[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 12 (Tuesday, January 20, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2636-2648]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-00558]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 218

[Docket No. 140909771-4771-01]
RIN 0648-BE51


Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; U.S. 
Navy Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore Training Activities in Virginia and 
North Carolina

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rule; request for comments and information.

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SUMMARY: NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Navy (Navy) for 
authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the Joint Logistics 
Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) training activities conducted in Virginia and 
North Carolina, from June 2015 through June 2020. Pursuant to the 
Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its 
proposal to issue regulations and a five-year Letter of Authorization 
(LOA) to the Navy to incidentally harass marine mammals.

DATES: Comments and information must be received no later than February 
19, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by NOAA-NMFS-2015-0004, 
by either of the following methods:
    <bullet> Electronic submissions: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal http://www.regulations.gov.
    <bullet> Hand delivery of mailing of paper, disk, or CD-ROM 
comments should be addressed to Jolie Harrison, Chief, Permits and 
Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
    Instructions: All comments received are a part of the public record 
and will generally be posted to http://www.regulations.gov without 
change. All Personal Identifying Information (for example, name, 
address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly 
accessible. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or 
otherwise sensitive or protected information.
    NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter N/A in the required 
fields if you wish to remain anonymous). Attachments to electronic 
comments will be accepted in Microsoft Work, Excel, WordPerfect, or 
Adobe PDF file formats only.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Availability

    A copy of the Navy's application may be obtained by visiting the 
internet at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm. The 
Navy's Draft Environmental Assessment for Joint Logistics Over-the-
Shore Training (EA) will be made available to the public on January 6, 
2015, during the comment period for this proposed rule. Documents cited 
in this notice may also be viewed, by appointment, during regular 
business hours, at the aforementioned address.

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 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.''
    The National Defense Authorization Act of 2004 (NDAA) (Pub. L. 108-
136) removed the ``small numbers'' and ``specified geographic region'' 
limitations indicated above and amended the definition of 
``harassment'' as applied to ``military readiness activity'' to read as 
follows (Section 3(18)(B) of the MMPA: ``(i) Any act that injures or 
has the significant potential to injure a marine mammal or marine 
mammal stock in the wild [Level A Harassment]; or (ii) any act that 
disturbs or is likely to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock 
in the wild by causing disruption of natural behavioral patterns, 
including, but not limited to, migration, surfacing, nursing, breeding, 
feeding, or sheltering, to a point where such behavioral patterns are 
abandoned or significantly altered [Level B Harassment].''

Summary of Request

    On August 20, 2014, NMFS received an application from the Navy 
requesting a letter of authorization (LOA) for the take of bottlenose 
and Atlantic spotted dolphins incidental to the Navy's JLOTS training 
activities in nearshore waters at the Joint Expeditionary Base (JEB) 
Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia and at Camp Lejeune in North 
Carolina. The Navy is requesting regulations that would establish a 
process for authorizing take, via a 5-year LOA, of marine mammals 
incidental to training activities. These activities are classified as 
military readiness activities. The Navy states that these activities 
may result in take of marine mammals from noise from temporary pier 
construction associated with the JLOTS training activities. The Navy 
requests to take bottlenose and Atlantic spotted dolphins by Level B 
harassment.

Description of the Specified Activity

    JLOTS training is the movement of cargo and personnel from ships to 
shore in areas that do not have existing fixed port facilities. Among 
the several coordinated exercises of the JLOTS training, the only 
activity that has the potential to harass marine mammals is the 
construction of the Elevated Causeway System, Modular [ELCAS (M)] by 
introducing noise into the water.
    The ELCAS (M) is a temporary pier constructed from the beach into 
the water past the surf zone. It provides a means of delivering 
containers, vehicles, and bulk cargo ashore without lighterage craft 
having to enter the surf

[[Page 2637]]

zone. The ELCAS (M) consists of a series of 24- by 40-ft. (7.3- by 
12.2-m) pontoon sections joined together and supported by piles driven 
into the sea floor.
    To build the pier, piles are driven into the sand with a diesel-
powered impact hammer. The piles used typically are hollow, half-inch 
steel uncapped piles, 24 inches (0.5 m) in diameter, and can be of 
various lengths (38 ft. [11.6 m], 57 ft. [17.4 m], or 76 ft. [23.2 m]) 
depending on local bathymetry. The depth to which the piles are driven 
is between 30 and 40 ft. (9.1 to 12.2 m) and installation takes 
approximately 15 minutes per pile. Typically, 6 piles would be 
installed in a day. Two pile drivers are generally used, but not 
simultaneously: while one is driving a pile, the other is being re-
positioned for the next pile. Construction may take up to 20 days. A 
pier length of 1,500 ft (457 m) is typical for training, with 
approximately 119 supporting piles.
    Once the ELCAS (M) is constructed, offloading operations are 
similar to those of a conventional pier. Container-handling operations 
consist primarily of transferring containers from lighterage vessels 
(e.g., Landing Craft Utility or Landing Craft Mechanized) to the pier. 
Empty trucks or trailers are driven onto a turntable at the seaward end 
of the ELCAS (M) and are loaded with containers using the same cranes 
from construction. The ELCAS (M) is wide enough to accommodate two-way 
traffic. Rolling stock may be lifted by crane to the pier and driven to 
the beach as well. Operations typically involve the use of two 
forklifts and an average of six cargo trucks a day during the exercise. 
Power for the operation of the turntable and the lighting of the ELCAS 
(M) is provided by up to two 30-kilowatt (kW) and two 100-kW 
generators.
    The ELCAS (M) is dismantled by removing the pontoon sections and 
extracting the piles with a vibratory hammer, which takes approximately 
6 minutes per pile, over the course of 10 days. Typically, 12 piles are 
removed in a day. On the beach, the modified area is re-graded to its 
original elevation.

Duration and Location

    The JLOTS training areas are in nearshore waters at the JEB Little 
Creek-Fort Story in Virginia and at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. The 
primary activity area consists of nearshore waters where the ELCAS (M) 
training exercises would take place.

Description of Marine Mammals in the Area of the Specified Activities

    There are six marine mammal species under NMFS jurisdiction with 
possible or known occurrence in the Navy's JLOTS training area at the 
JEB Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia and at Camp Lejeune in North 
Carolina, as indicated in Table 1. Four marine mammal species are 
listed under the Endangered Species Act: North Atlantic right whale, 
humpback whale, sei whale, and fin whale.

                                Table 1--Marine Mammal Occurrence Within the JLOTS Training Areas Off the Atlantic Coast
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Status                                                      Density in activity area \2\
                                                    ----------------------------                                                    (per km\2\)
                                                                                                    Stock abundance best -------------------------------
          Common name              Scientific name                                    Stock(s)             (CV)/Min         JEB Little
                                                       ESA           MMPA                                                   Creek-Fort     Camp Lejeune
                                                                                                                               Story
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mysticetes:
    fin whale..................  Balaenoptera        E        strategic;         Western North        3,522 (0.27)/2,817               0.00
                                  physalus.                    depleted.          Atlantic.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    humpback whale.............  Megaptera           E        depleted.........  Gulf of Maine....           823 (0)/823        0.000034         0.00009
                                  novaeangliae.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    North Atlantic right whale.  Eubalaena           E        strategic;         Western North             444 (0)/(444)             0.000033
                                  glacialis.                   depleted.          Atlantic.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    sei whale..................  Balaenoptera        E        strategic;         Nova Scotia......        357 (0.52)/236             0.000101
                                  borealis.                    depleted.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Odontocetes:
    Atlantic spotted dolphin...  Stenella frontalis  .......  .................  Western North      26,798 (0.66)/16,151       0.0007728           0.153
                                                                                  Atlantic.
    bottlenose dolphin \3\.....  Tursiops truncatus  .......  strategic........  Northern North           950 (0.23)/785           0.159        0.169871
                                                                                  Carolina
                                                                                  Estuarine System.
                                                              strategic........  Southern North       2,454 (0.53)/1,614  ..............  ..............
                                                                                  Carolina
                                                                                  Estuarine System.
                                                              strategic;         Western North       12,482 (0.32)/9,591  ..............  ..............
                                                               depleted.          Atlantic
                                                                                  Southern
                                                                                  Migratory
                                                                                  Coastal.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* E = endangered under the ESA.

    NMFS has reviewed the information complied by the Navy on the 
abundance, status, and distribution of marine mammal species in the 
waters of the JLOTS training areas of the North Atlantic coast, which 
was derived from peer reviewed literature, the Navy Marine Resource 
Assessments, and NMFS Stock Assessment Reports. NMFS considers this 
information to be the best available science with which we can conduct 
the analyses necessary to propose these regulations and a five-year 
LOA. This information may be viewed in the Navy's LOA application and 
the Navy's Draft EA (see Availability). Additional information is 
available in the NMFS Stock

[[Page 2638]]

Assessment Reports, which may be viewed at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/species.htm.
    Fin whales, North Atlantic right whale, humpback whale, and sei 
whale are considered rare in the JLOTS training areas. These mysticete 
whales tend to be distributed in relatively deeper waters outwards to 
the offshore environment. Occurrences of these species in the shallow 
nearshore waters off JEB Little Creek-Fort Story or Camp Lejeune are 
expected to be rare. Due to their extremely rare occurrence within the 
training areas, the Navy and NMFS do not anticipate any take of fin, 
North Atlantic right, humpback, or sei whales. Therefore, these species 
are not addressed further in this proposed rule.

