[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 163 (Monday, August 24, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51211-51233]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-20828]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XE069


Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; 
Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Kodiak Ferry Terminal and Dock 
Improvements Project

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

ACTION: Notice; proposed incidental harassment authorization; request 
for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS has received a request from the Alaska Department of 
Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) for authorization to take 
marine mammals incidental to reconstructing the existing ferry terminal 
at Pier 1 in Kodiak, Alaska, referred to as the Kodiak Ferry Terminal 
and Dock Improvements project (State Project Number 68938). The DOT&PF 
requests that the incidental harassment authorization (IHA) be valid 
for 1 year, from September 30, 2015 through September 29, 2016. 
Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting 
comments on its proposal to issue an authorization to the DOT&PF 
incidentally take, by harassment, small numbers of marine mammals for 
its reconstruction of the ferry terminal at Pier 1 in Kodiak, AK.

DATES: Comments and information must be received no later than 
September 23, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the application should be addressed to Jolie 
Harrison, Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. Physical comments should 
be sent to 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 and 
electronic comments should be sent to [email protected].
    Instructions: NMFS is not responsible for comments sent by any 
other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the 
end of the comment period. Comments received electronically, including 
all attachments, must not exceed a 25-megabyte file size. Attachments 
to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word or Excel or 
Adobe PDF file formats only. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted to the Internet at http://
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/

[[Page 51212]]

pr/permits/incidental/construction.htm without change. All personal 
identifying information (e.g., name, address) voluntarily submitted by 
the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit confidential 
business information or otherwise sensitive or protected information.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Availability

    An electronic copy of the DOT&PFs application and supporting 
documents, as well as a list of the references cited in this document, 
may be obtained by visiting the Internet at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental/construction.htm. In case of problems accessing 
these documents, please call the contact listed above.

Background

    Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) 
direct the Secretary of Commerce to allow, upon request, the 
incidental, but not intentional, taking of small numbers of marine 
mammals by U.S. citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than 
commercial fishing) within a specified geographical region if certain 
findings are made and either regulations are issued or, if the taking 
is limited to harassment, a notice of a proposed authorization is 
provided to the public for review.
    An authorization for incidental takings shall be granted if NMFS 
finds that the taking will have a negligible impact on the species or 
stock(s), will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the 
availability of the species or stock(s) for subsistence uses (where 
relevant), and if the permissible methods of taking and requirements 
pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring and reporting of such takings 
are set forth. NMFS has defined ``negligible impact'' in 50 CFR 216.103 
as ``an impact resulting from the specified activity that cannot be 
reasonably expected to, and is not reasonably likely to, adversely 
affect the species or stock through effects on annual rates of 
recruitment or survival.''
    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 March 27, 2015, NMFS received an application from the DOT&PF for 
the taking of marine mammal incidental to reconstructing the existing 
ferry terminal at Pier 1 in Kodiak, Alaska, referred to as the Kodiak 
Ferry Terminal and Dock Improvements project (State Project Number 
68938). On June 18, 2015 NMFS received a revised application. NMFS 
determined that the application was adequate and complete on June 25, 
2015. DOT&PF proposes to conduct in-water work that may incidentally 
harass marine mammals (i.e., pile driving and removal). This IHA would 
be valid from September 30, 2015 through September 29, 2016.
    Proposed activities included as part of the Kodiak Ferry Terminal 
and Dock Improvements project (Pier 1 project) with potential to affect 
marine mammals include vibratory and impact pile-driving operations and 
use of a down-hole drill/hammer to install piles in bedrock.
    Species with the expected potential to be present during the 
project timeframe include killer whale (Orcinus orca), Steller sea lion 
(Eumatopius jubatus), harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), and harbor 
seal (Phoca vitulina richardii).

Description of the Specified Activity

Overview

    DOT&PF is seeking an IHA for work that includes removal of the old 
timber dock and piles and installation of the new dock, including 
mooring and fender systems. The existing decking, piles, and other dock 
materials will be removed. Temporary steel H-piles will be installed to 
support temporary false work structures (i.e., templates). The new dock 
will be supported by steel piles, and dock fenders will include steel 
piles and timber piles. Note that these estimates are the number of 
days when each activity may occur at some point during the day, and 
that the number of days is not additive.

Dates and Duration

    Pile installation and extraction associated with the Pier 1 project 
will begin no sooner than September 30, 2015 and will be completed no 
later than September 29, 2016 (1 year following IHA issuance). To 
minimize impacts to pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) fry and coho 
salmon (O. kisutch) smolt, all in-water pile extraction and 
installation is planned to be completed by April 30, 2016. If work 
cannot be completed by April 30, the Alaska Department of Fish & Game 
(ADF&G) recommended that the DOT&PF refrain from impact pile 
installation without a bubble curtain from May 1 through June 30 within 
the 12-hour period beginning daily at the start of civil dawn (Marie 
2015). ADF&G stated that this is the daily time period when the 
majority of juvenile salmon are moving through the project area, and a 
12-hour quiet period may protect migrating juvenile salmon from 
excessive noise (Frost 2015). Impact pile installation would be 
acceptable without a bubble curtain from May 1 through June 30 in the 
evenings, beginning at 12 hours past civil dawn (Marie 2015). At this 
time, DOT&PF does not propose using bubble curtains. However, it is 
possible that in-water work may extend past April 30 in compliance with 
the mitigation for salmon as recommended by ADF&G.
    Removal of existing timber piles, installation of temporary piles 
and new permanent piles, and removal of temporary piles are expected to 
occur over approximately 120 working days over a period of 4 to 6 
months. This IHA requests authorization for up to 1 year of 
construction activities in case unforeseen construction delays occur. 
Pile extraction, pile driving, and drilling will occur intermittently 
over the work period, for anything from minutes to hours at a time 
(Table 1-1 in the application). The proposed Pier 1 project will 
require an estimated 120 days total of pile extraction and 
installation, including 80 days of vibratory extraction and 
installation, 60 days of down-hole drilling, and 22 days of impact 
hammering. Note that these days are not additive. Timing will vary 
based on the weather, delays, substrate type (the rock is layered and 
is of varying hardness across the site, so some holes will be drilled 
quickly and others may take longer), and other factors. A production 
rate of two permanent piles per day, on days when pile installation 
occurs, is considered typical for a project of this type.
    A 25 percent contingency has been added to the estimate of pile 
extraction and driving time to account for unknown substrate conditions 
(See Table 1-1 in the application). Therefore, the project may require 
approximately 614 hours of pile extraction or driving. The days for 
pile driving and extraction will not always be successive, but will be 
staggered over a 4- to 6-month period, depending on weather, 
construction and mechanical delays, marine mammal shutdowns, and other

[[Page 51213]]

potential delays and logistical constraints. The number of hours of 
pile driving within any single day will vary.

Specified Geographic Region

    The Kodiak Ferry Terminal and Dock at Pier 1 is located in the City 
of Kodiak, Alaska, at 57[deg]47'12.78'' N, 152[deg]24'09.73'' W, on the 
northeastern corner of Kodiak Island, in the Gulf of Alaska (See Figure 
1-1 in the Application). Pier 1 is an active ferry terminal and multi-
use dock located in Near Island Channel, which separates downtown 
Kodiak from Near Island (Figure 1-2). The channel is approximately 200 
meters (656 feet) wide in the project area. Pier 1 is situated between 
a marine fuel service floating dock to the northeast (Petro Marine 
Services) and a pile-supported dock owned by a shore-based seafood 
processor to the southwest. Pier 1 is separated from the seafood 
processing plant dock by only about 15 meters (50 feet; Figure 1-3).

Detailed Description of Activities

    The proposed action for this IHA request includes removal of the 
old timber dock and piles and installation of the new dock, including 
mooring and fender systems. The existing decking, piles, and other dock 
materials will be removed. Temporary steel H-piles will be installed to 
support temporary false work structures (i.e., templates). The new dock 
will be supported by steel piles, and dock fenders will include steel 
piles and timber piles. The proposed Pier 1 project will require an 
estimated 120 days total of pile extraction and installation, including 
80 days of vibratory extraction and installation, 60 days of down-hole 
drilling, and 22 days of impact hammering. Note that these estimates 
are the number of days when each activity may occur at some point 
during the day, and that the number of days is not additive. The total 
hours of pile installation for each activity is estimated in more 
detail later in this section.
    The existing dock consists of approximately 156 vertical, 13-inch-
diameter creosote-treated timber piles, 40 timber battered piles, and 
14 16-inch-diameter steel fender piles. All piles, decking, and other 
existing dock materials will be removed. The exact method for pile 
extraction will be determined by the contractor. It is anticipated that 
when possible, existing piles will be extracted by directly lifting 
them with a crane. A vibratory hammer will be used only if necessary to 
extract piles that cannot be directly lifted. Removal of each old pile 
is estimated to require 5 minutes of vibratory hammer use. Under the 
worst-case scenario, if all old piles were removed by using the 
vibratory hammer, it would require a total time of about 17.5 hours 
(See Table 1-1 in the application). If the piles break below the 
waterline, the pile stubs will be removed with a clamshell bucket.
    The exact means and method for pile installation will be determined 
by the contractor; however, a few options are available within a 
general framework. Temporary steel pipe or H-piles will be installed as 
part of a template to ensure proper placement and alignment during 
driving of the permanent steel piles. Temporary piles will be driven 
with a vibratory hammer 10-30 feet through the overburden sediment 
layer but are not expected to penetrate into the bedrock. A vibratory 
hammer will be used to remove the temporary piles, which will then be 
reinstalled at a new location. Individual temporary piles will be 
driven and removed an estimated 88 times. It is estimated that it will 
take 10 minutes of vibratory pile driving per temporary pile for 
installation and 5 minutes each for extraction, for a total of 15 
minutes of vibratory pile driving per temporary pile. For 88 temporary 
piles, this is an estimated 22 hours of total time using active 
vibratory equipment.
    The new terminal and dock will be supported by approximately 88 
round, 24-inch-diameter steel piles. The 24-inch steel piles will be 
driven 10-30 feet through the sediment layer and 15 feet into the 
bedrock. Dock fenders will be supported atop 10 round, 18-inch-diameter 
steel piles. In addition, eight round, 16-inch timber piles, which are 
somewhat variable in size from about 16 inches at the butt (top) to 
about 12 inches at the tip (bottom), will be installed as fender piles 
along the north side of the dock. Both the steel and timber fender 
piles will be driven with a vibratory hammer approximately 22 feet 
embedment, or to refusal.
    The sequence for installing the permanent 24-inch piles begins with 
insertion through overlying sediment with a vibratory hammer for about 
10 minutes per pile. A hole will then be drilled in the underlying 
bedrock by using a down-hole drill/hammer. A down-hole hammer is a 
drill bit that drills through the sediment and a pulse mechanism that 
functions at the bottom of the hole, using a pulsing bit to break up 
the harder materials or rock to allow removal of the fragments and 
insertion of the pile. The head extends so that the drilling takes 
place below the pile. Drill cuttings are expelled from the top of the 
pile as dust or mud. It is estimated that drilling piles through the 
layered bedrock will take about 5 hours per pile. Then, about five 
blows of an impact hammer will be used to confirm that piles are set 
into bedrock (proofed), for a maximum time expected of 1 minute of 
impact hammering per pile. When the impact hammer is employed for 
proofing, a pile cap or cushion will be placed between the impact 
hammer and the pile.
    All permanent 18-inch steel piles and timber piles will be driven 
into the marine sediment by using a vibratory hammer. It is anticipated 
to take about 10 minutes of vibratory driving to install each permanent 
18-inch steel and timber pile.
    Table 1-1 in the application illustrates that the project will 
require an estimated 60 hours of vibratory hammer time, 440 hours of 
down-hole drilling time, and 2 hours of impact hammer time. DOT&PF has 
conservatively added a contingency of 25% to the total hours required 
resulting in 75 hours of vibratory hammer time, 550 hours of down-hole 
drilling time, and 3 hours of impact hammer time.

Description of Marine Mammals in the Area of the Specified Activity

    Marine waters near Kodiak Island support many species of marine 
mammals, including pinnipeds and cetaceans; however, the number of 
species regularly occurring near the project area is limited. Steller 
sea lions are the most common marine mammals in the project area and 
are part of the western Distinct Population Segment (wDPS) that is 
listed as Endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Harbor 
seals (Phoca vitulina), harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena), and 
killer whales (Orcinus orca) may also occur in the project area, but 
far less frequently and in lower abundance than Steller sea lions. 
Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), fin whales (Balaenoptera 
physalus), and gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) occur in the 
nearshore waters around Kodiak Island), but are not expected to be 
found near the project area because of the narrow channel and boat 
traffic. Dall's porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli) generally inhabit more 
offshore habitats than the Near Island channel. The relatively large 
numbers of Steller sea lions in the area may serve as an additional 
deterrent for some marine mammals. This IHA application is limited to 
the species shown in Table 1 and will assess potential impacts to 
Steller sea lions, harbor seals, harbor porpoises, and killer whales.
    In the species accounts provided here, we offer a brief 
introduction to the species and relevant stock as well as available 
information regarding

[[Page 51214]]

population trends and threats, and describe any information regarding 
local occurrence.

                     Table 1--Marine Mammal Species Potentially Present in the Project Area
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                                      Stock(s)
             Species                  abundance        ESA * Status        MMPA ** Status        Frequency of
                                    estimate \1\                                                  occurrence
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Killer Whale (Orcinus orca)                 2,347  ...................  Non-depleted.......  Occasional.
 Eastern N. Pacific, Alaska
 Resident Stock.
Killer Whale (Orcinus orca)                   587  ...................  Non-depleted.......  Occasional.
 Eastern N. Pacific, Gulf of
 Alaska, Aleutian Islands, and
 Bering Seat Transient Stock.
Harbor Porpoise (Phocoena                  31,046  ...................  Non-depleted and     Occasional.
 phocoena) Gulf of Alaska Stock.                                         Strategic.
Steller Sea Lion (Eumetopias               52,200  Endangered.........  Depleted and         Common.
 jubatus) wDPS Stock.                                                    Strategic.
Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina                11,117  ...................  Non-depleted.......  Occasional.
 richardii) South Kodiak Stock.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ NOAA/NMFS 2014 marine mammal stock assessment reports at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/species.htm.
* ESA = Endangered Species Act.
** MMPA = Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Cetaceans

Killer Whale

    Killer whales have been observed in all oceans and seas of the 
world, but the highest densities occur in colder and more productive 
waters found at high latitudes (NOAA 2015). Killer whales are found 
throughout the North Pacific, and occur along the entire Alaska coast, 
in British Columbia and Washington inland waterways, and along the 
outer coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California (NOAA 2015).
    Based on data regarding association patterns, acoustics, movements, 
and genetic differences, eight killer whale stocks are now recognized 
within the Pacific U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone, seven of which occur 
in Alaska: (1) The Alaska Resident stock; (2) the Northern Resident 
stock; (3) the Southern Resident stock; (4) the Gulf of Alaska, 
Aleutian Islands, and Bering Sea Transient stock; (5) the AT1 Transient 
stock; (6) the West Coast transient stock, occurring from California 
through southeastern Alaska; and (7) the Offshore stock. Only the 
Alaska Resident stock and the Gulf of Alaska, Aleutian Islands, and 
Bering Sea Transient stock are considered in this application because 
other stocks occur outside the geographic area under consideration.
    The Alaska Resident stock occurs from southeastern Alaska to the 
Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea. Although the Gulf of Alaska, Aleutian 
Islands, and Bering Sea Transient stock occupies a range that includes 
all of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone in Alaska, few individuals have 
been seen in southeastern Alaska. The transient stock occurs primarily 
from Prince William Sound through the Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea.
    The Alaska Resident stock of killer whales is currently estimated 
at 2,347 individuals, and the estimate of the Gulf of Alaska, Aleutian 
Islands, and Bering Sea Transient stock is 587 individuals (Allen and 
Angliss 2013). The Gulf of Alaska component of the transient stock is 
estimated to include 136 of the 587 individuals. The abundance estimate 
for the Alaska Resident stock is likely underestimated because 
researchers continue to encounter new whales in the Gulf of Alaska and 
western Alaskan waters. At present, reliable data on trends in 
population abundance for both stocks are unavailable.
    Transient killer whales are seen periodically in waters of Kodiak 
Harbor, with photo-documentation since at least 1993 (Kodiak Seafood 
and Marine Science Center 2015). One pod known to visit Kodiak Harbor 
includes an adult female and adult male that have distinctive dorsal 
fins that make repeated recognition possible. This, as well as their 
easy visibility from shore, has led to their ``popularity'' in Kodiak, 
where their presence is often announced on public radio. They have been 
repeatedly observed and photographed attacking Steller sea lions.
    The Kodiak killer whales appear to specialize in preying on Steller 
sea lions commonly found near Kodiak's processing plants, fishing 
vessels, and docks. This pod kills and consumes at least four to six 
Steller sea lions per year from the Kodiak harbor area, primarily from 
February through May (Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center 2015, 
Wynne 2015b). Further information on the biology and local distribution 
of these species can be found in the DOT&PF application available 
online at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental/construction.htm and the NMFS Marine Mammal Stock Assessment Reports, 
which may be found at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/.

