[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 6, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39386-39388]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-16893]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RIN 0648-XA473]


Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals 
Incidental to the Port of Anchorage Marine Terminal Redevelopment 
Project

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of issuance of a Letter of Authorization.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as 
amended and implementing regulations, notification is hereby given that 
the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a Letter of 
Authorization (LOA) to the Port of Anchorage (POA) and the U.S. 
Department of Transportation Maritime Administration (MARAD), to take 
four species of marine mammals incidental to the POA's Marine Terminal 
Redevelopment Project (MTRP).

DATES: Effective July 15, 2011, through July 14, 2012.

ADDRESSES: The LOA and supporting documentation are available for 
review by writing to P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits, Conservation, 
and Education Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service (NMFS), 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 
20910-3225 or by telephoning one of the contacts listed below. 
Documents cited in this notice may be viewed, by appointment, during 
regular business hours, at the aforementioned address and at the Alaska 
Regional Office, 222 West 7th Avenue, Anchorage, AK 99513.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian D. Hopper, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, (301) 713-2289.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) directs 
the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) 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 if certain 
findings are made and regulations are issued. Under the MMPA, the term 
``take'' means to harass, hunt, capture, or kill or to attempt to 
harass, hunt, capture, or kill marine mammals.
    Authorization may be granted for periods up to 5 years if NMFS 
finds, after notification and opportunity for public comment, that the 
taking will have a negligible impact on the species or stock(s) of 
marine mammals and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the 
availability of the species or stock(s) for subsistence uses. In 
addition, NMFS must prescribe regulations that include permissible 
methods of taking and other means of effecting the least practicable 
adverse impact on the species and its habitat, paying particular 
attention to rookeries, mating grounds, and areas of similar 
significance, and on the availability of the species for subsistence 
uses. The regulations must include requirements for monitoring and 
reporting of such taking.

[[Page 39387]]

    Regulations governing the taking of Cook Inlet beluga whales 
(Delphinapterus leucas), harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), killer 
whales (Orcinus orca), and harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), by Level B 
harassment, incidental to in-water pile driving were issued on July 15, 
2009 (74 FR 35136), and remain in effect until July 14, 2014. These 
regulations may be found in 50 CFR Part 217 subpart U. For detailed 
information on this action, please refer to that document. These 
regulations include mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements 
for the incidental take of marine mammals during the specified 
activity.

Summary of Request

    On May 6, 2011, NMFS received a request for an LOA renewal pursuant 
to the aforementioned regulations that would authorize, for a period 
not to exceed 1 year, take of marine mammals, by Level B harassment 
only, incidental to the POA MTRP. In compliance with the 2010 LOA, POA 
and MARAD submitted an annual report on POA construction activities, 
covering the period of July 15 through December 31, 2010. The report 
also covers the period of January 1 through July 15, 2010, pursuant to 
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' reporting requirement under their 
permit issued under Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act and 
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. The report can be found on the NMFS 
Web site at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm.

Summary of Activity and Monitoring Under the 2010 LOA

    During the reporting period covered by the 2010 LOA, in-water 
construction activities were conducted in the North Extension Bulkhead. 
In-water construction and construction monitoring for the 2009 season 
ended on November 20, 2010, when ice formation and poor visibility 
impeded further activity. These activities were within the scope of 
those analyzed in the final rule and included in the 2010 LOA.

On-site POA Monitoring

    As required by the 2010 LOA, the POA and MARAD established safety 
and harassment zones at the project site, which were monitored for the 
presence of marine mammals before, during, and after in-water pile 
driving. If the applicable safety and harassment zones were not visible 
because of fog, poor light, darkness, sea state, or any other reason, 
in-water construction activities were shut down until the area was once 
again visible. From July 21 to November 20, 2010, 41 in-water pile 
driving shutdowns were documented due to marine mammal sightings. The 
peak month for shutdowns and delays during the 2010 construction season 
was September, when 20 shutdowns and 10 delays were recorded. Most of 
these occurred when marine mammals were sighted approaching or 
surfacing just inside the harassment zone.
    According to the POA's annual report, within the LOA reporting 
period (July 21-November 20, 2010), MMOs stationed at the POA recorded 
118 marine mammal sighting events in the general area totaling 746 
animals. The number of animals is typically greater than the number of 
sighting events because a single sighting event can (and often does) 
consist of multiple animals and animals such as beluga whales often 
travel in groups. There were 731 beluga whales (422 white, 224 gray, 
and 85 dark gray); 13 harbor seals; and 2 harbor porpoises. The number 
of reported whales sighted between July 21 and November 20, 2010 
includes repeated sightings of individuals during the course of the 
monitoring period.
    The highest number of sightings (44) and number of marine mammals 
sighted (265) occurred in September (261 of this number were beluga 
whales: 172 white; 59 gray; and 30 dark gray). The fewest number of 
sightings for a 30-day period were recorded in August, when 146 marine 
mammals were sighted. In general, beluga whales showed no observable 
reaction to pile driving. The only observable reaction which has been 
documented is beluga whale groups splitting momentarily on three 
occasions as they maneuver around barges or vessels. In-water pile 
driving has yet to begin this year, to date; therefore, no MMOs have 
been required at the POA in 2011.

Independent Scientific Monitoring

    POA regulations (50 CFR part 217 subpart U) stipulate that the POA 
and MARAD employ a scientific marine mammal monitoring team separate 
from the on-site MMOs to characterize beluga whale frequency, 
abundance, group composition, movements, behavior, and habitat use 
around the POA and observe, analyze, and document potential changes in 
behavior in response to in-water construction work. The POA and MARAD 
complied with this requirement by assembling a monitoring team from the 
Alaska Pacific University (APU) to implement a NMFS-approved scientific 
monitoring plan. The scientific marine mammal monitoring 2010 annual 
report was attached as an appendix to the annual report submitted by 
POA and MARAD. This report covers the period of June through November, 
2010 (ICRC, 2011). A summary of that report follows.
    The APU observers conducted scientific monitoring from the Cairn 
Point Station on Elmendorf Air Force Base, which directly overlooks the 
POA. For 87 days, from June 29 through November 19, 2010, trained 
graduate and undergraduate marine biology students conducted 
approximately 600 hours of scientific monitoring and documented 
approximately 115 beluga whales, comprising 42 groups traveling through 
the study area. Spatial distribution analysis indicates that 
approximately 21 percent of all groups sighted occurred within (n = 42) 
or adjacent to (n = 5) the MRTP footprint. There were significant 
differences in the number of whales observed across tidal stages 
(F8,45 = 2.94, p = .02). There were significant peaks in 
sightings during low (p = .01) and high (p = .03) flood tides and 
during high ebb tides (p = .03).
    Mean beluga whale group size was 2.7 plus or minus .35 individuals. 
Only three groups contained individuals identified as calves, and 
groups with calves were larger on average (4.3 plus or minus 1.2 
individuals) than those without. All three groups containing calves 
were sighted within or adjacent to the MTRP footprint. The number of 
beluga whales sighted, group size, and size of groups with calves in 
2010 decreased from those sighted in 2009; however, this difference was 
not considered significant. The APU team will continue to monitor and 
report on beluga whale abundance and the various parameters discussed 
here within lower Knik Arm for the duration of POA construction.
    In summary, the scientific monitoring team found that beluga whale 
habitat use, distribution and movements, and behavior during 2010 were 
consistent with previous years (2007-2009) with whales primarily 
traveling through the study area on the incoming and outgoing tides to 
and from likely foraging areas further up Knik Arm. Similar to accounts 
from the MMOs stationed at the POA, no observed behavioral changes 
(e.g., abrupt behavioral changes, rapid descents) or other indicators 
of response to in-water pile driving or other MTRP in-water 
construction activities were noted by the APU observers.

Take Summary for 2010 Construction Season

    During the 2010 LOA reporting period, the following numbers of 
marine mammals were identified as taken from in-water pile driving: 13 
beluga whales; 1 harbor seal; 0 harbor porpoises; and 0

[[Page 39388]]

killer whales. Of the 13 beluga whale takes recorded, 9 were in October 
and 4 were in November. The recorded takes occurred when marine mammals 
entered the Level B harassment zone (1,300 m from the point where 
vibratory pile driving takes place) during in-water (vibratory) pile 
driving. The number of animals, by species, taken under the 2010 LOA 
was within the amount authorized.
    As discussed in more detail below, the POA has implemented a robust 
monitoring and mitigation program to minimize harassment and avoid 
exposing animals to injurious levels of sound produced by pile driving. 
The POA has also developed a successful communication system between 
MMOs and engineers to shut down pile driving before whales enter into 
designated harassment zones, avoiding Level A take and minimizing Level 
B take.

Planned Activities, Mitigation and Monitoring for 2011

    During the 2011 construction season, the POA will be conducting two 
projects at the North End of the project site. The construction work 
includes: (1) Partial tail wall sheet pile removal at the Wet Barge 
Berth; and (2) limited inspection of tail walls at the North Extension. 
The work involves excavation of fill behind exiting sheet pile prior to 
removal or inspection. The excavation, tail wall removal, and 
inspection will be conducted out-of-water, inland of the bulkhead. 
Mobilization, rigging, and excavation began the week of May 9, 2011. At 
certain locations, barge-mounted heavy equipment will be required to 
excavate fill material. When the barge is in use, construction marine 
mammal monitoring will be conducted in accordance with existing permit 
requirements (see mitigation measure 8, below). It is anticipate that 
the barge work will commence in July.
    As stated in the regulations and LOA, take of marine mammals will 
be minimized through implementation of the following mitigation 
measures: (1) If a marine mammal is detected within or approaching the 
Level A or impact and vibratory pile driving Level B harassment 
isopleths (200 m, 350 m and 1,300 m, respectively) prior to in-water 
pile driving, operations shall be immediately delayed or suspended 
until the marine mammal moves outside these designated zones or the 
animal is not detected within 15 minutes of the last sighting; (2) if a 
marine mammal is detected within or approaching 200 m prior to 
chipping, this activity shall be immediately delayed or suspended until 
the marine mammal moves outside these designated zones or the animal is 
not detected within 15 minutes of the last sighting; (3) except in 
certain circumstances (see 8 below), after pile driving activities have 
commenced, suspension of in-water pile driving is encouraged, but not 
mandatory, when animals enter the Level B isopleths (350 m from the 
point where impact pile driving is taking place and 1,300 m from the 
point where vibratory pile driving takes place); (4) in-water impact 
pile driving shall not occur during the period from two hours before 
low tide until two hours after low tide; (5) in-water piles will be 
driven with a vibratory hammer to the maximum extent possible (i.e., 
until a desired depth is achieved or to refusal) prior to using an 
impact hammer; (6) in-water pile driving or chipping shall not occur 
when conditions restrict clear, visible detection of all waters within 
harassment zones; (7) a ``soft start'' technique shall be used at the 
beginning of each day's in-water pile driving activities or if pile 
driving has ceased for more than one hour to allow any marine mammal 
that may be in the immediate area to leave before pile driving reaches 
full energy; (8) if a group of more than 5 beluga whales or group with 
a calf is sighted within the Level B harassment isopleths, in-water 
pile driving shall be suspended; and (9) for operated in-water heavy 
machinery work other than pile driving or chipping (i.e., dredging, 
dump scowles, linetug boats used to move barges, barge mounted 
hydraulic excavators, or clamshell equipment used to place or remove 
material), if a marine mammal comes within 50 m, those operations will 
cease and vessels will reduce to the slowest speed practicable while 
still maintaining control of the vessel and safe working conditions.
    NMFS-approved marine mammal observers (MMOs) will be stationed at 
the port during all in-water pile driving and chipping and blasting 
associated with dock demolition, if it occurs. These observers will be 
responsible for documenting take, marine mammal behavior, and, if 
necessary, notifying the resident engineer when shut down is necessary. 
In addition, the POA and MARAD shall employ a scientific marine mammal 
monitoring team separate from the on-site MMOs to characterize beluga 
whale abundance, frequency, movements, behavior, group dynamics, and 
habitat use around the POA and observe, analyze, and document potential 
changes in behavior in response to in-water construction work. This 
monitoring team is not required to be present during all in-water pile 
driving operations but will be on-site 4 days per week, weather 
permitting. It is anticipated that Alaska Pacific University (APU) will 
begin the 2011 scientific marine mammal observation program in June. 
The on-site MMOs and this marine mammal monitoring team shall remain in 
contact to alert each other to marine mammal presence when both teams 
are working.
    The POA and MARAD shall submit monthly reports summarizing all in-
water construction activities and marine mammal sightings. In addition, 
an annual report shall be due sixty days before expiration of the LOA. 
This report shall summarize monthly reports and any apparent long or 
short term impacts the MTRP may be having on marine mammals. This LOA 
will be renewed annually based on review of the annual monitoring 
report.

Authorization

    The POA and MARAD have complied with the requirements of the 2010 
LOA, and NMFS has determined that marine mammal take during the 2010 
construction season is within the amount authorized. Accordingly, NMFS 
has issued a LOA to POA and MARAD authorizing take by harassment of 
marine mammals incidental to the marine terminal redevelopment project 
at the POA. Issuance of the 2011-2012 LOA is based on NMFS' review of 
the annual report submitted by the POA and MARAD, and determination 
that the observed impacts were within the scope of the analysis and 
authorization contained in the final rule and previously issued LOA. 
Specifically, NMFS found that the total taking of marine mammals, in 
consideration of the required mitigation, monitoring, and reporting 
measures, will have no more than a negligible impact on the affected 
species or stocks and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on 
their availability for taking for subsistence uses.

    Dated: June 28, 2011.
James H. Lecky,
Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-16893 Filed 7-5-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P