Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Seabird and Shorebird Monitoring and Research at the Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Massachusetts, 3738-3751 [2017-00540]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 8 (Thursday, January 12, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3738-3751]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-00540]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF101


Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; 
Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Seabird and Shorebird Monitoring 
and Research at the Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge 
Complex, Massachusetts

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

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

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SUMMARY: NMFS has received an application from the Eastern 
Massachusetts (MA) National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex, U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service (USFWS), for an Incidental Harassment 
Authorization (IHA) to take marine mammals, by harassment incidental to 
conducting seabird and shorebird monitoring and research in the Eastern 
MA NWR Complex (Complex). The proposed dates for this action would be 
April 1, 2017 through March 31, 2018. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal 
Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to 
issue an IHA to the USFWS to incidentally take, by Level B harassment 
only, marine mammals during the specified activity.

DATES: NMFS must receive comments and information on or before February 
13, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the application should be addressed to Jolie 
Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, 
Silver Spring, MD 20910. The mailbox address for providing email 
comments is ITP.McCue@noaa.gov. Comments sent via email to 
ITP.McCue@noaa.gov, including all attachments, must not exceed a 25-
megabyte file size. NMFS is not responsible for comments sent to 
addresses other than the one provided here.
    Instructions: All comments received are a part of the public record 
and NMFS will post them to www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental/research.htm without change. All personal identifying information (for 
example, name, address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter 
may be publicly accessible. Do not submit confidential business 
information or otherwise sensitive or protected information.
    An electronic copy of the application may be obtained by writing to 
the address specified above, telephoning the contact listed below (see 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT), or online at: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental/research.htm.
    The Environmental Assessment (EA) specific to conducting seabird 
and shorebird monitoring and research is also available at the same 
internet address. Information in the EA and this notice collectively 
provide the environmental information related to the proposed issuance 
of the IHA for public review and comment. The public may also view 
documents cited in this notice, by appointment, during regular business 
hours, at the aforementioned address.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA of 1972, as amended (MMPA; 16 
U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) directs the Secretary of Commerce to allow, upon 
request, the incidental, but not intentional, taking of small numbers 
of marine mammals of a species or population stock, 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

[[Page 3739]]

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.''

Summary of Request

    On March 16, 2016, NMFS received an application from the USFWS for 
the taking of marine mammals incidental to seabird and shorebird 
monitoring and research activities within the Complex. NMFS received 
updated applications on September 14 and December 16, 2016 with updated 
take numbers and mitigation measures. NMFS determined the application 
complete and adequate on December 29, 2016.
    The USFWS proposes to conduct seabird and shorebird monitoring and 
research at several locations within the Complex over a varying number 
of days for each project. This authorization, if issued, would be valid 
from one year, beginning on April 1, 2017. The following specific 
aspects of the proposed activities would likely to result in the take 
of marine mammals: (1) Vessel landings; (2) research activities (e.g., 
cannon nets, sign installation); and (3) human presence. Thus, NMFS 
anticipates that take, by Level B harassment only, of gray seals 
(Halichoerus grypus grypus) and harbor seals (Phoca vitulina concolor) 
could result from the specified activity.

Description of the Specified Activity

Overview
    The USFWS would like to conduct biological tasks for refuge 
purposes at Monomoy NWR, Nantucket NWR, and Nomans Land Island NWR in 
MA. These three refuges are managed through the Complex as part of the 
NWR System of the USFWS. Complex staff census and monitor the presence 
and productivity of breeding and migrating shorebirds using the beaches 
of Monomoy, Nantucket, and Nomans Land Island NWRs for nesting from 
April 1-November 30, annually. Monitoring activities occur daily (on 
Monomoy and Nantucket) from April-August and is necessary to document 
the productivity (number of chicks fledged per pair) and population of 
protected shorebird and seabird species. Monomoy NWR also participates 
in several less frequent, but equally important, high priority 
conservation tasks to monitor for threatened and endangered species, 
including censusing northeastern beach tiger beetles (Cicindela 
dorsalis) and participating in a red knot (Calidris canutus) migration 
study during southward migration. Additionally, both Monomoy and 
Nantucket NWRs serve as vital staging grounds for migrating roseate 
terns (Sterna dougallii), where USFWS staff resight and stage counts.
Dates and Duration
    The USFWS proposes to conduct the research activities at various 
times for each project from April 1 through November 30, 2017. Due to 
scheduling, time, tide constraints, and favorable weather/ocean 
conditions, the exact survey dates and durations are variable. The 
proposed IHA, if issued, would be effective from April 1, 2017 through 
March 31, 2018. NMFS refers the reader to the Detailed Description of 
Activities section later in this notice for more information on the 
scope of the proposed activities.
Specified Geographic Region
    The Complex is made up of eight refuges, including its three 
coastal refuges: Monomoy NWR, Nantucket NWR, and Nomans NWR. The three 
main activity sites are NWRs managed by the USFWS and are islands 
located off the coast of Cape Cod, MA. Although Monomoy NWR consists of 
three managed barrier islands, pinnipeds are only disturbed while 
carrying out biological activities on the Atlantic side of South 
Monomoy Island where gray seals primarily haul out. Therefore, 
activities mentioned at Monomoy NWR will only refer to South Monomoy 
Island. While biological tasks performed at these three refuges differ 
in some regard, all activities are necessary to carry out high priority 
conservation work for threatened and endangered species. Each activity 
location is described below.
    1. Monomoy NWR (N. 41.590348, -69.987432): This site refers to the 
Atlantic side of South Monomoy Island at Monomoy NWR. Seals use most of 
the ocean-facing beach of this island as a haul-out site. See Figure 1 
of the USFWS's application.
    2. Nantucket NWR (N. 41.391754, W. -70.050568): This site refers to 
Nantucket NWR located on the northeast tip of Nantucket Island. The 
point itself is the primary haul-out site for this location. See Figure 
2 of the USFWS's application.
    3. Nomans NWR (N. 41.264267, W. -70.812228): This site refers to 
Nomans Land Island NWR located off the coast of Martha's Vineyard. 
Seals here haul-out on the northeast peninsula, and sporadically along 
the northern shoreline. The rocks around the island are sometimes 
utilized as well. See Figure 3 of the USFWS's application.
    4. Cape Cod National Seashore nearby beaches (see Figure 4 of the 
USFWS's application):
    A. Coast Guard Beach (N. 41.842333, W. -69.943834): This site 
refers to one of the beaches located at the Cape Cod National Seashore 
in Eastham, MA. The seals here haul-out on the J-bars that form on the 
beach.
    B. North Beach Island (N. 41.669441, W. -69.942765): This site 
refers to an island located at the Cape Cod National Seashore in 
Chatham, MA. The seals here haul-out on the sandbars on the southwest 
end of the island.
    C. High Head (N. 42.066108, W. -70.111318): This site refers to a 
beach located at the Cape Cod National Seashore in Truro, MA.
    D. Jeremy Point (N. 41.884300, W. -70.069532): This site refers to 
Jeremy Point located on the Cape Cod bayside at the Cape Cod National 
Seashore in Wellfleet, MA. The seals here haul-out on the sand flats in 
the waters around the point.
    E. Provincetown Harbor (N. 42.022342, W. -70.178662): This site 
refers to the west end of the harbor in Provincetown. This is a new 
haul-out as of fall 2015 and has only been observed a few times by the 
Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) (L. Sette, CCS, personal 
communication 2016).
Detailed Description of Activities
    A description of each activity, based on location, is presented 
below. A summary of this information can also be found in Table 1.
1. Shorebird and Seabird Nest Monitoring and Research
Monomoy NWR
    On January 10, 1986, the Service listed the Atlantic Coast 
population of piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) as threatened under 
the provisions of the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973. 
Currently, Monomoy NWR serves as a nesting site for six percent of the 
breeding piping plover pairs in MA. Therefore, management and 
protection of the piping plover is one of the priority programs for the 
refuge. Many other avian species benefit from piping plover management, 
including the state-listed species of concern least tern (Sternula 
antillarum) and American oystercatcher (Haematopus palliates). Monomoy 
NWR has a great responsibility to follow the guidelines provided for 
management in the revised 1996 recovery plan for the species (USFWS 
1996). The primary objective of the recovery program is to remove the 
Atlantic Coast piping plover population from the List of Endangered and

[[Page 3740]]

