39468 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 126 / Friday, July 1, 2022 / Notices 

the International Trade Administration 

and the U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency. The ETTAC’s recommendation 

letters can be found at www.trade.gov/ 

ettac. The recommendations were 

developed by the ETTAC’s three 

subcommittees: Trade Policy and Export 

Promotion, Climate Change Mitigation 

and Resilience Technologies; and Waste 

Management and Circular Economy. An 

agenda will be made available one week 

prior to the meeting upon request to 

Victoria Yue. 

Background: The ETTAC is mandated 

by Section 2313(c) of the Export 

Enhancement Act of 1988, as amended, 

15 U.S.C. 4728(c), to advise the 

Environmental Trade Working Group of 

the Trade Promotion Coordinating 

Committee, through the Secretary of 

Commerce, on the development and 

administration of programs to expand 

U.S. exports of environmental 

technologies, goods, services, and 

products. The ETTAC was most recently 

re-chartered through August 15, 2022. 

Dated: June 28, 2022. 

Man K. Cho, 

Deputy Director, Office of Energy and 

Environmental Industries. 

[FR Doc. 2022–14133 Filed 6–30–22; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–DR–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Institute of Standards and 

Technology 

National Advanced Spectrum and 

Communications Test Network: 

Citizens Broadband Radio Service 

Sharing Ecosystem Assessment 

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards 

and Technology, Department of 

Commerce. 

ACTION: Announcement of meeting. 

SUMMARY: The National Advanced 

Spectrum and Communications Test 

Network (NASCTN) is hosting a public 

meeting on NASCTN’s next project, the 

‘Citizens Broadband Radio Service 

(CBRS) Sharing Ecosystem Assessment, 

on July 12, 2022 at 12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m. 

Mountain Daylight Time. The purpose 

of this meeting is to bring together 

federal, industry, and academic 

stakeholders to disseminate information 

about NASCTN’s next project. 

DATES: The NASCTN meeting on the 

CBRS Sharing Ecosystem Assessment 

will take place on July 12, 2022 at 12:00 

p.m.–1:30 p.m. Mountain Daylight 

Time. 

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held 

via web conference. For instructions on 

how to participate in the meeting, 

please see the SUPPLEMENTARY

INFORMATION section of this notice. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matt 

Briel at matthew.briel@nist.gov or 303– 

908–2747. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

National Advanced Spectrum and 

Communications Test Network 

(NASCTN) is hosting a public meeting 

on the CBRS Sharing Ecosystem 

Assessment project on July 12, 2022 at 

12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m. MDT. The purpose 

of this meeting is to bring together 

federal, industry, and academic 

stakeholders to disseminate information 

about NASCTN’s next project. 

NASCTN’s next project, the CBRS 

Sharing Ecosystem Assessment, seeks to 

provide data-driven insight into the 

CBRS sharing ecosystem’s effectiveness 

between commercial and DoD radar 

systems, and to track changes in the 

spectrum environment over time. 

Individuals and representatives of 

organizations who would like to ask 

questions or offer suggestions related to 

the project are invited to request a place 

on the agenda. 

Approximately fifteen minutes will be 

reserved for public comments and 

speaking times will be assigned on a 

first-come, first-served basis. Public 

comments can be provided via email or 

by web conference attendance. The 

amount of time per speaker will be 

determined by the number of requests 

received. All those wishing to speak 

must submit their request by email to 

matthew.briel@nist.gov by 5:00 p.m. 

Mountain Daylight Time, July 8, 2022. 

Speakers who wish to expand upon 

their oral statements, those who wish to 

speak but cannot be accommodated on 

the agenda, and those who are unable to 

attend are invited to submit written 

statements electronically by email to 

matthew.briel@nist.gov. 

Anyone wishing to attend this 

meeting via web conference must 

register by 5:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight 

Time, July 8, 2022. Please submit your 

full name, email address, and phone 

number to Matt Briel at matthew.briel@

nist.gov. 

Authority: 15 U.S.C. 272. 

Alicia Chambers, 

NIST Executive Secretariat. 

[FR Doc. 2022–14164 Filed 6–30–22; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration 

[RTID 0648–XC129] 

Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to 

Specified Activities; Taking Marine 

Mammals Incidental to the U.S. Coast 

Guard’s Floating Dock Extension 

Project at Base Ketchikan, Alaska 

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries 

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 

Commerce. 

ACTION: Notice; issuance of an incidental 

harassment authorization. 

SUMMARY: In accordance with the 

regulations implementing the Marine 

Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as 

amended, notification is hereby given 

that NMFS has issued an incidental 

harassment authorization (IHA) to the 

United States Coast Guard (USCG) to 

incidentally harass marine mammals 

during construction of the floating dock 

extension at Base Ketchikan, Alaska. 

DATES: This Authorization is effective 

from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 

2023. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim 

Corcoran, Office of Protected Resources, 

NMFS, (301) 427–8401.Electronic 

copies of the application and supporting 

documents, as well as a list of the 

references cited in this document, may 

be obtained online at: https://

www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/ 

incidental-take-authorization-unitedstates-coast-guards-floating-dockextension-project. In case of problems 

accessing these documents, please call 

the contact listed above. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

The MMPA prohibits the ‘‘take’’ of 

marine mammals, with certain 

exceptions. sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) 

of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) 

direct the Secretary of Commerce (as 

delegated to 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 either regulations are 

issued or, if the taking is limited to 

harassment, a notice of a proposed IHA 

may be provided to the public for 

review. 

Authorization for incidental takings 

shall be granted if NMFS finds that the 

taking will have a negligible impact on 


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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 126 / Friday, July 1, 2022 / Notices 39469 

the species or stock(s) and will not have 

an unmitigable adverse impact on the 

availability of the species or stock(s) for 

taking for subsistence uses (where 

relevant). Further, NMFS must prescribe 

the permissible methods of taking and 

other ‘‘means of effecting the least 

practicable adverse impact’’ on the 

affected species or stocks and their 

habitat, paying particular attention to 

rookeries, mating grounds, and areas of 

similar significance, and on the 

availability of the species or stocks for 

taking for certain subsistence uses 

(referred to in shorthand as 

‘‘mitigation’’); and requirements 

pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring 

and reporting of the takings are set forth. 

The definitions of all applicable 

MMPA statutory terms cited above are 

included in the relevant sections below. 

Summary of Request 

On March 9, 2021, NMFS received a 

request from the USCG for an IHA to 

take marine mammals incidental to the 

construction of the floating dock 

extension at Base Ketchikan, Alaska. 

Following NMFS’ review of the request, 

USCG provided additional information 

on July 22, 2021, and again on March 7, 

2022. The application was deemed 

adequate and complete on the latter 

date. USCG’s request is for take of ten 

species of marine mammals by Level B 

harassment and, for a subset of three 

species, by Level A harassment. Neither 

USCG nor NMFS expects serious injury 

or mortality to result from this activity 

and, therefore, an IHA is appropriate. 

There have been no changes from the 

proposed to the final IHA. 

Description of Activity 

Overview 

The USCG requested an IHA for 

activities associated with the 

construction of the Floating Dock 

Extension Project in the Tongass 

Narrows at Coast Guard Base Ketchikan 

(Base Ketchikan) in Ketchikan, Alaska. 

The project will cover a 12-month 

window during which approximately 30 

days of pile-installation activity will 

occur. The project involves the 

installation of ten, 24-inch steel guide 

piles for a third floating dock section. 

Three different installation methods 

will be used including the Down-theHole (DTH) system to create rock 

sockets for new piles, vibratory 

installation of piles, and final pile 

proofing with limited use of impact pile 

driving. Sounds resulting from pile 

installation and drilling may result in 

the incidental take of marine mammals 

by Level A and Level B harassment in 

the form of auditory injury or behavioral 

harassment. 

Dates and Duration 

The IHA is effective from July 1, 2022 

through June 30, 2023. The total 

expected work duration will be 15 

construction days (5 days of DTH, 5 

days of vibratory pile installation, and 5 

days of impact pile driving) with an 

additional 15 day buffer to account for 

days where work is paused (e.g., 

inclement weather), for a total work 

window of 30 days. The USCG plans to 

conduct all work during daylight hours. 

Specific Geographic Region 

The activity will occur in the Tongass 

Narrows at Base Ketchikan in 

Ketchikan, Alaska (Figure 1). Base 

Ketchikan is located on the 

southwestern end of Revillagigedo 

Island, approximately 235 miles south 

of Juneau and 90 miles north of Prince 

Rupert, British Columbia. The Base is 

about 1 mile south of downtown 

Ketchikan, on the industrial limits of 

the city, and on the East Channel of the 

Tongass Narrows. The waters of the 

Tongass Narrows are heavily used by 

the public including cruise ships, 

commercial fishing vessels, and private 

craft and sea planes, which contribute 

significantly to the ambient acoustic 

environment in the Narrows. 

