[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 70 (Friday, April 11, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20175-20180]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-08157]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XD087


Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; St. 
George Reef Light Station Restoration and Maintenance at Northwest Seal 
Rock, Del Norte County, California

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

ACTION: Notice; issuance of an incidental harassment authorization.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) 
regulations, we hereby give notification that the National Marine 
Fisheries Service has issued an Incidental Harassment Authorization 
(Authorization) to St. George Reef Lighthouse Preservation Society 
(Society), to take by harassment incidental to conducting aircraft 
operations, lighthouse renovation, and light maintenance activities on 
the St. George Reef Light Station on Northwest Seal Rock in the 
northeast Pacific Ocean.

DATES: Effective April 11 2014, through April 10, 2015.

ADDRESSES: The public may obtain an electronic copy of the Society's 
application, supporting documentation, the authorization, and a list of 
the references cited in this document by visiting: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm#applications. In the case 
of problems accessing these documents, please call the contact listed 
here (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
    The Environmental Assessment and associated Finding of No 
Significant Impact, prepared pursuant to the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969, are also available at the same site.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Section 101(a)(5)(D) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA; 16 
U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) directs the Secretary of Commerce to authorize, 
upon request, the incidental, but not intentional, taking of small 
numbers of marine mammals of a species or population stock, by United 
States citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than 
commercial fishing) within a specified geographical region if: (1) NMFS 
makes certain findings; (2) the taking is limited to harassment; and 
(3) NMFS provides a notice of a proposed authorization to the public 
for review.
    NMFS shall grant an 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). Also, the authorization 
must set forth the permissible methods of taking and requirements 
pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such takings. NMFS has 
defined ``negligible impact'' in 50 CFR 216.103 as ``an impact 
resulting from the specified activity that cannot be reasonably 
expected to, and is not reasonably likely to, adversely affect the 
species or stock through effects on annual rates of recruitment or 
survival.''
    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

    On December 14, 2013, NMFS received an application from the Society 
requesting that NMFS issue an Authorization for the take of marine 
mammals, incidental to conducting restoration activities on the St. 
George Reef Light Station (Station) located on Northwest Seal Rock 
offshore of Crescent City, California in the northeast Pacific Ocean. 
NMS determined the application complete and adequate on January 13, 
2014. The Society proposes to conduct aircraft operations, lighthouse 
renovation, and

[[Page 20176]]

periodic maintenance on the Station's optical light system on a monthly 
basis. The proposed activity would occur on a monthly basis over one 
weekend, April 11 through April 30, 2014 and November 1, 2014, through 
April 10, 2015.
    The following specific aspects of the proposed activities have the 
potential to take marine mammals: (1) Helicopter landings/takeoffs; (2) 
noise generated during restoration activities (e.g., painting, 
plastering, welding, and glazing); (3) maintenance activities (e.g., 
bulb replacement and automation of the light system); and (4) human 
presence. Thus, we anticipate that take, by Level B harassment only, of 
California sea lions (Zalophus californianus); Pacific harbor seals 
(Phoca vitulina); Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus), eastern 
distinct population segment (DPS); and northern fur seals (Callorhinus 
ursinus) could result from the specified activity.
    To date, NMFS has issued four Authorizations to the Society for the 
conduct of the same activities from 2010 to 2013 (75 FR 4774, January 
29, 2010; 76 FR 10564, February 25, 2011; 77 FR 8811, February 15, 
2012; and 79 FR 6179, February 3, 2014). This is the Society's fifth 
request for an annual Authorization as their last Authorization expired 
on December 31, 2013.

Description of the Specified Activity

Overview

    The Station, listed in the National Park Service's National 
Register of Historic Places, is located on Northwest Seal Rock (NWSR) 
offshore of Crescent City, California in the northeast Pacific Ocean. 
The Station, built in 1892, rises 45.7 meters (m) (150 feet (ft)) above 
sea level. The structure consists of hundreds of granite blocks topped 
with a cast iron lantern room and covers much of the surface of the 
islet.