Threatened Wildlife and Plants by: (1) Achieving well-distributed 
increases in numbers and productivity of breeding pairs, and (2) 
providing for long-term protection of breeding and wintering plovers 
and their habitat. Actions needed to achieve these objectives include: 
(1) Manage breeding piping plovers and habitat to maximize survival and 
productivity, (2) monitor and manage wintering and migration areas to 
maximize survival and recruitment into the breeding population, (3) 
undertake scientific investigations that will facilitate recovery 
efforts, and (4) develop and implement public information and education 
programs, and (5) review progress towards recovery annually and revise 
recovery efforts as appropriate (USFWS 1996).
    The piping plover recovery efforts at the Complex correspond 
closely to management recommendations in the Piping Plover Recovery 
Plan. In order to monitor the productivity (number of chicks fledged 
per pair) of piping plovers at Monomoy NWR, it is necessary to identify 
suitable nesting habitat for the species. At Monomoy, piping plovers 
generally select areas that are sandy with some cobble on the beach 
face and occasionally nest in dense vegetation or behind primary dunes. 
The same can be said for least terns and American oystercatcher pairs 
which also nest on South Monomoy Island. These nesting areas are 
adjacent to known gray seal haul-out sites.
    Piping plovers begin returning to their Atlantic Coast nesting 
beaches in mid-March. The first nest is generally laid in mid-April and 
eggs will continue to be present on the beach until late July. During 
this time, nests are located by USFWS staff by looking for a number of 
signs; continuous presence of adult birds, courtship and territorial 
behavior in a certain area, large concentrations of tracks, and scrapes 
(nests or nest attempts). Methods for finding nests include waiting for 
a disturbed bird to return to its nest or covering probable nesting 
areas by searching the ground for signs of scrapes and zig-zagging the 
whole area to make sure the entire habitat is covered. Methods for 
finding nests can sometimes lead to seal disturbance. Nests are visited 
4-5 times a week and confirmation of adult presence and incubation is 
confirmed at a distance when possible to prevent disturbance. Nests 
hatch after 28 days of incubation and chicks will remain with one or 
both parents until they fledge at 25-35 days of age. Depending on the 
date of hatching, flightless chicks may be present on refuge beaches 
from mid-May until late August. Chicks are monitored until they fledge 
and may move hundreds of yards from the nest site to feed. Feeding 
areas include intertidal areas along the ocean and sound sides of South 
Monomoy Island as well as washover areas.
    Similar activities are performed when searching and monitoring 
American oystercatchers nests and broods. No American oystercatcher 
pairs nested near seal haul out sites in 2015, but have nested on the 
ocean side of South Monomoy Island in previous years. In 2001, the 
American oystercatcher was warranted special attention from the U.S. 
Shorebird Conservation Plan after the population severely declined to 
under 11,000 individuals. Monomoy NWR has the largest concentration of 
nesting American oystercatchers on Cape Cod and nesting success at this 
site is important to the survival of the species. The nesting season 
occurs from the end of April until mid-August. Monomoy NWR also serves 
as an important staging site for resting migrants, and bands are often 
read and reported to the American Oystercatcher Working Group. Staging 
American oystercatcher will sometimes roost near seal haul-out sites.
    Least terns nest in small groups around South Monomoy Island. 
Productivity is not measured throughout the season, but nesting pairs 
are censused during a 2-3 day period in mid-June. Least terns are 
censused using the line-sweep method throughout the extent of the 
nesting colonies and checked by staff weekly to gauge productivity.
    USFWS staff install symbolic fencing (sign posts with ``area 
closed'' and ``beach closed'' informational signs) around nest sites of 
piping plovers, American oystercatchers, and least terns to inform the 
public about the bird's presence and protect critical habitat from 
human disturbance. These areas are adjacent to known seal haul out 
sites and are regularly monitored throughout the season.
Nantucket NWR
    Similar biological activities are carried out on Nantucket NWR as 
Monomoy NWR. Piping plover, least tern, and American oystercatcher are 
known species to use Nantucket NWR and nearby lands for nesting from 
the end of April until mid-August. Beach nesting birds are monitored 
following similar methods and protocols as Monomoy NWR and areas of 
nesting are posted with closed signs. Signs are placed at least 150 
feet from known seal haul-out areas on Nantucket NWR, which 
predominately occurs at the north tip of the Refuge. These posts help 
protect those areas from public disturbance. Nesting beach birds 
generally do not nest within the closed area for seals, but instead 
nest adjacent to the haul outs. If need be, staff will briefly enter 
the closed area to check nests, but otherwise stay outside of the 
closed area, greater than 150 feet from seal haul outs. Seabirds and 
shorebirds do not nest on the Complex every year; in 2015, no beach 
birds nested on Nantucket NWR.
Nomans Land Island NWR
    Nomans NWR is closed to the public and is only visited 1-3 times a 
year by USFWS staff. During these visits, the presence of shorebirds 
and seabirds are noted for record. Shorebirds and seabirds are 
inventoried by scoping suitable nesting and feeding habitat on the 
island. The greatest potential for marine mammal disturbance occurs in 
safe boat landing zones, because these areas often overlap with hauled 
out seals. Every precautionary measure is taken to reduce disturbance 
to seals on Nomans Land Island NWR, but staff will land a boat or walk 
within 50 yards (yd) of seal haul outs if safety reasons prevail. A 25 
foot Parker is used to travel to and from Nomans NWR.
2. Roseate Tern Staging Counts and Resighting
Monomoy NWR
    On November 2, 1987, the Service listed the northeastern breeding 
population of the roseate terns as federally endangered. Monomoy NWR 
serves as an important nesting and staging site for the species. 
Monomoy NWR has a great responsibility to follow the guidelines 
provided for management in the Roseate Tern Recovery Plan for the 
Northeast population (USFWS 1998). The primary objective of the roseate 
tern recovery program is to promote an increase in breeding population 
size, distribution, and productivity so as to warrant reclassification 
to threatened status and eventual delisting. Actions needed to attain 
this objective include: (1) Oversee breeding roseate terns and their 
habitat to help increase survival and productivity including the 
physical maintenance, expansion, and enhancement of nesting habitat; 
(2) develop a management plan for monitoring wintering and migration 
areas; (3) secure unprotected sites through acquisition and easements; 
(4) develop outreach materials and implement education programs; (5) 
conduct scientific investigations that will facilitate recovery 
efforts; (6) review progress of recovery annually and revise

[[Page 3741]]

recovery efforts as needed (USFWS 1998). While breeding roseate terns 
prefer nesting habitat far from seal haul out sites, migrating terns 
use areas adjacent to the beach edge. Cape Cod and the surrounding 
islands as a whole serves as an important staging ground for common 
terns (Sterna hirundo) and roseate terns. In fact, the entire northeast 
population of roseate terns stage in this area prior to migrating to 
Central and South America. The USFWS conduct staging tern counts to 
document the importance of Monomoy NWR relative to other sites and to 
record changes in use over time by gathering baseline data on the 
numbers of roseate terns staging on the Complex and adjacent beaches as 
well as the causes and duration of disturbances to staging terns. This 
is in compliance with the recovery plan to conduct scientific 
investigations that will facilitate recovery efforts (USFWS 1998).
    In August, USFWS staff traverse areas of suitable staging habitat, 
including sand flats and open sand beaches, and make quick estimates of 
the number of staging terns. The terns are counted using binoculars and 
spotting scopes from a distance that does not disturb the birds. Color 
bands, field readable bands, and any tagged or banded birds are 
identified for reporting purposes. Observations on behavior and 
disturbance are also documented. Depending on the size of the flock, 
these surveys can last anywhere between one to three hours.
Nantucket NWR
    Staging tern counts are carried out on Nantucket NWR following 
similar methods and protocols mentioned for Monomoy NWR.
Nomans Land Island NWR
    Staging tern counts are not performed on Nomans NWR.
3. Red Knot Stopover Study
Monomoy NWR and Nearby Beaches in Chatham, Orleans, and Eastham
    On December 11, 2014, the USFWS listed the rufa subspecies of the 
red knot as Federally threatened under the ESA. As noted in the State 
of the Birds 2014 report, the knot's status is representative of the 
steep declines represented in shorebirds that migrate long distances 
(NABCI 2014). Threats to shorebirds have become more diverse and 
widespread in recent decades, requiring coordinated conservation 
efforts across their vast ranges. Protection of breeding, migration, 
and wintering habitat is critical to this species' recovery (Niles et 
al., 2008).
    Southeastern MA, Monomoy NWR and surrounding beaches in Chatham, 
Orleans, and Eastham in particular, likely provide one of the most 
important areas for adult and juvenile red knots during their southward 
migration (Koch and Paton 2009, Harrington et al., 2010a, Harrington et 
al., 2010b). Research has shown that this region supports red knots 
bound for different winter destinations, including red knots wintering 
as far south as Patagonia (Harrington et al., 2010b). Currently, there 
is little information on migration routes, and no information on 
wintering sites of juvenile red knots.
    The red know stop over study is not conducted on Nantucket NWR or 
Nomans NWR.
4. Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetle Census
    In August of 1990, the USFWS listed the northeastern beach tiger 
beetle as threatened under the ESA. Currently northeastern beach tiger 
beetle can be found at only two sites in MA: One on the south shore of 
Martha's Vineyard and one on South Monomoy Island and Nauset/South 
Beach in Chatham, MA (USFWS 1994, USFWS 2015). Searches on Monomoy in 
the 1980s failed to locate the northeastern beach tiger beetle, but the 
structure of the habitat seemed favorable, making Monomoy the leading 
candidate as an introduction site. The first beetle larvae transplant 
occurred in May 2000. Since 2004, tiger beetle larvae have not been 
transferred to Monomoy (USFWS 2015). However, through continued adult 
tiger beetle monitoring, the annual presence of tiger beetles has been 
documented on the refuge. Annual monitoring confirms successful 
survival and production of tiger beetles through all stages of life, 
and gives a firm indication of a new self-sustaining population at 
Monomoy NWR.
    Northeastern beach tiger beetle live their entire life on the 
beach, and prefer medium to medium-coarse sand. Adults occur on the 
beach from June through September and often congregate around the 
water's edge on warm days (USFWS 2011). On Monomoy NWR, the population 
occurs in habitat on the Atlantic side of South Monomoy Island on the 
water's edge and in the wrack line. Several index counts of the tiger 
beetle population are completed by USFWS staff during July and August 
each year. Counts are conducted by slowly walking the water's edge at a 
width of 2-3 people across and tallying adults seen on the surface of 
the beach until the extent of suitable habitat is covered.
    Northeastern beach tiger beetle surveys are not conducted on 
Nantucket NWR or Nomans Land Island NWR.
5. Coastal Shoreline Change Survey
    Since 2011, Monomoy has participated in a long-term coastal 
shoreline monitoring project in collaboration with Rutgers's University 
and the National Park Service (NPS) protocol. The annual shoreline 
surveys are conducted twice a year to gain a finer understanding of the 
rate of shoreline change and to provide baseline information for sea 
level rise. Two 1-day surveys are conducted at most sites, one in the 
spring and one in the fall. Surveys are only conducted in the fall at 
Monomoy NWR, typically between September and November, consequent to 
the large number of seals using the area in the spring. To document 
accurate data on shoreline change, a handheld Trimble device is used to 
GPS the neap high tide swash line around the ocean-facing extent of 
South Monomoy Island by walking the beach at a normal pace. The survey 
takes approximately one day to complete.
    Shoreline surveys are not conducted on Nantucket NWR or Nomans NWR.

