Document headings vary by document type but may contain
                    the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document
the number of the CFR title and the number of each part
                      the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly
                      related to
the agency docket number / agency internal file number
the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in
                      the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory
                      Actions See the
                    Document Drafting Handbook
                    for more details.
 Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [I.D. 022007C]
 AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Commerce.
 ACTION: Notice of issuance of a Letter of Authorization.
 SUMMARY: In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, and implementing regulations, notification is hereby given that a 1-year letter of authorization (LOA) has been issued to the 30th Space Wing, U.S. Air Force, to take four species of seals and sea lions incidental to rocket and missile launches on Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB), California.
 DATES: Effective March 17, 2007, through March 16, 2008.
 ADDRESSES: The LOA and supporting documentation are available for review by writing to P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation, and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3225 or by telephoning one of the contacts listed below (see 
                        **FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT**
                        ). Documents cited in this notice may be viewed, by appointment, during regular business hours, at the aforementioned address and at the Southwest Regional Office, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Boulevard, Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802.
 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jolie Harrison or Candace Nachman, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, (301) 713-2289, or Monica DeAngelis, NMFS, (562) 980-3232.


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 
                    *et seq.*) directs the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to allow, upon request, the incidental, but not intentional, taking of small numbers of marine mammals by U.S. citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than commercial fishing) within a specified geographical region if certain findings are made and regulations are issued. Under the MMPA, the term “taking” means to harass, hunt, capture, or kill or to attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill marine mammals. Authorization may be granted for periods up to 5 years if NMFS finds, after notification and opportunity for public comment, that the taking will have a negligible impact on the species or stock(s) of marine mammals and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the species or stock(s) for subsistence uses. In addition, NMFS must prescribe regulations that include permissible methods of taking and other means effecting the least practicable adverse impact on the species and its habitat and on the availability of the species for subsistence uses, paying particular attention to rookeries, mating grounds, and areas of similar significance. The regulations must include requirements for monitoring and reporting of such taking. Regulations governing the taking of Pacific harbor seals (
                    *Phoca vitulina richardsi*), northern elephant seals (
                    *Mirounga angustirostris*), California sea lions (
                    *Zalophus californianus*), and northern fur seals (
                    *Callorhinus ursinus*), by harassment, incidental to missile and rocket launches, aircraft flight test operations, and helicopter operations at VAFB, were issued on February 6, 2004 (69 FR 5720), and remain in effect until February 6, 2009. For detailed information on this action, please refer to that document. These regulations include mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements for the incidental take of marine mammals during missile and rocket launches at VAFB. This LOA is effective from March 17, 2007 through March 16, 2008 and authorizes the incidental take of the four marine mammal species listed above that may result from the launching of up to 30 space and missile vehicles and up to 20 rockets annually from VAFB, as well as from aircraft and helicopter operations. Harbor seals haul-out on several sites on VAFB, and harbor seals, California sea lions, elephant seals, and northern fur seals are found on various haul-out sites and rookeries on San Miguel Island (SMI). Currently, five space launch vehicle programs use VAFB to launch satellites into polar orbit: Atlas IIAS, Delta II, Minotaur, Taurus, and Titan (II and IV). Also a variety of small missiles, several types of interceptor and target vehicles, and fixed-wing aircrafts are launched from VAFB. The activities under these regulations create two types of noise: continuous (but short-duration) noise, due mostly to combustion effects of aircraft and launch vehicles, and impulsive noise, due to sonic boom effects. Launch operations are the major source of noise on the marine environment from VAFB. The operation of launch vehicle engines produces significant sound levels. The noise generated by VAFB activities will result in the incidental harassment of pinnipeds, both behaviorally and in terms of physiological (auditory) impacts. The noise and visual disturbances from space launch vehicle and missile launches and aircraft and helicopter operations may cause the animals to move towards or enter the water. Take of pinnipeds will be minimized through implementation of the following mitigation measures: (1) all aircraft and helicopter flight paths must maintain a minimum distance of 1,000 ft (305 m) from recognized seal haul-outs and rookeries; (2) missile and rocket launches must, whenever possible, not be conducted during the harbor seal pupping season of March through June; (3) VAFB must avoid, whenever possible, launches which are predicted to produce a sonic boom on the Northern Channel Islands during harbor seal, elephant seal, and California sea lion pupping seasons, March through June; and 4) monitoring methods will be reviewed by NMFS if post-launch surveys determine that an injurious or lethal take of a marine mammal occurred. VAFB will also use monitoring surveys, audio-recording equipment, and time-lapse video to monitor the animals before, during, and after rocket launches, and to measure sound levels generated by the launches. Reports will be submitted to NMFS after each LOA expires, and a final report will be submitted before the rule expires. Summary of Request NMFS received a request for a LOA pursuant to the aforementioned regulations that would authorize, for a period not to exceed 1 year, take of marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to rocket and missile launches at VAFB. Summary of Activity and Monitoring Under the Current LOA In compliance with the 2006 LOA, VAFB submitted an annual report on the rocket launches at VAFB. A 
                    ( print page 13252)
                    summary of that report (SRS Technologies, 2007) follows. A total of five space vehicle launches and five launches of other vehicle types were conducted at VAFB between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2006. The dates, locations, and monitoring required for the launches are summarized in Tables 1 and 2. Table 1. Summary of space vehicle launches and monitoring that occurred at VAFB in 2006.
