Fish and Wildlife Service August 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Endangered Species; Receipt of Recovery Permit Application
Document Number: 2019-18729
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-30
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received an application for a permit to conduct activities intended to enhance the propagation and survival of endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on this application. Before issuing the requested permit, we will take into consideration any information that we receive during the public comment period.
US Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) Adoption of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Restoration Center (NOAA RC) Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Coastal Habitat Restoration (PEIS)
Document Number: 2019-18620
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-29
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
The Service, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), is adopting the NOAA RC PEIS. NOAA RC developed the PEIS in 2015 to evaluate impacts to natural and human environments of coastal habitat restoration activities funded or implemented through existing NOAA programs. Activities evaluated in the NOAA RC PEIS are similar to and often co-implemented or co-funded through analogous Service programs. The Service published its Notice of Intent to Adopt the NOAA RC PEIS on November 26, 2016 and invited agency and public comment for this adoption action. The 30-day comment period for this action ended December 27, 2016; the Service received no comments on the proposed adoption. The Service has prepared a ROD to formalize the adoption of the NOAA RC PEIS and implement its provisions. We provide this notice to make the ROD available to the public.
Migratory Bird Hunting; Seasons and Bag and Possession Limits for Certain Migratory Game Birds
Document Number: 2019-18354
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-08-28
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
This rule prescribes the hunting seasons, hours, areas, and daily bag and possession limits for migratory game birds. Taking of migratory birds is prohibited unless specifically provided for by annual regulations. This rule permits the taking of designated species during the 2019-20 season.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removing Trifolium stoloniferum (Running Buffalo Clover) From the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants
Document Number: 2019-18413
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2019-08-27
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to remove the Trifolium stoloniferum (running buffalo clover) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants, due to recovery. This determination is based on a thorough review of the best available scientific and commercial information, which indicates that the threats to the species have been eliminated or reduced to the point that it no longer meets the definition of an endangered or a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We are seeking information and comments from the public regarding this proposed rule. We are also seeking comments on the draft post-delisting monitoring plan for running buffalo clover.
Migratory Bird Hunting; Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations on Certain Federal Indian Reservations and Ceded Lands for the 2019-20 Season
Document Number: 2019-18356
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-08-27
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
This rule prescribes special migratory bird hunting regulations for certain Tribes on Federal Indian reservations, off- reservation trust lands, and ceded lands. This rule responds to tribal requests for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter Service or we) recognition of their authority to regulate hunting under established guidelines. This rule allows the establishment of season bag limits and, thus, harvest at levels compatible with populations and habitat conditions.
Financial Assistance: Wildlife Restoration, Sport Fish Restoration, Hunter Education and Safety
Document Number: 2019-18187
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-08-27
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are issuing final regulations governing the Wildlife Restoration and Sport Fish Restoration financial assistance programs that include the Enhanced Hunter Education and Safety program and the Basic Hunter Education and Safety, Recreational Boating Access, Aquatic Resource Education, and Outreach and Communications subprograms. This final rule reflects targeted changes to the existing rule and is not a complete update. We proposed changes December 15, 2017, based on changes to law, regulation, policy, and practice since the last rulemaking in 2011. This final rule adds and updates definitions and eligible activities under these programs; simplifies requirements for license certification, especially for multiyear licenses; updates authorities; and clarifies how a grantee may use program income under an award. We reviewed all comments received during the comment period and made changes where necessary based on concerns and recommendations. We do not include all proposed changes in the final rule and will continue to work with partners to address those items in future policy or rulemaking.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations for Prohibitions to Threatened Wildlife and Plants
Document Number: 2019-17519
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-08-27
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or FWS), revise our regulations related to threatened species to remove the prior default extension of most of the prohibitions for activities involving endangered species to threatened species. For species already listed as a threatened species, the revised regulations do not alter the applicable prohibitions. The revised regulations provide that the Service, pursuant to section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act (``ESA'' or the ``Act''), will determine what protective regulations are appropriate for species added to or reclassified on the lists of threatened species.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations for Listing Species and Designating Critical Habitat
Document Number: 2019-17518
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-08-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) (collectively referred to as the ``Services'' or ``we''), revise portions of our regulations that implement section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The revisions to the regulations clarify, interpret, and implement portions of the Act concerning the procedures and criteria used for listing or removing species from the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants and designating critical habitat.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations for Interagency Cooperation
Document Number: 2019-17517
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-08-27
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
FWS and NMFS (collectively referred to as the ``Services'' or ``we'') revise portions of our regulations that implement section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (``Act''). The revisions to the regulations clarify, interpret, and implement portions of the Act concerning the interagency cooperation procedures.