                     Table 1--Site Location and Duration of the Five Projects in the Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge
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                                                                                             Site location and duration
              Activity                    Time of year     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Monomoy NWR           Nantucket NWR                        Nomans NWR
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Shorebird and Seabird Monitoring &   April-August.........  17 weeks, 2 days/      17 weeks*, 2 days/     1-3 days/year, ~1 hours/day.
 Research.                                                   week, 6-8 hours/day.   month, <1 hour/day.
Roseate Tern Staging Counts &        mid July-September...  3 weeks, 1-2 days/     6-8 weeks, 2 days/     N/A.
 Resighting.                                                 week, 1-3 hours/day.   month, 1-3 hours/day.

[[Page 3742]]

 
Red Knot Stopover Study............  August-October.......  Two trapping windows,  N/A..................  N/A.
                                                             5-10 days in
                                                             combination with
                                                             CACO beaches, 6-12
                                                             hours/day.
Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetle      July-September.......  1-3 days/year, 6-8     N/A..................  N/A.
 Census.                                                     hours/day.
Coastal Shoreline Change Survey....  September-October....  Once/year 8 hour day.  N/A..................  N/A.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Shorebird and Seabird Monitoring & Research on Nantucket is contingent on the presence of nesting beach birds. In 2015, no Shorebirds or seabirds
  nested on Nantucket NWR.

Sound Sources and Sound Characteristics

    NMFS does not expect that acoustic stimuli to result from human 
presence, and will therefore not have the potential to harass marine 
mammals, incidental to the conduct of the proposed activities. One 
activity (cannon nets) may have an acoustic component, but we believe 
take from this activity can be avoided.
    This section includes a brief explanation of the sound measurements 
frequently used in the discussions of acoustic effects in this notice. 
Sound pressure is the sound force per unit area, and is usually 
measured in micropascals ([mu]Pa), where 1 pascal (Pa) is the pressure 
resulting from a force of one newton exerted over an area of one square 
meter. Sound pressure level (SPL) is the ratio of a measured sound 
pressure and a reference level. The commonly used reference pressure is 
1 [mu]Pa for under water, and the units for SPLs are dB re: 1 [mu]Pa. 
The commonly used reference pressure is 20 [mu]Pa for in air, and the 
units for SPLs are dB re: 20 [mu]Pa.
    SPL (in decibels (dB)) = 20 log (pressure/reference pressure).
    SPL is an instantaneous measurement expressed as the peak, the 
peak-peak, or the root mean square (rms). Root mean square is the 
square root of the arithmetic average of the squared instantaneous 
pressure values. All references to SPL in this document refer to the 
root mean square unless otherwise noted. SPL does not take into account 
the duration of a sound.

Research Activities Sound Characteristics

    Activities that may have an acoustic component (e.g., cannon nets) 
are not expected to reach the thresholds for Level B harassment. Cannon 
nets could be an airborne source of noise, and have a measured SL of 
128 dB at one meter (m) (estimated based on a measurement of 98.4 dB at 
30 m; L. Niles, pers. comm., December 2016); however, the SPL is 
expected to be less than the thresholds for airborne pinniped 
disturbance (e.g. 90 dB for harbor seals, and 100 dB for all other 
pinnipeds) at 80 yd from the source. The USFWS proposes to stay at 
least 100 yd from all pinnipeds if cannon nets are to be used for 
research purposes.

Description of Marine Mammals in the Area of the Specified Activity

    Table 2 provides the following information: All marine mammal 
species with possible or confirmed occurrence in the proposed activity 
area; information on those species' regulatory status under the MMPA 
and the ESA of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.); abundance; occurrence and 
seasonality in the activity area. NMFS refers the public the draft 2016 
NMFS Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Report available online at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/ for further information on the biology and 
distribution of these species.

       Table 2--General Information on Marine Mammals That Could Potentially Haul Out on Northwest Seal Rock, November 2015 Through November 2016
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       Stock abundance
                                                                       (CV, Nmin, most
            Species                   Stock        Regulatory status   recent abundance                PBR                  Occurrence and seasonality
                                                        \1\ \2\          survey) \3\
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gray seal (Halichoerus grypus   Western North      MMPA--NC.........  505,000 (unk;      unk...........................  Year-round presence.
 grypus).                        Atlantic.         ESA--NL..........   unk; unk)*.
Harbor seal (Phoca vitulina     Western North      MMPA--NC.........  75,834 (0.15;      2,006.........................  Occasional.
 concolor).                      Atlantic.         ESA--NL..........   66,884; 2012).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ MMPA: D = Depleted, S = Strategic, NC = Not Classified.
\2\ ESA: EN = Endangered, T = Threatened, DL = Delisted, NL = Not listed.
\3\ 2016 draft NMFS Stock Assessment Reports: Carretta et al. (2016).
* The Western North Atlantic stock of gray seals is comprised of the Canadian and U.S. populations. The U.S. population abundance estimate is unknown,
  but the Canadian population abundance estimate is 505,000. The 2016 draft SAR states that the western North Atlantic stock is equivalent to the Canada
  population.

Gray Seal

    There are three major populations of gray seals found in the world; 
eastern Canada (western North Atlantic stock), northwestern Europe and 
the Baltic Sea. The gray seals that occur in the project area belong to 
the western North Atlantic Stock, which ranges from New Jersey to 
Labrador. Current estimates of the total western North Atlantic gray 
seal population are not available, although portions of stock have been

[[Page 3743]]

calculated for select time periods. Models estimate that the total 
minimum Canadian gray seal population is at 505,000 individuals (Waring 
et al., 2016). Present data are insufficient to calculate the minimum 
population estimate for U.S. waters; however, based on genetic analyses 
from the Canadian and U.S. populations, all individuals were placed 
into one population providing further evidence that this stock is one 
interbreeding population (Wood et al., 2011). Current population trends 
show that gray seal abundance is likely increasing in the U.S. Atlantic 
Exclusive Economic Zone (Waring et al., 2016). Although the rate of 
increase is unknown, surveys conducted since their arrival in the 1980s 
indicate a steady increase in abundance in both Maine and Massachusetts 
(Waring et al., 2016). It is believed that recolonization by Canadian 
gray seals is the source of the U.S. population (Waring et al., 2016). 
Gray seals are not listed under the ESA and the stock is not considered 
strategic or depleted under the MMPA.
    Monomoy NWR is the largest haul-out site for gray seals on the U.S. 
Atlantic seaboard, and one of only two consistent sites in 
Massachusetts (the other being Muskeget Island, west of Nantucket) 
where gray seals pup (USFWS 2015). Gray seals are known to use Monomoy 
NWR and Nantucket NWR land and water year round, with higher numbers 
accumulating during the winter and spring when pupping and molting 
occur. While gray seal pupping grounds are historically further north 
on Sable Island in Nova Scotia and in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in 
Canada, there has been a year-round breeding population on Cape Cod and 
the islands since the late 1990s (NOAA 2015a, USFWS 2015).
    Gray seals start to group up in fall and pupping generally occurs 
from mid-December to early February (USFWS 2015). Gray seal pupping on 
Monomoy NWR was limited in the past but has been increasing rapidly in 
recent years. By early spring, upwards of 19,000 gray seals can be 
found hauled out on Monomoy NWR (B. Josephson, NOAA, personal 
communication). While many of these seals use Monomoy NWR for breeding, 
others make their way to the refuge to molt. By late spring, gray seal 
abundance continues to taper until the fall.
    Gray seal pupping information for Nantucket NWR and Nomans Land 
Island NWR is limited, but evidence suggests that a small number of 
pups are born on the latter. Aerial images and evidence do not show 
that pups are born on Nantucket NWR, although speculations persist (S. 
Wood, NOAA, personal communication). Similar trends in distribution at 
Monomoy NWR occur at Nomans and Nantucket NWRs, but in significantly 
less numbers. Gray seals are most abundant at the activity sites from 
late fall until spring, and less frequent during the summer months when 
most activity is occurring. Raw counts of gray seal counts from 2015 
are summarized in Table 3.

