Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Construction and Operation of the Liberty Drilling and Production Island, Beaufort Sea, Alaska, 21276-21277 [2018-09904]
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 9, 2018 / Notices
The Aleut Corporation is identified in
Public Law 108–199 as a business
incorporated pursuant to the Alaska
Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C.
1601 et seq.). Regulations implementing
the FMP appear at 50 CFR part 679.
Each year at least 14 days before
harvesting pollock or processing pollock
in the AI directed pollock fishery, the
Aleut Corporation selects harvesting
vessels and processors for participation
in this fishery. The Aleut Corporation
submits its selected participants to the
National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) for approval. On approval,
NMFS mails the Aleut Corporation a
letter that includes a list of the approved
participants. A copy of this letter must
be retained on board each participating
vessel and on site each shoreside
processor at all times.
II. Method of Collection
The Aleut Corporation submits the
participant letter to NMFS by mail.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0648–0513.
Form Number(s): None.
Type of Review: Regular submission
(extension of a current information
collection).
Affected Public: Business or other forprofit organizations.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 1.
Estimated Time per Response: Annual
Aleutian Islands Fishery Participant
Letter, 5 minutes.
Estimated Total Annual Burden
Hours: 1.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to
Public: $1 in recordkeeping/reporting
costs.
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES
IV. Request for Comments
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether
the proposed collection of information
is necessary for the proper performance
of the functions of the agency, including
whether the information shall have
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the
agency’s estimate of the burden
(including hours and cost) of the
proposed collection of information; (c)
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be
collected; and (d) ways to minimize the
burden of the collection of information
on respondents, including through the
use of automated collection techniques
or other forms of information
technology.
Comments submitted in response to
this notice will be summarized and/or
included in the request for OMB
approval of this information collection;
they also will become a matter of public
record.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:39 May 08, 2018
Jkt 244001
Dated: May 3, 2018.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018–09834 Filed 5–8–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
The Department of Commerce will
submit to the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) for clearance the
following proposal for collection of
information under the provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.
Chapter 35).
Agency: National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Title: Florida Fishing and Boating
Survey.
OMB Control Number: 0648-xxxx.
Form Number(s): None.
Type of Request: Regular (request for
a new information collection).
Number of Respondents: 4,335.
Average Hours per Response: 5
minutes.
Burden Hours: 361.
Needs and Uses: This request is for a
new information collection.
The objective of the short survey will
be to understand how anglers respond
to changes in trip costs and fishing
regulations in the Gulf of Mexico. We
are conducting this survey to improve
our ability to predict changes the
number of fishing trips anticipated with
changes in economic conditions or
fishing regulations. This will improve
the analysis of the economic effects of
proposed changes in fishing regulations
and changes in economic factors that
affect the cost of fishing such as fuel
prices.
The population consists of those
anglers who fish in the Gulf of Mexico
from Florida, including those who
possess a license to fish, and those who
are not required to have a license (e.g.,
seniors). We plan to independently
sample from the frame designed for the
Fishing Effort Survey (FES) of the
Marine Recreational Fishing Program
(MRIP). Anglers will be mailed a
postcard that directs them to a website
to complete the survey.
Affected Public: Individuals or
households.
Frequency: One time.
Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary.
This information collection request
may be viewed at reginfo.gov. Follow
the instructions to view Department of
Frm 00020
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Dated: May 3, 2018.
Sarah Brabson,
NOAA PRA Clearance Officer.
[FR Doc. 2018–09836 Filed 5–8–18; 8:45 am]
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
PO 00000
Commerce collections currently under
review by OMB.
Written comments and
recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be sent
within 30 days of publication of this
notice to OIRA_Submission@
omb.eop.gov or fax to (202) 395–5806.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XG218
Taking and Importing Marine
Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals
Incidental to Construction and
Operation of the Liberty Drilling and
Production Island, Beaufort Sea,
Alaska
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for
Letter of Authorization; request for
comments and information.