Dates and Duration

    The Authorization would be effective from April 11 through April 
30, 2014 and November 1, 2014, through April 10, 2015. Following is a 
brief summary of the dates and duration of the activities.
    The purpose of the project is to restore the lighthouse and to 
conduct annual and emergency maintenance on the Station's optical light 
system. The Society proposes to conduct the activities (aircraft 
operations, lighthouse restoration, and maintenance activities) from 
the period of April 1, 2014 through March 31, 2015, at a maximum 
frequency of one session per month. The proposed duration for each 
session would last no more than three days (e.g., Friday, Saturday, and 
Sunday).

Specified Geographic Region

    The Station is located on a small, rocky islet (41[deg]50'24'' N, 
124[deg]22'06'' W) approximately nine kilometers (km) (6.0 miles (mi)) 
in the northeast Pacific Ocean, offshore of Crescent City, California 
(Latitude: 41[deg]46'48'' N; Longitude: 124[deg]14'11'' W). NWSR is 
approximately 91.4 m (300 ft) in diameter that peaks at 5.18 m (17 ft) 
above mean sea level.

Detailed Description of Activities

    We outlined the purpose of the Society's activities in a previous 
notice for the proposed authorization (79 FR 9170, February 18, 2014). 
The proposed activities have not changed between the proposed 
authorization notice and this final notice announcing the issuance of 
the Authorization. For a more detailed description of the authorized 
action, we refer the reader to the notice for the proposed 
authorization (79 FR 9170, February 18, 2014).

Comments and Responses

    We published a notice of receipt of the Society's application and 
proposed Authorization in the Federal Register on February 18, 2014 (79 
FR 9170). During the 30-day comment period, we received one comment 
from the Marine Mammal Commission (Commission) which recommended that 
NMFS issue the requested Authorization, provided that the Society 
carries out the required monitoring and mitigation measures as 
described in the notice of the proposed authorization (79 FR 9170, 
February 18, 2014) and the application. We have included all measures 
proposed in the notice of the proposed authorization (79 FR 9170, 
February 18, 2014) in the Authorization.

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

    The marine mammals most likely to be harassed incidental to the 
Society's helicopter operations, lighthouse restoration, and lighthouse 
maintenance on NWSR are primarily Steller and California sea lions and 
to a lesser extent the Pacific harbor seal and the eastern Pacific 
stock of northern fur seal. NMFS refers the public to Carretta et al., 
(2013) and Allen and Angliss (2013) for general information on these 
species which we presented in the notice of the proposed authorization 
(79 FR 9170, February 18, 2014). The publications are available at: 
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/pdf/po2012.pdf and http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/pdf/ak2012.pdf.

Other Marine Mammals in the Proposed Action Area

    California (southern) sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis), listed as 
threatened under the ESA and categorized as depleted under the MMPA, 
usually range in coastal waters within two km (1.2 mi) of the mainland 
shore. The Society has not encountered the species during the course of 
the previous four Authorizations. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
(USFWS) manages this species and NMFS does not consider it further in 
this notice of issuance of an Authorization.

Potential Effects on Marine Mammals

    Acoustic and visual stimuli generated by: (1) Helicopter landings/
takeoffs; (2) noise generated during restoration activities (e.g., 
painting, plastering, welding, and glazing); and (3) maintenance 
activities (e.g., bulb replacement and automation of the light system) 
may have the potential to cause California sea lions, Pacific harbor 
seals, northern elephant seals, and Steller sea lions hauled out on 
NWSR to flush into the surrounding water or to cause a short-term 
behavioral disturbance for marine mammals.
    NMFS expects that acoustic and visual stimuli resulting from the 
Society's proposed activities have the potential to harass marine 
mammals. NMFS also expects that these disturbances would be temporary 
and result, at worst, in a temporary modification in behavior and/or 
low-level physiological effects (Level B harassment) of certain species 
of marine mammals.
    We included a summary and discussion of the ways that the types of 
stressors associated with the Society's specified activities (i.e., 
visual and acoustic disturbances) have the potential to impact marine 
mammals in a previous notice for the proposed authorization (79 FR 
9170, February 18, 2014).
    Rookeries: There are no rookeries for California sea lions, Pacific 
harbor seals, northern elephant seals, and Steller sea lions on NWSR 
and there are no reports of these species breeding on the islet.

