[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 248 (Tuesday, December 27, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80891-80901]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-33167]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XA408


Small Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; 
Cape Wind's High Resolution Survey in Nantucket Sound, MA

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

ACTION: Notice; issuance of an incidental harassment authorization.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), 
notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued an Incidental 
Harassment Authorization (IHA) to Cape Wind Associates (CWA) to take 
marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to pre-construction high 
resolution survey activities in Nantucket Sound.

DATES: Effective January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2012.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the IHA and application are available by writing 
to Michael Payne, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.
    An electronic copy of the application containing a list of 
references used in this document may be obtained by writing to the 
above address, telephoning the contact listed here (see FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT), or visiting the Internet at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm#applications. NMFS prepared 
its own Environmental Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant 
Impact (FONSI), which are available at the same Internet address. 
Documents cited in this notice may be viewed, by appointment, during 
regular business hours, at the aforementioned address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Magliocca, Office of 
Protected Resources, NMFS, (301) 427-8401.

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 small numbers of marine 
mammals by U.S. citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than 
commercial fishing) within a specific 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 for incidental takings 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. 
Section 101(a)(5)(D) establishes a 45-day time limit for NMFS to review 
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 issue or deny the authorization.
    Except with respect to certain activities not pertinent here, the 
MMPA 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].

[[Page 80892]]

Summary of Request

    On April 26, 2011, NMFS received an application from CWA requesting 
an IHA for the take, by Level B harassment, of small numbers of minke 
whales, Atlantic white-sided dolphins, harbor porpoises, gray seals, 
and harbor seals, incidental to conducting a high resolution 
geophysical survey in Nantucket Sound. Upon receipt of additional 
information, NMFS determined the application adequate and complete on 
August 5, 2011.
    CWA plans to conduct a high resolution geophysical survey in 
Nantucket Sound, Massachusetts over a 5-month period. The survey would 
satisfy the mitigation and monitoring requirements for ``cultural 
resources and geology'' in the environmental stipulations of the Bureau 
of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement's (BOEMRE) 
lease. The survey is required prior to the future installation of 130 
wind turbine generators as part of a long-term Cape Wind energy 
project.
    Acoustic stimuli (i.e., increased underwater sound) generated 
during operation of the shallow-penetration and medium-penetration 
subbottom profilers may have the potential to cause short-term 
behavioral disturbance for marine mammals in the survey area. This is 
the principal means of marine mammal taking associated with these 
activities and CWA has requested an authorization to take five species 
of marine mammals by Level B harassment. Take is not expected to result 
from the geotechnical portion of the survey or from other survey 
equipment. Also, NMFS does not expect take to result from collision 
with survey vessels because they will be moving at relatively slow 
speeds (3 knots) during seismic acquisition and there is not a high 
density of marine mammals within Nantucket Sound. It is likely that any 
marine mammal in the vicinity would be able to avoid the vessel.

Description of the Specified Activity

    CWA's high resolution geophysical survey is scheduled to commence 
in January, 2012 and continue during daylight hours for 137 days. Some 
deviation from this timeline is possible, depending on logistics and 
weather conditions. NMFS is issuing an authorization that extends from 
January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2012.
    Within this time period, CWA will collect data along predetermined 
track lines using a towed array of instrumentation to identify any 
submerged cultural resources that may be present and to further 
describe the geological environment within the survey area. Survey 
vessels are expected to depart from Falmouth Harbor, Massachusetts and 
will complete an estimated 17 Nautical miles (Nm) of track lines each 
day. In total, the survey is expected to cover 110 square kilometers 
(km\2\) (42.5 square miles [mi\2\]). This area includes the future 
location of the wind turbine generators--an area about 8.4 km (5.2 mi) 
from Point Gammon, 17.7 km (11 mi) from Nantucket Island, and 8.9 km 
(5.5 mi) from Martha's Vineyard--and cables connecting the wind park to 
the mainland. The total track line distance covered during the survey 
is estimated to be about 4,292 km (2,317 NM).
    NMFS expects that acoustic stimuli resulting from the operation of 
the shallow-penetration and medium-penetration subbottom profilers have 
the potential to harass marine mammals. NMFS expects these disturbances 
to be temporary and result in short-term behavioral modifications and/
or low-level physiological effects (Level B harassment only) of small 
numbers of certain species of marine mammals. The serious injury or 
mortality of marine mammals is not expected to occur, nor authorized, 
incidental to survey activities.
    NMFS further outlined the purpose and details of the survey in a 
previous notice for the proposed IHA (76 FR 56735, September 14, 2011). 
The activities to be conducted have not changed between the IHA notice 
and this final notice announcing the issuance of the IHA. For a more 
detailed description of the authorized action, including vessel and 
acoustic source specifications, the reader should refer to the proposed 
IHA notice (76 FR 56735, September 14, 2011), the application, and 
associated documents referenced above this section.

Comments and Responses

    A proposed authorization and request for public comments was 
published in the Federal Register on September 14, 2011 (76 FR 56735). 
During the 30-day public comment period, NMFS received more than 80 
comments from the general public, in addition to comments from the 
Marine Mammal Commission (Commission), the Alliance to Protect 
Nantucket Sound (Alliance; in conjunction with the Public Employees for 
Environmental Responsibility, Lower Laguna Madre Foundation, Cetacean 
Society International, Pegasus Foundation, Oceans Public Trust 
Initiative, and a private citizen), the Humane Society of the United 
States (HSUS), the Tribal Historic Preservation Department of the 
Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) (WTGH(A)), the Oceans Public 
Trust Initiative (OPTI), and a joint letter from the Gloucester 
Fishermen's Wives Association, Hyannis Yacht Club, Institute for 
Fisheries Resources, Oceans Public Trust Initiative, A Project of Earth 
Island Institute's International Marine Mammal Project, Pegasus 
Foundation, Save Our Sound/Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound, and 
Three Bays Preservation (Gloucester Fishermen's Wives Association, et 
al.). Numerous members of the public commented on their general 
opposition toward the long-term Cape Wind energy project. All comments 
have been compiled and posted at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm#applications. Some comments were specific to the 
application, but do not have a bearing on NMFS' determinations for 
issuing an IHA. For example, the Alliance pointed out an inaccurate 
statement within a footnote of the application. Those comments have 
been passed on to CWA for consideration in future IHA applications. Any 
application-specific comments that address the statutory and regulatory 
requirements or findings NMFS must make to issue an IHA are addressed 
in this section of the Federal Register notice.
    Comment 1: The Commission requested further justification for the 
use of 17 log R to calculate harassment zones for both shallow- and 
medium-penetration sub-bottom profilers and the Alliance believes that 
the 17 log R spreading rate should be validated.
    Response: The use of 17 log R (loss of about 5.1 dB per doubling of 
distance) represents a middle-ground between spherical spreading (loss 
of 6 dB per doubling of distance) and practical spreading (loss of 4.5 
dB per doubling of distance). While NMFS often uses 15 log R as an easy 
intermediate (between 10 log R and 20 log R), it is simply an estimate. 
Underwater sound source data collected at the Utgrunden Wind Park (a 
location with similar water depths to Nantucket Sound) shows a decrease 
in sound with distance that fits the attenuation curve for spherical 
spreading (20 log R). Based on this dataset from an area with water 
depths similar to Nantucket Sound, the use of 17 log R is considered a 
conservative estimate.
    However, based on the Alliance's recommendation, CWA has agreed to 
conduct hydroacoustic monitoring during the initial deployment of the 
survey equipment in order to verify the estimated 160 and 180 dB 
isopleths.
    Comment 2: The Commission requested that NMFS require CWA to 
recalculate the buffer zone for the

[[Page 80893]]

shallow-penetration sub-bottom profiler based on the 120-dB threshold 
and, if two or more survey vessels are used simultaneously, account for 
overlap of the ensonified areas in the calculation of the revised 
buffer zones.
    Response: Recalculating the buffer zone for the shallow-penetration 
sub-bottom profiler based on a 120-dB threshold is not consistent with 
NMFS' acoustic threshold criteria, or with previously authorized 
activities. The shallow-penetration sub-bottom profiler (``chirper'') 
is a non-impulsive, but intermittent (as opposed to continuous), sound 
source. Continuous sound sources are best represented by vibratory pile 
driving or drilling and produce sounds that are quite different sound 
sources compared to sub-bottom profilers. NMFS has previously applied 
the 160-dB threshold to non-tactical sonar sources used in conjunction 
with seismic surveys. The pseudo-random noise stimulus and tactical 
sonar-like signals that were used in the SOCAL-10 behavioral response 
study are also considered non-impulsive intermittent sources and were 
authorized by NMFS using the 160-dB threshold. NMFS believes that the 
160-dB threshold is appropriately applied to the shallow-penetration 
sub-bottom profiler and there is no need for CWA to recalculate their 
buffer zone.
    If CWA uses two or more vessels to conduct survey activities, the 
vessels will work at least 15 miles apart. Therefore, there will be no 
overlap of sounds generated by the vessels.
    Comment 3: The Commission requested that NMFS require CWA to 
specify the zone of exposure used to estimate the number of takes for 
each species and ensure that the zone is used consistently for all 
species.
    Response: CWA calculated the zone of exposure as a function of the 
distance a survey vessel with a deployed boomer would travel in one 
survey day and the area around the boomer where sound levels would 
reach or exceed 160 dB. Essentially, the zone of exposure is equivalent 
to the 160-dB isopleth for the boomer: 444 m (1,457 ft). This distance 
was applied consistently to all marine mammal species.
    Comment 4: The Commission requested that CWA re-estimate the number 
of takes for each species to address the following: (1) The revised 
harassment zone for the shallow-penetration sub-bottom profiler; (2) 
the possibility that buffer zones from two or more vessels would 
overlap; and (3) the recalculation of density estimates based on haul 
out counts.
    Response: (1) As explained in NMFS' response to Comment 2, there is 
no reason to recalculate the harassment zone for the shallow-
penetration sub-bottom profiler. (2) Also explained in NMFS' response 
to Comment 2, buffer zones from two or more vessels would not overlap. 
Therefore, the use of two or more vessels would not affect take 
estimates. (3) Density estimates for seals based on haul out counts 
were not used due to the distance of haul outs from the activity area 
(12.7 miles to Monomoy Island and 7.4 miles to Muskeget Island). Grey 
seals and harbor seals congregating in these locations are not expected 
to hear sounds from the survey equipment at 160 dB or higher. The seals 
most likely to be exposed to potentially disturbing sounds are the 
individuals swimming and/or foraging within 444 m of the activated 
medium-penetration subbottom profiler. CWA calculated seal density 
estimates based on aerial survey counts for seals observed swimming 
and/or foraging in open water within the activity area. CWA included an 
adjustment factor in these density calculations for seals not seen, but 
considered present during aerial surveys. Seal density estimates were 
not based on seal haul out counts because it is highly improbable that 
all seals (i.e., those seen swimming and/or foraging, as well as those 
found at the haul out sites) would be in the activity area 
simultaneously. Using the haul out counts to estimate take would 
misrepresent the number of seals potentially exposed to sounds at or 
above 160 dB.
    Comment 5: The Commission requested that NMFS require CWA to 
monitor the presence and behavior of marine mammals during all proposed 
geophysical and geotechnical survey activities (i.e., operation of sub-
bottom profilers, drilling, and vibracore sampling).
    Response: As stated in the proposed IHA Federal Register notice (76 
FR 56735), CWA must designate at least one biologically-trained on-site 
protected species observer (PSO), approved in advance by NMFS to 
monitor the area for marine mammals 60 minutes before, during, and 60 
minutes after all geophysical survey activities. The PSO will call for 
shut down if any marine mammal is observed within or approaching the 
designated 500-m exclusion zone, a distance that exceeds even the Level 
B harassment zone. Additional PSOs will be used to monitor marine 
mammal presence and behavior twice a week from the survey vessel and 
once a month from an additional vessel. NMFS believes that geotechnical 
survey activities are not likely to result in the take of marine 
mammals. Underwater sound levels from drill rigs are estimated to be 
within 118 and 145 dB at the source and the maximum estimated sound 
level of 145 dB during drilling activities is expected to decrease to 
101.5 dB by 150 m. Additionally, monitoring during geotechnical 
activities is not financially practicable for the applicant.
    Comment 6: The Commission requested that NMFS require PSOs to 
gather the necessary data and work with CWA and other applicants to 
assess the effectiveness of soft-starts as a mitigation measure.
    Response: The IHA requires that PSOs make observations for 60 
minutes prior to commencing surveys (including soft-starts), during 
surveys, and for 60 minutes after surveys end. PSOs will record the 
following information when a marine mammal is sighted:
    (i) Dates, times, locations, heading, speed, weather, sea 
conditions (including Beaufort sea state and wind force), and 
associated activities during all survey operations and marine mammal 
sightings;
    (ii) Species, number, location, distance from the vessel, and 
behavior of any marine mammals, as well as associated survey activity 
(number of shut-downs or delays), observed throughout all monitoring 
activities;
    (iii) An estimate of the number (by species) of marine mammals 
that: (A) are known to have been exposed to the survey activity (based 
on visual observation) at received levels greater than or equal to 160 
dB re 1 [mu]Pa (rms) and/or 180 dB re 1 [mu]Pa (rms) for cetaceans and 
190 dB re 1 [mu]Pa (rms) for pinnipeds with a discussion of any 
specific behaviors those individuals exhibited; and
    (iv) A description of the implementation and effectiveness of the 
mitigation measures of the Incidental Harassment Authorization.
    Comment 7: The Commission requested that NMFS require CWA to cease 
all operations when the exclusion zone is obscured by fog or poor 
lighting conditions.
    Response: NMFS included language regarding poor visibility in the 
Monitoring section of this notice as well as the IHA. This concern is 
also addressed in CWA's lease, which states that ``seismic surveys 
shall not commence at night time or when the exclusion zone cannot be 
effectively monitored.'' The lease further states that during 
monitoring of the 500-m exclusion zone, ``the zone may not be obscured 
by fog or poor lighting conditions.''
    Comment 8: The Commission requested additional justification for

[[Page 80894]]

NMFS' preliminary determination that the proposed monitoring program 
will be sufficient to detect, with a high level of confidence, all 
marine mammals within or entering the identified exclusion and buffer 
zones.
    Response: NMFS believes that the planned monitoring program will be 
sufficient to detect (using visual monitoring), with reasonable 
certainty, marine mammals within or entering the identified exclusion 
zone (500 m). This monitoring, along with the required mitigation 
measures, will result in the least practicable adverse impact on the 
affected species or stocks and will result in a negligible impact on 
the affected species or stocks of marine mammals. Also, NMFS expects 
some animals to avoid areas around the airgun array ensonified at the 
level of the exclusion zone. The final monitoring and mitigation 
measures are considered the most effective and feasible measures and 
public comment has not revealed any additional monitoring or mitigation 
measures that could be reasonably implemented to increase the 
effectiveness of detection.
    Comment 9: The Commission requested that NMFS condition the IHA to 
require CWA to (1) report immediately all injured or dead marine 
mammals to NMFS and the local stranding network and (2) suspend the 
construction activities if a marine mammal is seriously injured or 
killed and the injury or death could have been caused by those 
activities (e.g., a fresh carcass)--if supplemental measures are not 
likely to reduce the risk of additional serious injuries or deaths to a 
very low level, NMFS should require CWA to obtain the necessary 
authorization for such takings under section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA 
before resuming its survey activities.
    Response: NMFS included language in the Reporting section of this 
notice and in the IHA that requires CWA to: (1) Suspend activities and 
immediately report incidents to NMFS and the local stranding network if 
survey activities cause the unauthorized take of a marine mammal; (2) 
immediately report incidents to NMFS and the local stranding network if 
CWA discovers an injured or dead marine mammal, and the lead PSO 
determines that the cause of injury or death is unknown and relatively 
recent; and (3) report to NMFS and the local stranding network, within 
24 hours, incidents of injured or dead marine mammals not associated 
with or related to survey activities. If survey activities result in 
the serious injury or death of a marine mammal and supplemental 
measures are not likely to reduce the risk of additional serious 
injuries or deaths to a very low level, CWA will not be authorized to 
take marine mammals incidental to these activities unless they obtain 
the necessary authorization for such takings under section 101(a)(5)(A) 
of the MMPA.
    Comment 10: The Alliance, HSUS, WTGH(A), Gloucester Fishermen's 
Wives Association et al., OPTI, and numerous individuals, suggested 
that NMFS cannot issue an IHA for the proposed activity because CWA is 
attempting to segment their larger wind energy project and avoid the 
issuance of a Letter of Authorization (LOA) and associated regulations.
    Response: CWA requested an IHA for a discrete, specified activity, 
the conduct of a high resolution geophysical survey that is required 
prior to construction of CWA's long-term energy project. The MMPA 
directs NMFS to allow, upon request, the incidental taking of small 
numbers of marine mammals by U.S. citizens who engage in a specified 
activity within a specified geographical region if certain findings are 
made. All statutory requirements have been met in this instance. The 
issuance of regulations and an LOA is only required if the proposed 
activity has the potential to result in incidental takings of marine 
mammals by serious injury or mortality. Applicants have the option of 
applying for a 1-year IHA if their specified activity (in this case, 
the high resolution geophysical survey) would not result in the serious 
injury or mortality of marine mammals. Based on factors addressed in 
the application and proposed IHA (e.g., estimated sound propagation, 
slow vessel speeds, and monitoring and mitigation measures), CWA does 
not anticipate, nor is NMFS authorizing, the incidental taking of 
marine mammals by serious injury or mortality. Therefore, an IHA is 
appropriate. NMFS has notified CWA that future activities may also 
require separate authorization(s) under the MMPA.
    Comment 11: The Alliance, OPTI, and numerous individuals, also 
suggested that NMFS cannot make a final determination on the CWA's IHA 
application until an EA is released for public comment.
    Response: In accordance with NEPA, NMFS prepared an EA to analyze 
the environmental effects of authorizing Level B incidental take of 
marine mammals during CWA's high resolution geophysical survey in 
Nantucket Sound. We note that neither NEPA nor the Council on 
Environmental Quality regulations require the circulation of a draft EA 
for public comment prior to taking final agency action. Instead, NMFS 
makes every effort, based on the totality of the circumstances, to 
provide the public with sufficient environmental information to permit 
the public to weigh in with their views and inform the final decision. 
During the development of this action, including the EA, several 
documents were available to the public, all of which provided a 
detailed description of the action and potential environmental impacts. 
For example, the analysis of impacts to marine mammals from the 
proposed high resolution geophysical survey activities was contained in 
NMFS' proposed issuance of an IHA dated September 1, 2011 (76 FR 56735) 
and is similar to what is contained in the EA. Additional environmental 
information is contained in CWA's IHA application, which was also made 
available to the public on September 14th. Other documents used to 
inform the EA included the Biological Opinion (issued December 30, 2010 
by NMFS Northeast Regional Office, and available at http://www.epa.gov/region1/communities/pdf/CapeWind/CapeWindBiologicalOpinion-12-30-10.pdf) and the Final Environmental Impact Statement (published by 
BOEMRE on January 21, 2009 [74 FR 3635]) for the long-term Cape Wind 
energy project. The EA describes potential environmental impacts from 
the limited action for which an IHA was requested--the take of marine 
mammals incidental to CWA's high resolution geophysical survey--which 
is similar to numerous other survey activities that NMFS has analyzed 
in the past. NMFS believes that sufficient environmental information 
was presented to the public and comments on the proposed IHA were taken 
into consideration during preparation of the EA. In this instance, the 
project schedule and statutory deadlines contained in the MMPA made it 
impracticable to provide a separate public review and comment period 
for the EA itself.
    Comment 12: The Alliance pointed out that NMFS did not propose a 
sound level limit for sound sources that are not expected to result in 
the harassment of marine mammals (i.e., single-beam echo sounder, 
multi-beam echo sounder, and side-scan sonar).
    Response: CWA indicated that the actual sound sources to be used 
during survey activities will be comparable to those listed in the 
application. Sounds from the single-beam echo sounder, multi-beam echo 
sounder, and side-scan sonar are not expected to reach levels that 
would result in the harassment of marine mammals.
    Comment 13: The Alliance believes that NMFS underestimates the

[[Page 80895]]

possibility of a survey vessel striking a marine mammal while 
transiting to and from port at speeds up to 15 knots.
    Response: NMFS believes that the likelihood of a survey vessel 
striking a marine mammal is low considering the low marine mammal 
densities within Nantucket Sound, the relatively short distance from 
port to the survey site, the limited number of vessels, and the small 
vessel size. Large whales are considered rare in Nantucket Sound and 
small marine mammals (e.g., harbor porpoise and seals) move quickly 
through the water column and will likely avoid the vessels. CWA did not 
request take from a ship strike and NMFS is not authorizing take from a 
ship strike.
    Comment 14: The Alliance requested that NMFS specify the port or 
ports that survey vessels will transit to and from, which could 
determine the number and species of marine mammals encountered.
    Response: CWA expects that survey vessels will transit to and from 
ports within Nantucket Sound, most likely out of Falmouth Harbor, 
Massachusetts. This port location was considered in the Biological 
Opinion for the long-term Cape Wind energy project.
    Comment 15: The Alliance believes that CWA's survey activities are 
likely to result in the take of right whales. Specifically, they noted 
the risk of ship strike, the likelihood of harassing right whales by 
causing them to avoid vessel traffic, and the possibility of displacing 
right whales from areas with elevated underwater sound levels.
    Response: In 2008, NMFS published a final rule in the Federal 
Register instituting Mid-Atlantic Seasonal Management Areas with a 
mandatory 10-knot speed restriction to reduce the threat of ship 
collisions with right whales. The Seasonal Management Areas were 
established to provide additional protection for right whales and the 
timing, duration, and geographic extent of the speed restrictions were 
specifically designed to reflect right whale movement, distribution, 
and aggregation patterns. Nantucket Sound is not considered a Seasonal 
Management Area or a Dynamic Management Area (with a voluntary 10-knot 
speed zone). Furthermore, survey vessels will not enter a Seasonal 
Management Area or a Dynamic Management Area while transiting to and 
from port. The presence of right whales in Nantucket Sound is 
considered rare and sporadic and NMFS believes that the possibility of 
a survey vessel striking a right whale is unlikely.
    The very qualities that make right whales susceptible to being 
struck by vessels in certain areas also make them highly detectable. 
NMFS believes that the size of right whales, their slow movements, and 
the amount of time they spend at the surface would make them extremely 
likely to be spotted by PSOs before they are exposed to sounds that 
constitute harassment. Whenever survey activities are underway, at 
least one PSO will be monitoring the 500-m exclusion zone--which is 
larger than both the Level A (30 m) and Level B (444 m) harassment 
isopleths--and will call for a shutdown if any marine mammal is 
observed within or moving toward the exclusion zone. Furthermore, right 
whales are not common in Nantucket Sound and have not been observed on 
Horseshoe Shoal, likely due to the shallower water depths. However, as 
stated in the Biological Opinion for the long-term Cape Wind energy 
project, CWA will monitor the Right Whale Sighting Advisory System and 
can modify their survey schedule in the unlikely event that whales are 
present within Nantucket Sound.
    Because right whales are uncommon in Nantucket Sound, CWA's survey 
activities are not expected to result in displacement. Furthermore, 
there are no known foraging grounds or other important habitats for 
right whales in Nantucket Sound.
    Comment 16: The Alliance takes issue with the proposed IHA's 
statement that there is no information on species-specific TTS for 
harbor porpoises. The Alliance points out that data published by Lucke 
et al. (2009) and Kastelein et al. (2011) suggests that TTS onset 
occurs at lower received energy levels than has been found in other 
odontocetes. The Alliance believes that existing impact criteria for 
cetaceans based on other species may underestimate effects on harbor 
porpoises.
    Response: As explained in the proposed IHA notice (76 FR 56735), 
TTS is the mildest form of hearing impairment that can occur during 
exposure to a strong sound (Kryter, 1985). While experiencing TTS, the 
hearing threshold rises, and a sound must be stronger in order to be 
heard. At least in terrestrial mammals, TTS can last from minutes or 
hours to (in cases of strong TTS) days, can be limited to a particular 
frequency range, and can occur to varying degrees (i.e., a loss of a 
certain number of dBs of sensitivity). For sound exposures at or 
somewhat above the TTS threshold, hearing sensitivity in both 
terrestrial and marine mammals recovers rapidly after exposure to the 
noise ends.
    Marine mammal hearing plays a critical role in communication with 
conspecifics and in interpretation of environmental cues for purposes 
such as predator avoidance and prey capture. Depending on the degree 
(elevation of threshold in dB), duration (i.e., recovery time), and 
frequency range of TTS and the context in which it is experienced, TTS 
can have effects on marine mammals ranging from discountable to 
serious. For example, a marine mammal may be able to readily compensate 
for a brief, relatively small amount of TTS in a non-critical frequency 
range that takes place during a time when the animal is traveling 
through the open ocean, where ambient noise is lower and there are not 
as many competing sounds present. Alternatively, a larger amount and 
longer duration of TTS sustained during a time when communication is 
critical for successful mother/calf interactions could have more 
serious impacts if it were in the same frequency band as the necessary 
vocalizations and of a severity that it impeded communication. The fact 
that animals exposed to levels and durations of sound that would be 
expected to result in this physiological response would also be 
expected to have behavioral responses of a comparatively more severe or 
sustained nature is also notable and potentially of more importance 
than the simple existence of a TTS.
    TTS is considered by NMFS to be just one type of Level B (non-
injurious) harassment. NMFS is aware that some studies suggest that 
harbor porpoises may be more sensitive to sound than other odontocetes 
and should have included those references (Lucke et al., 2009 and 
Kastelein et al., 2011) in the previous Federal Register notice. NMFS 
agrees that TTS onset may occur in harbor porpoises at lower received 
levels (when compared to other odontocetes). However, NMFS' 160-dB 
threshold criteria are based on the onset of behavioral harassment, not 
the onset of TTS. NMFS does not currently have criteria specific to 
TTS. Rather, the potential for TTS is considered within NMFS' analysis 
of potential impacts from Level B harassment.
    Comment 17: The Alliance noted that if the source level of the 
chosen boomer exceeds 205 dB, the analysis in the application 
underestimates effects and take levels.
    Response: As explained in the proposed IHA, CWA will use sound 
sources comparable to what was included in their application. CWA is 
aware of NMFS' acoustic threshold requirements and does not plan to use 
a boomer with a source level greater than 205 dB.

[[Page 80896]]

    Comment 18: The Alliance stated that the proposed IHA specifies a 
shutdown radius based on a 160-dB criterion, rather than the standard 
180-dB criterion and requests that the 180-dB criterion be adopted.
    Response: The shutdown radius is based on CWA's 500-m exclusion 
zone, not a 160-dB criterion. The 500-m exclusion zone was established 
by BOEMRE in CWA's lease requirements and is actually more conservative 
(i.e., larger) than the estimated Level B (444 m) or Level A (30 m) 
harassment isopleths. Typically, NMFS would require an applicant to 
shut down at the Level A harassment isopleth.
    Comment 19: The Alliance claimed that the procedure used in CWA's 
application to estimate the number of potential exposures provides 
insufficient consideration to the effects of multiple takes on the same 
animal, based on the close spacing of survey lines.
    Response: For purposes of the MMPA, NMFS considers take of an 
individual marine mammal to occur once per event within a 24-hour 
period. After 24 hours, the clock is essentially reset and a second 
take is possible if an animal is exposed to another event that 
constitutes harassment. While an animal may experience multiple 
exposures from an event within a 24-hour window, NMFS only accounts for 
a single take within a 24-hour window. CWA's take estimates were 
calculated based on the area ensonified by sound at 160 dB or higher 
each day. Therefore, they sufficiently accounted for the entire area of 
exposure within a single day.
    Comment 20: The Alliance noted that CWA's application does not 
state whether the density data used for cetaceans was derived with the 
inclusion of correction factors allowing for marine mammals to be 
missed during surveys due to (1) animals being below the surface 
(availability bias); or (2) animals being at the surface, but not seen 
(detection bias). Similarly for seals, the Alliance suggested that the 
procedures described in CWA's application are correct for availability 
bias, but not for detection bias.
    Response: CWA did not apply a correction factor to the sightings 
data from Pittman et al. (2006) for cetaceans discussed in the 
application. However, as discussed in the application, CWA used the 
higher sightings values to be conservative when estimating cetacean 
density. The sightings data illustrate a gradient in cetacean density 
with higher densities in waters outside of Nantucket Sound. The higher 
sightings values are considered conservative for the activity area 
because they are associated with deeper, more seaward areas.
    Comment 21: The Alliance noted that while Figure 2 of CWA's 
application appears to show more than 17 seal sightings within the 
proposed project area in 2002 alone, the application states that only 
17 seal observations were made during three years of aerial surveys.
    Response: Figure 2 of CWA's application depicts binned ranges of 
seal observations in and around Nantucket Sound. However, CWA 
highlighted the anticipated area of ensonification to illustrate the 
number of seal observations within the survey area. Within that 
anticipated area of ensonification, there are only one to four 
observations of seals during 2002. NMFS believes that Figure 2 
accurately depicts the range of seal observations over a 3-year period 
and this information was correctly stated in CWA's application.
    Comment 22: The Alliance raised concerns regarding the minke whale 
population estimates used in CWA's application and the proposed IHA. 
More specifically, the Alliance noted that the application quotes a 
population estimate for an area that does not include the study area, 
whereas the proposed IHA quotes a larger population estimate for a 
larger area that does include the study area. The Alliance believes 
that the population estimates are relevant because of NMFS' need to 
anticipate take as a percentage of the population size.
    Response: Minke whales off the eastern coast of the U.S. are 
considered to be part of the Canadian East Coast stock, which inhabits 
the area from the western half of the Davis Strait to the Gulf of 
Mexico. Both the application and the proposed IHA use the best recent 
abundance estimate for the Canadian East Coast population; however, CWA 
quoted only the U.S. survey, whereas NMFS quoted the sum of the U.S. 
and Canadian surveys. Data used to create the abundance estimate for 
this stock was gathered from surveys in the Gulf of Maine and 
northward. While surveys did not specifically cover Nantucket Sound, 
the NMFS 2010 stock assessment report is still considered the best 
available information for this population of minke whales.
    CWA miscalculated their percentage of the minke whale population 
using an incorrect take estimate. However, CWA also used the smaller, 
U.S. survey population size when estimating take as a percentage of the 
population size. This actually results in a larger percentage. 
Therefore, CWA requested take authorization for an even smaller portion 
of the overall Canadian East Coast stock of minke whales than was noted 
in the proposed IHA. Whether the U.S. survey population size or the sum 
of the U.S. and Canadian surveys is used, the estimated take of minke 
whales is less than one percent of the stock.
    Comment 23: The Alliance referred to CWA's application, which 
indicates that the anticipated impacts to marine mammals would be 
temporary behavioral changes due to avoidance. Given that the survey 
would continue for approximately 137 days, the Alliance believes that 
CWA's application understates the potential impacts to marine mammals 
because the application should have addressed the possibility that some 
animals would be excluded from habitat for an extended period of time.
    Response: While CWA's survey activities may last for a total of 137 
days, they will only occur during daylight hours and will ensonify a 
relatively small radius (maximum 444 m). Furthermore, marine mammal 
densities in Nantucket Sound are low and the area is not known to be a 
primary foraging ground. Therefore, any marine mammals who avoid the 
survey area due to elevated sound levels will likely not be excluded 
from vital habitat.
    Comment 24: The Alliance requested clarity on the minimum number of 
NMFS-approved protected species observers that will be on the survey 
vessel.
    Response: As explained in the Monitoring section on this notice, 
CWA will have at least one PSO to monitor the 500-m exclusion zone (an 
area that is larger than the Level B harassment zone) on the survey 
vessel at all times. Due to the survey vessel's small size and limited 
space for up to six personnel, it is not feasible for CWA to guarantee 
that more than one PSO will be available for mitigation monitoring. In 
addition to captain and crew members, a project archaeologist and CWA's 
environmental engineer will be present during survey activities. 
However, CWA will also provide additional monitoring efforts to 
increase knowledge of marine mammal species in Nantucket Sound. At 
least one NMFS-approved PSO will conduct behavioral monitoring from the 
survey vessel at least twice a week to estimate take and evaluate the 
behavioral impacts that survey activities have on marine mammals 
outside of the 500-m exclusion zone. In addition, CWA will send out a 
separate vessel with an NMFS-approved PSO to collect data on species 
presence and behavior before

[[Page 80897]]

surveys begin and once a month during survey activities.
    Comment 25: The Alliance took issue with NMFS' assumption that 
marine mammals would be detected before entering the 180-dB isopleth. 
The Alliance believes that marine mammals may enter the 180-dB isopleth 
without being detected and therefore, may incur auditory impairment.
    Response: The 180-dB Level A harassment isopleth is estimated to 
occur 30 m from the survey vessel. NMFS believes that marine mammals 
are highly likely to be detected within 30 m of the vessel, especially 
since a PSO(s) will be responsible for monitoring a 500-m exclusion 
zone around the vessel. The 500-m exclusion zone creates a large buffer 
around the 180-dB isopleth where the potential for injury occurs. NMFS 
believes that the mitigation and monitoring measures in place are 
sufficient to prevent marine mammals from being exposed to sounds at 
180 dB or higher. NMFS further addressed this issue in the response to 
Comment 8.
    Comment 26: The Alliance notes that CWA's application proposes to 
submit a 90-day report, but the proposed IHA requires a 120-day report.
    Response: The BOEMRE lease requires CWA to submit a report to 
BOEMRE and NMFS within 90 days of completion of survey activities. NMFS 
sometimes gives applicants up to 120 days to submit a report, so this 
language incidentally carried over into the proposed IHA. CWA will 
submit their report within 90 days of completion due to the lease 
requirement, and the 90-day time period is included in the final IHA. 
However, the report is due after the activity, so the amount of time 
specified simply determines how long the applicant has to organize 
their monitoring results and prepare a document for NMFS. The deadline 
does not change the activity's impacts on marine mammals.
    Comment 27: HSUS raised concern that impacts from the survey are 
not confined to the project footprint because sound levels from the 
boomer would not fall below 160 dB for approximately \1/4\ of a mile 
from the vessel and could be heard for many miles beyond that distance.
    Response: NMFS analyzed acoustic impacts to marine mammals out to 
the 160-dB isopleth, which is considered our threshold for marine 
mammal harassment. Received levels below 160 dB (for the sound sources 
being used by CWA) are not considered to harass marine mammals and are, 
therefore, not considered to result in take under the MMPA.
    Comment 28: HSUS disagreed that three species of cetaceans (minke 
whale, harbor porpoise, and Atlantic white-sided dolphin) are likely to 
be taken incidental to survey activities and, along with WTGH(A), 
requested that the North Atlantic right whale be considered. HSUS also 
believes that the 2010 and 2011 right whale sightings in Nantucket 
Sound should be part of an ESA consultation.
    Response: NMFS addressed the potential for right whale harassment 
in the response to Comment 15. The right whale sightings in Nantucket 
Sound from 2010 were addressed in NMFS' Biological Opinion on the long-
term Cape Wind energy project. Right whale sightings in Nantucket Sound 
are still considered rare and the area is not a known foraging, 
breeding, or calving ground for right whales.
    Comment 29: WTGH(A) requested that NMFS begin ``government-to-
government consultation on CWA's request for an IHA under the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the National Historic Preservation 
Act (NHPA).''
    Response: NMFS conducted an independent environmental analysis in 
the form of an EA to comply with NEPA. Section 106 of the National 
Historic Preservation Act requires federal agencies to take into 
account the effect of their undertakings on historic properties, and 
requires agency officials to consult with any Indian tribe that 
attaches religious and cultural significance to historic properties 
that may be affected by an undertaking. Executive Order 13175 requires 
that federal agencies conduct government-to-government consultation 
with Indian tribes prior to issuing regulations that have tribal 
implications. The Executive Order also outlines principles that should 
be followed by agencies when formulating policies with tribal 
implications. Regulations and policies with ``tribal implications'' 
include those that have substantial direct effects on one or more 
Indian tribes, on the relationship between the federal government and 
Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities 
between the federal government and Indian tribes.
    NMFS recognizes the importance of Nantucket Sound to WTGH(A) as a 
Traditional Cultural Property, and that CWA's long-term energy project 
was the subject of a consultation undertaken by BOEMRE under section 
106 of the NHPA. However, NMFS' undertaking here is narrowly limited to 
issuance of an IHA under the MMPA. NMFS has determined that issuance of 
an incidental take authorization for the harassment of marine mammals 
is a type of undertaking that does not have the potential to cause 
effects to historic properties. The authorized Level B harassment will 
have only a negligible impact on affected marine mammal species or 
stocks. Therefore, consultation under NHPA is not required (36 CFR 
800.3(a)(1); see Save Our Heritage, Inc. v. FAA, 269 F.3d 49 (1st Cir. 
2001) (consultation under NHPA not required where federal agency had 
found that effects of undertaking on environment and historic 
properties would be de minimus)). Similarly, issuance of the IHA to CWA 
does not constitute a regulation or policy with tribal implications. 
Issuance of the IHA will not have substantial direct effects upon the 
tribe, and government-to-government consultation is therefore not 
required on this action.
    Comment 30: WTGH(A) and the Gloucester Fishermen's Wives 
Association et al. requested that NOAA ask the Department of the 
Interior (DOI) to defer further action on offshore wind leasing until 
Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning (CMSP) is in place. Furthermore, 
WTGH(A) requested that NOAA ask DOI to require EISs, rather than EAs, 
for lease issuance.
    Response: NOAA supports the development of a CMSP framework to 
inform future decisions. However, the MMPA mandates that the incidental 
taking of marine mammals be authorized if certain findings can be made. 
NMFS must proceed with incidental take authorizations so long as the 
requirements set forth in sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA are 
met. With regard to EISs versus EAs, DOI's Bureau of Ocean Energy 
Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE) published the Cape 
Wind Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on January 21, 2009 (74 
FR 3635).
    Comment 31: WTGH(A) and the Gloucester Fishermen's Wives 
Association et al. requested that NMFS deny CWA's IHA application until 
LOA regulations are in place and a full EIS has been prepared.
    Response: As explained in the responses to Comments 10 and 11, 
issuance of regulations and an associated LOA are not required for this 
activity. BOEMRE published an EIS for the Cape Wind long-term energy 
project on January 21, 2009 (74 FR 3635) and NMFS will publish an EA 
concurrently with this notice.
    Comment 32: OPTI claimed that NMFS has done nothing to comply with 
ESA as it relates to the MMPA authorizations.

[[Page 80898]]

    Response: NMFS' Northeast Regional Office completed a Biological 
Opinion on December 30, 2010, which analyzed the effects of the long-
term Cape Wind energy project and concluded that the project is not 
likely to adversely affect right, humpback, or fin whales and, 
therefore, is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of these 
species. CWA did not propose, nor is NMFS authorizing, the take of any 
ESA-listed marine mammals. Therefore, further consultation is not 
required.
    Comment 33: One individual commented on the lack of adequate data 
on marine mammals and believes that the issuance of an IHA is too 
risky.
    Response: The MMPA mandates that the incidental taking of marine 
mammals be authorized if certain findings can be made. NMFS must 
proceed with incidental take authorizations so long as the requirements 
set forth in sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA are met. NMFS 
used the best-available science to inform our final determination and 
believes that the information is adequate to support our findings.
    Comment 34: Numerous individuals commented on their general 
opposition towards killing marine mammals.
    Response: CWA did not propose, nor is NMFS authorizing, the take of 
marine mammals by serious injury or mortality. The IHA authorizes Level 
B harassment of marine mammals, incidental to the high resolution 
geophysical survey.

Description of Marine Mammals in the Area of the Specified Activity

    Marine mammals with known occurrences in Nantucket Sound that could 
be harassed by high resolution geophysical survey activity in Nantucket 
Sound are listed in Table 1. These are the species for which take is 
being authorized. In general, large whales do not frequent Nantucket 
Sound, but they are discussed below because some species have been 
reported near the project vicinity. While other marine mammal species 
are present in the New England region (e.g., humpback, fin, and right 
whales), they are considered rare in Nantucket Sound; this is likely 
due to the shallow depths of Nantucket Sound and its location outside 
of the coastal migratory corridor. NFMS has presented a more detailed 
discussion of the status of these stocks and their occurrence in 
Nantucket Sound in the notice of the proposed IHA (76 FR 56735, 
September 14, 2011).

             Table 1--Marine Mammals That Could Be Impacted by Survey Activities in Nantucket Sound.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                          Time of year in New
               Common name                      Scientific name       MMPA status\1\            England
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Whales and Dolphins (Cetaceans)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minke whale.............................  Balaenoptera actuorostrata             N-D  April through October.
Atlantic white-sided dolphin............  Lagenorhynchus acutus.....             N-D  October through December.
Harbor porpoise.........................  Phocoena phocoena.........             N-D  Year-round (peak Sept-
                                                                                       Apr).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Seals (Pinnipeds)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gray seal...............................  Halichoerus grypis........             N-D  Year-round.
Harbor seal.............................  Phoca vitulina............             N-D  October through April.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ N-D = non-depleted. None of the species are listed under the Endangered Species Act.

Potential Effects on Marine Mammals

    Acoustic stimuli generated by the operation of the shallow-
penetration and medium-penetration subbottom profilers, which introduce 
sound into the marine environment, have the potential to cause Level B 
behavioral harassment of marine mammals in the survey area. The effects 
of sounds from this type of survey equipment might include one or more 
of the following: tolerance, masking of natural sounds, behavioral 
disturbance, temporary or permanent impairment, or non-auditory 
physical or physiological effects (Richardson et al., 1995; Gordon et 
al., 2004; Nowacek et al., 2007; Southall et al., 2007). Permanent 
hearing impairment, in the unlikely event that it occurred, would 
constitute injury, but temporary threshold shift (TTS) is not an injury 
(Southall et al., 2007). Although the possibility cannot be entirely 
excluded, it is unlikely that the project would result in any cases of 
temporary or permanent hearing impairment, or any significant non-
auditory physical or physiological effects. Based on the available data 
and studies described here and in the proposed IHA notice, some 
behavioral disturbance is expected, but NMFS expects the disturbance to 
be localized and short-term.
    The notice of the proposed IHA (76 FR 56735, September 14, 2011) 
included a discussion of the effects of sounds from subbottom profilers 
on cetaceans and pinnipeds. NMFS refers the reader to CWA's application 
and NMFS' EA for additional information on the behavioral reactions (or 
lack thereof) by all types of marine mammals to geophysical surveys.

Anticipated Effects on Marine Mammal Habitat

    NMFS included a detailed discussion of the potential effects of 
this action on marine mammal habitat, including physiological and 
behavioral effects on marine fish and invertebrates in the notice of 
the proposed IHA (76 FR 56735, September 14, 2011). While NMFS 
anticipates that the specified activity may result in marine mammals 
avoiding certain areas due to temporary ensonification, this impact to 
habitat is temporary and reversible, which NMFS considered in further 
detail in the notice of the proposed IHA (76 FR 56735, September 14, 
2011) as behavioral modification. The main impact associated with the 
activity would be temporarily elevated noise levels and the associated 
direct effects on marine mammals.

Mitigation

    In order to issue an IHA under section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA, 
NMFS must, where applicable, set forth the permissible methods of 
taking pursuant to such activity, and other means of effecting the 
least practicable impact on such species or stock and its habitat, 
paying particular attention to rookeries, mating grounds, and areas of 
similar significance, and on the availability of such species or stock 
for taking for subsistence uses where relevant.
    To reduce the potential for disturbance from acoustic stimuli 
associated with the specified activity, CWA will implement the 
following mitigation measures for marine mammals:

[[Page 80899]]

Establishment of an Exclusion Zone

    During all survey activities involving the shallow-penetration and 
medium-penetration subbottom profilers, CWA will maintain a 500-m 
radius exclusion zone around each survey vessel. This area will be 
monitored for marine mammals 60 minutes (as stipulated by the BOEMRE 
lease) prior to starting or restarting surveys, during surveys, and 60 
minutes after survey equipment has been turned off. Typically, the 
exclusion zone is based on the area in which marine mammals could be 
exposed to injurious (Level A) levels of sound. CWA's lease 
requirements specify a 500-m exclusion zone, which exceeds both the 
Level A (30 m) and Level B (444 m) isopleths for marine mammal 
harassment. Therefore, CWA's exclusion zone is extremely conservative 
and minimizes potential impacts to marine mammals from increased sound 
exposures.

Shut Down and Delay Procedures

    If a PSO sees a marine mammal within or approaching the exclusion 
zone prior to the start of surveying, the observer will notify the 
appropriate individual who will then be required to delay surveying or 
shut down survey equipment until the marine mammal moves outside of the 
exclusion zone or if the animal has not been resighted for 60 minutes.

Soft-Start Procedures

    A ``soft-start'' technique would be used at the beginning of survey 
activities each day (or following a shut down) to allow any marine 
mammal that may be in the immediate area to leave before the sound 
sources reach full energy.
    NMFS has carefully evaluated the applicant's proposed mitigation 
measures and considered a range of other measures in the context of 
ensuring that NMFS prescribes the means of effecting the least 
practicable adverse impact on the affected marine mammal species and 
stocks and their habitat. Our evaluation of potential measures included 
consideration of the following factors in relation to one another: (1) 
The manner in which, and the degree to which, the successful 
implementation of the measure is expected to minimize adverse impacts 
to marine mammals; (2) the proven or likely efficacy of the specific 
measure to minimize adverse impacts as planned; and (3) the 
practicability of the measure for applicant implementation, including 
consideration of personnel safety, and practicality of implementation.
    Based on our evaluation of the applicant's proposed measures, as 
well as other measures considered by NMFS or recommended by the public, 
NMFS has determined that the mitigation measures provide the means of 
effecting the least practicable adverse impacts on marine mammals 
species or stocks and their habitat, paying particular attention to 
rookeries, mating grounds, and areas of similar significance.

Monitoring and Reporting

    In order to issue an IHA for an activity, section 101(a)(5)(D) of 
the MMPA states that NMFS must set forth ``requirements pertaining to 
the monitoring and reporting of such taking''. The MMPA implementing 
regulations at 50 CFR 216.104 (a)(13) indicate that requests for 
incidental take authorizations must include the suggested means of 
accomplishing the necessary monitoring and reporting that will result 
in increased knowledge of the species and of the level of taking or 
impacts on populations of marine mammals that are expected to be 
present in the action area.

Visual Monitoring

    CWA will designate at least one biologically trained, on-site 
individual, approved in advance by NMFS, to implement the proposed 
mitigation measures that require real-time monitoring. The PSO(s) will 
monitor for marine mammals 60 minutes before, during, and 60 minutes 
after all survey activities and call for delay or shutdown if any 
marine mammal is observed approaching or within the 500-m exclusion 
zone.
    CWA will also provide additional monitoring efforts to increase 
knowledge of marine mammal species in Nantucket Sound. At least one 
NMFS-approved PSO will conduct behavioral monitoring from the survey 
vessel at least twice a week to estimate take and evaluate the 
behavioral impacts that survey activities have on marine mammals 
outside of the 500-m exclusion zone. In addition, CWA will send out a 
separate vessel with a NMFS-approved PSO to collect data on species 
presence and behavior before surveys begin and once a month during 
survey activities.
    PSOs will be provided with the equipment necessary to effectively 
monitor for marine mammals (e.g., high-quality binoculars, compass, and 
range-finder) in order to determine if animals have entered into the 
harassment isopleths and to record species, behaviors, and responses to 
survey activity. PSOs must be able to effectively monitor the 500-m 
exclusion zone whenever the subbottom profilers are in use. Survey 
efforts will only take place during daylight hours and PSOs' visibility 
must not be obscured by fog, lighting conditions, etc.

Hydroacoustic Monitoring

    In addition to visual monitoring, CWA will conduct hydroacoustic 
monitoring at the beginning of survey activities to verify the 
estimated Level A (180) and Level B (160) harassment isopleths.

Reporting

    CWA will submit a report to NMFS within 90 days of expiration of 
the IHA or completion of surveying, whichever comes first. The report 
will provide full documentation of methods, results, and interpretation 
pertaining to all monitoring. More specifically, the report will 
include data from marine mammal sightings (e.g., species, group size, 
behavior), any observed reactions to survey activities, distances 
between marine mammals and the vessel, and sound sources operating at 
time of sighting.
    In the unanticipated event that the specified activity clearly 
causes the take of a marine mammal in a manner prohibited by the IHA, 
such as an injury (Level A harassment), serious injury, or mortality 
(e.g., ship-strike, gear interaction, and/or entanglement), CWA shall 
immediately cease the specified activities and report the incident to 
the Chief of the Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, at (301) 427-8401 and/or by email to 
[email protected] and [email protected] and the Northeast 
Regional Stranding Coordinator at (978) 281-9300 
([email protected]). The report must include the following 
information:
     Time, date, and location (latitude/longitude) of the 
incident;
     Name and type of vessel involved;
     Vessel's speed during and leading up to the incident;
     Description of the incident;
     Status of all sound source use in the 24 hours preceding 
the incident;
     Water depth;
     Environmental conditions (e.g., wind speed and direction, 
Beaufort sea state, cloud cover, and visibility);
     Description of all marine mammal observations in the 24 
hours preceding the incident;
     Species identification or description of the animal(s) 
involved;
     Fate of the animal(s); and
     Photographs or video footage of the animal(s) (if 
equipment is available).
    Activities will not resume until NMFS is able to review the 
circumstances of the prohibited take. NMFS will work with CWA to 
determine what is

