[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 249 (Friday, December 27, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78824-78837]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-31065]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC784


Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; 
Rockaway Delivery Lateral Project off New York, January 2013 through 
January 2014

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

ACTION: Notice; proposed Incidental Harassment Authorization; request 
for comments.

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SUMMARY: We have received an application from Transcontinental Gas Pipe 
Line Company, LLC (Transco) for an Incidental Harassment Authorization 
to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to expanding a 
natural gas pipeline system off the coast of New York from April 2014 
through August 2014. Per the Marine Mammal Protection Act, we are 
requesting comments on our proposal to issue an Incidental Harassment 
Authorization to Transco to incidentally harass by Level B harassment 
only, seven species of marine mammals during pile driving and removal 
operations.

[[Page 78825]]


DATES: Comments and information must be received no later than January 
27, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the application should be addressed 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. The mailbox address for 
providing email comments is [email protected]. Please include 
0648-XC784 in the subject line. We are not responsible for email 
comments sent to other addresses other than the one provided here. 
Comments sent via email to [email protected], including all 
attachments, must not exceed a 10-megabyte file size.
    All submitted comments are a part of the public record and we will 
post to http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm#applications 
without change. All Personal Identifying Information (for example, 
name, address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be 
publicly accessible. Do not submit confidential business information or 
otherwise sensitive or protected information.
    To obtain an electronic copy of the application, write to the 
previously mentioned address, telephone the contact listed here (see 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT), or visit the Internet at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm#applications.
    The public can view documents cited in this notice by appointment, 
during regular business hours, at the aforementioned address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Magliocca, National Marine 
Fisheries Service, Office of Protected Resources, (301) 427-8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 101(a)(5)(D) of the Marine Mammal Protection 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, after notice of a proposed authorization to the 
public for review and public comment: (1) we make certain findings; and 
(2) the taking is limited to harassment.
    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 (i.e., mitigation); and requirements pertaining to the 
monitoring and reporting of such taking. 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 MMPA 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 authorizations 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 
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].

Summary of Request

    We received an application from Transco on March 21, 2013, 
requesting that we issue an Incidental Harassment Authorization 
(Authorization) for the take, by Level B harassment only, of small 
numbers of marine mammals incidental to the Rockaway delivery lateral 
project (Project) off the coast of New York from April 2014 August May 
2014. We received a revised application from Transco on May 13, 2013, 
which reflected updates to the proposed mitigation measures, proposed 
monitoring measures, and incidental take requests for marine mammals. 
Upon receipt of additional information, we determined the application 
complete and adequate on May 21, 2013. Further revisions were made to 
the request in October 2013 due to a change in the project schedule and 
the application was considered complete and adequate on November 9, 
2013.
    Transco proposes to expand its pipeline system to meet immediate 
and future demand for natural gas in the New York City market area. 
This project would provide an additional delivery point to National 
Grid's (an international electricity and gas company) local 
distribution companies, giving National Grid the flexibility to 
redirect supplies during peak demand periods. The in-water portion of 
the project, which would require pile driving, may result in the 
incidental taking of seven species of marine mammals by behavioral 
harassment.

Description of the Proposed Specified Activities

    The specific Project activity would be to install a sub-sea natural 
gas pipeline extending from the existing Lower New York Bay Lateral in 
the Atlantic Ocean to an onshore delivery point on the Rockaway 
Peninsula. The work would include the following:

 Horizontal directional drilling
     Beginning onshore and exiting offshore
     Includes excavation of the horizontal directional drilling 
exit pit and pile driving activities
 Offshore construction and support vessels
     Various vessels would be used throughout the in-water work
 Sub-sea dual hot-tap installation of the existing Lower New 
York Bay Lateral
     Includes use of diver-controlled hand-jetting to clear 
sediment around the existing pipeline
 Offshore pipeline construction
     Includes offshore pipe laying and subsea jet-sled 
trenching
 Anode bed installation and cable crossing
     Includes use of divers and hand-jetting to clear sediment 
around the locations of the anode bed and existing power cable crossing
 Hydrostatic test water withdrawal and discharge
     Would occur four times during the course of in-water 
construction.
     Post-installation and final (as-built) hydrographic survey
     Includes the use of a multibeam echo sounder and high 
resolution side scan sonar
     Subsea trench and HDD exit pit backfill
     Includes the use of a small-scale crane-supported suction 
dredge for the trench
     Includes the use of diver-controlled hand jetting and/or 
clamshell dredge for the HDD exit pit

[[Page 78826]]

     Operation and maintenance

    Only the pile driving activities associated with horizontal 
directional drilling offshore construction are expected to result in 
the take of marine mammals by Level B harassment. Other aspects of the 
project are discussed in more detail in Transco's IHA application 
(http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm/#applications). No 
vessels would use dynamic positioning (a system to maintain position 
and heading), and only two vessels--a crew boat and escort boat--would 
make daily trips to the Project area from shore. Elevated sound levels 
that would result in harassment are not expected from the clamshell 
dredge because the dredge would be anchored and dynamic positioning 
would not be used. Dredging and trenching may result in a temporary, 
localized increase in turbidity, but are not expected to rise to the 
level of harassment. A complete description of all in-water Project 
activities is provided in Transco's application (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm/#applications).

Vibratory Hammer Installation and Removal

    Vibratory hammers are commonly used in steel pile installation and 
removal when the sediment conditions allow for this method. Transco 
will likely use the MKT V 52 model of vibratory hammer for the Project. 
The vibratory hammer is considered a continuous sound source because it 
continuously drives the pile into the substrate until the desired depth 
is reached. Transco would use a vibratory hammer to install about 70 
piles (5 sets of temporary goal posts and up to 60 temporary fender 
piles). All piles would be 14- to 16-inch diameter steel pipe piles. 
Two vibratory hammers would be on site, but only one hammer would be 
used at a time. Each pile should take about 1 to 2 seconds to install 
per foot of depth driven, with each pile driven to a depth of about 25 
to 30 feet below the seafloor. Therefore, each pile would take up to 60 
seconds of continuous pile driving to install. All piles should be 
installed during a 1-week period, with less than 12 hours of pile 
driving operation. The goal posts and fenders would remain in the 
offshore environment for the duration of the horizontal directional 
drilling portion of construction (3 to 4 months). Extraction of all 
piles at the end of the construction period should take about as long 
as installation.

Location of the Specified Activity

    The Project would be located mostly in nearshore waters (within 
approximately 3 miles of the Atlantic Ocean), southeast of the Rockaway 
Peninsula in Queens County, New York. A linear segment of underwater 
land measuring approximately 2.15 miles would be required for offshore 
pipe lay and trenching activities from the interconnect with Transco's 
pipeline to the proposed horizontal directional drilling exit point in 
the nearshore area, seaward of Jacob Riis Park (see Figure 1 of 
Transco's application). The Project area is located within the greater 
New York Bight region, with construction occurring within approximately 
2.86 miles from the Jacob Riis Park shoreline. Vessels associated with 
the Project would travel between the pipe yard in Elizabeth, New 
Jersey, to the offshore construction site. The greater Project area, 
therefore, is described as the waters between the pipe yard and 
construction site and the waters offshore of Jacob Riis Park where 
construction would occur. However, pile driving activities would only 
take place around the horizontal directional drilling exit point in the 
nearshore area. All work would occur in water depths between 25 and 50 
feet.

Duration of the Specified Activity

    Transco initially proposed to construct the Rockaway Delivery 
Lateral during the winter and early spring of 2014 (January through 
May), with actual pile installation and removal occurring approximately 
10 percent of the time. However, the construction window will likely be 
shifted back; pile driving activities would begin in April and should 
be completed in August. Total installation time for all piles is 
expected total less than 1 day of operation and would occur during a 1-
week period. Total operating time for the extraction of all piles at 
the end of the construction period is expected to take a similar amount 
of time (1 day total over a 1-week period).

Metrics Used in This Document

    This section includes a brief explanation of the sound measurements 
frequently used in the discussions of acoustic effects in this 
document. Sound pressure is the sound force per unit area, and is 
usually measured in micropascals ([micro]Pa), where 1 pascal (Pa) is 
the pressure resulting from a force of one newton exerted over an area 
of one square meter. We express sound pressure level as the ratio of a 
measured sound pressure and a reference level. The commonly used 
reference pressure level in underwater acoustics is 1 [micro]Pa, and 
the units for sound pressure levels are dB re: 1 [mu]Pa. Sound pressure 
level (in decibels (dB)) = 20 log (pressure/reference pressure)
    Sound pressure level is an instantaneous measurement and can be 
expressed as the peak, the peak-peak (p-p), or the root mean square. 
Root mean square, which is the square root of the arithmetic average of 
the squared instantaneous pressure values, is typically used in 
discussions of the effects of sounds on vertebrates and all references 
to sound pressure level in this document refer to the root mean square 
unless otherwise noted. Sound pressure level does not take the duration 
of a sound into account.