Harbor Porpoise

    The harbor porpoise inhabits temporal, subarctic, and arctic 
waters. In the eastern North Pacific, harbor porpoises range from Point 
Barrow, Alaska, to Point Conception, California. Harbor porpoise 
primarily frequent coastal waters and occur most frequently in waters 
less than 100 m deep (Hobbs and Waite 2010). They may occasionally be 
found in deeper offshore waters.
    In Alaska, harbor porpoises are currently divided into three 
stocks, based primarily on geography. These are the Bering Sea stock, 
the Southeast Alaska stock, and the Gulf of Alaska stock. (Allen and 
Angliss 2014). Only the Gulf of Alaska stock is considered in this 
application because the other stocks are not found in the geographic 
area under consideration.
    Harbor porpoises are neither designated as depleted under the MMPA 
nor listed as threatened or endangered under the ESA. Because the most 
recent abundance estimate is 14 years old and information on incidental 
harbor porpoise mortality in commercial fisheries is not well 
understood, the Gulf of Alaska stock of harbor porpoise is classified 
as strategic. Population trends and status of this stock relative to 
optimum sustainable population size are currently unknown. The Gulf of 
Alaska stock is currently estimated at 31,046 individuals (Allen and 
Angliss 2013). No reliable information is available to determine trends 
in abundance.

[[Page 51215]]

    According to the online database, Ocean Biogeographic Information 
System, Spatial Ecological Analysis of Megavertebrate Populations 
(Halpin 2009 at OBIS-SEAMAP 2015), West Coast populations have more 
restricted movements and do not migrate as much as East Coast 
populations. Most harbor porpoise groups are small, generally 
consisting of less than five or six individuals, though for feeding or 
migration they may aggregate into large, loose groups of 50 to several 
hundred animals.
    Harbor porpoises commonly frequent Kodiak's nearshore waters, but 
are rarely if ever noted in the Kodiak channel (K. Wynne, pers. comm.). 
Harbor porpoises are expected to be encountered rarely in the project 
area, although no data exist to quantify harbor porpoise attendance.

Pinnipeds

Steller Sea Lion

    The Steller sea lion is a pinniped and the largest of the eared 
seals. Steller sea lion populations that primarily occur west of 
144[deg] W (Cape Suckling, Alaska) comprise the western Distinct 
Population Segment (wDPS). Only the wDPS is considered in this 
application because the eastern DPS (eDPS) occurs outside the 
geographic area under consideration. Steller sea lions were listed as 
threatened range-wide under the ESA on November 26, 1990 (55 FR 49204). 
Steller sea lions were subsequently partitioned into the western and 
eastern DPSs in 1997 (Allen and Angliss 2010), with the wDPS being 
listed as endangered under the ESA and the eDPS remaining classified as 
threatened (62 FR 24345) until it was delisted in November 2013.
    On August 27, 1993, NMFS published a final rule designating 
critical habitat for the Steller sea lion as a 20 nautical mile buffer 
around all major haul-outs and rookeries, as well as associated 
terrestrial, air and aquatic zones, and three large offshore foraging 
areas (50 CFR 226.202)
    The range of the Steller sea lion includes the North Pacific Ocean 
rim from California to northern Japan. Steller sea lions forage in 
nearshore and pelagic waters where they are opportunistic predators. 
They feed primarily on a wide variety of fishes and cephalopods. 
Steller sea lions use terrestrial haulout sites to rest and take 
refuge. They also gather on well-defined, traditionally used rookeries 
to pup and breed. These habitats are typically gravel, rocky, or sand 
beaches; ledges; or rocky reefs (Allen and Angliss, 2013).
    Steller sea lions have a worldwide population estimated at 120,000 
to 140,000 animals, with approximately 93,000 in Alaska. The most 
recent comprehensive estimate (pups and non-pups) for abundance of the 
wDPS in Alaska is 52,209 sea lions, based on aerial surveys of non-pups 
conducted in June and July 2008-2011 and aerial and ground-based pup 
counts conducted in June and July 2009-2011 (Allen and Angliss 2014).
    The wDPS of Steller sea lions declined approximately 75 percent 
from 1976 to 1990. Factors that may have contributed to this decline 
include (1) incidental take in fisheries, (2) legal and illegal 
shooting, (3) predation, (4) contaminants, (5) disease, and (6) climate 
change. Non-pup Steller sea lion counts at trend sites in the wDPS 
increased 11 percent during 2000-2004. These counts were the first 
region-wide increases for the wDPS since standardized surveys began in 
the 1970s, and were due to increased or stable counts in all regions 
except the western Aleutian Islands. During 2004-2008, western Alaska 
non-pup counts increased only 3 percent; eastern Gulf of Alaska (Prince 
William Sound area) counts were higher; counts from the Kenai Peninsula 
through Kiska Island, including Kodiak Island, were stable; and western 
Aleutian counts continued to decline (Allen and Angliss 2010).
    Steller sea lions are the most obvious and abundant marine mammals 
in the project area. The major natural Steller sea lion haulouts 
closest to the project area are located on Long Island and Cape 
Chiniak, which are approximately 4.6 nautical miles (8.5 kilometers) 
and 13.8 nautical miles (25.6 kilometers) away from the project site, 
respectively. Annual counts averaged 33 animals on Long Island from 
2008 through 2010, and 119 animals at Cape Chiniak during the same time 
period (Table 4-1). The closest rookery is located on Marmot Island, 
approximately 30 nautical miles (55.5 kilometers) from the project 
site, which had average annual counts of 656 animals from 2008 through 
2010 (as cited in NMFS 2013).
    Many individual sea lions have become habituated to human activity 
in the Kodiak harbor area and utilize a man-made haulout float called 
Dog Bay float located in St. Herman Harbor, about 1,300 meters (4,300 
feet) from the project site (See Figure 1-2; Figure 3-1 in the 
application). This is not a federally recognized haulout and is not 
considered part of sea lion critical habitat. Critical habitat is 
associated with breeding and haulout areas in Alaska, California, and 
Oregon (NMFS 1993). Steller sea lion critical habitat is defined by a 
20-nautical-mile (37-km) radius (straight line distance) encircling a 
major haulout or rookery. The project area occurs within critical 
habitat for two major haulouts, Long Island and Cape Chiniak, described 
above. A section from an old floating breakwater, the float was 
relocated to Dog Bay in the year 2000 and intended to serve as a 
dedicated sea lion haulout. It serves its purpose of reducing sea lion-
human conflicts in Kodiak's docks and harbors by providing an 
undisturbed haulout location and reducing the numbers of sea lions that 
haul out on vessel moorage floats.
    Counts of sea lions hauled out on the Dog Bay float provide an 
index of the number of Steller sea lions in the harbor area. Because 
this float is not considered an official haulout by NMFS, few 
standardized surveys to count sea lions have been conducted (Wynne 
2015a). Surveys from 2004 through 2006 indicated peak winter (October-
April) counts ranging from 27 to 33 animals (Wynn et al. 2011). Counts 
from February 2015 during a site visit by HDR biologists ranged from 
approximately 28 to 45 sea lions on the float. More than 100 sea lions 
were counted on the Dog Bay float at times in spring 2015, although the 
mean number was much smaller (Wynne 2015b).
    Abundant and predictable sources of food for sea lions in the 
Kodiak area include fishing gear, fishing boats and tenders, and the 
many seafood processing facilities that accept transfers of fish from 
offloading vessels. Sea lions have become accustomed to depredating 
fishing gear and raiding fishing vessels during fishing and offloading 
and they follow potential sources of food around the harbors and docks, 
waiting for opportunities to feed. When vessels are offloading fish at 
the docks of processing facilities, the sea lions rear out of the water 
to look over the gunnels for fish on the deck; if the vessel is a stern 
trawler, they charge up the stern ramp or codend to gain access to the 
deck (Speckman 2015; Ward 2015; Wynne 2015a). Sea lions have killed 
dogs and have dragged humans into the water (Wynne 2015a).
    The number of sea lions in the immediate project area varies 
depending on the season and presence of commercial fishing vessels 
unloading their catch at the seafood processing plant dock immediately 
adjacent to Pier 1. During the February 2015 site visit by HDR 
biologists, from zero up to about 25 sea lions were seen at one time in 
the Pier 1 project area. About 22 of those sea lions were subadults 
that were clearly foraging on schooling fishes in the area and were not 
interacting with the

[[Page 51216]]

fishing vessels offloading at the seafood processing plant at the time. 
The stern trawler offloading at the processing plant dock during this 
period was attended by three mature bull sea lions, which constantly 
swam back and forth behind the stern watching for an opportunity to 
gain access.
    At least four other seafood processing facilities are present in 
Kodiak and operate concurrently with the one located next to Pier 1. 
All are visited by sea lions looking for food, and all are successfully 
raided by sea lions with regularity (Wynne 2015a). Sea lions also 
follow and raid fishing vessels. The seafood processing facility 
adjacent to the Pier 1 project site is therefore not the only source of 
food for Kodiak sea lions that inhabit the harbor area. Furthermore, 
sea lions in a more ``natural'' situation do not generally eat every 
day, but tend to forage every 1-2 days and return to haulouts to rest 
between foraging trips (Merrick and Loughlin 1997; Rehburg et al. 
2009). The foraging habits of sea lions using the Dog Bay float and 
Kodiak harbor area are not documented, but it is reasonable to assume 
that, given the abundance of readily available food, not every sea lion 
in the area visits the seafood processing plant adjacent to Pier 1 
every day. Based on numbers at the Dog Bay float and sea lion behavior, 
it is estimated that about 40 unique individual sea lions likely pass 
by the project site each day (Speckman 2015; Ward 2015; Wynne 2015a). 
Sea lions in the Kodiak harbor area are habituated to fishing vessels 
and are skilled at gaining access to fish. It is likely that some of 
the same animals follow local vessels to the nearby fishing grounds and 
back to town. It is also likely that hearing-impaired or deaf sea lions 
are among the sea lions that attend the seafood processing facility 
adjacent to the Pier 1 construction site. It is not known how a 
hearing-impaired or deaf sea lion would respond to typical mitigation 
efforts at a construction site such as ramping up of pile-driving 
equipment. It is also unknown whether a hearing-impaired or deaf sea 
lion would avoid pile-driving activity, or whether such an animal might 
approach closely, even within the Level A harassment zone, without 
responding to or being impacted by the noise level.

Harbor Seal

    Harbor seals range from Baja California north along the west coasts 
of Washington, Oregon, California, British Columbia, and Southeast 
Alaska; west through the Gulf of Alaska, Prince William Sound, and the 
Aleutian Islands; and north in the Bering Sea to Cape Newenham and the 
Pribilof Islands. Distribution of the South Kodiak stock extends from 
East Cape (northeast coast of Kodiak Island) south to South Cape 
(Chirikof Island), including Tugidak Island, and up the southwest coast 
of Kodiak Island to Middle Cape.
    In 2010, harbor seals in Alaska were partitioned into 12 separate 
stocks based largely on genetic structure (Allen and Angliss 2010). 
Only the South Kodiak stock is considered in this application because 
other stocks occur outside the geographic area under consideration.
    The current statewide abundance estimate for Alaskan harbor seals 
is 152,602, based on aerial survey data collected during 1998-2007. The 
abundance estimate for the South Kodiak stock is 11,117 (Allen and 
Angliss 2010). Harbor seals have declined dramatically in some parts of 
their range over the past few decades, while in other parts their 
numbers have increased or remained stable over similar time periods.
    A significant portion of the harbor seal population within the 
South Kodiak stock is located at and around Tugidak Island off the 
southwest of Kodiak Island. Sharp declines in the number of seals 
present on Tugidak were observed between 1976 and 1998. Although the 
number of seals on Tugidak Island has stabilized and shows some 
evidence of increase since the decline, the population in 2000 remained 
reduced by 80 percent compared to the levels in the 1970s (Jemison et 
al. 2006). The current population trend for this stock is unknown.
    Harbor seals haul out on rocks, reefs, beaches, and drifting 
glacial ice (Allen and Angliss 2014). They are non-migratory; their 
local movements are associated with tides, weather, season, food 
availability, and reproduction, as well as sex and age class (Allen and 
Angliss 2014; Boveng et al. 2012; Lowry et al. 2001; Swain et al. 
1996).
    Although the number of harbor seals on eastern Kodiak haulouts has 
been increasing steadily since the early 1990s (Kodiak Seafood and 
Marine Science Center 2015), sightings are rare in the project area. 
Several harbor seals tagged at Uganik Bay (Northwest Kodiak Island) 
dispersed as far north as Anchorage and as far south as Chignik, but 
none were found near Kodiak (Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center 
2015). Harbor seals are expected to be encountered occasionally in the 
project area, although no data exist to quantify harbor seal 
attendance.

Potential Effects of the Specified Activity on Marine Mammals and Their 
Habitat

    This section includes a summary and discussion of the ways that 
stressors, (e.g. pile driving,) and potential mitigation activities, 
associated with the reconstruction of the Pier 1 Kodiak Ferry Terminal 
and Dock may impact marine mammals and their habitat. The Estimated 
Take by Incidental Harassment section later in this document will 
include an analysis of the number of individuals that are expected to 
be taken by this activity. The Negligible Impact Analysis section will 
include the analysis of how this specific activity will impact marine 
mammals and will consider the content of this section, the Estimated 
Take by Incidental Harassment section, and the Proposed Mitigation 
section to draw conclusions regarding the likely impacts of this 
activity on the reproductive success or survivorship of individuals and 
from that on the affected marine mammal populations or stocks. In the 
following discussion, we provide general background information on 
sound and marine mammal hearing before considering potential effects to 
marine mammals from sound produced by pile extraction, vibratory pile 
driving, impact pile driving and down-hole drilling.