Vehicle
Date
Time
Launch Site
Monitoring ConductedMinotaur COSMIC
14-Apr
18:40
SLC-8
South VAFBDelta II CLOUDSAT & CALIPSO
28-Apr
3:02
SLC-2
North VAFB and SMIDelta IV NROL-22
27-Jun
20:33
SLC-6
South VAFB and SMIDelta IV DMSP-17
4-Nov
5:53
SLC-6
South VAFBDelta II NROL-21
14-Dec
13:00
SLC-2
SMI
 Table 2. Summary of other launches and monitoring that occurred at VAFB in 2006.
Vehicle
Date
Time
Launch Site
MonitoredMinuteman III SERV-3
16-Feb
0:01
LF-10
NoMinuteman III GT 190-GM
7-Apr
6:00
LF-26
YesMinuteman III GT 191-GM
14-Jun
1:22
LF-04
YesMinuteman III GT 192-GT
20-Jul
3:14
LF-09
NoGround based Interceptor FTG-02
1-Sep
10:39
LF-23
No
 Two of the Minuteman III and the one Ground Based Interceptor launches occurred outside of the harbor seal pupping season, and a sonic boom of greater than 1 lb/ft2 (psf) was not predicted to occur at SMI as a result of the launch; therefore, no biological monitoring was required or conducted. With the exception of the Delta IV NROL-22 and Delta IV DMSP-17, acoustic measurements of all of the vehicles launched in 2006 had previously been taken and were not required or conducted again. VAFB also conducted 578 helicopter flights and 13,644 airfield operations in 2006. There were no observed effects to pinnipeds from these activities. Also, no sea lion pups were born on VAFB in 2006. Minotaur COSMIC Although no sonic boom greater than 1 psf was predicted at SMI, the Minotaur COSMIC vehicle was launched during the harbor seal pupping season; therefore, monitoring was required at VAFB. Monitoring surveys at First Ledge and Flat Iron Rock haul-out sites in the days surrounding the launch revealed between 28 and 149 adult and juvenile seals and between nine and 29 pups. Between 11 and 76 seals and five to 29 pups were found at the Amphitheatre, Brokeback, and Weaner Cove haul-out and pupping sites in the days just preceding and following the launch. The highest numbers of seals and pups were seen on April 15, the day after the launch. A video recording during the launch showed 23 of the 24 harbor seals present at the First Ledge haul-out site entering the water at the time of the launch. The remaining seal stopped just short of entering the water. No seals were seen returning to the beach within 13 minutes of the launch, at which point darkness occurred. A harbor seal pup was found “fresh dead” 18 hours post-launch at the First Ledge haul-out site. This is discussed in further detail below. Delta II CLOUDSAT & CALIPSO The Delta II CLOUDSAT & CALIPSO rocket was launched during harbor seal pupping season, and a sonic boom of greater than 1 psf was predicted to reach SMI, so monitoring was required at both SMI and VAFB. At the Spur Road haul-out site on north VAFB, a maximum of 47 seals were seen during pre-launch surveys, and a maximum of 27 were seen in the days immediately following the launch. No pups were seen in the days surrounding the launch. No video recording was made because of the early hour of the launch. Point Bennett and Otter Harbor haul-out sites were monitored on SMI on the days surrounding the launch. Approximately 250 California sea lions and 100 northern elephant seals were seen. No sonic boom was heard by the monitors or registered on the acoustic monitoring equipment. There was no evidence of injury, mortality, or abnormal behavior in any harbor seals at VAFB or the monitored pinnipeds on SMI as a result of this launch. Delta IV NROL-22 The Delta IV NROL-22 was launched during harbor seal pupping season, and a sonic boom of greater than 1 psf was expected to reach SMI; therefore, monitoring was required at both SMI and VAFB. Diurnal observations were conducted at Flat Iron Rock on south VAFB between 23 and 29 June. Pre-launch counts recorded a maximum of 263 seals and no dependent pups, and post-launch counts found a maximum of 243 seals and no dependent pups. A follow-up survey on 7 July recorded between 127 and 205 seals. Video recording during the launch was not possible because it was too dark. Monitors also surveyed Glass Float Beach on SMI from 25 through 29 June. A sonic boom was heard. All of the sea lions raised their heads. Thirty percent entered the water; 40 percent moved rapidly to the waterline but did not enter; and the remaining 30 percent stood alert and gradually moved toward the wave slopes. All harbor seals present immediately entered the water and swam away. There was no evidence of injury or mortality to any pinnipeds monitored on VAFB or SMI as a result of this launch. Due to an equipment malfunction during the calibration period, the amplitude of the sonic boom could not be determined. Additional measurements for this vehicle will be taken in the future. Delta IV DMSP-17 Though no sonic boom greater than 1 psf was predicted at SMI, and the launch occurred outside of the harbor seal pupping season, monitoring was still required for the Delta IV DMSP-17 launch, as per the implementing regulations (69 FR 5720, February 6, 2004). According to the regulations, acoustic and biological monitoring is 
                    ( print page 13253)
