[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 109 (Tuesday, June 8, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32497-32502]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-13649]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR



Fish and Wildlife Service



[FWS-R7-FHC-2010-N067; 71490-1351-0000-L5-FY10]




Marine Mammals; Incidental Take During Specified Activities



AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.



ACTION: Notice of receipt of application and proposed incidental 

harassment authorization; request for comments.



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SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an 

application from the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public 

Facilities and the Aleutians East Borough for authorization to take 

small numbers of marine mammals by harassment incidental to the Akutan 

Airport's Airport Construction and Hovercraft Operation in Akutan and 

Unalaska, Alaska. In accordance with provisions of the Marine Mammal 

Protection Act of 1972 (MMPA), as amended, we request comments on our 

proposed authorization for the applicant to incidentally take, by 

harassment, small numbers of northern sea otters for a period of 1 

year, beginning May 1, 2010. We anticipate no take by injury or death 

and include none in this proposed authorization, which would be for 

take by harassment only.



DATES: Comments and information must be received by July 8, 2010.



ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:

    1. By mail to: Douglas Burn, Office of Marine Mammals Management, 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 

99503.

    2. By fax to: 907-786-3816.

    3. By electronic mail (e-mail) to: [email protected]. Please 

include your name and return address in your message. If you do not 

receive a confirmation from the system that we have received your 

message, contact us directly at the telephone numbers above.

    4. By hand-delivery to the above address.



FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request copies of the application, 

the list of references used in this notice, and other supporting 

materials, contact Douglas Burn at the address or telephone numbers in 

ADDRESSES, or by e-mail at [email protected].



SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 



Background



    Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA, as amended (16 U.S.C. 

1371 (a)(5)(A) and (D)), authorize the Secretary of the Interior 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, provided that we make certain findings and either 

issue regulations or, if the taking is limited to harassment, provide a 

notice of a proposed authorization to the public for review and 

comment.

    We may grant authorization to incidentally take marine mammals if 

we find that the taking will have a negligible impact on the species or 

stock(s), and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the 

availability of the species or stock(s) for subsistence uses. As part 

of the authorization process, we prescribe permissible methods of 

taking and other means of affecting the least practicable impact on the 

species or stock and its habitat, and requirements pertaining to the 

monitoring and reporting of such takings.

    The term ``take,'' as defined by the MMPA, means to harass, hunt, 

capture, or kill, or to attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill any 

marine mammal. Harassment, as defined by the MMPA, means ``any act of 

pursuit, torment, or annoyance which (i) has the potential to injure a 

marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild [the MMPA calls this 

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 [the MMPA calls 

this Level B harassment].''

    The terms ``small numbers,'' ``negligible impact,'' and 

``unmitigable adverse impact'' are defined in 50 CFR 18.27, the 

Service's regulations governing take of small numbers of marine mammals 

incidental to specified activities. ``Small numbers'' is defined as ``a 

portion of a marine mammal species or stock whose taking would have a 

negligible impact on that species or stock.'' ``Negligible impact'' is 

defined 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.'' ``Unmitigable adverse impact'' is defined 

as ``an impact resulting from the specified activity (1) that is likely 

to reduce the availability of the species to a level insufficient for a 

harvest to meet subsistence needs by (i) Causing the marine mammals to 

abandon or avoid hunting areas, (ii) directly displacing subsistence 

users, or (iii) placing physical barriers between the marine mammals 

and the subsistence hunters; and (2) that cannot be sufficiently 

mitigated by other measures to increase the availability of marine 

mammals to allow subsistence needs to be met.''

    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 where the take 

will be limited to harassment. Section 101(a)(5)(D)(iii) establishes a 

45-day time limit for Service 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, we must either issue or deny issuance of 

the authorization. We refer to these authorizations as Incidental 

Harassment Authorizations (IHAs).