[[Page 80900]]

necessary to minimize the likelihood of further prohibited take and 
ensure MMPA compliance. CWA may not resume their activities until 
notified by NMFS via letter, email, or telephone.
    In the event that CWA discovers an injured or dead marine mammal, 
and the lead PSO determines that the cause of the injury or death is 
unknown and the death is relatively recent (i.e., in less than a 
moderate state of decomposition as described in the next paragraph), 
CWA will immediately report the incident to the Chief of the Permits 
and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, at 
(301) 427-8401 and/or by email to [email protected] and 
[email protected] and the Northeast Regional Stranding Coordinator 
at (978) 281-9300 ([email protected]). The report must include the 
same information identified in the paragraph above. Activities may 
continue while NMFS reviews the circumstances of the incident. NMFS 
will work with CWA to determine whether modifications in the activities 
are appropriate.
    In the event that CWA discovers an injured or dead marine mammal, 
and the lead PSO determines that the injury or death is not associated 
with or related to the activities authorized in the IHA (e.g., 
previously wounded animal, carcass with moderate to advanced 
decomposition, or scavenger damage), CWA will report the incident to 
the Chief of the Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, at (301) 427-8401 and/or by email to 
[email protected] and [email protected] and the Northeast 
Regional Stranding Coordinator at (978) 281-9300 
([email protected]), within 24 hours of the discovery. CWA will 
provide photographs or video footage (if available) or other 
documentation of the stranded animal sighting to NMFS.

Estimated Take by Incidental Harassment

    Except with respect to certain activities not pertinent here, the 
MMPA 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].

    Only take by Level B harassment is anticipated to be authorized as 
a result of the specified activity. Acoustic stimuli (i.e., increased 
underwater sound) generated during the operation of the subbottom 
profilers may have the potential to cause marine mammals in the survey 
area to be exposed to sounds at or greater than 160 dB or cause 
temporary, short-term changes in behavior. Take by injury, serious 
injury, or mortality is neither anticipated nor authorized. NMFS has 
determined that the required mitigation and monitoring measures will 
minimize any potential risk for injury or mortality.
    A detailed discussion of the methods used to calculate marine 
mammal densities and take estimates in the survey area was included in 
the application and the notice for the proposed IHA (76 FR 56735, 
September 14, 2011). In summary, sightings per unit effort (SPUE) data 
were used to estimate species density within the survey area and take 
estimates were calculated by multiplying the density values (n) 
measured in individuals per square kilometers, by the area of the zone 
of influence in square kilometers, times the total number of survey 
days (d = 137). The zone of influence was calculated as a function of 
the distance a survey vessel with deployed boomer would travel in one 
survey day and the area around the boomer where sound levels reach or 
exceed 160 dB.
    To be conservative, CWA requested incidental take based on the 
highest estimated possible species exposures to potentially disturbing 
levels of sound from the boomer. No marine mammals are expected to be 
exposed to injurious levels of sound in excess of 180 dB during survey 
activities. NMFS is authorizing the Level B harassment of 11 minke 
whales, 231 Atlantic white-sided dolphins, 138 harbor porpoises, 398 
gray seals, and 99 harbor seals. These numbers are extremely 
conservative because the highest density estimates were used and 
mitigation measures (such as the 500-m exclusion zone, marine mammal 
monitoring, and ramp up procedures) were not considered during 
calculations. More specifically, CWA's 500-m exclusion zone means that 
they will be shutting down before an animal ever enters the Level B 
harassment isopleth (444 m), so take numbers should be notably less. 
The authorized take numbers indicate the maximum number of animals 
expected to occur within the largest Level B harassment isopleth (444 
m) and take into account the possibility that an animal may not be seen 
before it enters the 500-m exclusion zone. Estimated and proposed level 
of take of each species is less than one percent of each affected stock 
and therefore is considered small in relation to the stock estimates 
previously set forth.

Negligible Impact and Small Numbers Analysis and Determination

    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.'' In making a negligible impact determination, 
NMFS considers a number of factors which include, but are not limited 
to, number of anticipated injuries or mortalities (none of which would 
be authorized here), number, nature, intensity, and duration of Level B 
harassment, and the context in which takes occur (for instance, will 
the takes occur in an area or time of significance for marine mammals, 
or are takes occurring to a small, localized population?).
    As described above, marine mammals will not be exposed to 
activities or sound levels which will result in injury (for instance, 
PTS), serious injury, or mortality. Anticipated impacts of survey 
activities on marine mammals are temporary behavioral changes due to 
avoidance of the area. All marine mammals in the vicinity of survey 
operations will be transient as no known breeding, calving, pupping, 
nursing, or haul-outs overlap with the survey area. The closest 
pinniped haul-outs are 23.5 km (12.7 NM) and 13.7 km (7.4 NM) away on 
Monomoy Island and Muskeget Island, respectively. Marine mammals 
approaching the survey area will likely be traveling or 
opportunistically foraging. The amount of take authorized is considered 
small (less than one percent) relative to the estimated populations of 
8,987 minke whales, 63,368 Atlantic white-sided dolphins, 89,504 harbor 
porpoises, 250,000 gray seals, and 99,340 harbor seals. No affected 
marine mammals are listed under the ESA or considered strategic under 
the MMPA. Marine mammals are expected to avoid the survey area, thereby 
reducing exposure and impacts. No disruption to reproductive behavior 
is anticipated and there is no anticipated effect on annual rates of 
recruitment or survival of affected marine mammals.
    Based on the analysis contained herein of the likely effects of the 
specified activity on marine mammals and their habitat, and taking into 
consideration the implementation of the mitigation and monitoring 
measures, NMFS determines that CWA's survey activities will result in 
the incidental take of small numbers of marine

[[Page 80901]]

mammals, by Level B harassment, and that the total taking will have a 
negligible impact on the affected species or stocks.

Impact on Availability of Affected Species for Taking for Subsistence 
Uses

    There are no relevant subsistence uses of marine mammals implicated 
by this action.

Endangered Species Act (ESA)

    No marine mammal species listed under the ESA are anticipated to 
occur within the action area. Therefore, section 7 consultation under 
the ESA is not required.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), as implemented by the regulations published 
by the Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and 
NOAA Administrative Order 216-6, NMFS prepared an Environmental 
Assessment (EA) to consider the direct, indirect, and cumulative 
effects to marine mammals and other applicable environmental resources 
resulting from issuance of a 1-year IHA to CWA for the take of marine 
mammals incidental to a high resolution geophysical survey in Nantucket 
Sound, Massachusetts. The EA will be made available on the NMFS Web 
site listed in the beginning of this document concurrently with this 
notice.

    Dated: December 20, 2011.
James H. Lecky,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-33167 Filed 12-23-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P