                    required for the first three launches of the Delta IV vehicle. Diurnal observations were made at Flat Iron Rock on south VAFB. Pre-launch counts indicate a daily maximum of seals ranging between 26 and 87 seals and between 11 and 68 seals post-launch. No dependent pups were seen in the days surrounding the launch. As the launch occurred in the pre-dawn hours, no video recording was taken. It is unknown if any seals were present at the time of the launch; however, the high level of the tide indicates that it is unlikely. The 1-hour average sound level during the hour of the Delta IV launch was 69.1 decibels (dB), approximately 17 dB above the average background noise levels at this site. Two juvenile harbor seals (approximately seven months old) were captured for hearing tests using auditory brainstem response (ABR) technique just prior to the Delta IV DMSP-17 launch under Scientific Research Permit No. 859-1680. They were held for a total of 2 days, and were ABR tested prior to and then again after the launch. Each seal was fitted with a plastic numbered tag in the hind flipper and a VHF radio transmitter immediately prior to release. There was no evidence indicating that the launch noise from the Delta IV caused a loss in hearing acuity. There was no evidence of injury, mortality, or abnormal behavior in any of the monitored harbor seals at VAFB as a result of this launch. Delta II NROL-21 No monitoring was conducted on VAFB for the Delta II NROL-21 launch since it occurred outside of the harbor seal pupping season. However, biological and acoustic monitoring were conducted on SMI. Survey counts found 521 sea lions and 75 northern elephant seals. No sonic boom was heard or recorded. There was no evidence of injury, mortality, or abnormal behavior of any monitored pinnipeds on SMI as a result of this launch. Minuteman III Two of the Minuteman III launches (7 April and 14 June) occurred during the harbor seal pupping season, so monitoring was required at VAFB. Between seven and 16 seals and one dependent pup were seen in the days surrounding the April 7 launch at Lion's Head haul-out site. Between five and 11 seals and one weaned pup were seen at the same site in the days surrounding the June 14 launch. Video recordings were not possible during the time of either launch due to darkness. However, it is unlikely that any seals were present since the launches occurred during high tide. There was likely only a small, temporary effect on hearing, if any. Harbor Seal Pup Mortality One dead harbor seal pup was observed at First Ledge on VAFB on April 15, approximately 18 hours post-launch of the Minotaur COSMIC rocket. The pup appeared to be “fresh dead” when first observed at 1430 PDT. VAFB monitors were unable to determine if the death was related to the launch. The area where the pup was found has a lot of ledges and caves, making it difficult to see all areas at the site. It is possible the pup washed up dead on the beach, but there is no way to know for certain. The animal did not show any signs of being orphaned. Gulls were already pecking at the carcass when it was discovered, so there was no way to assess the injuries. Also, approaching the animal would have disturbed other mother/pup pairs on the beach. Additional conditions have been added to the 2007 LOA relating to serious injury and mortality. No take by serious injury or mortality is authorized in the LOA. VAFB is required to immediately contact staff at the NMFS Office of Protected Resources, Permits, Conservation, and Education Division, as well as staff at the Southwest Regional Office, NMFS if a dead pinniped is found during the monitoring period following a launch. In addition, the National Stranding Network must be notified immediately so that personnel can retrieve the carcass for examination, whenever possible. Every attempt will be made to collect a dead pinniped carcass discovered within 48 hours following a launch provided that the collection does not result in the disturbance (flushing) of other animals from the site. Any carcasses collected will be transferred to the Long Marine Laboratory in Santa Cruz, California for complete necropsy. Authorization The U.S. Air Force complied with the requirements of the 2006 LOA, and NMFS has determined that the marine mammal take resulting from the 2006 launches is within that analyzed in and anticipated by the associated regulations. Accordingly, NMFS has issued a LOA to the 30th Space Wing, U.S. Air Force authorizing the take by harassment of marine mammals incidental to missile and rocket launches at VAFB. Issuance of this LOA is based on findings described in the preamble to the final rule (67 FR 5720, February 6, 2004) and supported by information contained in VAFB's 2006 annual report that the activities described under this LOA will result in the take of small numbers of marine mammals, will have a negligible impact on marine mammal stocks, and will not have an unmitigable impact on the availability of the affected marine mammal stocks for subsistence uses. Dated: March 13, 2007. James H. Lecky, Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.


[FR Doc. E7-5072 Filed 3-20-07; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-22-S