Previous Federal Action



    On July 9, 2008, we received a joint application from the Alaska 

Department of Transportation and Public Facilities and the Aleutians 

East Borough (Applicants) for the taking by harassment of northern sea 

otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) incidental to the Akutan Airport, 

Alaska Airport Construction and Hovercraft Operation (Project). The 

request was published in the Federal Register on August 27, 2008 (73 FR 

50634). On November 10, 2008, the Service issued IHAs to the Applicants 

authorizing Level B harassment of northern sea otters for a period of 1 

year, the last date of which is April 30, 2010. Due to funding 

constraints, no construction activities or hovercraft operations have 

been conducted to date or will be conducted during the remainder of 

this period. Therefore no incidental take of sea otters occurred under 

the existing IHAs.



[[Page 32498]]



Summary of Request



    On January 25, 2010, we received a joint application from the 

Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities and the 

Aleutians East Borough (Applicants) to reissue the existing 

authorization for an additional 1-year period for the taking by 

harassment of northern sea otters incidental to the Project. The 

activities described in this joint application request are the same as 

those proposed in 2008. Therefore, if issued, the IHA will be basically 

the same.

    Under the proposed action, the Applicants would construct a new 

airport on the southwestern portion of Akun Island, which would serve 

the community of Akutan, approximately 7 miles to the west. Access to 

the Akun airport location would be provided by hovercraft from the 

community of Akutan to Surf Beach, which offers a protected landing 

area. Marine service by hovercraft between the community of Akutan and 

Surf Bay on Akun Island would satisfy passenger comfort and weather 

operability goals. When not in use, the hovercraft would be stored in a 

building at the head of Akutan Harbor. Staff would access the 

hovercraft storage area at the head of the harbor by traveling in a 

skiff. A 3,000-foot-long road would connect the hovercraft landing pad 

on Surf Beach to the runway located on the bench above the beach. A 

diesel bus would be used to transport passengers between the hovercraft 

and aircraft. The bus would be fueled on site and stored at the airport 

when not in use.

    A detailed description of the proposed action is contained in a 

Final Environmental Assessment (FEA) and Finding of No Significant 

Impact/Record of Decision (FONSI/ROD) prepared by the Applicants for 

the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and issued in December 2007 

(73 FR 4040; January 23, 2008). A Biological Opinion for the proposed 

Akutan Airport Project was issued by the Service in May 2007.



Description of the Activity



Akutan Airport, Alaska--Airport Construction and Hovercraft Operation



a. Timing of Construction and Hovercraft Operation

    Construction of the airport and related transportation of 

construction materials would commence in May 2010 and continue through 

the third quarter (between October and December) of 2012. Hovercraft 

testing could commence as early as the first quarter (between January 

and March) of 2010, with sustained operations commencing in the fourth 

quarter of 2012, after completion of construction.

b. Geographic Location of Action

    The community of Akutan is located on a small bay on Akutan Island 

in the eastern region of the Aleutian Islands (73 FR 50636). The city 

of Akutan has a population of about 741. The community is located 35 

miles east of Unalaska and 766 miles southwest of Anchorage. The 

proposed location for the new airport to serve the community of Akutan 

is on the southwestern portion of Akun Island, approximately 7 miles 

east of the community. The hovercraft route would run between the 

community of Akutan, across Akun Strait, to a landing site on the shore 

of Surf Bay on Akun Island.



Description of Habitat and Marine Mammals Affected by the Activity



    Three monthly surveys for sea otters were conducted in winter 

(January-March) 2006 as part of the field investigations for the Akun 

Alternative by HDR Alaska, Inc. in Akutan Harbor, Akun Strait, and Surf 

Bay along the proposed Akun airport hovercraft route. Sea otter numbers 

were highest in January (22), with declines in February (17), and by 

March, only 7 otters were observed. Preferred habitat appeared to 

include protected areas in Akutan Harbor near the community of Akutan 

and along nearshore habitats at Akun and Green Island. Most of the 

otters sighted were individuals, and only one female with a pup was 

observed during the winter surveys. A detailed description of the 

habitat, status, distribution, and seasonal distribution of northern 

sea otters is contained in the FEA, the Biological Assessment for the 

proposed IHA, and the Biological Opinion (FWS 2007) for the proposed 

Akutan Airport Project.

