Ocean Research Advisory Panel (ORAP), 82835-82836 [2023-26076]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 226 / Monday, November 27, 2023 / Notices khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES installation and subsequent removal of nearshore temporary cofferdams and goal posts by vibratory pile driving or two casing pipes using pneumatic hammering at the cable landfall sites at Quonset Point in North Kingstown, Rhode Island; high-resolution geophysical (HRG) marine site characterization surveys using active acoustic sources; the detonation of up to 13 unexploded ordnance or munitions and explosives of concern (UXO/MECs) of different charge weights; fishery and ecological monitoring surveys; the placement of scour protection; the installation of the export cable route from OSSs to shore-based converter stations and inter-array cables between turbines by trenching, laying, and burial activities; vessel transits within the specified geographical region to transport crew, supplies, and materials to support construction and operation. Marine mammals exposed to elevated noise levels during impact driving or UXO/MEC detonations may be taken by Level A harassment, and marine mammals exposed to elevated noise levels during impact and vibratory pile driving, site characterization surveys, or UXO/MEC detonations may be taken by Level B harassment. No Level A harassment of North Atlantic right whales, blue whales, sperm whales, Atlantic spotted dolphins, long-finned pilot whales, or Risso’s dolphins is anticipated or authorized. No mortality or serious injury of any marine mammal is anticipated or authorized. Authorization In accordance with the final rule (88 FR 72562, October 20, 2023, see 50 CFR 217.276), we have issued a LOA to Revolution Wind authorizing the take, by harassment, of marine mammals incidental to specified construction activities within the specified geographical region. No mortality or serious injury of any marine mammal species is anticipated or authorized. The incidental takes authorized herein are the same as those analyzed and authorized in the final rule (88 FR 72562, October 20, 2023). Takes of marine mammals will be minimized through the following planned mitigation and monitoring measures, as applicable for each specified activity: (1) implementation of seasonal/time of day work restrictions; (2) use of multiple NMFS-approved Protected Species Observers (PSOs) to visually observe for marine mammals (with any detection within specifically designated zones triggering a delay or shutdown, as applicable); (3) use of NMFS-approved passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) operators to acoustically detect marine VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:43 Nov 24, 2023 Jkt 262001 mammals, with a focus on detecting baleen whales (with any detection within designated zones triggering a delay or shutdown, as applicable); (4) implementation of clearance and shutdown zones; (5) use of soft-start prior to the start of impact pile driving; (6) use of noise attenuation technology during impact pile driving and UXO/ MEC detonations; (7) use of situational awareness monitoring for marine mammal presence; (8) use of sound field verification monitoring; (9) use of softstart impact pile driving and ramp-up acoustic sources during HRG surveys; (10) implementation of vessel separation zones between marine mammals and project vessels; (11) use of PAM within the vessel transit corridor for Project vessels to travel over 10 knots (11.5 miles per hour); and (12) implementation of Vessel Strike Avoidance measures to reduce the risk of a vessel collision with a marine mammals. Additionally, NMFS may modify the LOA’s mitigation, monitoring, or reporting measures, based on new information, when appropriate (see 50 CFR 217.277(c)). Revolution Wind is also required to submit reports, as specified in the final rule. Based on the findings and information discussed in the preamble of the final rule, the take authorized in the LOA will have a negligible impact on marine mammal stocks, will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the affected marine mammal stock for subsistence uses, and the mitigation measures provide a means of affecting the least practicable adverse impact on the affected stocks and their habitat. Dated: November 21, 2023. Kimberly Damon-Randall, Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2023–26077 Filed 11–24–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Ocean Research Advisory Panel (ORAP) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce (DOC). ACTION: Notice of public meetings. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of a meeting of the Ocean Research Advisory Panel (ORAP). The members will PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 82835 discuss issues outlined in the section on matters to be considered. DATES: The meeting is scheduled for December 13, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) and December 14, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EST. These times and the agenda topics described below are subject to change. For the latest agenda please refer to the ORAP website: https:// www.noaa.gov/ocean-research-advisorypanel/orap-public-meetings. ADDRESSES: The December 13–14, 2023 meeting will be at the AGU Conference Center, 2000 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009. The link for the webinar registration will be posted, when available, on the ORAP website: https://www.noaa.gov/ocean-researchadvisory-panel/orap-public-meetings. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Viviane Silva, ORAP Designated Federal Officer (DFO), SSMC3, Room 11320, 1315 East-West Hwy., Silver Spring, MD 20910; Phone Number: 240–624–0656; Email: DFO.orap@noaa.gov; or visit the ORAP website at https://www.noaa.gov/ ocean-research-advisory-panel/orappublic-meetings. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Ocean Research Advisory Panel (ORAP) advises the Ocean Policy Committee (OPC) and provides independent recommendations to the Federal Government on matters of ocean policy. Congress directed the establishment of the ORAP in section 1055(c) of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Pub. L. 116–283), 10 U.S.C. 8933. ORAP’s responsibilities are (1) to advise the OPC on policies and procedures to implement the National Oceanographic Partnership Program; (2) to advise the OPC on matters relating to national oceanographic science, engineering, facilities, or resource requirements; (3) to advise the OPC on improving diversity, equity, and inclusion in the ocean sciences and related fields; (4) to advise the OPC on national ocean research priorities; and (5) any additional responsibilities that the OPC considers appropriate. Status: The December 13, 2023 meeting will be open to public participation with a 15-minute public comment period at 3:15 p.m. EST. The ORAP expects that public statements presented at its meetings will not be repetitive of previously submitted verbal or written statements. In general, each individual or group making a verbal presentation will be limited to a total time of three minutes. Written comments for the December 13–14, 2023 meeting should be received by E:\FR\FM\27NON1.SGM 27NON1 82836 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 226 / Monday, November 27, 2023 / Notices December 1, 2023 by the ORAP DFO (DFO.orap@noaa.gov) to provide sufficient time for ORAP review. Written comments received by the ORAP DFO after this date will be distributed to the ORAP, but may not be reviewed prior to the meeting date. Special Accommodations: These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for special accommodations may be directed to the ORAP DFO no later than 12 p.m. EST on December 1, 2023. Matters To Be Considered: The December 13–14, 2023 meeting, will explore the Ocean Policy Committee (OPC) Action Plan and identify areas for ORAP focus. Additionally, as the first meeting of ORAP advising OPC, it will allow ORAP to organize internally to conduct work. The expected outcomes are a shared understanding between ORAP and OPC on interests, capacities, opportunities, and expectations regarding ORAP efforts, and identification of initial topics for ORAP to address. Meeting materials, including work products, will be made available on the ORAP website: https://www.noaa.gov/ ocean-research-advisory-panel/orappublic-meetings. Dated: November 14, 2023. David Holst, Director Chief Financial Officer/CAO, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. [FR Doc. 2023–26076 Filed 11–24–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–KD–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XD458] Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Pacific Gas & Electric Sediment Remediation Project, San Francisco Bay National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice; proposed incidental harassment authorization; request for comments on proposed authorization and possible renewal. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: NMFS has received a request from Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to construction associated with a sediment remediation project in San Francisco Bay, California. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:43 Nov 24, 2023 Jkt 262001 Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to incidentally take marine mammals during the specified activities. NMFS is also requesting comments on a possible one-time, oneyear renewal that could be issued under certain circumstances and if all requirements are met, as described in Request for Public Comments at the end of this notice. NMFS will consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the issuance of the requested MMPA authorization and agency responses will be summarized in the final notice of our decision. DATES: Comments and information must be received no later than December 27, 2023. ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Jolie Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service and should be submitted via email to ITP.jacobus@ noaa.gov. Electronic copies of the application and supporting documents, as well as a list of the references cited in this document, may be obtained online at: https:// www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/ marine-mammal-protection/incidentaltake-authorizations-constructionactivities. In case of problems accessing these documents, please call the contact listed above. 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 25megabyte file size. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted online at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/ national/marine-mammal-protection/ incidental-take-authorizationsconstruction-activities 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. Electronic copies of the application and supporting documents, as well as a list of the references cited in this document, may be obtained online at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/ national/marine-mammal-protection/ incidental-take-authorizationsconstruction-activities. In case of problems accessing these documents, please call the contact listed below. PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kristy Jacobus, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, (301) 427–8401. 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 proposed or, if the taking is limited to harassment, a notice of a proposed IHA 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 the species or stocks for taking for certain subsistence uses (referred to in shorthand as ‘‘mitigation’’); and requirements pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring and reporting of the takings are set forth. The definitions of all applicable MMPA statutory terms cited above are included in the relevant sections below. 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) with respect to potential impacts on the human environment. This action is consistent with categories of activities identified in Categorical Exclusion B4 (IHAs with no anticipated serious injury or mortality) 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 would preclude this categorical exclusion. Accordingly, NMFS has E:\FR\FM\27NON1.SGM 27NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 226 (Monday, November 27, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 82835-82836]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-26076]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Ocean Research Advisory Panel (ORAP)

