[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 218 (Monday, November 10, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66597-66602]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-26721]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XJ24


Small Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; 
Low-Energy Marine Geophysical Survey in the Santa Barbara Channel, 
November 2008

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

ACTION: Notice; issuance of incidental take authorization.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) 
regulations, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued an 
Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to the Scripps Institute of 
Oceanography (SIO), for the take of marine mammals, by Level B 
harassment only, incidental to conducting a marine seismic survey in 
the Santa Barbara Channel, California, during November 2008.

DATES: Effective November 1, 2008, through November 31, 2008.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the IHA and the application are available by 
writing to P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation and Education 
Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3225 or by 
telephoning the contact listed here. A copy of the application 
containing a list of the references used in this document may be 
obtained by writing to the address specified above, telephoning the 
contact listed below (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT), or visiting 
the internet at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm#applications. Documents cited in this notice may be 
viewed, by appointment, during regular business hours, at the 
aforementioned address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jaclyn Daly or Howard Goldstein, 
Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, (301) 713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) 
direct the Secretary of Commerce to allow, upon request, the 
incidental, but not intentional, taking of marine mammals by U.S. 
citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than

[[Page 66598]]

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 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.''
    Section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA established an expedited process 
by which citizens of the United States can apply for an authorization 
to incidentally take small numbers of marine mammals by harassment. 
Except with respect to certain activities not pertinent here, the MMPA 
and 16 U.S.C. section 1362(18) defines ``harassment'' as:
    any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance which (i) has the 
potential to injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the 
wild [Level A harassment]; or (ii) has the potential to disturb a 
marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing 
disruption of behavioral patterns, including, but not limited to, 
migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering 
[Level B harassment].

    Section 101(a)(5)(D) establishes a 45-day time limit for NMFS 
review of an application followed by a 30-day public notice and comment 
period on any proposed authorizations for the incidental harassment of 
marine mammals. Within 45 days of the close of the comment period, NMFS 
must either approve or deny the authorization.

Summary of Request

    On June 27, 2008, NMFS received an application from SIO for the 
taking, by Level B harassment only, of small numbers of 16 species of 
marine mammals incidental to conducting a twelve day, low-energy marine 
seismic survey within the Santa Barbara Channel, CA, in November 2008. 
The funding for this research survey is provided by the National 
Science Foundation (NSF). The purpose of the research program is 
described in NMFS' notice of the proposed IHA (73 FR 50760, August 28, 
2008).

Description of the Activity

    The planned survey will involve one source vessel, the seismic ship 
R/V Melville, owned by the U.S. Navy and operated by SIO. The Melville 
is expected to depart San Diego and spend approximately 12 days 
conducting the survey and piston coring activities in November 2008. At 
three deeper-water sites outside state waters, a small 45-in\3\ GI 
airgun will be used, but will likely be reduced to 25 or 35 in\3\. At 
two shallow-water sites that cross into California state waters, a 1.5-
kJ electromechanical boomer or a 2-kJ electric sparker system will be 
used, depending on water depth and seafloor conditions, and depending 
on which source provides the highest resolution and best sub- seafloor 
signal penetration. The two systems will not operate concurrently and, 
in general, the boomer source likely will be preferred. As the boomer, 
sparker, or GI airgun are towed along the survey lines, a towed 72-
channel, 450 m hydrophone streamer will receive the returning acoustic 
signals and transfer the data to the on-board processing system. All 
survey operations will take place in less than or equal to 1000 m water 
depth.
    In addition to the GI airgun, sparker, and boomer, a towed chirp 
system, a multibeam echosounder (MBES), and a sub-bottom profiler (SBP) 
will be used at various times during the cruise. The chirp system will 
be used in tandem with the seismic sources, or will be used separately 
to locate optimal piston core sites, up to 4 hours at a time to a 
maximum of 8 10 hours per day. A 3.5-kHz SBP will be used to help 
verify seafloor conditions at possible coring sites, and will also be 
used in tandem with a MBES during transit to and from the Santa Barbara 
Channel area to collect additional seafloor bathymetric data. A more 
detailed description of the authorized action, including vessel and 
acoustic source specifications, is detailed in the proposed IHA notice 
(73 FR 50760, August 28, 2008).