    Since issuance of the IHAs in November 2008, additional sea otter 

distribution information has become available (USGS 2008). Sea otter 

distribution remained consistent over the period of review, the years 

2004, 2006, and 2008. Areas around Green Island appear to support 

relatively large numbers of sea otters, suggesting that disturbances in 

this area should be minimized during construction and hovercraft 

operations.



Status and Distribution of Affected Species



    In North America, the northern sea otter is found along the coasts 

of Washington, British Columbia, and Alaska. Present distribution 

extends from the north coast of Washington State into the north 

Vancouver Island area of British Colombia. In Alaska, northern sea 

otters occur in the coastal waters from southeast Alaska to the 

Aleutian Island chain (Riedman and Estes 1990). Currently there are 

three population stocks of northern sea otters in Alaska. Since the 

mid-1980s, the southwest population stock has undergone an overall 55-

67 percent decline (Doroff et al. 2003; Burn et al. 2003; Burn and 

Doroff 2005; Estes et al. 2005; USFWS 2005). The animals found in the 

Aleutian Islands have experienced the greatest declines. More 

specifically, the population in the Rat Island group, located in the 

central Aleutian Island chain, declined by about 94 percent; aerial 

survey counts of the Rat Island group decreased from 270 in 1959 to 11 

in 2000 (Kenyon 1969; Doroff et al. 2003). The reasons for this decline 

are not well understood and are under investigation. Consequently, on 

August 9, 2005, the southwestern Alaska distinct population segment 

(DPS) of northern sea otters was listed as threatened under the 

Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 

seq.; 70 FR 46366). Critical habitat for this species was designated on 

October 8, 2009 and became effective on November 9, 2009 (74 FR 51988).



Potential Impacts of the Airport Construction and Hovercraft Operation 

on Sea Otters



    The proposed activities have the potential to disturb resting and 

foraging activities of sea otters, particularly in waters that are 

protected in the near shore habitat, which is used for resting, pup 

rearing, and foraging. The incremental effects of the hovercraft 

operation will be minimal in Akutan Harbor, which presently has 

considerable amounts of vessel traffic. In contrast, Surf Bay has 

relatively little vessel traffic. This fact may explain why surveys 

indicate that the majority of sea otters observed along the hovercraft 

route were in the proximity of Surf Bay. As a result, we expect most of 

the impacts from incidental harassment to occur in the Surf Bay area.

    The responses of marine mammals to airport construction and 

hovercraft operations vary among species. Sea otters have not been 

reported as particularly sensitive to sound and/or movement 

disturbance, especially in comparison to other marine mammals such as 

pinnipeds (U.S. Air Force and USFWS 1988; Efroymson and Suter 2001). 

However, observations of sea otters indicate their responses to 

disturbance are highly variable (A. Doroff, USFWS, pers. comm.). If any 

sea



[[Page 32499]]



otters are present during project operations, some of them may be 

temporarily disturbed by noise or hovercraft operating in the area. 

This could result in an otter entering the water from land and/or 

diving, which they do as part of their normal behavior pattern. The 

short-term displacement of any hauled-out animals that is likely to 

occur as a result of project noise and personnel is not anticipated to 

affect the overall fitness of any individual animal.



Potential Effects on Habitat



    Hovercraft landings would be constructed primarily in areas above 

the mean high tide line to minimize adverse effects on northern sea 

otters and their habitat. Surf Beach landing site construction will 

impact about 0.4 intertidal acres and about 0.01 subtidal acres. 

Construction at the head of Akutan Harbor will impact about 0.1 

intertidal acres and about 0.6 subtidal acres.