Description of Sound Sources

    Sound travels in waves, the basic components of which are 
frequency, wavelength, velocity, and amplitude. Frequency is the number 
of pressure waves that pass by a reference point per unit of time and 
is measured in hertz (Hz) or cycles per second. Wavelength is the 
distance between two peaks of a sound wave; lower frequency sounds have 
longer wavelengths than higher frequency sounds and attenuate 
(decrease) more rapidly in shallower water. Amplitude is the height of 
the sound pressure wave or the `loudness' of a sound and is typically 
measured using the decibel (dB) scale. A dB is the ratio between a 
measured pressure (with sound) and a reference pressure (sound at a 
constant pressure, established by scientific standards). It is a 
logarithmic unit that accounts for large variations in amplitude; 
therefore, relatively small changes in dB ratings correspond to large 
changes in sound pressure. When referring to sound pressure levels 
(SPLs; the sound force per unit area), sound is referenced in the 
context of underwater sound pressure to 1 microPascal ([mu]Pa). One 
pascal is the pressure resulting from a force of one newton exerted 
over an area of one square meter. The source

[[Page 51217]]

level (SL) represents the sound level at a distance of 1 m from the 
source (referenced to 1 [mu]Pa). The received level is the sound level 
at the listener's position. Note that all underwater sound levels in 
this document are referenced to a pressure of 1 [mu]Pa and all airborne 
sound levels in this document are referenced to a pressure of 20 
[mu]Pa.
    Root mean square (rms) is the quadratic mean sound pressure over 
the duration of an impulse. Rms is calculated by squaring all of the 
sound amplitudes, averaging the squares, and then taking the square 
root of the average (Urick, 1983). Rms accounts for both positive and 
negative values; squaring the pressures makes all values positive so 
that they may be accounted for in the summation of pressure levels 
(Hastings and Popper, 2005). This measurement is often used in the 
context of discussing behavioral effects, in part because behavioral 
effects, which often result from auditory cues, may be better expressed 
through averaged units than by peak pressures.
    When underwater objects vibrate or activity occurs, sound-pressure 
waves are created. These waves alternately compress and decompress the 
water as the sound wave travels. Underwater sound waves radiate in all 
directions away from the source (similar to ripples on the surface of a 
pond), except in cases where the source is directional. The 
compressions and decompressions associated with sound waves are 
detected as changes in pressure by aquatic life and man-made sound 
receptors such as hydrophones.
    Even in the absence of sound from the specified activity, the 
underwater environment is typically loud due to ambient sound. Ambient 
sound is defined as environmental background sound levels lacking a 
single source or point (Richardson et al., 1995), and the sound level 
of a region is defined by the total acoustical energy being generated 
by known and unknown sources. These sources may include physical (e.g., 
waves, earthquakes, ice, atmospheric sound), biological (e.g., sounds 
produced by marine mammals, fish, and invertebrates), and anthropogenic 
sound (e.g., vessels, dredging, aircraft, construction). A number of 
sources contribute to ambient sound, including the following 
(Richardson et al., 1995):
     Wind and waves: The complex interactions between wind and 
water surface, including processes such as breaking waves and wave-
induced bubble oscillations and cavitation, are a main source of 
naturally occurring ambient noise for frequencies between 200 Hz and 50 
kHz (Mitson, 1995). In general, ambient sound levels tend to increase 
with increasing wind speed and wave height. Surf noise becomes 
important near shore, with measurements collected at a distance of 8.5 
km from shore showing an increase of 10 dB in the 100 to 700 Hz band 
during heavy surf conditions.
     Precipitation: Sound from rain and hail impacting the 
water surface can become an important component of total noise at 
frequencies above 500 Hz, and possibly down to 100 Hz during quiet 
times.
     Biological: Marine mammals can contribute significantly to 
ambient noise levels, as can some fish and shrimp. The frequency band 
for biological contributions is from approximately 12 Hz to over 100 
kHz.
     Anthropogenic: Sources of ambient noise related to human 
activity include transportation (surface vessels and aircraft), 
dredging and construction, oil and gas drilling and production, seismic 
surveys, sonar, explosions, and ocean acoustic studies. Shipping noise 
typically dominates the total ambient noise for frequencies between 20 
and 300 Hz. In general, the frequencies of anthropogenic sounds are 
below 1 kHz and, if higher frequency sound levels are created, they 
attenuate rapidly (Richardson et al., 1995). Sound from identifiable 
anthropogenic sources other than the activity of interest (e.g., a 
passing vessel) is sometimes termed background sound, as opposed to 
ambient sound. Representative levels of anthropogenic sound are 
displayed in Table 2.
    The sum of the various natural and anthropogenic sound sources at 
any given location and time--which comprise ``ambient'' or 
``background'' sound--depends not only on the source levels (as 
determined by current weather conditions and levels of biological and 
shipping activity) but also on the ability of sound to propagate 
through the environment. In turn, sound propagation is dependent on the 
spatially and temporally varying properties of the water column and sea 
floor, and is frequency-dependent. As a result of the dependence on a 
large number of varying factors, ambient sound levels can be expected 
to vary widely over both coarse and fine spatial and temporal scales. 
Sound levels at a given frequency and location can vary by 10-20 dB 
from day to day (Richardson et al., 1995). The result is that, 
depending on the source type and its intensity, sound from the 
specified activity may be a negligible addition to the local 
environment or could form a distinctive signal that may affect marine 
mammals.

                          Table 2--Representative Sound Levels of Anthropogenic Sources
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Frequency
              Sound source                  range  (Hz)     Underwater sound level             Reference
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small vessels...........................       250-1,000  151 dB rms at 1 m.........  Richardson et al., 1995.
Tug docking gravel barge................       200-1,000  149 dB rms at 100 m.......  Blackwell and Greene,
                                                                                       2002.
Vibratory driving of 72-in steel pipe           10-1,500  180 dB rms at 10 m........  Reyff, 2007.
 pile.
Impact driving of 36-in steel pipe pile.        10-1,500  195 dB rms at 10 m........  Laughlin, 2007.
Impact driving of 66-in cast-in-steel-          10-1,500  195 dB rms at 10 m........  Reviewed in Hastings and
 shell (CISS) pile.                                                                    Popper, 2005.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Pier 1 project area is frequented by fishing vessels and 
tenders; ferries, barges, tugboats; and other commercial and 
recreational vessels that use the channel to access harbors and city 
docks, fuel docks, processing plants where fish catches are offloaded, 
and other commercial facilities. At the seafood processing plant, to 
the southwest of Pier 1, fish are offloaded by vacuum hose straight 
into the processing plant from the vessels' holds, and vessels raft up 
three and four deep to the dock during peak fishing seasons. On the 
northeast side of Pier 1 is the Petro Marine fuel dock, which services 
a range of vessel sizes, including larger vessels that can be 
accommodated by docking at Pier 1. Two boat harbors exist in Near 
Island Channel, which house a number of commercial and recreational 
marine vessels. The channel is also a primary route for local

[[Page 51218]]

vessel traffic to access waters outside the Gulf of Alaska.
    High levels of vessel traffic are known to elevate background 
levels of noise in the marine environment. For example, continuous 
sounds for tugs pulling barges have been reported to range from 145 to 
166 dB re 1 [mu]Pa rms at 1 meter from the source (Miles et al. 1987; 
Richardson et al. 1995; Simmonds et al. 2004. Ambient underwater noise 
levels in the Pier 1 project area are both variable and relatively 
high, and are expected to mask some sounds of drilling, pile 
installation, and pile extraction.
    In-water construction activities associated with the project 
include vibratory pile driving and removal, down-hole drilling, and 
impact pile driving. There are two general categories of sound types: 
Impulse and non-pulse (defined in the following). Vibratory pile 
driving is considered to be continuous or non-pulsed while impact pile 
driving is considered to be an impulse or pulsed sound type. The 
distinction between these two sound types is important because they 
have differing potential to cause physical effects, particularly with 
regard to hearing (e.g., Ward, 1997 in Southall et al., 2007). Please 
see Southall et al., (2007) for an in-depth discussion of these 
concepts. Note that information related to impact hammers is included 
here for comparison. Pulsed sound sources (e.g., explosions, gunshots, 
sonic booms, impact pile driving) produce signals that are brief 
(typically considered to be less than one second), broadband, atonal 
transients (ANSI, 1986; Harris, 1998; NIOSH, 1998; ISO, 2003; ANSI, 
2005) and occur either as isolated events or repeated in some 
succession. Pulsed sounds are all characterized by a relatively rapid 
rise from ambient pressure to a maximal pressure value followed by a 
rapid decay period that may include a period of diminishing, 
oscillating maximal and minimal pressures, and generally have an 
increased capacity to induce physical injury as compared with sounds 
that lack these features.
    Non-pulsed sounds can be tonal, narrowband, or broadband, brief or 
prolonged, and may be either continuous or non-continuous (ANSI, 1995; 
NIOSH, 1998). Some of these non-pulsed sounds can be transient signals 
of short duration but without the essential properties of pulses (e.g., 
rapid rise time). Examples of non-pulsed sounds include those produced 
by vessels, aircraft, machinery operations such as drilling or 
dredging, vibratory pile driving, and active sonar systems (such as 
those used by the U.S. Navy). The duration of such sounds, as received 
at a distance, can be greatly extended in a highly reverberant 
environment.
    The likely or possible impacts of the proposed pile driving program 
at Pier 1 on marine mammals could involve both non-acoustic and 
acoustic stressors. Potential non-acoustic stressors could result from 
the physical presence of the equipment and personnel. Any impacts to 
marine mammals are expected to primarily be acoustic in nature. 
Acoustic stressors could include effects of heavy equipment operation, 
pile installation and pile removal at Pier 1.

Marine Mammal Hearing

    When considering the influence of various kinds of sound on the 
marine environment, it is necessary to understand that different kinds 
of marine life are sensitive to different frequencies of sound. Based 
on available behavioral data, audiograms have been derived using 
auditory evoked potentials, anatomical modeling, and other data, 
Southall et al. (2007) designate ``functional hearing groups'' for 
marine mammals and estimate the lower and upper frequencies of 
functional hearing of the groups. The functional groups and the 
associated frequencies are indicated below (though animals are less 
sensitive to sounds at the outer edge of their functional range and 
most sensitive to sounds of frequencies within a smaller range 
somewhere in the middle of their functional hearing range):
     Low frequency cetaceans (13 species of mysticetes): 
functional hearing is estimated to occur between approximately 7 Hz and 
30 kHz;
     Mid-frequency cetaceans (32 species of dolphins, six 
species of larger toothed whales, and 19 species of beaked and 
bottlenose whales): functional hearing is estimated to occur between 
approximately 150 Hz and 160 kHz;
     High frequency cetaceans (eight species of true porpoises, 
six species of river dolphins, Kogia, the franciscana, and four species 
of cephalorhynchids): functional hearing is estimated to occur between 
approximately 200 Hz and 180 kHz;
     Phocid pinnipeds in Water: functional hearing is estimated 
to occur between approximately 75 Hz and 75 kHz; and
     Otariid pinnipeds in Water: functional hearing is 
estimated to occur between approximately 100 Hz and 40 kHz.
    As mentioned previously in this document, nine marine mammal 
species (seven cetacean and two pinniped) may occur in the project 
area. Of the two species likely to occur in the proposed project area, 
one is classified as a mid-frequency cetacean (i.e., killer whale), and 
one is classified as a high-frequency cetaceans (i.e., harbor porpoise) 
(Southall et al., 2007). Additionally, harbor seals are classified as 
members of the phocid pinnipeds in water functional hearing group while 
Steller sea lions and California sea lions are grouped under the 
Otariid pinnipeds in water functional hearing group. A species' 
functional hearing group is a consideration when we analyze the effects 
of exposure to sound on marine mammals.

Acoustic Impacts

    Potential Effects of Pile Driving Sound--The effects of sounds from 
pile driving might result in one or more of the following: Temporary or 
permanent hearing impairment, non-auditory physical or physiological 
effects, behavioral disturbance, and masking (Richardson et al., 1995; 
Gordon et al., 2004; Nowacek et al., 2007; Southall et al., 2007). The 
effects of pile driving on marine mammals are dependent on several 
factors, including the size, type, and depth of the animal; the depth, 
intensity, and duration of the pile driving sound; the depth of the 
water column; the substrate of the habitat; the standoff distance 
between the pile and the animal; and the sound propagation properties 
of the environment. Impacts to marine mammals from pile driving 
activities are expected to result primarily from acoustic pathways. As 
such, the degree of effect is intrinsically related to the received 
level and duration of the sound exposure, which are in turn influenced 
by the distance between the animal and the source. The further away 
from the source, the less intense the exposure should be. The substrate 
and depth of the habitat affect the sound propagation properties of the 
environment. Shallow environments are typically more structurally 
complex, which leads to rapid sound attenuation. In addition, 
substrates that are soft (e.g., sand) would absorb or attenuate the 
sound more readily than hard substrates (e.g., rock) which may reflect 
the acoustic wave. Soft porous substrates would also likely require 
less time to drive the pile, and possibly less forceful equipment, 
which would ultimately decrease the intensity of the acoustic source.
    In the absence of mitigation, impacts to marine species would be 
expected to result from physiological and behavioral responses to both 
the type and strength of the acoustic signature (Viada et al., 2008). 
The type and severity of