Safety Radii

    NMFS has established a 160dB re 1 microParms behavioral 
harassment (Level B) threshold for both cetaceans and pinnipeds and a 
190dB and 180 dB re 1 microParms threshold for the potential 
onset of injury (Level A) for pinnipeds and cetaceans, respectively. 
Corresponding harassment and safety isopleths have been modeled for 
both shallow and deep water by Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of 
Columbia University (L-DEO) for a number of airgun configurations, 
including the size used during the SIO survey, 45 in\3\ (Table 1). 
Airgun operations will occur only in depths of 100-1000 m; therefore 
the 12 m, 35 m, and 330 m radii are applicable.

 Table 1. Distances to which sound levels [gteqt]190, 180, and 160 dB re
 1 microParms could be received from the 45-in\3\ GI airgun that will be
used during the seismic surveys in the Santa Barbara Channel in November
      2008. Distances are based on model results provided by L-DEO.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Estimated Distances (m) at
                                                   Received Levels
                Water Depth                -----------------------------
                                             190 dB    180 dB    160 dB
------------------------------------------------------------------------
>1000 m                                           8        23       220
------------------------------------------------------------------------
100-1000 m                                       12        35       330
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The boomer's source level is higher than that of the mini sparker 
thus the propagation distances for the boomer will be used for both 
types of sources. Received sound levels from the boomer to be used in 
this study (source level 209 dB) in shallow water have not been modeled 
or measured. However, Burgess and Lawson (2001) measured received sound 
levels from a boomer with a source level of 203 dB re 1 microParms 
in water depths 12-14 m, and Greene (2006) measured received sound 
levels from a boomer with a source level of 188.8 dB re 1 
microParms in water depths 37- 48 m, both in the Alaskan 
Beaufort Sea. Based on the spherical spreading model, distances to 
which sound levels [gteqt]190, 180, and 160 dB re 1 microParms 
could be received from the boomer are 9, 28, and 280, respectively 
(Table 2).

[[Page 66599]]



 Table 2. Distances to which received sound levels [gteqt]190, 180, and 160 dB re 1 microParms were measured for
    two boomers in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea, and distances predicted by a spherical spreading model for those
                         sources and for the boomer to be used in the proposed surveys.
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                                                      Estimated Distance (m) at Received Levels
Boomer source level (dB re 1 micro -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Pa)                          190 dB                    180 dB                    160 dB
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203 (measured)                                          < 1                         2                        22
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203 (modeled)                                           4.5                        16                       140
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188.8 (measured)                                        0.9                       2.3                      14.6
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188.8 (modeled)                                           1                       2.7                      27.5
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209 (this survey, modeled)                                9                        28                       280
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Comments and Responses

    A notice of receipt of SIO's application and proposed IHA was 
published in the Federal Register on August 28, 2008 (73 FR 50760). 
During the 30-day comment period, NMFS received comments from the 
Marine Mammal Commission (MMC). Following are the comments from the MMC 
and NMFS' responses.
    Comment 1: The MMC recommends that the applicant be required to 
conduct all practicable monitoring and mitigation measures that 
reasonably can be expected to protect the potentially affected marine 
mammal species from serious injury.
    Response: NMFS agrees with this recommendation and has required the 
applicant to conduct all practicable monitoring and mitigation measures 
that can reasonably be expected to protect affected marine mammal 
species from serious injury. The IHA requires that marine mammal visual 
observers (MMVOs) on the Melville make observations for 30 minutes 
prior to all seismic source operations and record the following 
information when a marine mammal is sighted: (i) species, group size, 
and age/size/sex categories (if determinable); behavior when first 
sighted and after initial sighting; heading (if consistent), bearing, 
and distance from seismic vessel; sighting cue; apparent reaction to 
the seismic source or vessel (e.g., none, avoidance, approach, 
paralleling, etc.); and behavioral pace; and
    (ii) time, location, heading, speed, sea state, visibility, and sun 
glare- these data will also be recorded at the start and end of each 
observation watch, and during a watch whenever there is a change in one 
or more of the variables.
    The IHA also requires sufficient mitigation requirements, 
implemented by the NMFS approved MMVOs, to ensure that no marine mammal 
is killed or experiences serious injury, including mandatory shut downs 
and delay of operations (e.g., mandatory shut down if a marine mammal 
is seen within or approaching the safety radius). See Mitigation 
section (below) for a complete list of mitigation requirements under 
this IHA.
    Comment 2: The MMC recommends that operations be suspended 
immediately, pending review by NMFS, if a dead or seriously injured 
marine mammal is found in the vicinity of the operations and the death 
or injury could have occurred incidental to the seismic survey.
    Response: NMFS agrees with this recommendation. The IHA does not 
authorize Level A harassment to marine mammals (i.e., serious injury or 
mortality). In addition, a condition is included in the IHA which state 
that in the unanticipated event that any cases of marine mammal injury 
or mortality in the vicinity of the seismic operations are judged to 
result from these activities, SIO will cease operating seismic sources 
and report the incident to the Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 
immediately. Seismic operations will then be postponed until NMFS is 
able to review the circumstances and work with SIO to determine whether 
modifications in the activities are appropriate and necessary.