 Table 3--Raw Count of the Maximum Number of Individual Gray Seals Using
     Monomoy NWR Lands and Surrounding Waters in 2015 Based on NOAA
                            Unpublished Data
              [B. Josephson, NOAA, personal communication]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Gray Seals
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 Month                              Raw count
------------------------------------------------------------------------
January................................  4435.
February...............................  6047.
March..................................  16764.
April..................................  18098.
May....................................  19166.
June...................................  8764.
July...................................  978.
August.................................  1206.
September..............................  658.
October................................  1113.
November...............................  2379.
December...............................  not calculated.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Harbor seal

    Harbor seals found on the project area are included in the Western 
North Atlantic Stock, which ranges from the Canadian Arctic to Southern 
New England and New York, and occasionally to the Carolinas (Waring et 
al., 2016). Based on available counts along the Maine coast in 2012, 
the minimum population estimate is 75,834 (Waring et al., 2016). Harbor 
seals are not listed under the ESA and the stock is not considered 
strategic or depleted under the MMPA.
    Harbor seals occur seasonally in the Complex, and generally arrive 
in early September and remain through May (Waring et al., 2016). 
Numbers of these seals increase slowly through this time period and 
then quickly drop off in March as they make their northward movement 
from southern New England to Maine and eastern Canada, where they breed 
in mid-May (USFWS 2015). Gray seals seem to be displacing harbor seals 
to some extent, but the two species will haul out together, with gray 
seals occupying the upper beach and harbor seals staying closer to the 
water (D. Waring, personal communication). Pupping generally occurs 
between mid- May through June off the coast of Maine; however recent 
evidence suggests that some pupping may occur as far south as Manomet, 
MA, but does not occur in the project area.
    It is unclear how many harbor seals use the Complex. Harbor seals 
are seen infrequently and only occur seasonally. USFWS staff estimate 
that of all of the seals they observe in the Complex, approximately 
five percent are harbor seals.

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

    This section includes a summary and discussion of the ways that 
components (e.g., personnel presence) of the specified activity, 
including mitigation, may impact marine mammals and their habitat. The 
Estimated Take by Incidental Harassment section later in this document 
will include a quantitative analysis of the number of individuals that 
are expected to be taken during this activity. The Negligible Impact 
Analysis section will include the analysis of how this specific 
activity would impact marine mammals and will consider the content of 
this section, the Estimated Take by Incidental Harassment section, and 
the Proposed Mitigation section to draw conclusions regarding the 
likely impacts of this activity on the reproductive success or 
survivorship of individuals and from that consideration, the likely 
impacts of this activity on the affected marine mammal populations or 
stocks.
    Acoustic and visual stimuli generated by: (1) Vessel landings; (2) 
research activities (e.g., cannon nets, sign installation) and (3) 
human presence may have the potential to cause behavioral disturbance 
of pinnipeds.

Vessel Presence and Noise

    Pinnipeds have the potential to be disturbed by underwater noise 
generated by the engine of the vessel (Born et al., 1999; Richardson et 
al., 1995). Data on underwater TTS-onset in pinnipeds exposed to pulses 
are limited to a single study which exposed two California sea lions to 
single underwater pulses from an arc-gap transducer and found no 
measurable TTS following exposures up to 183 dB re: 1 [micro]Pa (peak-
to-peak) (Finneran et al., 2003).
    Researchers have demonstrated temporary threshold shift (TTS) in 
certain captive odontocetes and pinnipeds exposed to strong sounds 
(reviewed in Southall et al., 2007). In 2004, researchers measured 
auditory fatigue to airborne sound in harbor seals, California sea 
lions, and Northern elephant seals after exposure to non-pulse noise 
for 25 minutes (Kastak et al.,

[[Page 3744]]

2004). In the study, the harbor seal experienced approximately six dB 
of TTS at 99 dB re: 20 [micro]Pa. The authors identified onset of TTS 
in the California sea lion at 122 dB re: 20 [micro]Pa. The northern 
elephant seal experienced TTS-onset at 121 dB re: 20 [micro]Pa (Kastak 
et al., 2004).
    As a general statement from the available information, pinnipeds 
exposed to intense (approximately 110 to 120 dB re: 20 [mu]Pa) non-
pulse sounds often leave haulout areas and seek refuge temporarily 
(minutes to a few hours) in the water (Southall et al., 2007).
    It is likely that the initial vessel approach would cause a subset, 
or all of the marine mammals hauled out to flush into the water. The 
physical presence of the vessel could also lead to non-auditory effects 
on marine mammals involving visual or other cues. Noise from the vessel 
would not be expected to cause direct physical effects but have the 
potential to affect behavior. The primary factor that may influence 
abrupt movements of animals is engine noise, specifically changes in 
engine noise. Responses by mammals could include hasty dives or turns, 
change in course, or flushing from a haul out site.
    If pinnipeds are present on Nomans NWR when the vessel approaches, 
it is likely that the vessel would cause some number of the pinnipeds 
to flush; however, the USFWS staff would approach in a slow and 
controlled manner, as far away as possible from haul outs to prevent or 
minimize flushing. Staff would also avoid or proceed cautiously when 
operating boats in the direct path of swimming seals that may be 
present in the area as far from hauled out seals as possible.

Human Presence

    The appearance of USFWS personnel may have the potential to cause 
Level B harassment of marine mammals hauled out on the beaches in the 
proposed action area. Disturbance includes a variety of effects, 
including subtle to conspicuous changes in behavior, movement, and 
displacement. Disturbance may result in reactions ranging from an 
animal simply becoming alert to the presence of the USFWS's staff 
(e.g., turning the head, assuming a more upright posture) to flushing 
from the haul out site into the water. NMFS does not consider the 
lesser reactions to constitute behavioral harassment, or Level B 
harassment takes, but rather assumes that pinnipeds that move greater 
than two body lengths to longer retreats over the beach, or if already 
moving, a change of direction of greater than 90 degrees in response to 
the presence of surveyors, or pinnipeds that flush into the water, are 
behaviorally harassed, and thus subject to Level B taking. NMFS uses a 
three-point scale (Table 4) to determine which disturbance reactions 
constitute take under the MMPA. Levels two and three (movement and 
flush) are considered take, whereas Level one (alert) is not.

  Table 4--Disturbance Scale of Pinniped Responses to in-air Sources To
                             Determine Take
------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Level            Type of  response             Definition
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1..................  Alert..................  Seal head orientation or
                                               brief movement in
                                               response to disturbance,
                                               which may include turning
                                               head towards the
                                               disturbance, craning head
                                               and neck while holding
                                               the body rigid in a u-
                                               shaped position, changing
                                               from a lying to a sitting
                                               position, or brief
                                               movement of less than
                                               twice the animal's body
                                               length.
2 *................  Movement...............  Movements in response to
                                               the source of
                                               disturbance, ranging from
                                               short withdrawals at
                                               least twice the animal's
                                               body length to longer
                                               retreats over the beach,
                                               or if already moving a
                                               change of direction of
                                               greater than 90 degrees.
3 *................  Flush..................  All retreats (flushes) to
                                               the water.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Only Levels 2 and 3 are considered take, whereas Level 1 is not.

    Reactions to human presence, if any, depend on species, state of 
maturity, experience, current activity, reproductive state, time of 
day, and many other factors (Richardson et al., 1995; Southall et al., 
2007; Weilgart, 2007). These behavioral reactions from marine mammals 
are often shown as: Changing durations of surfacing and dives, number 
of blows per surfacing, or moving direction and/or speed; reduced/
increased vocal activities; changing/cessation of certain behavioral 
activities (such as socializing or feeding); visible startle response 
or aggressive behavior; avoidance of areas; and/or flight responses 
(e.g., pinnipeds flushing into the water from haul-outs or rookeries). 
If a marine mammal does react briefly to human presence by changing its 
behavior or moving a small distance, the impacts of the change are 
unlikely to be significant to the individual, let alone the stock or 
population. However, if visual stimuli from human presence displaces 
marine mammals from an important feeding or breeding area for a 
prolonged period, impacts on individuals and populations could be 
significant (e.g., Lusseau and Bejder 2007; Weilgart 2007).
    Disturbances resulting from human activity can impact short- and 
long-term pinniped haul out behavior (Renouf et al., 1981; Schneider 
and Payne 1983; Terhune and Almon 1983; Allen et al., 1984; Stewart 
1984; Suryan and Harvey 1999; and Kucey and Trites, 2006). Numerous 
studies have shown that human activity can flush harbor seals off haul 
out sites (Allen et al., 1984; Calambokidis et al., 1991; and Suryan 
and Harvey 1999;) or lead Hawaiian monk seals (Neomonachus 
schauinslandi) to avoid beaches (Kenyon 1972). In one case, human 
disturbance appeared to cause Steller sea lions to desert a breeding 
area at Northeast Point on St. Paul Island, Alaska (Kenyon 1962).
    In cases where vessels actively approached marine mammals (e.g., 
whale watching or dolphin watching boats), scientists have documented 
that animals exhibit altered behavior such as increased swimming speed, 
erratic movement, and active avoidance behavior (Acevedo 1991; Trites 
and Bain 2000; Williams et al., 2002; Constantine et al., 2003), 
reduced blow interval (Richter et al., 2003), disruption of normal 
social behaviors (Lusseau 2003; 2006), and the shift of behavioral 
activities which may increase energetic costs (Constantine et al., 
2003; 2004).
    In 1997, Henry and Hammil (2001) conducted a study to measure the 
impacts of small boats (i.e., kayaks, canoes, motorboats and sailboats) 
on harbor seal haul out behavior in Metis Bay, Quebec, Canada. During 
that study, the authors noted that the most frequent disturbances 
(n=73) were caused by lower speed, lingering kayaks, and canoes (33.3 
percent) as opposed to motorboats (27.8 percent) conducting high-speed 
passes. The seal's flight reactions could be linked to a surprise 
factor by kayaks and canoes, which approach slowly, quietly, and low on 
the water making them look like

