Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to National Wildlife Refuge Complex Research, Monitoring, and Maintenance Activities in Massachusetts, 42832-42837 [2020-15199]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 136 (Wednesday, July 15, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42832-42837]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-15199]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID 0648-XA242]


Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; 
Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to National Wildlife Refuge Complex 
Research, Monitoring, and Maintenance Activities in Massachusetts

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

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

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SUMMARY: NMFS received a request from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service (USFWS) for the Renewal of their currently active incidental 
harassment authorization (IHA) to take marine mammals incidental to 
conducting biological research, monitoring, and maintenance at the 
Eastern Massachusetts (MA) National Wildlife Refuge Complex (Complex). 
These activities are identical to those covered in the current 
authorization. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), 
prior to issuing the currently active IHA, NMFS requested comments on 
both the proposed IHA and the potential for renewing the initial 
authorization if certain requirements were satisfied. The Renewal 
requirements have been satisfied, and NMFS is now providing an 
additional 15-day comment period to allow for any additional comments 
on the proposed

[[Page 42833]]

Renewal not previously provided during the initial 30-day comment 
period.

DATES: Comments and information must be received no later than July 30, 
2020.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Jolie Harrison, Chief, 
Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service. Written comments should be submitted 
via email to [email protected].
    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, including all attachments, must 
not exceed a 25-megabyte file size. Attachments to 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/permit/incidental-take-authorizations-under-marine-mammal-protection-act 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: Amy Fowler, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, (301) 427-8401. Electronic copies of the original 
application, Renewal request, and supporting documents (including NMFS 
Federal Register notices of the original proposed and final 
authorizations, and the previous IHA), as well as a list of the 
references cited in this document, may be obtained online at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/permit/incidental-take-authorizations-under-marine-mammal-protection-act. In case of problems accessing these 
documents, please call the contact listed above.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The MMPA prohibits the ``take'' of marine mammals, with certain 
exceptions. 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 incidental take authorization is provided to the public for 
review.
    Authorization for incidental takings shall be granted if NMFS finds 
that the taking will have a negligible impact on the species or 
stock(s) and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the 
availability of the species or stock(s) for taking for subsistence uses 
(where relevant). Further, NMFS must prescribe the permissible methods 
of taking and other ``means of effecting the least practicable adverse 
impact'' on the affected species or stocks and their habitat, paying 
particular attention to rookeries, mating grounds, and areas of similar 
significance, and on the availability of such species or stocks for 
taking for certain subsistence uses (referred to here as ``mitigation 
measures''). Monitoring and reporting of such takings are also 
required. The meaning of key terms such as ``take,'' ``harassment,'' 
and ``negligible impact'' can be found in section 3 of the MMPA (16 
U.S.C. 1362) and the agency's regulations at 50 CFR 216.103.
    NMFS' regulations implementing the MMPA at 50 CFR 216.107(e) 
indicate that IHAs may be renewed for additional periods of time not to 
exceed one year for each reauthorization. In the notice of proposed IHA 
for the initial authorization, NMFS described the circumstances under 
which we would consider issuing a Renewal for this activity, and 
requested public comment on a potential Renewal under those 
circumstances. Specifically, on a case-by-case basis, NMFS may issue a 
one-time one-year Renewal IHA following notice to the public providing 
an additional 15 days for public comments when (1) up to another year 
of identical or nearly identical, or nearly identical, activities as 
described in the Description of Specified Activities and Anticipated 
Impacts section of this notice is planned or (2) the activities as 
described in the Description of Specified Activities and Anticipated 
Impacts section of this notice would not be completed by the time the 
IHA expires and a Renewal would allow for completion of the activities 
beyond that described in the Dates and Duration section of the notice 
of proposed IHA for the initial IHA, provided all of the following 
conditions are met:
     A request for renewal is received no later than 60 days 
prior to the needed Renewal IHA effective date (recognizing that the 
Renewal IHA expiration date cannot extend beyond one year from 
expiration of the initial IHA).
     The request for renewal must include the following:
    (1) An explanation that the activities to be conducted under the 
requested Renewal IHA are identical to the activities analyzed under 
the initial IHA, are a subset of the activities, or include changes so 
minor (e.g., reduction in pile size) that the changes do not affect the 
previous analyses, mitigation and monitoring requirements, or take 
estimates (with the exception of reducing the type or amount of take).
    (2) A preliminary monitoring report showing the results of the 
required monitoring to date and an explanation showing that the 
monitoring results do not indicate impacts of a scale or nature not 
previously analyzed or authorized.
    Upon review of the request for Renewal, the status of the affected 
species or stocks, and any other pertinent information, NMFS determines 
that there are no more than minor changes in the activities, the 
mitigation and monitoring measures will remain the same and 
appropriate, and the findings in the initial IHA remain valid.
    An additional public comment period of 15 days (for a total of 45 
days), with direct notice by email, phone, or postal service to 
commenters on the initial IHA, is provided to allow for any additional 
comments on the proposed Renewal. A description of the Renewal process 
may be found on our website at: www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/incidental-harassment-authorization-renewals. Any 
comments received on the potential Renewal, along with relevant 
comments on the initial IHA, have been considered in the development of 
this proposed IHA Renewal, and a summary of agency responses to 
applicable comments is included in this notice. NMFS will consider any 
additional public comments prior to making any final decision on the 
issuance of the requested Renewal, and agency responses will be 
summarized in the final notice of our decision.

