[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 236 (Tuesday, December 9, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73048-73053]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-28807]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD531


Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; 
Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Rocky Intertidal Monitoring Surveys 
Along the Oregon and California Coasts

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 Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) 
regulations, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued an 
Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to the Partnership for 
Interdisciplinary Study of Coastal Oceans (PISCO) at the University of 
California (UC) Santa Cruz for an Incidental Harassment Authorization 
(IHA) to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to rocky 
intertidal monitoring surveys.

DATES: Effective December 17, 2014, through December 16, 2015.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the authorization, application, and associated 
Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact 
(FONSI) may be obtained by writing to Jolie Harrison, Chief, Permits 
and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National 
Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 
20910, telephoning the contact listed below (see FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT), or visiting the internet at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm. Documents cited in this 
notice may also be viewed, by appointment, during regular business 
hours, at the aforementioned address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Pauline, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, (301) 427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) 
direct the Secretary of Commerce 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 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), will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the 
availability of the species or stock(s) for subsistence uses (where 
relevant), and if the permissible methods of taking, other means of 
effecting the least practicable impact on the species or stock and its 
habitat, and requirements pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring and 
reporting of such takings are set forth. NMFS has defined ``negligible 
impact'' in 50 CFR 216.103 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.''
    Section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA established an expedited process 
by which citizens of the United States can apply for an authorization 
to incidentally take small numbers of marine mammals by harassment. 
Section 101(a)(5)(D) establishes a 45-day time limit for NMFS review of 
an application followed by a 30-day public notice and comment period on 
any proposed authorizations for the incidental harassment of marine 
mammals. Within 45 days of the close of the comment period, NMFS must 
either issue or deny the authorization. Except with respect to certain 
activities not pertinent here, 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].''

Summary of Request

    On July 30, 2014, NMFS received an application from PISCO for the 
taking of marine mammals incidental to rocky intertidal monitoring 
surveys along the Oregon and California coasts. NMFS determined that 
the application was adequate and complete on August 22, 2014. On 
October 8, 2014, we published a notice in the Federal Register of our 
proposal to issue an IHA with preliminary determinations and explained 
the basis for the proposal and preliminary determinations (78 FR 
64918). The notice initiated a 30-day public comment period. Responses 
are discussed below. In December 2012, NMFS issued a 1-year IHA to 
PISCO to

[[Page 73049]]

take marine mammals incidental to these same proposed activities (77 FR 
72327, December 5, 2012). That IHA expired on December 2, 2013. In 
December 2013 NMFS issued another 1 year IHA to PISCO to take marine 
mammals incidental to continuation of proposed activities which expires 
on December 16, 2014 (78 FR 79403, December 30, 2013).
    The research group at UC Santa Cruz operates in collaboration with 
two large-scale marine research programs: PISCO and the Multi-agency 
Rocky Intertidal Network. The research group at UC Santa Cruz (PISCO) 
is responsible for many of the ongoing rocky intertidal monitoring 
programs along the Pacific coast. Monitoring occurs at rocky intertidal 
sites, often large bedrock benches, from the high intertidal to the 
water's edge. Long-term monitoring projects include Community Structure 
Monitoring, Intertidal Biodiversity Surveys, Marine Protected Area 
Baseline Monitoring, Intertidal Recruitment Monitoring, and Ocean 
Acidification. Research is conducted throughout the year along the 
California and Oregon coasts and will continue indefinitely. Most sites 
are sampled one to two times per year over a 4-6 hour period during a 
negative low tide series. This IHA is only effective for a 12-month 
period. The following specific aspects of the proposed activities are 
likely to result in the take of marine mammals: Presence of survey 
personnel near pinniped haulout sites and approach of survey personnel 
towards hauled out pinnipeds. Take, by Level B harassment only, of 
individuals of three species of marine mammals is anticipated to result 
from the specified activity.