Potential Impacts on Subsistence Needs



    In the Aleutian Islands, rural residents use a variety of plant and 

animals resources for subsistence purposes. The MMPA provides for a 

subsistence take of marine mammals by Alaska Natives. Although northern 

sea otters are harvested for subsistence purposes in the Aleutians, 

information from the Service's marine mammal Marking, Tagging, and 

Reporting Program (MTRP) indicates that on average, less than one sea 

otter per year is harvested from Akutan. We do not anticipate that the 

project described in this application would have any adverse effect on 

subsistence uses or needs.



Mitigation Measures



    As described in correspondence between FAA and the Service (FAA 

2007; FWS 2007), the Applicants would be required to implement the 

following measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate the effects of the 

proposed action on northern sea otters:



a. A Hovercraft Shall Be Used To Transport Passengers to and From the 

Airport



    As described in the Biological Assessment, hovercrafts produce less 

wake and less underwater noise than other marine vessels. Peer-reviewed 

scientific literature concludes that a hovercraft is considerably 

quieter underwater than a similar-sized conventional vessel, and that 

hovercraft may be an attractive alternative to conventional vessels if 

underwater sounds cause concerns. In-air sound may constitute a source 

of disturbance for listed sea otters.



b. The Hovercraft Landings Shall Be Located To Minimize Impacts to 

Intertidal and Subtidal Areas



    Construction of hovercraft landings shall occur primarily in areas 

away from intertidal and subtidal areas to avoid adverse effects on 

northern sea otters and their habitat. Construction of the Surf Beach 

landing site would impact about 0.4 intertidal acres and about 0.01 

subtidal acres. Construction at the head of Akutan Harbor would impact 

about 0.1 intertidal acres and about 0.6 subtidal acres. Such 

construction is likely to be more environmentally sensitive than 

construction of fixed, in-water docks or other related facilities.



c. No Dredging or Pile Driving Is Anticipated During the Construction 

of the Hovercraft Landings



    Both dredging and pile driving have the potential to harass 

northern sea otters due to habitat or noise disturbance. We anticipate 

that the use of a hovercraft would avoid the need to construct in-water 

facilities such as moorings, piers, or docks that could require 

dredging or pile driving.



d. The Hovercraft Shall Be Operated According to a Route Operational 

Manual, Which Shall Require Avoidance of Sensitive Areas and Species



    The Applicants will be required to develop a Route Operational 

Manual in consultation with the Service. The purpose of the Route 

Operational Manual is to develop hovercraft routes and operational 

procedures that avoid and minimize the likelihood of northern sea otter 

disturbance. As described below, the Applicants propose to develop an 

initial Route Operational Manual to ensure initial hovercraft 

operations avoid adverse effects to listed northern sea otters and 

other protected marine mammals. The Route Operational Manual would 

require Service approval prior to initiation of hovercraft operation, 

and operator compliance with the Route Operational Manual will be 

required as a condition of airport design approval and Clean Water Act 

404 permit issuance.



e. All Fueling and Hovercraft Maintenance Activities Shall Be Conducted 

to the Maximum Extent Feasible at Least 100 Feet Away From Akutan 

Harbor and Surf Bay, and Fuel Storage Shall Be at Least 100 Feet Away 

From Akutan Harbor and Surf Bay



    Northern sea otters are susceptible to the adverse effects of 

oiling due to fuel spills because otters depend on their insulation of 

dense fur to keep warm. Otters likewise may ingest oil during grooming 

and feeding. To address this issue, the Applicants shall conduct all 

fueling activities at the maximum distance feasible (i.e., at least 100 

feet away from Akutan Harbor and Surf Bay). Fuel storage shall also 

occur at least 100 feet away from these locations. The Applicants shall 

comply with all applicable Federal and State fuel handling and storage 

requirements, further reducing the risk that any spill reaches 

sensitive northern sea otter habitat.