Anticipated Effects on Habitat

    NMFS considered these impacts in detail in the notice for the 
proposed authorization (79 FR 9170, February 18, 2014). Briefly, NMFS 
does not anticipate that the proposed activities would result in any 
significant or long-term effects on the habitats used by the marine 
mammals in the proposed area,

[[Page 20177]]

including the food sources they use (i.e., fish and invertebrates). 
While NMFS anticipates that the specified activity could potentially 
result in marine mammals avoiding certain areas due to temporary 
ensonification and human presence, this impact to habitat is temporary 
and reversible. NMFS does not consider behavioral modification to cause 
significant or long-term consequences for individual marine mammals or 
their populations.

Mitigation

    In order to issue an incidental take authorization under section 
101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA, NMFS 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 on the availability of such species 
or stock for taking for certain subsistence uses (where relevant).
    As a way to reduce or minimize adverse impacts that would result 
from the proposed project to the lowest level practicable, NMFS 
requires the following mitigation measures.

Time and Frequency

    The Society would conduct restoration activities at a maximum of 
once per month between April 11 through April 30, 2014 and November 1, 
2014, through April 10, 2015. Each restoration session would last no 
more than three days. Maintenance of the light beacon would occur only 
in conjunction with restoration activities.

Helicopter Approach and Timing Techniques

    The Society would ensure that its helicopter approach patterns to 
the Station and timing techniques do not disturb marine mammals as most 
practicable. To the extent possible, the helicopter should approach 
NWSR when the tide is too high for the marine mammals to haul-out on 
NWSR. Since the most severe impacts (stampede) precede rapid and direct 
helicopter approaches, the Society's initial approach to the Station 
must be offshore from the island at a relatively high altitude (e.g., 
800-1,000 ft, or 244-305 m). Before the final approach, the helicopter 
shall circle lower, and approach from area with the lowest pinniped 
density. If for any safety reasons (e.g., wind condition) the Society 
cannot conduct these types of helicopter approach and timing 
techniques, they must abort the restoration and maintenance activities 
for that day.
    The Authorization would limit the Society's access to NWSR from May 
1, 2014, through October 31, 2014 in the event that mothers and pups 
haul out on the islet. NMFS estimates that the likelihood of mother-pup 
separation during helicopter overflights would be rare as the 
authorized activities would occur outside of the breeding season for 
the pinnipeds present on NWSR

Avoidance of Visual and Acoustic Contact With People

    The Society would instruct its members and restoration crews to 
avoid making unnecessary noise and not present themselves visually to 
pinnipeds around the base of the Station. The door to the lower 
platform (which the pinnipeds occasionally use to rest) shall remain 
closed and barricaded to all tourists and other personnel.