AGENCY:
     National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department 
of Commerce (DOC).

ACTION: Notice of public meetings.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of a 
meeting of the Ocean Research Advisory Panel (ORAP). The members will 
discuss issues outlined in the section on matters to be considered.

DATES: The meeting is scheduled for December 13, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 
4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) and December 14, 2023 from 9 a.m. 
to 12:30 p.m. EST. These times and the agenda topics described below 
are subject to change. For the latest agenda please refer to the ORAP 
website: https://www.noaa.gov/ocean-research-advisory-panel/orap-public-meetings.

ADDRESSES: The December 13-14, 2023 meeting will be at the AGU 
Conference Center, 2000 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009. The link 
for the webinar registration will be posted, when available, on the 
ORAP website: https://www.noaa.gov/ocean-research-advisory-panel/orap-public-meetings.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Viviane Silva, ORAP Designated Federal 
Officer (DFO), SSMC3, Room 11320, 1315 East-West Hwy., Silver Spring, 
MD 20910; Phone Number: 240-624-0656; Email: [email protected]; or 
visit the ORAP website at https://www.noaa.gov/ocean-research-advisory-panel/orap-public-meetings.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Ocean Research Advisory Panel (ORAP) 
advises the Ocean Policy Committee (OPC) and provides independent 
recommendations to the Federal Government on matters of ocean policy.
    Congress directed the establishment of the ORAP in section 1055(c) 
of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2021 (Pub. L. 116-283), 10 U.S.C. 8933.
    ORAP's responsibilities are (1) to advise the OPC on policies and 
procedures to implement the National Oceanographic Partnership Program; 
(2) to advise the OPC on matters relating to national oceanographic 
science, engineering, facilities, or resource requirements; (3) to 
advise the OPC on improving diversity, equity, and inclusion in the 
ocean sciences and related fields; (4) to advise the OPC on national 
ocean research priorities; and (5) any additional responsibilities that 
the OPC considers appropriate.
    Status: The December 13, 2023 meeting will be open to public 
participation with a 15-minute public comment period at 3:15 p.m. EST. 
The ORAP expects that public statements presented at its meetings will 
not be repetitive of previously submitted verbal or written statements. 
In general, each individual or group making a verbal presentation will 
be limited to a total time of three minutes. Written comments for the 
December 13-14, 2023 meeting should be received by

[[Page 82836]]

December 1, 2023 by the ORAP DFO ([email protected]) to provide 
sufficient time for ORAP review. Written comments received by the ORAP 
DFO after this date will be distributed to the ORAP, but may not be 
reviewed prior to the meeting date.
    Special Accommodations: These meetings are physically accessible to 
people with disabilities. Requests for special accommodations may be 
directed to the ORAP DFO no later than 12 p.m. EST on December 1, 2023.
    Matters To Be Considered: The December 13-14, 2023 meeting, will 
explore the Ocean Policy Committee (OPC) Action Plan and identify areas 
for ORAP focus. Additionally, as the first meeting of ORAP advising 
OPC, it will allow ORAP to organize internally to conduct work. The 
expected outcomes are a shared understanding between ORAP and OPC on 
interests, capacities, opportunities, and expectations regarding ORAP 
efforts, and identification of initial topics for ORAP to address.
    Meeting materials, including work products, will be made available 
on the ORAP website: https://www.noaa.gov/ocean-research-advisory-panel/orap-public-meetings.

    Dated: November 14, 2023.
David Holst,
Director Chief Financial Officer/CAO, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2023-26076 Filed 11-24-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-KD-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.