[[Page 3745]]

predators. However, the authors note that once the animals were 
disturbed, there did not appear to be any significant lingering effect 
on the recovery of numbers to their pre-disturbance levels. In 
conclusion, the study showed that boat traffic at current levels has 
only a temporary effect on the haul out behavior of harbor seals in the 
Metis Bay area.
    In 2004, Acevedo-Gutierrez and Johnson (2007) evaluated the 
efficacy of buffer zones for watercraft around harbor seal haul out 
sites on Yellow Island, Washington. The authors estimated the minimum 
distance between the vessels and the haul-out sites; categorized the 
vessel types; and evaluated seal responses to the disturbances. During 
the course of the seven-weekend study, the authors recorded 14 human-
related disturbances which were associated with stopped powerboats and 
kayaks. During these events, hauled out seals became noticeably active 
and moved into the water. The flushing occurred when stopped kayaks and 
powerboats were at distances as far as 453 and 1,217 ft (138 and 371 m) 
respectively. The authors note that the seals were unaffected by 
passing powerboats, even those approaching as close as 128 ft (39 m), 
possibly indicating that the animals had become tolerant of the brief 
presence of the vessels and ignored them. The authors reported that on 
average, the seals quickly recovered from the disturbances and returned 
to the haul out site in less than or equal to 60 minutes. Seal numbers 
did not return to pre-disturbance levels within 180 minutes of the 
disturbance less than one quarter of the time observed. The study 
concluded that the return of seal numbers to pre-disturbance levels and 
the relatively regular seasonal cycle in abundance throughout the area 
counter the idea that disturbances from powerboats may result in site 
abandonment (Acevedo-Gutierrez and Johnson 2007). As a general 
statement from the available information, pinnipeds exposed to intense 
(approximately 110 to 120 decibels re: 20 [mu]Pa) non-pulsed sounds 
often leave haul out areas and seek refuge temporarily (minutes to a 
few hours) in the water (Southall et al., 2007).

Stampede

    There are other ways in which disturbance, as described previously, 
could result in more than Level B harassment of marine mammals. They 
are most likely to be consequences of stampeding, a potentially 
dangerous occurrence in which large numbers of animals succumb to mass 
panic and rush away from a stimulus. These situations are: (1) Falling 
when entering the water at high-relief locations; (2) extended 
separation of mothers and pups; and (3) crushing of pups by large males 
during a stampede. However, NMFS does not expect any of these scenarios 
to occur from the USFWS's research activities. There is the risk of 
injury if animals stampede towards shorelines with precipitous relief 
(e.g., cliffs). However, there are no cliffs on any of the haul out 
locations in the Complex. If disturbed, the small number of hauled-out 
adult animals may move toward the water without risk of encountering 
barriers or hazards that would otherwise prevent them from leaving the 
area. Moreover, seals may flush into the water, but would not have the 
potential to crush other seals like sea lions do during a stampede. 
They may bump each other, but this is not expected to have lethal 
consequences. Thus, in this case, NMFS considers the risk of injury, 
serious injury, or death to hauled out animals as very low.

Anticipated Effects on Marine Mammal Habitat

    The only habitat modification associated with the proposed activity 
is installation of signs on beaches where haul outs are located. Thus, 
NMFS does not expect that the proposed activity would have any effects 
on marine mammal habitat and NMFS expects that there will be no long- 
or short-term physical impacts to pinniped habitat in the Complex.
    The proposed activities are not expected to result in any permanent 
impact on habitats used by marine mammals, including prey species and 
foraging habitat. The main impact associated with the proposed activity 
will be direct effects on marine mammals from human presence at haul 
outs (i.e., the potential for temporary abandonment of the site), 
previously discussed in this notice.
    NMFS does not anticipate that the proposed restoration activities 
would result in any permanent effects on the habitats used by the 
marine mammals in the proposed area, including the food sources they 
use (i.e., fish and invertebrates). Based on the preceding discussion, 
NMFS does not anticipate that the proposed activity would have any 
habitat-related effects that could cause significant or long-term 
consequences for individual marine mammals or their populations.

Proposed Mitigation

    In order to issue an IHA under section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA, 
NMFS must set forth the permissible methods of taking pursuant to such 
activity, ``and other means of effecting the least practicable impact 
on such species or stock and its habitat, paying particular attention 
to rookeries, mating grounds, and areas of similar significance, and on 
the availability of such species or stock for taking'' for certain 
subsistence uses. NMFS regulations require applicants for incidental 
take authorizations to include information about the availability and 
feasibility (economic and technological) of equipment, methods, and 
manner of conducting such activity or other means of effecting the 
least practicable adverse impact upon the affected species or stocks, 
their habitat (50 CFR 216.104(a)(11)).
    Time and Frequency: The USFWS would conduct research activities 
throughout the course of the year between April 1 and November 30, 
2017.
    Vessel Approach and Timing Techniques: The USFWS would ensure that 
its vessel approaches to beaches with pinniped haul outs would be 
conducted so as to not disturb marine mammals as most practicable. To 
the extent possible, the vessel should approach the beaches in a slow 
and controlled approach, as far away as possible from haul outs to 
prevent or minimize flushing. Staff would also avoid or proceed 
cautiously when operating boats in the direct path of swimming seals 
that may be present in the area.
    Avoidance of Acoustic Impacts from Cannon nets: Cannon nets have a 
measured SL of 128 dB at one meter (m) (estimated based on a 
measurement of 98.4 dB at 30 m; L. Niles, pers. comm., December 2016); 
however, the SPL is expected to be less than the thresholds for 
airborne pinniped disturbance (e.g. 90 dB for harbor seals, and 100 dB 
for all other pinnipeds) at 80 yd from the source. The USFWS proposes 
to stay at least 100 yd from all pinnipeds if cannon nets are to be 
used for research purposes.
    Avoidance of Visual and Acoustic Contact with People: The USFWS 
would instruct its members and research staff to avoid making 
unnecessary noise and not expose themselves visually to pinnipeds 
whenever practicable. USFWS staff would stay at least 50 yd from hauled 
out pinnipeds, unless it is absolutely necessary to approach seals 
closer, or potentially flush a pinniped, in order to continue 
conducting endangered species conservation work. When disturbance is 
unavoidable, staff will work quickly and efficiently to minimize the 
length of disturbance. Researchers and staff will do so by proceeding 
in a slow and controlled

[[Page 3746]]

manner, which allows for the seals to slowly flush into the water. 
Staff will also maintain a quiet working atmosphere, avoiding loud 
noises, and using hushed voices in the presence of hauled-out 
pinnipeds. Pathways of approach to the desired study or nesting site 
will be chosen to minimize seal disturbance if an activity event may 
result in the disturbance of seals. USFWS staff will scan the 
surrounding waters near the haul outs, and if predators (i.e., sharks) 
are seen, seals will not be flushed by USFWS staff.
    Researchers, USFWS staff, and volunteers will be properly informed 
about the MMPA take prohibitions, and will educate the public on the 
importance of not disturbing marine mammals, when applicable. Staff at 
Nantucket NWR will remain present on the beaches utilized by pinnipeds 
to prevent anthropogenic disturbance during times of high public use 
(late spring-early fall). Staff at Monomoy NWR will also be present on 
beaches utilized by seals during the same time of year, and will inform 
the public to keep a distance from haul outs if an issue is noticed. 
Similar to the USFWS, the NPS also takes precautionary mitigation to 
help prevent seal take by the public. In August and on the weekends in 
September, staff and volunteers are present on the National Seashore 
beaches to share with the public the importance of preventing 
disturbance to seals by keeping people at a proper viewing distance of 
at least 50 yd.
    The presence/proximity of seal haul outs and the loud sound created 
by the firing of cannon nets are taken into consideration when 
selecting trapping sites for the Red Knot Stopover Study. Trapping 
sites are decided based on the presence of red knots, the number of 
juveniles located within roosts, and the observation of birds with 
attached geolocators and flags. Sites are not trapped on if there is a 
strong possibility of disturbing seals (i.e., closer than 100 yd). The 
Red Knot Stopover Study occurs during the time of year (July-Sept) when 
the least number of seals are present at the activity sites.