Bottlenose Dolphin

    Along the U.S. east coast, the bottlenose dolphin stock structure 
is well studied. Of the management stocks identified by NMFS, three may 
occur in the JLOTS activity area: The Northern North Carolina Estuarine 
System stock, the Southern North Carolina Estuarine System stock, and 
the Western North Atlantic Southern Migratory Coastal stock. The 
bottlenose dolphin occurs in tropical to temperate waters of the 
Atlantic Ocean as well as inshore, nearshore, and offshore waters of 
the Gulf of Mexico and U.S. east coast. They occur in most enclosed or 
semi-enclosed seas in habitats ranging from shallow, murky, estuarine 
waters to deep, clear offshore waters in oceanic regions (Jefferson et 
al. 2008; Wells et al. 2009). Bottlenose dolphins are also often found 
in bays, lagoons, channels, and river mouths and are known to occur in 
very deep waters of some ocean regions. Open ocean populations occur 
far from land; however, population density appears to be highest in 
nearshore areas (Scott and Chivers 1990). They are common in the lower 
Chesapeake Bay and in Onslow Bay (Chesapeake Bay Program 2012; 
McAlarney et al. 2011).
    Bottlenose dolphins typically occur in groups of 2-15 individuals, 
but significantly larger groups have also been reported (Shane et al. 
1986; Kerr et al. 2005). Coastal bottlenose dolphins typically exhibit 
smaller group sizes than the larger offshore form, as water depth 
appears to be a significant influence on group size (Shane et al. 
1986). Shallow, confined areas typically support smaller group sizes, 
some degree of regional site fidelity, and limited movement patterns 
(Shane et al. 1986; Wells et al. 1987). Bottlenose dolphins have a 
varied diet, feeding on small fish, crustaceans, and squid (Wells and 
Scott 2002).
    An Unusual Mortality Event (UME) was declared for bottlenose 
dolphins along the Atlantic coast in June 2013 and is ongoing to date. 
An increased number of strandings have occurred from New York to 
Florida, with 345 taking place in Virginia and 181 in North Carolina. 
Off JEB Little Creek-Fort Story and Camp Lejeune, 32 and 10 bottlenose 
dolphin strandings have occurred, respectively, since the declaration 
of the UME. The UME is being tentatively attributed to cetacean 
morbilivirus, but further research is ongoing (National Marine 
Fisheries Service 2014).

Atlantic Spotted Dolphin

    This species is found in nearshore tropical to warm-temperate 
waters, predominantly over the continental shelf and upper slope. In 
the western Atlantic, this species is distributed from New England to 
Brazil and is found in the Gulf of Mexico as well as the Caribbean Sea 
(Perrin 2008). Atlantic spotted dolphin sightings have been 
concentrated in the slope waters north of Cape Hatteras, but in the 
shelf waters south of Cape Hatteras sightings extend into the deeper 
slope and offshore waters of the mid-Atlantic.
    Atlantic spotted dolphins are highly gregarious, and are frequently 
observed in mixed-aged groups numbering up to several hundred 
individuals. Smaller subgroups, this species can be age and sex 
segregated to a small degree. Tightly bonded mother and calf pairs are 
typical to the age of 3 (Herzing n.d.).
    The Atlantic spotted dolphin regularly occurs in the nearshore 
waters south of Chesapeake Bay and near the continental shelf edge and 
continental slope waters north of this region, usually at least 4.9 to 
12.4 miles (8 to 20 km) offshore (Payne et al. 1984; Mullin and Fulling 
2003; Davis et al. 1998; Perrin 2002; Perrin et al. 1994). Therefore, 
while it is unlikely to occur in the shallow waters where the JLOTS 
exercises would take place, it is more probable at Camp Lejeune than at 
JEB Little Creek-Fort Story. Navy density data suggest this species may 
be more likely to occur during summer months (U.S. Department of the 
Navy 2012).

Potential Effects of the Specified Activity on Marine Mammals

    When considering the influence of various kinds of sound on the 
marine environment, it is necessary to understand that different kinds 
of marine life are sensitive to different frequencies of sound. Based 
on available behavioral data, audiograms have been derived using 
auditory evoked potentials, anatomical modeling, and other data. From 
this, Southall et al. (2007) designated ``functional hearing groups'' 
for marine mammals and estimate the lower and upper frequencies of 
functional hearing of the groups. The functional groups and the 
associated frequencies are indicated below. It should be noted, 
however, that animals are less sensitive to sounds at the outer edge of 
their functional range and most sensitive to sounds of frequencies 
towards the middle of their functional hearing range:

    <bullet> Low frequency cetaceans (13 species of mysticetes): 
Functional hearing is estimated to occur between approximately 7 Hz 
and 30 kHz;
    <bullet> Mid-frequency cetaceans (32 species of dolphins, six 
species of larger toothed whales, and 19 species of beaked and 
bottlenose whales): Functional hearing is estimated to occur between 
approximately 150 Hz and 160 kHz;
    <bullet> High frequency cetaceans (eight species of true 
porpoises, six species of river dolphins, Kogia, the franciscana, 
and four species of cephalorhynchids): Functional hearing is 
estimated to occur between approximately 200 Hz and 180 kHz;
    <bullet> Phocid pinnipeds in Water: Functional hearing is 
estimated to occur between approximately 75 Hz and 100 kHz; and
    <bullet> Otariid pinnipeds in Water: Functional hearing is 
estimated to occur between approximately 100 Hz and 40 kHz.

    As mentioned previously in this document, only bottlenose dolphin 
and Atlantic spotted dolphin are likely to occur in the proposed JLOTS 
training areas. Both of these two species are classified as mid-
frequency cetaceans (Southall et al. 2007). Because their hearing 
frequency range overlaps with the frequencies associated with pile 
driving, the Navy and NMFS determined that in-water pile removal and 
pile driving during the JLOTS training activities have the potential to 
result in behavioral harassment of the marine mammal species and stocks 
in the vicinity of the proposed activity.
    Marine mammals exposed to high-intensity sound repeatedly or for 
prolonged periods can experience hearing threshold shift (TS), which is 
the reduction of hearing sensitivity in the frequency ranges of the 
sound source (Kastak et al. 1999; Schlundt et al. 2000; Finneran et al. 
2002; 2005). TS can be permanent (PTS), in which case the reduction of 
hearing sensitivity is unrecoverable, or temporary (TTS), in which case 
the animal's reduction of hearing sensitivity will recover over time 
(Southall et al. 2007). Since marine mammals depend on acoustic cues 
for vital biological functions, such as orientation, communication, 
finding prey, and avoiding predators, hearing impairment could result 
in the reduced

[[Page 2639]]

ability of marine mammals to detect or interpret important sounds. 
Repeated noise exposure that causes TTS could lead to PTS.
    Experiments on a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and beluga 
whale (Delphinapterus leucas) showed that exposure to a single watergun 
impulse at a received level of 207 kPa (or 30 psi) peak-to-peak (p-p), 
which is equivalent to 228 dB (p-p) re 1 [mu]Pa, resulted in a 7 and 6 
dB TTS in the beluga whale at 0.4 and 30 kHz, respectively. Thresholds 
returned to within 2 dB of the pre-exposure level within 4 minutes of 
the exposure (Finneran et al. 2002). No TTS was observed in the 
bottlenose dolphin. Although the source level of one hammer strike for 
pile driving is expected to be much lower than the single watergun 
impulse cited here, animals being exposed for a prolonged period to 
repeated hammer strikes could receive more noise exposure in terms of 
sound exposure level (SEL) than from the single watergun impulse 
(estimated at 188 dB re 1 [mu]Pa2-s) in the aforementioned experiment 
(Finneran et al. 2002).
    Chronic exposure to excessive, though not high-intensity, noise 
could cause masking at particular frequencies for marine mammals that 
utilize sound for vital biological functions (Clark et al. 2009). 
Masking is the obscuring of sounds of interest by other sounds, often 
at similar frequencies. Masking generally occurs when sounds in the 
environment are louder than, and of a similar frequency as, auditory 
signals an animal is trying to receive. Masking can interfere with 
detection of acoustic signals, such as communication calls, 
echolocation sounds, and environmental sounds important to marine 
mammals. Therefore, under certain circumstances, marine mammals whose 
acoustical sensors or environment are being severely masked could also 
be impaired.
    Masking occurs at the frequency band which the animals utilize. 
Since noise generated from in-water pile removal and driving is mostly 
concentrated at low frequency ranges, it may have little effect on 
high-frequency echolocation sounds by odontocetes (toothed whales). 
However, the lower frequency man-made noises are more likely to affect 
the detection of communication calls and other potentially important 
natural sounds, such as surf and prey noise. The noises may also affect 
communication signals when those signals occur near the noise band, and 
thus reduce the communication space of animals (e.g., Clark et al. 
2009), cause modification in vocalization patterns (e.g., Foote et al. 
2004; Holt et al. 2009), and cause increased stress levels (Rolland et 
al. 2012).
    Unlike TS, masking can potentially impact the species at community, 
population, or even ecosystem levels, as well as individual levels. 
Masking affects both senders and receivers of the signals and could 
have long-term chronic effects on marine mammal species and 
populations. Recent science suggests that low frequency ambient sound 
levels in the world's oceans have increased by as much as 20 dB (more 
than 3 times, in terms of SPL) from pre-industrial periods, and most of 
these increases are from distant shipping (Hildebrand 2009). All 
anthropogenic noise sources, such as those from vessel traffic and pile 
removal and driving, contribute to the elevated ambient noise levels, 
thus intensifying masking.
    Nevertheless, the sum of noise from the Navy's proposed JLOTS 
training activities is confined to a limited area and is temporary and 
intermittent; therefore, the noise generated is not expected to 
contribute to increased ocean ambient noise. In addition, due to 
shallow water depths in the training area, underwater sound propagation 
of low-frequency sound (which is the major noise source from pile 
driving) is expected to be poor.
    Finally, in addition to TS and masking, exposure of marine mammals 
to certain sounds could lead to behavioral disturbance (Richardson et 
al. 1995), such as: Changing durations of surfacing and dives, number 
of blows per surfacing, or moving direction and/or speed; reduced/
increased vocal activities; changing/cessation of certain behavioral 
activities, such as socializing or feeding; visible startle response or 
aggressive behavior, such as tail/fluke slapping or jaw clapping; and 
avoidance of areas where noise sources are located.
    The biological significance of many of these behavioral 
disturbances is difficult to predict, especially if the detected 
disturbances appear minor. However, the consequences of behavioral 
modification could be expected to be biologically significant if the 
change affects growth, survival, or reproduction. Some of these types 
of significant behavioral modifications include:

