[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 178 (Thursday, September 13, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56613-56622]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-22602]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XB048


Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; 
Marine Geophysical Survey in the Northwest Pacific Ocean, March Through 
May, 2012

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) 
regulation, we hereby give notification that we have issued an 
Incidental Harassment Authorization (Authorization) to Lamont-Doherty 
Earth Observatory (Observatory), a part of Columbia University, to take 
marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to conducting a marine 
geophysical (seismic) survey in the central Pacific Ocean, May through 
June, 2012.

DATES: Effective May 1, 2012, through June 11, 2012.

ADDRESSES: To obtain an electronic copy of the Authorization, write to 
P. Michael Payne, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of 
Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910-3225 or download an electronic copy 
at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm#applications.
    To obtain an electronic copy of (1) the application containing a 
list of the

[[Page 56614]]

references within this document; and (2) the National Science 
Foundation's (Foundation) Environmental Assessment (EA) under the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and Executive Order 12114; 
write to the previously mentioned address, telephone the contact listed 
here (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT), or download the file at: 
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm#applications.
    The Service's Biological Opinion will be available online at: 
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/consultation/opinions.htm.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 101(a)(5)(D) of the Marine Mammal Protect Act of 1972, as 
amended (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) directs the Secretary of 
Commerce to authorize, upon request, the incidental, but not 
intentional, taking of small numbers of marine mammals of a species or 
population stock, by United States citizens who engage in a specified 
activity (other than commercial fishing) within a specified 
geographical region if: (1) We make certain findings; (2) the taking is 
limited to harassment; and (3) we provide a notice of a proposed 
authorization to the public for review.
    We shall grant authorization for the incidental taking of small 
numbers of 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 (where relevant). The Authorization must 
set forth the permissible methods of taking, other means of effecting 
the least practicable adverse impact on the species or stock and its 
habitat, and requirements pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring and 
reporting of such takings. We have 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 Marine Mammal Protection Act 
established an expedited process for U.S. citizens to apply for an 
authorization to incidentally take small numbers of marine mammals by 
harassment. Section 101(a)(5)(D) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act 
establishes a 45-day time limit for our review of an application 
followed by a 30-day public notice and comment period on any proposed 
authorization for the incidental harassment of small numbers of marine 
mammals. Within 45 days of the close of the public comment period, we 
must either issue or deny the authorization and must publish a notice 
in the Federal Register within 30 days of our determination to issue or 
deny the authorization.
    Except with respect to certain activities not pertinent here, the 
Marine Mammal Protection Act 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].

Summary of Request

    On December 12, 2012, we received a complete application from the 
Observatory requesting that we issue an Authorization for the take, by 
Level B harassment only, of small numbers of marine mammals incidental 
to conducting a seismic survey in the central Pacific Ocean from May 1 
through May 26, 2012. We determined the application complete and 
adequate on February 28, 2012 and released the application for public 
comment (see ADDRESSES) for consideration of issuing an Authorization 
to the Observatory.
    The Observatory, with research funding from the Foundation, plans 
to conduct the seismic survey from May 1 through May 26, 2012 offshore 
the Line Islands in the central Pacific Ocean. They plan to use one 
source vessel, the R/V Marcus G. Langseth (Langseth), an airgun array, 
and a single hydrophone streamer to provide the data necessary to 
understand sedimentation patterns on the flanks of the Line Islands 
Ridge and to investigate how climate patterns have varied over time in 
the late Pleistocene period. In addition to the operations of the 
seismic airgun array and hydrophone streamer, the Observatory intends 
to operate a multibeam echosounder (echosounder), a sub-bottom 
profiler, and an acoustic Doppler current profiler continuously 
throughout the survey except while on station for marine coring 
activities.
    Acoustic stimuli (i.e., increased underwater sound) generated 
during seismic operations, may have the potential to cause a short-
term, behavioral disturbance for marine mammals in the survey area. 
This is the principal means of marine mammal taking associated with 
these activities. We expect these disturbances to be temporary and 
result in a temporary modification in behavior and/or low-level 
physiological effects (Level B harassment only) of small numbers of 
certain species of marine mammals.
    We do not expect that the movement of the Langseth, during the 
conduct of the seismic survey, has the potential to harass marine 
mammals because of the relatively slow operation speed of the vessel 
(4.6 knots (kts); 8.5 kilometers per hour (km/h); 5.3 miles per hour 
(mph)) during seismic acquisition.
    We also do not expect that the operation of the echosounder, sub-
bottom profiler and current profiler have the potential to harass 
marine mammals because they would already experience affects from the 
airgun array. Whether or not the airguns are operating simultaneously 
with the other sources, we expect the marine mammals to exhibit no more 
than short-term and inconsequential responses to the echosounder, sub-
bottom profiler and current profiler given their characteristics (e.g., 
narrow, downward-directed beam)
    We have outlined the purpose of the program in a previous notice 
for the proposed Authorization (77 FR 19242, March 30, 2012). The 
Observatory's proposed activities have not changed between the proposed 
IHA notice and this final notice announcing the issuance of the 
Authorization. Refer to the to the notice of the proposed IHA (77 FR 
19242, March 30, 2012), the application, and Environmental Assessment 
for a more detailed description of the authorized action, including 
vessel and acoustic source specifications.

Description of the Specified Geographic Region

    The Observatory will conduct the survey in the Exclusive Economic 
Zones of the Republic of Kiribati the U.S. The study area will 
encompass an area in the Line Islands bounded by approximately 0.5-8 
degrees ([deg]) North by 156-162[deg] West. Water depths in the survey 
area range from approximately 1,100 to 5,000 m (0.68 to 3.1 mi).

Comments and Responses

    We published a notice of receipt of the Observatory's application 
and proposed Authorization in the Federal Register on March 30, 2012 
(77 FR 19242). During the 30-day public comment period, we received 
comments from the Marine Mammal Commission (Commission) only. The 
Commission's comments are online at: http://

[[Page 56615]]

www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm. Following are their 
comments and our responses.
    Comment 1: The Commission recommends that, before issuing the 
requested Authorization, we require the Observatory to: (1) Re-estimate 
the proposed exclusion zones and buffer zones and associated number of 
marine mammal takes using operational and site-specific environmental 
parameters; and (2) if the Observatory does not re-estimate the zones, 
provide a detailed justification for basing the proposed survey's zones 
on modeling that relies on measurements from the Gulf of Mexico instead 
of the central Pacific Ocean.
    Response: With respect to the Commission's first point, based upon 
the best available information and our analysis of the likely effects 
of the specified activity on marine mammals and their habitat, we are 
satisfied that the Observatory's data are sufficient for us to conduct 
our analysis and support our determinations under the Marine Mammal 
Protection Act, the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 
et seq.) and the National Environmental Policy Act. The identified 
zones are appropriate for the survey and additional field measurements 
are not necessary at this time. Thus, for this survey, we will not 
require the Observatory to re-estimate the proposed exclusion zones and 
buffer zones and associated number of marine mammal takes using 
operational and site-specific environmental parameters.
    With respect to the Commission's second point, The Observatory has 
modeled the central Pacific Ocean exclusion and buffer zones on 
modeling based on the 2007-2008 Langseth's peer-reviewed, calibration 
study in the Gulf of Mexico (Tolstoy, et al, 2004, 2009). The 
Foundation's Environmental Assessment (see Appendix A) includes 
detailed information on the study, their modeling process, and a 
comparison of the Observatory's modeled results with results of the 
2007 to 2008 Langseth calibration experiment in shallow, intermediate, 
and deep water. The conclusions in Appendix A show that the 
Observatory's model represents the actual produced sound levels, 
particularly within the first few kilometers, where the predicted zone 
(i.e., safety radii) lie. At greater distances, local oceanographic 
variations begin to take effect, and the model tends to over predict.
    Because the modeling matches the observed measurement data, the 
authors concluded that those using the models to predict zones can 
continue to do so, including predicting exclusion zones around the 
vessel for various tow depths. At present, the Observatory's model does 
not account for site-specific environmental conditions and the 
calibration study analysis of the model predicted that using site-
specific information may actually estimate less conservative exclusion 
zones at greater distances.
    While it is difficult to estimate exposures of marine mammals to 
acoustic stimuli, we are confident that the Observatory's approach to 
quantifying the exclusion and buffer zones uses the best available 
scientific information and estimation methodologies.
    Comment 2: The Commission recommends that, before issuing the 
requested Authorization, we use species-specific maximum densities 
(i.e., estimated by multiplying the existing density estimates by a 
precautionary correction factor) and then re-estimate the anticipated 
number of takes.
    Response: For purposes of this Authorization, the Observatory used 
the cetacean densities based on the National Marine Fisheries Service, 
Southwest Fisheries Science Center's, eastern tropical Pacific ship 
transect surveys conducted from 1986 through 2006 (Barlow et al., 
2009b; Read et al., 2009) or from surveys conducted in 2002 (Barlow, 
2006) to estimate the number of takes. The Observatory's use of these 
peer-reviewed, model-based, density estimates are the best available 
information to estimate density for the survey area and to estimate the 
number of authorized takes for the seismic survey in the central 
Pacific Ocean. The results of the associated monitoring reports show 
that our past use of best estimates was appropriate and has not refuted 
our past determinations.
    Comment 3: The Commission recommends that, before issuing the 
requested IHA, we condition the Authorization to prohibit the use of a 
15-minute pause following the sighting of a mysticete or large 
odontocete in the exclusion zone and to extend the pause to cover the 
maximum dive times of those species encountered near the vessel prior 
to initiating ramp-up procedures.
    Response: We would like to clarify the Commission's understanding 
of two conditions within the Authorization--one related to turning on 
the airguns (ramp-up) after a shutdown due to a marine mammal sighting 
within the exclusion zone and the other related to a ramp-up after an 
extended shutdown (i.e., the 15-minute pause due to equipment failure 
or routine maintenance).
    To clarify, the Authorization requires the Langseth to shutdown the 
airguns when an observer sees a marine mammal within, approaching, or 
entering the relevant exclusion zones for cetaceans or for pinnipeds. 
Following a shutdown, the Langseth would only ramp up the airguns if a 
marine mammal had exited the relevant exclusion zone or if visual 
observer had not seen the animal within the relevant exclusion zone for 
15 minutes for species with shorter dive times (i.e., small odontocetes 
and pinnipeds) or 30 minutes for species with longer dive durations 
(i.e., mysticetes and large odontocetes, including sperm, pygmy sperm, 
dwarf sperm, killer, and beaked whales).
    We believe that 30 minutes is an adequate length for the monitoring 
period prior to the ramp-up of airguns after sighting a mysticete and 
large odontocetes for the following reasons:
     The Langseth can transit roughly 4.25 kilometers (km) in 
30 minutes. At this distance, the vessel will have moved 60 times (4.25 
km / 0.07 km) away from the distance of the original 180-dB exclusion 
zone (70 meters (m)) from the initial sighting
     The relevant exclusion zones for cetaceans and pinnipeds 
are relatively small (i.e., 70 m for cetaceans and 20 m for pinnipeds). 
Extending the monitoring period for a relatively small exclusion zone 
would not meaningfully increase the effectiveness of observing marine 
mammals approaching or entering the exclusion zone for the full source 
level and would not further minimize the potential for take.
     Because a significant part of their movement is vertical 
[deep-diving], it is unlikely that a submerged mysticete/large 
odontocete would move in the same direction and speed (roughly 5 knots) 
with the vessel for 30 minutes. If an mysticete/large odontocete's 
maximum underwater dive time is 45 minutes, then there is only a one in 
three chance that the last random surfacing could occur within the 70 m 
exclusion zone.
     The visual observers are constantly monitoring the horizon 
and the exclusion zones during the 30-minute period. On average, 
observers can observe to the horizon (10 km; 6.2 miles) from the height 
of the Langseth's observation deck and should be able to say with a 
reasonable degree of confidence whether a marine mammal would be 
encountered within this distance before resuming the two-GI airgun 
operations at full power.
    Next, we intend to clarify the monitoring period associated with an 
extended shutdown (i.e., the 15-minute