Mitigation Conclusions

    NMFS has carefully evaluated the USFWS's proposed mitigation 
measures in the context of ensuring that we prescribe the means of 
affecting the least practicable impact on the affected marine mammal 
species and stocks and their habitat. The 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 here:
    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 vessel or 
visual presence that NMFS expects 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 exposed to vessel 
or visual presence that NMFS expects 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 vessel or 
visual presence that NMFS expects 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 the evaluation of the USFWS's proposed measures, NMFS has 
preliminarily determined that the proposed mitigation measures provide 
the means of effecting the least practicable impact on marine mammal 
species or stocks and their habitat, paying particular attention to 
rookeries, mating grounds, and areas of similar significance.

Proposed Monitoring

    In order to issue an incidental take authorization for an activity, 
section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA states that NMFS must set forth 
``requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such 
taking.'' The MMPA implementing regulations at 50 CFR 216.104 (a)(13) 
indicate that requests for IHAs 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 NMFS expects to be 
present in the proposed action area.
    The USFWS submitted a marine mammal monitoring plan in Section 13 
and Appendix A of their IHA application. NMFS or the USFWS may modify 
or supplement the plan based on comments or new information received 
from the public during the public comment period.
    Monitoring measures prescribed by NMFS should accomplish one or 
more of the following general goals:
    1. An increase in our understanding of the likely occurrence of 
marine mammal species in the vicinity of the action, (i.e., presence, 
abundance, distribution, and/or density of species).
    2. An increase in our understanding of the nature, scope, or 
context of the likely exposure of marine mammal species to any of the 
potential stressor(s) associated with the action (e.g., sound or visual 
stimuli), through better understanding of one or more of the following: 
the action itself and its environment (e.g., sound source 
characterization, propagation, and ambient noise levels); the affected 
species (e.g., life history or dive pattern); the likely co-occurrence 
of marine mammal species with the action (in whole or part) associated 
with specific adverse effects; and/or the likely biological or 
behavioral context of exposure to the stressor for the marine mammal 
(e.g., age class of exposed animals or known pupping, calving or 
feeding areas).
    3. An increase in our understanding of how individual marine 
mammals respond (behaviorally or physiologically) to the specific 
stressors associated with the action (in specific contexts, where 
possible, e.g., at what distance or received level).
    4. An increase in our understanding of how anticipated individual 
responses, to individual stressors or anticipated combinations of 
stressors, may impact either: The long-term fitness

[[Page 3747]]

and survival of an individual; or the population, species, or stock 
(e.g. through effects on annual rates of recruitment or survival).
    5. An increase in our understanding of how the activity affects 
marine mammal habitat, such as through effects on prey sources or 
acoustic habitat (e.g., through characterization of longer-term 
contributions of multiple sound sources to rising ambient noise levels 
and assessment of the potential chronic effects on marine mammals).
    6. An increase in understanding of the impacts of the activity on 
marine mammals in combination with the impacts of other anthropogenic 
activities or natural factors occurring in the region.
    7. An increase in our understanding of the effectiveness of 
mitigation and monitoring measures.
    8. An increase in the probability of detecting marine mammals 
(through improved technology or methodology) to better achieve the 
above goals.
    As part of its IHA application, the USFWS proposes to conduct 
marine mammal monitoring, in order to implement the mitigation measures 
that require real-time monitoring, and to satisfy the monitoring 
requirements of the proposed IHA. These include:
    Monitoring seals as project activities are being conducted. 
Proposed monitoring requirements in relation to the USFWS's proposed 
activities would include species counts, numbers of observed 
disturbances, and descriptions of the disturbance behaviors during the 
research activities, including location, date, and time of the event. 
In addition, the USFWS would record observations regarding the number 
and species of any marine mammals either observed in the water or 
hauled out. Behavior of seals will be recorded on a three point scale 
(1 = alert reaction; not considered harassment, 2 = moving at least 2 
body lengths, or change in direction >90 degrees, 3 = flushing) (Table 
4). USFWS staff would also record and report all observations of sick, 
injured, or entangled marine mammals on Monomoy NWR to the 
International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) marine mammal rescue team, 
and will report to NOAA if injured seals are found at Nantucket NWR and 
Nomans NWR. Tagged or marked marine mammals will also be recorded and 
reported to the appropriate research organization or federal agency, as 
well as any rare or unusual species of marine mammal. Photographs will 
be taken when possible. This information will be incorporated into a 
report for NMFS at the end of the season. The USFWS will also 
coordinate with any university, state, or federal researchers to attain 
additional data or observations that may be useful for monitoring 
marine mammal usage at the activity sites.
    If at any time injury, serious injury, or mortality of the species 
for which take is authorized should occur, or if take of any kind of 
any other marine mammal occurs, and such action may be a result of the 
USFWS's activities, the USFWS would suspend research activities and 
contact NMFS immediately to determine how best to proceed to ensure 
that another injury or death does not occur and to ensure that the 
applicant remains in compliance with the MMPA.

Proposed Reporting

    The USFWS would submit a draft report to NMFS' Office of Protected 
Resources no later than 90 days after the expiration of the proposed 
IHA, if issued. The report will include a summary of the information 
gathered pursuant to the monitoring requirements set forth in the 
proposed IHA. The USFWS will submit a final report to the NMFS within 
30 days after receiving comments from NMFS on the draft report. If the 
USFWS receives no comments from NMFS on the report, NMFS will consider 
the draft report to be the final report.
    The report will describe the operations conducted and sightings of 
marine mammals near the proposed project. The report will provide full 
documentation of methods, results, and interpretation pertaining to all 
monitoring. The report will provide:
    1. A summary and table of the dates, times, and weather during all 
research activities.
    2. Species, number, location, and behavior of any marine mammals 
observed throughout all monitoring activities.
    3. An estimate of the number (by species) of marine mammals exposed 
to human presence associated with the USFWS's activities.
    4. A description of the implementation and effectiveness of the 
monitoring and mitigation measures of the IHA and full documentation of 
methods, results, and interpretation pertaining to all monitoring.
    In the unanticipated event that the specified activity clearly 
causes the take of a marine mammal in a manner prohibited by the 
authorization, such as an injury (Level A harassment), serious injury, 
or mortality (e.g., stampede), USFWS personnel shall immediately cease 
the specified activities and immediately report the incident to the 
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, and the Northeast Regional Stranding Coordinator. The 
report must include the following information:
     Time, date, and location (latitude/longitude) of the 
incident;
     Description and location of the incident (including water 
depth, if applicable);
     Environmental conditions (e.g., wind speed and direction, 
Beaufort sea state, cloud cover, and visibility);
     Description of all marine mammal observations in the 24 
hours preceding the incident;
     Species identification or description of the animal(s) 
involved;
     Fate of the animal(s); and
     Photographs or video footage of the animal(s) (if 
equipment is available).
    The USFWS shall not resume its activities until NMFS is able to 
review the circumstances of the prohibited take. We will work with the 
USFWS to determine what is necessary to minimize the likelihood of 
further prohibited take and ensure MMPA compliance. The USFWS may not 
resume their activities until notified by us via letter, email, or 
telephone.
    In the event that the USFWS discovers an injured or dead marine 
mammal, and the marine mammal observer determines that the cause of the 
injury or death is unknown and the death is relatively recent (i.e., in 
less than a moderate state of decomposition as we describe in the next 
paragraph), the USFWS will immediately report the incident to the 
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, and the Northeast Regional Stranding Coordinator. The 
report must include the same information identified in the paragraph 
above this section. Activities may continue while NMFS reviews the 
circumstances of the incident. NMFS would work with the USFWS to 
determine whether modifications in the activities are appropriate.
    In the event that the USFWS discovers an injured or dead marine 
mammal, and the lead visual observer determines that the injury or 
death is not associated with or related to the authorized activities 
(e.g., previously wounded animal, carcass with moderate to advanced 
decomposition, or scavenger damage), the USFWS will report the incident 
to the Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, and the Northeast Regional Stranding Coordinator 
within 24 hours of the discovery. The USFWS personnel will provide 
photographs or video footage (if available) or other documentation of 
the stranded animal sighting to us. The USFWS can continue their survey

[[Page 3748]]

activities while NMFS reviews the circumstances of the incident.