BILLING CODE 3510–22–P 


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Figure 1. Map illustrating the project location at USCG Base Ketchikan. 
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 126 / Friday, July 1, 2022 / Notices 39471 

BILLING CODE 3510–22–C 

Detailed Description of Specific Activity 

USCG plans to install ten steel guide 

piles for a third floating dock section at 

Base Ketchikan to support the 

homeporting of a third Fast Response 

Cutter (FRC) (Figure 2). The piles will 

be installed over a period of 30 days, 

allotting five construction days to each 

of the three methods of installation, in 

addition to 15 additional buffer days to 

account for unforeseen interruptions 

(e.g., inclement weather). These 

methods include DTH, vibratory pile 

installation and pile proofing using an 

impact hammer (see Table 1). 

TABLE 1—PILE INSTALLATION METHODS AND DURATIONS

Installation method Duration/impacts 

per pile 

Piles 

driven/day Estimated days 

DTH ............................................................................ 60 minutes ..................................... 2 5. 

Vibratory pile installation ............................................ 6 minutes ....................................... 2 5. 

Impact driving pile proofing ........................................ 5 impacts ........................................ 2 5 (10 strikes). 

Total ..................................................................... ........................................................ ........................ 15 (30).1

1The total expected work duration is 15 days with an additional 15 day buffer to account for days where work is paused (e.g., inclement 

weather) for a total work window of 30 days. 

A detailed description of the planned 

construction project was provided in the 

Federal Register notice for the proposed 

IHA (87 FR 30894; May 20, 2022). Since 

that time, no changes have been made 

to the planned construction activities. 

Therefore, a detailed description is not 

provided here. Please refer to that 

Federal Register notice for the 

description of the specific activity. 

Mitigation, monitoring, and reporting 

measures are described in detail later in 

this document (please see Mitigation 

and Monitoring and Reporting). 

Comments and Responses 

A notice of NMFS’ proposal to issue 

an IHA to USCG was published in the 


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Figure 2. Map of USCG Base Ketchikan and floating dock extension components 

and actions. 
39472 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 126 / Friday, July 1, 2022 / Notices 

Federal Register on May 20, 2022 (87 

FR 30894). That notice described, in 

detail, USCG’s activities, the marine 

mammal species that may be affected by 

the activities, and the anticipated effects 

on marine mammals. In that notice, we 

requested public input on the request 

for authorization described therein, our 

analyses, the proposed authorization, 

and any other aspect of the notice of 

proposed IHA, and requested that 

interested persons submit relevant 

information, suggestions, and 

comments. This proposed notice was 

available for a 30-day public comment 

period. 

The United States Geological Survey 

provided a letter stating that it had no 

comment. No other comments were 

received. 

Description of Marine Mammals in the 

Area of Specified Activities 

Sections 3 and 4 of the application 

summarize available information 

regarding status and trends, distribution 

and habitat preferences, and behavior 

and life history, of the potentially 

affected species. NMFS fully considered 

all of this information, and we refer the 

reader to these descriptions, 

incorporated here by reference, instead 

of reprinting the information. 

Additional information regarding 

population trends and threats may be 

found in NMFS’s Stock Assessment 

Reports (SARs; https://

www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/ 

marine-mammal-protection/marinemammal-stock-assessments) and more 

general information about these species 

(e.g., physical and behavioral 

descriptions) may be found on NMFS’s 

website (https://

www.fisheries.noaa.gov/find-species). 

Table 2 lists all species or stocks for 

which take is expected and authorized 

for this action, and summarizes 

information related to the population or 

stock, including regulatory status under 

the MMPA and Endangered Species Act 

(ESA) and potential biological removal 

(PBR), where known. PBR is defined by 

the MMPA as the maximum number of 

animals, not including natural 

mortalities, that may be removed from a 

marine mammal stock while allowing 

that stock to reach or maintain its 

optimum sustainable population (as 

described in NMFS’s SARs). While no 

mortality is anticipated or authorized 

here, PBR and annual serious injury and 

mortality from anthropogenic sources 

are included here as gross indicators of 

the status of the species and other 

threats. 

Marine mammal abundance estimates 

presented in this document represent 

the total number of individuals that 

make up a given stock or the total 

number estimated within a particular 

study or survey area. NMFS’s stock 

abundance estimates for most species 

represent the total estimate of 

individuals within the geographic area, 

if known, that comprises that stock. For 

some species, this geographic area may 

extend beyond U.S. waters. All stocks 

managed under the MMPA in this 

region are assessed in NMFS’ U.S. 

Alaska Stock Abundance Reports 

(SARs) (e.g., Muto et al., 2021). All 

values presented in Table 2 are the most 

recent available at the time of 

publication (including from the draft 

2021 SARs) and are available online at: 

www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/ 

marine-mammal-protection/marinemammal-stock-assessments). 

TABLE 2—SPECIES LIKELY IMPACTED BY THE SPECIFIED ACTIVITIES

Common name Scientific name Stock 

ESA/ 

MMPA 

status; 

strategic 

(Y/N) 1

Stock abundance 

(CV, Nmin, most recent 

abundance 

survey) 2

PBR Annual 

M/SI 3

Order Cetartiodactyla—Cetacea—Superfamily Mysticeti (baleen whales) 

Family Eschrichtiidae: 

Gray whale ..................... Eschrichtius robustus ............ Eastern North Pacific Stock .. -,-,N 26,960 (0.05, 25,849, 2016) ...... 801 131 

Family Balaenopteridae 

(rorquals): 

Humpback whale ............ Megaptera novaeanglinae ..... Central North Pacific Stock ... -,-,Y 10,103 (0.3, 7,890, 2006) .......... 83 26 

Minke whale ................... Balaenoptera acutorostrata ... Alaska Stock ......................... -,-,N N/A (N/A, N/A, N/A) 4 ................. UND 0 

Superfamily Odontoceti (toothed whales, dolphins, and porpoises) 

Family Delphinidae: 

Killer whale ..................... Orca orcinus .......................... Alaska Resident .................... -,-,N 2,347 (N/A, 2347, 2012) ............ 24 1 

Northern Resident ................. -,-,N 302 (N/A, 302, 2018) ................. 2.2 0.2 

West Coast Transient ........... -,-,N 349 (N/A, 349, 2018) ................. 3.5 0.4 

Pacific white-sided dolphin.Lagenorhynchus obliquidens North Pacific Stock ................ -,-,N 26,880 (N/A, N/A,1990) ............. UND 0 

Family Phocoenidae (porpoises): 

Dall’s porpoise 5 .............. Phocoenoides dalli ................ Alaska Stock ......................... -,-,N 15,432 (0.097,13, 110, 2015) .... 131 37 

Harbor porpoise 6 ........... Phocoena phocoena ............. Southeast Alaska Stock ........ -,-,Y 1302 (0.21, 1057, 2019) ............ 11 34 

Order Carnivora—Superfamily Pinnipedia 

Family Otariidae (eared seals 

and sea lions): 

Steller sea lion ................ Eumetopias jubatus ............... Eastern Stock ........................ -,-,N 43,201 (N/A, 43,201, 2017) ....... 2592 112 

Family Phocidae (earless 

seals): 

Harbor seal ..................... Phoca vituline richardii .......... Clarence Strait Stock ............ -,-,N 27,659 (N/A, 24,854, 2015) ....... 746 40 

Northern Elephant seal .. Mirounga angustirostris ......... California Breeding Stock ..... -,-,N 187,386 (N/A, 85,369, 2013) ..... 5122 5.3 

1Endangered Species Act (ESA) status: Endangered (E), Threatened (T)/MMPA status: Depleted (D). A dash (-) indicates that the species is not listed under the 

ESA or designated as depleted under the MMPA. Under the MMPA, a strategic stock is one for which the level of direct human-caused mortality exceeds PBR or 

which is determined to be declining and likely to be listed under the ESA within the foreseeable future. Any species or stock listed under the ESA is automatically 

designated under the MMPA as depleted and as a strategic stock. 2 NMFS marine mammal stock assessment reports online at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/marine-mammal-protection/marine-mammal-stock-assessmentreports CV is coefficient of variation; Nmin is the minimum estimate of stock abundance. 3These values, found in NMFS’s SARs, represent annual levels of human-caused mortality plus serious injury from all sources combined (e.g., commercial fisheries, ship strike). Annual M/SI often cannot be determined precisely and is in some cases presented as a minimum value or range. A CV associated with estimated 

mortality due to commercial fisheries is presented in some cases. 


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I I I I 
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 126 / Friday, July 1, 2022 / Notices 39473 

4 No population estimates have been made for the number of minke whales in the entire North Pacific. Some information is available on the numbers of minke 

whales on some areas of Alaska, but in the 2009, 2013 and 2015 offshore surveys, so few minke whales were seen during the surveys that a population estimate for 

the species in this area could not be determined (Rone et al., 2017). Therefore, this information is N/A (not available). 5Previous abundance estimates covering the entire stock’s range are no longer considered reliable and the current estimates presented in the SARs and reported 

here only cover a portion of the stock’s range. Therefore, the calculated Nmin and PBR is based on the 2015 survey of only a small portion of the stock’s range. PBR 

is considered to be biased low since it is based on the whole stock whereas the estimate of mortality and serious injury is for the entire stock’s range. 6Abundance estimates assumed that detection probability on the trackline was perfect; work is underway on a corrected estimate. Additionally, preliminary data results based on eDNA analysis show genetic differentiation between harbor porpoise in the northern and southern regions on the inland waters of southeast Alaska. 

