Federal Register #RTID 0648-XF841

NMFS Solicits Comments on ONR Arctic Research Activities and Incidental Harassment Authorization

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of NOAA under the Department of Commerce, is seeking public comment on a proposed Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) for the Office of Naval Research (ONR) to conduct Arctic Research Activities (ARA) in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas. - Government Buyer: - National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Protected Resources - Sub-agency: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - Office of Naval Research (ONR) is the applicant - Products/Services Requested: - Deployment and operation of up to 8 active acoustic sources (6 moorings, 2 drifting ice gateway buoys) transmitting at 900 Hz and 10 kHz - Use of research vessels: R/V Sikuliaq and potentially U.S. Coast Guard Cutter HEALY for equipment deployment, recovery, and icebreaking - Scientific experiments involving acoustic testing and multi-frequency navigation system concept tests - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Authorization covers potential Level B harassment of marine mammals (beluga whales and ringed seals) due to underwater sound and icebreaking - Strict mitigation, monitoring, and reporting measures required, including vessel watch, exclusion zones, and shutdowns to minimize impacts - Estimated takes: 198 beluga whales and 397 ringed seals by Level B harassment - Activities classified as military readiness under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) - Authorization period is one year, with a possible one-time, 1-year renewal - No specific OEMs or commercial vendors are named for the acoustic equipment or vessels; ONR and NMFS are the primary agencies involved

Description

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has received a request from the Office of Naval Research (ONR) for authorization to incidentally take marine mammals during Arctic Research Activities (ARA) in the Beaufort Sea and eastern Chukchi Sea. The request is for an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The activities involve scientific experiments using active acoustic sources and may result in Level B harassment of marine mammals. NMFS is seeking public comments on the proposed IHA and a possible one-time, 1-year renewal. The ONR's activities are considered military readiness activities under the MMPA, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004.

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