[[Page 56616]]

pause due to equipment failure or routine maintenance). During active 
seismic operations, there are occasions when the Langseth's crew will 
need to temporarily shut down the airguns due to equipment failure or 
for maintenance. Thus, an extended shutdown is not related to an 
observer detecting a marine mammal within, approaching, or entering the 
relevant exclusion zones. However, the observers are still actively 
monitoring the relevant exclusion zones for cetaceans and pinnipeds.
    In the case of an extended shutdown, due to equipment failure or 
routine maintenance, the Langseth's crew will turn on the airguns and 
follow the mitigation monitoring procedures for a ramp-up after a 
period of 15 minutes. Again, the observers will monitor the full 
exclusion zones for marine mammals and will implement a shutdown if 
necessary.
    In conclusion, we have designed monitoring and mitigation measures 
to comply with the requirement that incidental take authorizations must 
include means of effecting the least practicable impact on marine 
mammal species and their habitat. The effectiveness of monitoring is 
science-based, and monitoring and mitigation measures must be 
``practicable.'' We believe that the framework for visual monitoring 
will: (1) Be effective at spotting almost all species for which the 
Observatory has requested take; and (2) that imposing additional 
requirements, such as those suggested by the Commission, would not 
meaningfully increase the effectiveness of observing marine mammals 
approaching or entering the exclusion zones and thus further minimize 
the potential for take.
    Comment 4: The Commission recommends that we work with the 
Foundation to analyze the data collected during ramp-up procedures to 
help determine the effectiveness of those procedures as a mitigation 
measure for geophysical surveys.
    Response: We acknowledge the Commission's request for an analysis 
of ramp-ups and will work with the Foundation and the Observatory to 
help identify the effectiveness of the mitigation measure for seismic 
surveys.
    We require the Observatory to gather all data that could 
potentially provide information regarding the effectiveness of ramp-up 
as a mitigation measure in its final report. However, considering the 
low numbers of marine mammal sightings and low number of ramp-ups it is 
unlikely that the information will result in any statistically robust 
conclusions for this particular seismic survey. Over the long term, 
these reporting requirements may provide information regarding the 
effectiveness of ramp-up as a mitigation measure, provided the 
observers detect animals during ramp-up.

Description of the Marine Mammals in the Area of the Specified Activity

    Twenty-six marine mammal species may occur in the survey area 
offshore the Line Islands in the central Pacific Ocean, including 19 
odontocetes (toothed cetaceans), six mysticetes (baleen whales) and one 
species of pinniped during May through June, 2012. Six of these species 
are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA; 
16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), including the blue (Balaenoptera musculus), 
fin (Balaenoptera physalus), humpback (Megaptera novaeangliae), sei 
(Balaenoptera borealis), and sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) whales, and 
the Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi).
    Based on available data, we do not expect the Observatory to 
encounter nine of the 26 species in the proposed survey areas. They 
include the: Blue, fin, humpback, killer, minke, pygmy, pygmy killer, 
and sei whales and the Hawaiian monk seal because of the species' rare 
and/or extralimital occurrence in the survey areas. The Observatory did 
not request and we did not authorize take of these nine species. Thus, 
the issued Authorization only addresses requested take authorizations 
for 17 species: One mysticete, and 16 odontocetes. We expect that 
delphinids would be the most common marine mammal species in the survey 
area. They include the pantropical spotted (Stenella attenuata), 
spinner (S. longirostris) dolphins, and the short-finned pilot whale 
(Globicephala macrorhynchus).
    We have presented a more detailed discussion of the status of these 
stocks and their occurrence in the central Pacific Ocean in the notice 
of the proposed Authorization (77 FR 19242, March 30, 2012).

Potential Effects on Marine Mammals

    Acoustic stimuli generated by the operation of the airguns, which 
introduce sound into the marine environment, may have the potential to 
cause Level B harassment of marine mammals in the survey area. The 
effects of sounds from airgun operations 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 one cannot entirely 
exclude the possibility, 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, we expect some 
behavioral disturbance to occur, but we expect the disturbance to be 
localized and short-term.
    The notice of the proposed Authorization (77 FR 19242, March 30, 
2012) included a discussion of the effects of sounds from airguns on 
mysticetes and odontocetes including tolerance, masking, behavioral 
disturbance, hearing impairment, and other non-auditory physical 
effects. We refer the reader to the Observatory's application and 
Environmental Assessment for additional information on the behavioral 
reactions (or lack thereof) by all types of marine mammals to seismic 
vessels.

Anticipated Effects on Marine Mammal Habitat

    We 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 
Authorization (77 FR 19242, March 30, 2012). While we anticipate that 
the specified activity may result in marine mammals avoiding certain 
areas due to temporary ensonification, this impact to habitat is 
temporary and reversible. We considered these impacts in detail in the 
notice of the proposed Authorization (77 FR 19242, March 30, 2012) 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 incidental take authorization under section 
101(a)(5)(D) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, we must set forth the 
permissible methods of taking pursuant to such activity, and other 
means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on such species 
or stock and its habitat, paying particular attention to rookeries, 
mating grounds, and areas of similar significance, and the availability 
of such

[[Page 56617]]

species or stock for taking for certain subsistence uses.
    The Observatory has based the mitigation measures which they will 
implement during the seismic survey, on the following:
    (1) Protocols used during previous seismic research cruises as 
approved by us;
    (2) Previous applications for incidental take authorizations and 
Authorizations that we have approved and authorized; and
    (3) Recommended best practices in Richardson et al. (1995), Pierson 
et al. (1998), and Weir and Dolman, (2007).
    To reduce the potential for disturbance from acoustic stimuli 
associated with the activities, the Observatory and/or its designees 
would implement the following mitigation measures for marine mammals:
    (1) Proposed exclusion zones;
    (2) Speed or course alteration;
    (3) Shutdown procedures; and
    (4) Ramp-up procedures.
    Exclusion Zones--The Observatory uses safety radii to designate 
exclusion zones and to estimate take for marine mammals. Table 1 shows 
the distances at which one would expect to receive three sound levels 
(160-, 180-, and 190-dB) from the two GI airguns. The 180-dB and 190-dB 
level shutdown criteria are applicable to cetaceans and pinnipeds, 
respectively, as specified by us (2000). The Observatory used these 
levels to establish the exclusion zones.