Geographic delineation is not yet known. Data to evaluate population structure for harbor porpoise in Southeast Alaska have been collected and are currently being 

analyzed. Should the analysis identify different population structure than is currently reflected in the Alaska SARs, NMFS will consider how to best revise stock designations in the future. 

As indicated above, all ten species 

(with twelve managed stocks) in Table 

2 temporally and spatially co-occur with 

the activity to the degree that take is 

reasonably likely to occur, and we have 

authorized it. Fin whale could 

potentially occur in the area, however 

there are no known sightings nearby and 

USCG will shut down activity prior to 

a whale entering the harassment zones. 

Therefore, given the former and the 

rarity of the species, take is not expected 

to occur and they are not discussed 

further. 

In addition, the northern sea otter 

(Enhydra lutris kenyoni) may be found 

in the Tongass Narrows. However, 

northern sea otters are managed by the 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and are 

not considered further in this document. 

A detailed description of the species 

likely to be affected by USCG’s project, 

including brief introductions to species 

and relevant stocks as well as available 

information regarding population trends 

and threats, and information regarding 

local occurrence, were provided in the 

Federal Register notice for the proposed 

IHA (87 FR 30894; May 20, 2022); since 

that time, we are not aware of any 

changes in the status of these species 

and stocks; therefore, detailed 

descriptions are not provided here. 

Please refer to that Federal Register 

notice for these descriptions. 

Potential Effects of Specified Activities 

on Marine Mammals and Their Habitat 

The effects of underwater noise from 

the Navy’s construction activities have 

the potential to result in harassment of 

marine mammals in the vicinity of the 

survey area. The notice of proposed IHA 

(87 FR 30894; May 20, 2022) included 

a discussion of the effects of underwater 

noise from the USCG’s activity on 

marine mammals and their habitat. That 

information and analysis is incorporated 

by reference into the final IHA 

determination and is not repeated here; 

please refer to the notice of proposed 

authorization (87 FR 30894; May 20, 

2022). 

Estimated Take 

This section provides an estimate of 

the number of incidental takes 

authorized through the IHA, which will 

inform both NMFS’ consideration of 

‘‘small numbers’’ and the negligible 

impact determinations. 

Harassment is the only type of take 

expected to result from these activities. 

Except with respect to certain activities 

not pertinent here, section 3(18) of the 

MMPA defines ‘‘harassment’’ as any act 

of pursuit, torment, or annoyance, 

which (i) has the potential to injure a 

marine mammal or marine mammal 

stock in the wild (Level A harassment); 

or (ii) has the potential to disturb a 

marine mammal or marine mammal 

stock in the wild by causing disruption 

of behavioral patterns, including, but 

not limited to, migration, breathing, 

nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering 

(Level B harassment). 

Authorized takes will primarily be by 

Level B harassment, as use of the 

acoustic sources (i.e., vibratory or 

impact pile driving and DTH) has the 

potential to result in disruption of 

behavioral patterns for individual 

marine mammals. There is also some 

potential for auditory injury (Level A 

harassment) to result, primarily for 

porpoises and harbor seals, due to the 

cryptic nature of these species in 

context of larger predicted auditory 

injury zones. Auditory injury is unlikely 

to occur for low- and mid-frequency 

species and otariids, based on the 

relatively small predicted zones for the 

latter two groups and because of the 

expected ease of detection for the former 

group. The mitigation and monitoring 

measures are expected to minimize the 

severity of the taking to the extent 

practicable. 

As described previously, no mortality 

is anticipated or authorized for this 

activity. Below we describe how the 

take is estimated. 

Generally speaking, we estimate take 

by considering: (1) acoustic thresholds 

above which NMFS believes the best 

available science indicates marine 

mammals will be behaviorally harassed 

or incur some degree of permanent 

hearing impairment; (2) the area or 

volume of water that will be ensonified 

above these levels in a day; (3) the 

density or occurrence of marine 

mammals within these ensonified areas; 

and, (4) and the number of days of 

activities. We note that while these 

basic factors can contribute to a basic 

calculation to provide an initial 

prediction of takes, additional 

information that can qualitatively 

inform take estimates is also sometimes 

available (e.g., previous monitoring 

results or average group size). Below, we 

describe the factors considered here in 

more detail and present the take 

estimate. 

Acoustic Thresholds 

NMFS recommends the use of 

acoustic thresholds that identify the 

received level of underwater sound 

above which exposed marine mammals 

would be reasonably expected to be 

behaviorally harassed (equated to Level 

B harassment) or to incur PTS of some 

degree (equated to Level A harassment). 

Thresholds have also been developed 

identifying the received level of in-air 

sound above which exposed pinnipeds 

would likely be behaviorally harassed. 

Level B Harassment for non-explosive 

sources—Though significantly driven by 

received level, the onset of behavioral 

disturbance from anthropogenic noise 

exposure is also informed to varying 

degrees by other factors related to the 

source (e.g., frequency, predictability, 

duty cycle), the environment (e.g., 

bathymetry), and the receiving animals 

(hearing, motivation, experience, 

demography, behavioral context) and 

can be difficult to predict (Southall et 

al., 2007, Ellison et al., 2012). Based on 

what the available science indicates and 

the practical need to use a threshold 

based on a factor that is both predictable 

and measurable for most activities, 

NMFS uses a generalized acoustic 

threshold based on received level to 

estimate the onset of behavioral 

harassment. NMFS predicts that marine 

mammals are likely to be behaviorally 

harassed in a manner we consider Level 

B harassment when exposed to 

underwater anthropogenic noise above 

received levels of 120 dB re 1 

microPascal (mPa) (rms) for continuous 

(e.g., vibratory pile-driving, drilling) and 

above 160 dB re 1 mPa (rms) for nonexplosive impulsive (e.g., seismic 

airguns) or intermittent (e.g., scientific 

sonar) sources. USCG’s activity includes 

the use of continuous (vibratory 

hammer and DTH) and impulsive (DTH 

and impact pile-driving), and therefore 

the 120 and 160 dB re 1 mPa (rms) are 

applicable. 


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Level A harassment for non-explosive 

sources—NMFS’ Technical Guidance 

for Assessing the Effects of 

Anthropogenic Sound on Marine 

Mammal Hearing (Version 2.0) 

(Technical Guidance, 2018) identifies 

dual criteria to assess auditory injury 

(Level A harassment) to five different 

marine mammal groups (based on 

hearing sensitivity) as a result of 

exposure to noise from two different 

types of sources (impulsive or nonimpulsive). USCG’s activity includes the 

use of impulsive (impact pile-driving 

and DTH) and non-impulsive (vibratory 

hammer and DTH) sources. 

These thresholds are provided in 

Table 3 below. The references, analysis, 

and methodology used in the 

development of the thresholds are 

described in NMFS 2018 Technical 

Guidance, which may be accessed at 

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/ 

national/marine-mammal-protection/ 

marine-mammal-acoustic-technicalguidance. 

TABLE 3—THRESHOLDS IDENTIFYING THE ONSET OF PERMANENT THRESHOLD SHIFT

Hearing group 

PTS onset acoustic thresholds * 

(received level) 

Impulsive Non-impulsive 

Low-Frequency (LF) Cetaceans ...................................... Cell 1: Lpk,flat: 219 dB; LE,LF,24h: 183 dB ......................... Cell 2: LE,LF,24h: 199 dB. 

Mid-Frequency (MF) Cetaceans ...................................... Cell 3: Lpk,flat: 230 dB; LE,MF,24h: 185 dB ........................ Cell 4: LE,MF,24h: 198 dB. 

High-Frequency (HF) Cetaceans ..................................... Cell 5: Lpk,flat: 202 dB; LE,HF,24h: 155 dB ........................ Cell 6: LE,HF,24h: 173 dB. 

Phocid Pinnipeds (PW) (Underwater) ............................. Cell 7: Lpk,flat: 218 dB; LE,PW,24h: 185 dB ....................... Cell 8: LE,PW,24h: 201 dB. 

Otariid Pinnipeds (OW) (Underwater) ............................. Cell 9: Lpk,flat: 232 dB; LE,OW,24h: 203 dB ....................... Cell 10: LE,OW,24h: 219 dB. 

* Dual metric acoustic thresholds for impulsive sounds: Use whichever results in the largest isopleth for calculating PTS onset. If a non-impulsive sound has the potential of exceeding the peak sound pressure level thresholds associated with impulsive sounds, these thresholds should 

also be considered. 

Note: Peak sound pressure (Lpk) has a reference value of 1 μPa, and cumulative sound exposure level (LE) has a reference value of 1μPa2s. 

In this Table, thresholds are abbreviated to reflect American National Standards Institute standards (ANSI 2013). However, peak sound pressure 

is defined by ANSI as incorporating frequency weighting, which is not the intent for this Technical Guidance. Hence, the subscript ‘‘flat’’ is being 

included to indicate peak sound pressure should be flat weighted or unweighted within the generalized hearing range. The subscript associated 

with cumulative sound exposure level thresholds indicates the designated marine mammal auditory weighting function (LF, MF, and HF 

cetaceans, and PW and OW pinnipeds) and that the recommended accumulation period is 24 hours. The cumulative sound exposure level 

thresholds could be exceeded in a multitude of ways (i.e., varying exposure levels and durations, duty cycle). When possible, it is valuable for 

action proponents to indicate the conditions under which these acoustic thresholds will be exceeded. 