    <bullet> Drastic change in diving/surfacing patterns (such as 
those thought to be causing beaked whale strandings due to exposure 
to military mid-frequency tactical sonar);
    <bullet> Extended habitat abandonment due to loss of desirable 
acoustic environment; and
    <bullet> Extended cessation of feeding or social interaction.

    The onset of behavioral disturbance from anthropogenic noise 
depends on both external factors (characteristics of noise sources and 
their paths) and the receiving animals (hearing, motivation, 
experience, demography), and is therefore difficult to predict 
(Southall et al. 2007).
    The proposed training areas are not a prime habitat for marine 
mammals, nor are they considered areas frequented by marine mammals. 
Therefore, behavioral disturbances that could result from anthropogenic 
noise associated with the Navy's JLOTS training activities are expected 
to affect only a small number of marine mammals on an infrequent and 
limited basis.

Anticipated Effects on Marine Mammal Habitat

    No permanent impacts to marine mammal habitat are anticipated to 
occur as a result of the proposed training activities. The Navy's 
proposed JLOTS training activities would not modify the existing 
habitat. Therefore, no restoration of the habitat would be necessary. A 
temporary, small-scale loss of foraging habitat may occur for marine 
mammals, if the marine mammals leave the area during pile extraction 
and driving activities.
    Acoustic energy created during pile driving and removal work would 
have the potential to disturb fish within the vicinity of the training 
areas. As a result, the affected areas could temporarily lose foraging 
value to marine mammals. During pile driving, high noise levels may 
exclude fish from the vicinity of the pile driving. Hastings and Popper 
(2005) identified several studies that suggest fish will relocate to 
avoid areas of damaging noise energy. If fish leave the area of 
disturbance, the affected area may have a temporarily decreased 
foraging value during impact hammering and vibratory removal of piles.
    The duration of fish avoidance of this area after pile driving 
stops is unknown. However, the affected area represents an extremely 
small portion of the total foraging range of marine mammals that may be 
present in and around the project area.
    Because of the short duration of the activities and the relatively 
small area of the habitat that may be affected, the impacts to marine 
mammals and the food sources that they utilize are not expected to 
cause significant or long-term consequences for individual marine 
mammals or marine mammal populations.

Proposed Mitigation

    In order to issue an incidental take authorization (ITA) under 
section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA, NMFS must set forth the ``permissible 
methods of

[[Page 2640]]

taking pursuant to such activity, and other means of effecting the 
least practicable adverse impact on such species or stock and its 
habitat, paying particular attention to rookeries, mating grounds, and 
areas of similar significance.'' The NDAA of 2004 amended the MMPA as 
it relates to military-readiness activities and the incidental take 
authorization process such that ``least practicable adverse impact'' 
shall include consideration of personnel safety, practicality of 
implementation, and impact on the effectiveness of the ``military 
readiness activity.'' The training activities described in the JLOTS 
LOA application are considered military readiness activities.
    NMFS reviewed the proposed activities and the proposed mitigation 
measures as described in the Navy's LOA application to determine if 
they would result in the least practicable adverse effect on marine 
mammals, which includes a careful balancing of the likely benefit of 
any particular measure to the marine mammals with the likely effect of 
that measure on personnel safety, practicality of implementation, and 
impact on the effectiveness of the ``military readiness activity.'' 
Included below are standard operating procedures and the mitigation 
measures the Navy proposed in its LOA application.

Standard Operating Procedures

    Soft starts are performed during impact installation each day. 
During a soft start, an initial set of strikes from the impact hammer 
at reduced energy are performed before it is able to be operated at 
full power and speed. The energy reduction of an individual hammer 
cannot be quantified because they vary by individual drivers. Also, the 
number of strikes will vary at reduced energy because raising the 
hammer at less than full power and then releasing it results in the 
hammer ``bouncing'' as it strikes the pile resulting in multiple 
``strikes''. A benefit of a soft start is that marine species in the 
vicinity are provided a ``warning'', giving them an opportunity to 
leave the area at the first occurrence of the noise, prior to full 
capacity operation. This may result in reducing exposures to underwater 
noise levels that could cause behavioral disturbance or injury.

Mitigation Zone and Shutdown Measure

    The Navy will establish a mitigation zone of 60 yards (55 m) around 
the pile being driven. Visual observation will be conducted starting 30 
minutes prior to, during, and 30 minutes after the exercise within the 
mitigation zone. The exercise will not commence if concentrations of 
floating vegetation (Sargassum or kelp patties) are observed in the 
mitigation zone.
    Pile driving will cease if a marine mammal is visually detected 
within the mitigation zone. Pile driving will re[hyphen]commence if any 
one of the following conditions is met: (1) The animal is observed 
exiting the mitigation zone, (2) the animal is thought to have exited 
the mitigation zone based on its course and speed, or (3) the 
mitigation zone has been clear from any additional sightings for a 
period of 30 minutes.

Marine Species Awareness Training

    Consistent with current requirements, all personnel standing watch 
on the bridge, Commanding Officers, Executive Officers, and Lookouts 
will successfully complete the Marine Species Awareness Training prior 
to standing watch or serving as a Lookout. The Marine Species Awareness 
Training is designed to improve the effectiveness of visual 
observations for marine resources, including marine mammals. The 
training provides information on sighting cues, visual observation 
tools and techniques, and sighting notification procedures.

Vessels

    Vessels will avoid approaching marine mammals head on and will 
maneuver to maintain a mitigation zone of 500 yards (457 m) around 
observed whales and 200 yards (183 m) around all other marine mammals 
(except bow riding dolphins), providing it is safe to do so.

North Atlantic Right Whale Mid-Atlantic Migration Corridor

    A North Atlantic right whale migratory route is located off the 
mid-Atlantic coast of the United States. This mitigation area applies 
from November 1 through April 30 and is defined as follows:

    <bullet> Block Island Sound: The area bounded by 
40[deg]51'53.7'' N/070[deg]36'44.9'' W; 41[deg]20'14.1'' N/
070[deg]49'44.1'' W; 41[deg]4'16.7'' N/071[deg]51'21'' W; 
41[deg]35'56.5'' N/071[deg]38'26.1'' W; then back to first set of 
coordinates.
    <bullet> New York and New Jersey: Within a 20 nm radius of the 
following (as measured seaward from the COLREGS lines): 
40[deg]29'42.2'' N/073[deg]55'57.6'' W.
    <bullet> Delaware Bay: Within a 20 nm radius of the following 
(as measured seaward from the COLREGS lines): 38[deg]52'27.4'' 
North/075[deg]01'32.1'' West.
    <bullet> Chesapeake Bay: Within a 20 nm radius of the following 
(as measured seaward from the COLREGS lines): 37[deg]00'36.9'' 
North/075[deg]57'50.5'' West.
    <bullet> Morehead City, North Carolina: Within a 20 nm radius of 
the following (as measured seaward from the COLREGS lines): 
34[deg]41'32.0'' North/076[deg]40'08.3'' West.

    <bullet> Wilmington, North Carolina, through South Carolina, and 
to Brunswick, Georgia: Within a continuous area 20 nautical miles 
from shore and west back to shore bounded by 34[deg]10'30'' North/
077[deg]49'12'' West; 33[deg]56'42'' North/077[deg]31'30'' West; 
33[deg]36'30'' North/077[deg]47'06'' West; 33[deg]28'24'' North/
078[deg]32'30'' West; 32[deg]59'06'' North/078[deg]50'18'' West; 
31[deg]50'00'' North/080[deg]33'12'' West; 31[deg]27'00'' North/
080[deg]51'36'' West.