Table 1--Distances to which sound levels >=160, 180, 190 dB re: 1 [mu]Pa (rms) one could receive in deep water during the proposed seismic survey in the
                       central Pacific Ocean, May, 2012. The Observatory provided the Distances are based on their model results.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                             Predicted RMS radii distances  (m)
                       Source and volume                         Tow depth  (m)   Water depth  (m) -----------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                         160 dB            180 dB            190 dB
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Two GI airguns (105 in\3\)....................................                3    Deep (> 1,000)               670                70                20
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    If the visual observer detects marine mammal(s) within or about to 
enter the appropriate exclusion zone, the Langseth crew would shut down 
the airguns immediately.
    Speed or Course Alteration--If the visual observer detects a marine 
mammal outside the zone and, based on its position and the relative 
motion, the marine mammal is likely to enter the zone, the Langseth 
could change the vessel's speed and/or direct course. The Langseth 
would implement speed or course operation if operationally practicable, 
thus minimizing the effect on the planned science objectives. The 
visual observer would monitor the activities and movements of the 
marine mammal (relative to the seismic vessel) to determine if the 
animal is approaching the applicable exclusion zone. If the animal 
appears likely to enter the zone, the Langseth would implement further 
mitigation measures, (i.e., either further course alterations or a 
shut-down of the seismic source). Typically, during seismic operations, 
the source vessel is unable to change speed or course and the Langseth 
would need to implement one or more alternative mitigation measures.
    Shut-down Procedures--The Langseth will shut down the operating 
airgun(s) if a marine mammal is seen outside the exclusion zone for the 
airgun(s). If the vessel cannot change its speed and/or course to avoid 
having the animal enter the zone, the Langseth will shutdown the 
seismic source before the animal is within the zone. If a marine mammal 
is already within the zone when first detected, the Langseth will 
shutdown the seismic source immediately.
    Following a shut-down, the Langseth will not resume airgun activity 
until the marine mammal has cleared the zone. The visual observer will 
consider the animal to have cleared the zone if:
     A visual observer has visually observed the animal leave 
the zone, or
     A visual observer has not sighted the animal within the 
zone for 15 minutes for species with shorter dive durations (i.e., 
small odontocetes or pinnipeds), or 30 minutes for species with longer 
dive durations (i.e., mysticetes and large odontocetes, including 
sperm, killer, and beaked whales).
    Ramp-up Procedures--The Observatory will follow a ramp-up procedure 
when the airgun array begins operating after a specified period without 
airgun operations or when a shut-down has exceeded that period. The 
Observatory proposes that, for the present cruise, this period would be 
approximately 15 minutes. The Observatory has used similar periods 
(approximately 15 minutes) during previous seismic surveys.
    The Observatory will begin a ramp-up with a single GI airgun (105 
in\3\) and will add the second GI airgun (105 in\3\) after five 
minutes. During ramp-up, the visual observer will monitor the exclusion 
zone, and if he/she sights a marine mammal(s), the Langseth will 
implement a shut-down as though both GI airguns were operational.
    If the complete zone is not visible for at least 30 minutes prior 
to the start of operations in either daylight or nighttime, the 
Langseth will not commence the ramp-up. If one airgun is operational, 
ramp-up to full power will be permissible at night or in poor 
visibility, on the assumption that marine mammals will be alerted to 
the approaching seismic vessel by the sounds from the single airgun and 
could move away if they choose. A ramp-up from a shut-down may occur at 
night, but only where the exclusion zone is small enough to be visible. 
The Observatory will not initiate a ramp-up of the airguns if a visual 
observer detects a marine mammal within or near the applicable zones 
during the day or close to the vessel at night.
    We have carefully evaluated the proposed mitigation measures and 
have considered a range of other measures in the context of ensuring 
that we prescribe 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.
    Based on our evaluation of the proposed measures, as well as other 
measures considered by us or recommended by the public for previous 
low-energy seismic surveys, we have determined that the mitigation 
measures provide the means of effecting the least practicable adverse 
impacts on

[[Page 56618]]

marine mammal 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 incidental take authorization for an activity, 
section 101(a)(5)(D) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act states that we 
must set forth ``requirements pertaining to the monitoring and 
reporting of such taking.'' The Act's implementing regulations at 50 
CFR 216.104(a)(13) indicate that requests for an authorization must 
include the suggested means of accomplishing the necessary monitoring 
and reporting that will result in increased knowledge of the species 
and our expectations of the level of taking or impacts on populations 
of marine mammals present in the action area.

Monitoring

    The Observatory will conduct marine mammal monitoring during the 
present project, in order to implement the mitigation measures that 
require real-time monitoring, and to satisfy the monitoring 
requirements of the issued Authorization. We describe the Observatory's 
Monitoring Plan below this section. The Observatory has planned the 
monitoring work as a self-contained project independent of any other 
related monitoring projects that may be occurring simultaneously in the 
same regions. Further, the Observatory is prepared to discuss 
coordination of its monitoring program with any related work that might 
be done by other groups insofar as this is practical and desirable.