Description of Marine Mammals in the Activity Area

    A total of 32 marine mammal species are known to or may occur in 
the Santa Barbara Channel, including 18 odontocete species (dolphins 
and toothed whales), 8 mysticete species (baleen whales), 6 pinniped 
species (seals and sea lions), and the sea otter. Seven of the species 
that may occur in the project area are listed as endangered under the 
U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA): the Pacific right, blue, humpback, 
sei, fin, and sperm whale and the Steller sea lion. The sea otter is 
under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) 
and therefore is not considered further in this analysis. SIO requested 
and has been authorized to take 16 of the 32 marine mammals based on 
likelihood of encountering these species. This likelihood factor took 
into account temporal, spatial, and abundance data of each species, 
harassment radii, and specifics of the survey (e.g., survey design, 
seismic source specifications, etc.). The remaining 15 species under 
NMFS jurisdiction are not expected to be encountered during the survey 
and are not authorized to be taken.
    Species authorized to be harassed, their habitat and abundance in 
the project area, and the authorized take levels are outlined in Table 
3. Additional information regarding the status and distribution of the 
marine mammals in the area and how the densities were calculated was 
included in the notice of the proposed IHA (73 FR 50760, August 28, 
2007) and may be found in SIO's application.

[[Page 66600]]



     Table 3. Number of animals authorized to be taken, by species, in the IHA. Corresponding habitat and abundance of each species is also listed.
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                     Species                                               Habitat                                    Abundance          Authorized Take
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Humpback whale                                                           Mainly nearshore waters and banks                       >6000                2
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Fin whale                                                                            Slope, mostly pelagic               13,620-18,680                2
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Blue whale                                                                             Pelagic and coastal                        1186                2
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Sperm whale                                                                           Usually deep pelagic                      24,000                8
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Pygmy sperm whale                                                                    Deep waters off shelf                        N.A.                9
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Cuvier's beaked whale                                                                    Slope and pelagic                      20,000                1
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Offshore bottlenose dolphin                                                         Offshore, slope, shelf                        3257                3
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Coastal bottlenose dolphin                                                            Within 1 km of shore                         323   ...............
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Striped dolphin                                                                      Off continental shelf                   1,824,000                1
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Short-beaked common dolphin                                                    Shelf, pelagic, high relief                     487,622              591
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Long-beaked common dolphin                                                                                Coastal, high relief    1893               76
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Pacific white-sided dolphin                                                                Offshore, slope                     931,000               14
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Northern right whale dolphin                                                        Slope, offshore waters                      15,305                7
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Risso's dolphin                                                                    Shelf, slope, seamounts                      12,093                8
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Dall's porpoise                                                                     Shelf, slope, offshore                      57,549                4
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California sea lion                                                                                       Coastal, shelf       238,000               87
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Harbor seal                                                                                               Coastal               34,233               20
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Potential Effects on Marine Mammals