Foreign Endangered Species; Receipt of Permit Applications
Document Number: 2019-18203
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-23
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on applications to conduct certain activities with foreign species that are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). With some exceptions, the ESA prohibits activities with listed species unless Federal authorization is issued that allows such activities. The ESA also requires that we invite public comment before issuing permits for any activity otherwise prohibited by the ESA with respect to any endangered species.
Receipt of Incidental Take Permit Application and Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan for the Sand Skink and Blue-Tailed Mole Skink, Osceola County, FL; Categorical Exclusion
Document Number: 2019-18095
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-22
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receipt of an application from Mattamy Homes (applicant) for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. The applicant requests the ITP to take the federally listed sand skink and blue-tailed mole skink incidental to construction in Osceola County, Florida. We request public comment on the application, which includes the applicant's proposed habitat conservation plan (HCP), and the Service's preliminary determination that this HCP qualifies as ``low-effect,'' categorically excluded, under the National Environmental Policy Act. To make this determination, we used our environmental action statement and low- effect screening form, both of which are also available for public review.
Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations
Document Number: 2019-17561
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-08-19
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we) prescribes final frameworks from which States may select season dates, limits, and other options for the 2019-20 migratory bird hunting seasons. The effect of this final rule is to facilitate the States' selection of hunting seasons and to further the annual establishment of the migratory bird hunting regulations. We annually prescribe frameworks, or outer limits, for dates and times when hunting may occur and the number of birds that may be taken and possessed in hunting seasons. These frameworks are necessary to allow State selections of seasons and limits and to allow recreational harvest at levels compatible with population and habitat conditions.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 28 Draft Recovery Plan Revisions for 53 Species in the Southeast, Mountain-Prairie, and Pacific Southwest Regions of the United States
Document Number: 2019-17616
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-16
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
On August 6, 2019, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announced via a Federal Register notice the availability for public review and comment of 28 draft recovery plan revisions, which update recovery criteria for 53 endangered or threatened species located in 12 States (Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee, and Utah) and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Our notice inadvertently included an incorrect URL for the recovery plan revision for the Virgin River chub. In this notice, we correct the error.
Endangered Species; Recovery Permit Applications
Document Number: 2019-17611
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-16
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received applications for permits to conduct activities intended to enhance the propagation or survival of endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on these applications. Before issuing any of the requested permits, we will take into consideration any information that we receive during the public comment period.
Foreign Endangered Species; Receipt of Permit Applications
Document Number: 2019-17589
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-16
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on applications to conduct certain activities with foreign species that are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). With some exceptions, the ESA prohibits activities with listed species unless Federal authorization is issued that allows such activities. The ESA also requires that we invite public comment before issuing permits for any activity otherwise prohibited by the ESA with respect to any endangered species.
Foreign Endangered Species; Receipt of Permit Applications
Document Number: 2019-17587
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-16
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on applications to conduct certain activities with foreign species that are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). With some exceptions, the ESA prohibits activities with listed species unless Federal authorization is issued that allows such activities. The ESA also requires that we invite public comment before issuing permits for any activity otherwise prohibited by the ESA with respect to any endangered species.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Species Status for Franklin's Bumble Bee (Bombus franklini)
Document Number: 2019-17337
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2019-08-13
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list the Franklin's bumble bee (Bombus franklini), an invertebrate species from Douglas, Jackson, and Josephine Counties in Oregon, and Siskiyou and Trinity Counties in California, as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We find that disease and other natural or manmade factors are likely the primary threats to the species within its habitat. If made final, this rule would add this species to the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and apply the protections of the Act to this species. In this proposed rule, we determine that designating critical habitat for the Franklin's bumble bee is not prudent, because the Franklin's bumble bee is a habitat generalist, and the present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of habitat is not a threat to Franklin's bumble bee. Consequently, the designation of critical habitat would not be beneficial to the Franklin's bumble bee.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Falconry Application Database
Document Number: 2019-17240
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-13
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service, we), are proposing a new information collection.
Endangered Species; Receipt of Recovery Permit Application
Document Number: 2019-17231
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-13
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received an application for a permit to conduct activities intended to enhance the propagation and survival of endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on this application. Before issuing the requested permit, we will take into consideration any information that we receive during the public comment period.
