National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration May 2, 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS has received a request from US Wind, Inc. (US Wind) for authorization to take small numbers of marine mammals incidental to the development of the Maryland Offshore Wind Project (Project) in the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Commercial Lease on the Outer Continental Shelf OCS-A 0490 off of Maryland over the course of 5 years beginning on January 1, 2025. Pursuant to regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is announcing receipt of US Wind's request for regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals. NMFS invites the public to provide information, suggestions, and comments on US Wind's application and request.

NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the Port of Nome Modification Project in Nome, Alaska. 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, 1-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.

Notice is hereby given that NMFS' Northeast Fisheries Science Center, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543 (Responsible Party: Jon Hare, Ph.D.), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on pinnipeds.