    The effects of sounds from airguns might include one or more of the 
following: avoidance, tolerance, masking of natural sounds, behavioral 
disturbances, and at least in theory, temporary or permanent hearing 
impairment, or non-auditory physical or physiological effects 
(Richardson et al., 1995; Gordon et al., 2004; Nowacek et al., 2007). 
However, for this survey, it is unlikely there would be any cases of 
hearing impairment or any significant non-auditory physical or 
physiological effects given the small size of the seismic sources and 
mitigation. Also, behavioral disturbance is expected to be limited to 
relatively short distances.
    SIO's application and NMFS' notice of the proposed IHA (73 FR 
50760, August 28, 2007) included a detailed discussion of the potential 
effects of sounds from the single airgun, boomer, and sparker on 
mysticetes, odontocetes, and pinnipeds, including tolerance, masking, 
behavioral disturbance, hearing impairment, and other non-auditory 
physical effects. Additional information on the behavioral reactions 
(or lack thereof) by marine mammals to seismic vessels can be found in 
SIO's application and in Appendix A of the accompanying EA.
    The notice of the proposed IHA also included a discussion of the 
potential effects of the MBES and SBP. Because of the narrow beam of 
the echosounder, directionality, and short pulse duration, NMFS 
believes it unlikely that marine mammals will be exposed to sound 
levels at or above those that have the potential to cause harassment 
from these sources. Further detail on impacts from these sources may be 
found in the proposed Federal Register notice and SIO's application.

Estimated Take by Incidental Harassment

    SIO's application and the notice of the proposed IHA (73 FR 50760, 
August 28, 2008) included an in-depth discussion of the methods used to 
calculate the densities of the marine mammals in the area of the 
seismic survey and the take estimates. A summary is included here.
    All anticipated takes authorized by this IHA are Level B harassment 
only. Take calculations were based on maximum exposure estimates (based 
on maximum density estimates) vs. best estimates and are based on the 
160-dB Level B harassment isopleth. Harassment distances for the airgun 
are from a full sized chamber; however, the applicant has indicated 
that most likely the chamber size will be reduced to 25 in\3\. In 
addition, the sparker has a lower source level than the boomer. 
Regardless, isopleth distances from the boomer will be used while the 
sparker is operating. Given these considerations, the predicted number 
of marine mammals that might be exposed to sounds at or above 160 dB is 
likely an overestimate.
    Numbers of animals authorized to be taken, by species, is outlined 
in Table 3. When compared to population estimates for each stock, take 
numbers for each species are considered small. For example, blue whale 
population abundance in the action area is 1,186 individuals and the 
applicant is requesting two animals to be taken. A complete list of 
abundance estimates for each species in outlined in Table 3 in the 
application.

Potential Effects on Habitat

    A detailed discussion of the potential effects of this action on 
marine mammal habitat, including physiological and behavioral effects 
on marine fish and

[[Page 66601]]

invertebrates, was included in the notice of the proposed IHA (73 FR 
50760, August 28, 2007) and can also be found in SIO's application and 
appendices in the accompanying EA. While impacts to fish and other 
marine mammal prey may occur, this is expected to be negligible given 
the short duration of the survey (approximately 12 days) and that a 
single low-energy airgun is being used. Seismic sound does not impact 
physical or chemical characteristics of the habitat (e.g., water 
temperature, nutrient availability, salinity). Therefore, the 
authorized operations are not expected to have any habitat-related 
effects that could cause significant or long-term consequences for 
individual marine mammals or their populations or stocks.

Monitoring

Vessel-based Visual Monitoring

    Vessel-based marine mammal visual observers (MMVOs) will be based 
on board the seismic source vessel, and they will watch for marine 
mammals and turtles near the vessel during seismic operations. MMVOs 
will also watch for marine mammals and turtles near the seismic vessel 
for at least 30 minutes prior to the start of seismic operations and 
after an extended shutdown. When feasible, MMVOs will also make 
observations during daytime periods when the seismic system is not 
operating for comparison of animal abundance and behavior. Based on 
MMVO observations, the seismic sources will be shut down when marine 
mammals are observed within or about to enter the designating safety 
zones.