Predicted Sound Levels From Vibratory Pile Driving

    No source levels were available for 14- to 16-inch diameter steel 
pipe piles at water depths of approximately 33 feet. The most 
applicable source levels available are for 12-inch diameter steel pipe 
piles in water depths of approximately 16 feet. In-water measurements 
for the Mad River Slough Project in Arcata, California, indicate that 
installation of a 12-inch steel pipe pile in about 16 feet of water 
measured 10 meters from the source generated 155 dB re 1 uPa RMS. To 
account for the increased diameter of the piles planned for use during 
the Project, a change in water depth, and a different location than 
where the reference levels were recorded, Transco increased the source 
levels from the Mad River Slough Project by 5 dB. The 5 dB increase was 
chosen due to an overall lack of current information available for 
reference levels of steel pipe piles of a similar size being driven 
with a vibratory hammer in similar water depths. Transco expects that 
this increase overestimates the actual source level from the vibratory 
hammer.
    Transco applied the practical spreading loss model to determine the 
approximate distance from the sound source to our acoustic threshold 
for marine mammal harassment. The practical spreading loss model 
accounts for a 4.5 dB loss per doubling of distance to determine how 
sound travels away from a source. The calculated distances to our 
current acoustic threshold criteria for harassment are shown in Table 1 
below. Sound levels from vibratory pile driving would not reach the 
Level A harassment threshold of 180/190 dB (cetaceans/pinnipeds). 
However, Transco expects that sound levels within the Level B 
harassment threshold could occur out to 3 miles from the source 
(assuming no external

[[Page 78827]]

impedances or masking by background noise). Transco and NMFS believe 
that this estimate represents the worst-case scenario and that the 
actual distance to the Level B harassment threshold may be shorter.

   Table 1--Calculated Distances to NMFS' Acoustic Threshold Criteria
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Distance to
                                    Distance to Level B      Level A
          Activity type            harassment threshold     harassment
                                          (120 dB)       threshold  (180/
                                                             190 dB)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vibratory pile driving (14- to 16- 4,600 meters........             N/A
 inch steel pipe piles).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

    Thirteen marine mammal species under our jurisdiction may occur in 
the proposed Project area, including four mysticetes (baleen whales), 
six odontocetes (toothed cetaceans), and three pinnipeds (seals). Three 
of these species are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species 
Act of 1973 (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), including: the humpback 
(Megaptera novaeangliae), fin (Balaenoptera physalus), and north 
Atlantic right (Eubalaena glacialis) whales.
    However, based on occurrence information, stranding records, and 
seasonal distribution, it is unlikely that humpback whales, fin whales, 
minke whales, Atlantic white-sided dolphins, short-finned pilot whales, 
or long-finned pilot whales would be present in the Project area during 
the winter in-water construction period. Each of these species is 
discussed in detail in section 3 of Transco's IHA application (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm/#applications). In summary, 
humpback whales are typically found in other regions of the east coast 
and there have been no reported observations within the vicinity of the 
Project area in recent years; fin whales prefer deeper offshore waters 
and there have been no reported observations within the vicinity of the 
Project area in recent years; minke whales are prevalent in other 
regions there have been no reported observations within the vicinity of 
the Project area in recent years; Atlantic white-sided dolphins 
generally occur in areas east and north of the Project area; and short-
finned and long-finned pilot whales prefer deeper pelagic waters. 
Accordingly, we did not consider these species in greater detail and 
the proposed authorization only addresses requested take authorizations 
for seven species.
    Table 2 presents information on the abundance, distribution, and 
conservation status of the marine mammals that may occur in the 
proposed survey area during January through August.

   Table 2--Abundance Estimates, Mean Density, and ESA Status of Marine Mammals That May Occur in the Proposed
                                   Project Area During January Through August
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                    Time of Year
         Common Name           Scientific Name       Stock          Abundance          ESA\a\       Expected in
                                                                     Estimate                          Region
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mysticetes
    North Atlantic right       Eubalaena        N/A............  444............              EN   Nov-April
     whale.                     glacialis.
Odontocetes
    Harbor porpoise..........  Phocoena         Gulf of Maine/   89,054.........  ...............  Jan-March
                                phocoena.        Bay of Fundy.
    Bottlenose dolphin.......  Tursiops         Western North    7,147..........  ...............  July-Sept
                                truncatus.       Atlantic
                                                 Northern
                                                 Migratory.
    Short-beaked common        Delphinus        Western North    52,893.........  ...............  Jan-May
     dolphin.                   delphis.         Atlantic.
Pinnipeds
    Gray seal................  Halichoerus      Western North    348,900........  ...............  Sept-May
                                grypus.          Atlantic.
    Harbor seal..............  Phoca vitulina.  Western North    99,340.........  ...............  Sept-May
                                                 Atlantic.
    Harp seal................  Phoca            Western North    8.3 million....  ...............  Jan-May
                                groenlandica.    Atlantic.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\a\ ESA status codes: EN--Endangered

    Refer to section 3 of Transco's application for detailed 
information regarding the abundance and distribution, population 
status, and life history and behavior of these species and their 
occurrence in the proposed Project area. We have reviewed these data 
and determined them to be the best available scientific information for 
the purposes of the proposed incidental harassment authorization. 
Further information may also be presented in NMFS' Stock Assessment 
Reports: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/species.htm#largewhales.

Potential Effects on Marine Mammals

    Transco's proposed Project (i.e., pile driving and removal) would 
introduce elevated levels of sound into the marine environment and have 
the potential to adversely impact marine mammals. The potential effects 
of sound from the proposed activities may include one or more of the 
following: tolerance; masking of natural sounds; behavioral 
disturbance; non-auditory physical effects; and temporary or permanent 
hearing impairment (Richardson et al., 1995). However, for reasons 
discussed later in this document, it is unlikely that there would be 
any cases of temporary or permanent hearing impairment resulting from 
these activities. As outlined in previous NMFS documents, the effects 
of sound on marine mammals

[[Page 78828]]

are highly variable, and can be categorized as follows (based on 
Richardson et al., 1995):
    1. The sound may be too weak to be heard at the location of the 
animal (i.e., lower than the prevailing ambient sound level, the 
hearing threshold of the animal at relevant frequencies, or both);
    2. The sound may be audible but not strong enough to elicit any 
overt behavioral response;
    3. The sound may elicit reactions of varying degrees and variable 
relevance to the well-being of the marine mammal; these can range from 
temporary alert responses to active avoidance reactions such as 
vacating an area until the stimulus ceases, but potentially for longer 
periods of time;
    4. Upon repeated exposure, a marine mammal may exhibit diminishing 
responsiveness (habituation), or disturbance effects may persist; the 
latter is most likely with sounds that are highly variable in 
characteristics and unpredictable in occurrence, and associated with 
situations that a marine mammal perceives as a threat;
    5. Any anthropogenic sound that is strong enough to be heard has 
the potential to result in masking, or reduce the ability of a marine 
mammal to hear biological sounds at similar frequencies, including 
calls from conspecifics and underwater environmental sounds such as 
surf sound;
    6. If mammals remain in an area because it is important for 
feeding, breeding, or some other biologically important purpose even 
though there is chronic exposure to sound, it is possible that there 
could be sound-induced physiological stress; this might in turn have 
negative effects on the well-being or reproduction of the animals 
involved; and
    7. Very strong sounds have the potential to cause a temporary or 
permanent reduction in hearing sensitivity, also referred to as 
threshold shift. In terrestrial mammals, and presumably marine mammals, 
received sound levels must far exceed the animal's hearing threshold 
for there to be any temporary threshold shift (TTS). For transient 
sounds, the sound level necessary to cause TTS is inversely related to 
the duration of the sound. Received sound levels must be even higher 
for there to be risk of permanent hearing impairment (PTS). In 
addition, intense acoustic or explosive events may cause trauma to 
tissues associated with organs vital for hearing, sound production, 
respiration and other functions. This trauma may include minor to 
severe hemorrhage.