Vessel-Based Visual Monitoring

    The Observatory will position visual observers aboard the seismic 
source vessel to watch for marine mammals near the vessel during 
daytime airgun operations and during any ramp-ups at night. The 
observers will also watch for marine mammals near the seismic vessel 
for at least 30 minutes prior to the ramp-up of airgun operations after 
an extended shut-down (i.e., greater than approximately 15 minutes for 
this proposed cruise). When feasible, the observers will conduct 
observations during daytime periods when the seismic system is not 
operating for comparison of sighting rates and behavior with and 
without airgun operations and between acquisition periods. Based on 
their observations, the Langseth will shutdown the airguns when they 
detect marine mammals within or about to enter a designated exclusion 
zone. The zone is a region in which a possibility exists of adverse 
effects on animal hearing or other physical effects.
    During seismic operations in the central Pacific Ocean, at least 
three visual observers will be aboard the Langseth. The Observatory 
will appoint the observers with our concurrence. At least one observer 
will monitor the zones during seismic operations. Observations will 
take place during ongoing daytime operations and nighttime ramp-ups of 
the airguns. Observers will be on duty in shifts of duration no longer 
than four hours. The vessel crew will also be instructed to assist in 
detecting marine mammals.
    The Langseth is a suitable platform for marine mammal observations. 
When stationed on the observation platform, the eye level will be 
approximately 21.5 m (70.5 ft) above sea level, and the observer will 
have a good view around the entire vessel. During daytime, the visual 
observers will scan the area around the vessel systematically with 
reticle binoculars (e.g., 7 x 50 Fujinon), big-eye binoculars (25 x 
150), and with the naked eye. During darkness, night vision devices 
(NVDs) will be available (ITT F500 Series Generation 3 binocular-image 
intensifier or equivalent), when required. Laser range-finding 
binoculars (Leica LRF 1200 laser rangefinder or equivalent) will be 
available to assist with distance estimation. Those are useful in 
training observers to estimate distances visually, but are generally 
not useful in measuring distances to animals directly; that is done 
primarily with the reticles in the binoculars.
    When the visual observers detect marine mammals within or about to 
enter the designated exclusion zone, the Langseth will immediately 
shut-down the airguns if necessary. The observers will continue to 
maintain watch to determine when the animal(s) are outside the zone by 
visual confirmation. The Langseth will not resume airgun operations 
until he/she confirms that the animal has left the zone, or if the 
observer has not observed the animal after 15 minutes for species with 
shorter dive durations (small odontocetes and pinnipeds) or 30 minutes 
for species with longer dive durations (mysticetes and large 
odontocetes, including sperm, killer, and beaked whales).

Observer Data and Documentation

    The observers will record data to estimate the numbers of marine 
mammals exposed to various received sound levels and to document 
apparent disturbance reactions or lack thereof. The Observatory will 
use the data to estimate numbers of animals potentially `taken' by 
harassment (as defined in the Marine Mammal Protection Act). The data 
will also provide information needed to order a shutdown of the airguns 
when a marine mammal is within or near the exclusion zone. Also, the 
observers will also be on watch during daytime periods when the 
Langseth is underway without seismic operations (i.e., transits to, 
from, and through the study area) to collect baseline biological data.
    When an observer makes a sighting, they will record the following 
information:
    1. Species, group size, age/size/sex categories (if determinable), 
behavior when first sighted and after initial sighting, heading (if 
consistent), bearing and distance from seismic vessel, sighting cue, 
apparent reaction to the airguns or vessel (e.g., none, avoidance, 
approach, paralleling, etc.), and behavioral pace.
    2. Time, location, heading, speed, activity of the vessel, sea 
state, visibility, and sun glare.
    The observer will record the data listed under (2) at the start and 
end of each observation watch, and during a watch whenever there is a 
change in one or more of the variables.
    Observers will record all observations in a standardized format and 
will enter data into an electronic database. The observers will verify 
the accuracy of the data entry by computerized data validity checks as 
the data are entered and by subsequent manual checking of the database. 
These procedures will allow the preparation of initial summaries of 
data during and shortly after the field program, and will facilitate 
transfer of the data to statistical, graphical, and other programs for 
further processing and archiving.
    Results from the vessel-based observations will provide:
    1. The basis for real-time mitigation (airgun power down or 
shutdown).
    2. Information needed to estimate the number of marine mammals 
potentially taken by harassment, which the Observatory must report to 
the Office of Protected Resources.
    3. Data on the occurrence, distribution, and activities of marine 
mammals and turtles in the area where the Observatory will conduct the 
seismic study.
    4. Information to compare the distance and distribution of marine 
mammals and turtles relative to the source vessel at times with and 
without seismic activity.
    5. Data on the behavior and movement patterns of marine mammals 
detected during non-active and active seismic operations.

[[Page 56619]]

Reporting

    The Observatory will submit a report to us and to the Foundation 
within 90 days after the end of the cruise. The report will describe 
the operations that were conducted and sightings of marine mammals and 
turtles near the operations. The report will provide full documentation 
of methods, results, and interpretation pertaining to all monitoring. 
The 90-day report will summarize the dates and locations of seismic 
operations, and all marine mammal sightings (dates, times, locations, 
activities, associated seismic survey activities). The report will also 
include estimates of the number and nature of exposures that could 
result in ``takes'' of marine mammals by harassment or in other ways.
    In the unanticipated event that the specified activity clearly 
causes the take of a marine mammal in a manner prohibited by the issued 
Authorization, such as an injury (Level A harassment), serious injury 
or mortality (e.g., ship-strike, gear interaction, and/or 
entanglement), the Observatory shall immediately cease the specified 
activities and 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 Pacific Islands Regional Stranding 
Coordinator at 808-944-2269 ([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).
    The Observatory shall not resume its activities until we are able 
to review the circumstances of the prohibited take. We shall work with 
the Observatory to determine what is necessary to minimize the 
likelihood of further prohibited take and ensure Marine Mammal 
Protection Act compliance. The Observatory may not resume their 
activities until notified by us via letter, email, or telephone.
    In the event that the Observatory discovers an injured or dead 
marine mammal, and the lead visual observer 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 we describe in 
the next paragraph), the Observatory 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 Pacific Islands 
Regional Stranding Coordinator at 808-944-2269 
([email protected]). The report must include the same 
information identified in the paragraph above this section. Activities 
may continue while we review the circumstances of the incident. We will 
work with the Observatory to determine whether modifications in the 
activities are appropriate.
    In the event that the Observatory discovers an injured or dead 
marine mammal, and the lead visual observer determines that the injury 
or death is not associated with or related to the authorized activities 
(e.g., previously wounded animal, carcass with moderate to advanced 
decomposition, or scavenger damage), the Observatory will report to the 
Acting 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 NMFS Pacific 
Islands Regional Stranding Coordinator at 808-944-2269 
([email protected]), within 24 hours of the discovery. The 
Observatory will provide photographs or video footage (if available) or 
other documentation of the stranded animal sighting to us.