Reporting

    MMVOs will record data to estimate the numbers of marine mammals 
exposed to various received sound levels and to document any apparent 
disturbance reactions or lack thereof. Data will be used to estimate 
the numbers of mammals potentially ``taken'' by harassment. They will 
also provide information needed to order a shutdown of the airgun, 
boomer, or sparker when marine mammals are within or near the 
corresponding safety radii. When a sighting is made, the following 
information about the sighting will be recorded:
    (1) Species, group size, age/size/sex categories (if determinable), 
behavior when first sighted and after initial sighting, heading (if 
consistent), bearing and distance from seismic vessel, sighting cue, 
apparent reaction to the airguns or vessel (e.g., none, avoidance, 
approach, paralleling, etc. and including responses to ramp-up), and 
behavioral pace.
    (2) Time, location, heading, speed, activity of the vessel 
(including number of airguns operating and whether in state or ramp-up, 
power-down, or full power), sea state, visibility, cloud cover, and sun 
glare.
    The data listed under (2) will also be recorded at the start and 
end of each observation watch and during a watch, whenever there is a 
change in one or more of the variables. A final report will be 
submitted to NMFS within 90 days after the end of the cruise. The 
report will describe the operations that were conducted and sightings 
of marine mammals near the operations. The report will provide full 
documentation of methods, results, and interpretation pertaining to all 
monitoring and will summarize the dates and locations of seismic 
operations, all marine mammal sightings (dates, times, locations, 
activities, associated seismic survey activities), and estimates of the 
amount and nature of potential ``take'' of marine mammals by harassment 
or in other ways. More information on reporting requirements can be 
found in the proposed IHA Federal Register notice.

Mitigation

    Mitigation and monitoring measures implemented for the Melville 
cruise have been developed and refined during previous seismic surveys 
funded by NSF. The mitigation and monitoring measures described herein 
represent a combination of the procedures required by past IHAs for 
other similar projects and on recommended best practices in Richardson 
et al. (1995), Pierson et al. (1998), and Weir and Dolman (2007). The 
measures are described in detail below.
    Mitigation measures include (1) vessel speed or course alteration, 
provided that doing so will not compromise operational safety 
requirements, (2) GI-airgun, boomer, or sparker shut down when a marine 
mammal is within or approaching the designated safety zones, and (3) 
delay starting seismic operations if a marine mammal is sighted within 
or approaching the safety zone; and (4) shut down at any range in the 
unlikely event that a North Pacific right whale is sighted. Two other 
standard mitigation measures airgun array power down and airgun array 
ramp up are not possible because only one, low-volume GI airgun, 
boomer, or sparker will be used for the surveys. Finally, avoidance of 
airgun operations over or near steep slopes or submarine canyons has 
become a standard mitigation measure, as these are places where beaked 
whales tend to concentrate. However, no such bathymetric features exist 
in the study area; therefore, this mitigation measure is not applicable 
to these surveys.

Speed or Course Alteration

    If a marine mammal is detected outside the safety zone but is 
likely to enter it based on relative movement of the vessel and the 
animal, then the vessel speed and/or course will be adjusted in the 
safest manner allowable to minimize the likelihood of the animal 
entering that zone. Major course and speed adjustments are often 
impractical when towing long seismic streamers and large source arrays, 
but, in this case, because only one small source and a short (450-m) 
streamer will be used, this mitigation measure is practicable to 
enforce.
    In addition, if concentrations of beaked whales are observed just 
prior to or during the airgun, boomer, or sparker operations, those 
operations will be moved to another location based on recommendations 
by the on-duty MMVO aboard the Melville.

Shut-down and Delay Requirements and Procedures

    If a marine mammal is detected outside the exclusion zones but is 
likely to enter the exclusion zone, and if the vessel's speed and/or 
course cannot be changed to avoid having the animal enter the exclusion 
zone, the seismic source will be shut down before the animal is within 
the exclusion zone. Likewise, if a mammal is already within the safety 
zone when first detected, the seismic source will be shut down 
immediately.
    Following a shut down, seismic activity will not resume until the 
marine mammal or turtle has cleared the safety zone. In addition, if a 
marine mammal is sighted within or approaching the safety zone before 
seismic operations commence, a delay shall occur until that animal has 
cleared the safety zone. The animal will be considered to have cleared 
the safety zone if it is visually observed to have left that zone; has 
not been seen within the zone for 15 min in the case of shallow diving 
odontocetes (i.e., dolphins, porpoise) and pinnipeds; or has not been 
seen within the zone for 30 min in the case of deeper diving cetaceans 
(i.e., mysticetes and large odontocetes, including sperm, pygmy sperm, 
and beaked whales).
    In the unanticipated event that any cases of marine mammal injury 
or mortality are judged to result from these activities, SIO will cease 
operating seismic airgun operation and report theincident to the Office 
of Protected Resources, NMFS, and the Southwest

