the specified activity, the measures 
described to minimize adverse effects on the availability of marine 
mammals for subsistence purposes, and the mitigation and monitoring 
measures, NMFS has determined that there will not be an unmitigable 
adverse impact on subsistence uses from Shell's proposed activities.

Endangered Species Act (ESA)

    There are two marine mammal species listed as endangered under the 
ESA with confirmed or possible occurrence in the proposed project area: 
the bowhead whale and ringed seal. NMFS' Permits and Conservation 
Division initiated consultation with NMFS' Endangered Species Division 
under section 7 of the ESA on the issuance of an IHA to Shell under 
section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA for this activity. On May 20, 2015, 
NMFS issued a Biological Opinion, and concluded that the issuance of 
the IHA associated with Shell's 2015/2016 ice overflight surveys in the 
Beaufort and Chukchi Seas are not likely to jeopardize the continued 
existence of the threatened ringed seal and will have no effect on 
bowhead whale. No critical habitat has been designated for this 
species, therefore it will be affected.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

    NMFS prepared an EA that includes an analysis of potential 
environmental effects associated with NMFS' issuance of an IHA to Shell 
to take marine mammals incidental to conducting ice overflight surveys 
in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas, Alaska. NMFS has finalized the EA and 
prepared a FONSI for this action. Therefore, preparation of an 
Environmental Impact Statement is not necessary. NMFS' draft EA was 
available to the public for a 30-day comment period before it was 
finalized.

Authorization

    As a result of these determinations, NMFS has issued an IHA to 
Shell for the take of marine mammals, by Level B harassment, incidental 
to conducting ice overflight surveys in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas 
in 2015/2016, provided the previously mentioned mitigation, monitoring, 
and reporting requirements are incorporated.

    Dated: June 10, 2015.
Donna S. Wieting,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-14702 Filed 6-15-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P