Estimated Take by Incidental Harassment

    Except with respect to certain activities not pertinent here, the 
MMPA defines ``harassment'' as: any act of pursuit, torment, or 
annoyance which (i) has the potential to injure a marine mammal or 
marine mammal stock in the wild (Level A harassment); or (ii) has the 
potential to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild 
by causing disruption of behavioral patterns, including, but not 
limited to, migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or 
sheltering (Level B harassment).
    All anticipated takes would be by Level B harassment, involving 
temporary changes in behavior. NMFS expects that the proposed 
mitigation and monitoring measures would minimize the possibility of 
injurious or lethal takes. NMFS considers the potential for take by 
injury, serious injury, or mortality as remote. NMFS expects that the 
presence of the USFWS personnel could disturb animals hauled out on 
beaches near research activities and that the animals may alter their 
behavior or attempt to move away from the USFWS personnel.
    As discussed earlier, NMFS assumes that pinnipeds that move greater 
than two body lengths to longer retreats over the beach, or if already 
moving, a change of direction of greater than 90 degrees in response to 
the presence of surveyors, or pinnipeds that flush into the water, are 
behaviorally harassed, and thus subject to Level B taking (Table 4). 
NMFS estimates that 39,666 gray seals will be taken, by Level B 
harassment, over the course of the IHA (Table 5).
    This estimate is based on the number of seals observed in past 
research years that have been flushed during research activities. USFWS 
biologists used their knowledge of the number of seals that use the 
haul outs near their research activities, and how many of those may be 
taken (Levels 2 and 3 on the disturbance scale). The majority of takes 
will occur on Monomoy NWR, which is one of the main haul outs for gray 
seals in the country. While the average number of gray seals present 
(in regards to Monomoy NWR) from April until August is less than what 
is reflected in Table 3, not every hauled-out seal on the beach is 
impacted from each activity and not all seals are impacted from every 
activity event. This is especially true for Monomoy NWR because the 
seal haul out stretches across over four miles of beach. For example, 
the gray seal counts on Monomoy NWR are very high, but the beaches are 
very large, and most of the work takes place on the upper berm close to 
the dune (farther away from seals). During April and May when seals are 
hauled out in very large numbers on the refuge, they may be present at 
beaches of varying width, between 30 m and 300 m. In narrower areas, 
all of the seals may be flushed; in mid-width areas, some of the 
younger and smaller seals may flush, but large males may remain on the 
beach; and in the widest area, USFWS activities may have no impact at 
all on the hauled out seals. Also, the amount of disturbance to seals 
may vary based on staff activities (e.g., if project activities require 
staff to walk quickly through an area versus spending more time in one 
area close to seals). Take numbers were estimated from the number of 
seals using the refuge and the times that the activity might overlap 
with seal use areas. For example, most of the staging counts are not 
done in areas where seals haul out so the number of disturbances is 
very low during this task. Group size also played into the estimates. 
USFWS staff would impact a smaller number of seals during times of the 
year when group sizes are smaller (e.g., outside of April and May). The 
knowledge of USFWS staff who have conducted these activities for 
multiple years is the best information available to us about the number 
of takes these activities may cause. In this proposed IHA, we have 
included monitoring requirements that should inform our take numbers in 
future years.
    The take numbers for gray seals is thought to be conservative, and 
likely an overestimate. USFWS staff believe these estimates are 
realistic and do not expect to exceed the take numbers.

  Table 5--Estimated Number of Gray Seal Takes per Activity at Monomoy, Nantucket, and Nomans Land Island NWRs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Gray Seal
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Age: all                                            Sex: male & female
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Number takes/event \a\    Number events/activity \b\    Total takes
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shorebird and Seabird Monitoring &        1000 (Monomoy)............  34 (Monomoy)..............          34,430
 Research.                                50 (Nantucket)............  8 (Nantucket).............
                                          10 (Nomans)...............  3 (Nomans)................
Roseate Tern Staging Counts & Resighting  10 (Monomoy)..............  6 (Monomoy)...............             100
                                          10 (Nantucket)............  4 (Nantucket).............
Red Knot Stopover Study.................  250 (Monomoy).............  5 (Monomoy)...............           2,000
                                          150 (CACO)................  5 (CACO)..................
Northeastern beach tiger beetle Census..  750 (Monomoy).............  3 (Monomoy)...............           2,250
Coastal Shoreline Change Survey.........  500 (Monomoy).............  1 (Monomoy)...............             500
                                                                                                          39,280
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ Number of takes/event are estimates based on NOAA unpublished data (Table 3) and USFWS field observations.
\b\ Number of events/activity were calculated using the numbers in Table 1 for each site location and duration.

    NMFS estimates that 1,983 harbor seals could be potentially 
affected by Level B behavioral harassment over the course of the IHA. 
USFWS staff estimate that of all of the seals hauled out in mixed 
species haul outs, approximately five percent are harbor seals. We 
estimated our number of level B takes of harbor seals by taking five 
percent of the total takes of gray seals (i.e., five percent of 39,280 
is 1,964). These incidental harassment take numbers represent less than 
three percent of the affected stocks of harbor seals and less than 
eight percent of the stock of gray seals (Table 6). However, actual 
take may be slightly less if animals decide to haul out at a different 
location for the day or if animals are foraging at the time of the 
survey activities. The number of individual seals taken is also assumed 
to be less than the take estimate since these species show high 
philopatry (Waring et al., 2016; Wood et al., 2011).

[[Page 3749]]

We expect the take numbers to represent the number of exposures, but 
assume that the same seals may be behaviorally harassed over multiple 
days, and the likely number of individual seals that may be harassed 
would be less. For example, the maximum number of seals observed hauled 
out on Monomoy NWR during the year is 19,166 (Table 3); therefore, we 
expect the actual number of individual takes to be closer to that 
number for activities at Monomoy NWR. Raw counts are not available for 
Nantucket NWR and Nomans NWR.

                  Table 6--The Percentage of Stock Affected by the Number of Takes per Species
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                       Stock        Percent of
                             Species                               Take  number      abundance         stock
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gray seal (Halichoerus grypus grypus)...........................          39,280       * 505,000            7.78
Harbor seal (Phoca vitulina concolor)...........................           1,964          75,834            2.59
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The Western North Atlantic stock of gray seals is comprised of the Canadian and U.S. populations. The U.S.
  population abundance estimate is unknown, but the Canadian population abundance estimate is 505,000. The 2016
  draft SAR states that the western North Atlantic stock is equivalent to the Canada population.

    Because of the required mitigation measures and the likelihood that 
some pinnipeds will avoid the area, NMFS does not expect any injury, 
serious injury, or mortality to pinnipeds to occur and NMFS has not 
authorized take by Level A harassment for this proposed activity.

Analysis and Preliminary Determinations

Negligible Impact

    Negligible impact is ``an impact resulting from the specified 
activity that cannot be reasonably expected to, and is not reasonably 
likely to, adversely affect the species or stock through effects on 
annual rates of recruitment or survival'' (50 CFR 216.103). The lack of 
likely adverse effects on annual rates of recruitment or survival 
(i.e., population level effects) forms the basis of a negligible impact 
finding. 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 considers other 
factors, such as the likely nature of any responses (e.g., intensity, 
duration), the context of any responses (e.g., critical reproductive 
time or location, migration), as well as the number and nature of 
estimated Level A harassment takes, the number of estimated 
mortalities, and effects on habitat.
    Although the USFWS's survey activities may disturb a small number 
of marine mammals hauled out on beaches in the Complex, NMFS expects 
those impacts to occur to a localized group of animals. Marine mammals 
would likely become alert or, at most, flush into the water in reaction 
to the presence of the USFWS's personnel during the proposed 
activities. Much of the disturbance will be limited to a short 
duration, allowing marine mammals to reoccupy haul outs within a short 
amount of time. Thus, the proposed action is unlikely to result in 
long-term impacts such as permanent abandonment of the area because of 
the availability of alternate areas for pinnipeds to avoid the 
resultant acoustic and visual disturbances from the research activities
    The USFWS's activities would occur during the least sensitive time 
(e.g., April through November, outside of the pupping season) for 
hauled out pinnipeds in the Complex. Thus, pups or breeding adults 
would not be present during the proposed activity days.
    Moreover, the USFWS's mitigation measures regarding vessel 
approaches and procedures that attempt to minimize the potential to 
harass the seals would minimize the potential for flushing and large-
scale movements. Thus, the potential for large-scale movements and 
flushing leading to injury, serious injury, or mortality is low.
    In summary, NMFS anticipates that impacts to hauled-out pinnipeds 
during the USFWS's proposed research activities would be behavioral 
harassment of limited intensity (i.e., temporary flushing at most). 
NMFS does not expect stampeding, and therefore does not expect injury 
or mortality to occur (see Proposed Mitigation for more details). Based 
on the analysis contained herein of the likely effects of the specified 
activity on marine mammals and their habitat, and taking into 
consideration the implementation of the proposed monitoring and 
mitigation measures, NMFS preliminarily finds that the total marine 
mammal take from the USFWS's proposed survey activities will have a 
negligible impact on the affected marine mammal species or stocks.

Small Numbers

    As mentioned previously, NMFS estimates that the USFWS's proposed 
activities could potentially affect, by Level B harassment only, two 
species of marine mammal under our jurisdiction. For each species, 
these estimates are small numbers (less than three percent of the 
affected stock of harbor seals and less than eight percent of the stock 
of gray seals) relative to the population size (Table 6). As stated 
before, the number of individual seals taken is also assumed to be less 
than the take estimate (number of exposures) since we assume that the 
same seals may be behaviorally harassed over multiple days.
    Based on the analysis contained in this notice of the likely 
effects of the specified activity on marine mammals and their habitat, 
and taking into consideration the implementation of the mitigation and 
monitoring measures, NMFS preliminarily finds that the USFWS's proposed 
activities would take small numbers of marine mammals relative to the 
populations of the affected species or stocks.

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

    There are no relevant subsistence uses of marine mammals implicated 
by this action. Therefore, NMFS has determined that the total taking of 
affected species or stocks would not have an unmitigable adverse impact 
on the availability of such species or stocks for taking for 
subsistence purposes.

