[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 3, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 684-709]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-31702]



[[Page 683]]

Vol. 82

Tuesday,

No. 1

January 3, 2017

Part IV





Department of Commerce





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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration





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50 CFR Part 217





Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental 
to Waterfront Construction; Proposed Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 82 , No. 1 / Tuesday, January 3, 2017 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 684]]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 217

[Docket No. 160830798-6798-01]
RIN 0648-BG32


Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals 
Incidental to Waterfront Construction

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

ACTION: Proposed rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Navy (Navy) for 
authorization to take marine mammals incidental to conducting 
waterfront construction at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, GA, over the 
course of five years (2017-2022). As required by the Marine Mammal 
Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is proposing regulations to govern that 
take, and requests comments on the proposed regulations.

DATES: Comments and information must be received no later than February 
2, 2017.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by 
NOAA-NMFS-2016-0161, by any of the following methods:
     Electronic submission: Submit all electronic public 
comments via the federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to 
www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2016-0161, click the 
``Comment Now!'' icon, complete the required fields, and enter or 
attach your comments.
     Mail: Submit written comments to Jolie Harrison, Chief, 
Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver 
Spring, MD 20910.
    Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other 
address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, 
may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on 
www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying 
information (e.g., name, address), confidential business information, 
or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender 
will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter 
``N/A'' in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). 
Attachments to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word, 
Excel, or Adobe PDF file formats only.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Availability

    A copy of Navy's application and any supporting documents, as well 
as a list of the references cited in this document, may be obtained 
online at: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental/construction.htm. In 
case of problems accessing these documents, please call the contact 
listed above (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

    The Navy is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) to consider 
the direct, indirect and cumulative effects to the human environment 
resulting from the waterfront construction activities. NMFS has 
reviewed the draft EA and believes it is appropriate to adopt the EA in 
order to assess the impacts to the human environment of issuance of 
regulations and subsequent Letters of Authorization (LOAs) to the Navy 
and subsequently sign our own FONSI. Information in the Navy's 
application, the Navy's EA, and this notice collectively provide the 
environmental information related to proposed issuance of these 
regulations for public review and comment. All documents are available 
at the aforementioned Web site. We will review all comments submitted 
in response to this notice as we complete the NEPA processes, including 
a final decision of whether to adopt the Navy's EA and sign a FONSI, 
prior to a final decision on the incidental take authorization request.

Purpose and Need for Regulatory Action

    This proposed rule, to be issued under the authority of the Marine 
Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), would establish 
a framework for authorizing the take of marine mammals incidental to 
the Navy's waterfront construction activities at Naval Submarine Base 
Kings Bay, GA (NSB Kings Bay). The Navy proposes to repair (including 
direct repairs and repairs by component replacement) in-water 
structures at NSB Kings Bay, construct a new Transit Protection System 
Operational Support Facility, and extend the existing Layberth Pier in 
order to (1) address critical damage and mission and safety 
requirements, (2) limit further deterioration and increase the useful 
life of the structures, and (3) upgrade infrastructure to meet 
requirements of new submarine technology. Construction will include use 
of impact and vibratory pile driving, including installation and 
removal of steel, concrete, composite, and timber piles.
    We received an application from the Navy requesting five-year 
regulations and authorization to take bottlenose dolphins. Take would 
occur by Level B harassment incidental to impact and vibratory pile 
installation and removal. The regulations would be valid from 2017 to 
2022. Please see the ``Background'' section below for definitions of 
harassment.

Legal Authority for the Proposed Action

    Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1371(a)(5)(A)) directs 
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 for up to five years 
if, after notice and public comment, the agency makes certain findings 
and issues regulations that set forth permissible methods of taking 
pursuant to that activity, as well as monitoring and reporting 
requirements. Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA and the implementing 
regulations at 50 CFR part 216, subpart I provide the legal basis for 
issuing this proposed rule containing five-year regulations, and for 
any subsequent LOAs. As directed by this legal authority, this proposed 
rule contains mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements.