Mitigation Conclusions

    NMFS has carefully evaluated the Society's proposed mitigation 
measures in the context of ensuring that we prescribe the means of 
effecting the least practicable impact on the affected marine mammal 
species and stocks and their habitat. NMFS' 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.
    Any mitigation measure(s) prescribed by NMFS should be able to 
accomplish, have a reasonable likelihood of accomplishing (based on 
current science), or contribute to the accomplishment of one or more of 
the general goals listed here:
    1. Avoidance or minimization of injury or death of marine mammals 
wherever possible (goals 2, 3, and 4 may contribute to this goal).
    2. A reduction in the numbers of marine mammals (total number or 
number at biologically important time or location) exposed to 
helicopter operations and human presence that we expect to result in 
the take of marine mammals (this goal may contribute to 1, above, or to 
reducing harassment takes only).
    3. A reduction in the number of times (total number or number at 
biologically important time or location) individuals would be exposed 
to helicopter operations or human presence that we expect to result in 
the take of marine mammals (this goal may contribute to 1, above, or to 
reducing harassment takes only).
    4. A reduction in the intensity of exposures (either total number 
or number at biologically important time or location) to helicopter 
operations or human presence that NMFS expects to result in the take of 
marine mammals (this goal may contribute to 1, above, or to reducing 
the severity of harassment takes only).
    5. Avoidance or minimization of adverse effects to marine mammal 
habitat, paying special attention to the food base, activities that 
block or limit passage to or from biologically important areas, 
permanent destruction of habitat, or temporary destruction/disturbance 
of habitat during a biologically important time.
    6. For monitoring directly related to mitigation--an increase in 
the probability of detecting marine mammals, thus allowing for more 
effective implementation of the mitigation.
    Based on the evaluation of the Society's proposed measures, NMFS 
has determined that the proposed mitigation measures provide the means 
of effecting the least practicable impact on marine mammal species or 
stocks and their habitat, paying particular attention to rookeries, 
mating grounds, and areas of similar significance.

Monitoring

    In order to issue an ITA for an activity, section 101(a)(5)(D) of 
the MMPA states that NMFS must set forth ``requirements pertaining to 
the monitoring and reporting of such taking.'' The MMPA implementing 
regulations at 50 CFR 216.104 (a)(13) indicate that requests for 
Authorizations must include the suggested means of accomplishing the 
necessary monitoring and reporting that will result in increased 
knowledge of the species and of the level of taking or impacts on 
populations of marine mammals that NMFS expects to be present in the 
proposed action area.
    As part of its 2013 application, the Society proposed to sponsor 
marine mammal monitoring during the present project, in order to 
implement the mitigation measures that require real-time monitoring, 
and to satisfy the monitoring requirements of the Authorization.
    At least once during the period between April 11 through April 30, 
2014 and November 1, 2014, through

[[Page 20178]]

April 10, 2015, a qualified biologist will be present during all three 
workdays at the Station. The qualified biologist hired will be subject 
to approval by NMFS. He/she shall document use of the island by the 
pinnipeds, frequency, (i.e., dates, time, tidal height, species, 
numbers present, and any disturbances), and note any responses to 
potential disturbances.
    Aerial photographic surveys may provide the most accurate means of 
documenting species composition, age and sex class of pinnipeds using 
the project site during human activity periods. The Society should 
complete aerial photo coverage of the island from the same helicopter 
used to transport the Society's personnel to the island during 
restoration trips. The Society will take photographs of all marine 
mammals hauled out on the island at an altitude greater than 300 m (984 
ft) by a skilled photographer, prior to the first landing on each visit 
included in the monitoring program. Photographic documentation of 
marine mammals present at the end of each three-day work session shall 
also be made for a before and after comparison. The Society will 
forward the photographs to a biologist capable of discerning marine 
mammal species. The Society shall provide the data to NMFS in the form 
of a report with a data table, any other significant observations 
related to marine mammals, and a report of restoration activities.
    The Society complied with the mitigation and monitoring required 
under the previous authorizations (2010-2013). They did not conduct any 
operations for the 2013 season and have not exceeded activity levels 
analyzed under previous Authorizations. The results from previous 
monitoring reports support our findings that the proposed mitigation 
measures, which NMFS also required under the 2010-2013 Authorizations 
provide the means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on 
the species or stock.