    When transiting within the migration corridor, the Navy will 
practice increased vigilance, exercise extreme caution, and proceed at 
the slowest speed that is consistent with safety, mission, and training 
objectives.

Mitigation Conclusions

    NMFS has carefully evaluated the Navy's proposed 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.
    <bullet> The practicability of the measure for applicant 
implementation, including consideration of personnel safety, 
practicality of implementation, and impact on the effectiveness of 
the military readiness activity.

    Any mitigation measure(s) prescribed by NMFS should be able to 
accomplish, have a reasonable likelihood of accomplishing (based on 
current science), or contribute to the accomplishment of one or more of 
the general goals listed below:

    1. Avoidance or minimization of injury or death of marine 
mammals wherever possible (goals 2, 3, and 4 may contribute to this 
goal).
    2. A reduction in the numbers of marine mammals (total number or 
number at biologically important time or location) exposed to 
received levels of in-water pile driving and pile removal, or other 
activities expected to result in the take of marine mammals (this 
goal may contribute to 1, above, or to reducing harassment takes 
only).
    3. A reduction in the number of times (total number or number at 
biologically important time or location) individuals would be 
exposed to received levels of in-water pile driving and pile 
removal, or other activities expected to result in the take of 
marine mammals (this goal may contribute to 1, above, or to reducing 
harassment takes only).
    4. A reduction in the intensity of exposures (either total 
number or number at biologically

[[Page 2641]]

important time or location) to received levels of in-water pile 
driving and pile removal, or other activities expected to result in 
the take of marine mammals (this goal may contribute to 1, above, or 
to reducing the severity of harassment takes only).
    5. Avoidance or minimization of adverse effects to marine mammal 
habitat, paying special attention to the food base, activities that 
block or limit passage to or from biologically important areas, 
permanent destruction of habitat, or temporary destruction/
disturbance of habitat during a biologically important time.
    6. For monitoring directly related to mitigation--an increase in 
the probability of detecting marine mammals, thus allowing for more 
effective implementation of the mitigation.

    Based on our evaluation of the Navy's proposed measures, as well as 
other measures considered by NMFS, NMFS has preliminarily determined 
that the proposed mitigation measures provide the means of effecting 
the least practicable impact on marine mammals species or stocks and 
their habitat, paying particular attention to rookeries, mating 
grounds, and areas of similar significance, while also considering 
personnel safety, practicality of implementation, and impact on the 
effectiveness of the military readiness activity.

Proposed Monitoring

    In order to issue an ITA for an activity, section 101(a)(5)(A) 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 LOAs 
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.
    Monitoring measures prescribed by NMFS should accomplish one or 
more of the following general goals:

    1. An increase in the probability of detecting marine mammals, 
both within the mitigation zone (thus allowing for more effective 
implementation of the mitigation) and in general to generate more 
data to contribute to the analyses mentioned below;
    2. An increase in our understanding of how many marine mammals 
are likely to be exposed to levels of in-water pile driving and pile 
removal that we associate with specific adverse effects, such as 
behavioral harassment, TTS, or PTS;
    3. An increase in our understanding of how marine mammals 
respond to stimuli expected to result in take and how anticipated 
adverse effects on individuals (in different ways and to varying 
degrees) may impact the population, species, or stock (specifically 
through effects on annual rates of recruitment or survival) through 
any of the following methods:
    [ssquf] Behavioral observations in the presence of stimuli 
compared to observations in the absence of stimuli (need to be able 
to accurately predict received level, distance from source, and 
other pertinent information);
    [ssquf] Physiological measurements in the presence of stimuli 
compared to observations in the absence of stimuli (need to be able 
to accurately predict received level, distance from source, and 
other pertinent information);
    [ssquf] Distribution and/or abundance comparisons in times or 
areas with concentrated stimuli versus times or areas without 
stimuli;
    4. An increased knowledge of the affected species; and
    5. An increase in our understanding of the effectiveness of 
certain mitigation and monitoring measures.

Operational Monitoring Measures

(1) Standard Watch Personnel
    Ships operated by or for the Navy shall have personnel assigned to 
stand watch at all times, day and night, when moving through the water 
(underway). Watch personnel shall undertake extensive training in 
accordance with the U.S. Navy Lookout Training Handbook or civilian 
equivalent, including on-the-job instruction and a formal Personal 
Qualification Standard program (or equivalent program for supporting 
contractors or civilians), to certify that they have demonstrated all 
necessary skills (such as detection and reporting of floating or 
partially submerged objects). Watch personnel are composed of officers, 
enlisted men and women, and civilian equivalents. Their duties may be 
performed in conjunction with other job responsibilities, such as 
navigating the ship or supervising other personnel. While on watch, 
personnel employ visual search techniques, including the use of 
binoculars, using a scanning method in accordance with the U.S. Navy 
Lookout Training Handbook or civilian equivalent. After sunset and 
prior to sunrise, watch personnel employ night visual search 
techniques, which could include the use of night vision devices.
    A primary duty of watch personnel is to detect and report all 
objects and disturbances sighted in the water that may be indicative of 
a threat to the ship and its crew, such as debris, a periscope, 
surfaced submarine, or surface disturbance. Per safety requirements, 
watch personnel also report any marine mammals sighted that have the 
potential to be in the direct path of the ship as a standard collision 
avoidance procedure. Because watch personnel are primarily posted for 
safety of navigation, range clearance, and man-overboard precautions, 
they are not normally posted while ships are moored to a pier. When 
anchored or moored to a buoy, a watch team is still maintained but with 
fewer personnel than when underway. When moored or at anchor, watch 
personnel may maintain security and safety of the ship by scanning the 
water for any indications of a threat (as described above).
    While underway, Navy ships (with the exception of submarines) 
greater than 65 ft. (20 m) in length have at least two watch personnel; 
Navy ships less than 65 ft. (20 m) in length, surfaced submarines, and 
contractor ships have at least one watch person. While underway, watch 
personnel are alert at all times and have access to binoculars. Due to 
limited manning and space limitations, small boats and some craft 
transferring cargo from ship to shore do not have dedicated watch 
personnel, and the boat crew is responsible for maintaining the safety 
of the boat and surrounding environment.
    All vessels use extreme caution and proceed at a ``safe speed'' so 
they can take proper and effective action to avoid a collision with any 
sighted object or disturbance and can be stopped within a distance 
appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions.
(2) Lookouts
    Lookouts perform similar duties to standard watch personnel, and 
are also responsible for satisfying mitigation requirements. The Navy 
will have one Lookout positioned on the platform (which could include a 
small boat, the elevated causeway, or the shore) that will maximize the 
potential for sightings during pile driving and pile removal.
    The Lookout positioned on the elevated causeway or the shore will 
be dedicated solely to diligent observation of the air and surface of 
the water. They will have multiple observation objectives, which 
include but are not limited to detecting the presence of biological 
resources and recreational or fishing boats, observing the mitigation 
zone, and monitoring for equipment and personnel safety concerns. Due 
to small boat manning and space restrictions, a Lookout positioned on a 
small boat may include a member of the boat crew, and may be 
responsible for tasks in addition to observing the air or surface of 
the water (e.g., navigation of a rigid hull inflatable boat). However, 
a boat Lookout will, to the maximum extent practicable and consistent 
with safety and training requirements, comply with the observation 
objectives described

[[Page 2642]]

above for a Lookout positioned on the elevated causeway or the shore.
    Lookouts will also perform visual observation starting 30 minutes 
prior to, during, and 30 minutes after the exercise within a mitigation 
zone of 60 yards (55 m) around the pile being driven.

Integrated Comprehensive Monitoring Program

    The Navy will use the existing Integrated Comprehensive Monitoring 
Program (ICMP) and its new ``study-based'' approach to satisfy 
monitoring requirements for the JLOTS MMPA authorization. To ensure 
efficient implementation of the program and maintain consistency with 
how the program is currently being implemented for the Atlantic Fleet 
Training and Testing (AFTT) MMPA authorization, Navy recommends the 
same AFTT adaptive management process and reporting deadlines be used 
for the JLOTS authorization.
    The ICMP is intended to coordinate monitoring efforts across all 
regions where the Navy trains and tests and to allocate the most 
appropriate level and type of effort for each range complex (U.S. 
Department of the Navy 2010). Originally, the Navy monitoring program 
was composed of a collection of ``range-specific'' monitoring plans, 
each developed individually as part of Marine Mammal Protection Act and 
Endangered Species Act compliance processes as environmental 
documentation was completed. These individual plans established 
specific monitoring requirements for each range complex and were 
collectively intended to address the ICMP top-level goals.
    A 2010 Navy-sponsored monitoring meeting in Arlington, Virginia, 
initiated a process to critically evaluate the Navy monitoring plans 
and begin development of revisions and updates to both the region-
specific plans as well as the ICMP. Discussions at that meeting as well 
as the following Navy and NMFS annual adaptive management meeting 
established a way ahead for continued refinement of the Navy's 
monitoring program. This process included establishing a Scientific 
Advisory Group of leading marine mammal scientists with the initial 
task of developing recommendations that would serve as the basis for a 
Strategic Planning Process for Navy monitoring. The Strategic Plan is 
intended to be a primary component of the Integrated Comprehensive 
Monitoring Program and provide a ``vision'' for Navy monitoring across 
geographic regions--serving as guidance for determining how to most 
efficiently and effectively invest the marine species monitoring 
resources to address ICMP top-level goals and satisfy MMPA regulatory 
requirements.
    The objective of the Strategic Planning Process is to continue the 
evolution of Navy marine species monitoring towards a single integrated 
program, incorporating Scientific Advisory Group recommendations, and 
establishing a more transparent framework for soliciting, evaluation, 
and implementing monitoring work across the range complexes and testing 
ranges. The Strategic Planning Process must consider a range of factors 
in addition to the scientific recommendations including logistic, 
operational, and funding considerations and will be revised regularly 
as part of the annual adaptive management process.