Tolerance

    Numerous studies have shown that underwater sounds from industrial 
activities are often readily detectable by marine mammals in the water 
at distances of many kilometers. However, other studies have shown that 
marine mammals at distances more than a few kilometers away often show 
no apparent response to industrial activities of various types (Miller 
et al., 2005). This is often true even in cases when the sounds must be 
readily audible to the animals based on measured received levels and 
the hearing sensitivity of that mammal group. Although various baleen 
whales, toothed whales, and (less frequently) pinnipeds have been shown 
to react behaviorally to underwater sound from sources such as airgun 
pulses or vessels under some conditions, at other times, mammals of all 
three types have shown no overt reactions (e.g., Malme et al., 1986; 
Richardson et al., 1995; Madsen and Mohl, 2000; Croll et al., 2001; 
Jacobs and Terhune, 2002; Madsen et al., 2002; Miller et al., 2005). In 
general, pinnipeds seem to be more tolerant of exposure to some types 
of underwater sound than are baleen whales. Richardson et al. (1995) 
found that vessel sound does not seem to strongly affect pinnipeds that 
are already in the water. Richardson et al. (1995) went on to explain 
that seals on haul-outs sometimes respond strongly to the presence of 
vessels and at other times appear to show considerable tolerance of 
vessels, and Brueggeman et al. (1992) observed ringed seals (Pusa 
hispida) hauled out on ice pans displaying short-term escape reactions 
when a ship approached within 0.16-0.31 mi (0.25-0.5 km).

Masking

    Masking is the obscuring of sounds of interest to an animal by 
other sounds, typically at similar frequencies. Marine mammals are 
highly dependent on sound, and their ability to recognize sound signals 
amid other sound is important in communication and detection of both 
predators and prey. Background ambient sound may interfere with or mask 
the ability of an animal to detect a sound signal even when that signal 
is above its absolute hearing threshold. Even in the absence of 
anthropogenic sound, the marine environment is often loud. Natural 
ambient sound includes contributions from wind, waves, precipitation, 
other animals, and (at frequencies above 30 kHz) thermal sound 
resulting from molecular agitation (Richardson et al., 1995).
    Background sound may also include anthropogenic sound, and masking 
of natural sounds can result when human activities produce high levels 
of background sound. Conversely, if the background level of underwater 
sound is high (e.g., on a day with strong wind and high waves), an 
anthropogenic sound source would not be detectable as far away as would 
be possible under quieter conditions and would itself be masked. 
Ambient sound is highly variable on continental shelves (Thompson, 
1965; Myrberg, 1978; Chapman et al., 1998; Desharnais et al., 1999). 
This results in a high degree of variability in the range at which 
marine mammals can detect anthropogenic sounds.
    Although masking is a phenomenon which may occur naturally, the 
introduction of loud anthropogenic sounds into the marine environment 
at frequencies important to marine mammals increases the severity and 
frequency of occurrence of masking. For example, if a baleen whale is 
exposed to continuous low-frequency sound from an industrial source, 
this would reduce the size of the area around that whale within which 
it can hear the calls of another whale. The components of background 
noise that are similar in frequency to the signal in question primarily 
determine the degree of masking of that signal. In general, little is 
known about the degree to which marine mammals rely upon detection of 
sounds from conspecifics, predators, prey, or other natural sources. In 
the absence of specific information about the importance of detecting 
these natural sounds, it is not possible to predict the impact of 
masking on marine mammals (Richardson et al., 1995). In general, 
masking effects are expected to be less severe when sounds are 
transient than when they are continuous. Masking is typically of 
greater concern for those marine mammals that utilize low-frequency 
communications, such as baleen whales and, as such, is not likely to 
occur for pinnipeds or small odontocetes in the Project area.

Disturbance

    Behavioral disturbance is one of the primary potential impacts of 
anthropogenic sound on marine mammals. Disturbance can result in a 
variety of effects, such as subtle or dramatic changes in behavior or 
displacement, but the degree to which disturbance causes such effects 
may be highly dependent upon the context in which the stimulus occurs. 
For example, an animal that is feeding may be less prone to disturbance 
from a given stimulus than one that is not. For

[[Page 78829]]

many species and situations, there is no detailed information about 
reactions to sound.
    Behavioral reactions of marine mammals to sound are difficult to 
predict because they are dependent on numerous factors, including 
species, maturity, experience, activity, reproductive state, time of 
day, and weather. If a marine mammal does react to an underwater sound 
by changing its behavior or moving a small distance, the impacts of 
that change may not be important to the individual, the stock, or the 
species as a whole. However, if a sound source displaces marine mammals 
from an important feeding or breeding area for a prolonged period, 
impacts on the animals could be important. In general, pinnipeds seem 
more tolerant of, or at least habituate more quickly to, potentially 
disturbing underwater sound than do cetaceans, and generally seem to be 
less responsive to exposure to industrial sound than most cetaceans. 
Pinniped responses to underwater sound from some types of industrial 
activities such as seismic exploration appear to be temporary and 
localized (Harris et al., 2001; Reiser et al., 2009).
    Because the few available studies show wide variation in response 
to underwater and airborne sound, it is difficult to quantify exactly 
how pile driving sound would affect marine mammals in the area. The 
literature shows that elevated underwater sound levels could prompt a 
range of effects, including no obvious visible response, or behavioral 
responses that may include annoyance and increased alertness, visual 
orientation towards the sound, investigation of the sound, change in 
movement pattern or direction, habituation, alteration of feeding and 
social interaction, or temporary or permanent avoidance of the area 
affected by sound. Minor behavioral responses do not necessarily cause 
long-term effects to the individuals involved. Severe responses include 
panic, immediate movement away from the sound, and stampeding, which 
could potentially lead to injury or mortality (Southall et al., 2007).
    Southall et al. (2007) reviewed literature describing responses of 
pinnipeds to non-pulsed sound in water and reported that the limited 
data suggest exposures between approximately 90 and 140 dB generally do 
not appear to induce strong behavioral responses in pinnipeds, while 
higher levels of pulsed sound, ranging between 150 and 180 dB, will 
prompt avoidance of an area. It is important to note that among these 
studies, there are some apparent differences in responses between field 
and laboratory conditions. In contrast to the mid-frequency 
odontocetes, captive pinnipeds responded more strongly at lower levels 
than did animals in the field. Again, contextual issues are the likely 
cause of this difference. For airborne sound, Southall et al. (2007) 
note there are extremely limited data suggesting very minor, if any, 
observable behavioral responses by pinnipeds exposed to airborne pulses 
of 60 to 80 dB; however, given the paucity of data on the subject, we 
cannot rule out the possibility that avoidance of sound in the Project 
area could occur.
    In their comprehensive review of available literature, Southall et 
al. (2007) noted that quantitative studies on behavioral reactions of 
pinnipeds to underwater sound are rare. A subset of only three studies 
observed the response of pinnipeds to multiple pulses of underwater 
sound (a category of sound types that includes impact pile driving), 
and were also deemed by the authors as having results that are both 
measurable and representative. Blackwell et al. (2004) is the only 
cited study directly related to pile driving. The study observed ringed 
seals during impact installation of steel pipe pile. Received 
underwater SPLs were measured at 151 dB at 63 m. The seals exhibited 
either no response or only brief orientation response (defined as 
``investigation or visual orientation''). It should be noted that the 
observations were made after pile driving was already in progress. 
Therefore, it is possible that the low-level response was due to prior 
habituation. During a Caltrans installation demonstration project for 
retrofit work on the East Span of the San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge, 
California, sea lions responded to pile driving by swimming rapidly out 
of the area, regardless of the size of the pile-driving hammer or the 
presence of sound attenuation devices (74 FR 63724).
    Several available studies provide information on the reactions of 
pinnipeds to non-pulsed underwater sound. Kastelein et al. (2006) 
exposed nine captive harbor seals in an approximately 82 x 98 ft (25 x 
30 m) enclosure to non-pulse sounds used in underwater data 
communication systems (similar to acoustic modems). Test signals were 
frequency modulated tones, sweeps, and bands of sound with fundamental 
frequencies between 8 and 16 kHz; 128 to 130 3 dB source 
levels; 1- to 2-s duration (60-80 percent duty cycle); or 100 percent 
duty cycle. They recorded seal positions and the mean number of 
individual surfacing behaviors during control periods (no exposure), 
before exposure, and in 15-min experimental sessions (n = 7 exposures 
for each sound type). Seals generally swam away from each source at 
received levels of approximately 107 dB, avoiding it by approximately 
16 ft (5 m), although they did not haul out of the water or change 
surfacing behavior. Seal reactions did not appear to wane over repeated 
exposure (i.e., there was no obvious habituation), and the colony of 
seals generally returned to baseline conditions following exposure. The 
seals were not reinforced with food for remaining in the sound field.
    Reactions of harbor seals to the simulated sound of a 2-megawatt 
wind power generator were measured by Koschinski et al. (2003). Harbor 
seals surfaced significantly further away from the sound source when it 
was active and did not approach the sound source as closely. The device 
used in that study produced sounds in the frequency range of 30 to 800 
Hz, with peak source levels of 128 dB at 1 m at the 80- and 160-Hz 
frequencies.
    Ship and boat sound do not seem to have strong effects on seals in 
the water, but the data are limited. When in the water, seals appear to 
be much less apprehensive about approaching vessels. Some would 
approach a vessel out of apparent curiosity, including noisy vessels 
such as those operating seismic airgun arrays (Moulton and Lawson, 
2002). Gray seals (Halichoerus grypus) have been known to approach and 
follow fishing vessels in an effort to steal catch or the bait from 
traps. In contrast, seals hauled out on land often are quite responsive 
to nearby vessels. Terhune (1985) reported that northwest Atlantic 
harbor seals were extremely vigilant when hauled out and were wary of 
approaching (but less so passing) boats. Suryan and Harvey (1999) 
reported that Pacific harbor seals commonly left the shore when 
powerboat operators approached to observe the seals. Those seals 
detected a powerboat at a mean distance of 866 ft (264 m), and seals 
left the haul-out site when boats approached to within 472 ft (144 m).
    The studies that address responses of high-frequency cetaceans 
(such as the harbor porpoise) to non-pulse sounds include data gathered 
both in the field and the laboratory and related to several different 
sound sources (of varying similarity to chirps), including: pingers, 
AHDs, and various laboratory non-pulse sounds. All of these data were 
collected from harbor porpoises. Southall et al. (2007) concluded that 
the existing data indicate that harbor porpoises are likely sensitive 
to a wide range of anthropogenic sounds at low received