Delta Research Station Project: Estuarine Research Station and Fish Technology Center, Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement; Sacramento, California
Document Number: 2019-17225
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-13
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), have prepared a final environmental impact report/environmental impact statement (EIR/EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and its implementing regulations. The final EIR/EIS evaluates impacts regarding construction and operation of the Delta Research Station (DRS) in the San Francisco Bay/Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Estuary, California. The planned DRS would consist of two facilities, a proposed Estuarine Research Station and a Fish Technology Center. The USFWS is the lead Federal agency responsible for coordinating the environmental analysis for the proposed action under NEPA. The California Department of Water Resources is the lead State agency responsible for coordinating the environmental analysis under the California Environmental Quality Act.
Subsistence Management Regulations for Public Lands in Alaska-2019-20 and 2020-21 Subsistence Taking of Fish Regulations
Document Number: 2019-17136
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-08-12
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
This final rule revises regulations for seasons, harvest limits, methods, and means related to taking of fish for subsistence uses in Alaska during the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 regulatory years. The Federal Subsistence Board (Board) completes the biennial process of revising subsistence hunting and trapping regulations in even-numbered years and subsistence fishing and shellfish regulations in odd-numbered years; public proposal and review processes take place during the preceding year. The Board also addresses customary and traditional use determinations during the applicable biennial cycle. This rule also revises fish customary and traditional use determinations.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Policy Regarding Voluntary Prelisting Conservation Actions
Document Number: 2019-17057
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-09
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service, we), are proposing a new information collection in use without an OMB Control Number.
Subsistence Management Regulations for Public Lands in Alaska-Cook Inlet Area Regulations
Document Number: 2019-16870
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-08-09
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
This final rule revises the regulations for seasons, harvest limits, and methods and means for the subsistence taking of fish in the Cook Inlet Area of Alaska. This action also reorganizes specific regulations addressing the Kenai River, which will provide clarity for the public, and allow the Federal Subsistence Board to correct regulatory conflicts that have arisen based on recent rulemaking.
Emergency Exemption; Issuance of Emergency Permit To Import Endangered Species
Document Number: 2019-16970
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-08
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have waived the 30-day public notice period and have issued an endangered species permit for activities with four wild-collected eggs from piping plover (Charadrius melodus), an endangered bird species. We issue this permit under the Endangered Species Act.
National Wildlife Refuge System; Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge; Possible Name Change
Document Number: 2019-16966
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-08
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service, we), are considering renaming the Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge. We invite the public to comment on the question of whether or not to rename this refuge.
Migratory Bird Hunting; Normal Agricultural Operations
Document Number: 2019-16629
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-08-08
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 includes a provision that directs the Secretary of the Interior to revise the Federal migratory bird hunting regulations in part 20 of title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The provision directs the Secretary to clarify that rice ratooning and post-disaster flooding, when carried out as part of a normal agricultural operation, do not constitute baiting. Current Federal regulations in 50 CFR part 20 prohibit the use of baiting to attract birds when hunting. This rule implements the Congressional directives in the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 by making the necessary revisions to the migratory bird hunting regulations regarding rice ratooning and post-disaster flooding.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 21 Draft Recovery Plan Revisions for 43 Southeastern Species
Document Number: 2019-16750
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-06
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability for public review and comment of 21 draft recovery plan revisions, which update recovery criteria for 43 endangered or threatened species located in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, and Tennessee, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. We are updating recovery criteria to better assist in determining when an endangered species has recovered to the point that it may be reclassified as threatened, or that the protections afforded by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) are no longer necessary and the species may be removed from the ESA's protections. We request review of these draft recovery plan revisions and invite comments from local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and the public.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 28 Draft Recovery Plan Revisions for 53 Species in the Southeast, Mountain-Prairie, and Pacific Southwest Regions of the United States
Document Number: 2019-16749
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-06
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability for public review and comment of 28 draft recovery plan revisions, which update recovery criteria for 53 endangered or threatened species located in 12 States (Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nevada, Oregon, Tennessee, and Utah) and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. We are updating recovery criteria to better assist in determining when an endangered species has recovered to the point that it may be reclassified as threatened, or that the protections afforded by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) are no longer necessary and the species may be removed from the ESA's protections. We request review of these draft recovery plan revisions and invite comments from local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and the public.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 21 Draft Recovery Plan Revisions for 25 Species in 15 States Across the United States
Document Number: 2019-16748
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-06
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability for public review and comment of 21 draft recovery plan revisions, which update recovery criteria for 25 endangered or threatened species located in 15 States (Arizona, California, Colorado, Kentucky, Maine, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia). We are updating recovery criteria to better assist in determining when an endangered species has recovered to the point that it may be reclassified as threatened, or that the protections afforded by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) are no longer necessary and the species may be removed from the ESA's protections. We request review of these draft recovery plan revisions and invite comments from local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and the public.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; In-Season Subsistence Salmon Fishery Catch and Effort Survey
Document Number: 2019-16723
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-06
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are proposing a new information collection.