[[Page 51219]]

behavioral impacts are more difficult to define due to limited studies 
addressing the behavioral effects of impulse sounds on marine mammals. 
Potential effects from impulse sound sources can range in severity from 
effects such as behavioral disturbance or tactile perception to 
physical discomfort, slight injury of the internal organs and the 
auditory system, or mortality (Yelverton et al., 1973).
    Hearing Impairment and Other Physical Effects--Marine mammals 
exposed to high intensity sound repeatedly or for prolonged periods can 
experience hearing threshold shift (TS), which is the loss of hearing 
sensitivity at certain frequency ranges (Kastak et al., 1999; Schlundt 
et al., 2000; Finneran et al., 2002, 2005). TS can be permanent (PTS), 
in which case the loss of hearing sensitivity is not recoverable, or 
temporary (TTS), in which case the animal's hearing threshold would 
recover over time (Southall et al., 2007). Marine mammals depend on 
acoustic cues for vital biological functions, (e.g., orientation, 
communication, finding prey, avoiding predators); thus, TTS may result 
in reduced fitness in survival and reproduction. However, this depends 
on the frequency and duration of TTS, as well as the biological context 
in which it occurs. TTS of limited duration, occurring in a frequency 
range that does not coincide with that used for recognition of 
important acoustic cues, would have little to no effect on an animal's 
fitness. Repeated sound exposure that leads to TTS could cause PTS. PTS 
constitutes injury, but TTS does not (Southall et al., 2007). The 
following subsections discuss in somewhat more detail the possibilities 
of TTS, PTS, and non-auditory physical effects.
    Temporary Threshold Shift--TTS is the mildest form of hearing 
impairment that can occur during exposure to a strong sound (Kryter, 
1985). While experiencing TTS, the hearing threshold rises, and a sound 
must be stronger in order to be heard. In terrestrial mammals, TTS can 
last from minutes or hours to days (in cases of strong TTS). 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. 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. Available data on TTS in marine mammals are summarized in 
Southall et al. (2007).
    Given the available data, the received level of a single pulse 
(with no frequency weighting) might need to be approximately 186 dB re 
1 [mu]Pa\2\-s (i.e., 186 dB sound exposure level [SEL] or approximately 
221-226 dB p-p [peak]) in order to produce brief, mild TTS. Exposure to 
several strong pulses that each have received levels near 190 dB rms 
(175-180 dB SEL) might result in cumulative exposure of approximately 
186 dB SEL and thus slight TTS in a small odontocete, assuming the TTS 
threshold is (to a first approximation) a function of the total 
received pulse energy.
    The above TTS information for odontocetes is derived from studies 
on the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) and beluga whale 
(Delphinapterus leucas). There is no published TTS information for 
other species of cetaceans. However, preliminary evidence from a harbor 
porpoise exposed to pulsed sound suggests that its TTS threshold may 
have been lower (Lucke et al., 2009). As summarized above, data that 
are now available imply that TTS is unlikely to occur unless 
odontocetes are exposed to pile driving pulses stronger than 180 dB re 
1 [mu]Pa rms.
    Permanent Threshold Shift--When PTS occurs, there is physical 
damage to the sound receptors in the ear. In severe cases, there can be 
total or partial deafness, while in other cases the animal has an 
impaired ability to hear sounds in specific frequency ranges (Kryter, 
1985). There is no specific evidence that exposure to pulses of sound 
can cause PTS in any marine mammal. However, given the possibility that 
mammals close to a sound source can incur TTS, it is possible that some 
individuals might incur PTS. Single or occasional occurrences of mild 
TTS are not indicative of permanent auditory damage, but repeated or 
(in some cases) single exposures to a level well above that causing TTS 
onset might elicit PTS.
    PTS is considered auditory injury (Southall et al., 2007). 
Irreparable damage to the inner or outer cochlear hair cells may cause 
PTS, however, other mechanisms are also involved, such as exceeding the 
elastic limits of certain tissues and membranes in the middle and inner 
ears and resultant changes in the chemical composition of the inner ear 
fluids (Southall et al., 2007).
    Relationships between TTS and PTS thresholds have not been studied 
in marine mammals but are assumed to be similar to those in humans and 
other terrestrial mammals, based on anatomical similarities. PTS might 
occur at a received sound level at least several decibels above that 
inducing mild TTS if the animal were exposed to strong sound pulses 
with rapid rise time. Based on data from terrestrial mammals, a 
precautionary assumption is that the PTS threshold for impulse sounds 
(such as pile driving pulses as received close to the source) is at 
least 6 dB higher than the TTS threshold on a peak-pressure basis and 
probably greater than 6 dB (Southall et al., 2007). On an SEL basis, 
Southall et al. (2007) estimated that received levels would need to 
exceed the TTS threshold by at least 15 dB for there to be risk of PTS. 
Thus, for cetaceans, Southall et al. (2007) estimate that the PTS 
threshold might be an M-weighted SEL (for the sequence of received 
pulses) of approximately 198 dB re 1 [mu]Pa\2\-s (15 dB higher than the 
TTS threshold for an impulse). Given the higher level of sound 
necessary to cause PTS as compared with TTS, it is considerably less 
likely that PTS could occur.
    Measured source levels from impact pile driving can be as high as 
214 dB rms. Although no marine mammals have been shown to experience 
TTS or PTS as a result of being exposed to pile driving activities, 
captive bottlenose dolphins and beluga whales exhibited changes in 
behavior when exposed to strong pulsed sounds (Finneran et al., 2000, 
2002, 2005). The animals tolerated high received levels of sound before 
exhibiting aversive behaviors. Experiments on a beluga whale showed 
that exposure to a single watergun impulse at a received level of 207 
kPa (30 psi) p-p, which is equivalent to 228 dB p-p, resulted in a 7 
and 6 dB TTS in the beluga whale at 0.4 and 30 kHz, respectively. 
Thresholds returned to within 2 dB of the pre-exposure level within 
four minutes of the exposure (Finneran et al., 2002). Although the 
source level of pile driving from one hammer strike is expected to be 
much lower than the single watergun impulse cited here, animals being 
exposed for a prolonged period to repeated hammer strikes could receive 
more sound exposure in terms of SEL than from the single watergun 
impulse (estimated at 188 dB re 1 [mu]Pa\2\-s) in the aforementioned 
experiment (Finneran et al., 2002). However, in order for marine 
mammals to experience TTS or PTS, the animals have to be close enough 
to be exposed to high intensity sound levels for a prolonged period of 
time. Based on the best scientific information available, these SPLs 
are far below the thresholds that could cause TTS or the onset of PTS.
    Non-auditory Physiological Effects--Non-auditory physiological 
effects or injuries that theoretically might occur in

[[Page 51220]]

marine mammals exposed to strong underwater sound include stress, 
neurological effects, bubble formation, resonance effects, and other 
types of organ or tissue damage (Cox et al., 2006; Southall et al., 
2007). Studies examining such effects are limited. In general, little 
is known about the potential for pile driving to cause auditory 
impairment or other physical effects in marine mammals. Available data 
suggest that such effects, if they occur at all, would presumably be 
limited to short distances from the sound source and to activities that 
extend over a prolonged period. The available data do not allow 
identification of a specific exposure level above which non-auditory 
effects can be expected (Southall et al., 2007) or any meaningful 
quantitative predictions of the numbers (if any) of marine mammals that 
might be affected in those ways. Marine mammals that show behavioral 
avoidance of pile driving, including some odontocetes and some 
pinnipeds, are especially unlikely to incur auditory impairment or non-
auditory physical effects.

Disturbance Reactions

    Disturbance includes a variety of effects, including subtle changes 
in behavior, more conspicuous changes in activities, and displacement. 
Behavioral responses to sound are highly variable and context-specific 
and reactions, if any, depend on species, state of maturity, 
experience, current activity, reproductive state, auditory sensitivity, 
time of day, and many other factors (Richardson et al., 1995; Wartzok 
et al., 2003; Southall et al., 2007).
    Habituation can occur when an animal's response to a stimulus wanes 
with repeated exposure, usually in the absence of unpleasant associated 
events (Wartzok et al., 2003). Animals are most likely to habituate to 
sounds that are predictable and unvarying. The opposite process is 
sensitization, when an unpleasant experience leads to subsequent 
responses, often in the form of avoidance, at a lower level of 
exposure. Behavioral state may affect the type of response as well. For 
example, animals that are resting may show greater behavioral change in 
response to disturbing sound levels than animals that are highly 
motivated to remain in an area for feeding (Richardson et al., 1995; 
NRC, 2003; Wartzok et al., 2003).
    Controlled experiments with captive marine mammals showed 
pronounced behavioral reactions, including avoidance of loud sound 
sources (Ridgway et al., 1997; Finneran et al., 2003). Observed 
responses of wild marine mammals to loud pulsed sound sources 
(typically seismic guns or acoustic harassment devices, but also 
including pile driving) have been varied but often consist of avoidance 
behavior or other behavioral changes suggesting discomfort (Morton and 
Symonds, 2002; Thorson and Reyff, 2006; see also Gordon et al., 2004; 
Wartzok et al., 2003; Nowacek et al., 2007). Responses to continuous 
sound, such as vibratory pile installation, have not been documented as 
well as responses to pulsed sounds.
    With both types of pile driving, it is likely that the onset of 
pile driving could result in temporary, short term changes in an 
animal's typical behavior and/or avoidance of the affected area. These 
behavioral changes may include (Richardson et al., 1995): changing 
durations of surfacing and dives, number of blows per surfacing, or 
moving direction and/or speed; reduced/increased vocal activities; 
changing/cessation of certain behavioral activities (such as 
socializing or feeding); visible startle response or aggressive 
behavior (such as tail/fluke slapping or jaw clapping); avoidance of 
areas where sound sources are located; and/or flight responses (e.g., 
pinnipeds flushing into water from haul-outs or rookeries). Pinnipeds 
may increase their haul-out time, possibly to avoid in-water 
disturbance (Thorson and Reyff, 2006).
    The biological significance of many of these behavioral 
disturbances is difficult to predict, especially if the detected 
disturbances appear minor. However, the consequences of behavioral 
modification could be expected to be biologically significant if the 
change affects growth, survival, or reproduction. Significant 
behavioral modifications that could potentially lead to effects on 
growth, survival, or reproduction include:
     Changes in diving/surfacing patterns;
     Habitat abandonment due to loss of desirable acoustic 
environment; and
     Cessation of feeding or social interaction.
    The onset of behavioral disturbance from anthropogenic sound 
depends on both external factors (characteristics of sound sources and 
their paths) and the specific characteristics of the receiving animals 
(hearing, motivation, experience, demography) and is difficult to 
predict (Southall et al., 2007).
    Auditory Masking--Natural and artificial sounds can disrupt 
behavior by masking, or interfering with, a marine mammal's ability to 
hear other sounds. Masking occurs when the receipt of a sound is 
interfered with by another coincident sound at similar frequencies and 
at similar or higher levels. Chronic exposure to excessive, though not 
high-intensity, sound could cause masking at particular frequencies for 
marine mammals that utilize sound for vital biological functions. 
Masking can interfere with detection of acoustic signals such as 
communication calls, echolocation sounds, and environmental sounds 
important to marine mammals. It is important to distinguish TTS and 
PTS, which persist after the sound exposure, from masking, which occurs 
only during the sound exposure. Because masking (without resulting in 
TS) is not associated with abnormal physiological function, it is not 
considered a physiological effect, but rather a potential behavioral 
effect.
    Masking occurs at specific frequency bands so understanding the 
frequencies that the animals utilize is important in determining any 
potential behavioral impacts. Because sound generated from in-water 
vibratory pile driving is mostly concentrated at low frequency ranges, 
it may have less effect on high frequency echolocation sounds made by 
porpoises. However, lower frequency man-made sounds are more likely to 
affect detection of communication calls and other potentially important 
natural sounds such as surf and prey sound. It may also affect 
communication signals when they occur near the sound band and thus 
reduce the communication space of animals (e.g., Clark et al., 2009) 
and cause increased stress levels (e.g., Foote et al., 2004; Holt et 
al., 2009).
    Masking has the potential to impact species at the population or 
community levels as well as at individual levels. Masking affects both 
senders and receivers of the signals and can potentially in certain 
circumstances have long-term chronic effects on marine mammal species 
and populations. Recent research suggests that low frequency ambient 
sound levels have increased by as much as 20 dB (more than three times 
in terms of SPL) in the world's ocean from pre-industrial periods, and 
that most of these increases are from distant shipping (Hildebrand, 
2009). All anthropogenic sound sources, such as those from vessel 
traffic, pile driving, and dredging activities, contribute to the 
elevated ambient sound levels, thus intensifying masking.
    Vibratory pile driving may potentially mask acoustic signals 
important to marine mammal species. However, the short-term duration 
and limited affected area would result in insignificant impacts from 
masking.
    Acoustic Effects, Airborne--Marine mammals that occur in the 
project area could be exposed to airborne sounds associated with pile 
driving that have

[[Page 51221]]

the potential to cause harassment, depending on their distance from 
pile driving activities. Airborne pile driving sound would have less 
impact on cetaceans than pinnipeds because sound from atmospheric 
sources does not transmit well underwater (Richardson et al., 1995); 
thus, airborne sound would only be an issue for pinnipeds either 
hauled-out or looking with heads above water in the project area. Most 
likely, airborne sound would cause behavioral responses similar to 
those discussed above in relation to underwater sound. For instance, 
anthropogenic sound could cause hauled-out pinnipeds to exhibit changes 
in their normal behavior, such as reduction in vocalizations, or cause 
them to temporarily abandon their habitat and move further from the 
source. Studies by Blackwell et al. (2004) and Moulton et al. (2005) 
indicate a tolerance or lack of response to unweighted airborne sounds 
as high as 112 dB peak and 96 dB rms. However, all estimates for 
distances that airborne sound could travel and exceed the harassment 
threshold for in-air disturbance fall far short of the 1,300 meters to 
the nearest known pinniped haulout, the Dog Bay float. Therefore, 
airborne noise is not considered further in this application, and no 
incidental take for airborne noise is requested.

Vessel Interaction

    Besides being susceptible to vessel strikes, cetacean and pinniped 
responses to vessels may result in behavioral changes, including 
greater variability in the dive, surfacing, and respiration patterns; 
changes in vocalizations; and changes in swimming speed or direction 
(NRC 2003). There will be a temporary and localized increase in vessel 
traffic during construction.

Potential Effects on Marine Mammal Habitat

    The primary potential impacts to marine mammal habitat are 
associated with elevated sound levels produced by vibratory and impact 
pile driving and removal in the area. However, other potential impacts 
to the surrounding habitat from physical disturbance are also possible.
    Potential Pile Driving Effects on Prey--Construction activities 
would produce continuous (i.e., vibratory pile driving, down-hole 
drilling) sounds and pulsed (i.e. impact driving) sounds. Essential 
Fish Habitat (EFH) has been designated within the project area for the 
Alaska stocks of Pacific salmon, walleye pollock, Pacific cod, 
yellowfin sole (Limanda aspera), arrowtooth flounder (Atheresthes 
stomias), rock sole (Lepidopsetta spp.), flathead sole (Hippoglossoides 
elassodon), sculpin (Cottidae), skate (Rajidae), and squid 
(Teuthoidea). On 30 April 2013, informal EFH consultation was 
initiated, and NMFS determined that the project would not adversely 
affect EFH and did not offer any EFH conservation recommendations or 
require further consultation (FHWA 2013).
    Fish react to sounds that are especially strong and/or intermittent 
low-frequency sounds. Short duration, sharp sounds can cause overt or 
subtle changes in fish behavior and local distribution. Hastings and 
Popper (2005) identified several studies that suggest fish may relocate 
to avoid certain areas of sound energy. Additional studies have 
documented effects of pile driving on fish, although several are based 
on studies in support of large, multiyear bridge construction projects 
(e.g., Scholik and Yan, 2001, 2002; Popper and Hastings, 2009). Sound 
pulses at received levels of 160 dB may cause subtle changes in fish 
behavior. SPLs of 180 dB may cause noticeable changes in behavior 
(Pearson et al., 1992; Skalski et al., 1992). SPLs of sufficient 
strength have been known to cause injury to fish and fish mortality.
    The most likely impact to fish from pile driving activities at the 
project area would be temporary behavioral avoidance of the area. The 
duration of fish avoidance of this area after pile driving stops is 
unknown, but a rapid return to normal recruitment, distribution and 
behavior is anticipated. In general, impacts to marine mammal prey 
species are expected to be minor and temporary due to the short 
timeframe for the project.
    Effects to Foraging Habitat--Pile installation may temporarily 
increase turbidity resulting from suspended sediments. Any increases 
would be temporary, localized, and minimal. DOT&PF must comply with 
state water quality standards during these operations by limiting the 
extent of turbidity to the immediate project area. In general, 
turbidity associated with pile installation is localized to about a 25-
foot radius around the pile (Everitt et al. 1980). Cetaceans are not 
expected to be close enough to the project pile driving areas to 
experience effects of turbidity, and any pinnipeds will be transiting 
the area and could avoid localized areas of turbidity. Therefore, the 
impact from increased turbidity levels is expected to be discountable 
to marine mammals. Furthermore, pile driving and removal at the project 
site will not obstruct movements or migration of marine mammals.