Past and Current Monitoring in the Navy JLOTS Training Areas

    NMFS has not issued regulations nor incidental take authorizations 
to the Navy concerning its JLOTS training on the Atlantic coast. 
Therefore, no past and current monitoring is available.

Proposed Reporting

    In order to issue an ITA for an activity, section 101(a)(5)(A) of 
the MMPA states that NMFS must set forth ``requirements pertaining to 
the monitoring and reporting of such taking.'' Effective reporting is 
critical both to compliance as well as ensuring that the most value is 
obtained from the required monitoring. Some of the reporting 
requirements are still in development and the final rule may contain 
additional details not contained in the proposed rule. Additionally, 
proposed reporting requirements may be modified, eliminated, or added 
based on information or comments received during the public comment 
period. Reports from individual monitoring events, results of analyses, 
publications, and periodic progress reports for specific monitoring 
projects will be posted to the U.S. Navy Marine Species Monitoring web 
portal as they become available. Currently, there are several specific 
reporting requirements pursuant to these proposed regulations:

General Notification of Injured or Dead Marine Mammals

    Navy personnel would ensure that NMFS (regional stranding 
coordinator) is notified immediately (or as soon as clearance 
procedures allow) if an injured or dead marine mammal is found during 
or shortly after, and in the vicinity of, any Navy training exercise. 
The Navy would provide NMFS with species identification or description 
of the animal(s), the condition of the animal(s) (including carcass 
condition if the animal is dead), location, time of first discovery, 
observed behaviors (if alive), and photographs or video (if available).

Annual Monitoring and Exercise Report

    As noted above, reports from individual monitoring events, results 
of analyses, publications, and periodic progress reports for specific 
monitoring projects would be posted to the Navy's Marine Species 
Monitoring web portal as they become available. Progress and results 
from all monitoring activity conducted within the JLOTS training area 
would be summarized in an annual report. This report shall detail the 
monitoring protocol, summarize the data recorded during monitoring, and 
estimate the number of marine mammals that may have been harassed.
    Draft reports should be combined with the Navy's Atlantic Fleet 
Training and Testing exercise and monitoring reports and submitted to 
NMFS for review by February 13 (for exercises) and April 1 (for 
monitoring) each year. NMFS would review the report and provide 
comments for incorporation within 3 months.

Estimated Take of Marine Mammals

    In the potential effects section, NMFS' analysis identified a 
variety of impacts that could potentially result from exposure to noise 
during the Navy's JLOTS training activities. In this section, we will 
relate the potential effects to marine mammals from these sound sources 
to the MMPA regulatory definitions of Level A and Level B Harassment 
and attempt to quantify the effects that might occur from the specific 
training activities that the Navy proposes in the JLOTS training areas.

Definition of Harassment

    As mentioned previously, with respect to military readiness 
activities, section 3(18)(B) of the MMPA defines ``harassment'' as: (i) 
Any act that injures or has the significant potential to injure a 
marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild [Level A Harassment]; 
or (ii) any act that disturbs or is likely to disturb a marine mammal 
or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing disruption of natural 
behavioral patterns, including, but not limited to, migration, 
surfacing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering, to a point where 
such behavioral patterns are abandoned or significantly altered [Level 
B Harassment].
    As discussed above, in-water pile removal and pile driving 
(vibratory and

[[Page 2643]]

impact) generate loud noises that could potentially harass marine 
mammals in the vicinity of the Navy's proposed JLOTS training 
activities.
    Currently, NMFS uses 120 dB re 1 [micro]Pa and 160 dB re 1 
[micro]Pa at the received levels for the onset of Level B harassment 
from non-impulse (vibratory pile driving and removal) and impulse 
sources (impact pile driving) underwater, respectively. Table 2 
summarizes the current NMFS marine mammal take criteria.

   Table 2--Current Acoustic Exposure Criteria for Non-Explosive Sound
                               Underwater
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Criterion
            Criterion                 definition           Threshold
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Level A Harassment (Injury).....  Permanent           180 dB re 1
                                   Threshold Shift     [micro]Pa
                                   (PTS) (Any level    (cetaceans) 190
                                   above that which    dB re 1 [micro]Pa
                                   is known to cause   (pinnipeds) root
                                   TTS).               mean square
                                                       (rms).
Level B Harassment..............  Behavioral          160 dB re 1
                                   Disruption (for     [micro]Pa (rms).
                                   impulse noises).
Level B Harassment..............  Behavioral          120 dB re 1
                                   Disruption (for     [micro]Pa (rms).
                                   non-impulse
                                   noise).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Methods for Estimating Takes

    The methods for estimating the number and types of exposure are 
described in the sections below, followed by the method for quantifying 
exposures of marine mammals to sources of energy exceeding those 
threshold values. Exposure of each was determined by:

    <bullet> The potential of each species to be impacted by the 
acoustic sources as determined by acoustic criteria for marine 
mammals.
    <bullet> The potential presence of each species and their 
estimated density inside the range to effect.
    <bullet> The range to effect for impact installation and 
vibratory extraction (estimated by taking into account the source 
levels, propagation loss, and thresholds at which each acoustic 
criterion is met).

    Potential exposures were calculated by multiplying the density of 
each marine mammal species potentially present by the total impacted 
area for each threshold value, rounding the result to the closest 
integer, and then multiplying that result by the potential number of 
days of pile driving.

Underwater Sound From Pile Driving

    Sound levels produced by pile driving are greatly influenced by 
factors including pile type, driving method, and the physical 
environment in which the activity takes place. A number of studies have 
examined sound pressure levels recorded from underwater pile driving 
projects in California and Washington, creating a large body of data 
for impact driving of steel pipe piles.
    To determine the most appropriate sound pressure levels for this 
project, data from studies which met the following parameters were 
considered:

    <bullet> Pile size and type: 24-inch diameter steel pipe piles
    <bullet> Installation and removal method: vibratory and/or 
impact hammer
    <bullet> Physical environment: water depth, sediment type

    Details of the physical characteristics of the waters and substrate 
off the proposed JLOTS locations were taken into consideration for 
determining the size of ensonified zones. Source levels were selected 
from NAVFAC Atlantic's comprehensive dataset based on similarity to 
site conditions at JEB Little Creek-Fort Story (sand with shell debris 
sediments, average depth 1-5 meters), and Camp Lejeune (lower 
sedimentation with hard-bottom in some areas, depth around 7 meters), 
equipment (i.e., diesel hammer), and lack of conditions that might 
introduce extra noise into the measurements (e.g., riverine 
environments). Calculated averages of selected source levels used as 
proxies for modeling are summarized in Table 3.

                    Table 3--Summary of Source Levels
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         dB re 1 [mu]Pa
            Method                     Location               rms
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Impact Installation...........  JEB Little Creek-Fort                188
                                 Story.
                                Camp Lejeune.........                189
Vibratory Removal.............  JEB Little Creek-Fort                160
                                 Story.
                                Camp Lejeune.........
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Take Zone Size Calculation

    Modeling sound propagation is useful in evaluating noise levels to 
determine distance from the pile driving activity that certain sound 
levels may travel. The decrease in acoustic intensity as a sound wave 
propagates outward from a source is known as transmission loss (TL). 
The formula for transmission loss is:

TL = B * log<INF>10</INF>(R<INF>1</INF>/R<INF>2</INF>) + C * 
R<INF>1</INF>,

Where

B = logarithmic (predominantly spreading) loss
C = linear (scattering and absorption) loss
R<INF>1</INF> = range from source in meters
R<INF>2</INF> = range from driven pile to original measurement 
location (generally 10 m for pile driving activities)

    The amount of linear loss (C) is proportional to the frequency of a 
sound. Due to the low frequencies of sound generated by impact and 
vibratory pile driving, this factor was assumed to be zero for all 
calculations in this assessment and transmission loss was calculated 
using only logarithmic spreading. Therefore, using practical spreading 
(B = 15), the revised formula for transmission loss is TL = 15 
log<INF>10</INF> (R<INF>1</INF>/10).
    The practical spreading loss model (TL =15 log<INF>10</INF> 
(R<INF>1</INF>/10)) discussed above was used to calculate the 
underwater propagation of pile driving sound in and around the three 
proposed locations. A total of 30 days of pile driving were modeled for 
JEB Little Creek-Fort Story and Camp Lejeune; 20 days of impact 
driving, and 10 days of vibratory extraction. No noise mitigation 
methods (bubble curtains, cofferdams, etc.) are proposed and therefore 
no attenuation was included in the acoustic model.
    Impact driving of each pile is expected to last no more than 15 
minutes. Typically, 6 piles would be installed each day, for up to 20 
days. Generally, two pile drivers are used, but not simultaneously: 
While one is installing a pile, the other is being repositioned for the 
next pile. For

[[Page 2644]]

vibratory extraction, the acoustic model assumed that 12 piles would be 
extracted each day, lasting 6 minutes each, over the course of 10 days.
    The range to effects (Table 4) for underwater noise is assumed to 
take a circular shape around the notional pile bring driven at the 
furthest offshore point of the ELCAS (M) (approximately 1,500 ft. [457 
m] from shore). Zones with radii larger than 1,500 ft. (457 m) will be 
truncated by the shoreline, and were modeled as semicircles extending 
to the west, north, and east in the case of JEB Little Creek-Fort 
Story; and north, east, and south at Camp Lejeune since the beaches at 
each of the locations would represent the boundary for underwater 
propagation. The calculated ranges assume no obstructions, and sounds 
will attenuate as they encounter land or other solid obstacles. As a 
result, the distances calculated may not actually be attained at the 
two installations.