Ensonified Area 

Here, we describe operational and 

environmental parameters of the activity 

that will feed into identifying the area 

ensonified above the acoustic 

thresholds, which include source levels 

and transmission loss coefficient. 

The sound field in the project area is 

the existing background noise plus 

additional construction noise from the 

project. Marine mammals are expected 

to be affected via sound generated by 

the primary components of the project 

(i.e., impact pile driving, vibratory pile 

driving, vibratory pile removal, and 

DTH). 

In order to calculate distances to the 

Level A harassment and Level B 

harassment sound thresholds for the 

methods and piles being used in this 

project, NMFS used acoustic monitoring 

data from other locations to develop 

source levels for the various pile types, 

sizes and methods (Table 4). 

TABLE 4—OBSERVED SOURCE LEVELS FOR PILE INSTALLATION AND REMOVAL

Activity Peak SPL 

(re 1 μPa (rms)) 

RMS SPL 

(re 1 μPa (rms)) 

SEL 

(re 1 μPa (rms)) Source 

DTH (24-inch Steel Pipe) ................................... 184 167 159 Heyvaert & Reyff, 2021. 

Vibratory (24-inch Steel Pipe) * .......................... 175 162 160 Denes et al., 2016. 

Impact (24-Inch Steel Pipe) ................................ 207 194 178 Caltrans 2020. 

Note: SELss = single strike sound exposure level; RMS = root mean square. 

* Source levels used here differ from those used in USCG’s application. 

When the NMFS Technical Guidance 

(2016) was published, in recognition of 

the fact that ensonified area/volume 

could be more technically challenging 

to predict because of the duration 

component in the new thresholds, we 

developed a User Spreadsheet that 

includes tools to help predict a simple 

isopleth that can be used in conjunction 

with marine mammal density or 

occurrence to help predict takes. We 

note that because of some of the 

assumptions included in the methods 

used for these tools, we anticipate that 

isopleths produced are typically going 

to be overestimates of some degree, 

which may result in some degree of 

overestimate of Level A harassment 

take. However, these tools offer the best 

way to predict appropriate isopleths 

when more sophisticated 3D modeling 

methods are not available, and NMFS 

continues to develop ways to 

quantitatively refine these tools, and 

will qualitatively address the output 

where appropriate. For stationary 

sources such as vibratory and impact 

pile driving, vibratory removal and 

DTH, NMFS User Spreadsheet predicts 

the distance at which, if a marine 

mammal remained at that distance the 

whole duration of the activity, it would 

incur PTS. Inputs used in the User 

Spreadsheet are reported in Table 1 and 

source levels used in the User 

Spreadsheet are reported in Table 4. 

Resulting isopleths are reported in Table 

5. 


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TABLE 5—LEVEL A AND LEVEL B HARASSMENT ISOPLETHS FOR IMPACT PILE DRIVING

Activity 

Level A harassment isopleths (PTS) 

(meters) 

Level B 

harassment 

isopleths 

LF MF HF Phocids Otariids (m) 

DTH (24-inch Steel Pipe) ....................................................... 434.1 15.4 517.1 232.3 16.9 13594 

Vibratory (24-inch Steel Pipe) ................................................ 1 0.1 1.5 0.6 0.1 * 6310 

Impact (24-inch Steel Pipe) ................................................... 21.5 0.8 25.6 11.5 0.8 1848 

* Differs from USCG’s application due to difference in source level use. See Table 4. 

Marine Mammal Occurrence and Take 

Calculation and Estimation 

In this section we provide the 

information about the presence, density, 

or group dynamics of marine mammals 

that will inform the take calculations. 

We also describe how the information 

provided above is brought together to 

produce a quantitative take estimate. 

Available information regarding 

marine mammal occurrence and 

abundance in the vicinity of USCG Base 

Ketchikan includes monitoring reports 

from prior incidental take 

authorizations (the Tongass Narrows 

project (85 FR 673; January 7, 2020)) 

and ESA consultations on additional 

projects and is described below for each 

species. A summary of authorized take 

is in Table 6. 

Steller Sea Lions 

Steller sea lions are anticipated to 

occur in the vicinity of Base Ketchikan 

in the Tongass Narrows. As Base 

Ketchikan is far enough east of the line 

dividing the Eastern and Western 

stocks, only members of the Eastern 

Stock of Steller sea lions are anticipated 

to occur at Base Ketchikan. Sightings of 

Steller sea lions are expected to occur 

once a day with the total number of 

Steller sea lions in the project area 

reaching up to 10 animals. The project 

involves 30 days of potential in-water 

work. Therefore, we estimate total take 

at 10 sea lions × 30 days = 300 takes at 

the Level B harassment level. Because 

the shutdown zone is small and Steller 

sea lions are not cryptic, we believe the 

Level A harassment shutdown zone can 

be fully implemented by Protected 

Species Observers (PSOs) and no Level 

A harassment take is authorized. 

Harbor Seal 

Harbor seals are anticipated to occur 

in the project area once per day. The 

typical number of harbor seals observed 

in the project area is up to 12 animals 

per day. We estimate total take at 12 

seals × 30 days of activity = 360 takes. 

Because of the relatively large Level A 

harassment zones for impact pile 

driving and DTH, and because harbor 

seals are small and cryptic species that 

could sometimes remain undetected 

within the estimated harassment zones 

for a duration sufficient to experience 

PTS, we authorize 10 takes (1 seal per 

day for the expected 10 days of impact 

pile driving and DTH) by Level A 

harassment, and 350 takes by Level B 

harassment, with total authorized take 

equal to 360. 

Dall’s Porpoise 

Previous construction project 

monitoring in the Ketchikan area 

reported approximately two Dall’s 

porpoises per day (NMFS, 2021). 

Therefore, we estimate total take at 2 

porpoises per day × 30 days = 60 takes. 

Forty of these takes are expected to be 

Level B harassment takes. Because 

Dall’s porpoises are small and cryptic 

species and could sometimes remain 

undetected within the estimated 

harassment zones for a duration 

sufficient to experience PTS, we 

authorize 20 takes by Level A 

harassment. 

Harbor Porpoise 

Harbor porpoises are expected to 

occur in the project area no more than 

three times per month and the typical 

group size for harbor porpoises in the 

project area is 5 animals. The project 

involves 30 days (1 month) of in-water 

work where take could occur. Therefore, 

we estimate total take at 5 porpoises × 

3 sightings = 15 takes. Because harbor 

porpoises are small and cryptic species 

and could remain undetected within the 

estimated harassment zones for a 

duration sufficient to experience PTS, 

we authorize 5 takes by Level A 

harassment and 10 takes by Level B 

harassment. 

Pacific White-Sided Dolphin 

Previous construction project 

monitoring in the Ketchikan area 

reported approximately 2.86 Pacific 

white-sided dolphins per day (reported 

value of 20 dolphins over one week of 

monitoring) (NMFS, 2021). Therefore 

we estimate 2.86 dolphins × 30 days = 

86 takes. All of these takes are expected 

to be by Level B harassment as we 

believe the Level A shutdown zones can 

be fully implemented by PSOs due to 

their large group size, short dive 

duration, and easy detection of Pacific 

white-sided dolphins, in addition to the 

smaller size of the shutdown zones. 

Killer Whale 

Killer whales are expected to occur in 

the project area no more than once per 

month. Typically a group size for killer 

whales in the project area is 

conservatively estimated at 10 animals, 

which equates to 0.4 animals per day. 

Therefore, we estimate total take at 0.4 

whales × 30 days = 12 takes. All of these 

takes are expected to be Level B 

harassment takes as we believe the 

Level A shutdown zones can be fully 

implemented by PSOs because of the 

large size of the animal, short dive 

duration, and obvious behavior of killer 

whales, in additional to the small size 

of the shutdown zones. 

Gray Whale 

Gray whales are expected to occur no 

more than once per month. Typical 

group size for gray whales in the project 

area is two animals. Therefore, we 

conservatively authorize a single group 

size for the full 30 days of activity. All 

of these takes are expected to be by 

Level B harassment as we believe the 

Level A harassment shutdown zone can 

be fully implemented by PSOs because 

of the large size of the animal, short dive 

duration, and obvious behaviors of gray 

whales. 

Minke Whales 

Minke whales have not been 

previously observed in the project area 

but have a potential to occur. They are 

often solitary animals. Therefore, we 

conservatively authorize a single take of 

minke whales. This one estimated take 

is expected to be by Level B harassment 

as we believe the Level A shutdown 

zones can be fully implemented by 

PSOs because of the large size of the 

animal, the short dive duration, and 

obvious behaviors of minke whales. 