f. To Prevent Contamination, Hovercraft Maintenance Activities Shall 

Occur in the Hovercraft Storage Building or on the Hovercraft Landing



    As discussed above, sea otters are susceptible to the adverse 

effects of oiling due to fuel spills because otters depend on their 

insulation of dense fur to keep warm. Otters likewise may ingest oil or 

other compounds during grooming or feeding. To address the risk of 

spills or contamination associated with hovercraft maintenance, the 

Applicants shall conduct all maintenance activities either on 

hovercraft landing areas, above intertidal or subtidal areas or in the 

hovercraft storage building. The Applicants shall comply with all 

applicable Federal and State hazardous materials handling and storage 

requirements, further reducing the risk that any contamination reaches 

sensitive northern sea otter habitat.



g. Completion of an Initial Route Operational Manual Shall Be Expedited



    The Applicants shall expedite completion of an initial Route 

Operational Manual, which shall be developed in consultation with the 

Service prior to initial operation of the hovercraft. The Route 

Operational Manual will outline specific, detailed procedures to avoid 

and minimize impacts to sea otters. The Route Operational Manual shall 

identify hovercraft routes and provide a clearly written protocol that 

all hovercraft operators will be required to follow during initial 

hovercraft operations. The Applicants shall submit a draft initial 

Route Operation Manual to the Service for review and approval at least 

30 days prior to commencing hovercraft trials during the spring of 

2010.

    During Route Operational Manual development, the Applicants will 

consult with the hovercraft manufacturer to ensure that hovercraft 

operations occur in the most environmentally sensitive manner possible. 

Through these discussions, the parties and the manufacturer may



[[Page 32500]]



identify additional, cost-effective measures to further reduce vessel 

noise.



h. Northern Sea Otter Avoidance Areas Shall Be Established



    The Applicants shall identify northern sea otter avoidance areas in 

consultation with the Service. These avoidance areas will serve to help 

delineate areas of likely northern sea otter occurrence to allow for 

their avoidance. Avoidance areas will be established through the use of 

preconstruction survey data collected by the Applicants in 2006.



i. Hovercraft Speed and Course Shall Be Altered



    If a northern sea otter is observed within a set distance (e.g., a 

minimum of 1,200 feet) of the hovercraft (distances to be determined 

based on consultation with the Service) and based on the otter's 

position and the otter's relative course of travel the otter is likely 

to approach the hovercraft, the hovercraft's speed or course shall, 

when practicable and safe, be changed to avoid impacts to the species. 

Northern sea otter activities and movements relative to the hovercraft 

will be closely monitored to ensure that an animal does not (1) travel 

within a set distance (e.g., a minimum of 600 feet) of a departing 

hovercraft or (2) travel within a set distance (e.g., a minimum of 300 

feet) of an approaching hovercraft (the ``potential disturbance area'' 

or ``PDA''). If either of these events occurs, further mitigation 

measures must be taken (e.g., further course alterations or power 

down).



j. Power-Down Procedures Shall Be Used



    A power down involves decreasing the speed of the hovercraft to 

avoid interactions with, and potential disturbance of, northern sea 

otters. If a northern sea otter is detected (1) within a set distance 

(e.g., a minimum of 600 feet) of a departing hovercraft or (2) within a 

set distance (e.g., a minimum of 300 feet) of an approaching 

hovercraft, and the vessel's course or speed shall, consistent with 

applicable design and operational requirements, decrease its speed to 

the slowest practicable speed before the animal enters the PDA. Power-

down procedures shall be developed in consultation with the hovercraft 

manufacturer and the Service to ensure procedures are safe and within 

the operating parameters of the hovercraft.



k. Ramp-Up Procedures Shall Be Used



    ``Ramp-up'' procedures shall be implemented when starting up the 

hovercraft, to provide additional protection to northern sea otters 

located near hovercraft landing areas. These procedures will allow 

individual animals to vacate the area to reduce the risk of injury, and 

to further reduce the risk of potentially startling sea otters with a 

sudden intensive sound. Ramp-up shall occur such that the sound 

associated with hovercraft operations will increase at a rate of about 

6 dB per 5 minutes. The Applicants shall confer with the hovercraft 

manufacturer to develop ramp-up procedures consistent with this 

guideline.



l. Low-Light Operations Shall Be Utilized



    The Applicants shall work with the Service to develop night-time or 

low-light operating procedures to avoid and minimize impacts to 

northern sea otters and other species.