                           Table 4--Calculated Range to Effects and Zones of Influence for Marine Mammals During Pile Driving
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                       Range                                        Area
                                                                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Driving method                     Threshold          JEB Little Creek- Fort                            JEB Little Creek-
                                                                           Story                 Camp Lejeune           Fort Story        Camp Lejeune
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Impact Pile Drive....................  Injury: 180 dB re 1       37 yds (34 m)...........  44 yds (40 m)..........        0.001 mi\2\        0.002 mi\2\
                                        [micro]Pa rms.                                                                 (0.0037 km\2\)      (0.005 km\2\)
                                       Behavioral: 160 dB re 1   805 yds (736 m).........  938 yds (858 m)........        0.328 mi\2\        0.446 mi\2\
                                        [micro]Pa rms.                                                                   (0.85 km\2\)      (1.156 km\2\)
                                                                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vibratory Pile Removal...............  Injury: 180 dB re 1                              n/a
                                        [micro]Pa rms.
                                                               n/a
                                       Behavioral: 120 dB re 1                  5,077 yds (4,642 m)
                                        [micro]Pa rms.
                                                    13.07 mi\2\ (33.84 km\2\)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: All sound levels expressed in dB re 1 [micro]PA rms; dB = decibel; rms = root mean square; m = meter; mi\2\ = square mile; km\2\ = square
  kilometer; behavioral zones of influence are semi-circles based on notional distance from shore of the pile being driven; injury zones of influence
  are circular since they will not extend to and therefore be attenuated by land.

Take Number Requested

    Based on the size of the areas in which pile driving and extraction 
may exceed established thresholds, the Navy applied estimated densities 
for the bottlenose dolphin and Atlantic spotted dolphin and the number 
of active pile driving days. The result shows that approximately 110 
bottlenose dolphins and 50 Atlantic spotted dolphins could be taken by 
Level B behavioral harassment annually, with a total of 550 bottlenose 
dolphins and 250 Atlantic spotted dolphins taken by Level B behavioral 
harassment during the five-year period of the rule (Table 5). The 
annual percentage of takes of these species/stock is less than 6% of 
the population.

          Table 5--Species-Specific Level A and Level B Incidental Takes for JLOTS Training Activities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Percent of       Total  (5
                Species                           Stock               Annual        population        years)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bottlenose dolphin....................  Northern North Carolina               50            5.26             250
                                         Estuarine System.
                                        Southern North Carolina               60            2.44             300
                                         Estuarine System.
Atlantic spotted dolphin..............  Western North Atlantic..              50            0.18             250
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Analysis and Preliminary Determinations

Negligible Impact

    Negligible impact is ``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., population-
level effects). An estimate of the number of Level B harassment 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 behavioral harassment, 
NMFS must consider other factors, such as the likely nature of any 
responses (their intensity, duration, etc.), the context of any 
responses (critical reproductive time or location, migration, etc.), as 
well as the number and nature of estimated Level A harassment takes, 
the number of estimated mortalities, and effects on habitat.
    The Navy's proposed JLOTS training activity would involve pile 
driving and removal activities during the training exercise. Elevated 
noise levels are expected to be generated as a result of these 
activities. However, the source levels generated by the pile driving 
and removal activities are expected be low due to the low-power hammer 
being used. In addition, given the standard operating procedure of soft 
starts and required mitigation and monitoring such as shutdown measures 
when marine mammals are sighted approaching the mitigation zone, no 
injuries or mortalities are anticipated to occur as a result of the 
Navy's proposed JLOTS training activities, and none are proposed to be 
authorized. In addition, as described above, marine mammals in the area 
would not be exposed to activities or sound levels which would result 
in hearing impairment (TTS or PTS) or non-auditory physiological 
effects.
    In-water construction activities would occur in nearshore shallow 
waters at the JEB Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia and at Camp 
Lejeune in North Carolina. The proposed training areas are not 
considered significant habitat for marine mammals. Marine mammals 
approaching the action area would likely be traveling or 
opportunistically foraging. There are no rookeries or major

[[Page 2645]]

haul-out sites nearby, foraging hotspots, or other ocean bottom 
structure of significant biological importance to marine mammals that 
may be present in the marine waters in the vicinity of the training 
areas. The proposed training areas are not prime habitats for marine 
mammals, nor are they considered areas frequented by marine mammals. 
Therefore, behavioral disturbances that could result from anthropogenic 
noise associated with the JLOTS training activities are expected to 
affect only a small number of marine mammals on an infrequent basis. 
Although it is possible that some individual marine mammals may be 
exposed to sounds from in-water pile driving activities more than once, 
the duration of these multi-exposures is expected to be low since 
animals would be constantly moving in and out of the area and in-water 
pile driving activities would not occur continuously throughout the 
day.
    Marine mammals may be temporarily impacted by noise from pile 
driving and pile removal activities. These low intensity, localized, 
and short-term noise exposures may cause brief startle reactions or 
short-term behavioral modifications by the animals. These reactions and 
behavioral changes are expected to subside quickly when the exposures 
cease. Moreover, marine mammals are expected to avoid the area during 
in-water construction because animals generally move away from active 
sound sources, thereby reducing exposure and impacts. In addition, 
through soft starts, a standard operating procedure, marine mammals are 
expected to move away from a sound source that is annoying prior to its 
becoming potentially injurious, and detection of marine mammals by 
lookouts would enable the implementation of shutdowns to avoid injury, 
serious injury, or mortality. In-water pile driving and pile removal 
are expected to occur for about 20 days and 10 days total annually at 
each location, respectively. Repeated exposures of individuals to 
levels of sound that may cause Level B harassment are unlikely to 
result in hearing impairment or to significantly disrupt foraging 
behavior. Thus, even repeated Level B harassment of some small subset 
of an overall stock is unlikely to result in any significant realized 
decrease in fitness to those individuals, and thus would not result in 
any adverse impact to the stock as a whole. Level B harassment will be 
reduced to the level of least practicable impact through use of 
mitigation measures described herein and, if sound produced by project 
activities is sufficiently disturbing, animals are likely to simply 
avoid the project area while the activity is occurring.
    Based on the application and subsequent analysis, the impact of the 
described in-water pile driving activities may result in, at most, 
short-term modification of behavior by small numbers of marine mammals 
within the action area. No injury, serious injury, or mortality is 
expected to occur and due to the nature, degree, and context of the 
Level B harassment anticipated, the activity is not expected to impact 
rates of recruitment or survival.
    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 proposed monitoring and 
mitigation measures, NMFS finds preliminarily that the total marine 
mammal take from the Navy's JLOTS training activity will have a 
negligible impact on the affected marine mammal species or stocks.

Endangered Species Act (ESA)

    No species listed under the ESA are expected to be affected by 
these activities. Therefore, NMFS has determined that a section 7 
consultation under the ESA is not required.

NEPA

    NMFS has participated as a cooperating agency on the JLOTS draft 
EA, which is scheduled to be published on January 6, 2015. The JLOTS 
draft EA will be posted on NMFS' Web site: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm#applications. NMFS intends to adopt the Navy's 
EA, if adequate and appropriate. Currently, we believe that the 
adoption of the Navy's EA will allow NMFS to meet its responsibilities 
under NEPA for the issuance of regulations and a five-year LOA for 
JLOTS training activities. If the Navy's JLOTS EA is deemed inadequate, 
NMFS would supplement the existing analysis to ensure that we comply 
with NEPA prior to the issuance of the final rule or LOA.