Proposed Mitigation

    In order to issue an IHA 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 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.
    For the proposed project, DOT&PF worked with NMFS and proposed the 
following mitigation measures to minimize the potential impacts to 
marine mammals in the project vicinity. The primary purposes of these 
mitigation measures are to minimize sound levels from the activities, 
and to monitor marine mammals within designated zones of influence 
corresponding to NMFS' current Level A and B harassment thresholds 
which are depicted in Table 3 found later in the Estimated Take by 
Incidental Harassment section.
    DOT&PF committed to the use of both impact and vibratory hammers 
for pile installation and will implement a soft-start procedure.
    Mitigation &Monitoring Protocols--Monitoring would be conducted 
before, during, and after pile driving and removal activities. In 
addition, observers shall record all incidents of marine mammal 
occurrence, regardless of distance from activity, and shall document 
any behavioral reactions in concert with distance from piles being 
driven. Observations made outside the shutdown zone will not result in 
shutdown; that pile segment would be completed without cessation, 
unless the animal approaches or enters the shutdown zone, at which 
point all pile driving activities would be halted. Monitoring will take 
place from 30 minutes prior to initiation through 20 minutes post-
completion of pile driving activities. Pile driving activities include 
the time to remove a single pile or series of piles, as long as the 
time elapsed between uses of the pile driving equipment is no more than 
thirty minutes. Please see Appendix A of the application for details on 
the marine mammal monitoring plan developed by the DOT&PF's with NMFS' 
cooperation.
    The following additional measures apply to visual monitoring:
    (1) Monitoring will be conducted by qualified observers, who will 
be placed at the best vantage point(s) practicable to monitor for 
marine mammals and implement shutdown/delay procedures

[[Page 51222]]

when applicable by calling for the shutdown to the hammer operator. 
These vantage points include Jett A or the barge. Qualified observers 
are trained biologists, with the following minimum qualifications:
    (a) Visual acuity in both eyes (correction is permissible) 
sufficient for discernment of moving targets at the water's surface 
with ability to estimate target size and distance; use of binoculars 
may be necessary to correctly identify the target;
    (b) Advanced education in biological science or related field 
(undergraduate degree or higher required);
    (c) Experience and ability to conduct field observations and 
collect data according to assigned protocols (this may include academic 
experience);
    (d) Experience or training in the field identification of marine 
mammals, including the identification of behaviors;
    (e) Sufficient training, orientation, or experience with the 
construction operation to provide for personal safety during 
observations;
    (f) Writing skills sufficient to prepare a report of observations 
including but not limited to the number and species of marine mammals 
observed; dates and times when in-water construction activities were 
conducted; dates and times when in-water construction activities were 
suspended to avoid potential incidental injury from construction sound 
of marine mammals observed within a defined shutdown zone; and marine 
mammal behavior; and
    (g) Ability to communicate orally, by radio or in person, with 
project personnel to provide real-time information on marine mammals 
observed in the area as necessary.
    (2) Prior to the start of pile driving activity, the shutdown zone 
will be monitored for 30 minutes to ensure that it is clear of marine 
mammals. Pile driving will only commence once observers have declared 
the shutdown zone clear of marine mammals; animals will be allowed to 
remain in the shutdown zone (i.e., must leave of their own volition) 
and their behavior will be monitored and documented. The shutdown zone 
may only be declared clear, and pile driving started, when the entire 
shutdown zone is visible (i.e., when not obscured by dark, rain, fog, 
etc.). In addition, if such conditions should arise during impact pile 
driving that is already underway, the activity would be halted.
    If a marine mammal approaches or enters the shutdown zone during 
the course of pile driving operations, activity will be halted and 
delayed until either the animal has voluntarily left and been visually 
confirmed beyond the shutdown zone or 20 minutes have passed without 
re-detection of the animal. Monitoring will be conducted throughout the 
time required to drive a pile.
    Ramp Up or Soft Start--The use of a soft start procedure is 
believed to provide additional protection to marine mammals by warning 
or providing a chance to leave the area prior to the hammer operating 
at full capacity, and typically involves a requirement to initiate 
sound from the hammer at reduced energy followed by a waiting period. 
This procedure is repeated two additional times. It is difficult to 
specify the reduction in energy for any given hammer because of 
variation across drivers. The project will utilize soft start 
techniques for all vibratory and impact pile driving. We require the 
DOT&PF to initiate sound from vibratory hammers for fifteen seconds at 
reduced energy followed by a 1-minute waiting period, with the 
procedure repeated two additional times. For impact driving, we require 
an initial set of three strikes from the impact hammer at reduced 
energy, followed by a 1-minute waiting period, then two subsequent 
three strike sets. Soft start will be required at the beginning of each 
day's pile driving work and at any time following a cessation of pile 
driving of 20 minutes or longer.
    If a marine mammal is present within the Level A harassment zone, 
ramping up will be delayed until the animal(s) leaves the Level A 
harassment zone. Activity will begin only after the Wildlife Observer 
has determined, through sighting, that the animal(s) has moved outside 
the Level A harassment zone.
    If a Steller sea lion, harbor seal, harbor porpoise, or killer 
whale is present in the Level B harassment zone, ramping up will begin 
and a Level B take will be documented. Ramping up will occur when these 
species are in the Level B harassment zone whether they entered the 
Level B zone from the Level A zone, or from outside the project area.
    If any marine mammal other than Steller sea lions, harbor seals, 
harbor porpoises, or killer whales is present in the Level B harassment 
zone, ramping up will be delayed until the animal(s) leaves the zone. 
Ramping up will begin only after the Wildlife Observer has determined, 
through sighting, that the animal(s) has moved outside the harassment 
zone.
    Pile Caps--Pile caps will be used during all impact pile-driving 
activities.
    In addition to the measures described later in this section, the 
DOT&PF would employ the following standard mitigation measures:
    (a) Conduct briefings between construction supervisors and crews, 
marine mammal monitoring team, and DOT&PF staff prior to the start of 
all pile driving activity, and when new personnel join the work, in 
order to explain responsibilities, communication procedures, marine 
mammal monitoring protocol, and operational procedures.
    (b) For in-water heavy machinery work other than pile driving 
(using, e.g., standard barges, tug boats, barge-mounted excavators, or 
clamshell equipment used to place or remove material), if a marine 
mammal comes within 10 m, operations shall cease and vessels shall 
reduce speed to the minimum level required to maintain steerage and 
safe working conditions.

Monitoring and Shutdown for Pile Driving

    The following measures would apply to DOT&PF's mitigation through 
shutdown and disturbance zones:
    Shutdown Zone--For all pile driving activities, the DOT&PF's will 
establish a shutdown zone. Shutdown zones are intended to contain the 
area in which SPLs equal or exceed the 180/190 dB rms acoustic injury 
criteria, with the purpose being to define an area within which 
shutdown of activity would occur upon sighting of a marine mammal (or 
in anticipation of an animal entering the defined area), thus 
preventing injury of marine mammals. A conservative 4-meter shutdown 
zone will be in effect for Steller sea lions and harbor seals. The 
estimated shutdown zone for Level A injury to harbor porpoises and 
killer whales would be 15 meters. DOT&PF, however, would implement a 
minimum shutdown zone of 10 m radius for all marine mammals around all 
vibratory pile driving and removal activities. These precautionary 
measures are intended to further reduce the unlikely possibility of 
injury from direct physical interaction with construction operations.
    Disturbance Zone--Disturbance zones are the areas in which sound 
pressure levels (SPLs) equal or exceed 120 dB rms (for continuous 
sound) for pile driving installation and removal. Disturbance zones 
provide utility for monitoring conducted for mitigation purposes (i.e., 
shutdown zone monitoring) by establishing monitoring protocols for 
areas adjacent to the shutdown zones. Monitoring of disturbance zones 
enables observers to be aware of and communicate the presence of marine 
mammals in the project area but outside the shutdown zone and thus 
prepare for potential

[[Page 51223]]

shutdowns of activity. However, the primary purpose of disturbance zone 
monitoring is for documenting incidents of Level B harassment; 
disturbance zone monitoring is discussed in greater detail later (see 
``Proposed Monitoring and Reporting''). Nominal radial distances for 
disturbance zones are shown in Table 4 later in this notice. During 
impact driving, the Level B harassment zone shall extend to 225 meters 
for Steller sea lions, harbor seals, harbor porpoises, and killer 
whales. This 225 meter distance will serve as a shutdown zone for all 
other marine mammals (humpback whale, Dall's porpoise, gray whale, fin 
whale, or any other) to avoid Level B take. Level B take of humpback 
whales, Dall's porpoises, gray whales, and fin whales is not requested 
and will be avoided by shutting down before individuals of these 
species enter the Level B zone.
    During vibratory pile installation and removal, the Level B 
harassment zone shall extend to 1,150 meters for Steller sea lions, 
harbor seals, harbor porpoises, and killer whales. This 1,150-meter 
distance will serve as a shutdown zone for all other marine mammals 
(humpback whale, Dall's porpoise, gray whale, fin whale, or any other) 
to avoid Level B take.
    In order to document observed incidents of harassment, monitors 
record all marine mammal observations, regardless of location. The 
observer's location, as well as the location of the pile being driven, 
is known from a GPS. The location of the animal is estimated as a 
distance from the observer, which is then compared to the location from 
the pile and the estimated zone of influence (ZOI) for relevant 
activities (i.e., pile installation and removal). This information may 
then be used to extrapolate observed takes to reach an approximate 
understanding of actual total takes.
    Time Restrictions--Work would occur only during daylight hours, 
when visual monitoring of marine mammals can be conducted. To minimize 
impacts to pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) fry and coho salmon (O. 
kisutch) smolt, all in-water pile extraction and installation is 
planned to be completed by 30 April 2016. If work cannot be completed 
by 30 April, the DOT&PF refrain from impact pile installation without a 
bubble curtain from May 1, through June 30 within the 12-hour period 
beginning daily at the start of civil dawn (Marie 2015). ADF&G stated 
that this is the daily time period when the majority of juvenile salmon 
are moving through the project area, and a 12-hour quiet period may 
protect migrating juvenile salmon from excessive noise (Frost 2015). 
Impact pile installation would be acceptable without a bubble curtain 
from May 1 through June 30 in the evenings, beginning at 12 hours past 
civil dawn (Marie 2015).

Mitigation Conclusions

    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 affecting the least 
practicable 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.
     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 below:
    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 received 
levels of pile driving, or other activities expected 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 received levels of pile driving, or other activities expected 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 received 
levels of pile driving, or other activities expected to result in the 
take of marine mammals (this goal may contribute to a, 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 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 impact on marine mammals 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 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 
incidental take authorizations (ITAs) must include the suggested means 
of accomplishing the necessary monitoring and reporting that will 
result in increased knowledge of the species and of the level of taking 
or impacts on populations of marine mammals that are expected to be 
present in the proposed action area.
    Monitoring measures prescribed by NMFS should accomplish one or 
more of the following general goals:
    1. An increase in the probability of detecting marine mammals, both 
within the mitigation zone (thus allowing for more effective 
implementation of the mitigation) and in general to generate more data 
to contribute to the analyses mentioned below,
    2. An increase in our understanding of how many marine mammals are 
likely to be exposed to levels of pile driving that we associate with 
specific adverse effects, such as behavioral harassment, TTS, or PTS.
    3. An increase in our understanding of how marine mammals respond 
to stimuli expected to result in take and how anticipated adverse 
effects on individuals (in different ways and to varying degrees) may 
impact the population, species, or stock (specifically through effects 
on annual rates of recruitment or survival) through any of the 
following methods:
    [ssquf] Behavioral observations in the presence of stimuli compared 
to

[[Page 51224]]

observations in the absence of stimuli (need to be able to accurately 
predict received level, distance from source, and other pertinent 
information);
    [ssquf] Physiological measurements in the presence of stimuli 
compared to observations in the absence of stimuli (need to be able to 
accurately predict received level, distance from source, and other 
pertinent information);
    [ssquf] Distribution and/or abundance comparisons in times or areas 
with concentrated stimuli versus times or areas without stimuli;
    4. An increased knowledge of the affected species; and
    5. An increase in our understanding of the effectiveness of certain 
mitigation and monitoring measures.
    The DOT&PF submitted a marine mammal monitoring plan as part of the 
IHA application for this project, which can be found at 
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental/construction.htm. The plan may 
be modified or supplemented based on comments or new information 
received from the public during the public comment period.

Visual Marine Mammal Observation

    The DOT&PF will collect sighting data and behavioral responses to 
construction for marine mammal species observed in the region of 
activity during the period of activity. All observers will be trained 
in marine mammal identification and behaviors and are required to have 
no other construction-related tasks while conducting monitoring. The 
DOT&PF will monitor the shutdown zone and disturbance zone before, 
during, and after pile driving. The Marine Mammal Observers (MMOs) and 
DOT&PF authorities will meet to determine the most appropriate 
observation platform(s) for monitoring during pile installation and 
extraction.
    Based on our requirements, the Marine Mammal Monitoring Plan would 
implement the following procedures for pile driving:
     Individuals meeting the minimum qualifications identified 
in the applicant's monitoring plan (Appendix A of the application) 
would monitor Level A and Level B harassment zones during pile driving 
and extraction activities.
     The area within the Level B harassment threshold for 
impact driving will be monitored by appropriately stationed MMOs. Any 
marine mammal documented within the Level B harassment zone during 
impact driving would constitute a Level B take (harassment), and will 
be recorded and reported as such.
     During Impact and vibratory pile driving, a shutdown zone 
will be established to include all areas where the underwater SPLs are 
anticipated to equal or exceed the Level A (injury) criteria for marine 
mammals (180 dB isopleth for cetaceans; 190 dB isopleth for pinnipeds). 
Pile installation will not commence or will be suspended temporarily if 
any marine mammals are observed within or approaching the area.
     The individuals will scan the waters within each 
monitoring zone activity using binoculars (Vector 10X42 or equivalent), 
spotting scopes (Swarovski 20-60 zoom or equivalent), and visual 
observation.
     Use a hand-held or boat-mounted GPS device or rangefinder 
to verify the required monitoring distance from the project site.
     If waters exceed a sea-state which restricts the 
observers' ability to make observations within the marine mammal 
shutdown zone (e.g. excessive wind or fog), pile installation will 
cease. Pile driving will not be initiated until the entire shutdown 
zone is visible.
     Conduct pile driving and extraction activities only during 
daylight hours from sunrise to sunset when it is possible to visually 
monitor marine mammals.
     The waters will be scanned 30 minutes prior to commencing 
pile driving at the beginning of each day, and prior to commencing pile 
driving after any stoppage of 20 minutes or greater. If marine mammals 
enter or are observed within the designated marine mammal shutdown zone 
during or 20 minutes prior to pile driving, the monitors will notify 
the on-site construction manager to not begin until the animal has 
moved outside the designated radius.
     The waters will continue to be scanned for at least 20 
minutes after pile driving has completed each day, and after each 
stoppage of 20 minutes or greater.

Data Collection

    We require that observers use approved data forms. Among other 
pieces of information, the DOT&PF will record detailed information 
about any implementation of shutdowns, including the distance of 
animals to the pile and description of specific actions that ensued and 
resulting behavior of the animal, if any. In addition, the DOT&PF will 
attempt to distinguish between the number of individual animals taken 
and the number of incidents of take. We require that, at a minimum, the 
following information be collected on the sighting forms:
     Date and time that monitored activity begins or ends;
     Construction activities occurring during each observation 
period;
     Weather parameters (e.g., percent cover, visibility);
     Water conditions (e.g., sea state, tide state);
     Species, numbers, and, if possible, sex and age class of 
marine mammals;
     Description of any observable marine mammal behavior 
patterns, including bearing and direction of travel and distance from 
pile driving activity;
     Distance from pile driving activities to marine mammals 
and distance from the marine mammals to the observation point;
     Locations of all marine mammal observations; and
     Other human activity in the area.