National Environmental Policy Act

    To comply with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA; 
42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and NOAA Administrative Order (NAO) 216-6A, 
NMFS must review our proposed action (i.e., the issuance of an IHA 
Renewal) with respect to potential impacts on the human environment.
    This action is consistent with categories of activities identified 
in CE B4 of the Companion Manual for NOAA Administrative Order 216-6A, 
which do not individually or cumulatively have the potential for 
significant impacts on the quality of the human environment and for 
which we have not identified any extraordinary circumstances that

[[Page 42834]]

would preclude this categorical exclusion. Accordingly, NMFS has 
preliminarily determined that the issuance of the proposed IHA Renewal 
qualifies to be categorically excluded from further NEPA review.
    We will review all comments submitted in response to this notice 
prior to concluding our NEPA process or making a final decision on the 
IHA Renewal request.

History of Request

    On June 12, 2019, NMFS issued an IHA to the USFWS to take marine 
mammals incidental to research, monitoring, and maintenance activities 
within the Complex (84 FR 32415; July 8, 2019), effective from June 12, 
2019 through June 11, 2020. On May 22, 2020, NMFS received an 
application for the Renewal of that initial IHA. As described in the 
application for Renewal IHA, the activities for which incidental take 
is requested are identical to those covered in the initial 
authorization. As required, the applicant also provided a preliminary 
monitoring report (available at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/incidental-take-authorizations-research-and-other-activities) which confirms that the applicant has 
implemented the required mitigation and monitoring, and which also 
shows that no impacts of a scale or nature not previously analyzed or 
authorized have occurred as a result of the activities conducted.
    NMFS has previously issued two additional IHAs to the USFWS for 
similar activities (82 FR 3738, January 12, 2017; 83 FR 19236, May 2, 
2018).

Description of the Specified Activities and Anticipated Impacts

    The Complex is comprised of eight refuges, including its three 
coastal refuges: Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), Nantucket NWR, 
and Nomans Land Island (Nomans) NWR in eastern MA. The USFWS conducts 
ongoing biological tasks for refuge purposes at the Complex. The 2017 
and 2018 IHAs covered shorebird and seabird nest monitoring and 
research, roseate tern (Sterna dougallii) staging counts and 
resighting, red knot (Calidris canutus) stopover study, northeastern 
beach tiger beetle (Cicindela dorsalis) census, and coastal shoreline 
change survey at Monomoy, Nantucket, and Nomans NWRs. Under the 2019 
IHA (the initial IHA), the USFWS conducted identical seabird and 
shorebird research and monitoring activities, and also conducted New 
England cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis) reintroduction on Nomans 
NWR and protection of seal haulout areas at Nantucket NWR.
    As in the initial authorization, NMFS anticipates that take, by 
Level B harassment only, of gray seals (Halichoerus grypus atlantica) 
and harbor seals (Phoca vitulina concolor) could result from the 
specified activities (84 FR 32415; July 8, 2019).

Detailed Description of the Activity

    A detailed description of the USFWS proposed seabird and shorebird 
research and monitoring activities can be found in the Federal Register 
notice of proposed IHA for the 2018 IHA (83 FR 9483; March 6, 2018). A 
detailed description of the New England cottontail reintroduction and 
seal haul out protection activities can be found in the Federal 
Register notice of proposed IHA for the initial (2019) IHA (84 FR 
18259, April 30, 2019). The locations (as described in the Specific 
Geographic Region section of the initial IHA), timing, amount, and 
nature of the specified activities are identical to those described in 
the previous notices.
    The proposed IHA Renewal would be effective from the date of 
issuance through June 11, 2021.