Estimated Take by Incidental Harassment

    Except with respect to certain activities not pertinent here, the 
Marine Mammal Protection Act 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].
    We have authorized incidental take by Level B harassment only for 
the marine geophysical survey in the central Pacific Ocean. Acoustic 
stimuli (i.e., increased underwater sound) generated during the 
operation of the seismic airgun array may have the potential to cause 
marine mammals in the survey area to be exposed to sounds at or greater 
than 160 dB re: 1 [mu]Pa or cause temporary, short-term changes in 
behavior. There is no evidence that the Observatory's planned 
activities could result in injury, serious injury or mortality within 
the specified geographic area for the Authorization. The required 
mitigation and monitoring measures will minimize any potential risk for 
injury, serious injury, or mortality.
    The Observatory's estimates assume that marine mammals exposed to 
airgun sounds greater than or equal to 160 dB re: 1 [mu]Pa might change 
their behavior sufficiently for us to consider them as taken by 
harassment. They have based their estimates on the number of marine 
mammals that could be disturbed appreciably by operations with the two 
GI airgun array during approximately 2,316 square km (894 square miles) 
(includes primary and secondary lines and an additional 25 percent 
contingency) of survey lines in the central Pacific Ocean.
    We assume that during simultaneous operations of the airgun array 
and the other sources, any marine mammals close enough to be affected 
by the echosounder, sub-bottom profiler, and acoustic Doppler current 
profiler would already be affected by the airguns. However, whether or 
not the airguns are operating simultaneously with the other sources, we 
expect that the marine mammals would exhibit no more than short-term 
and inconsequential responses to the echosounder and profiler given 
their characteristics (e.g., narrow downward-directed beam) and other 
considerations described previously. Based on the best available 
information, we do not consider that these reactions constitute a 
``take'' (NMFS, 2001). Therefore, the Observatory did not provide any 
additional allowance for animals that could be affected by sound 
sources other than the two airguns.
    We have presented a more detailed discussion of the Observatory's 
methods to estimate take by incidental harassment in the notice of the 
proposed Authorization (77 FR 19242, March 30, 2012). Refer to the 
notice for more detailed information on the density data and their 
methodology to estimate take.
    The Observatory's estimates of exposures to various sound levels

[[Page 56620]]

assume that they will complete the surveys; in fact, they have 
increased the calculations of the ensonified by 25 percent to 
accommodate turns, lines that may need to be repeated, and equipment 
testing. As is typical during ship surveys, inclement weather and 
equipment malfunctions may cause delays and may limit the number of 
useful line-kilometers of seismic operations that the Observatory can 
finish. Furthermore, any marine mammal sightings within or near the 
designated exclusion zone will result in the shutdown of seismic 
operations as a mitigation measure. Thus, the following estimates of 
the numbers of marine mammals potentially exposed to 160-dB re: 1 FPa 
sounds are precautionary, and probably overestimate the actual numbers 
of marine mammals that might be involved. These estimates assume that 
there will be no weather, equipment, or mitigation delays, which is 
highly unlikely.
    Table 2 in this notice shows estimates of the number of individual 
cetaceans that potentially could be exposed to greater than or equal to 
160 dB re: 1 [mu]Pa during the seismic survey if no animals moved away 
from the survey vessel. We present the take authorization in the far 
right column of Table 3. For endangered species, the requested take 
authorization reflects the mean group size in the eastern tropical 
Pacific Ocean (Jackson et al., 2008) for the particular species in 
cases where the calculated number of individuals exposed was between 
0.05 and the mean group size (i.e., for the sperm whale). For non-
listed species, the requested take authorization reflects the mean 
group size in the Center's survey area (Barlow et al., 2008) for the 
particular species in cases where the calculated number of individuals 
exposed was between one and the mean group size.
    The total estimate of the number of individual cetaceans that could 
be exposed to seismic sounds with received levels greater than or equal 
to 160 dB re: 1 [mu]Pa during the proposed survey is 828 (see Table 2 
in this notice). That total includes: Four Bryde's whales or 0.01 
percent of the regional population; and seven sperm whales (also listed 
as endangered) or 0.03 percent of the regional population could be 
exposed during the survey.
    As stated earlier in this notice, the Observatory did not estimate 
take of endangered humpback, sei, blue, or fin whales or Hawaiian monk 
seals because of the low likelihood of encountering these species 
during the cruise. In addition, 18 beaked whales (16 Cuvier's, one 
Longman's, and one Mesoplodon spp.) could be exposed during the survey. 
Most (94.7 percent) of the cetaceans that could be potentially exposed 
are delphinids (e.g., spinner, pantropical spotted, and striped 
dolphins are estimated to be the most common species in the area) with 
maximum estimates ranging from four to 425 species exposed to levels 
greater than or equal to 160 dB re: 1 [mu]Pa.

