National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration March 14, 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS received a request from the United States Department of the Navy for the renewal of their currently active incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to take marine mammals incidental to the replacement of Pier 3 at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia. These activities are identical to those covered in the current authorization. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act, 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 renewal not previously provided during the initial 30-day comment period.

Notice is hereby given of the availability of final evaluation findings for seven national estuarine research reserves, Ashepoo- Combahee-Edisto (ACE) Basin, Chesapeake Bay Virginia, Guana Tolomato Matanzas (GTM), San Francisco Bay, South Slough, Tijuana River, and Weeks Bay, under Section 315 of the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA).