National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration October 16, 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NOAA is designating Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary (CHNMS) in the waters along and offshore of the coast of central California to recognize the national significance of the area's ecological, historical, archaeological, and cultural resources and to manage this special place as part of the National Marine Sanctuary System. The sanctuary boundary encompasses 4,543 square miles (mi\2\) (3,431 square nautical miles (nmi\2\)) of submerged lands and marine waters from approximately two miles southeast of the marina at Diablo Canyon Power Plant in San Luis Obispo County to Naples along the Gaviota Coast in Santa Barbara County. NOAA is establishing the terms of designation for CHNMS and the regulations to implement the national marine sanctuary designation. NOAA has also published a final environmental impact statement (final EIS), final management plan, and Record of Decision.

NMFS received a request from Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E) for the renewal of their currently active incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to take marine mammals incidental to construction associated with a sediment remediation project in San Francisco Bay, CA. 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.