Findings



    We propose the following findings regarding this action:



Small Numbers Determination and Estimated Take by Incidental Harassment



    For small take analysis, the statute and legislative history do not 

expressly require a specific type of numbers analysis, leaving the 

determination of ``small'' to the agency's discretion. Factors 

considered in our small numbers determination include:

    (1) The number of northern sea otters inhabiting the waters in the 

impact area is expected to be small relative to the size of the 

southwest Alaska population stock. Skiff-based surveys conducted in 

2006 recorded up to 22 otters in proximity to the proposed hovercraft 

route. The current estimate for the size of the southwest Alaska 

population stock is approximately 48,000 individuals (USFWS 2008). The 

number of northern sea otters that could potentially be taken by 

harassment in association with the proposed activity is less than 0.05 

percent of the estimated population size.

    (2) The area where the activity would occur is small relative to 

the range of the southwest Alaska population stock of sea otters. Surf 

Bay on Akun Island is approximately 7 km in length. The southwest 

Alaska population stock ranges from Attu Island in the west to lower 

Cook Inlet in the east, a distance of more than 2,700 km. Therefore, 

Surf Bay comprises less than 0.3 percent of the total range in linear 

km of the southwest Alaska population stock of the northern sea otter.

    (3) The area where the activity would occur will impact a 

relatively small fraction of the habitat of the southwest Alaska 

population stock of sea otters. As sea otters typically inhabit 

nearshore marine areas, shoreline length is a readily available metric 

that can be used to quantify sea otter habitat. The total length of 

shoreline within the range of the southwest Alaska stock of northern 

sea otters is approximately 19,531 km. By comparison, the shoreline of 

Surf Bay is approximately 7 km in length, which is less than 0.04 

percent of the total available habitat.

    (4) Monitoring requirements and mitigation measures are expected to 

significantly limit the number of incidental takes. Monitoring 

information collected during initial hovercraft operations will provide 

the Service and the Applicants with more current information about sea 

otter distribution and abundance at Surf Bay on Akun Island. In the 

event that larger numbers of sea otters than have previously been 

observed are encountered at consistent locations, the Route Operational 

Manual will be required to be revised to minimize incidents of 

harassment.



Negligible Impact



    The Service finds that any incidental take by harassment that is 

reasonably likely to result from the proposed project would not 

adversely affect the southwest Alaska stock of northern sea otters 

through effects on rates of recruitment or survival, and would, 

therefore, have no more than a negligible impact on the stock. In 

making this finding, we considered the best available scientific 

information, including: (1) The biological and behavioral 

characteristics of the species; (2) the most recent information on 

distribution and abundance of sea otters within the area of the 

proposed activity; (3) the potential sources of disturbance during the 

proposed activity; and (4) the potential response of northern sea 

otters to disturbance.

    The mitigation measures outlined above are intended to minimize the 

number of sea otters that may be disturbed by the proposed activity. 

Any impacts to individuals are expected to be limited to Level B 

harassment of short-term duration. Response of sea otters to 

disturbance would most likely be common behaviors such as diving and/or 

swimming away from the source of the disturbance. No take by injury or 

death is anticipated. We find that the anticipated harassment caused by 

the proposed activities is not expected to adversely affect the species 

or stock through effects on annual rate of recruitment or survival.

    Our finding of negligible impact applies to incidental take 

associated



[[Page 32501]]



with the proposed activity as mitigated through this authorization 

process. This authorization establishes monitoring and reporting 

requirements to evaluate the potential impacts of the authorized 

activities, as well as mitigation measures designed to minimize 

interactions with, and impacts to, northern sea otters.



Impact on Subsistence



    We find that the anticipated harassment caused by the project would 

not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of northern 

sea otters for taking for subsistence uses during the period of the 

activity. In making this finding, we considered the timing and location 

of the project and subsistence harvest patterns, as reported through 

the MTRP, in the proposed project area.