Description of the Specified Activity and Specified Geographic Region

    PISCO focuses on understanding the nearshore ecosystems of the U.S. 
west coast through a number of interdisciplinary collaborations. PISCO 
integrates long-term monitoring of ecological and oceanographic 
processes at dozens of sites with experimental work in the lab and 
field. A short description of each project is contained here. 
Additional information can be found in PISCO's application (see 
ADDRESSES) and the Notice of Proposed IHA (79 FR 60831, October 8, 
2014).
    Community Structure Monitoring involves the use of permanent 
photoplot quadrats which target specific algal and invertebrate 
assemblages (e.g. mussels, rockweeds, barnacles). This project provides 
managers with insight into the causes and consequences of changes in 
species abundance. Each Community Structure site is surveyed over a 1-
day period during a low tide series one to two times a year. Sites, 
location, number of times sampled per year, and typical sampling months 
for each site are presented in Table 1 in PISCO's application (see 
ADDRESSES).
    Biodiversity Surveys, which are part of a long-term monitoring 
project and are conducted every 3-5 years at established sites, involve 
point contact identification along permanent transects, mobile 
invertebrate quadrat counts, sea star band counts, and tidal height 
topographic measurements. Table 2 in PISCO's application (see 
ADDRESSES) lists established biodiversity sites in Oregon and 
California.
    In September 2007, the state of California began establishing a 
network of Marine Protected Areas along the California coast as part of 
the Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA). Under baseline monitoring 
programs funded by Sea Grant and the Ocean Protection Council, PISCO 
established additional intertidal monitoring sites in the Central 
Coast, North Central Coast, and South Coast study regions. Six 
additional sites will be established and sampled in the North Coast 
study region during 2015 (see Table 3 in PISCO's application). Baseline 
characterization of newly established areas involves sampling of these 
new sites, as well as established sites both within and outside of 
marine protected areas. These sites were sampled using existing 
Community Structure and Biodiversity protocols for consistency. 
Resampling of these sites may take place as part of future marine 
protected area evaluation.

Specified Geographic Location and Activity Timeframe

    PISCO's research is conducted throughout the year along the 
California and Oregon coasts. Most sites are sampled one to two times 
per year over a 1-day period (4-6 hours per site) during a negative low 
tide series. Due to the large number of research sites, scheduling 
constraints, the necessity for negative low tides and favorable 
weather/ocean conditions, exact survey dates are variable and difficult 
to predict. Some sampling is anticipated to occur in all months, except 
for January, August, and September.
    The intertidal zones where PISCO conducts intertidal monitoring are 
also areas where pinnipeds can be found hauled out on the shore at or 
adjacent to some research sites. Accessing portions of the intertidal 
habitat may cause incidental Level B (behavioral) harassment of 
pinnipeds through some unavoidable approaches if pinnipeds are hauled 
out directly in the study plots or while biologists walk from one 
location to another. No motorized equipment is involved in conducting 
these surveys. The species for which Level B harassment is requested 
are: California sea lions (Zalophus californianus californianus); 
harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardii); and northern elephant seals 
(Mirounga angustirostris).

Comments and Responses

    A Notice of Proposed IHA was published in the Federal Register on 
October 8, 2014 (79 FR 60831) for public comment. During the 30-day 
public comment period, NMFS received one letter from the Marine Mammal 
Commission. No other organizations provided comments on the proposed 
issuance of an IHA for this activity. The Marine Mammal Commission 
recommended that NMFS issue the IHA, subject to inclusion of the 
proposed mitigation and monitoring measures. NMFS has included all of 
the mitigation and monitoring measures proposed in the Notice of 
Proposed IHA (79 FR 60831, October 8, 2014) in the issued IHA.

Description of Marine Mammals in the Area of the Specified Activity

    Several pinniped species can be found along the California and 
Oregon coasts. The three that are most likely to occur at some of the 
research sites are California sea lion, harbor seal, and northern 
elephant seal. On rare occasions, PISCO researchers have seen very 
small numbers (i.e., five or fewer) of Steller sea lions at one of the 
sampling sites. These sightings are rare. Therefore, encounters are not 
expected. However, if Steller sea lions are sighted before approaching 
a sampling site, researchers will abandon approach and return at a 
later date. For this reason, this species is not considered further in 
this IHA notice.
    We refer the public to Carretta et al. (2014) for general 
information on these species. The publication is available on the 
internet at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/pdf/pacific2013_final.pdf. Additional information on the status, 
distribution, seasonal distribution, and life history can also be found 
in PISCO's application and NMFS' Notice of Proposed IHA (79 FR 60831, 
October 8, 2014). The information has not changed and is therefore not 
repeated here.
    California (southern) sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis), listed as 
threatened under the ESA and categorized as depleted under the MMPA, 
usually range in coastal waters

[[Page 73050]]

within 2 km (1.2 mi) of shore. This species is managed by the U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service and is not considered further in this notice.