Northern Elephant Seals 

Members of the California breeding 

stock spend most of their time at sea 

and are known to migrate to the Gulf of 

Alaska to feed on benthic prey. Recent 


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anecdotal evidence has suggested that 

an animal may be present near Base 

Ketchikan and repeated sightings of that 

individual have been spotted near 

Ketchikan docks. Elephant seals are 

known to dive for extended periods of 

time and it is possible that one 

individual may be encountered within 

the Level B harassment zone. Therefore 

one estimated take by Level B 

harassment per day is authorized, bring 

the total authorized take of Elephant 

seals to 30. We believe the entire Level 

A shutdown zone can be fully 

implemented given their large size and 

obvious behaviors of elephant seals. 

Humpback Whales 

Members of the Western North Pacific 

stock have the potential to occur at Base 

Ketchikan. Previous construction 

project monitoring in the Ketchikan area 

reported approximately 0.571 whales 

per day during those activities (NMFS, 

2021). Therefore, we estimate total take 

at 0.571 whales per day × 30 days = 17 

takes by Level B harassment only. We 

do not anticipate any takes by Level A 

harassment as we believe the Level A 

shutdown zone can be fully 

implemented by PSOs because of their 

larger size, short dive duration, and 

obvious behaviors of humpback whales. 

Given data in Wade et al., (2021) 

discussed above on the relative 

frequencies of the Hawaii and Mexico 

DPS humpback whales in the project 

area, only 2 percent of the local 

population is expected to comprise of 

the Mexico DPS, equating to 0.34 of the 

17 humpback whale takes for 

authorization. Therefore, no takes of 

Mexico DPS whales are expected to 

occur. 

TABLE 6—AUTHORIZED AMOUNT OF TAKING

Species Stock Level A Level B Total Percent 

of stock 

Humpback whale .......................................... Central North Pacific .................................... 0 17 17 0.17 

Minke whale .................................................. Alaska ........................................................... 0 1 1 N/A 

Killer whale ................................................... Alaska Resident ........................................... 0 12 12 0.51 

Northern Resident ........................................ 3.97 

West Coast Transient ................................... 3.44 

Pacific-white sided dolphin ........................... North Pacific ................................................. 0 86 86 0.32 

Harbor porpoise ............................................ Southeast Alaska ......................................... 5 10 15 0.13 

Dall’s porpoise .............................................. Alaska Stock ................................................. 20 40 60 0.46 

Gray whale .................................................... Eastern North Pacific ................................... 0 2 2 0.01 

Harbor seal ................................................... Clarence Strait .............................................. 10 340 360 1.30 

Northern Elephant Seal ................................ California Breeding Stock ............................. 0 30 30 0.00 

Steller sea lion .............................................. Eastern ......................................................... 0 300 300 0.69 

Mitigation 

In order to issue an IHA under section 

101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA, NMFS must 

set forth the permissible methods of 

taking pursuant to the activity, and 

other means of effecting the least 

practicable impact on the species or 

stock and its habitat, paying particular 

attention to rookeries, mating grounds, 

and areas of similar significance, and on 

the availability of the species or stock 

for taking for certain subsistence uses. 

NMFS regulations require applicants for 

incidental take authorizations to include 

information about the availability and 

feasibility (economic and technological) 

of equipment, methods, and manner of 

conducting the activity or other means 

of effecting the least practicable adverse 

impact upon the affected species or 

stocks and their habitat (50 CFR 

216.104(a)(11)). 

In evaluating how mitigation may or 

may not be appropriate to ensure the 

least practicable adverse impact on 

species or stocks and their habitat, as 

well as subsistence uses where 

applicable, we carefully consider two 

primary factors: 

(1) The manner in which, and the 

degree to which, the successful 

implementation of the measure(s) is 

expected to reduce impacts to marine 

mammals, marine mammal species or 

stocks, and their habitat, as well as 

subsistence uses. This considers the 

nature of the potential adverse impact 

being mitigated (likelihood, scope, 

range). It further considers the 

likelihood that the measure will be 

effective if implemented (probability of 

accomplishing the mitigating result if 

implemented as planned), the 

likelihood of effective implementation 

(probability implemented as planned), 

and; 

(2) The practicability of the measures 

for applicant implementation, which 

may consider such things as cost, 

impact on operations, and, in the case 

of a military readiness activity, 

personnel safety, practicality of 

implementation, and impact on the 

effectiveness of the military readiness 

activity. 

To ensure no take of any ESA listed 

whales, there are a number of mitigation 

measures required through the IHA that 

go beyond, or are in addition to, typical 

mitigation measures we would 

otherwise require for this project, as 

determined through informal ESA 

Section 7 consultation. The mitigation 

measures in the IHA include: 

• Avoid direct physical interaction 

with marine mammals during 

construction activity. If a marine 

mammal comes within 10 m of such 

activity, operations must cease and 

vessels must reduce speed to the 

minimum level required to maintain 

steerage and safe working conditions 

(note that NMFS expects that a 10 m 

shutdown zone is sufficient to avoid 

direct physical interaction with marine 

mammals, but USCG will implement a 

20 m shutdown zone to avoid physical 

interaction for in-water activities); 

• Ensure that construction 

supervisors and crews, the monitoring 

team, and relevant USCG staff are 

trained prior to the start of all pile 

driving and DTH activity, so that 

responsibilities, communication 

procedures, monitoring protocols, and 

operational procedures are clearly 

understood. New personnel joining 

during the project must be trained prior 

to commencing work; 

• Pile driving activity must be halted 

upon observation of either a species for 

which incidental take is not authorized 

or a species for which incidental take 

has been authorized but the authorized 

number of takes has been met, entering 

or within the harassment zone; 

• For any marine mammal species for 

which take by Level B harassment has 

not been requested or authorized, inwater pile installation/removal and DTH 

will shut down immediately when the 

animals are sighted; 

• Employ a minimum of three PSOs 

for all DTH and pile driving activities, 


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where one PSO is assigned to the active 

pile driving or DTH site to monitor 

shutdown zones and as much of the 

Level B harassment zones as possible. 

Two additional PSOs are required to 

start at the project site and travel along 

the Tongass Narrows, counting all 

humpback whales present, until they 

have reached the edge of the respective 

Level B harassment zone. At this point, 

the PSOs will identify suitable 

observation points from which to 

observe the width of Tongass Narrows 

for the duration of DTH and pile driving 

activities. For the largest zones, these 

are expected to be on South Tongass 

Highway near Mountain Point and 

North Tongass Highway just northwest 

of the intersection with Carlanna Creek. 

• The placement of the PSOs during 

all pile driving and removal and DTH 

activities will ensure that the entire 

shutdown zone is visible during 

activity; 

• Monitoring must take place from 30 

minutes prior to initiation of pile 

driving or DTH activity (i.e., preclearance monitoring) through 30 

minutes post-completion of pile driving 

or DTH activity; 

• If in-water work ceases for more 

than 30 minutes, USCG will conduct 

pre-clearance monitoring of both the 

Level B harassment zone and the 

shutdown zone; 

• Pre-start clearance monitoring must 

be conducted during periods of 

visibility sufficient for the lead PSO to 

determine that the shutdown zones 

indicated in Table 7 are clear of marine 

mammals. Pile driving and DTH may 

commence following 30 minutes of 

observation when the determination is 

made that the shutdown zones are clear 

of marine mammals; 

• If a marine mammal is observed 

entering or within the shutdown zones 

indicated in Table 7, pile driving and 

DTH must be delayed or halted. If pile 

driving is delayed or halted due to the 

presence of a marine mammal, the 

activity may not commence or resume 

until either the animal has voluntarily 

exited and been visually confirmed 

beyond the shutdown zone (Table 7) or 

15 minutes have passed without redetection of the animal (30 minutes for 

large cetaceans); 

• For humpback whales, if the 

boundaries of the harassment zone have 

not been monitored continuously during 

a work stoppage, the entire harassment 

zone will be surveyed again to ensure 

that no humpback whales have entered 

the harassment zone that were not 

previously accounted for; and 

• In water activities will take place 

only: Between civil dawn and civil dusk 

when PSOs can effectively monitor for 

the presence of marine mammals; 

during conditions with a Beaufort Sea 

State of 4 or less; when the entire 

shutdown zone and adjacent waters are 

visible (e.g., monitoring effectiveness in 

not reduced due to rain, fog, snow, etc.). 

Pile driving may continue for up to 30 

minutes after sunset during evening 

civil twilight, as necessary to secure a 

pile for safety prior to demobilization 

during this time. The length of the postactivity monitoring period may be 

reduced if darkness precludes visibility 

of the shutdown and monitoring zones. 

The following specific mitigation 

measures must also apply to USCG’s inwater construction activities: 

Establishment of Level A Harassment 

and Shutdown Zones—For all pile 

driving/removal and DTH activities, 

USCG will establish a shutdown zone 

(Table 7). The purpose of a shutdown 

zone is generally to define an area 

within which shutdown of activity will 

occur upon sighting of marine mammal 

(or in anticipation of an animal entering 

the defined area). Shutdown zones vary 

based on activity type and duration and 

marine mammal hearing group (Table 

7). All shutdown zones are based on the 

Level A harassment isopleth for the 

associated activity. The placement of 

PSOs during all construction activities 

(described in detail in the Monitoring 

and Reporting Section) will ensure that 

the entire shutdown zones are visible 

during pile installation. 