Classification

    The Office of Management and Budget has determined that this 
proposed rule is not significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866.
    Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), the Chief Counsel 
for Regulation of the Department of Commerce has certified to the Chief 
Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration that this 
proposed rule, if adopted, would not have a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities. The RFA requires federal 
agencies to prepare an analysis of a rule's impact on small entities 
whenever the agency is required to publish a notice of proposed 
rulemaking. However, a federal agency may certify, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 
605(b), that the action will not have a significant economic impact on 
a substantial number of small entities. The Navy, a federal agency, is 
the sole entity that will be affected by this rulemaking. It is not a 
small governmental jurisdiction, small organization, or small business, 
as defined by the RFA. Any requirements imposed by an LOA issued 
pursuant to these regulations, and any monitoring or reporting 
requirements imposed by these regulations, would be applicable only to 
the Navy. NMFS does not expect the issuance of these regulations or the 
associated five-year LOA to result in any impacts to small entities 
pursuant to the RFA. Because this action, if adopted, would only 
directly affect the Navy, NMFS concludes the action would not result in 
a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 218

    Exports, Fish, Imports, Incidental take, Indians, Labeling, Marine 
mammals, Navy, Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, 
Seafood, Sonar, Transportation.

    Dated: December 23, 2014.
Eileen Sobeck,
Assistant Administrator for Fisheries.

    For reasons set forth in the preamble, 50 CFR part 218 is proposed 
to be amended as follows:

PART 218--REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE TAKING AND IMPORTING OF MARINE 
MAMMALS

0
1. The authority citation for part 218 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.

0
2. Subpart B is added to part 218 to read as follows:
Subpart B--Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; 
U.S. Navy Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) Training Activities in 
Virginia and North Carolina
Sec.
218.10 Specified activity and specified geographical region.
218.11 Effective dates and definitions.
218.12 Permissible methods of taking.
218.13 Prohibitions.
218.14 Standard operating procedure and mitigation measures.
218.15 Requirements for monitoring and reporting.
218.16 Applications for Letters of Authorization.
218.17 Letters of Authorization.

[[Page 2646]]

218.18 Renewal of Letters of Authorization and Adaptive Management.
218.19 Modifications to Letters of Authorization.

Subpart B--Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified 
Activities; U.S. Navy Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) 
Training Activities in Virginia and North Carolina


Sec.  218.10  Specified activity and specified geographical region.

    (a) Regulations in this subpart apply only to the U.S. Navy for the 
taking of marine mammals that occurs in the area outlined in paragraph 
(b) of this section and that occurs incidental to the activities 
described in paragraph (c) of this section.
    (b) The taking of marine mammals by the Navy is only authorized if 
it occurs within the JLOTS training areas, which is in nearshore 
shallow waters at the Joint Expeditionary Base (JEB) Little Creek-Fort 
Story in Virginia and at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
    (c) The taking of marine mammals by the Navy is only authorized if 
it occurs incidental to the JLOTS training activities in the activity 
areas any time of year, but no more than once annually at JEB Little 
Creek-Fort Story, and once annually at Camp Lejeune.


Sec.  218.11  Effective dates and definitions.

    (a) Regulations are effective [DATE OF FILING for public inspection 
of the final rule with the Office of the Federal Register], through 
[DATE FIVE YEARS AFTER DATE OF FILING for public inspection of the 
final rule with the Office of the Federal Register].


Sec.  218.12  Permissible methods of taking.

    (a) Under Letters of Authorization (LOAs) issued pursuant to Sec.  
218.17, the Holder of the Letter of Authorization may incidentally, but 
not intentionally, take marine mammals within the area described in 
Sec.  218.10, provided the activity is in compliance with all terms, 
conditions, and requirements of these regulations and the appropriate 
LOA.
    (b) The activities identified in Sec.  218.10(c) must be conducted 
in a manner that minimizes, to the greatest extent practicable, any 
adverse impacts on marine mammals and their habitat.
    (c) The incidental take of marine mammals under the activities 
identified in Sec.  218.10(c) is limited to JLOTS training activities, 
by Level B behavioral harassment:
    (1) Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)/Northern North Carolina 
Estuarine System: 250 (50 per year);
    (2) Bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)/Southern North Carolina 
Estuarine System: 300 (60 per year); and
    (3) Atlantic spotted dolphin (Stenella frontalis)/Western North 
Atlantic: 250 (50 per year).


Sec.  218.13  Prohibitions.

    Notwithstanding takings contemplated in Sec.  218.12 and authorized 
by an LOA issued under Sec. Sec.  216.106 of this chapter and Sec.  
218.17, no person in connection with the activities described in Sec.  
218.10 may:
    (a) Take any marine mammal not specified in Sec.  218.12(c);
    (b) Take any marine mammal specified in Sec.  218.12(c) other than 
by incidental take as specified in Sec.  218.12(c);
    (c) Take a marine mammal specified in Sec.  218.12(c) if such 
taking results in more than a negligible impact on the species or 
stocks of such marine mammal; or
    (d) Violate, or fail to comply with, the terms, conditions, and 
requirements of these regulations or an LOA issued under Sec. Sec.  
216.106 of this chapter and 218.17.


Sec.  218.14  Standard operating procedure and mitigation measures.

    (a) When conducting training and testing activities, as identified 
in Sec.  218.10, the mitigation measures contained in the LOA issued 
under Sec. Sec.  216.106 of this chapter and 218.17 must be 
implemented. These mitigation measures include, but are not limited to:
    (1) Establishing mitigation zone. (i) A mitigation zone of 60 yards 
(55 m) around the pile being driven shall be established.
    (ii) Visual observation will be conducted starting 30 minutes prior 
to, during, and 30 minutes after the ELCAS (M) exercise within the 
mitigation zone. The exercise will not commence if concentrations of 
floating vegetation (Sargassum or kelp patties) are observed in the 
mitigation zone.
    (2) Soft starts. (i) Soft starts, or gradually ramping up the power 
of pile driving hammer, shall be performed during impact installation 
each day.
    (ii) During a soft start, an initial set of strikes from the impact 
hammer at reduced energy are performed before it is able to be operated 
at full power and speed.
    (3) Shutdown measures. (i) Pile driving shall cease if a marine 
mammal is visually detected within or approaching the mitigation zone.
    (ii) Pile driving may re[hyphen]commence if any one of the 
following conditions is met:
    (A) The animal is observed exiting the mitigation zone,
    (B) The animal is thought to have exited the mitigation zone based 
on its course and speed, or
    (C) The mitigation zone has been clear from any additional 
sightings for a period of 30 minutes.
    (b) Marine species awareness training. (1) All personnel standing 
watch on the bridge, Commanding Officers, Executive Officers, and 
Lookouts shall successfully complete the Marine Species Awareness 
Training prior to standing watch or serving as a Lookout.
    (2) The Marine Species Awareness Training shall be designed to 
improve the effectiveness of visual observations for marine resources, 
including marine mammals.
    (3) The training shall provide information on sighting cues, visual 
observation tools and techniques, and sighting notification procedures.
    (c) Vessels. Vessels shall avoid approaching marine mammals head on 
and shall maneuver to maintain a mitigation zone of 500 yards (457 m) 
around observed whales and 200 yards (183 m) around all other marine 
mammals (except bow riding dolphins), providing it is safe to do so.
    (d) North Atlantic Right Whale Mid-Atlantic Migration Corridor. 
When transiting within the following North Atlantic right whale Mid-
Atlantic migration corridor defined below between November 1 and April 
30, the Navy shall practice increased vigilance, exercise extreme 
caution, and proceed at the slowest speed that is consistent with 
safety, mission, and training objectives:
    (1) Block Island Sound: The area bounded by 40[deg]51'53.7'' N/
070[deg]36'44.9'' W; 41[deg]20'14.1'' N/070[deg]49'44.1'' W; 
41[deg]4'16.7'' N/071[deg]51'21'' W; 41[deg]35'56.5'' N/
071[deg]38'26.1'' W; then back to first set of coordinates.
    (2) New York and New Jersey: Within a 20 nm radius of the following 
(as measured seaward from the COLREGS lines): 40[deg]29'42.2'' N/
073[deg]55'57.6'' W.
    (3) Delaware Bay: Within a 20 nm radius of the following (as 
measured seaward from the COLREGS lines): 38[deg]52'27.4'' North/
075[deg]01'32.1'' West.
    (4) Chesapeake Bay: Within a 20 nm radius of the following (as 
measured seaward from the COLREGS lines): 37[deg]00'36.9'' North/
075[deg]57'50.5'' West.
    (5) Morehead City, North Carolina: Within a 20 nm radius of the 
following (as measured seaward from the COLREGS lines): 
34[deg]41'32.0'' North/076[deg]40'08.3'' West.
    (6) Wilmington, North Carolina, through South Carolina, and to 
Brunswick, Georgia: Within a continuous area 20 nautical miles from 
shore and west back to shore bounded by 34[deg]10'30'' North/
077[deg]49'12'' West; 33[deg]56'42'' North/077[deg]31'30'' West; 
33[deg]36'30'' North/077[deg]47'06'' West;

[[Page 2647]]

33[deg]28'24'' North/078[deg]32'30'' West; 32[deg]59'06'' North/
078[deg]50'18'' West; 31[deg]50'00'' North/080[deg]33'12'' West; 
31[deg]27'00'' North/080[deg]51'36'' West.


Sec.  218.15  Requirements for monitoring and reporting.