Description of Marine Mammals

    A description of the marine mammals in the area of the activities 
for which authorization of take is proposed here, including information 
on abundance, status, distribution, and hearing, may be found in the 
Federal Register notice of the proposed IHA for the 2018 IHA (83 FR 
9483; March 6, 2018). Summary information is available in the Federal 
Register notices of the proposed and final initial authorization (84 FR 
18259, April 30, 2019; 84 FR 32415, July 8, 2019). NMFS has reviewed 
the monitoring data from the initial IHA, recent draft Stock Assessment 
Reports, information on relevant Unusual Mortality Events, and other 
scientific literature, and determined that neither this nor any other 
new information affects which species or stocks have the potential to 
be affected or the pertinent information in the Description of the 
Marine Mammals in the Area of Specified Activities contained in the 
supporting documents for the initial IHA.

Potential Effects on Marine Mammals and Their Habitat

    A description of the potential effects of the specified activity on 
marine mammals and their habitat for the activities for which take is 
proposed here may be found in the Federal Register notice of the 
proposed IHA for the 2018 IHA (83 FR 9483; March 6, 2018). Summary 
information is available in the Federal Register notices of the 
proposed and final initial authorization (84 FR 18259, April 30, 2019; 
84 FR 32415, July 8, 2019). NMFS has reviewed the monitoring data from 
the initial IHA, recent draft Stock Assessment Reports, information on 
relevant Unusual Mortality Events, and other scientific literature, and 
determined that neither this nor any other new information affects our 
initial analysis of impacts on marine mammals and their habitat.

Estimated Take

    A detailed description of the methods and inputs used to estimate 
authorized take is found in the Federal Register notice of the proposed 
IHA for the 2018 IHA (83 FR 9483; March 6, 2018). Summary information 
is available in the Federal Register notices of the proposed and final 
initial authorization (84 FR 18259, April 30, 2019; 84 FR 32415, July 
8, 2019). All estimated take is expected to be in the form of Level B 
harassment. The methods of estimating take for this proposed IHA 
Renewal are identical to those used in the initial IHA (i.e., by 
multiplying the maximum number of seals estimated to be present at each 
location by the number of events at each location that may result in 
disturbance). Specifically, the frequency of activities and marine 
mammal occurrence applicable to this authorization remain unchanged 
from the previously issued IHA (see Table 1). Similarly, the stocks 
taken, methods of take, and types of take remain unchanged from the 
previously issued IHA, as do the number of takes, which are indicated 
below in Table 2.
    The total estimated gray seal takes are presented in Table 1.

  Table 1--Estimated Number of Gray Seal Takes (by Level B Harassment) per Activity at Monomoy, Nantucket, and
                                                   Nomans NWRs
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                Activity                        Takes per event           Events per activity       Total takes
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Shorebird and Seabird Monitoring &        1000 (Monomoy), 50          34 (Monomoy), 8                     34,430
 Research.                                 (Nantucket), 10 (Nomans).   (Nantucket), 3 (Nomans).

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Roseate Tern Staging Counts & Resighting  10 (Monomoy), 10            6 (Monomoy), 4 (Nantucket)             100
                                           (Nantucket).
Red Knot Stopover Study.................  250 (Monomoy), 150 (Cape    5 (Monomoy), 5 (Cape Cod).           2,000
                                           Cod).
Northeastern Beach Tiger Beetle Census..  750 (Monomoy).............  3 (Monomoy)...............           2,250
Coastal Shoreline Change Survey.........  500 (Monomoy).............  1 (Monomoy)...............             500
New England Cottontail Introduction.....  10 (Nomans)...............  20 (Nomans)...............             200
Seal Haul Out Protection................  25 (Nantucket)............  10 (Nantucket)............             250
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total takes.........................  ..........................  ..........................          39,730
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    Estimated take of harbor seals was estimated using methods 
identical to the initial IHA (i.e., by estimating five percent of gray 
seal takes). Total proposed takes of gray seals and harbor seals are 
shown in Table 2.

                   Table 2--Total Proposed Take of Marine Mammals, Relative to Population Size
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                                                                                                      Percent
                                                                  Estimated take                  (comparison of
                             Species                                by Level B         Stock       instances of
                                                                    harassment       abundance     take to stock
                                                                                                    abundance)
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Gray seal.......................................................          39,730  \a\ 27,131 \b\             146
                                                                                       (451,131)          (8.81)
Harbor seal.....................................................           1,987          75,834            2.62
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\a\ Abundance in U.S. waters (Hayes et al., 2018).
\b\ Overall Western North Atlantic stock abundance (Hayes et al., 2018).