TABLE 7—SHUTDOWN ZONES AND LEVEL B HARASSMENT ISOPLETHS

Activity 

Shutdown zone (m) Level B 

harassment 

zone 

(m) 

Lowfrequency Midfrequency Highfrequency Phocid Otariid 

Vibratory ................................................................................. 20 20 20 20 20 13594 

DTH ........................................................................................ 440 20 520 240 20 6310 

Impact .................................................................................... 30 20 30 20 20 1848 

Based on our evaluation of the 

applicant’s measures, as well as other 

measures considered by NMFS, NMFS 

has determined that the mitigation 

measures provide the means effecting 

the least practicable impact on the 

affected species or stocks and their 

habitat, paying particular attention to 

rookeries, mating grounds, and areas of 

similar significance. 

Monitoring and Reporting 

In order to issue an IHA for an 

activity, section 101(a)(5)(D) of the 

MMPA states that NMFS must set forth 

requirements pertaining to the 

monitoring and reporting of such taking. 

The MMPA implementing regulations at 

50 CFR 216.104 (a)(13) indicate that 

requests for authorizations must include 

the suggested means of accomplishing 

the necessary monitoring and reporting 

that will result in increased knowledge 

of the species and of the level of taking 

or impacts on populations of marine 

mammals that are expected to be 

present in the action area. Effective 

reporting is critical both to compliance 

as well as ensuring that the most value 

is obtained from the required 

monitoring. 

Monitoring and reporting 

requirements prescribed by NMFS 

should contribute to improved 

understanding of one or more of the 

following: 

• Occurrence of marine mammal 

species or stocks in the area in which 

take is anticipated (e.g., presence, 

abundance, distribution, density). 

• Nature, scope, or context of likely 

marine mammal exposure to potential 

stressors/impacts (individual or 

cumulative, acute or chronic), through 

better understanding of: (1) action or 

environment (e.g., source 

characterization, propagation, ambient 

noise); (2) affected species (e.g., life 

history, dive patterns); (3) co-occurrence 

of marine mammal species with the 

action; or (4) biological or behavioral 

context of exposure (e.g., age, calving or 

feeding areas). 

• Individual marine mammal 

responses (behavioral or physiological) 

to acoustic stressors (acute, chronic, or 

cumulative), other stressors, or 

cumulative impacts from multiple 

stressors. 

• How anticipated responses to 

stressors impact either: (1) long-term 

fitness and survival of individual 


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marine mammals; or (2) populations, 

species, or stocks. 

• Effects on marine mammal habitat 

(e.g., marine mammal prey species, 

acoustic habitat, or other important 

physical components of marine 

mammal habitat). 

• Mitigation and monitoring 

effectiveness. 

Visual Monitoring 

Monitoring must be conducted by 

qualified, NMFS-approved PSOs, in 

accordance to the following: 

• PSOs must be independent (i.e., not 

construction personnel) and have no 

other assigned tasks during monitoring 

periods. At least one PSO must have 

prior experience performing the duties 

of a PSO during construction activities 

pursuant to a NMFS-issued IHA. Other 

PSOs may substitute other relevant 

experience, education (degree in 

biological science or related field), or 

training for prior experience performing 

the duties of a PSO during construction 

activity pursuant to a NMFS-issued 

IHA. Where a team of three or more 

PSOs is required, a lead observer or 

monitoring coordinator must be 

designated. The lead observer must have 

prior experience performing the duties 

of a PSO during construction activity 

pursuant to a NMFS-issued incidental 

take authorization. PSOs must be 

approved by NMFS prior to beginning 

any activity subject to this IHA; and 

• PSOs must record all observations 

of marine mammals regardless of 

distance from the pile being driven. 

PSOs shall document any behavioral 

reactions in concert with distance from 

piles being driven or removed. 

PSOs must have the following 

additional qualifications: 

• Ability to conduct field 

observations and collect data according 

to assigned protocols; 

• Experience or training in the field 

identification of marine mammals, 

including the identification of 

behaviors; 

• Sufficient training, orientation, or 

experience with the construction 

operation to provide for personal safety 

during observations; 

• Writing skills sufficient to prepare a 

report of observations including but not 

limited to the number and species of 

marine mammals observed; dates and 

times when in-water construction 

activities were conducted; dates, times 

and reason for implementation of 

mitigation (or why mitigation was not 

implemented when required); and 

marine mammal behavior; and 

• Ability to communicate orally, by 

radio or in person, with project 

personnel to provide real-time 

information on marine mammals 

observed in the area as necessary. 

USCG must employ three PSOs 

during all pile driving and DTH 

activities. A minimum of one PSO (the 

lead PSO) must be assigned to the active 

pile driving or DTH location to monitor 

the shutdown zones and as much of the 

Level B harassment zones as possible. 

Two additional PSOs are also required. 

The additional PSOs will start at the 

project site and travel along Tongass 

Narrows, counting all humpback whales 

present, until they have reached the 

edge of the respective Level B 

harassment zone. At this point, the 

PSOs will identify suitable observation 

points from which to observe the width 

of Tongass Narrows for the duration of 

DTH and pile driving activities. For the 

largest zones, these are expected to be 

on the South Tongass Highway near 

Mountain Point and north Tongass 

Highway just northwest of the 

intersection with Carlanna Creek. If 

visibility deteriorates so that the entire 

width of Tongass Narrows at the 

harassment zone boundary is not 

visible, additional PSOs may be 

positioned so that the entire width is 

visible, or work will be halted until the 

entire width is visible to ensure that any 

humpback whales entering or are within 

the harassment zone are detected by 

PSOs. 

Reporting 

A draft marine mammal monitoring 

report will be submitted to NMFS 

within 90 days after the completion of 

pile driving and removal activities, or 

60 days prior to a requested date of 

issuance from any future IHAs for 

projects at the same location, whichever 

comes first. The report will include an 

overall description of work completed, 

a narrative regarding marine mammal 

sightings, and associated PSO data 

sheets. Specifically, the report must 

include: 

• Dates and times (begin and end) of 

all marine mammal monitoring; 

• Construction activities occurring 

during each daily observation period, 

including the number and type of piles 

driven or removed and by what method 

(i.e., impact, vibratory or DTH) and the 

total equipment duration for vibratory 

removal or DTH for each pile or hole or 

total number of strikes for each pile 

(impact driving); 

• PSO locations during marine 

mammal monitoring; 

• Environmental conditions during 

monitoring periods (at beginning and 

end of PSO shift and whenever 

conditions change significantly), 

including Beaufort sea state and any 

other relevant weather conditions 

including cloud cover, fog, sun glare, 

and overall visibility to the horizon, and 

estimated observable distance; 

• Upon observation of a marine 

mammal, the following information: 

Name of PSO who sighted the animal(s) 

and PSO location and activity at the 

time of sighting; Time of sighting; 

Identification of the animal(s) (e.g., 

genus/species, lowest possible 

taxonomic level, or unidentifiable), PSO 

confidence in identification, and the 

composition of the group if there is a 

mix of species; Distance and bearing of 

each marine mammal observed relative 

to the pile being driven for each 

sightings (if pile driving was occurring 

at time of sighting); Estimated number 

of animals (min/max/best estimate); 

Estimated number of animals by cohort 

(adults, juveniles, neonates, group 

composition, sex class, etc.); Animal’s 

closest point of approach and estimated 

time spent within the harassment zone; 

Description of any marine mammal 

behavioral observations (e.g., observed 

behaviors such as feeding or traveling), 

including an assessment of behavioral 

responses thought to have resulted from 

the activity (e.g., no response or changes 

in behavioral state such as ceasing 

feeding, changing direction, flushing, or 

breaching); 

• Number of marine mammals 

detected within the harassment zones 

and shutdown zones; by species; 

• Detailed information about any 

implementation of any mitigation 

triggered (e.g., shutdowns and delays), a 

description of specific actions that 

ensured, and resulting changes in 

behavior of the animal(s), if any; and 

• If visibility degrades to where 

PSO(s) cannot view the entire 

harassment zones, additional PSOs may 

be positioned so that the entire width is 

visible, or work will be halted until the 

entire width is visible to ensure that any 

humpback whales entering or within the 

harassment zone are detected by PSOs. 

If no comments are received from 

NMFS within 30 days, the draft final 

report will constitute the final report. If 

comments are received, a final report 

addressing NMFS comments must be 

submitted within 30 days after receipt of 

comments. 

Reporting Injured or Dead Marine 

Mammals 

In the event that personnel involved 

in the construction activities discover 

an injured or dead marine mammal, the 

IHA-holder must immediately cease the 

specified activities and report the 

incident to the Office of Protected 

Resources (OPR) 

(PR.ITP.MonitoringReports@noaa.gov), 

NMFS and to the Alaska Regional 


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Stranding Coordinator as soon as 

feasible. If the death or injury was 

clearly caused by the specified activity, 

USCG must immediately cease the 

specified activities until NMFS is able 

to review the circumstances of the 

incident and determine what, if any, 

additional measures are appropriate to 

ensure compliance with the terms of the 

IHA. The IHA-holder must not resume 

their activities until notified by NMFS. 