AGENCY:
NMFS has received a request
from Hilcorp Alaska, LLC (Hilcorp) for
authorization to take small numbers of
marine mammals incidental to the
construction and operation of the
Liberty Drilling and Production Island
(LDPI) in Foggy Island Bay, Beaufort
Sea, Alaska, over the course of five years
from the date of issuance. Pursuant to
regulations implementing the Marine
Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS
is announcing receipt of Hilcorp’s
request for the development and
implementation of regulations
governing the incidental taking of
marine mammals. NMFS invites the
public to provide information,
suggestions, and comments on Hilcorp’s
application and request.
DATES: Comments and information must
be received no later than June 8, 2018.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the
applications should be addressed to
Jolie Harrison, Chief, Permits and
Conservation Division, Office of
Protected Resources, National Marine
Fisheries Service. Physical comments
should be sent to 1315 East-West
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 and
electronic comments should be sent to
ITP.Daly@noaa.gov.
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\09MYN1.SGM
09MYN1
Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 90 / Wednesday, May 9, 2018 / Notices
amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES
Instructions: NMFS is not responsible
for comments sent by any other method,
to any other address or individual, or
received after the end of the comment
period. Comments received
electronically, including all
attachments, must not exceed a 25megabyte file size. Attachments to
electronic comments will be accepted in
Microsoft Word or Excel or Adobe PDF
file formats only. All comments
received are a part of the public record
and will generally be posted online at
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/node/
23111 without change. All personal
identifying information (e.g., name,
address) voluntarily submitted by the
commenter may be publicly accessible.
Do not submit confidential business
information or otherwise sensitive or
protected information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jaclyn Daly, Office of Protected
Resources, NMFS, (301) 427–8401. An
electronic copy of the Hilcorp’s
application may be obtained online at
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/node/
23111. In case of problems accessing
these documents, please call the contact
listed above.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the
MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) direct
the Secretary of Commerce (as delegated
to NMFS) to allow, upon request, the
incidental, but not intentional, taking of
small numbers of marine mammals by
U.S. citizens who engage in a specified
activity (other than commercial fishing)
within a specified geographical region if
certain findings are made and either
regulations are issued or, if the taking is
limited to harassment, a notice of a
proposed authorization is provided to
the public for review.
An incidental take authorization shall
be granted if NMFS finds that the taking
will have a negligible impact on the
species or stock(s), will not have an
unmitigable adverse impact on the
availability of the species or stock(s) for
subsistence uses (where relevant), and if
the permissible methods of taking and
requirements pertaining to the
mitigation, monitoring and reporting of
such takings are set forth.
NMFS has defined ‘‘negligible
impact’’ in 50 CFR 216.103 as an impact
resulting from the specified activity that
cannot be reasonably expected to, and is
not reasonably likely to, adversely affect
the species or stock through effects on
annual rates of recruitment or survival.
The MMPA states that the term ‘‘take’’
means to harass, hunt, capture, kill or
attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill
any marine mammal.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
17:39 May 08, 2018
Jkt 244001
Except with respect to certain
activities not pertinent here, the MMPA
defines ‘‘harassment’’ as any act of
pursuit, torment, or annoyance, which
(i) has the potential to injure a marine
mammal or marine mammal stock in the
wild (Level A harassment); or (ii) has
the potential to disturb a marine
mammal or marine mammal stock in the
wild by causing disruption of behavioral
patterns, including, but not limited to,
migration, breathing, nursing, breeding,
feeding, or sheltering (Level B
harassment).
Summary of Request
On April 26, 2018, NMFS received an
adequate and complete application from
Hilcorp requesting authorization for
take of marine mammals incidental to
construction, drilling, and production
activities related to the construction and
operation of the LDPI in Foggy Island
Bay, Alaska. The requested regulations
and LOA would be valid for five years
from November 1, 2019 through October
31, 2024. Hilcorp plans to conduct
necessary work, including impact and
vibratory pile driving, ice road
construction, drilling, and production to
construct, install, and operate the LDPI.
The proposed action may incidentally
expose marine mammals occurring in
the vicinity to elevated levels of
underwater sound and human presence,
thereby resulting in incidental take, by
Level A and Level B harassment of
cetaceans and pinnipeds, and
potentially mortality of pinnipeds (from
ice road construction) in Foggy Island
Bay. Therefore, Hilcorp requests
authorization to incidentally take
marine mammals.
