Streamlining Environmental Approvals Act of 2017

To amend the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to reduce unnecessary permitting delays by clarifying associated procedures to increase economic development and support coastal restoration programs, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Streamlining Environmental Approvals Act of 2017 SEA Act of 2017 2. Addressing permits for taking of marine mammals Section 101(a)(5)(D) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 ( 16 U.S.C. 1371(a)(5)(D) (1) In clause (i)— (A) by striking citizens of the United States persons (B) by striking within a specific geographic region (C) by striking of small numbers (D) by striking such citizens such persons (E) by striking within that region (2) In clause (ii)— (A) in subclause (I), by striking , and other means of effecting the least practicable impact on such species or stock and its habitat (B) in subclause (III), by striking requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking by harassment, including efficient and practical requirements pertaining to the monitoring of such taking by harassment while the activity is being conducted and the reporting of such taking, including, as the Secretary determines necessary, (C) by adding at the end the following: Any condition imposed pursuant to subclause (I), (II), or (III) may not result in more than a minor change to the specified activity and may not alter the basic design, location, scope, duration, or timing of the specified activity. . (3) In clause (iii), by striking receiving an application under this subparagraph an application is accepted or required to be considered complete under subclause (I)(aa), (II)(aa), or (IV) of clause (viii), as applicable, (4) In clause (vi), by striking a determination of least practicable adverse impact on such species or stock under clause (i)(I) conditions imposed under subclause (I), (II), or (III) of clause (ii) (5) By adding at the end the following: (viii) (I) The Secretary shall— (aa) accept as complete a written request for authorization under this subparagraph for incidental taking described in clause (i), by not later than 45 days after the date of submission of the request; or (bb) provide to the requester, by not later than 15 days after the date of submission of the request, a written notice describing any additional information required to complete the request. (II) If the Secretary provides notice under subclause (I)(bb), the Secretary shall, by not later than 30 days after the date of submission of the additional information described in the notice— (aa) accept the written request for authorization under this subparagraph for incidental taking described in clause (i); or (bb) deny the request and provide the requester a written explanation of the reasons for the denial. (III) The Secretary may not make a second request for information, request that the requester withdraw and resubmit the request, or otherwise delay a decision on the request. (IV) If the Secretary fails to respond to a request for authorization under this subparagraph in the manner provided in subclause (I) or (II), the request shall be considered to be complete. (ix) (I) At least 90 days before the expiration of any authorization issued under this subparagraph, the holder of such authorization may apply for a one-year extension of such authorization. The Secretary shall grant such extension within 14 days after the date of such request on the same terms and without further review if there has been no substantial change in the activity carried out under such authorization nor in the status of the marine mammal species or stock, as applicable, as reported in the final annual stock assessment reports for such species or stock. (II) In subclause (I) the term substantial change (III) The Secretary shall notify the applicant of such substantial changes with specificity and in writing within 14 days after the applicant’s submittal of the extension request. (x) If the Secretary fails to make the required findings and, as appropriate, issue the authorization within 120 days after the application is accepted or required to be considered complete under subclause (I)(aa), (II)(aa), or (III) of clause (viii), as applicable, the authorization is deemed to have been issued on the terms stated in the application and without further process or restrictions under this Act. . 3. Removing duplications Section 101(a)(5)(D) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 ( 16 U.S.C. 1371(a)(5)(D) (xi) Any taking of a marine mammal in compliance with an authorization under this subparagraph is exempt from the prohibition on taking in section 9 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 ( 16 U.S.C. 1538 16 U.S.C. 1536(a)(2) . November 16, 2018 Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed

Summary: Streamlining Environmental Approvals Act of 2017 or the SEA Act of 2017 This bill amends the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 to: (1) limit the scope of the moratorium on taking and importing marine mammals and marine mammal products, and (2) revise the requirements for obtaining an authorization for incidentally taking by harassment marine mammals (incidental harassment authorizations or IHAs). Harassment is an act of pursuit, torment or annoyance which has the potential to either: (1) injure a marine mammal in the wild; or (2) disturb a marine mammal by causing disruption of behavioral patterns, such as migration or breeding. The bill: (1) allows persons who are not U.S. citizens to make requests to obtain IHAs, (2) eliminates the requirement that the taking occur within a specific geographic region, and (3) permits more than a small number of marine mammals to be taken. Monitoring requirements under an IHA must be efficient and practical. Additionally, the bill eliminates a requirement that IHAs prescribe reporting requirements. Any condition imposed by an IHA for minimizing adverse impacts on marine mammals may not result in more than a minor change to the activity and may not alter the activity's basic design, location, scope, duration, or timing. The bill establishes a process and deadlines for approving or denying IHAs, including a process for extending IHAs. Any taking of a marine mammal in compliance with an IHA is exempt from the prohibitions on takings under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.