    Table 3--Estimates of the possible numbers of marine mammals exposed to different sound levels during the
                   Observatory's seismic survey in the central Pacific Ocean during May, 2012.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Estimated number
                                                           of individuals      Approximate
                        Species                           exposed to sound      percent of       Requested take
                                                          levels >= 160 dB       regional        authorization
                                                          re: 1 [mu]Pa \1\    population \2\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bryde's whale..........................................                  1               0.01              \4\ 4
Blue whale.............................................                  0             < 0.01                  0
Sperm whale............................................                  7               0.03              \4\ 8
Dwarf sperm whale......................................                 18               0.16                 18
Cuvier's beaked whale..................................                 16               0.08                 16
Longman's beaked whale.................................                  1               0.36             \4\ 14
Mesoplodon spp.\3\.....................................                  1              <0.01              \4\ 4
Rough-toothed dolphin..................................                  3              <0.01             \4\ 13
Bottlenose dolphin.....................................                 11              <0.01             \4\ 12
Pantropical spotted dolphin............................                279               0.06                279
Spinner dolphin........................................                425               0.02                425
Striped dolphin........................................                 38              <0.01             \4\ 46
Fraser's dolphin.......................................                 11              <0.01            \4\ 182
Risso's dolphin........................................                  2              <0.01             \4\ 14
Melon-headed whale.....................................                  3               0.01            \4\ 101
False killer whale.....................................                  0              <0.01              \4\ 9
Short-finned pilot whale...............................                 12              <0.01             \4\ 24
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Estimates are based on densities from Table 3 in the notice of the proposed Authorization (77 FR 19242,
  March 30, 2012) and an ensonified area (including 25 percent contingency).
\2\ Regional population size estimates are from Table 2 notice of the proposed Authorization (77 FR 19242, March
  30, 2012).
\3\ Includes ginkgo-toothed and/or Blainville's beaked whales.
\4\ Requested take authorization increased to mean group size.

Encouraging and Coordinating Research

    The Observatory and the Foundation will coordinate the planned 
marine mammal monitoring program associated with each seismic survey in 
the central Pacific Ocean with other parties that may have interest in 
the area and/or may be conducting marine mammal studies in the same 
region during the seismic surveys.

Negligible Impact and Small Numbers Analysis and Determination

    We have 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, 
we consider:
    (1) The number of anticipated injuries, serious injuries, or 
mortalities;
    (2) The number, nature, and intensity, and duration of Level B 
harassment (all relatively limited); and
    (3) The context in which the takes occur (i.e., impacts to areas of 
significance, impacts to local

[[Page 56621]]

populations, and cumulative impacts when taking into account 
successive/contemporaneous actions when added to baseline data);
    (4) The status of stock or species of marine mammals (i.e., 
depleted, not depleted, decreasing, increasing, stable, impact relative 
to the size of the population);
    (5) Impacts on habitat affecting rates of recruitment/survival; and
    (6) The effectiveness of monitoring and mitigation measures.
    For reasons stated previously in this document, the specified 
activities associated with the marine seismic surveys are not likely to 
cause permanent threshold shift, or other non-auditory injury, serious 
injury, or death because:
    (1) The likelihood that, given sufficient notice through relatively 
slow ship speed, we expect marine mammals to move away from a noise 
source that is annoying prior to its becoming potentially injurious;
    (2) The potential for temporary or permanent hearing impairment is 
relatively low and that we would likely avoid this impact through the 
incorporation of the required monitoring and mitigation measures 
(described previously in this document);
    (3) The fact that cetaceans would have to be closer than 70 meters 
(229.7 feet) in deep water when the two GI airgun array has a 3-meter 
(9.8 feet) tow depth from the vessel to be exposed to levels of sound 
believed to have even a minimal chance of causing permanent threshold 
shift; and
    (4) The likelihood that marine mammal detection ability by trained 
marine mammal observers is high at close proximity to the vessel.
    We do not anticipate that any injuries, serious injuries, or 
mortalities would occur as a result of the Observatory's planned marine 
seismic surveys, and we do not propose to authorize injury, serious 
injury or mortality for this survey. We anticipate only short-term 
behavioral disturbance to occur during the conduct of the survey 
activities. Table 2 of this document outlines the number of requested 
Level B harassment takes that we anticipate as a result of these 
activities. Due to the nature, degree, and context of Level B 
(behavioral) harassment anticipated and described (see ``Potential 
Effects on Marine Mammals'' section in this notice), we do not expect 
the activity to impact rates of recruitment or survival for any 
affected species or stock. Further, the seismic surveys would not take 
place in areas of significance for marine mammal feeding, resting, 
breeding, or calving and would not adversely impact marine mammal 
habitat.
    Many animals perform vital functions, such as feeding, resting, 
traveling, and socializing, on a diel cycle (i.e., 24-hour cycle). 
Behavioral reactions to noise exposure (such as disruption of critical 
life functions, displacement, or avoidance of important habitat) are 
more likely to be significant if they last more than one diel cycle or 
recur on subsequent days (Southall et al., 2007). While we anticipate 
that the seismic operations would occur on consecutive days, the 
estimated duration of the survey would last no more than 6 days and the 
Langseth will be continuously moving along planned tracklines. 
Therefore, the seismic survey will be increasing sound levels in the 
marine environment in a relatively small area surrounding the vessel, 
which is constantly traveling over far distances, for a relatively 
short time period in the study area.
    Of the 26 marine mammal species under our (the National Marine 
Fisheries Service's) jurisdiction that are known to occur or may occur 
in the study area, six are listed as endangered under endangered under 
the Endangered Species Act: The humpback, sei, fin, blue, and sperm 
whale and the Hawaiian monk seal. We also consider these species as 
depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
    Based on available data, we do not expect the Observatory to 
encounter nine of the 26 species in the proposed survey areas. They 
include the: Blue, fin, humpback, killer, minke, pygmy, pygmy killer, 
and sei whales and the Hawaiian monk seal because of the species' rare 
and/or extralimital occurrence in the survey areas and the low 
likelihood of encountering these species during the cruise. The 
Observatory did not request and we did not authorize take of these nine 
species. Thus, the issued Authorization only addresses requested take 
authorizations for 17 species: One mysticete, and 16 odontocetes. As 
mentioned previously, the survey would not occur in any areas 
designated as critical habitat for Endangered Species Act-listed 
species and would not adversely impact marine mammal habitat. To 
protect these animals (and other marine mammals in the study area), the 
Observatory must cease or reduce airgun operations if animals enter 
designated zones.
    As mentioned previously, we estimate that 17 species of marine 
mammals under our jurisdiction could be potentially affected by Level B 
harassment over the course of the proposed IHA. For each species, these 
numbers are small (each less than one percent) relative to the regional 
population size (see Table 2).
    Our practice has been to apply the 160 dB re: 1 [mu]Pa received 
level threshold for underwater impulse sound levels to determine 
whether take by Level B harassment occurs. Southall et al. (2007) 
provides a severity scale for ranking observed behavioral responses of 
both free-ranging marine mammals and laboratory subjects to various 
types of anthropogenic sound (see Table 4 in Southall et al. [2007]).
    We have determined, provided that the aforementioned mitigation and 
monitoring measures are implemented, that the impact of conducting a 
marine seismic survey in the central Pacific Ocean, May through June, 
2012, may result, at worst, in a temporary modification in behavior 
and/or low-level physiological effects (Level B harassment) of small 
numbers of certain species of marine mammals.
    While these species may make behavioral modifications, including 
temporarily vacating the area during the operation of the airgun(s) to 
avoid the resultant acoustic disturbance, the availability of alternate 
areas within these areas and the short duration of the research 
activities, have led us to determine that this action will have a 
negligible impact on the species in the specified geographic region.
    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, we have found that the Observatory's planned research 
activities would result in the incidental take of small numbers of 
marine mammals, by Level B harassment only, and that the total taking 
from the marine seismic survey would have a negligible impact on the 
affected species or stocks of marine mammals; and that the required 
measures mitigate impacts to affected species or stocks of marine 
mammals to the lowest level practicable.