Specified Activities
Hilcorp is proposing to develop the
Liberty Oil Field reservoir, located on
the Outer Continental Shelf in Foggy
Island Bay, Beaufort Sea, Alaska. Total
recovery over an estimated field life of
15 to 20 years is predicted to be in the
range of 80 to 150 million stock tank
barrels of oil. To extract the oil, Hilcorp
is proposing to construct a 9.3 acre
artificial island (the LDPI) in 19 feet (5.8
meters) of water in Foggy Island Bay,
approximately 5 miles (8 kilometers)
north of the Kadleroshilik River and
install supporting infrastructure (e.g.,
ice roads, pipeline). Ice roads would be
constructed annually and begin
November 2019 (execute year 1). Island
construction, which requires impact and
vibratory pile driving, is proposed to
take place in 2020 (or execute year 2 of
the project). Pile driving would
primarily occur during ice-covered
season; however, up to two weeks of
pile driving may occur during the open-
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
21277
water season. Pipeline installation is
anticipated to occur in 2021 (or execute
year three of the project). Drilling is
proposed to occur from 2021 through
2024 (or execute years three through
five). These activities have the potential
to harass bowhead whales (Balaena
mysticetus), gray whales (Eschrichtius
robustus), beluga whales
(Delphinapterus leucas), ringed seals
(Phoca hispida), bearded seals
(Erignathus barbatus), and spotted seals
(Phoca largha). Ice road construction
may also result in the mortality of
ringed seals.
Information Solicited
Interested persons may submit
information, suggestions, and comments
concerning Hilcorp’s request (see
ADDRESSES). NMFS will consider all
information, suggestions, and comments
related to the request during the
development of proposed regulations
governing the incidental taking of
marine mammals by Hilcorp, if
appropriate.
Dated: May 4, 2018.
Donna S. Wieting,
Director, Office of Protected Resources,
National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2018–09904 Filed 5–8–18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
The Department of Commerce will
submit to the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) for clearance the
following proposal for collection of
information under the provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.
Chapter 35).
Agency: National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Title: Washington Steelhead Anglers
Survey.
OMB Control Number: 0648-xxxx.
Form Number(s): None.
Type of Request: Regular (request for
a new information collection).
Number of Respondents: 1,652.
Average Hours per Response:
Screening survey, 5 minutes; non-angler
survey, 10 minutes; angler survey, 25
minutes.
Burden Hours: 444.
Needs and Uses: The Northwest
Fisheries Science Center and Southwest
Fisheries Science Center are
undertaking an economics research
project to assess the preferences of
E:\FR\FM\09MYN1.SGM
09MYN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 9, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21276-21277]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-09904]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XG218
Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals
Incidental to Construction and Operation of the Liberty Drilling and
Production Island, Beaufort Sea, Alaska
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Notice; receipt of application for Letter of Authorization;
request for comments and information.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NMFS has received a request from Hilcorp Alaska, LLC (Hilcorp)
for authorization to take small numbers of marine mammals incidental to
the construction and operation of the Liberty Drilling and Production
Island (LDPI) in Foggy Island Bay, Beaufort Sea, Alaska, over the
course of five years from the date of issuance. Pursuant to regulations
implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is
announcing receipt of Hilcorp's request for the development and
implementation of regulations governing the incidental taking of marine
mammals. NMFS invites the public to provide information, suggestions,
and comments on Hilcorp's application and request.
DATES: Comments and information must be received no later than June 8,
2018.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the applications should be addressed to Jolie
Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. Physical comments should
be sent to 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 and
electronic comments should be sent to [email protected].