Reporting

    The Society will submit a draft Monitoring Report to us no later 
than 90 days after they complete the project to the NMFS Director of 
Office of Protected Resources. Within 30 days after receiving comments 
from NMFS on the draft Final Monitoring Report, the Society must submit 
a Final Monitoring Report to the NMFS Director of Office of Protected 
Resources. If the Society receives no comments from NMFS on the draft 
Monitoring Report, then NMFS will consider the draft Monitoring Report 
to be the Final Monitoring Report. The final report will provide:
    1. A summary and table of the dates, times, and weather during all 
helicopter operations, and restoration and maintenance activities.
    2. Species, number, location, and behavior of any marine mammals, 
observed throughout all monitoring activities.
    3. An estimate of the number (by species) of marine mammals exposed 
to acoustic or visual stimuli associated with the helicopter 
operations, restoration, and maintenance activities.
    4. A description of the implementation and effectiveness of the 
monitoring and mitigation measures of the Authorization and full 
documentation of methods, results, and interpretation pertaining to all 
monitoring.
    In the unanticipated event that the specified activity clearly 
causes the take of a marine mammal in a manner prohibited by the 
authorization (if issued), such as an injury (Level A harassment), 
serious injury, or mortality (e.g., vessel-strike, stampede, etc.), the 
Society 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] and the Assistant Western 
Regional Stranding Coordinator at (562) 980-3264 
([email protected]). The report must include the following 
information:
     Time, date, and location (latitude/longitude) of the 
incident;
     Description and location of the incident (including water 
depth, if applicable);
     Environmental conditions (e.g., wind speed and direction, 
Beaufort sea state, cloud cover, and visibility);
     Description of all marine mammal observations in the 24 
hours preceding the incident;
     Species identification or description of the animal(s) 
involved;
     Fate of the animal(s); and
     Photographs or video footage of the animal(s) (if 
equipment is available).
    The Society shall not resume its activities until NMFS is able to 
review the circumstances of the prohibited take. NMFS shall work with 
the Society to determine what is necessary to minimize the likelihood 
of further prohibited take and ensure Marine Mammal Protection Act 
compliance. The Society may not resume their activities until notified 
by us via letter, email, or telephone.
    In the event that the Society discovers an injured or dead marine 
mammal, and the lead visual observer determines that the cause of the 
injury or death is unknown and the death is relatively recent (i.e., in 
less than a moderate state of decomposition as we describe in the next 
paragraph), the Society will 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] and the Assistant Western 
Regional Stranding Coordinator at (562) 980-3264 
([email protected]). The report must include the same 
information identified in the paragraph above this section. Activities 
may continue while NMFS reviews the circumstances of the incident. NMFS 
will work with the Society to determine whether modifications in the 
activities are appropriate.
    In the event that the Society discovers an injured or dead marine 
mammal, and the lead visual observer determines that the injury or 
death is not associated with or related to the authorized activities 
(e.g., previously wounded animal, carcass with moderate to advanced 
decomposition, or scavenger damage), the Society will 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] 
and the Assistant Western Regional Stranding Coordinator at (562) 980-
3264 ([email protected]) within 24 hours of the discovery. The 
Society's staff will provide photographs or video footage (if 
available) or other documentation of the stranded animal sighting to 
NMFS.

Estimated Take by Incidental Harassment

    Except with respect to certain activities not pertinent here, the 
MMPA defines ``harassment'' as:

    any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance which (i) has the 
potential to injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the 
wild [Level A harassment]; or (ii) has the potential to disturb a 
marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing 
disruption of behavioral patterns, including, but not limited to, 
migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering 
[Level B harassment].

    NMFS anticipates that the helicopter operations and restoration and 
maintenance activities have the potential to harass (Level B only) 
marine mammals that may be present on NWSR. Thus NMFS will only 
authorize take by Level B harassment as a result of the helicopter 
operations and