Potential Effects of the Specified Activity on Marine Mammals

    The appearance of researchers may have the potential to cause Level 
B harassment of any pinnipeds hauled out at sampling sites. Although 
marine mammals are never deliberately approached by abalone survey 
personnel, approach may be unavoidable if pinnipeds are hauled out in 
the immediate vicinity of the permanent study plots. Disturbance may 
result in reactions ranging from an animal simply becoming alert to the 
presence of researchers (e.g., turning the head, assuming a more 
upright posture) to flushing from the haul-out site into the water. 
NMFS does not consider the lesser reactions to constitute behavioral 
harassment, or Level B harassment takes, but rather assumes that 
pinnipeds that move greater than 1 m (3.3 ft) or change the speed or 
direction of their movement in response to the presence of researchers 
are behaviorally harassed, and thus subject to Level B taking. Animals 
that respond to the presence of researchers by becoming alert, but do 
not move or change the nature of locomotion as described, are not 
considered to have been subject to behavioral harassment. NMFS' Notice 
of Proposed IHA (79 FR 60831, October 8, 2014) contains information 
regarding potential impacts to marine mammals from the specified 
activity. The information has not changed and is therefore not repeated 
here.
    Typically, even those reactions constituting Level B harassment 
would result at most in temporary, short-term disturbance. In any given 
study season, researchers will visit sites one to two times per year 
for a total of 4-6 hours per visit. Therefore, disturbance of pinnipeds 
resulting from the presence of researchers lasts only for short periods 
of time and is separated by significant amounts of time in which no 
disturbance occurs. Because such disturbance is sporadic, rather than 
chronic, and of low intensity, individual marine mammals are unlikely 
to incur any detrimental impacts to vital rates or ability to forage 
and, thus, loss of fitness. Correspondingly, even local populations, 
much less the overall stocks of animals, are extremely unlikely to 
accrue any significantly detrimental impacts.
    NMFS does not anticipate that the activities would result in the 
injury, serious injury, or mortality of pinnipeds because pups are only 
found at a couple of the sampling locations during certain times of the 
year and that many rookeries occur on the offshore islands and not the 
mainland areas where the activities would occur. In addition, 
researchers will exercise appropriate caution approaching sites, 
especially when pups are present and will redirect activities when pups 
are present.

Anticipated Effects on Marine Mammal Habitat

    The only habitat modification associated with the activity is the 
placement of permanent bolts and other sampling equipment in the 
intertidal. Bolts are installed during the set-up of a site and, at 
existing sites, this has already occurred. In some instances, bolts 
will need to be replaced or installed for new plots. Bolts are 7.6 to 
12.7 cm (2 to 5 in) long, stainless steel 1 cm (3/8 in) Hex or Carriage 
bolts. They are installed by drilling a hole with a battery powered 
DeWalt 24 volt rotary hammer drill with a 1 cm (3/8 in) bit. The bolts 
protrude 1.3-7.6 cm (0.5-3 in) above the rock surface and are held in 
place with marine epoxy. Although the drill does produce noticeable 
noise, researchers have never observed an instance where near-by or 
offshore marine mammals were disturbed by it. Any marine mammal at the 
site would likely be disturbed by the presence of researchers and 
retreat to a distance where the noise of the drill would not increase 
the disturbance. In most instances, wind and wave noise also drown out 
the noise of the drill. The installation of bolts and other sampling 
equipment is conducted under the appropriate permits (Monterey Bay 
National Marine Sanctuary, California State Parks). Once a particular 
study has ended, the respective sampling equipment is removed. No trash 
or field gear is left at a site. Thus, the proposed activity is not 
expected to have any habitat-related effects, including to marine 
mammal prey species, that could cause significant or long-term 
consequences for individual marine mammals or their populations.