Proposed Reporting Measures

    The DOT&PF would provide NMFS with a draft monitoring report within 
90 days of the conclusion of the proposed construction work. This 
report will detail the monitoring protocol, summarize the data recorded 
during monitoring, and estimate the number of marine mammals that may 
have been harassed. If no comments are received from NMFS within 30 
days, the draft final report will constitute the final report. If 
comments are received, a final report must be submitted within 30 days 
after receipt of comments.
    In the unanticipated event that the specified activity clearly 
causes the take of a marine mammal in a manner prohibited by the IHA 
(if issued), such as an injury (Level A harassment), serious injury or 
mortality (e.g., ship-strike, gear interaction, and/or entanglement), 
the DOT&PF would immediately cease the specified activities and 
immediately report the incident to Jolie Harrison 
([email protected]), Chief of the Permits and Conservation 
Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, and Aleria Jensen 
([email protected]), Alaska Stranding Coordinator. The report 
would 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;

[[Page 51225]]

     Species identification or description of the animal(s) 
involved;
     Fate of the animal(s); and
     Photographs or video footage of the animal(s) (if 
equipment is available).
    Activities would not resume until NMFS is able to review the 
circumstances of the prohibited take. NMFS would work with the DOT&PF 
to determine what is necessary to minimize the likelihood of further 
prohibited take and ensure MMPA compliance. The DOT&PF would not be 
able to resume their activities until notified by NMFS via letter, 
email, or telephone.
    In the event that the DOT&PF discovers an injured or dead marine 
mammal, and the lead MMO determines that the cause of the injury or 
death is unknown and the death is relatively recent (i.e., in less than 
a moderate state of decomposition as described in the next paragraph), 
the DOT&PF would immediately report the incident to Jolie Harrison 
([email protected]), Chief of the Permits and Conservation 
Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, and Aleria Jensen 
([email protected]), Alaska Stranding Coordinator.
    The report would include the same information identified in the 
paragraph above. Activities would be able to continue while NMFS 
reviews the circumstances of the incident. NMFS would work with the 
DOT&PF to determine whether modifications in the activities are 
appropriate.
    In the event that the DOT&PF discovers an injured or dead marine 
mammal, and the lead MMO determines that the injury or death is not 
associated with or related to the activities authorized in the IHA 
(e.g., previously wounded animal, carcass with moderate to advanced 
decomposition, or scavenger damage), the DOT&PF would report the 
incident to Jolie Harrison ([email protected]), Chief of the 
Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, 
the Chief of the Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, and the NMFS West Coast Stranding Hotline and/or by 
email to Aleria Jensen ([email protected]), Alaska Stranding 
Coordinator, within 24 hours of the discovery. The DOT&PF would provide 
photographs or video footage (if available) or other documentation of 
the stranded animal sighting to NMFS and the Marine Mammal Stranding 
Network.

Estimated Take by Incidental Harassment

    Except with respect to certain activities not pertinent here, 
section 3(18) of 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].''
    All anticipated takes would be by Level A and Level B harassment 
resulting from vibratory pile driving and removal. Level A harassment 
has the potential to cause injury to a marine mammal or marine mammal 
stock while Level B harassment may result in temporary changes in 
behavior. Note that lethal takes are not expected due to the proposed 
mitigation and monitoring measures that are expected to minimize the 
possibility of such take.
    If a marine mammal responds to a stimulus by changing its behavior 
(e.g., through relatively minor changes in locomotion direction/speed 
or vocalization behavior), the response may or may not constitute 
taking at the individual level, and is unlikely to affect 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 animals or on the stock or species could potentially 
be significant (e.g., Lusseau and Bejder, 2007; Weilgart, 2007). Given 
the many uncertainties in predicting the quantity and types of impacts 
of sound on marine mammals, it is common practice to estimate how many 
animals are likely to be present within a particular distance of a 
given activity, or exposed to a particular level of sound.
    Upland work can generate airborne sound and create visual 
disturbance that could potentially result in disturbance to marine 
mammals (specifically, pinnipeds) that are hauled out or at the water's 
surface with heads above the water. However, because there are no 
regular haul-outs in close proximity to Pier 1, NMFS believes that 
incidents of incidental take resulting from airborne sound or visual 
disturbance are unlikely.
    DOT&PF has requested authorization for the incidental taking of 
small numbers of killer whale, harbor porpoise, Steller sea lion, and 
harbor seal near the Pier 1 project area that may result from impact 
and vibratory pile driving, vibratory pile removal and down-hole 
drilling construction activities associated with the dock improvement 
project at Pier 1.
    In order to estimate the potential incidents of take that may occur 
incidental to the specified activity, we must first estimate the extent 
of the sound field that may be produced by the activity and then 
consider in combination with information about marine mammal density or 
abundance in the project area. We first provide information on 
applicable sound thresholds for determining effects to marine mammals 
before describing the information used in estimating the sound fields, 
the available marine mammal density or abundance information, and the 
method of estimating potential incidences of take.

Sound Thresholds

    We use the following generic sound exposure thresholds to determine 
when an activity that produces sound might result in impacts to a 
marine mammal such that a take by harassment might occur.

             Table 3--Underwater Injury and Disturbance Threshold Decibel Levels for Marine Mammals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Criterion                     Criterion definition                      Threshold *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Level A harassment...................  PTS (injury) conservatively    190 dB RMS for pinnipeds
                                        based on TTS.**               180 dB RMS for cetaceans.
Level B harassment...................  Behavioral disruption for      160 dB RMS.
                                        impulse noise (e.g., impact
                                        pile driving).
Level B harassment...................  Behavioral disruption for non- 120 dB RMS.
                                        pulse noise (e.g., vibratory
                                        pile driving, drilling).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* All decibel levels referenced to 1 micropascal (re: 1 [mu]Pa). Note all thresholds are based off root mean
  square (RMS) levels.
** PTS = Permanent Threshold Shift; TTS = Temporary Threshold Shift.


[[Page 51226]]

Distance to Sound Thresholds

    The sound field in the project area is the existing ambient noise 
plus additional construction noise from the proposed project. The 
primary components of the project expected to affect marine mammals is 
the sound generated by impact pile driving, vibratory pile driving, 
vibratory pile removal and down-hole drilling. Direct pull and 
clamshell removal of old timber piles do not produce noise levels 
expected to impact marine mammals, although, depending on conditions, 
these may require vibratory hammer removal.
    After vibratory hammering has installed the pile through the 
overburden to the top of the bedrock layer, the vibratory hammer will 
be removed, and the down-hole drill will be inserted through the pile. 
The head extends below the pile and the drill rotates through soils and 
rock. The drilling/hammering takes place below the sediment layer and, 
as the drill advances, below the bedrock layer as well. Underwater 
noise levels are relatively low because the impact is taking place 
below the substrate rather than at the top of the piling, which limits 
transmission of noise through the water column. Additionally, there is 
a drive shoe welded on the bottom of the pile and the upper portion of 
the bit rests on the shoe, which aids in advancement of the pile as 
drilling progresses. When the proper depth is achieved, the drill is 
retracted and the pile is left in place. Down-hole drilling is 
considered a pulsed noise due to periodic impacts from the drill below 
ground level (PND Engineers 2013). Impact hammering typically generates 
the loudest noise associated with pile driving, but for the Pier 1 
project, use will be limited to a few blows per permanent 24-inch pile.
    Several factors are expected to minimize the potential impacts of 
pile-driving and drilling noise associated with the project:
     The soft sediment marine seafloor and shallow waters in 
the proposed project area.
     Land forms across the channel that will block the noise 
from spreading .
     The relatively high background noise level in the project 
area.
    Sound will dissipate relatively rapidly in the shallow waters over 
soft seafloors in the project area (NMFS 2013). St. Herman Harbor 
(Figure 1-2 in the application), where the Dog Bay float is located, is 
protected from the Pier 1 construction noise by land projections and 
islands, which will block and redirect sound. Near Island and Kodiak 
Island, on either side of Near Island Channel, prevent the sound from 
travelling underwater to the north, south, and southeast, restricting 
the noise to the channel.
    The project includes direct pulling and possibly vibratory removal 
of 13-inch timber and 16-inch steel piles; vibratory installation and 
removal of temporary steel pipe or H-piles; vibratory installation and 
down-hole drilling of permanent 24-inch steel pipe piles; and vibratory 
installation of 18-inch steel pipe piles and 16-inch timber piles (16 
inches is the typical butt/top dimension, and these are typically 
around 12-inches in diameter at the pile tip/bottom). Each 24-inch pile 
will also be subject to a few blows from an impact hammer for proofing. 
No data are available for vibratory removal of piles, so it will be 
conservatively assumed that vibratory removal of piles will produce the 
same source level as vibratory installation.
    Vibratory extraction and installation of timber piles will be 
estimated to generate 152 dB rms at 16 meters as is shown in Table 6-3 
of the application (Laughlin 2011). Vibratory extraction of 16-inch 
steel piles will be conservatively estimated to generate the same sound 
as installation of 24-inch piles (162 dB rms at 10 meters).
    Little information is available for sound generated during 
vibratory installation or removal of steel H-piles; however, ICF Jones 
& Stokes and Illingworth & Rodkin, Inc. (2009) reported that the 
typical noise level during vibratory hammering was 147 dB rms at 10 
meters for 10-inch steel H-piles and 150 dB rms at 10 meters for 12-
inch steel H-piles. Vibratory installation and removal of temporary 
steel pipe or H-piles will therefore be estimated to generate 150 dB 
rms at 10 meters (Table 6-3).
    Vibratory installation of a 24-inch steel pile generated 162 dB rms 
measured at 10 meters (Laughlin 2010a). Vibratory installation of 12-
inch and 36-inch steel piles generated 150 and 170 dB rms at 10 meters, 
respectively (Maine Department of Transportation and Eastport Port 
Authority 2014), further supporting the intermediate estimate of 162 dB 
rms for driving 24-inch steel piles (Table 6-3).
    Vibratory installation of 18-inch steel piles will be 
conservatively estimated to generate the same sound as driving of 24-
inch piles (162 dB rms at 10 meters). No data are available for the 
vibratory installation of 12-inch timber piles; therefore, vibratory 
installation of 12-inch timber piles will also be conservatively 
estimated to generate the same sound level as installation of 24-inch 
steel piles (Table 6-3).
    Dazey et al. (2012) measured sound levels generated by down-hole 
drilling and found the average calculated source SPL to be 133 dB rms. 
URS (2011) reported that down-hole drilling methods generate pulses 
with a maximum sound source level of 165 dB (re 1 [mu]Pa at 1 meter) at 
200 Hz. The 160-dB isopleth (Level B harassment for pulsed noise 
sources) for a down-hole drill was estimated to be 3 meters during a 
project in Australia that included installation of piles (URS 2011). 
Down-hole drilling will therefore be estimated to generate 160 dB rms 
at 3 meters (Table 6-3).
    Impact driving of 24-inch steel piles is commonly assumed to 
generate 189 dB rms measured at 10 meters (WSDOT 2010). Laughlin (2006) 
reported that use of Micarta caps resulted in 7- to 8-dB reductions in 
sound level. A conservative reduction of 6 dB therefore yields an 
estimate of 183 dB rms at 10 meters if pile caps are used (Table 6-3).
    Underwater Sound Propagation Formula--Pile driving generates 
underwater noise that can potentially result in disturbance to marine 
mammals in the project area. Transmission loss (TL) is the decrease in 
acoustic intensity as an acoustic pressure wave propagates out from a 
source. TL parameters vary with frequency, temperature, sea conditions, 
current, source and receiver depth, water depth, water chemistry, and 
bottom composition and topography. The general formula for underwater 
TL is:

TL = B * log10 (R1/R2),

where:

TL = transmission loss in dB
R1 = the distance of the modeled SPL from the driven 
pile, and
R2 = the distance from the driven pile of the initial 
measurement.
    NMFS typically recommends a default practical spreading loss of 15 
dB per tenfold increase in distance. However, for this analysis for the 
Pier 1 project area, a TL of 18Log(R/10) (i.e., 18-dB loss per tenfold 
increase in distance) was used for vibratory pile driving and a 17Log 
TL(R/10) function was used for impact driving (Illingworth & Rodkin 
2014). TL values were based on measured attenuation rates in Hood Canal 
in the State of Washington (Illingworth & Rodkin 2013), where the 
marine environment is assumed to be similar to marine conditions in the 
Pier 1 project area. Illingworth & Rodkin (2013, 2014) have applied 
these same TL values to a test pile project proposed at the Port of 
Anchorage, and other

[[Page 51227]]

researchers have measured similar attenuation rates for pile-driving 
projects (Caltrans 2012). Field measurements of TL can be as high as 22 
to 29 dB per tenfold increase in distance in some locations (e.g., Knik 
Arm, Alaska; Blackwell 2005), and the use of these values is therefore 
considered a conservative application.
    Distances to the harassment isopleths vary by marine mammal type 
and pile extraction/driving tool. The Level B harassment isopleth 
during impact pile driving is 225 meters when pile caps are used; 1,136 
meters during vibratory pile driving; and 3 meters during down-hole 
drilling (Table 6-6; Figure 6-1). The Level B harassment monitoring 
zone for vibratory pile driving will be rounded up to 1,150 meters for 
the Pier 1 project. Level A harassment of Steller sea lions would occur 
only within 4 meters if pile caps are used during impact hammering, or 
within 9 meters if pile caps are not used as is shown in Table 4.

     Table 4--Distances in Meters From Pier 1 Construction Activity to NMFS' Level A and Level B Harassment
 Thresholds (Isopleths) for Different Pile Installation and Extraction Methods and Pile Types, Assuming a 125-dB
                                             Background Noise Level
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                              Level A                 Level B
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
                        Method, Pile Type                                                          Pinnipeds and
                                                                     Pinnipeds       Cetaceans       Cetaceans
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Vibratory Hammer
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Timber pile extraction..........................................              <1              <1             506
Steel H-piles...................................................              <1              <1             167
24-inch steel piles.............................................              <1               1            1136
18-inch steel piles.............................................              <1               1            1136
16-inch timber piles............................................              <1               1            1136
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Down-hole Drill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24-inch steel piles.............................................              <1              <1               3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Impact Hammer
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    With caps
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24-inch steel piles.............................................               4              15             225
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Without caps
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24-inch steel piles.............................................               9              34             508
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note that the actual area insonified by pile driving activities is 
significantly constrained by local topography relative to the total 
threshold radius. The actual insonified area was determined using a 
straight line-of-sight projection from the anticipated pile driving 
locations. Distances to the underwater sound isopleths for Level B and 
Level A are illustrated respectively in Figure 6-1 and Figure 6-2 in 
the application.
    The method used for calculating potential exposures to impact and 
vibratory pile driving noise for each threshold was estimated using 
local marine mammal data sets, the Biological Opinion, best 
professional judgment from state and federal agencies, and data from 
IHA estimates on similar projects with similar actions. All estimates 
are conservative and include the following assumptions:
     All pilings installed at each site would have an 
underwater noise disturbance equal to the piling that causes the 
greatest noise disturbance (i.e., the piling furthest from shore) 
installed with the method that has the largest ZOI. The largest 
underwater disturbance ZOI would be produced by vibratory driving steel 
and timber piles. The ZOIs for each threshold are not spherical and are 
truncated by land masses on either side of the channel which would 
dissipate sound pressure waves.
     Exposures were based on estimated work days. Numbers of 
days were based on an average production rate of 80 days of vibratory 
driving, 22 days of impact driving and 60 days of down-hole drilling. 
Note that impact driving is likely to occur only on days when vibratory 
driving occurs.
     In absence of site specific underwater acoustic 
propagation modeling, the practical spreading loss model was used to 
determine the ZOI.