    (a) Monitoring measures--(1) Standard watch personnel. (i) Ships 
operated by or for the Navy shall have personnel assigned to stand 
watch at all times, day and night, when moving through the water 
(underway).
    (ii) Watch personnel shall undertake extensive training in 
accordance with the U.S. Navy Lookout Training Handbook or civilian 
equivalent, including on-the-job instruction and a formal Personal 
Qualification Standard program (or equivalent program for supporting 
contractors or civilians), to certify that they have demonstrated all 
necessary skills (such as detection and reporting of floating or 
partially submerged objects).
    (iii) While on watch, watch personnel shall employ visual search 
techniques, including the use of binoculars, using a scanning method in 
accordance with the U.S. Navy Lookout Training Handbook or civilian 
equivalent.
    (iv) After sunset and prior to sunrise, watch personnel shall 
employ night visual search techniques, which could include the use of 
night vision devices.
    (v) A primary duty of watch personnel is to detect and report all 
objects and disturbances sighted in the water that may be indicative of 
a threat to the ship and its crew, such as debris, a periscope, 
surfaced submarine, or surface disturbance.
    (vi) Per safety requirements, watch personnel also report any 
marine mammals sighted that have the potential to be in the direct path 
of the ship as a standard collision avoidance procedure. Because watch 
personnel are primarily posted for safety of navigation, range 
clearance, and man-overboard precautions, they are not normally posted 
while ships are moored to a pier.
    (vii) When anchored or moored to a buoy, a watch team is still 
maintained but with fewer personnel than when underway.
    (viii) When moored or at anchor, watch personnel may maintain 
security and safety of the ship by scanning the water for any 
indications of a threat.
    (ix) While underway, Navy ships (with the exception of submarines) 
greater than 65 ft. (20 m) in length have at least two watch personnel; 
Navy ships less than 65 ft. (20 m) in length, surfaced submarines, and 
contractor ships have at least one watch person. While underway, watch 
personnel are alert at all times and have access to binoculars. Due to 
limited manning and space limitations, small boats and some craft 
transferring cargo from ship to shore do not have dedicated watch 
personnel, and the boat crew is responsible for maintaining the safety 
of the boat and surrounding environment.
    (x) All vessels use extreme caution and proceed at a ``safe speed'' 
so they can take proper and effective action to avoid a collision with 
any sighted object or disturbance and can be stopped within a distance 
appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions.
    (2) Lookouts. (i) Lookouts shall perform similar duties to standard 
watch personnel, and are also responsible for satisfying mitigation 
requirements.
    (ii) The Navy will have one Lookout positioned on the platform 
(which could include a small boat, the elevated causeway, or the shore) 
that will maximize the potential for sightings during pile driving and 
pile removal.
    (iii) The Lookout positioned on the elevated causeway or the shore 
shall be dedicated solely to diligent observation of the air and 
surface of the water. They shall have multiple observation objectives, 
which include but are not limited to detecting the presence of 
biological resources and recreational or fishing boats, observing the 
mitigation zone, and monitoring for equipment and personnel safety 
concerns.
    (iv) A Lookout positioned on a small boat may include a member of 
the boat crew, and may be responsible for tasks in addition to 
observing the air or surface of the water (e.g., navigation of a rigid 
hull inflatable boat). However, a boat Lookout shall, to the maximum 
extent practicable and consistent with safety and training 
requirements, comply with the observation objectives described above 
for a Lookout positioned on the elevated causeway or the shore.
    (v) Lookouts shall also perform visual observation starting 30 
minutes prior to, during, and 30 minutes after the exercise within a 
mitigation zone of 60 yards (55 m) around the pile being driven.
    (3) Integrated comprehensive monitoring program. (i) The Navy shall 
use the existing Integrated Comprehensive Monitoring Program (ICMP) and 
its new ``study-based'' approach to satisfy monitoring requirements for 
the JLOTS MMPA authorization.
    (b) Reporting measures--(1) General notification of injured or dead 
marine mammals. (i) Navy personnel would ensure that NMFS (regional 
stranding coordinator) is notified immediately (or as soon as clearance 
procedures allow) if an injured or dead marine mammal is found during 
or shortly after, and in the vicinity of, any Navy training exercise.
    (ii) The Navy shall provide NMFS with species identification or 
description of the animal(s), the condition of the animal(s) (including 
carcass condition if the animal is dead), location, time of first 
discovery, observed behaviors (if alive), and photographs or video (if 
available).
    (2) Annual monitoring and exercise report. (i) Reports from 
individual monitoring events, results of analyses, publications, and 
periodic progress reports for specific monitoring projects would be 
posted to the Navy's Marine Species Monitoring web portal as they 
become available.
    (ii) Progress and results from all monitoring activity conducted 
within the JLOTS training area shall be summarized in an annual report. 
This report shall detail the monitoring protocol, summarize the data 
recorded during monitoring, and estimate the number of marine mammals 
that may have been harassed.
    (iii) Draft reports should be combined with the Navy's Atlantic 
Fleet Training and Testing exercise and monitoring reports and 
submitted to NMFS for review by February 13 (for exercises) and April 1 
(for monitoring) each year. NMFS would review the report and provide 
comments for incorporation within 3 months.


Sec.  218.16  Applications for Letters of Authorization.

    To incidentally take marine mammals pursuant to the regulations in 
this subpart, the U.S. citizen (as defined by Sec.  216.106 of this 
chapter) conducting the activity identified in Sec.  218.10(c) (the 
U.S. Navy) must apply for and obtain either an initial LOA in 
accordance with Sec.  218.17 or a renewal under Sec.  218.18.


Sec.  218.17  Letters of Authorization.

    (a) An LOA, unless suspended or revoked, will be valid for a period 
of time not to exceed the period of validity of this subpart.
    (b) Each LOA will set forth:
    (1) Permissible methods of incidental taking;
    (2) Means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on the 
species, its habitat, and on the availability of the species for 
subsistence uses (i.e., mitigation); and
    (3) Requirements for mitigation, monitoring and reporting.
    (c) Issuance and renewal of the LOA will be based on a 
determination that the total number of marine mammals

[[Page 2648]]

taken by the activity as a whole will have no more than a negligible 
impact on the affected species or stock of marine mammal(s).


Sec.  218.18  Renewal of Letters of Authorization.

    (a) A Letter of Authorization issued under Sec. Sec.  216.106 of 
this chapter and 218.17 for the activity identified in Sec.  218.10(c) 
will be renewed based upon:
    (1) Notification to NMFS that the activity described in the 
application submitted under Sec.  218.18 will be undertaken and that 
there will not be a substantial modification to the described work, 
mitigation, or monitoring undertaken during the upcoming period of 
validity;
    (2) Timely receipt (by the dates indicated in these regulations) of 
the monitoring reports required under Sec.  218.15(b); and
    (3) A determination by the NMFS that the mitigation, monitoring, 
and reporting measures required under Sec.  218.14 and the LOA issued 
under Sec. Sec.  216.106 of this chapter and 218.17, were undertaken 
and will be undertaken during the upcoming period of validity of a 
renewed Letter of Authorization.
    (b) If a request for a renewal of an LOA issued under this Sec.  
216.106 of this chapter and Sec.  218.17 indicates that a substantial 
modification, as determined by NMFS, to the described work, mitigation 
or monitoring undertaken during the upcoming season will occur, NMFS 
will provide the public a period of 30 days for review and comment on 
the request. Review and comment on renewals of LOAs are restricted to:
    (1) New cited information and data indicating that the 
determinations made in this document are in need of reconsideration; 
and
    (2) Proposed changes to the mitigation and monitoring requirements 
contained in these regulations or in the current LOA.
    (c) A notice of issuance or denial of an LOA renewal will be 
published in the Federal Register.
    (d) NMFS, in response to new information and in consultation with 
the Navy, may modify the mitigation or monitoring measures in 
subsequent LOAs if doing so creates a reasonable likelihood of more 
effectively accomplishing the goals of mitigation and monitoring. Below 
are some of the possible sources of new data that could contribute to 
the decision to modify the mitigation or monitoring measures:
    (1) Results from the Navy's monitoring from the previous year 
(either from the JLOTS training areas or other locations).
    (2) Compiled results of Navy-funded research and development (R&D) 
studies (presented pursuant to the ICMP (Sec.  218.15(d)).
    (3) Results from specific stranding investigations (either from the 
JLOTS training areas or other locations, and involving coincident mid- 
or high-frequency active sonar or explosives training or not involving 
coincident use).
    (4) Results from the Long Term Prospective Study.
    (5) Results from general marine mammal and sound research (funded 
by the Navy (or otherwise).


Sec.  218.19  Modifications to Letters of Authorization.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, no 
substantive modification (including withdrawal or suspension) to the 
LOA by NMFS, issued pursuant to Sec. Sec.  216.106 of this chapter and 
218.17 and subject to the provisions of this subpart shall be made 
until after notification and an opportunity for public comment has been 
provided. For purposes of this paragraph, a renewal of an LOA under 
Sec.  218.18, without modification (except for the period of validity), 
is not considered a substantive modification.
    (b) If the Assistant Administrator determines that an emergency 
exists that poses a significant risk to the well-being of the species 
or stocks of marine mammals specified in Sec.  218.12(c), an LOA issued 
pursuant to Sec. Sec.  216.106 of this chapter and 218.17 may be 
substantively modified without prior notification and an opportunity 
for public comment. Notification will be published in the Federal 
Register within 30 days subsequent to the action.

[FR Doc. 2015-00558 Filed 1-16-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P