Mitigation

    In order to issue an incidental take authorization (ITA) under 
section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA, NMFS must, where applicable, set 
forth the permissible methods of taking pursuant to such activity, and 
other means of effecting the least practicable impact on such species 
or stock and its habitat, paying particular attention to rookeries, 
mating grounds, and areas of similar significance, and on the 
availability of such species or stock for taking for certain 
subsistence uses (where relevant).
    PISCO shall implement several mitigation measures to reduce 
potential take by Level B (behavioral disturbance) harassment. Measures 
include: (1) Approaching study sites cautiously and quietly, such that 
any disturbance of pinnipeds is minimized and stampeding is avoided; 
(2) avoiding disturbance that may place pinniped pups at risk; (3) 
using binoculars to detect pinnipeds before close approach to avoid 
being seen by the animals; (4) monitoring the offshore area for 
predators (such as killer whales and white sharks) and avoid flushing 
of pinnipeds when predators are observed in nearshore waters; (5) 
rescheduling work at sites where pups are present, unless other means 
to accomplishing the work can be done without causing disturbance to 
mothers and dependent pups; (6) only flushing pinnipeds if they are 
located in the sampling plots and there are no other means to 
accomplish the survey (however, flushing must be done slowly and 
quietly so as not to cause a stampede); (7) not intentionally flushing 
pups if present at the sampling; and (8) rescheduling sampling if 
Steller sea lions are present at the study site.
    The methodologies and actions noted in this section will be 
utilized and included as mitigation measures in the IHA to ensure that 
impacts to marine mammals are mitigated to the lowest level 
practicable. The primary method of mitigating the risk of disturbance 
to pinnipeds, which will be in use at all times, is the selection of 
judicious routes of approach to study sites, avoiding close contact 
with pinnipeds hauled out on shore, and the use of extreme caution upon 
approach. In no case will marine mammals be deliberately approached by 
survey personnel, and in all cases every possible measure will be taken 
to select a pathway of approach to study sites that minimizes the 
number of marine mammals potentially harassed. In general, researchers 
will stay inshore of pinnipeds whenever possible to allow maximum 
escape to the ocean. Each visit to a given study site will last for 
approximately 4-6 hours, after which the site is vacated and can be re-
occupied by any marine mammals that may have been disturbed by the 
presence of researchers. By arriving before low tide, worker presence 
will tend to encourage pinnipeds to move to other areas for the day 
before they haul out and settle onto rocks at low tide.
    PISCO will suspend sampling and monitoring operations immediately 
if an injured marine mammal is found in the vicinity of the project 
area and the

[[Page 73051]]

monitoring activities could aggravate its condition.
    NMFS has carefully evaluated PISCO's mitigation measures and 
considered a range of other measures in the context of ensuring that 
NMFS prescribes the means of effecting the least practicable impact on 
the affected marine mammal species and stocks and their habitat. Our 
evaluation of potential measures included consideration of the 
following factors in relation to one another:
    <bullet> The manner in which, and the degree to which, the 
successful implementation of the measure is expected to minimize 
adverse impacts to marine mammals;
    <bullet> The proven or likely efficacy of the specific measure to 
minimize adverse impacts as planned; and
    <bullet> The practicability of the measure for applicant 
implementation.
    Based on our evaluation of the applicant's final measures, NMFS has 
determined that the mitigation measures provide the means of effecting 
the least practicable impact on marine mammal 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 ITA for an activity, section 101(a)(5)(D) of 
the MMPA states that NMFS must, where applicable, 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 ITAs 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 proposed action area.
    PISCO can add to the knowledge of pinnipeds in California and 
Oregon by noting observations of: (1) Unusual behaviors, numbers, or 
distributions of pinnipeds, such that any potential follow-up research 
can be conducted by the appropriate personnel; (2) tag-bearing 
carcasses of pinnipeds, allowing transmittal of the information to 
appropriate agencies and personnel; and (3) rare or unusual species of 
marine mammals for agency follow-up.
    Monitoring requirements in relation to PISCO's rocky intertidal 
monitoring will include observations made by the applicant. Information 
recorded will include species counts (with numbers of pups/juveniles 
when possible), numbers of observed disturbances, and descriptions of 
the disturbance behaviors during the monitoring surveys, including 
location, date, and time of the event. In addition, observations 
regarding the number and species of any marine mammals observed, either 
in the water or hauled out, at or adjacent to the site, will be 
recorded as part of field observations during research activities. 
Observations of unusual behaviors, numbers, or distributions of 
pinnipeds will be reported to NMFS so that any potential follow-up 
observations can be conducted by the appropriate personnel. In 
addition, observations of tag-bearing pinniped carcasses as well as any 
rare or unusual species of marine mammals will be reported to NMFS. 
Information regarding physical and biological conditions pertaining to 
a site, as well as the date and time that research was conducted will 
also be noted.
    If at any time injury, serious injury, or mortality of the species 
for which take is authorized should occur, or if take of any kind of 
any other marine mammal occurs, and such action may be a result of the 
research, PISCO will suspend research activities and contact NMFS 
immediately to determine how best to proceed to ensure that another 
injury or death does not occur and to ensure that the applicant remains 
in compliance with the MMPA.
    A draft final report must be submitted to NMFS Office of Protected 
Resources within 60 days after the conclusion of the 2014-2015 field 
season or 60 days prior to the start of the next field season if a new 
IHA will be requested. The report will include a summary of the 
information gathered pursuant to the monitoring requirements set forth 
in the IHA. A final report must be submitted to the Director of the 
NMFS Office of Protected Resources and to the NMFS West Coast Office 
Regional Administrator within 30 days after receiving comments from 
NMFS on the draft final report. If no comments are received from NMFS, 
the draft final report will be considered to be the final report.