Steller Sea Lions

    Incidental take was estimated for Steller sea lions by assuming 
that, within any given day, about 40 unique individual Steller sea 
lions may be present at some time during that day within the Level B 
harassment zone during active pile extraction or installation. This 
estimate was derived from the following information, previously 
described in the FR in the section

Description of Marine Mammals in the Area of the Specified Activity

    Pinniped population estimates are typically made when the animals 
are hauled out and available to be counted. Steller sea lions hauled 
out on the Dog Bay float are believed to represent the Kodiak Harbor 
population. Aerial surveys from 2004 through 2006 indicated peak winter 
(October-April) counts at the Dog Bay float ranging from 27 to 33 
animals (Wynn et al. 2011). Counts in February 2015 during a site visit 
by HDR biologists ranged from approximately 28 to 45 Steller sea lions. 
More than 100 Steller sea lions were counted on the Dog Bay float at 
times in spring 2015, although the mean number was much smaller (Wynne 
2015b). Together, this information may indicate a maximum population of 
about 120 Steller sea lions that uses the Kodiak harbor area.
    Steller sea lions found in more ``natural'' settings do not usually 
eat every day, but tend to forage every 1-

[[Page 51228]]

2 days and return to haulouts to rest between foraging trips (Merrick 
and Loughlin 1997; Rehburg et al. 2009). This means that on any given 
day a maximum of about 60 Steller sea lions from the local population 
may be foraging. Note that there are at least four other seafood 
processing facilities in Kodiak that operate concurrently with the one 
located next to Pier 1, and all are visited by local Steller sea lions 
looking for food (Wynne 2015a). The seafood processing facility 
adjacent to the Pier 1 project site is not the only source of food for 
local Steller sea lions that inhabit the harbor area. The foraging 
habits of Steller sea lions using the Dog Bay float and Kodiak harbor 
area are not documented, but it is reasonable to assume that, given the 
abundance of readily available food, not every Steller sea lion in the 
area visits the seafood processing plant adjacent to Pier 1 every day. 
If about half of the foraging Steller sea lions visit the seafood 
processing plant adjacent to Pier 1, it is estimated that about 30 
unique individual Steller sea lions likely pass through the Pier 1 
project area each day and could be exposed to Level B harassment. To be 
conservative, exposure is estimated at 40 unique individual Steller sea 
lions per day.
    It is assumed that Steller sea lions may be present every day, and 
also that take will include multiple harassments of the same 
individual(s) both within and among days, which means that these 
estimates are likely an overestimate of the number of individuals.
    Expected durations of pile extraction and driving were estimated in 
Section 1.4 of the application. For each pile extraction or 
installation activity, the calculation for Steller sea lion exposures 
to underwater noise is therefore estimated as:

Exposure estimate = (number of animals exposed > sound thresholds)/day 
* number of days of activity

    An estimated total of 3,200 Steller sea lions (40 sea lions/day * 
80 days of pile installation or extraction) could be exposed to noise 
at the Level B harassment level during vibratory and impact pile 
driving (Table 5). The expected take from exposure to noise from down-
hole drilling is expected to be very low because of the low noise 
levels produced by this type of pile installation, and the 3-meter 
distance to the Level B isopleth. Potential exposure at the Level B 
harassment level for down-hole drilling is estimated at 60 Steller sea 
lions, roughly one every one to two days.

 Table 5--Numbers of Potential Exposures of Steller Sea Lions to Level A and Level B Harassment Noise From Pile
              Driving Based on Predicted Underwater Noise Levels Resulting From Project Activities
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Vibratory  and    Down-hole  drill    Impact  hammer
                                                               impact      -------------------------------------
                                                        -------------------
                                                              Level B            Level B            Level A
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of Days.........................................                 80                 60                 22
Number of Steller Sea Lion Exposures...................              3,200                 60                 30
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The attraction of sea lions to the seafood processing plant 
increases the possibility of individual Steller sea lions occasionally 
entering the Level A harassment zone before they are observed and 
before pile driving can be shut down. Even with marine mammal observers 
present at all times during pile installation, it is possible that sea 
lions could approach quickly and enter the Level A harassment zone, 
even as pile driving activity is being shut down. This likelihood is 
increased by the high level of sea lion activity in the area, with 
Steller sea lions following vessels and swimming around vessels at the 
neighboring dock. It is possible that a single sea lion could be taken 
each day that impact pile driving occurs. As such, NMFS proposes an 
additional 22 Level A takes plus a roughly 30 percent contingency of 8 
additional takes, for a total of 30 takes for Level A harassment. 
Potential for Level A harassment of Steller sea lions is estimated to 
only occur during impact hammering due to the very small Level A 
harassment zones for all other construction activities.

Harbor Seals

    Harbor seals are expected to be encountered in low numbers, if at 
all, within the project area. However, based on the known range of the 
South Kodiak stock, and occasional sightings during monitoring of 
projects at other locations on Kodiak Island, NMFS proposes 40 Level B 
takes (1 take every other day) of harbor seals by exposure to 
underwater noise over the duration of construction activities.

Harbor Porpoises

    Harbor porpoises are expected to be encountered in low numbers, if 
at all, within the project area. However, based on the known range of 
the Gulf of Alaska stock and occasional sightings during monitoring of 
projects at other locations on Kodiak Island, NMFS proposes 40 Level B 
takes (1 take every other day) of harbor porpoises by exposure to 
underwater noise over the duration of construction activities.

Killer Whales

    Resident killer whales are rarely sighted in the project area and, 
therefore, NMFS is not proposing the take of any resident killer 
whales. Transient killer whales are expected to be encountered in the 
project area occasionally, although no data exist to quantify killer 
whale attendance. Killer whales are expected to be in the Kodiak harbor 
area sporadically from January through April and to enter the project 
area in low numbers. Based on the known range and behavior of the 
Alaska Resident stock and the Gulf of Alaska, Aleutian Islands, and 
Bering Sea Transient stocks, it is reasonable to estimate that 6 
individual whales may enter the project area twice a month from 
February through May. NMFS therefore proposes 48 Level B takes (6 
killer whales/visit * 2 visits/month * 4 months) of killer whales by 
exposure to underwater noise over the duration of construction 
activities.

[[Page 51229]]



     Table 6--Summary of the Estimated Numbers of Marine Mammals Potentially Exposed to Level A and Level B
                                         Harassment Noise Levels Species
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Level       Level injury       Level B
                                                     threshold       threshold      harassment
                     Species                         cetaceans       pinnipeds       threshold         Total
                                                     (180 dB)        (190 dB)        (160 dB)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steller sea lion................................              NA              30           3,260           3,290
Harbor seal.....................................              NA               0              40              40
Harbor porpoise.................................               0              NA              40              40
Killer whale....................................               0              NA              48              48
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................               0              30           3,388           3,418
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NA indicates Not Applicable.

Analysis and Preliminary 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). A 
negligible impact finding is based on the lack of likely adverse 
effects on annual rates of recruitment or survival (i.e., population-
level effects). 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, 
the number of estimated mortalities, effects on habitat, and the status 
of the species.
    To avoid repetition, the discussion of our analyses applies to all 
the species listed in Table 6, given that the anticipated effects of 
this pile driving project on marine mammals are expected to be 
relatively similar in nature. There is no information about the size, 
status, or structure of any species or stock that would lead to a 
different analysis for this activity, else species-specific factors 
would be identified and analyzed.
    Pile extraction, pile driving, and down-hole drilling activities 
associated with the reconstruction of the Pier 1 Kodiak Ferry Terminal 
and Dock, as outlined previously, have the potential to disturb or 
displace marine mammals. Specifically, the specified activities may 
result in take, in the form of Level A (injury) and Level B harassment 
(behavioral disturbance), from underwater sounds generated from pile 
driving. Potential takes could occur if individuals of these species 
are present in the insonified zone when pile driving is under way.
    The takes from Level B harassment will be due to potential 
behavioral disturbance and TTS. The takes from Level A harassment will 
be due to potential PTS. No mortality is anticipated given the nature 
of the activity and measures designed to minimize the possibility of 
injury to marine mammals. The potential for these outcomes is minimized 
through the construction method and the implementation of the planned 
mitigation measures. Specifically, the use of impact driving will be 
limited to an estimated maximum of 3 hours over the course of 80 days 
of construction, and will likely require less time. Each 24-inch pile 
will require about five blows of an impact hammer to confirm that piles 
are set into bedrock for a maximum time expected of 1 minute of impact 
hammering per pile (88 piles x 1 minute/per pile = 88 minutes). 
Vibratory driving will be necessary for an estimated maximum of 75 
hours and down-hole drilling will require a maximum of 550 hours. 
Vibratory driving and down-hole drilling do not have significant 
potential to cause injury to marine mammals due to the relatively low 
source levels produced and the lack of potentially injurious source 
characteristics. The likelihood that marine mammal detection ability by 
trained observers is high under the environmental conditions described 
for the reconstruction of the Pier 1 Kodiak Ferry Terminal and Dock 
further enables the implementation of shutdowns to limit injury, 
serious injury, or mortality.
    The DOT&PF's proposed activities are localized and of short 
duration. The entire project area is limited to the Pier 1 area and its 
immediate surroundings. Actions covered under the Authorization would 
include extracting 196 13-inch timber piles, 14 16-inch steel piles, 
installing 88 temporary steel or H-piles, extracting those 88 piles, 
installing 88 24-inch steel piles, 10 18-inch steel piles and 8 16-inch 
timber piles.
    These localized and short-term noise exposures may cause auditory 
injury to a small number of Steller sea lions, as well as short-term 
behavioral modifications in killer whales, Steller sea lions, harbor 
porpoises, and harbor seals. Moreover, the proposed mitigation and 
monitoring measures are expected to reduce the likelihood of injury and 
behavior exposures. Additionally, no important feeding and/or 
reproductive areas for marine mammals are known to be near the proposed 
action area. Therefore, the take resulting from the proposed project is 
not reasonably expected to and is not reasonably likely to adversely 
affect the marine mammal species or stocks through effects on annual 
rates of recruitment or survival.
    The project also is not expected to have significant adverse 
effects on affected marine mammals' habitat, including Steller sea lion 
critical habitat. The project activities would not modify existing 
marine mammal habitat. The activities may cause some fish to leave the 
area of disturbance, thus temporarily impacting marine mammals' 
foraging opportunities in a limited portion of the foraging range; but, 
because of the short duration of the activities and the relatively 
small area of the habitat that may be affected, the impacts to marine 
mammal habitat are not expected to cause significant or long-term 
negative consequences.
    Effects on individuals that are taken by Level A harassment may 
include permanent threshold shift. However, the possibility exists that 
some of the sea lions frequenting the Kodiak harbor area are already 
hearing-impaired or deaf (Wynne 2014). Fishermen have been known to 
protect their gear and catches by using ``seal bombs'' in an effort to 
disperse sea lions away from fishing

[[Page 51230]]

gear. Sound levels produced by seal bombs are well above levels that 
are known to cause Temporary Threshold Shift (TTS, temporary loss of 
hearing) and Permanent Threshold Shift (PTS, partial or full loss of 
hearing) in marine mammals (Wynne 2014). The use of seal bombs requires 
appropriate permits from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and 
Explosives. Seal bombs may be used as long as such use does not result 
in mortality or serious injury of a marine mammal; however, seal bombs 
should not be used on any ESA-listed species (Laws 2015). Although no 
studies have been published that document hearing-impaired sea lions in 
the area, this possibility is important to note as it pertains to 
mitigation measures that will be effective for this project.
    Sea lions in the Kodiak harbor area are habituated to fishing 
vessels and are skilled at gaining access to fish. It is likely that 
some of the same animals follow local vessels to the nearby fishing 
grounds and back to town. It is also likely that hearing-impaired or 
deaf sea lions are among the sea lions that attend the seafood 
processing facility adjacent to the Pier 1 construction site. It is not 
known how a hearing-impaired or deaf sea lion would respond to typical 
mitigation efforts at a construction site such as ramping up of pile-
driving equipment. It is also unknown whether a hearing-impaired or 
deaf sea lion would avoid pile-driving activity, or whether such an 
animal might approach closely, even within the Level A harassment zone, 
without responding to or being impacted by the noise level. If it is 
observed that some sea lions found within the Level A harassment zone 
do not respond to mitigation efforts, these animals may have previously 
suffered injury in the form of PTS. Therefore, any additional auditory 
injury associated with the Pier 1 project would be unlikely.
    Effects on individuals that are taken by Level B harassment, on the 
basis of reports in the literature as well as monitoring from other 
similar activities, will likely be limited to reactions such as 
increased swimming speeds, increased surfacing time, or decreased 
foraging (if such activity were occurring) (e.g., Thorson and Reyff, 
2006; Lerma, 2014). Most likely, individuals will simply move away from 
the sound source and be temporarily displaced from the areas of pile 
driving, although even this reaction has been observed primarily only 
in association with impact pile driving. In response to vibratory 
driving, pinnipeds (which may become somewhat habituated to human 
activity in industrial or urban waterways) have been observed to orient 
towards and sometimes move towards the sound. The pile extraction and 
driving activities analyzed here are similar to, or less impactful 
than, numerous construction activities conducted in other similar 
locations, which have taken place with no reported injuries or 
mortality to marine mammals, and no known long-term adverse 
consequences from behavioral harassment. Repeated exposures of 
individuals to levels of sound that may cause Level B harassment are 
unlikely to result in hearing impairment or to significantly disrupt 
foraging behavior. Thus, even repeated Level B harassment of some small 
subset of the overall stock is unlikely to result in any significant 
realized decrease in fitness for the affected individuals, and thus 
would not result in any adverse impact to the stock as a whole.
    In summary, this negligible impact analysis is founded on the 
following factors: (1) The possibility of non-auditory injury, serious 
injury, or mortality may reasonably be considered discountable; (2) the 
anticipated incidents of Level B harassment consist of, at worst, 
temporary modifications in behavior and; (3) the presumed efficacy of 
the proposed mitigation measures in reducing the effects of the 
specified activity to the level of least practicable impact. In 
combination, we believe that these factors, as well as the available 
body of evidence from other similar activities, demonstrate that the 
potential effects of the specified activity will have only short-term 
effects on individuals. The specified activity is not expected to 
impact rates of recruitment or survival and will therefore not result 
in population-level impacts.
    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 proposed monitoring and 
mitigation measures, NMFS preliminarily finds that the total marine 
mammal take from the DOT&PF's reconstruction of the Pier 1 Kodiak Ferry 
Terminal and Dock will have a negligible impact on the affected marine 
mammal species or stocks.

Small Numbers Analysis

    Table 7 demonstrates the number of animals that could be exposed to 
received noise levels that could cause Level A and Level B behavioral 
harassment for the proposed work at the Pier 1 project site. The 
analyses provided above represents between <0.01%-8.1% of the 
populations of these stocks that could be affected by harassment. The 
numbers of animals authorized to be taken for all species would be 
considered small relative to the relevant stocks or populations even if 
each estimated taking occurred to a new individual--an extremely 
unlikely scenario. For pinnipeds, especially Steller sea lions, 
occurring in the vicinity of Pier 1 there will almost certainly be some 
overlap in individuals present day-to-day, and these takes are likely 
to occur only within some small portion of the overall regional stock.