[[Page 78830]]

levels (around 90 to 120 dB), at least for initial exposures. All 
recorded exposures above 140 dB induced profound and sustained 
avoidance behavior in wild harbor porpoises (Southall et al., 2007). 
Rapid habituation was noted in some but not all studies.
    Southall et al. (2007) also compiled known studies of behavioral 
responses of marine mammals to airborne sound, noting that studies of 
pinniped response to airborne pulsed sounds are exceedingly rare. The 
authors deemed only one study as having quantifiable results. Blackwell 
et al. (2004) studied the response of ringed seals within 500 m of 
impact driving of steel pipe pile. Received levels of airborne sound 
were measured at 93 dB at a distance of 63 m. Seals had either no 
response or limited response to pile driving. Reactions were described 
as ``indifferent'' or ``curious.''
    Marine mammals are expected to traverse through and not remain in 
the Project area. Therefore, animals are not expected to be exposed to 
a significant duration of construction sound.
    Vessel Operations--Fifteen vessels would be used in association 
with the Project, including a dive support vessel, various barges, a 
crew boat, an escort boat, and six tug boats. Only the crew boat and 
the escort boat would make daily trips between shore and the offshore 
construction site and most vessels would remain stationary during 
construction activities. During pipe lay activities, the pipe transport 
barge would also be transported between the pipe yard and the offshore 
construction site about once or twice a day. Transco would abide by 
current vessel activity and speed restrictions in place to protect the 
north Atlantic right whale. Similar and much larger vessels already use 
the surrounding area in moderately high numbers; therefore, the vessels 
to be used in the Project area do not represent a new sound source, 
only a potential increase in the frequency and duration of these sound 
source types.
    There are very few controlled tests or repeatable observations 
related to the reactions of marine mammals to vessel noise. However, 
Richardson et al. (1995) reviewed the literature on reactions of marine 
mammals to vessels, concluding overall that pinnipeds and many 
odontocetes showed high tolerance to vessel noise. Mysticetes, too, 
often show tolerance of slow, quieter vessels. Because the Project area 
is highly industrialized, it seems likely that marine mammals that 
transit the Project area are already habituated to vessel noise, thus 
the additional vessels that would occur as a result of construction 
activities would likely not have an additional effect on these animals. 
Proposed vessel noise and operations in the Project area are unlikely 
to rise to the level of harassment.
    Physical Disturbance--Vessels and in-water structures have the 
potential to cause physical disturbance to marine mammals. As 
previously mentioned, various types of vessels already use the Project 
area in high numbers. Tug boats and barges are slow moving and follow a 
predictable course. Marine mammals would be able to easily avoid these 
vessels while transiting through the Project area and are likely 
already habituated to the presence of numerous vessels. Therefore, 
vessel strikes are extremely unlikely and, thus, discountable. 
Potential encounters would likely be limited to brief, sporadic 
behavioral disturbance, if any at all. Such disturbances are not likely 
to result in a risk of Level B harassment of marine mammals transiting 
the Project area.

Hearing Impairment and Other Physiological Effects

    Temporary or permanent hearing impairment is a possibility when 
marine mammals are exposed to very strong sounds. Non-auditory 
physiological effects might also occur in marine mammals exposed to 
strong underwater sound. Possible types of non-auditory physiological 
effects or injuries that may occur in mammals close to a strong sound 
source include stress, neurological effects, bubble formation, and 
other types of organ or tissue damage. It is possible that some marine 
mammal species (i.e., beaked whales) may be especially susceptible to 
injury and/or stranding when exposed to strong pulsed sounds, 
particularly at higher frequencies. Non-auditory physiological effects 
are not anticipated to occur as a result of proposed construction 
activities. The following subsections discuss the possibilities of 
temporary threshold shift (TTS) and permanent threshold shift (PTS).
    TTS--TTS, reversible hearing loss caused by fatigue of hair cells 
and supporting structures in the inner ear, 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. TTS can last from 
minutes or hours to (in cases of strong TTS) days. For sound exposures 
at or somewhat above the TTS threshold, hearing sensitivity in both 
terrestrial and marine mammals recovers rapidly after exposure to the 
sound 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. NMFS considers TTS to be a form of 
Level B harassment, as it consists of fatigue to auditory structures 
rather than damage to them. Few data on sound levels and durations 
necessary to elicit mild TTS have been obtained for marine mammals, and 
none of the published data concern TTS elicited by exposure to multiple 
pulses of sound.
    Human non-impulsive sound exposure guidelines are based on 
exposures of equal energy (the same sound exposure level [SEL]; SEL is 
reported here in dB re: 1 [micro]Pa\2\-s/re: 20 [micro]Pa\2\-s for in-
water and in-air sound, respectively) producing equal amounts of 
hearing impairment regardless of how the sound energy is distributed in 
time (NIOSH, 1998). Until recently, previous marine mammal TTS studies 
have also generally supported this equal energy relationship (Southall 
et al., 2007). Three newer studies, two by Mooney et al. (2009a, b) on 
a single bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) either exposed to 
playbacks of U.S. Navy mid-frequency active sonar or octave-band sound 
(4-8 kHz) and one by Kastak et al. (2007) on a single California sea 
lion exposed to airborne octave-band sound (centered at 2.5 kHz), 
concluded that for all sound exposure situations, the equal