The report must include the following 

information: 

• Time, date, and location (latitude/ 

longitude) of the first discovery (and 

updated location information if known 

and applicable); 

• Species identification (if known) or 

description of the animal(s) involved; 

• Condition of the animal(s) 

(including carcass condition if the 

animal is dead); 

• Observed behaviors of the 

animal(s), if alive; 

• If available, photographs or video 

footage of the animal(s); and 

• General circumstances under which 

the animal was discovered. 

Negligible Impact Analysis and 

Determination 

NMFS has defined negligible impact 

as an impact resulting from the 

specified activity that cannot be 

reasonably expected to, and is not 

reasonably likely to, adversely affect the 

species or stock through effects on 

annual rates of recruitment or survival 

(50 CFR 216.103). A negligible impact 

finding is based on the lack of likely 

adverse effects on annual rates of 

recruitment or survival (i.e., populationlevel effects). An estimate of the number 

of takes alone is not enough information 

on which to base an impact 

determination. In addition to 

considering estimates of the number of 

marine mammals that might be ‘‘taken’’ 

through harassment, NMFS considers 

other factors, such as the likely nature 

of any responses (e.g., intensity, 

duration), the context of any responses 

(e.g., critical reproductive time or 

location, migration), as well as effects 

on habitat, and the likely effectiveness 

of the mitigation. We also assess the 

number, intensity, and context of 

estimated takes by evaluating this 

information relative to population 

status. Consistent with the 1989 

preamble for NMFS’s implementing 

regulations (54 FR 40338; September 29, 

1989), the impacts from other past and 

ongoing anthropogenic activities are 

incorporated into this analysis via their 

impacts on the environmental baseline 

(e.g., as reflected in the regulatory status 

of the species, population size and 

growth rate where known, ongoing 

sources of human-caused mortality, or 

ambient noise levels). 

To avoid repetition, our analysis 

applies to all species listed in Table 2 

for which take could occur, given that 

NMFS expects the anticipated effects of 

pile driving/removal and DTH on 

different marine mammal stocks to be 

similar in nature. Where there are 

meaningful differences between species 

or stocks, or groups of species, in 

anticipated individual responses to 

activities, impact of expected take on 

the population due to differences in 

population status, or impacts on habitat, 

NMFS has identified species-specific 

factors to inform the analysis. 

Pile driving and DTH activities 

associated with the project, as outlined 

previously, have the potential to disturb 

or displace marine mammals. 

Specifically, the specified activities may 

result in take, in the form of Level B 

harassment and, for some species, Level 

A harassment from underwater sounds 

generated by pile driving. Potential 

takes could occur if individuals are 

present in the ensonified zone when 

these activities are underway. 

The Level A harassment zones 

identified in Table 5 are based upon an 

animal exposed to impact pile driving 

or DTH up to two piles per day. Given 

the short duration to impact drive or 

vibe, or use DTH drilling, each pile and 

break between pile installations (to reset 

equipment and move piles into place), 

an animal would have to remain within 

the area estimated to be ensonified 

above the Level A harassment threshold 

for multiple hours. This is highly 

unlikely give marine mammal 

movement in the area. If an animal was 

exposed to accumulated sound energy, 

the resulting PTS would likely be small 

(e.g., PTS onset) at lower frequencies 

where pile driving energy is 

concentrated, and unlikely to result in 

impacts to individual fitness, 

reproduction, or survival. 

The nature of the pile driving project 

precludes the likelihood of serious 

injury or mortality. For all species and 

stock, take would occur within a 

limited, confined area (adjacent to the 

project site) of the stock’s range. Level 

A and Level B harassment will be 

reduced to the level of least practicable 

adverse impact through use of 

mitigation measures described herein. 

Further, the amount of take authorized 

is extremely small when compared to 

stock abundance. 

Behavioral responses of marine 

mammals to pile driving, pile removals, 

and DTH at the sites in Tongass 

Narrows are expected to be mild, short 

term, and temporary. Marine mammals 

within the Level B harassment zones 

may not show any visual cues they are 

disturbed by activities or they could 

become alert, avoid the area, leave the 

area, or display other mild responses 

that are not observable such as changes 

in vocalization patterns. Given that pile 

driving, pile removal and DTH will 

occur for only a portion of the project’s 

duration, any harassment occurring 

would be temporary. Additionally, 

many of the species present in region 

would only be present temporarily 

based on seasonal patterns or during 

transit between other habitats. These 

temporary present species would be 

exposed to even smaller periods of 

noise-generating activity, further 

decreasing the impacts. 

For all species except humpback 

whales, there are no known Biologically 

Important Areas (BIAs) near the project 

area that would be impacted by USCG’s 

planned activities. For humpback 

whales, the whole Southeast of Alaska 

is a seasonal BIA from March through 

November (Ferguson et al., 2015), 

however, Tongass Narrows and the 

Clarence Strait are not important 

portions of this habitat due to human 

development and presence. The Tongass 

Narrows is also a small passageway and 

represents a very small portion of the 

total available habitat. In addition, 

while the southeast Alaska is 

considered an important area for feeding 

humpback whales between March and 

May (Ellison et al., 2012), it is not 

currently designated as critical habitat 

for humpback whales (86 FR 21082; 

April 21, 2021). 

In addition, it is unlikely that minor 

noise effects in a small, localized area of 

habitat would have any effect on each 

stock’s ability to recover. In 

combination, we believe that these 

factors, as well as the available body of 

evidence from other similar activities, 

demonstrate that the potential effects of 

the specified activities will have only 

minor, short-term effects on individuals. 

The specified activities are not expected 

to impact rates of recruitment or 

survival and will therefore not result in 

population-level impacts. 

In summary and as described above, 

the following factors primarily support 

our determination that the impacts 

resulting from this activity are not 

expected to adversely affect the species 

or stock through effects on annual rates 

of recruitment or survival: 

• No mortality is anticipated or 

authorized. 

• Authorized Level A harassment will 

be very small amounts and of low 

degree; 

• The only known area of specific 

biological importance covers a broad 

area of southeast Alaska for humpback 


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39480 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 126 / Friday, July 1, 2022 / Notices 

whales, and the project area is a very 

small portion of that BIA. No other 

known areas of particular biological 

importance to any of the affected 

species or stocks are impacted by the 

activity, including ESA-designated 

critical habitat; 

• For all species, the Tongass 

Narrows is a very small and peripheral 

part of their range; 

• USCG will implement mitigation 

measures including soft-starts and 

shutdown zones to minimize the 

numbers of marine mammals exposed to 

injurious levels of sound, and to ensure 

that take by Level A harassment is, at 

most, a small degree of PTS; 

• Monitoring reports from similar 

work in the Tongass Narrows have 

documented little to no effect on 

individuals of the same species 

impacted by the specified activity. 

Based on the analysis contained 

herein of the likely effects of the 

specified activity on marine mammals 

and their habitat, and taking into 

consideration the implementation of the 

monitoring and mitigation measures, 

NMFS finds that the total marine 

mammal take from the activity will have 

a negligible impact on all affected 

marine mammal species or stocks. 

Small Numbers 

As noted above, only small numbers 

of incidental take may be authorized 

under sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of 

the MMPA for specified activities other 

than military readiness activities. The 

MMPA does not define small numbers 

and so, in practice, where estimated 

numbers are available, NMFS compares 

the number of individuals taken to the 

most appropriate estimation of 

abundance of the relevant species or 

stock in our determination of whether 

an authorization is limited to small 

numbers of marine mammals. When the 

predicted number of individuals to be 

taken is fewer than one third of the 

species or stock abundance, the take is 

considered to be of small numbers. 

Additionally, other qualitative factors 

may be considered in the analysis, such 

as the temporal or spatial scale of the 

activities. 

The amount of take NMFS has 

authorized is below one third of the 

estimated stock abundance for all 

species (in fact, take of individuals is 

less than five percent of the abundance 

of the affected stocks, see Table 6). This 

is likely a conservative estimate because 

we assume all takes are of different 

individual animals, which is likely not 

the case. Some individuals may return 

multiple times in a day, but PSOs will 

count them as separate takes if they 

cannot be individually identified. 

The most recent estimate for the 

Alaska stock of Dall’s porpoise was 

13,110 animals however this number 

just accounts for a portion of the stock’s 

range. Therefore, the 60 takes of this 

stock authorized is believed to be an 

even smaller portion of the overall stock 

abundance. 

Likewise, the Southeast Alaska stock 

of harbor porpoise has no official NMFS 

abundance estimate as the most recent 

estimate is greater than eight years old. 

The most recent estimate was 11,146 

animal (Muto et al., 2021) and it is 

highly unlikely this number has 

drastically declined. Therefore, the 15 

takes of this stock authorized clearly 

represent small numbers of this stock. 

There is no current or historical 

estimate of the Alaska minke whale 

stock, but there are known to be over 

1,000 minke whales in the Gulf of 

Alaska (Muto et al., 2018) so the 1 take 

authorized clearly represents small 

numbers of this stock. Additionally, the 

range of the Alaska stock of minke 

whales is extensive, stretching from the 

Canadian Pacific coast to the Chukchi 

Sea, and USCG’s project area impacts a 

very small portion of this range. 