       Table 7--Estimated Numbers and Percentage of Stock That May Be Exposed to Level A and B Harassment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Proposed        Stock(s)
                             Species                                authorized       abundance     Percentage of
                                                                       takes         estimate       total stock
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Killer Whale (Orcinus orca); Eastern N. Pacific, Gulf of Alaska,              48             587            8.1%
 Aleutian Islands, and Bering Seat Transient Stock..............
Harbor Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena); Gulf of Alaska Stock.......              40          31,046          <0.01%
Steller Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus); wDPS Stock...............         * 3,290          52,200             6.3
Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina richardii); South Kodiak Stock......              40          11,117          <0.01%
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* (Includes 3,260 Level B and 30 Level A takes).

    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, which are expected to reduce the number of marine mammals 
potentially affected by the proposed action, NMFS preliminarily finds 
that small numbers of marine mammals will be taken

[[Page 51231]]

relative to the populations of the affected species or stocks.

Impact on Availability of Affected Species for Taking for Subsistence 
Uses

    Alaska Natives have traditionally harvested subsistence resources 
in the Kodiak area for many hundreds of years, particularly Steller sea 
lions and harbor seals. No traditional subsistence hunting areas are 
within the project vicinity, however; the nearest haulouts for Steller 
sea lions and harbor seals are the Long Island and Cape Chiniak haul-
outs and the Marmot Island rookery, many miles away. These locations 
are respectively 4, 12 and 30 nautical miles distant from the project 
area. Since all project activities will take place within the immediate 
vicinity of the Pier 1 site, the project will not have an adverse 
impact on the availability of marine mammals for subsistence use at 
locations farther away. No disturbance or displacement of sea lions or 
harbor seals from traditional hunting areas by activities associated 
with the Pier 1 project is expected. No changes to availability of 
subsistence resources will result from Pier 1 project activities.

Endangered Species Act (ESA)

    There are two marine mammal species that are listed as endangered 
under the ESA with confirmed or possible occurrence in the study area: 
Humpback whale and Southern resident killer whale. For the purposes of 
this IHA, NMFS determined that take of Southern resident killer whales 
was highly unlikely given the rare occurrence of these animals in the 
project area. A similar conclusion was reached for humpback whales. On 
March 18, 2011, NMFS signed a Biological Opinion concluding that the 
proposed action is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of 
humpback whales and may affect, but is not likely to adversely affect 
Southern resident killer whales.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

    NMFS is also preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) in 
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and will 
consider comments submitted in response to this notice as part of that 
process. The EA will be posted at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental/construction.htm once it is finalized.

Proposed Incidental Harassment Authorization

    As a result of these preliminary determinations, we propose to 
issue an IHA to the DOT&PF for the Pier 1 Kodiak Ferry Terminal and 
Dock Improvements Project provided the previously mentioned mitigation, 
monitoring, and reporting requirements are incorporated. The proposed 
IHA language is provided next.
    1. This Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) is valid from 
September 30, 2015 through September 29, 2016.
    2. This Authorization is valid only for in-water construction work 
associated with the Pier 1 Kodiak Ferry Terminal and Dock Improvements 
Project.
    3. General Conditions:
    (a) A copy of this IHA must be in the possession of the DOT&PF, its 
designees, and work crew personnel operating under the authority of 
this IHA.
    (b) The species authorized for taking include killer whale (Orcinus 
orca), Steller sea lion (Eumatopius jubatus), harbor porpoise (Phocoena 
phocoena), and harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardii).
    (c) The taking, by Level B harassment only, is limited to the 
species listed in condition 3(b).
    (d) The taking, by Level A harassment only, is limited Steller sea 
lions.
    (e) The taking by injury (Level A harassment), serious injury, or 
death of any of the species listed in condition 3(b) with the exception 
of Steller sea lions or any taking of any other species of marine 
mammal is prohibited and may result in the modification, suspension, or 
revocation of this IHA.
    (f) The DOT&PF shall conduct briefings between construction 
supervisors and crews, marine mammal monitoring team, and staff prior 
to the start of all in-water pile driving, and when new personnel join 
the work, in order to explain responsibilities, communication 
procedures, marine mammal monitoring protocol, and operational 
procedures.
    4. Mitigation Measures
    The holder of this Authorization is required to implement the 
following mitigation measures:
    (a) Time Restriction: For all in-water pile driving activities, the 
DOT&PF shall operate only during daylight hours when visual monitoring 
of marine mammals can be conducted. To minimize impacts to pink salmon 
(Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) fry and coho salmon (O. kisutch) smolt, all 
in-water pile extraction and installation is planned to be completed by 
April 30, 2016. If work cannot be completed by April 30, the DOT&PF 
must refrain from impact pile installation without a bubble curtain 
from May 1 through June 30 within the 12-hour period beginning daily at 
the start of civil dawn. Impact pile installation would be acceptable 
without a bubble curtain from May 1 through June 30 in the evenings, 
beginning at 12 hours past civil dawn.
    (b) Establishment of Level B Harassment (ZOI)
    (i) Before the commencement of in-water pile driving activities, 
the DOT&PF shall establish Level B behavioral harassment ZOI where 
received underwater sound pressure levels (SPLs) are higher than 120 dB 
(rms) re 1 [micro]Pa for and non-pulse sources (vibratory hammer). The 
ZOI delineates where Level B harassment would occur. For vibratory 
driving, the level B harassment area extends out to 1,150. This 1,150-
meter distance will serve as a shutdown zone for all other marine 
mammals not listed in 3(b). During impact driving, the Level B 
harassment zone shall extend to 225 meters for animals listed in 3(b). 
This 225-meter distance will serve as a shutdown zone for all other 
marine mammals not listed in 3(b).
    (c) Establishment of shutdown zone
    (i) For impact pile driving activities, the DOT&PF's will establish 
a shutdown zone. Shutdown zones are intended to contain the area in 
which SPLs equal or exceed the 180/190 dB rms acoustic injury criteria, 
with the purpose being to define an area within which shutdown of 
activity would occur upon sighting of a marine mammal (or in 
anticipation of an animal entering the defined area), thus preventing 
injury of marine mammals. A conservative 4-meter shutdown zone will be 
in effect for Steller sea lions and harbor seals. The shutdown zone for 
Level A injury to harbor porpoises and killer whales would be 15 
meters.
    (d) The Level A and Level B harassment zones will be monitored 
throughout the time required to install or extract a pile. If a harbor 
seal, harbor porpoise, or killer whale is observed entering the Level B 
harassment zone, a Level B exposure will be recorded and behaviors 
documented. That pile segment will be completed without cessation, 
unless the animal approaches the Level A shutdown zone. Pile 
installation or extraction will be halted immediately before the animal 
enters the Level A zone.
    (e) Use of Ramp Up/Soft Start
    (i) The project will utilize soft start techniques for all 
vibratory and impact pile driving. We require the DOT&PF to initiate 
sound from vibratory hammers for fifteen seconds at reduced energy 
followed by a 1-minute waiting period, with the procedure repeated two 
additional times. For impact driving, we require an initial set of 
three strikes

[[Page 51232]]

from the impact hammer at reduced energy, followed by a 1-minute 
waiting period, then two subsequent three strike sets.
    (ii) Soft start will be required at the beginning of each day's 
pile driving work and at any time following a cessation of pile driving 
of 20 minutes or longer.
    (iii) If a marine mammal is present within the shutdown zone, 
ramping up will be delayed until the animal(s) leaves the Level A 
harassment zone. Activity will begin only after the MMO has determined, 
through sighting, that the animal(s) has moved outside the Level A 
harassment zone.
    (iv) If a Steller sea lion, harbor seal, harbor porpoise, or killer 
whale is present in the Level B harassment zone, ramping up will begin 
and a Level B take will be documented. Ramping up will occur when these 
species are in the Level B harassment zone whether they entered the 
Level B zone from the Level A zone, or from outside the project area.
    (v) If any marine mammal other than Steller sea lions, harbor 
seals, harbor porpoises, or killer whales is present in the Level B 
harassment zone, ramping up will be delayed until the animal(s) leaves 
the zone. Ramping up will begin only after the Wildlife Observer has 
determined, through sighting, that the animal(s) has moved outside the 
harassment zone.
    (f) Pile Caps--
    (i) Pile caps will be used during all impact pile-driving 
activities.
    (g) Standard mitigation measures
    (i) Conduct briefings between construction supervisors and crews, 
marine mammal monitoring team, and DOT&PF staff prior to the start of 
all pile driving and extraction activity, and when new personnel join 
the work, in order to explain responsibilities, communication 
procedures, marine mammal monitoring protocol, and operational 
procedures.
    (ii) For in-water heavy machinery work other than pile driving 
(e.g., standard barges, tug boats, barge-mounted excavators, or 
clamshell equipment used to place or remove material), if a marine 
mammal comes within 10 meters, operations shall cease and vessels shall 
reduce speed to the minimum level required to maintain steerage and 
safe working conditions.
    (h) The DOT&PF shall establish monitoring locations as described 
below.
    5. Monitoring and Reporting
    The holder of this Authorization is required to report all 
monitoring conducted under the IHA within 90 calendar days of the 
completion of the marine mammal monitoring
    (a) Visual Marine Mammal Monitoring and Observation
    (i) At least one individual meeting the minimum qualifications 
identified in Appendix A of the application by the DOT&PF will monitor 
the shutdown and Level B harassment zones during impact and vibratory 
pile driving.
    (ii) During pile driving and extraction the shutdown zone, as 
described in 4(b) will be monitored and maintained. Pile installation 
or extraction will not commence or will be suspended temporarily if any 
marine mammals are observed within or approaching the area of potential 
disturbance.
    (iii) The area within the Level B harassment threshold for pile 
driving and extraction will be monitored by observers stationed to 
provide adequate view of the harassment zone. Marine mammal presence 
within this Level B harassment zone, if any, will be monitored. Pile 
driving activity will not be stopped if marine mammals are found to be 
present. Any marine mammal documented within the Level B harassment 
zone during impact driving would constitute a Level B take 
(harassment), and will be recorded and reported as such.
    (iv) The individuals will scan the waters within each monitoring 
zone activity using binoculars (Vector 10X42 or equivalent), spotting 
scopes (Swarovski 20-60 zoom or equivalent), and visual observation.
    (v) If waters exceed a sea-state which restricts the observers' 
ability to make observations within the marine mammal buffer zone (the 
100 meter radius) (e.g. excessive wind or fog), impact pile 
installation will cease until conditions allow the resumption of 
monitoring.
    (vi) The waters will be scanned 30 minutes prior to commencing pile 
driving at the beginning of each day, and prior to commencing pile 
driving after any stoppage of 20 minutes or greater. If marine mammals 
enter or are observed within the designated marine mammal shutdown zone 
during or 20 minutes prior to impact pile driving, the monitors will 
notify the on-site construction manager to not begin until the animal 
has moved outside the designated radius.
    (vii) The waters will continue to be scanned for at least 20 
minutes after pile driving has completed each day,
    (b) Data Collection
    (i) Observers are required to use approved data forms. Among other 
pieces of information, DOT&PF the DOT&PF will record detailed 
information about any implementation of shutdowns, including the 
distance of animals to the pile and description of specific actions 
that ensued and resulting behavior of the animal, if any. In addition, 
the DOT&PF will attempt to distinguish between the number of individual 
animals taken and the number of incidents of take. At a minimum, the 
following information be collected on the sighting forms:
    1. Date and time that monitored activity begins or ends;
    2. Construction activities occurring during each observation 
period;
    3. Weather parameters (e.g., percent cover, visibility);
    4. Water conditions (e.g., sea state, tide state);
    5. Species, numbers, and, if possible, sex and age class of marine 
mammals;
    6. Description of any observable marine mammal behavior patterns, 
including bearing and direction of travel and distance from pile 
driving activity;
    7. Distance from pile driving activities to marine mammals and 
distance from the marine mammals to the observation point;
    8. Locations of all marine mammal observations; and
    9. Other human activity in the area.
    (c) Reporting Measures
    (i) In the unanticipated event that the specified activity clearly 
causes the take of a marine mammal in a manner prohibited by the IHA, 
such as an injury (Level A harassment to animals other than Steller sea 
lions), serious injury or mortality (e.g., ship-strike, gear 
interaction, and/or entanglement), the DOT&PF would immediately cease 
the specified activities and immediately report the incident to the 
Chief of the Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, and the Alaska Regional Stranding Coordinators. The 
report would include the following information:
    1. Time, date, and location (latitude/longitude) of the incident;
    2. Name and type of vessel involved;
    3. Vessel's speed during and leading up to the incident;
    4. Description of the incident;
    5. Status of all sound source use in the 24 hours preceding the 
incident;
    6. Water depth;
    7. Environmental conditions (e.g., wind speed and direction, 
Beaufort sea state, cloud cover, and visibility);
    8. Description of all marine mammal observations in the 24 hours 
preceding the incident;
    9. Species identification or description of the animal(s) involved;
    10. Fate of the animal(s); and
    11. Photographs or video footage of the animal(s) (if equipment is 
available).
    (ii) Activities would not resume until NMFS is able to review the 
circumstances of the prohibited take. NMFS would work with the DOT&PF 
to

[[Page 51233]]

determine what is necessary to minimize the likelihood of further 
prohibited take and ensure MMPA compliance. The DOT&PF would not be 
able to resume their activities until notified by NMFS via letter, 
email, or telephone.
    (iii) In the event that the DOT&PF discovers an injured or dead 
marine mammal, and the lead MMO determines that the cause of the injury 
or death is unknown and the death is relatively recent (i.e., in less 
than a moderate state of decomposition as described in the next 
paragraph), the DOT&PF would immediately report the incident to the 
Chief of the Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, and the Alaska Stranding Hotline and/or by email to 
the Alaska Regional Stranding Coordinators. The report would include 
the same information identified in the paragraph above. Activities 
would be able to continue while NMFS reviews the circumstances of the 
incident. NMFS would work with the DOT&PF to determine whether 
modifications in the activities are appropriate.
    (iv) In the event that the DOT&PF discovers an injured or dead 
marine mammal, and the lead MMO determines that the injury or death is 
not associated with or related to the activities authorized in the IHA 
(e.g., previously wounded animal, carcass with moderate to advanced 
decomposition, or scavenger damage), the DOT&PF would report the 
incident to the Chief of the Permits and Conservation Division, Office 
of Protected Resources, NMFS, and the NMFS Alaska Stranding Hotline 
and/or by email to the Alaska Regional Stranding Coordinator, within 24 
hours of the discovery. The DOT&PF would provide photographs or video 
footage (if available) or other documentation of the stranded animal 
sighting to NMFS and the Marine Mammal Stranding Network.
    6. This Authorization may be modified, suspended or withdrawn if 
the holder fails to abide by the conditions prescribed herein, or if 
NMFS determines the authorized taking is having more than a negligible 
impact on the species or stock of affected marine mammals.

Request for Public Comments

    NMFS requests comment on our analysis, the draft authorization, and 
any other aspect of the Notice of Proposed IHA for the DOT&PF's Kodiak 
Ferry Terminal and Dock Improvements Project. Please include with your 
comments any supporting data or literature citations to help inform our 
final decision on DOT&PF's request for an MMPA authorization.

    Dated: August 18, 2015.
Perry Gayaldo,
Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2015-20828 Filed 8-21-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P