[[Page 78831]]

energy relationship may not be the best indicator to predict TTS onset 
levels. Generally, with sound exposures of equal energy, those that 
were quieter (lower SPL) with longer duration were found to induce TTS 
onset more than those of louder (higher SPL) and shorter duration. 
Given the available data, the received level of a single seismic pulse 
(with no frequency weighting) might need to be approximately 186 dB SEL 
in order to produce brief, mild TTS.
    In free-ranging pinnipeds, TTS thresholds associated with exposure 
to brief pulses (single or multiple) of underwater sound have not been 
measured. However, systematic TTS studies on captive pinnipeds have 
been conducted (e.g., Bowles et al., 1999; Kastak et al., 1999, 2005, 
2007; Schusterman et al., 2000; Finneran et al., 2003; Southall et al., 
2007). Finneran et al. (2003) studied responses of two individual 
California sea lions. The sea lions were exposed to single pulses of 
underwater sound, and experienced no detectable TTS at received sound 
level of 183 dB peak (163 dB SEL). There were three studies conducted 
on pinniped TTS responses to non-pulsed underwater sound. All of these 
studies were performed in the same lab and on the same test subjects, 
and, therefore, the results may not be applicable to all pinnipeds or 
in field settings. Kastak and Schusterman (1996) studied the response 
of harbor seals to non-pulsed construction sound, reporting TTS of 
about 8 dB. The seal was exposed to broadband construction sound for 6 
days, averaging 6 to 7 hours of intermittent exposure per day, with 
SPLs from just approximately 90 to 105 dB.
    Kastak et al. (1999) reported TTS of approximately 4-5 dB in three 
species of pinnipeds (harbor seal, California sea lion, and northern 
elephant seal) after underwater exposure for approximately 20 minutes 
to sound with frequencies ranging from 100-2,000 Hz at received levels 
60-75 dB above hearing threshold. This approach allowed similar 
effective exposure conditions to each of the subjects, but resulted in 
variable absolute exposure values depending on subject and test 
frequency. Recovery to near baseline levels was reported within 24 
hours of sound exposure. Kastak et al. (2005) followed up on their 
previous work, exposing the same test subjects to higher levels of 
sound for longer durations. The animals were exposed to octave-band 
sound for up to 50 minutes of net exposure. The study reported that the 
harbor seal experienced TTS of 6 dB after a 25-minute exposure to 2.5 
kHz of octave-band sound at 152 dB (183 dB SEL). The California sea 
lion demonstrated onset of TTS after exposure to 174 dB and 206 dB SEL.
    Southall et al. (2007) reported one study on TTS in pinnipeds 
resulting from airborne pulsed sound, while two studies examined TTS in 
pinnipeds resulting from airborne non-pulsed sound. Bowles et al. 
(unpubl. data) exposed pinnipeds to simulated sonic booms. Harbor seals 
demonstrated TTS at 143 dB peak and 129 dB SEL. California sea lions 
and northern elephant seals experienced TTS at higher exposure levels 
than the harbor seals. Kastak et al. (2004) used the same test subjects 
as in Kastak et al. 2005, exposing the animals to non-pulsed sound (2.5 
kHz octave-band sound) for 25 minutes. The harbor seal demonstrated 6 
dB of TTS after exposure to 99 dB (131 dB SEL). The California sea lion 
demonstrated onset of TTS at 122 dB and 154 dB SEL. Kastak et al. 
(2007) studied the same California sea lion as in Kastak et al. 2004 
above, exposing this individual to 192 exposures of 2.5 kHz octave-band 
sound at levels ranging from 94 to 133 dB for 1.5 to 50 min of net 
exposure duration. The test subject experienced up to 30 dB of TTS. TTS 
onset occurred at 159 dB SEL. Recovery times ranged from several 
minutes to 3 days.
    Additional studies highlight the inherent complexity of predicting 
TTS onset in marine mammals, as well as the importance of considering 
exposure duration when assessing potential impacts (Mooney et al., 
2009a, 2009b; Kastak et al., 2007). Generally, with sound exposures of 
equal energy, quieter sounds (lower SPL) of longer duration were found 
to induce TTS onset more than louder sounds (higher SPL) of shorter 
duration (more similar to subbottom profilers). For intermittent 
sounds, less threshold shift will occur than from a continuous exposure 
with the same energy (some recovery will occur between intermittent 
exposures) (Kryter et al., 1966; Ward, 1997). For sound exposures at or 
somewhat above the TTS-onset threshold, hearing sensitivity recovers 
rapidly after exposure to the sound ends. Southall et al. (2007) 
considers a 6 dB TTS (that is, baseline thresholds are elevated by 6 
dB) to be a sufficient definition of TTS-onset. NMFS considers TTS as 
Level B harassment that is mediated by physiological effects on the 
auditory system; however, NMFS does not consider TTS-onset to be the 
lowest level at which Level B harassment may occur. Southall et al. 
(2007) summarizes underwater pinniped data from Kastak et al. (2005), 
indicating that a tested harbor seal showed a TTS of around 6 dB when 
exposed to a nonpulse noise at sound pressure level 152 dB re: 1 
[micro]Pa for 25 minutes. Some studies suggest that harbor porpoises 
may be more sensitive to sound than other odontocetes (Lucke et al., 
2009; Kastelein et al., 2011). While TTS onset may occur in harbor 
porpoises at lower received levels (when compared to other 
odontocetes), NMFS' 160-dB and 120-dB threshold criteria are based on 
the onset of behavioral harassment, not the onset of TTS. The potential 
for TTS is considered within NMFS' analysis of potential impacts from 
Level B harassment.
    Although underwater sound levels produced by the proposed project 
may exceed levels produced in studies that have induced TTS in marine 
mammals, there is a general lack of controlled, quantifiable field 
studies related to this phenomenon, and existing studies have had 
varied results (Southall et al., 2007). Therefore, it is difficult to 
extrapolate from these data to site-specific conditions for the 
proposed project. For example, because most of the studies have been 
conducted in laboratories, rather than in field settings, the data are 
not conclusive as to whether elevated levels of sound would cause 
marine mammals to avoid the Region of Activity, thereby reducing the 
likelihood of TTS, or whether sound would attract marine mammals, 
increasing the likelihood of TTS. In any case, there are no universally 
accepted standards for the amount of exposure time likely to induce 
TTS. While it may be inferred that TTS could theoretically result from 
the proposed project, it is impossible to quantify the magnitude of 
exposure, the duration of the effect, or the number of individuals 
likely to be affected. Exposure is likely to be brief because marine 
mammals use the Region of Activity for transiting, rather than breeding 
or hauling out. In summary, it is expected that elevated sound would 
have only a slight probability of causing TTS in marine mammals.
    PTS--When PTS occurs, there is physical damage to the sound 
receptors in the ear. In some cases, there can be total or partial 
deafness, whereas in other cases, the animal has an impaired ability to 
hear sounds in specific frequency ranges. There is no specific evidence 
that exposure to underwater industrial sounds can cause PTS in any 
marine mammal (see Southall et al., 2007). However, given the 
possibility that marine mammals might incur TTS, there has been further 
speculation about the possibility that some individuals occurring very 
close to industrial activities might incur PTS. Richardson

[[Page 78832]]

et al. (1995) hypothesized that PTS caused by prolonged exposure to 
continuous anthropogenic sound is unlikely to occur in marine mammals, 
at least for sounds with source levels up to approximately 200 dB. 
Single or occasional occurrences of mild TTS are not indicative of 
permanent auditory damage in terrestrial mammals. Studies of 
relationships between TTS and PTS thresholds in marine mammals are 
limited; however, existing data appear to show similarity to those 
found for humans and other terrestrial mammals, for which there is a 
large body of data. PTS might occur at a received sound level at least 
several decibels above that inducing mild TTS.
    Southall et al. (2007) propose that sound levels inducing 40 dB of 
TTS may result in onset of PTS in marine mammals. The authors present 
this threshold with precaution, as there are no specific studies to 
support it. Because direct studies on marine mammals are lacking, the 
authors base these recommendations on studies performed on other 
mammals. Additionally, the authors assume that multiple pulses of 
underwater sound result in the onset of PTS in pinnipeds when levels 
reach 218 dB peak or 186 dB SEL. In air, sound levels are assumed to 
cause PTS in pinnipeds at 149 dB peak or 144 dB SEL (Southall et al., 
2007). Sound levels this high are not expected to occur as a result of 
the proposed Project.
    The potential effects to marine mammals described in this section 
of the document do not take into consideration the proposed monitoring 
and mitigation measures described later in this document (see the 
Proposed Mitigation and Proposed Monitoring and Reporting sections). It 
is highly unlikely that marine mammals would receive sounds strong 
enough (and over a sufficient duration) to cause PTS (or even TTS) 
during the proposed activities. When taking the mitigation measures 
proposed for inclusion in the regulations into consideration, it is 
highly unlikely that any type of hearing impairment would occur as a 
result of Transco's proposed activities.

Anticipated Effects on Marine Mammal Habitat

    Pile driving activities may have temporary impacts on marine mammal 
habitat by producing temporary in-water acoustic disturbances. However, 
elevated in-water sound levels would only occur for less than 2 days of 
pile driving activity, spread out over an 8-week period. While it is 
anticipated that the specified activity may result in marine mammals 
avoiding certain areas due to temporary ensonification, this impact to 
habitat is temporary and reversible and was considered in further 
detail earlier in this document as behavioral modification. 
Furthermore, it is possible that marine mammals within the vicinity of 
the Project area may not be able to perceive noise from the vibratory 
pile driver due to the potentially louder background noise, which is 
likely to be dominated by loud low-frequency commercial vessel noise. 
There are no known pinniped haul-outs within the vicinity of the 
Project area and the closest known haul-out is about 10 miles away. 
There is also no designated critical habitat with the proposed Project 
area. Increased turbidity and changes in prey distribution may also 
result from pile driving activities, but are expected to be temporary 
and return to normal shortly after construction is complete. The 
proposed Project is not anticipated to have any permanent impact on 
habitats used by the marine mammals in the proposed Project area, 
including the food sources they use (i.e., fish and invertebrates).

Anticipated Effects on Fish

    Fish are a primary dietary component of the marine mammals 
mentioned previously in this document. Similar to marine mammals, fish 
can also be affected by noise both physiologically and behaviorally. 
However, the amount of information regarding impacts on fish from 
human-generated acoustic sources is limited.
    Behavioral disturbance of fish prey species could occur as a result 
of vibratory pile driving. Fish may avoid the Project area due to 
disturbing levels of sound during vibratory hammer operation; however, 
behavioral changes are expected to be temporary. Injury of fish prey 
species is not expected to occur during the proposed Project because 
Project-related noise would not exceed NMFS' threshold criteria for 
fish injury.

Proposed Mitigation

    In order to issue an incidental take authorization under section 
101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA, 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 species or 
stock for taking for certain subsistence uses.
    To reduce the potential for disturbance from acoustic stimuli 
associated with the activities, Transco has proposed to implement the 
following mitigation measures for marine mammals:
    (1) Vibratory pile driving only;
    (2) Pile driving during daylight hours only;
    (3) Shutdown procedures;
    (4) Soft-start (ramp-up) procedures; and
    (5) Discharge control.

Separately, Transco acknowledges the vessel activity and speed 
restrictions that are already in place along the east coast for the 
north Atlantic right whale. While the Seasonal Management Area is in 
effect (November-April), vessel operators would comply with the 
established regulations.

Vibratory Pile Driving Only

    Transco proposes to use a vibratory hammer instead of an impact 
hammer for all pile driving activities in order to reduce in-water 
sound levels while installing and removing up to 70 temporary steel 
pipe piles. The sound source level for the vibratory hammer is less 
than the source level for an impact hammer, and by avoiding use of an 
impact hammer Transco removes the potential for Level A harassment of 
marine mammals.

Pile Driving During Daylight Hours Only

    Pile driving installation and removal would only be conducted when 
lighting and weather conditions allow the protected species observers 
to visually monitor the entire Level B harassment area through the use 
of binoculars or other devices.

Soft-Start (Ramp-Up) Procedures

    Transco would implement soft-start procedures at the beginning of 
each pile driving session. Contractors would initiate the vibratory 
hammer for 15 seconds at 40 to 60 percent reduced energy, followed by a 
1-minute waiting period. This procedure would be repeated two 
additional times before reach full energy.

Shutdown Procedures

    Protected species observers would monitor the entire Level B 
harassment area for marine mammals displaying abnormal behavior. Such 
behavior may include aggressive signals related to noise exposure 
(e.g., tail/flipper slapping or abrupt directed movement), avoidance of 
the sound source, or an obvious startle response (e.g., rapid change in 
swimming speed, erratic surface movements, or sudden diving associated 
with the onset of a sound source). At NMFS' recommendation, if a 
protected species observer sees any abnormal behavior, this information

[[Page 78833]]

will be related to the construction manager and the vibratory hammer 
would be shutdown until the animal has moved outside of the Level B 
harassment area.

Control of Discharge

    All in-water construction activities would comply with federal 
regulations to control the discharge of operational waste such as bilge 
and ballast waters, trash and debris, and sanitary and domestic waste 
that could be generated from all vessels associated with the Project. 
All Project vessels would also comply with the U.S. Coast Guard 
requirements for the prevention and control of oil and fuel spills (see 
Transco's application for more detail).
    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:
     The manner in which, and the degree to which, the 
successful implementation of the measure is expected to minimize 
adverse impacts to marine mammals;
     The proven or likely efficacy of the specific measure to 
minimize adverse impacts as planned; and
     The practicability of the measure for applicant 
implementation.
    Based on our evaluation of the applicant's proposed measures, as 
well as other measures considered by NMFS, NMFS has preliminarily 
determined that the proposed mitigation measures provide the means of 
effecting the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammal species 
or stocks and their habitat, paying particular attention to rookeries, 
mating grounds, and areas of similar significance.

Proposed Monitoring and Reporting

    In order to issue an incidental take authorization for an activity, 
section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA states that we 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 an authorization must include the suggested 
means of accomplishing the necessary monitoring and reporting that 
would 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 proposed action area.

Visual Monitoring

    Two NMFS-approved protected species observers would survey the 
Level B harassment area (~3 miles) for marine mammals 30 minutes 
before, during, and 30 minutes after all vibratory pile driving 
activities. The observers would be stationed on an escort boat, located 
about 1.5 miles from the pile hammer. The escort boat would circle the 
pile hammer at a 1.5-mile distance so that the entire Level B 
harassment area could be surveyed. Information recorded during each 
observation within the Level B harassment area would be used to 
estimate numbers of animals potentially taken and would include the 
following:
     Numbers of individuals observed;
     Frequency of observation;
     Location within the Level B harassment area (i.e., 
distance from the sound source);
     Vibratory pile driving status (i.e., soft-start, active, 
post pile driving, etc.); and
     Reaction of the animal(s) to pile driving (if any) and 
observed behavior within the Level B harassment area, including bearing 
and direction of travel.
    If the Level B harassment area is obscured by fog or poor lighting 
conditions, vibratory pile driving would be delayed until the area is 
visible. If the Level B harassment area becomes obscured by fog or poor 
lighting conditions while pile driving activities are occurring, pile 
driving would be shutdown until the area is visible again.

Proposed Reporting

    Transco would provide NMFS with a draft monitoring report within 90 
days of the conclusion of monitoring. This report would include the 
following:
     A summary of the activity and monitoring plan (i.e., 
dates, times, locations);
     A summary of mitigation implementation;
     Monitoring results and a summary that addresses the goals 
of the monitoring plan, including the following:
    [cir] Environmental conditions when observations were made;

[ssquf] Water conditions (i.e., Beaufort sea-state, tidal state)
[ssquf] Weather conditions (i.e., percent cloud cover, visibility, 
percent glare)

    [cir] Survey-specific data:
    [ssquf] Date and time survey initiated and terminated;
    [cir] Date, time, number, species, and any other relevant data 
regarding marine mammals observed (for pre-activity, during activity, 
and post-activity surveys);
    [cir] Description of the observed behaviors (in both the presence 
and absence of activities):

[cir] If possible, the correlation to underwater sound level occurring 
at the time of any observable behavior
[cir] Estimated exposure/take numbers during activities

     An assessment of the implementation and effectiveness of 
prescribed mitigation and monitoring measures.
    Transco would submit a final report within 30 days after receiving 
NMFS comments on the draft report. If NMFS has no comments, the draft 
report would be considered final.
    In the unanticipated event that the specified activity clearly 
causes the take of a marine mammal in a manner not permitted by the 
authorization (if issued), such as an injury, serious injury, or 
mortality (e.g., ship-strike, gear interaction, and/or entanglement), 
Transco shall immediately cease the specified activities and 
immediately report the incident to the Incidental Take Program 
Supervisor, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, at 301-427-8401 and/or by email to 
[email protected] and [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).
    Transco shall not resume its activities until we are able to review 
the circumstances of the prohibited take. We will work with Transco to 
determine what is necessary to minimize the likelihood of further 
prohibited take and ensure MMPA compliance. Transco may not resume 
their activities until notified by us via letter, email, or telephone.
    In the event that Transco discovers an injured or dead marine 
mammal, and

[[Page 78834]]

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), Transco shall immediately report the incident to the 
Incidental Take Program Supervisor, Permits and Conservation Division, 
Office of Protected Resources, at 301-427-8401 and/or by email to 
[email protected] and [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 would work with Transco to determine whether 
modifications in the activities are appropriate.
    In the event that Transco 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), Transco would report the incident 
to the Incidental Take Program Supervisor, Permits and Conservation 
Division, Office of Protected Resources, at 301-427-8401 and/or by 
email to [email protected] and [email protected], 
within 24 hours of the discovery. Transco would 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 
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].
    We propose to authorize take by Level B harassment for the proposed 
Project. Acoustic stimuli (i.e., increased underwater sound) generated 
during vibratory pile driving and removal activities have the potential 
to result in the behavioral disturbance of marine mammals. There is no 
evidence that planned activities could result in serious injury or 
mortality within the specified geographic area for the requested 
authorization. The required mitigation and monitoring measures would 
minimize any potential risk for serious injury or mortality and reduce 
the amount of Level B harassment takes.
    Transco estimated potential take by multiplying the area of the 
zone of influence (the Level B harassment area) by the local animal 
density. This provides an estimate of the number of animals that might 
occupy the Level B harassment area at any given moment during vibratory 
pile driving activities. However, density estimates for marine mammals 
within the coastal mid-Atlantic are limited, and there are no density 
estimates for the specific Project area along the southern coast of 
Long Island. Therefore, estimated takes were calculated based on the 
best available information for the region, including density estimates 
developed by the U.S. Navy through their Navy Operating Area Density 
Estimate (NODE) for the Northeast operating areas (Boston, Narragansett 
Bay, and Atlantic City) (DON, 2007). These estimates cover all 
continental shelf waters from the southern point of New Jersey to Nova 
Scotia, Canada, from the coast out past the continental shelf. The 
Navy's report presents density estimates either determined by models 
created with species-specific data or derived from abundance estimates 
found in NMFS' 2007 Stock Assessment Reports. Of the Navy's density 
surface models, two were for species which have the potential to be 
harassed during this Project: The short-beaked common dolphin and the 
harbor porpoise. Other density estimates were determined based on 
shipboard and aerial surveys conducted by the Northeast Fisheries 
Science Center during summer months between 1998 and 2004. Density for 
all species was calculated based on seasons and spatial strata. Details 
on these calculations and how they were applied to each species are 
provided in section 6.3 of Transco's IHA application (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm#applications).
    Transco's requested take amounts may over-estimate the actual 
number of animals that would be harassed for the following reasons:
     Vibratory pile driving would only occur for 4 days over a 
5-month period and the estimated exposures likely do not equate to 
takes of individual animals;
     The density seasons used in the Navy's NODE report include 
additional months outside of the proposed Project's schedule for in-
water construction (which may have higher density estimates); and
     The density estimates assume even distribution throughout 
strata and are largely derived from adjacent stratum that may not 
represent density accurately in the Project area.
    Table 2 shows Transco's requested take based on estimated density 
and the methods described earlier and in section 6.3 of Transco's IHA 
application.

                                      Table 2--Estimated Densities and Requested Marine Mammal Take for the Project
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Estimated       Estimated       Estimated    Estimated take  Estimated take  Estimated take  Total takes by
                                           density (per    density (per    density (per     by Level B      by Level B      by Level B        Level B
                 Species                    100 km\2\)      100 km\2\)      100 km\2\)      harassment      harassment      harassment      harassment
                                             Winter\1\       Spring\1\       Summer\1\        Winter          Spring          Summer         requested
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gray seal...............................             N/A             N/A             N/A               7               7               0              14
Harbor seal.............................          156.41          156.41          156.41              69              69              69             138
Harp seal...............................             N/A             N/A             N/A               0               4               0               4
North Atlantic right whale..............            0.03            0.03            0.03            0.02            0.02            0.02               1
Bottlenose dolphin......................            0.21            8.14           26.91               0               4              12              16
Short-beaked common dolphin.............          145.35            1.91            3.59              64               1               2              67
Harbor porpoise.........................            6.40           19.90            0.00               3               9               0              12
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Source: Navy OPAREA Density Estimates (NODE) for the Northeast OPAREAS: Boston, Narragansett Bay, and Atlantic City (2007).
N/A = Not available.


[[Page 78835]]

Negligible Impact and Small Numbers Analyses and Determinations

    As a preliminary matter, we typically include our negligible impact 
and small numbers analyses and determinations under the same section 
heading of our Federal Register notices. Despite co-locating these 
terms, we acknowledge that negligible impact and small numbers are 
distinct standards under the MMPA and treat them as such. The analyses 
presented below do not conflate the two standards; instead, each 
standard has been considered independently and we have applied the 
relevant factors to inform our negligible impact and small numbers 
determinations.
    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 
the following:
    (1) Number of anticipated mortalities (none in this case);
    (2) Number and nature of anticipated injuries (none in this case);
    (3) Number, nature, 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 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.
    We do not anticipate that any injuries, serious injuries, or 
mortalities would occur as a result of Transco's proposed Project, and 
we do not propose to authorize injury, serious injury, or mortality for 
this Project.
    Table 2 in this document outlines the number of requested Level B 
harassment takes that we anticipate as a result of these activities. 
Table 3 below shows the proposed take numbers compared to species 
population sizes. For each species, these take numbers are small (all 
estimates are less than one percent) relative to the affected stock 
size and we have provided the regional population estimates for the 
marine mammal species that may be taken by Level B harassment in Table 
3 below.

               Table 3--Proposed Marine Mammal Takes and Percentage of Stock Potentially Affected
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                   Percentage of
                                                                                                       stock
                    Species                     Takes by Level         Abundance of stock           potentially
                                                 B harassment                                        affected
                                                                                                     (percent)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gray seal.....................................              14  348,900.........................           0.004
Harbor seal...................................             207  99,340..........................           0.208
Harp seal.....................................               4  8,300,000 (minimum).............           0.00
North Atlantic right whale....................               1  444.............................           0.225
Bottlenose dolphin............................              16  7,147...........................           0.224
Short-beaked common dolphin...................              67  52,893..........................           0.001
Harbor porpoise...............................              12  89,054..........................           0.013
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 vibratory pile 
driving would occur over 2 consecutive days, this is still considered a 
short overall duration and it would only occur during daylight hours.
    Of the seven marine mammal species under our jurisdiction that are 
known to occur or likely to occur in the Project area, one of these 
species is listed as endangered under the ESA: North Atlantic right 
whale. This species is also categorized as depleted under the MMPA. 
However, Transco is only requesting one take of a north Atlantic right 
whale by Level B harassment, which is less than one percent of the 
population. There are no known important feeding areas for north 
Atlantic right whales and no designated critical habitat within the 
proposed project area.
    Our practice has been to apply the 120 dB re: 1 [micro]Pa received 
level threshold for underwater non-impulse sound levels to estimate 
take by Level B harassment. 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 preliminarily determined, provided that the aforementioned 
mitigation and monitoring measures are implemented, that the impact of 
conducting pile driving activities off Rockaway Peninsula, from January 
2014 through December 2014, may result, at worst, in a modification in 
behavior and/or low-level physiological effects (Level B harassment) of 
certain species of marine mammals. There are no known important feeding 
areas or haul-outs within the project area. While these species may 
make behavioral modifications, including temporarily vacating the area 
during the operation of the pile hammer to avoid the resultant acoustic 
disturbance, the availability of similar habitat surrounding the 
project area and the short and sporadic duration of the specified 
activities, have led us to preliminary determine that this action will 
not adversely affect annual rates of recruitment or survival and 
therefore, would 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 preliminarily find that Transco's proposed Project would 
result in the incidental take of small numbers of marine mammals, by 
Level B harassment only, and that the required measures mitigate 
impacts to affected species or stocks of marine mammals to the lowest 
level practicable.

[[Page 78836]]

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 would 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 Project area that implicate section 
101(a)(5)(D) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Endangered Species Act

    Of the species of marine mammals that may occur in the proposed 
survey area, one is listed as endangered under the Endangered Species 
Act: The north Atlantic right whale. Under section 7 of the Act, the 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC; the federal agency 
responsible for permitting Transco's construction) has initiated formal 
consultation with our Northeast Regional Office on this proposed 
seismic survey. We (i.e., National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of 
Protected Resources, Permits and Conservation Division), have also 
initiated formal consultation under section 7 of the Act with the 
Northeast Regional Office 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. Both agencies would conclude 
the formal section 7 consultation (with a single Opinion for FERC and 
NMFS' Office of Protected Resources, Permits and Conservation Division 
federal actions) prior to making a determination on whether or not to 
issue the authorization. If we issue the take authorization, FERC and 
Transco must comply with the mandatory Terms and Conditions of the 
Opinion's Incidental Take Statement which would incorporate the 
mitigation and monitoring requirements included in the Incidental 
Harassment Authorization.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

    We are participating as a cooperating agency on the FERC's Rockaway 
Delivery Lateral Project Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). FERC 
published a Notice of Intent in the Federal Register on May 6, 2013 (78 
FR 26354). The draft EIS was made available to the public on October 
11, 2013 (78 FR 62012). We intend to adopt FERC's final EIS, if 
adequate and appropriate. Currently, we believe that the adoption of 
FERC's final EIS will allow us to meet our responsibilities under NEPA 
for the issuance of an Incidental Harassment Authorization to Transco. 
If FERC's final EIS is deemed inadequate, we would supplement the 
existing analysis to ensure that we comply with NEPA prior to the 
issuance of an authorization.