[[Page 20179]]

restoration and maintenance activities on NWSR.
    Based on pinniped survey counts conducted the Society on NWSR in 
the spring of 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000 (CCR, 2001), NMFS estimates 
that approximately 204 California sea lions (calculated by multiplying 
the average monthly abundance of California sea lions (zero in April, 
1997 and 34 in April,1998) present on NWSR by 6 months of the 
restoration and maintenance activities), 172 Steller sea lions (NMFS' 
estimate of the maximum number of Steller sea lions that could be 
present on NWSR with a 95-percent confidence interval), 36 Pacific 
harbor seals (calculated by multiplying the maximum number of harbor 
seals present on NWSR (6) by 6 months), and 6 northern fur seals 
(calculated by multiplying the maximum number of northern fur seals 
present on NWSR (1) by 6 months) could be potentially affected by Level 
B behavioral harassment over the course of the Authorization. NMFS 
bases these estimates of the numbers of marine mammals that might be 
affected on consideration of the number of marine mammals that could be 
disturbed appreciably by approximately 51 hours of aircraft operations 
during the course of the activity. These incidental harassment take 
numbers represent approximately 0.14 percent of the U.S. stock of 
California sea lion, 0.42 percent of the eastern U.S. stock of Steller 
sea lion, 0.11 percent of the California stock of Pacific harbor seals, 
and 0.06 percent of the San Miguel Island stock of northern fur seal.
    Because of the required mitigation measures and the likelihood that 
some pinnipeds would avoid the area, NMFS does not expect any injury or 
mortality to pinnipeds to occur and NMFS has not authorized take by 
Level A harassment for this activity.

Encouraging and Coordinating Research

    The Society will continue to coordinate monitoring of pinnipeds 
during the helicopter operations and restoration activities which 
contribute to the basic knowledge of marine mammal biology on NWSR.

Analysis and Determinations

Negligible Impact

    Negligible impact' is ``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'' (50 CFR 216.103). The lack of 
likely adverse effects on annual rates of recruitment or survival 
(i.e., population level effects) forms the basis of a negligible impact 
finding. Thus, an estimate of the number of Level B harassment takes, 
alone, is not enough information on which to base an impact 
determination. In addition to considering estimates of the number of 
marine mammals that might be ``taken'' through behavioral harassment, 
NMFS must consider other factors, such as the likely nature of any 
responses (their intensity, duration, etc.), the context of any 
responses (critical reproductive time or location, migration, etc.), as 
well as the number and nature of estimated Level A harassment takes, 
and the number of estimated mortalities, and effects on habitat.
    In making a negligible impact determination, NMFS considers:
     The number of anticipated injuries, serious injuries, or 
mortalities;
     The number, nature, and intensity, and duration of Level B 
harassment; and
     The context in which the takes occur (e.g., impacts to 
areas of significance, impacts to local populations, and cumulative 
impacts when taking into account successive/contemporaneous actions 
when added to baseline data);
     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);
     Impacts on habitat affecting rates of recruitment/
survival; and
     The effectiveness of monitoring and mitigation measures.
    For reasons stated previously in this document and based on the 
following factors, the Society's specified activities are not likely to 
cause long-term behavioral disturbance, abandonment of the haulout 
area, injury, serious injury, or mortality because:
    (1) The effects of the Society's operations would be limited to no 
responses, short-term startle responses, or temporary behavioral 
changes due to the short and sporadic duration of the restoration 
activities. Minor and brief responses, such as short-duration startle 
or alert reactions, are not likely to constitute disruption of 
behavioral patterns, such as migration, nursing, breeding, feeding, or 
sheltering.
    (2) The availability of alternate areas for pinnipeds to avoid the 
resultant acoustic and visual disturbances from the restoration 
activities and helicopter operations. Results from previous monitoring 
reports also show that the pinnipeds returned to the various sites and 
did not permanently abandon haul-out sites after the Society conducted 
their activities.
    (3) There is no potential for large-scale movements leading to 
injury, serious injury, or mortality because the Society must delay 
ingress onto NWSR until after the pinnipeds present have slowly entered 
the water.
    NMFS does not anticipate that any injuries, serious injuries, or 
mortalities would occur as a result of the Society's proposed 
activities, and NMFS is not authorizing injury, serious injury, or 
mortality. These species may exhibit behavioral modifications, 
including temporarily vacating the area during the proposed helicopter 
operations and restoration activities to avoid the resultant acoustic 
and visual disturbances. Further, these activities will not take place 
in areas of significance for marine mammal feeding, resting, breeding, 
or calving and would not adversely impact marine mammal habitat. Due to 
the nature, degree, and context of the behavioral harassment 
anticipated, the activities are not expected to impact rates of 
recruitment or survival.
    Based on this notice's analysis of the likely effects of the 
specified activity on marine mammals and their habitat, and taking into 
consideration the implementation of the proposed monitoring and 
mitigation measures, NMFS finds that the Society's proposed helicopter 
operations and restoration/maintenance activities will have a 
negligible impact on the affected marine mammal species or stocks.