Draft Categorical Exclusion and Draft General Conservation Plan for Cultivation Activities in Santa Barbara County, California
Document Number: 2019-16626
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-05
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a draft general conservation plan (GCP), as well as the associated draft categorical exclusion (CatEx), for cultivation activities in Santa Barbara County, California. The Service developed the GCP in accordance with the Endangered Species Act to provide a streamlined mechanism for proponents engaged in activities associated with agricultural development, to meet statutory and regulatory requirements while promoting conservation of the Santa Barbara County distinct population segment of the California tiger salamander. The Service prepared the draft CatEx in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act to evaluate the potential effects to the natural and human environment resulting from issuing permits under the GCP. We invite public comment on these documents.
Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES); Eighteenth Regular Meeting; Tentative U.S. Negotiating Positions for Agenda Items and Species Proposals Submitted by Foreign Governments and the CITES Secretariat
Document Number: 2019-16592
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-02
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
The United States, as a Party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), will attend the eighteenth regular meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP18) in Geneva, Switzerland, August 17 to 28, 2019. This notice announces the availability of tentative U.S. negotiating positions on proposed resolutions, decisions, and amendments to the CITES Appendices (species proposals), as well as other agenda items that have been submitted by other Parties, the permanent CITES committees, and the CITES Secretariat for consideration at CoP18. With this notice we announce that we will publish a summary of our proposed negotiating positions and the reasons for our proposed positions on or before August 16, 2019, on our website at https:// www.fws.gov/international/cites/cop18/.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Receipt of Recovery Permit Applications
Document Number: 2019-16474
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-02
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received applications for permits to conduct activities intended to enhance the propagation or survival of endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on these applications. Before issuing any of the requested permits, we will take into consideration any information that we receive during the public comment period.
Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement, Habitat Conservation Plan, and Habitat Conservation Plan Amendments; Incidental Take Permits for Four Wind Energy Projects in Hawaii
Document Number: 2019-16398
Type: Notice
Date: 2019-08-02
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a final programmatic environmental impact statement (PEIS), prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, analyzing the impacts of the issuance of incidental take permits (ITPs) or ITP amendments for the continued operation of four similar wind energy facilities. The permit actions would involve implementation of a new habitat conservation plan (HCP) for the Pakini Nui Wind Farm on the Island of Hawaii and major amendments to three existing HCPs: The Auwahi Wind and Kaheawa Wind Power II projects located on Maui, and the Kawailoa Wind project on Oahu. All four wind energy facilities are already in operation. The four applicants are requesting ITPs covering the take of species listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act likely to be caused by the continued operation of the projects. The HCPs describe the steps each applicant proposes to minimize, mitigate, and monitor incidental take of the covered species.
Marine Mammals; Incidental Take During Specified Activities: Cook Inlet, Alaska
Document Number: 2019-16279
Type: Rule
Date: 2019-08-01
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in response to a request from Hilcorp Alaska, LLC, Harvest Alaska, LLC, and the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation, finalize regulations authorizing the nonlethal, incidental take by harassment of small numbers of northern sea otters in State and Federal waters (Alaska and the Outer Continental Shelf) within Cook Inlet, Alaska, as well as all adjacent rivers, estuaries, and coastal lands. Take may result from oil and gas exploration, development, production, and transportation activities occurring for a period of 5 years. This rule authorizes take by harassment only; no lethal take is authorized. We will issue Letters of Authorization, upon request, for specific proposed activities in accordance with these regulations. Additionally, the Office of Management and Budget has approved a revision of the existing Information Collection control number 1018-0070, for incidental take of marine mammals in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas, to include oil and gas activities in Cook Inlet.
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