[[Page 66602]]

Regional Administrator, NMFS, immediately. Seismic operations will then 
be postponed until NMFS is able to review the circumstances and work 
with SIO to determine whether modifications in the activities are 
appropriate and necessary.

Endangered Species Act (ESA)

    Pursuant to section 7 of the ESA, NSF has consulted with the NMFS, 
Office of Protected Resources, Endangered Species Division on this 
seismic survey. NMFS has also consulted internally pursuant to section 
7 of the ESA on the issuance of an IHA under section 101(a)(5)(D) of 
the MMPA for this activity. NMFS has issued a Biological Opinion 
(BiOp), which concluded that the proposed action and issuance of an IHA 
are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of blue, fin, 
humpback and sperm whales and green, leatherback, loggerhead, and olive 
ridley sea turtles. The BiOp also concluded that the proposed action 
would have no effect on critical habitat since none has been designated 
within the action area. An incidental take statement (ITS) has been 
issued for the take of blue, fin, humpback, and sperm whales and green, 
leatherback, loggerhead, and olive ridley sea turtles. Relevant Terms 
and Conditions of the ITS have been incorporated into the IHA.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

    NSF prepared an Environmental Assessment of a Marine Geophysical 
Survey by the R/V Melville in the Santa Barbara Channel, November 2008. 
NMFS has adopted NSF's EA and issued a Finding of No Significant Impact 
for the issuance of the IHA.

Determinations

    NMFS has determined that the impact of conducting a low-energy 
seismic survey in the Santa Barbara Channel in November may result, at 
worst, in a temporary modification in behavior (Level B Harassment) of 
small numbers of 14 species of cetaceans and 2 species of pinnipeds. 
This activity is expected to result in a negligible impact on the 
affected species or stocks. The provision requiring that the activity 
not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the 
affected species or stock for subsistence uses does not apply for this 
action.
    This negligible impact determination is supported by: (1) the 
likelihood that, given sufficient notice through relatively slow ship 
speed, marine mammals are expected to move away from a noise source 
that is annoying prior to it becoming potentially injurious; (2) during 
airgun use, marine mammals would have to be closer than 35 m (114 ft) 
in waters 100-1000 m (the water depth for this survey) from the vessel 
to be exposed to levels of sound (180 dB) believed to have even a 
minimal chance of causing TTS; (3) during boomer or sparker use, marine 
mammals would have to be closer than 28 m (91 ft) from the vessel to be 
exposed to levels of sound (180 dB) believed to have even a minimal 
chance of causing TTS; (4) the likelihood that marine mammal detection 
ability by trained observers is good at those distances from the 
vessel; and (5) the incorporation of other required mitigation measures 
(i.e., shutdown and delay requirements, vessel course and speed 
alterations). As a result, no take by injury or death is anticipated, 
and the potential for temporary or permanent hearing impairment will be 
avoided through the incorporation of the required mitigation measures.
    While the number of potential incidental harassment takes will 
depend on the distribution and abundance of marine mammals in the 
vicinity of the survey activity, the number of potential harassment 
takings is estimated to be a small percent of any of the estimated 
population sizes, and has been mitigated to ensure the least impact 
practicable through incorporation of the measures mentioned previously 
in this document. In addition, there will not be an unmitigable impact 
on subsistence uses because there are none in the action area.

Authorization

    As a result of these determinations, NMFS has issued an IHA to SIO 
for conducting a marine geophysical survey in the Santa Barbara 
Channel, November 2008, provided the previously mentioned mitigation, 
monitoring, and reporting requirements are incorporated.

    Dated: November 4, 2008.
James H. Lecky,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. E8-26721 Filed 11-7-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-S