Small Numbers

    As mentioned previously, NMFS estimates that the Society's 
activities could potentially affect, by Level B harassment only, four 
species of marine mammals under our jurisdiction. For each species, 
these estimates are small (each, less than or equal to one percent) 
relative to the population size. These incidental harassment take 
numbers represent approximately 0.14 percent of the U.S. stock of 
California sea lion, 0.42 percent of the eastern U.S. stock of Steller 
sea lion, 0.11 percent of the California stock of Pacific harbor seals, 
and 0.06 percent of the San Miguel Island stock of northern fur seal. 
Because of the required mitigation measures and the likelihood that 
some pinnipeds will avoid the area, no injury or mortality to pinnipeds 
is expected nor requested. The proposed taking would be limited to 
small numbers of marine mammals, relative to the population sizes of 
the affected species or stocks (i.e., for each species, these numbers 
are less than one percent).

[[Page 20180]]

    Based on the analysis contained herein of the likely effects of the 
specified activity on marine mammals and their habitat, and taking into 
consideration the implementation of the mitigation and monitoring 
measures, NMFS finds that the Society's helicopter operations and 
restoration/maintenance activities will take small numbers of marine 
mammals relative to the populations of the affected species or stocks.

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

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

Endangered Species Act (ESA)

    NMFS does not expect that the Society's proposed helicopter 
operations and restoration/maintenance activities would affect any 
species listed under the ESA. Therefore, NMFS has determined that a 
section 7 consultation under the ESA is not required.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

    To meet our NEPA requirements for the issuance of an Authorization 
to the Society, NMFS prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) in 2010 
that was specific to conducting aircraft operations and restoration and 
maintenance work on the St. George Reef Light Station. The EA, titled 
``Issuance of an Incidental Harassment Authorization to Take Marine 
Mammals by Harassment Incidental to Conducting Aircraft Operations, 
Lighthouse Restoration and Maintenance Activities on St. George Reef 
Lighthouse Station in Del Norte County, California,'' evaluated the 
impacts on the human environment of our authorization of incidental 
Level B harassment resulting from the specified activity in the 
specified geographic region. At that time, NMFS concluded that issuance 
of an annual Authorization would not significantly affect the quality 
of the human environment and issued a Finding of No Significant Impact 
(FONSI) for the 2010 EA regarding the Society's activities. In 
conjunction with the Society's 2014 application, NMFS has again 
reviewed the 2010 EA and determined that there are no new direct, 
indirect or cumulative impacts to the human and natural environment 
associated with the Authorization requiring evaluation in a 
supplemental EA and NMFS, therefore, intends to reaffirm the 2010 
FONSI. An electronic copy of the EA and the FONSI for this activity is 
available upon request (see ADDRESSES).

Authorization

    As a result of these determinations, NMFS has issued an 
Authorization to the Society for conducting helicopter operations and 
restoration activities on the St. George Light Station in the northeast 
Pacific Ocean, April 11 through April 30, 2014 and November 1, 2014, 
through April 10, 2015, provided they incorporate the previously 
mentioned mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements.

    Dated: April 7, 2014.
Donna S. Wieting,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2014-08157 Filed 4-10-14; 8:45 am]
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