Estimated Take by Incidental Harassment

    Except with respect to certain activities not pertinent here, 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].
    All anticipated takes would be by Level B harassment, involving 
temporary changes in behavior. The mitigation and monitoring measures 
are expected to minimize the possibility of injurious or lethal takes 
such that take by injury, serious injury, or mortality is considered 
remote. Animals hauled out close to the actual survey sites may be 
disturbed by the presence of biologists and may alter their behavior or 
attempt to move away from the researchers.
    As discussed earlier, NMFS considers an animal to have been 
harassed if it moved greater than 1 m (3.3 ft) in response to the 
researcher's presence or if the animal was already moving and changed 
direction and/or speed, or if the animal flushed into the water. 
Animals that became alert without such movements were not considered 
harassed.
    For the purpose of this IHA, only Oregon and California sites that 
are frequently sampled and have a marine mammal presence during 
sampling were included in take estimates. Sites where only Biodiversity 
Surveys are conducted were not included due to the infrequency of 
sampling and rarity of occurrences of pinnipeds during sampling. In 
addition, Steller sea lions are not included in take estimates as they 
will not be disturbed by researchers or research activities since 
activities will not occur or will be suspended if Steller sea lions are 
present. A small number of harbor seal and northern elephant seal pup 
takes are anticipated as pups may be present at several sites during 
spring and summer sampling.
    Takes estimates are based on marine mammal observations from each 
site. Marine mammal observations are done as part of PISCO site 
observations, which include notes on physical and biological conditions 
at the site. The maximum number of marine mammals, by species, seen at 
any given time throughout the sampling day is recorded at the 
conclusion of sampling. A marine mammal is counted if it is seen on 
access ways to the site, at the site, or immediately up-coast or down-
coast of the site. Marine mammals in the water immediately offshore are 
also recorded. Any other relevant information, including the location 
of a marine mammal relevant to the site, any unusual behavior, and the 
presence of pups is also noted.
    These observations formed the basis from which researchers with 
extensive knowledge and experience at each site estimated the actual 
number of marine mammals that may be subject to take. In

[[Page 73052]]

most cases the number of takes is based on the maximum number of marine 
mammals that have been observed at a site throughout the history of the 
site (2-3 observation per year for 5-10 years or more). Section 6 in 
PISCO's application outlines the number of visits per year for each 
sampling site and the potential number of pinnipeds anticipated to be 
encountered at each site. Table 4 in PISCO's application outlines the 
number of potential takes per site (see ADDRESSES).
    Based on this information, NMFS has authorized the take, by Level B 
harassment only, of 55 California sea lions, 183 harbor seals, and 30 
northern elephant seals. These numbers are considered to be maximum 
take estimates; therefore, actual take may be slightly less if animals 
decide to haul out at a different location for the day or animals are 
out foraging at the time of the survey activities.