Impact on Availability of Affected Species or Stock for Taking for 
Subsistence Uses

    Section 101(a)(5)(D) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act also 
requires us to determine that the authorization will not have an 
unmitigable adverse effect on the availability of marine mammal species 
or stocks for subsistence use. There are no relevant subsistence uses 
of marine mammals in the study area (central Pacific Ocean) that 
implicate section 101(a)(5)(D) of the Act.

[[Page 56622]]

Endangered Species Act

    Of the species of marine mammals that may occur in the proposed 
survey area, several are listed as endangered under the ESA, including 
the blue, fin, humpback, sei, and sperm whale and Hawaiian monk seal. 
The Observatory did not request take of endangered humpback, sei, blue, 
or fin whales or Hawaiian monk seals because of the low likelihood of 
encountering these species during the cruise. As mentioned previously, 
the survey would not occur in any areas designated as critical habitat 
for listed species and would not adversely impact marine mammal 
habitat.
    Under section 7 of this Act, the Foundation initiated formal 
consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of 
Protected Resources, Endangered Species Act Interagency Cooperation 
Division, on this seismic survey. We, (the Permits and Conservation 
Division), also initiated formal consultation under section 7 of the 
Act with the Endangered Species Act Interagency Cooperation Division, 
to obtain a Biological Opinion (Opinion) evaluating the effects of 
issuing an incidental harassment authorization for threatened and 
endangered marine mammals and, if appropriate, authorizing incidental 
take. In May 2012, the Endangered Species Act Interagency Cooperation 
Division issued an Opinion and concluded that the action and issuance 
of the Authorization was not likely to jeopardize the continued 
existence of blue, fin, humpback, sei, and sperm whales and Hawaiian 
monk seals. The Opinion also concluded that the survey would not affect 
designated critical habitat for these species. The Foundation and the 
Observatory must comply with the Relevant Terms and Conditions of the 
Incidental Take Statement corresponding to the Opinion issued to us, 
the Foundation, and the Observatory. The Observatory must also comply 
with the Authorization's mitigation and monitoring requirements in 
order to be exempt under the Incidental Take Statement in the Opinion 
from the prohibition on take of listed endangered marine mammal species 
otherwise prohibited by section 9 of the Act.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

    With its complete application, the Foundation and the Observatory 
provided an ``Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant 
Impact Determination Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act, 
(NEPA: 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and Executive Order 12114 for a ``Marine 
Geophysical Survey by the R/V Marcus G. Langseth in the Central Pacific 
Ocean May, 2012,'' which incorporates an ``Environmental Assessment of 
a Marine Geophysical Survey by the R/V Marcus G. Langseth in the 
central Pacific Ocean, May, 2012,'' prepared by LGL Limited 
environmental research associates on behalf of the Foundation and the 
Observatory.
    The Assessment analyzed the direct, indirect, and cumulative 
environmental impacts of the specified activities on marine mammals 
including those listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered 
Species Act. We conducted an independent review and evaluation of the 
document for sufficiency and compliance with the Council of 
Environmental Quality and NOAA Administrative Order 216-6 Sec.  
5.09(d), Environmental Review Procedures for Implementing the National 
Environmental Policy Act, and determined that issuance of the 
Authorization is not likely to result in significant impacts on the 
human environment. Also, we have provided relevant environmental 
information to the public through the notice of the proposed 
Authorization (77 FR 19242, March 30, 2012) and have considered public 
comments received in response prior to adopting the Foundation's 
Assessment. We have concluded that issuance of an Authorization would 
not significantly affect the quality of the human environment and have 
issued a separate Finding of No Significant Impact. Because we have 
made this finding, it is not necessary to prepare an environmental 
impact statement for the issuance of an Authorization to the 
Observatory for this activity.

Authorization

    As a result of these determinations, we have issued an Incidental 
Harassment Authorization to the Observatory for the take of small 
numbers of marine mammals, by Level B harassment incidental to 
conducting a marine geophysical survey in the central Pacific Ocean, 
May 1 through June 11, 2012, provided the Observatory implements the 
previously mentioned mitigation, monitoring, and reporting 
requirements. The Authorization's duration will not exceed one year 
from the date of issuance.

    Dated: April 30, 2012.
Helen M. Golde,
Acting Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-22602 Filed 9-12-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P