Endangered Species Act (ESA)

    NMFS does not expect that the USFWS's proposed research activities 
would affect any species listed under the ESA. Therefore, NMFS has 
determined that a section 7 consultation under the ESA is not required.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

    To meet our NEPA requirements for the issuance of an IHA to the 
USFWS, NMFS has prepared an EA specific to conducting research 
activities in the

[[Page 3750]]

Complex. The EA, titled ``Issuance of an Incidental Harassment 
Authorization to Take Marine Mammals by Harassment Incidental to 
Conducting Seabird and Shorebird Monitoring and Research at the Eastern 
Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Massachusetts,'' 
evaluated the impacts on the human environment of our authorization of 
incidental Level B harassment resulting from the specified activity in 
the specified geographic region. An electronic copy of the EA for this 
activity is available on the Web site at: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental/research.htm.

Proposed Authorization

    As a result of these preliminary determinations, NMFS proposes 
issuing an IHA to the USFWS for conducting research activities at the 
Eastern MA NWR locations, from April 1, 2017 through November 30, 2017, 
provided they incorporate the previously mentioned mitigation, 
monitoring, and reporting requirements.

Draft Proposed Authorization

    This section contains the draft text for the proposed IHA. NMFS 
proposes to include this language in the IHA, if issued.

Proposed Authorization Language

    The United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Eastern Massachusetts 
National Wildlife Refuge Complex (USFWS), 73 Weir Hill Road, Sudbury, 
MA 01776, is hereby authorized under section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA 
(16 U.S.C. 1371(a)(5)(D)) and 50 CFR 216.107, to harass marine mammals 
incidental to conducting research activities in the Eastern 
Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex (Complex).
    1. This Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) is valid from 
April 1, 2017 through March 31, 2018.
    2. This IHA is valid only for activities associated with research 
activities and human presence (See items 2(a)--(d)) in the Complex.
    a. The use of a small vessel to transit to Nomans NWR;
    b. Research activities (e.g., shorebird and seabird nest monitoring 
and research; Roseate Tern (Sterna dougallii), staging count and 
resighting; Red knot (Calidris canutus) stopover study; Northeastern 
beach tiger beetle (Cicindela dorsalis) census; and coastal shoreline 
change survey)) conducted at the Complex;
    c. Human presence.
    3. General Conditions.
    a. A copy of this IHA must be in the possession of the USFWS, its 
designees, and work crew personnel operating under the authority of 
this IHA.
    b. The species authorized for taking are the gray seal (Halichoerus 
grypus grypus) and the Harbor seal (Phoca vitulina concolor).
    c. The taking, by Level B harassment only, is limited to the 
species listed in condition 3(b). Authorized take: gray seal (39,280); 
and harbor seal (1,964).
    d. The taking by Level A harassment, injury or death of any of the 
species listed in item 3(b) of the IHA or the taking by harassment, 
injury or death of any other species of marine mammal is prohibited and 
may result in the modification, suspension, or revocation of this IHA.
    4. Cooperation.
    The holder of this IHA is required to cooperate with the NMFS and 
any other Federal, state, or local agency authorized to monitor the 
impacts of the activity on marine mammals.
    5. Mitigation Measures.
    In order to ensure the least practicable impact on the species 
listed in condition 3(b), the holder of this IHA is required to:
    a. Conduct research activities in the Complex between April 1, 2017 
and November 30, 2017.
    b. Ensure that vessel approaches to Nomans NWR will be such that 
the techniques are least disturbing to marine mammals. To the extent 
possible, the vessel should conduct a slow and controlled approach to 
the island as far away as possible from haul outs. USFWS staff will 
avoid or proceed cautiously when operating boats in the direct path of 
swimming seals that may be present in the area.
    c. Provide instructions to USFWS staff and team members, and if 
applicable, to tourists, on appropriate conduct when in the vicinity of 
hauled-out marine mammals. The USFWS research teams will maintain a 
quiet working atmosphere by avoiding making unnecessary noise and by 
using hushed voices while near hauled out seals; will remain at least 
50 yd from seals when possible; and will choose pathways to study sites 
that will minimize disturbance to seals.
    d. Ensure cannon nets will not be used closer than 100 yd from 
seals.
    e. Ensure that the waters surrounding the haul outs are free of 
predators (e.g., sharks) before USFWS staff flush seals from the haul 
outs.
    6. Monitoring.
    The holder of this IHA is required to:
    a. Monitor seals when research activities are conducted in the 
presence of marine mammals.
    b. Record the date, time, and location (or closest point of 
ingress) of each of the research activities in the presence of marine 
mammals.
    c. Collect the following information for each visit:
    i. Information on the numbers (by species) of marine mammals 
observed during the activities, by age and sex, if possible;
    ii. The estimated number of marine mammals (by species) that may 
have been harassed during the activities based on the 3-point 
disturbance scale;
    iii. Any behavioral responses or modifications of behaviors that 
may be attributed to the specific activities (e.g., flushing into 
water, becoming alert and moving, rafting);
    iv. The date, location, and start and end times of the event; and
    v. Information on the weather, including the tidal state and 
horizontal visibility.
    vi. Observations of sick, injured, or entangled marine mammals, and 
any tagged or marked marine mammals. Photographs will be taken when 
possible.
    7. Reporting Requirements.
    Final Report: The holder of this IHA is required to submit a draft 
monitoring report to the Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, 
Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East West Highway, 13th 
Floor, Silver Spring, MD 20910 no later than 90 days after the project 
is completed. The report must contain the following information:
    a. A summary of the dates, times, and weather during all research 
activities.
    b. Species, number, location, and behavior of any marine mammals, 
observed throughout all monitoring activities.
    c. An estimate of the number (by species) of marine mammals that 
are known to have been exposed to visual and acoustic stimuli 
associated with the research activities.
    d. A description of the implementation and effectiveness of the 
monitoring and mitigation measures of the IHA and full documentation of 
methods, results, and interpretation pertaining to all monitoring.
    8. Reporting Prohibited Take.
    In the unanticipated event that the specified activity clearly 
causes the take of a marine mammal in a manner prohibited by the IHA 
(if issued), such as an injury (Level A harassment), serious injury, or 
mortality (e.g., stampede, etc.), the USFWS shall immediately cease the 
specified activities and immediately report the incident to the Chief, 
Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 
and the

[[Page 3751]]

Assistant Westcoast Regional Stranding Coordinator.
    The report must include the following information:
     Time, date, and location (latitude/longitude) of the 
incident;
     Name and type of vessel involved;
     Vessel's speed during and leading up to the incident;
     Description of the incident;
     Status of all sound source use in the 24 hours preceding 
the incident;
     Water depth;
     Environmental conditions (e.g., wind speed and direction, 
Beaufort sea state, cloud cover, and visibility);
     Description of all marine mammal observations in the 24 
hours preceding the incident;
     Species identification or description of the animal(s) 
involved;
     Fate of the animal(s); and
     Photographs or video footage of the animal(s) (if 
equipment is available).
    The USFWS shall not resume its activities until we are able to 
review the circumstances of the prohibited take. We shall work with the 
USFWS to determine what is necessary to minimize the likelihood of 
further prohibited take and ensure MMPA compliance. The USFWS may not 
resume their activities until notified by us via letter, email, or 
telephone.
    9. Reporting an Injured or Dead Marine Mammal with an Unknown Cause 
of Death.
    In the event that the USFWS discovers an injured or dead marine 
mammal, and the observer determines that the cause of the injury or 
death is unknown and the death is relatively recent (i.e., in less than 
a moderate state of decomposition as we describe in the next 
paragraph), the USFWS will immediately report the incident to the 
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, and the Assistant Westcoast Regional Stranding Coordinator. 
The report must include the same information identified in the 
paragraph above this section. Activities may continue while we review 
the circumstances of the incident. We will work with the USFWS to 
determine whether modifications in the activities are appropriate.
    The report must include the same information identified in the 
paragraph above. Activities may continue while we review the 
circumstances of the incident. We will work with the USFWS to determine 
whether modifications in the activities are appropriate.
    10. Reporting an Injured or Dead Marine Mammal not Related to the 
USFWS's Activities:
    In the event that the USFWS discovers an injured or dead marine 
mammal, and the lead visual observer determines that the injury or 
death is not associated with or related to the authorized activities 
(e.g., previously wounded animal, carcass with moderate to advanced 
decomposition, or scavenger damage), the USFWS will report the incident 
to the Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, and the Assistant Westcoast Regional Stranding Coordinator, 
within 24 hours of the discovery.
    The USFWS's staff will provide photographs or video footage (if 
available) or other documentation of the stranded animal sighting to 
us.
    11. This IHA may be modified, suspended or withdrawn if the holder 
fails to abide by the conditions prescribed herein, or if the 
authorized taking is having a more than a negligible impact on the 
species or stock of affected marine mammals.

Request for Public Comments

    NMFS requests comments on our analysis, the draft IHA, and any 
other aspect of this notice of proposed IHA for the proposed 
activities. Please include any supporting data or literature citations 
with your comments to help inform our final decision on the USFWS's 
request for an IHA.

    Dated: January 6, 2017.
Donna S. Wieting
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-00540 Filed 1-11-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P