    Based on the stock abundance estimate presented in the 2017 Stock 
Assessment Report, the proposed take number of gray seals exceeds the 
number of gray seals in U.S. waters (Table 2; Hayes et al., 2018). 
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). We expect the 
take numbers to represent the number of exposures (i.e., instances of 
take), 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. In addition, this project occurs in a small 
portion of the overall range of the Northwest Atlantic population of 
gray seals. While there is evidence of haulout site philopatry, 
resights of tagged and branded animals and satellite tracks of tagged 
animals show movement of individuals between the United States and 
Canada (Puryear et al., 2016). The percentage of time that individuals 
are resident in U.S. waters is unknown (NMFS 2017). Genetic evidence 
provides a high degree of certainty that the Western North Atlantic 
stock of gray seals is a single stock (Boskovic et al., 1996; Wood et 
al., 2011). Thus, although the U.S. stock estimate is only 27,131, the 
overall stock abundance of animals in United States and Canadian waters 
is 451,131. The gray seal take estimate for this project represents 
less than 9 percent of the overall Western North Atlantic stock 
abundance (Table 2) if every separate instance of take were assumed to 
accrue to a different individual, and because this is not the case, the 
percentage is likely significantly lower.

Description of Proposed Mitigation, Monitoring and Reporting Measures

    The proposed mitigation, monitoring, and reporting measures 
included as requirements in this authorization are identical to those 
included in the Federal Register notice announcing the issuance of the 
initial IHA (84 FR 32414; July 8, 2020), and the discussion of the 
least practicable adverse impact included in that notice remains 
accurate. The following measures are proposed for this renewal:
Time and Frequency
    The USFWS would conduct all proposed research and monitoring 
activities throughout the course of the year between April 1 and 
November 30, outside of the seasons of highest seal abundance and 
pupping at the Complex. Closure of beaches used by seals may occur 
year-round at Nantucket NWR.
Vessel Approach and Timing Techniques
    The USFWS would ensure that its vessels approach beaches with 
pinniped haul outs so as to not disturb marine mammals as is most 
practical. To the extent possible, the vessel would approach the 
beaches in a slow and controlled approach, as far away as possibly from 
haulouts 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 source level (SL) of 128 decibels (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 sound pressure 
level (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 yards (73 meters) from the source. The USFWS 
proposes to stay at least 100 m from all pinnipeds if cannon nets are 
to be used for research purposes.

[[Page 42836]]

Avoidance of Visual and Acoustic Contact With People
    The USFWS would instruct its members and research staff to avoid 
making unnecessary noise and not allow themselves to be seen by 
pinnipeds whenever practicable. USFWS staff would stay at least 50 
yards (46 meters) from hauled out pinnipeds, unless it is absolutely 
necessary to approach seals closer, or potentially flush a seal, 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 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 haulouts, 
and if predators (i.e., sharks) are seen, seals will not be flushed by 
USFWS staff.
Marine Mammal Monitoring
    The USFWS will monitor seals as project activities are 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 two 
body lengths, or change in direction greater than 90 degrees; 3 = 
flushing (Table 3). 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.

                               Table 3--Levels of Pinniped Behavioral Disturbance
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                Level                      Type of response                        Definition
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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.
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* Only observations of disturbance Levels 2 and 3 are recorded as takes.

    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 
other marine mammal occurs, and such action may be a result of the 
USFWS's activities, the USFWS would suspend 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.
Reporting
    The USFWS would submit a draft report to NMFS Office of Protected 
Resources no later than 90 days after the expiration of this 
authorization. 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 NMFS within 30 
days after receiving comments from NMFS on the draft report. If the 
USFWS receives no comments from NMFS on the draft report, NMFS will 
consider the draft report to be the final report.

Public Comments

    As noted previously, NMFS published a notice of a proposed IHA (84 
FR 18259; April 30, 2019) and solicited public comments on both our 
proposal to issue the initial IHA for the USFWS's seabird and shorebird 
research and monitoring activities and on the potential for a Renewal 
IHA, should certain requirements be met.
    All public comments were addressed in the notice announcing the 
issuance of the initial IHA (84 FR 32415; July 8, 2019). Below, we 
describe how we have addressed, with updated information where 
appropriate, any comments received that specifically pertain to the 
Renewal of the 2019 IHA.
    Comment: The Marine Mammal Commission (Commission) questioned 
whether the public notice provisions for IHA renewals fully satisfy the 
public notice and comment provision in the MMPA and discussed the 
potential burden on reviewers of reviewing key documents and developing 
comments quickly. Additionally, the Commission recommended that NMFS 
use the IHA Renewal process sparingly and selectively for activities 
expected to have the lowest levels of impacts to marine mammals and 
that require less complex analysis.
    Response: The Commission has submitted this comment multiple times, 
and NMFS has responded multiple times, including, for example, more 
recently in the notice of issuance of an IHA to [Oslash]rsted Wind 
Power LLC (84 FR 52464, October 2, 2019), and we refer the Commission 
to that response. We also include NMFS' original response to the 
comment received on the 2019 USFWS proposed IHA here:
    NMFS has taken a number of steps to ensure the public has adequate 
notice, time, and information to be able to comment effectively on 
Renewal IHAs within the limitations of processing IHA applications 
efficiently. Federal Register notices for the proposed initial IHAs 
identified the conditions under which a one-year Renewal IHA might be 
appropriate. This information is presented in the Request for Public 
Comments section of the Federal Register notice of the initial proposed 
IHA (84 FR 18259; April 30, 2019) and

