Source: http://federal.elaws.us/fr/notice/71+fr+40932?publishdate=6/9/2012
Timestamp: 2017-03-23 20:04:07
Document Index: 23114385

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216', '§ 216']

71 FR 40928 E6-11463. Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Coastal Commercial Fireworks Displays at Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, CA, Federal Register
Home » 2006 Issues » 71 FR (07/19/2006) » 71 FR 40928 E6-11463. Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Coastal Commercial Fireworks Displays at Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, CA
71 FR 40928 E6-11463. Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Coastal Commercial Fireworks Displays at Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, CA
On May 10, 2002, NMFS received an application from the MBNMS requesting a 1-year Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) under section 101(a)(5)(D) and, subsequently, the issuance of regulations governing authorizations for a 5-year period under section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA for the potential harassment of California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) and Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) incidental to coastal fireworks displays conducted at MBNMS under Authorizations issued by MBNMS to local governments, civic organizations, and commercial companies. On July 4, 2005, NMFS issued an IHA to MBNMS (70 FR 39235, July 7, 2005) and that IHA expires on July 3, 2006. Specified Activities Back to Top
A detailed description of the types of effects used in the MBNMS fireworks displays and the areas within the Sanctuary where fireworks will be authorized under this final rule was included in the proposed rule (71 FR 25544, May 1, 2006) and may be found in the application or in MBNMS' 2001 Assessment of Pyrotechnic Displays and Impacts Within the MBNMS, which are available at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm.
Marine Mammals Potentially Affected by the Activity Back to Top
Twenty-six species of marine mammals may be found in the Monterey Bay area (see Table 1 in the MBNMS application), however, the only species likely to be harassed by the fireworks displays are the California sea lion and the Pacific harbor seal. Detailed information regarding the status of these species was provided in the proposed rule (71 FR 25544, May 1, 2006) and additional information can be found in Folkens' Guide to the Marine Mammals of the World (2002) and in the NMFS stock assessments on the NMFS website: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/PR2/Stock_Assessment_Program/individual_sars.html.
(1) Limit displays to certain seasons to safeguard reproductive periods: This regulation does not authorize fireworks events between March 1 and June 30 of any year, since this period is the primary reproductive season for many marine species.
As discussed above, the two marine mammal species NMFS believes likely to be taken by Level B harassment incidental to fireworks displays authorized within the Sanctuary are the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) and the Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardsi), due to the temporary evacuation of usual and accustomed haul-out sites. Both of these species are protected under the MMPA, and neither is listed under the ESA. Numbers of animals that may be taken by Level B harassment are expected to vary due to factors such as tidal state, seasonality, shifting prey stocks, climatic phenomenon (such as El Nino events), and the number, timing, and location of future displays. The estimated take of sea lions and harbor seals was determined by using a synthesis of information, including data gathered by MBNMS biologists at the specific display sites, results of independent surveys conducted in the MBNMS, and population estimates from surveys covering larger geographic areas. More detailed information regarding the estimates of take of sea lions and harbor seals may be found in the application at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm.
Possible Effects of Activities on Subsistence Needs Back to Top
Subpart J—Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Coastal Commercial Fireworks Displays at Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, California Back to Top
216.110 Specified activity and specified geographical region.
216.111 Effective dates.
216.112 Permissible methods of taking.
216.113 Prohibitions.
216.114 Mitigation.
216.115 Requirements for monitoring and reporting.
216.116 Applications for Letters of Authorization.
216.117 Letters of Authorization.
216.118 Renewal of Letters of Authorization.
216.119 Modifications to Letters of Authorization.
Subpart J—Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Coastal Commercial Fireworks Displays at Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, CA Back to Top
§ 216.110 Specified activity and specified geographical region.
§ 216.111 Effective dates.
§ 216.112 Permissible methods of taking.
(a) Under Letters of Authorization issued pursuant to §§ 216.106 and 216.117, the Holder of the Letter of Authorization (i.e. the Superintendent of MBNMS) may incidentally, but not intentionally, take marine mammals by Level B harassment only, within the area described in § 216.110(a), provided the activity is in compliance with all terms, conditions, and requirements of these regulations and the appropriate Letter of Authorization.
(b) The activities identified in § 216.110(a) must be conducted in a manner that minimizes, to the greatest extent practicable, any adverse impacts on marine mammals and their habitat.
(c) The taking of marine mammals is authorized for the species listed in § 216.110(b) and is limited to the Level B Harassment of no more than 6,170 California sea lions and 1,065 harbor seals annually.
§ 216.113 Prohibitions.
Notwithstanding takings contemplated in § 216.110 and authorized by a Letter of Authorization issued under §§ 216.106 and 216.117, no person in connection with the activities described in § 216.110 may:
(a) Take any marine mammal not specified in § 216.110(b);
(b) Take any marine mammal specified in § 216.110(b) other than by incidental, unintentional Level B harassment;
(c) Take a marine mammal specified in § 216.110(b) 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 a Letter of Authorization issued under §§ 216.106 and 216.117.
§ 216.114 Mitigation.
(a) The activity identified in § 216.110(a) must be conducted in a manner that minimizes, to the greatest extent practicable, adverse impacts on marine mammals and their habitats. When conducting operations identified in § 216.110(a), all the mitigation measures contained in the Letter of Authorization issued under §§ 216.106 and 216.117 must be implemented, including but not limited to:
§ 216.115 Requirements for monitoring and reporting.
(a) The Holder of the Letter of Authorization issued pursuant to §§ 216.106 and 216.117 for activities described in § 216.110(a) is required to cooperate with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and any other Federal, state or local agency monitoring the impacts of the activity on marine mammals. The Holder of the Letter of Authorization must notify the Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, or designee, by telephone (301-713-2289), within 48 hours if the authorized activity identified in § 216.110(a) is thought to have resulted in the mortality or injury of any marine mammals, or in any take of marine mammals not identified in § 216.110(b).
(2) Results of the monitoring required in § 216.115 (b) and (c) and any additional information required by the Letter of Authorization. A final annual monitoring report must be submitted to the NMFS within 30 days after receiving comments from NMFS on the draft report. If no comments are received from NMFS, the draft report will be considered to be the final annual monitoring report.
§ 216.116 Applications for Letters of Authorization.
To incidentally take marine mammals pursuant to these regulations, the U.S. citizen (as defined by § 216.103) conducting the activity identified in § 216.110(a) must apply for and obtain either an initial Letter of Authorization in accordance with §§ 216.117 or a renewal under § 216.118.
§ 216.117 Letters of Authorization.
(a) A Letter of Authorization, unless suspended or revoked, will be valid for a period of time not to exceed the period of validity of this subpart, subject to annual renewal pursuant to the conditions in § 216.118.
§ 216.118 Renewal of Letters of Authorization.
(a) A Letter of Authorization issued under § 216.106 and § 216.117 for the activity identified in § 216.110(a) will be renewed annually upon:
(1) Notification to NMFS that the activity described in the application submitted under § 216.116 will be undertaken and that there will not be a substantial modification to the described work, mitigation or monitoring undertaken during the upcoming 12 months;
(2) Timely receipt of the monitoring reports required under § 216.115(b), and the Letter of Authorization issued under § 216.117, which has been reviewed and accepted by NMFS; and
(3) A determination by the NMFS that the mitigation, monitoring and reporting measures required under § 216.114 and the Letter of Authorization issued under §§ 216.106 and 216.117, were undertaken and will be undertaken during the upcoming annual period of validity of a renewed Letter of Authorization.
(b) If a request for a renewal of a Letter of Authorization issued under §§ 216.106 and 216.118 indicates that a substantial modification to the described work, mitigation or monitoring undertaken during the upcoming season will occur, the NMFS will provide the public a period of 30 days for review and comment on the request. Review and comment on renewals of Letters of Authorization are restricted to:
§ 216.119 Modifications to Letters of Authorization.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, no substantive modification (including withdrawal or suspension) to the Letter of Authorization by NMFS, issued pursuant to §§ 216.106 and 216.117 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 a Letter of Authorization under § 216.118, 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 § 216.110(b), a Letter of Authorization issued pursuant to §§ 216.106 and 216.117 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.
7/4/2006 Published: 07/19/2006
EntryType: Rule
Document Citation: 71 FR 40928
Dates: Effective from July 4, 2006 through July 3, 2011.
Pages: 40928-40934 (7 pages)
50 CFR 216.110 50 CFR 216.111 50 CFR 216.112 50 CFR 216.113 50 CFR 216.114 More ... About Us|