Proposed Authorization

    As a result of these preliminary determinations, we propose to 
authorize the take of marine mammals incidental to Transco's proposed 
Project from January 2014 through August 2014, provided the previously 
mentioned mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements are 
incorporated. The proposed Incidental Harassment Authorization language 
is provided below.
    Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC (Transco) (2800 Post 
Oak Boulevard, Houston, TX 77056) is hereby authorized under section 
101(a)(5)(D) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 
1371(a)(5)(D)) and 50 CFR 216.107, to harass marine mammals incidental 
to pile driving and removal during the Rockaway Delivery Lateral 
Project, subject to the following:
    1. This Authorization is valid from January 2014 through December 
2014.
    2. This Authorization is valid for the Rockaway Delivery Lateral 
Project off the Rockaway Peninsula, as described in the Incidental 
Harassment Authorization (IHA) application.
    3. Transco is hereby authorized to take, by Level B harassment 
only, 14 gray seals (Halichoerus grypus), 138 harbor seals (Phoca 
vitulina), 4 harp seals (Phoca groenlandica), 1 north Atlantic right 
whale (Eubalaena glacialis), 16 bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops 
truncatus), 65 short-beaked common dolphins (Delphinus delphis), and 12 
harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) incidental to pile driving 
associated with the Rockaway Delivery Lateral Project.
    4. The taking of any marine mammal in a manner prohibited under 
this Authorization must be reported immediately to NMFS' Northeast 
Region, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2276; phone 978-
281-9328, and NMFS' Office of Protected Resources, 1315 East-West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910; phone 301-427-8401; fax 301-713-0376.
    5. The holder or designees must notify NMFS' Region and 
Headquarters at least 24 hours prior to the seasonal commencement of 
the specified activity (see contact information in 4 above).
    6. Mitigation Requirements
    The holder of this Authorization is required to abide by the 
following mitigation conditions listed in 6(a)-(e). Failure to comply 
with these conditions may result in the modification, suspension, or 
revocation of this Authorization.
    (a) Vibratory Pile Driving: A vibratory hammer shall be used for 
all pile installation and removal in order to reduce in-water sound 
levels.
    (b) Day-light Hours Only: All pile installation and removal shall 
be conducted when lighting and weather conditions allow for adequate 
visual monitoring of the entire Level B harassment area through the use 
of binoculars or other devices.
    (c) Soft-start Procedures: Soft-start procedures shall be 
implemented at the beginning of each pile driving session. Contractors 
shall initiate the vibratory hammer for 15 seconds at 40 to 60 percent 
reduced energy, followed by a 1-minute waiting period. This procedure 
shall be repeated two additional times before full energy is reached.
    (d) Shutdown Procedures: If a protected species observer sees any 
abnormal marine mammal behavior (e.g., tail/flipper slapping, abrupt 
directed movement, avoidance of the sound source, rapid change in 
swimming speed, erratic surface movements, or sudden diving at the 
onset of the sound source), pile driving activities shall be shutdown 
until the animal has moved outside of the Level B harassment area.
    (e) Control of Discharge: All in-water construction activities 
shall comply with federal regulations to control the discharge of 
operational waste such as bilge and ballast waters, trash and debris, 
and sanitary and domestic waste that could be generated from all 
vessels associated with the Project. All Project vessels shall also 
comply with the U.S. Coast Guard requirements for the prevention and 
control of oil and fuel spills.
    7. Monitoring Requirements
    The holder of this Authorization is required to abide by the 
following monitoring conditions listed in 7(a)-(b). Failure to comply 
with these conditions may result in the modification, suspension, or 
revocation of this Authorization.
    (a) General: If the Level B harassment area is obscured by fog or 
poor lighting conditions, vibratory pile driving shall be delayed until 
the area is visible. If the Level B harassment area becomes obscured by 
fog or poor lighting conditions while pile driving activities are 
occurring, pile driving shall be shutdown until the area is visible 
again.

[[Page 78837]]

    (b) Visual Monitoring: Two NMFS-approved protected species 
observers shall survey the Level B harassment area (~3 miles) for 
marine mammals 30 minutes before, during, and 30 minutes after all 
vibratory pile driving activities. The observers shall be stationed on 
an escort boat, located about 1.5 miles from the pile hammer. 
Information recorded during each observation within the Level B 
harassment area shall be used to estimate numbers of animals 
potentially taken and shall include the following:
     Numbers of individuals observed;
     Frequency of observation;
     Location within the Level B harassment area (i.e., 
distance from the sound source);
     Vibratory pile driving status (i.e., soft-start, active, 
post pile driving, etc.); and
     Reaction of the animal(s) to pile driving (if any) and 
observed behavior within the Level B harassment area, including bearing 
and direction of travel.
    8. Reporting Requirements
    The holder of this Authorization is required to submit a draft 
monitoring report to the Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, within 90 
days of the conclusion of monitoring.
    (a) The monitoring report shall contain the following information:
     A summary of the activity and monitoring plan (i.e., 
dates, times, locations);
     A summary of mitigation implementation;
     Monitoring results and a summary that addresses the goals 
of the monitoring plan, including the following:
    [cir] Environmental conditions when observations were made:

[cir] Water conditions (i.e., Beaufort sea-state, tidal state)
[cir] Weather conditions (i.e., percent cloud cover, visibility, 
percent glare)

    [cir] Survey-specific data:

[cir] Date and time survey initiated and terminated
[cir] Date, time, number, species, and any other relevant data 
regarding marine mammals observed (for pre-activity, during activity, 
and post-activity surveys)
[cir] Description of the observed behaviors (in both the presence and 
absence of activities):
    [ssquf] If possible, the correlation to underwater sound level 
occurring at the time of any observable behavior

     Estimated exposure/take numbers during activities; and
     An assessment of the implementation and effectiveness of 
prescribed mitigation and monitoring measures.
    (b) In the unanticipated event that the specified activity clearly 
causes the take of a marine mammal in a manner not permitted by the 
authorization (if issued), such as an injury, serious injury, or 
mortality (e.g., ship-strike, gear interaction, and/or entanglement), 
Transco shall immediately cease the specified activities and 
immediately report the incident to the Incidental Take Program 
Supervisor, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, at 301-427-8401 and/or by email to 
[email protected] and [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).
    Transco shall not resume its activities until we are able to review 
the circumstances of the prohibited take. NMFS will work with Transco 
to determine what is necessary to minimize the likelihood of further 
prohibited take and ensure MMPA compliance. Transco may not resume 
their activities until notified by us via letter, email, or telephone.
    (c) In the event that Transco 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), Transco shall immediately report the incident to the 
Incidental Take Program Supervisor, Permits and Conservation Division, 
Office of Protected Resources, at 301-427-8401 and/or by email to 
[email protected] and [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. NMFS will work with Transco to determine whether 
modifications in the activities are appropriate.
    (d) In the event that Transco 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), Transco would report the incident 
to the Incidental Take Program Supervisor, Permits and Conservation 
Division, Office of Protected Resources, at 301-427-8401 and/or by 
email to [email protected] and [email protected], 
within 24 hours of the discovery. Transco would provide photographs or 
video footage (if available) or other documentation of the stranded 
animal sighting to us.
    9. A copy of this Authorization must be in the possession of the 
lead contractor on site and protected species observers operating under 
the authority of this Authorization.
    10. This Authorization may be modified, suspended, or withdrawn if 
the Holder fails to abide by the conditions prescribed herein or if the 
authorized taking is having more than a negligible impact on the 
species or stock of affected marine mammals.

Information Solicited

    We request interested persons to submit comments and information 
concerning this proposed project and our preliminary determination of 
issuing a take authorization (see ADDRESSES). Concurrent with the 
publication of this notice in the Federal Register, we will forward 
copies of this application to the Marine Mammal Commission and its 
Committee of Scientific Advisors.

    Dated: December 23, 2013.
Perry Gayaldo,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-31065 Filed 12-26-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P