Therefore, the singular take of minke 

whale authorized is small relative to 

estimated survey abundance, even if 

each take occurred to a new individual. 

Based on the analysis contained 

herein of the activity (including the 

mitigation and monitoring measures) 

and the anticipated take of marine 

mammals, NMFS finds that small 

numbers of marine mammals will be 

taken relative to the population size of 

the affected species or stocks. 

Unmitigable Adverse Impact Analysis 

and Determination 

In order to issue an IHA, NMFS must 

find that the specified activity will not 

have an ‘‘unmitigable adverse impact’’ 

on the subsistence uses of the affected 

marine mammal species or stocks by 

Alaskan Natives. NMFS has defined 

‘‘unmitigable adverse impact’’ in 50 CFR 

216.103 as an impact resulting from the 

specified activity: (1) That is likely to 

reduce the availability of the species to 

a level insufficient for a harvest to meet 

subsistence needs by: (i) Causing the 

marine mammals to abandon or avoid 

hunting areas; (ii) Directly displacing 

subsistence users; or (iii) Placing 

physical barriers between the marine 

mammals and the subsistence hunters; 

and (2) That cannot be sufficiently 

mitigated by other measures to increase 

the availability of marine mammals to 

allow subsistence needs to be met. 

Alaska Native hunters in the 

Ketchikan vicinity do not traditionally 

harvest cetaceans (Muto et al., 2021). To 

date, there are no reports of subsistence 

takes of killer whale, Pacific white-sided 

dolphin, harbor porpoise, or Dall’s 

porpoise within Alaska (Muto et al., 

2021). Harbor seals are the most 

commonly targeted marine mammal that 

is hunted by Alaska Native subsistence 

hunters within the Ketchikan area. In 

2012, an estimated 595 harbor seals 

were taken for subsistence uses, with 22 

of those occurring in Ketchikan (Wolfe 

et al., 2013). Statewide data are no 

longer being consistently collected for 

subsistence harvest of Steller sea lions, 

however subarea collect does occur 

periodically. In 2012, hunters in 

Southeast Alaska took an estimated nine 

sea lions for subsistence use (Wolfe et 

al., 2013). Sea lions were taken in two 

communities (Hoonah and Sitka) by 

three hunters. There are no known 

haulout locations in the project area. 

Both the harbor seal and Steller sea lion 

may be temporarily displaced from the 

action are However, neither the local 

population nor any individual pinniped 

are likely to be adversely impacted by 

the action beyond noise-induced 

harassment or slight injury. The project 

is anticipated to have no long-term 

impacts on either species’ populations, 

or their habitats. No long-term impacts 

on the availability of marine mammals 

for subsistence uses is anticipated. 

Based on the description of the 

specified activity, the measures 

described to minimize adverse effects 

on the availability of marine mammals 

for subsistence purposes, and the 

mitigation and monitoring measures, 

NMFS has determined that there will 

not be an unmitigable adverse impact on 

subsistence uses from USCG’s activities. 

Endangered Species Act 

Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered 

Species Act of 1973 (ESA: 16 U.S.C. 

1531 et seq.) requires that each Federal 

agency insure that any action it 

authorizes, funds, or carries out is not 

likely to jeopardize the continued 

existence of any endangered or 

threatened species or result in the 

destruction or adverse modification of 

designated critical habitat. To ensure 

ESA compliance for the issuance of 

IHAs, NMFS consults internally 

whenever we authorize take for 

endangered or threatened species, in 

this case with the Alaska Regional 

Office. 

No incidental take of ESA-listed 

species is authorized or expected to 

result from this activity. Therefore, 

NMFS has determined that formal 

consultation under section 7 of the ESA 

is not required for this action. 


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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 126 / Friday, July 1, 2022 / Notices 39481 

National Environmental Policy Act 

To comply with the National 

Environmental Policy Act of 1969 

(NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and 

NOAA Administrative Order (NAO) 

216–6A, NMFS must review our action 

(i.e., the issuance of an IHA) with 

respect to potential impacts on the 

human environment. 

This action is consistent with 

categories of activities identified in 

Categorical Exclusion B4 (IHAs with no 

anticipated serious injury or mortality) 

of the Companion Manual for NOAA 

Administrative Order 216–6A, which do 

not individually or cumulatively have 

the potential for significant impacts on 

the quality of the human environment 

and for which we have not identified 

any extraordinary circumstances that 

would preclude this categorical 

exclusion. Accordingly, NMFS has 

determined that the issuance of the IHA 

qualifies to be categorically excluded 

from further NEPA review. 

Authorization 

As a result of these determinations, 

NMFS has issued an IHA to the United 

States Coast Guard for the potential 

harassment of small numbers of ten 

marine mammal species incidental to 

the floating dock extension construction 

project at Base Ketchikan, Alaska, that 

includes the previously explained 

mitigation, monitoring and reporting 

requirements. 

Dated: June 28, 2022. 

Kimberly Damon-Randall, 

Director, Office of Protected Resources, 

National Marine Fisheries Service. 

[FR Doc. 2022–14137 Filed 6–30–22; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–22–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration 

[RTID 0648–XC102] 

Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to 

Specified Activities; Taking Marine 

Mammals Incidental to Sand Island Pile 

Dikes Repairs in the Columbia River 

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries 

Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 

Commerce. 

ACTION: Notice; proposed incidental 

harassment authorizations (IHAs); 

request for comments on proposed 

authorizations and possible renewal. 

SUMMARY: NMFS has received a request 

from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 

(Corps) for authorization to take marine 

mammals incidental to the Sand Island 

Pile Dikes Repairs Project in the 

Columbia River. Pursuant to the Marine 

Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS 

is requesting comments on its proposal 

to issue two consecutive IHAs to 

incidentally take marine mammals 

during the specified activities. NMFS is 

also requesting comments on possible 

one-time, one-year renewals for each 

IHA 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. 

DATES: Comments and information must 

be received no later than August 1, 

2022. 

ADDRESSES: Comments should be 

addressed to Jolie Harrison, Chief, 

Permits and Conservation Division, 

Office of Protected Resources, National 

Marine Fisheries Service and should be 

submitted via email to ITP.Fowler@

noaa.gov. 

Instructions: NMFS is not responsible 

for comments sent by any other method, 

to any other address or individual, or 

received after the end of the comment 

period. Comments, including all 

attachments, must not exceed a 25- 

megabyte file size. All comments 

received are a part of the public record 

and will generally be posted online at 

www.fisheries.noaa.gov/permit/ 

incidental-take-authorizations-undermarine-mammal-protection-act without 

change. All personal identifying 

information (e.g., name, address) 

voluntarily submitted by the commenter 

may be publicly accessible. Do not 

submit confidential business 

information or otherwise sensitive or 

protected information. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Amy Fowler, Office of Protected 

Resources, NMFS, (301) 427–8401. 

Electronic copies of the application and 

supporting documents, as well as a list 

of the references cited in this document, 

may be obtained online at: https://

www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/ 

marine-mammal-protection/incidentaltake-authorizations-constructionactivities. In case of problems accessing 

these documents, please call the contact 

listed above. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

The MMPA prohibits the ‘‘take’’ of 

marine mammals, with certain 

exceptions. Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and 

(D) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et 

seq.) direct the Secretary of Commerce 

(as delegated to 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 either regulations are 

proposed or, if the taking is limited to 

harassment, a notice of a proposed 

incidental harassment authorization is 

provided to the public for review. 

Authorization for incidental takings 

shall be granted if NMFS finds that the 

taking will have a negligible impact on 

the species or stock(s) and will not have 

an unmitigable adverse impact on the 

availability of the species or stock(s) for 

taking for subsistence uses (where 

relevant). Further, NMFS must prescribe 

the permissible methods of taking and 

other ‘‘means of effecting the least 

practicable adverse impact’’ on the 

affected species or stocks and their 

habitat, paying particular attention to 

rookeries, mating grounds, and areas of 

similar significance, and on the 

availability of the species or stocks for 

taking for certain subsistence uses 

(referred to in shorthand as 

‘‘mitigation’’); and requirements 

pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring 

and reporting of the takings are set forth. 

The definitions of all applicable MMPA 

statutory terms cited above are included 

in the relevant sections below. 

National Environmental Policy Act 

To comply with the National 

Environmental Policy Act of 1969 

(NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and 

NOAA Administrative Order (NAO) 

216–6A, NMFS must review our 

proposed action (i.e., the issuance of an 

IHA) with respect to potential impacts 

on the human environment. 

This action is consistent with 

categories of activities identified in 

Categorical Exclusion B4 (IHAs with no 

anticipated serious injury or mortality) 

of the Companion Manual for NOAA 

Administrative Order 216–6A, which do 

not individually or cumulatively have 

the potential for significant impacts on 

the quality of the human environment 

and for which we have not identified 

any extraordinary circumstances that 

would preclude this categorical 

exclusion. Accordingly, NMFS has 

preliminarily determined that the 

issuance of the proposed IHAs qualifies 

to be categorically excluded from 

further NEPA review. 

We will review all comments 

submitted in response to this notice 

prior to concluding our NEPA process 


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