Negligible Impact and Small Numbers Analysis and Determination

    NMFS typically includes our negligible impact and small numbers 
analyses and determinations under the same section heading of our 
Federal Register notices. Despite co-locating these terms, we 
acknowledge that negligible impact and small numbers are distinct 
standards under the MMPA and treat them as such. The analyses presented 
below do not conflate the two standards; instead, each standard has 
been considered independently, and we have applied the relevant factors 
to inform our negligible impact and small numbers determinations.
    NMFS has defined ``negligible impact'' in 50 CFR 216.103 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.'' In making a negligible impact determination, 
NMFS considers a variety of factors, including but not limited to: (1) 
The number of anticipated mortalities; (2) the number and nature of 
anticipated injuries; (3) the number, nature, intensity, and duration 
of Level B harassment; and (4) the context in which the take occurs.
    No injuries or mortalities are anticipated to occur as a result of 
PISCO's rocky intertidal monitoring, and none are authorized. The 
behavioral harassments that could occur would be of limited duration, 
as researchers only conduct sampling one to two times per year at each 
site for a total of 4-6 hours per sampling event. Therefore, 
disturbance will be limited to a short duration, allowing pinnipeds to 
reoccupy the sites within a short amount of time.
    Some of the pinniped species may use some of the sites during 
certain times of year to conduct pupping and/or breeding. However, some 
of these species prefer to use the offshore islands for these 
activities. At the sites where pups may be present, PISCO will 
implement certain mitigation measures, such as no intentional flushing 
if dependent pups are present, which will avoid mother/pup separation 
and trampling of pups.
    Of the three marine mammal species anticipated to occur in the 
activity areas, none are listed under the ESA. Table 1 in this document 
presents the abundance of each species or stock, the authorized take 
estimates, and the percentage of the affected populations or stocks 
that may be taken by harassment. Based on these estimates, PISCO would 
take less than 1.1% of each species or stock. Because these are maximum 
estimates, actual take numbers are likely to be lower, as some animals 
may select other haulout sites the day the researchers are present.
    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 mitigation and monitoring 
measures, NMFS finds that the rocky intertidal monitoring program will 
result in the incidental take of small numbers of marine mammals, by 
Level B harassment only, and that the total taking from the rocky 
intertidal monitoring program will have a negligible impact on the 
affected species or stocks.

Table 1--Population Abundance Estimates, Total Authorized Level B Take, And Percentage of Population That May Be
       Taken for the Potentially Affected Species During the Proposed Rocky Intertidal Monitoring Program
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                       Total       Percentage of
                             Species                                Abundance *     authorized       stock or
                                                                                   level B take     population
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harbor Seal.....................................................      \1\ 30,196             183         0.6-1.1
                                                                      \2\ 16,165
California Sea Lion.............................................         296,750              60            0.02
Northern Elephant Seal..........................................         124,000              30            0.03
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Abundance estimates are taken from the 2013 U.S. Pacific Marine Mammal Stock Assessments (Carretta et al.,
  2014).
\1\ California stock abundance estimate;
\2\ Oregon/Washington stock abundance estimate

Impact on Availability of Affected Species or Stock for Taking for 
Subsistence Uses

    There are no relevant subsistence uses of marine mammals implicated 
by this action. Therefore, NMFS has determined that the total taking of 
affected species or stocks would not have an unmitigable adverse impact 
on the availability of such species or stocks for taking for 
subsistence purposes.

Endangered Species Act (ESA)

    None of the marine mammals for which incidental take is authorized 
are listed as threatened or endangered under the ESA. NMFS' Permits and 
Conservation Division worked with the NMFS West Coast Regional Office 
to ensure that Steller sea lions would be avoided and incidental take 
would not occur. Therefore, NMFS has determined that issuance of the 
IHA to PISCO under section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA will have no effect 
on species listed as threatened or endangered under the ESA.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

    In 2012, we prepared an EA analyzing the potential effects to the 
human environment from conducting rocky intertidal surveys along the 
California and Oregon coasts and issued a FONSI on the issuance of an 
IHA for PISCO's rocky intertidal surveys in accordance with section 
6.01 of the NOAA Administrative Order 216-6

[[Page 73053]]

(Environmental Review Procedures for Implementing the National 
Environmental Policy Act, May 20, 1999). PISCO's proposed activities 
and impacts for 2013-2014 are within the scope of our 2012 EA and 
FONSI. We have reviewed the 2012 EA and determined that there are no 
new direct, indirect, or cumulative impacts to the human and natural 
environment associated with the IHA requiring evaluation in a 
supplemental EA and we, therefore, reaffirm the 2012 FONSI.

Authorization

    As a result of these determinations, NMFS has authorized the take 
of marine mammals incidental to PISCO's rocky intertidal monitoring 
research activities, provided the previously mentioned mitigation, 
monitoring, and reporting requirements are incorporated.

    Dated: December 3, 2014.
Donna S. Wieting,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-28807 Filed 12-8-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P