Marine Mammal Monitoring



    The applicant would be required to conduct marine mammal monitoring 

during the Airport Construction and Hovercraft Operation, in order to 

implement the mitigation measures that require real-time monitoring, 

and to satisfy monitoring required under the MMPA. Project personnel 

would be required to record information regarding location and behavior 

of all sea otters observed during operations. When conditions permit, 

information regarding age (pup, adult) and any tagged animals would 

also be required to be recorded. The Applicants also propose to form an 

Akutan marine mammal working group in coordination with the City of 

Akutan, the Aleutians East Borough, the Service, and NMFS. This working 

group would consist of representatives from affected native 

organizations, the City of Akutan, the FAA, and the Services. The 

working group would provide a forum to discuss hovercraft monitoring 

results and other issues pertaining to airport operations and northern 

sea otter conservation.

    The working group shall discuss, among other things: (1) Any 

proposed changes in hovercraft operations to provide both the FAA and 

the Service with community perspectives on airport operations, (2) 

monitoring frequency and duration based upon monitoring results and 

related factors, and (3) completion of peer reviews for reports that 

evaluate and interpret monitoring data. The Applicants will coordinate 

the formation of the working group, and will be responsible for 

organizing meeting agendas, establishing meeting locations, and 

facilitating community involvement at such meetings. Working group 

meetings shall commence within 60 days after FAA's approval of airport 

construction, and shall occur on a quarterly basis for a minimum of 5 

years after hovercraft operations commence.



Monitoring and Reporting



    The Applicants shall implement the following monitoring and 

reporting program to increase knowledge regarding the species, and to 

assess the level of take caused by the proposed action:



a. Vessel-Based (Hovercraft) Monitoring During Initial Trial Operations



    All hovercraft activities conducted prior to the construction of 

the airport and commencement of flight service will be considered 

``trial operations.'' Vessel-based monitoring will be conducted by a 

qualified Service-approved observer. Vessel-based monitoring is 

distinguished from other forms of monitoring in that it will be 

conducted from the hovercraft itself, as opposed to from other 

platforms (e.g., land, skiff). Methods for observing, estimating 

distances to northern sea otters and other marine species, and 

recording data quickly and accurately will be tested prior to 

hovercraft operations at Akutan. Reticle binoculars (e.g., 7 x 50 

Bushnell or equivalent) and laser range finders (Leica LRF 1200 laser 

range finder or equivalent) are considered standard equipment for 

observers on board ships with marine mammal observers. Final 

observation methods will be approved by the Service.

    Vessel-based observers will begin monitoring at least 30 minutes 

prior to the planned start of the hovercraft and during all periods of 

hovercraft operations to ensure the effectiveness of ramp-up as a 

mitigation measure. Observers will also monitor the safety areas prior 

to hovercraft operation. If northern sea otters are observed within the 

safety areas, hovercraft operations will be altered in accordance with 

procedures contained in the Route Operational Manual to avoid or 

minimize noise-related disturbance to animals occurring in the area.

    Data for each northern sea otter, other marine mammals, and 

Steller's eiders observed in the action area during the period of 

hovercraft operations will be collected and provided to the Service in 

GIS format for mapping and analysis. Numbers of northern sea otters 

observed, frequency of observation, sea state, any behavioral changes 

due to hovercraft operations, and other pertinent variables will be 

recorded and entered into a custom database using a notebook computer. 

The accuracy of the data entry will be verified by computerized 

validity data checks as the data are entered, and by subsequent manual 

checking of the database. These procedures will allow initial summaries 

of data to be prepared during and shortly after the field program, and 

will facilitate transfer of the data to statistical, graphical, or 

other programs for additional processing and archiving.

