Department of Commerce March 21, 2022 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS has received a request from Orsted Wind Power North America, LLC, (Orsted) on behalf of Garden State Offshore Energy, LLC (Garden State) and Skipjack Offshore Energy, LLC (Skipjack) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to site characterization surveys off the coast of Delaware. 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, one-year 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.

NMFS has received a request from Revolution Wind, LLC (Revolution Wind), a subsidiary of [Oslash]rsted Wind Power North America, LLC's ([Oslash]rsted), for authorization to take small numbers of marine mammals incidental to construction and operation activities associated with the Revolution Wind Offshore Wind Farm in Revolution Wind's lease area on the Outer Continental Shelf (OSC-A 0468) offshore of Rhode Island over the course of 5 years beginning in 2023. Pursuant to regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is announcing receipt of Revolution Wind's request for the development and implementation of regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals and issuance of a Letter of Authorization (LOA). NMFS invites the public to provide information, suggestions, and comments on Revolution Wind's application and request.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Pacific Council) and its advisory entities will hold online and in-person public meetings.

The Department of Commerce (Commerce) determines that NTSF Seafoods Joint Stock Company (NTSF), an exporter of certain frozen fish fillets (fish fillets) from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (Vietnam), did not sell subject merchandise in the United States at prices below normal value during the period of review (POR) August 1, 2019, through July 31, 2020. Commerce also determines that it is appropriate to apply facts available, with adverse inferences (AFA), to East Sea Seafoods Joint Stock Company (ESS), an exporter of fish fillets from Vietnam. Further, Commerce determines that one additional company, Green Farms Seafood Joint Stock Company (Green Farms), is eligible for separate rate status, 32 companies did not establish eligibility for a separate rate and are part of the Vietnam-wide entity, and 15 companies had no shipments during the POR.

In accordance with the regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as amended, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued an IHA to the United States Department of the Navy (Navy) to incidentally harass marine mammals during pile driving activities associated with the replacement of Pier 3 at Naval Station Norfolk, in Norfolk, Virginia.

The Pacific Fishery Management Council's (Pacific Council) Ad Hoc Marine Planning Committee (MPC) will hold a public meeting.