[[Page 21277]]
Instructions: NMFS is not responsible for comments sent by any
other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the
end of the comment period. Comments received electronically, including
all attachments, must not exceed a 25-megabyte file size. Attachments
to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word or Excel or
Adobe PDF file formats only. All comments received are a part of the
public record and will generally be posted online at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/node/23111 without change. All personal
identifying information (e.g., name, address) voluntarily submitted by
the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit confidential
business information or otherwise sensitive or protected information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jaclyn Daly, Office of Protected
Resources, NMFS, (301) 427-8401. An electronic copy of the Hilcorp's
application may be obtained online at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/node/23111. In case of problems accessing these documents, please call
the contact listed above.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.)
direct the Secretary of Commerce (as delegated to NMFS) to allow, upon
request, the incidental, but not intentional, taking of small numbers
of marine mammals by U.S. citizens who engage in a specified activity
(other than commercial fishing) within a specified geographical region
if certain findings are made and either regulations are issued or, if
the taking is limited to harassment, a notice of a proposed
authorization is provided to the public for review.
An incidental take authorization shall be granted if NMFS finds
that the taking will have a negligible impact on the species or
stock(s), will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the
availability of the species or stock(s) for subsistence uses (where
relevant), and if the permissible methods of taking and requirements
pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring and reporting of such takings
are set forth.
NMFS has defined ``negligible impact'' in 50 CFR 216.103 as an
impact resulting from the specified activity that cannot be reasonably
expected to, and is not reasonably likely to, adversely affect the
species or stock through effects on annual rates of recruitment or
survival.
The MMPA states that the term ``take'' means to harass, hunt,
capture, kill or attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill any marine
mammal.
Except with respect to certain activities not pertinent here, the
MMPA defines ``harassment'' as any act of pursuit, torment, or
annoyance, which (i) has the potential to injure a marine mammal or
marine mammal stock in the wild (Level A harassment); or (ii) has the
potential to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild
by causing disruption of behavioral patterns, including, but not
limited to, migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or
sheltering (Level B harassment).
Summary of Request
On April 26, 2018, NMFS received an adequate and complete
application from Hilcorp requesting authorization for take of marine
mammals incidental to construction, drilling, and production activities
related to the construction and operation of the LDPI in Foggy Island
Bay, Alaska. The requested regulations and LOA would be valid for five
years from November 1, 2019 through October 31, 2024. Hilcorp plans to
conduct necessary work, including impact and vibratory pile driving,
ice road construction, drilling, and production to construct, install,
and operate the LDPI. The proposed action may incidentally expose
marine mammals occurring in the vicinity to elevated levels of
underwater sound and human presence, thereby resulting in incidental
take, by Level A and Level B harassment of cetaceans and pinnipeds, and
potentially mortality of pinnipeds (from ice road construction) in
Foggy Island Bay. Therefore, Hilcorp requests authorization to
incidentally take marine mammals.
Specified Activities
Hilcorp is proposing to develop the Liberty Oil Field reservoir,
located on the Outer Continental Shelf in Foggy Island Bay, Beaufort
Sea, Alaska. Total recovery over an estimated field life of 15 to 20
years is predicted to be in the range of 80 to 150 million stock tank
barrels of oil. To extract the oil, Hilcorp is proposing to construct a
9.3 acre artificial island (the LDPI) in 19 feet (5.8 meters) of water
in Foggy Island Bay, approximately 5 miles (8 kilometers) north of the
Kadleroshilik River and install supporting infrastructure (e.g., ice
roads, pipeline). Ice roads would be constructed annually and begin
November 2019 (execute year 1). Island construction, which requires
impact and vibratory pile driving, is proposed to take place in 2020
(or execute year 2 of the project). Pile driving would primarily occur
during ice-covered season; however, up to two weeks of pile driving may
occur during the open-water season. Pipeline installation is
anticipated to occur in 2021 (or execute year three of the project).
Drilling is proposed to occur from 2021 through 2024 (or execute years
three through five). These activities have the potential to harass
bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus), gray whales (Eschrichtius
robustus), beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas), ringed seals (Phoca
hispida), bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus), and spotted seals (Phoca
largha). Ice road construction may also result in the mortality of
ringed seals.
Information Solicited
Interested persons may submit information, suggestions, and
comments concerning Hilcorp's request (see ADDRESSES). NMFS will
consider all information, suggestions, and comments related to the
request during the development of proposed regulations governing the
incidental taking of marine mammals by Hilcorp, if appropriate.
Dated: May 4, 2018.
Donna S. Wieting,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries
Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-09904 Filed 5-8-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