    Results from the vessel-based observations will provide: (1) A 

basis for real-time mitigation; (2) information needed to estimate the 

number of northern sea otters that are determined to have been 

harassed; (3) data on the occurrence, distribution, and activities of 

marine mammals in the area where hovercraft operations are conducted; 

and (4) data on the behavior and movement patterns of northern sea 

otters seen at times with and without hovercraft activity.



b. Baseline Skiff Surveys



    The Applicants will conduct baseline skiff surveys in April of the 

year that construction begins. These surveys will document pre-activity 

distribution and abundance of sea otters in the project area prior to 

the start of construction. A minimum of three skiff-based line transect 

surveys will be conducted during each survey event. Additionally, a 

survey event will be conducted each April during the construction phase 

of the project and the April after construction is completed to 

document distribution and abundance after each construction year. 

Surveys will be conducted from a skiff or vessel and will encompass 

marine waters from a depth of 40 meters to mean high tide.



c. Reporting



    Reports on vessel- and land-based activities during construction 

and vessel-based monitoring will be faxed or e-mailed to the Service on 

a regular basis. Reports will describe hovercraft operations and 

construction activities, and northern sea otter monitoring activities 

during the reporting period. Frequency and specific content of reports 

will be determined based on consultation with the Service.



Endangered Species Act



    The proposed activity will occur within the range of the southwest 

Alaska DPS of the northern sea otter, which is presently listed as 

threatened under the ESA, as amended. The FAA and the Service's 

Anchorage Fish and Wildlife Field Office in Anchorage, Alaska, had 

consulted under Section 7 of the ESA, and concluded that the proposed 

activity will not jeopardize the southwest Alaska DPS of the northern 

sea otter. However, at the time the consultation occurred, critical 

habitat had not been designated. Therefore, we



[[Page 32502]]



are reinitiating consultation with the Applicants to take into 

consideration the rescheduled project dates and potential impacts to 

critical habitat. We will also reinitiate and complete intra-Service 

section 7 consultation prior to finalization of the IHA, which will 

include consideration of the new dates and potential impacts to 

critical habitat.



National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)



    The applicant provided an FEA on the project. The Service finds 

that this FEA meets NEPA standards for analyzing the effects of the 

issuance of this IHA. To obtain a copy of the FEA, contact the 

individual identified in the ADDRESSES section.



Government-to-Government Relations With Native American Tribal 

Governments



    In accordance with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994, 

``Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal 

Governments'' (59 FR 22951), Executive Order 13175, Secretarial Order 

3225, and the Department of the Interior's manual at 512 DM 2, we 

readily acknowledge our responsibility to communicate meaningfully with 

federally recognized Tribes on a Government-to-Government basis. On 

July 24, 2008, we contacted the Native Village of Akutan to offer 

Government-to-Government consultation on this project. The Tribal 

Administrator declined the offer, stating that their Tribe fully 

supports the development of an airport on Akun Island.



Proposed Authorization



    The Service proposes to issue an IHA for small numbers of northern 

sea otters harassed incidentally by the Applicants while conducting the 

Akutan Airport, Alaska, Airport Construction and Hovercraft Operation. 

The final IHA would specify the starting date and ending date (1 year 

later) for the authorization. Authorization for incidental take beyond 

the period specified in the final IHA will require a request for 

renewal.

    The final IHA would also incorporate the mitigation, monitoring, 

and reporting requirements discussed in this proposal. The Applicants 

will be responsible for following those requirements. These 

authorizations do not allow the intentional taking of northern sea 

otters.

    If the level of activity exceeds that described by the Applicants, 

or the level or nature of take exceeds those projected here, the 

Service will reevaluate its findings. The Secretary may modify, 

suspend, or revoke an authorization if the findings are not accurate or 

the conditions described herein are not being met.



Request for Public Comments



    The Service requests interested persons to submit comments and 

information concerning this proposed IHA. Consistent with section 

101(a)(5)(D)(iii) of the MMPA, we are opening the comment period on 

this proposed authorization for 30 days (see ADDRESSES).

    Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or 

other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 

aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying 

information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 

ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 

information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 

able to do so.



    Dated: May 25, 2010.

Gary Edwards,

Acting Regional Director, Alaska Region.

[FR Doc. 2010-13649 Filed 6-7-10; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310-55-P