[[Page 42837]]

thus encourages submission of comments on the potential of a one-year 
renewal as well as the initial IHA during the 30-day comment period. In 
addition, when we receive an application for a Renewal IHA, we will 
publish notice of the proposed IHA Renewal in the Federal Register and 
provide an additional 15 days for public comment, making a total of 45 
days of public comment. We also directly contact all commenters on the 
initial IHA by email, phone, or, if the commenter did not provide email 
or phone information, by postal service to provide them the opportunity 
to submit any additional comments on the proposed Renewal IHA. Where 
the commenter has already had the opportunity to review and comment on 
the potential for a Renewal in the initial proposed IHA for these 
activities, the abbreviated additional comment period is sufficient for 
consideration of the results of the preliminary monitoring report and 
new information (if any) from the past year.
    NMFS also strives to ensure the public has access to key 
information needed to submit comments on a proposed IHA, whether an 
initial IHA or a Renewal IHA. The agency's website includes information 
for all projects under consideration, including the application, 
references, and other supporting documents. Each Federal Register 
notice also includes contact information in the event a commenter has 
questions or cannot find the information they seek.
    For more information, NMFS has published a description of the 
Renewal process on our website (available at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/incidental-harassment-authorization-renewals).

Preliminary Determinations

    The seabird and shorebird research and monitoring activities 
proposed by the USFWS are identical to those analyzed in the initial 
IHA, as are the expected number of days of activity, the method of 
taking, and the effects of the action. The potential effects of the 
USFWS's activities are limited to Level B harassment in the form of 
behavioral disturbance. In analyzing the effects of the activities in 
the initial IHA, NMFS determined that the USFWS's activities would have 
a negligible impact on the affected species or stocks and that the 
authorized take numbers of each species or stock were small relative to 
the relevant stocks (e.g., less than 9 percent of all stocks). The 
numbers of marine mammals proposed to be taken in this authorization 
are identical to those authorized in the initial IHA. The mitigation 
measures and monitoring and reporting requirements as described above 
also are identical to the initial IHA.
    NMFS has preliminarily concluded that there is no new information 
suggesting that our analysis or findings should change from those 
reached for the initial IHA. Based on the information and analysis 
contained here and in the referenced documents, NMFS has determined the 
following: (1) The required mitigation measures will effect the least 
practicable impact on marine mammal species or stocks and their 
habitat; (2) the authorized takes will have a negligible impact on the 
affected marine mammal species or stocks; (3) the authorized takes 
represent small numbers of marine mammals relative to the affected 
stock abundances; (4) USFWS's activities will not have an unmitigable 
adverse impact on taking for subsistence purposes as no relevant 
subsistence uses of marine mammals are implicated by this action, and; 
(5) appropriate monitoring and reporting requirements are included.

Endangered Species Act (ESA)

    No incidental take of ESA-listed species is proposed for 
authorization or expected to result from this activity. Therefore, NMFS 
has determined that formal consultation under section 7 of the ESA is 
not required for this action.

Proposed Renewal IHA and Request for Public Comment

    As a result of these preliminary determinations, NMFS proposes to 
issue a Renewal IHA to the USFWS for conducting research and monitoring 
activities at the Complex from the date of issuance through June 11, 
2021, provided the previously described mitigation, monitoring, and 
reporting requirements are incorporated. A draft of the proposed and 
final initial IHA can be found at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/permit/incidental-take-authorizations-under-marine-mammal-protection-act.
    We request comment on our analyses, the proposed Renewal IHA, and 
any other aspect of this notice. Please include with your comments any 
supporting data or literature citations to help inform our final 
decision on the request for MMPA authorization.

    Dated: July 9, 2020.
Donna S. Wieting,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-15199 Filed 7-14-20; 8:45 am]
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