Summary of Major Provisions Within the Proposed Rule

    Following is a summary of the major provisions of this proposed 
rule regarding Navy waterfront construction activities. We have 
preliminarily determined that the Navy's adherence to the proposed 
mitigation, monitoring, and reporting measures described below would 
achieve the least practicable adverse impact on the affected marine 
mammals. These measures include:
     Required monitoring of the waterfront construction areas 
to detect the presence of marine mammals before beginning construction 
activities.
     Shutdown of construction activities under certain 
circumstances to avoid injury of marine mammals.
     Soft start for impact pile driving to allow marine mammals 
the opportunity

[[Page 685]]

to leave the area prior to beginning impact pile driving at full power.

Background

    Paragraphs 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1371 
(a)(5)(A) and (D)) 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, 
section 3 of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1362) 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 January 19, 2016, we received an adequate and complete request 
from Navy for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to 
waterfront construction activities. We received an initial draft of the 
request on August 27, 2015, followed by revised drafts on November 6 
and December 2, 2015. On February 17, 2016 (81 FR 8048), we published a 
notice of receipt of Navy's application in the Federal Register, 
requesting comments and information related to the request for 30 days. 
We did not receive any comments. The Navy provided an interim revised 
draft incorporating minor revisions on March 8, 2016.
    The Navy proposes to repair in-water structures at NSB Kings Bay, 
as well as to construct new facilities and modify existing facilities. 
These repairs, upgrades, and new construction would include use of 
impact and vibratory pile driving, including installation and removal 
of steel, concrete, composite, and timber piles. Hereafter (unless 
otherwise specified or detailed) we use the term ``pile driving'' to 
refer to both pile installation and pile removal. The use of both 
vibratory and impact pile driving is expected to produce underwater 
sound at levels that have the potential to result in behavioral 
harassment of marine mammals. Only the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops 
truncatus truncatus) is expected to be present. The requested 
regulations would be valid for five years, from July 12, 2017, through 
July 11, 2022.

Description of the Specified Activity

Overview

    NSB Kings Bay is the Navy's east coast home port for ballistic 
missile nuclear submarines supporting the Trident II (D-5) missile. NSB 
Kings Bay manages, maintains, and operates Trident ballistic missile 
(SSBN) and guided missile (SSGN) submarines, Trident II D-5 and 
Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles and systems, and infrastructure and 
quality of life facilities and programs. In 2010, the Navy found that 
conditions of water-based support facilities varied widely from good to 
seriously deteriorated. Continuous monitoring of these conditions by 
Navy at NSB Kings Bay has confirmed the advanced deterioration and 
critical nature of some issues that pose operational and safety risks. 
Additionally, other areas of initial deterioration were identified 
which require remedy in order to maintain the useful life of existing 
structures. Damage observed includes deteriorated concrete piles, pile 
caps, and deck components (cracked, spalled, delaminated, exposed/
corroded internal reinforcing steel structures); marine pest (marine 
wood borer) damage on wooden piles; broken or unmaintained mooring 
fittings; and corrosion on steel piles and pile caps. In some cases, it 
is more cost effective to demolish older structures that are 
deteriorated and not well configured to fit existing and upcoming 
assets and replace them with new structures that are specifically 
designed to meet new mission requirements.
    To ensure the Navy can continue its mission of supporting the Fleet 
Ballistic Missile System and Trident Submarine Program, the Navy 
proposes to repair (including direct repairs and repairs by component 
replacement) in-water structures at NSB Kings Bay, construct a new 
Transit Protection System Operational Support Facility, and extend the 
existing Layberth Pier. These repairs, upgrades, and new construction 
would (1) address critical damage and mission and safety requirements, 
(2) limit further deterioration and increase the useful life of the 
structures, and (3) upgrade infrastructure to meet requirements of new 
submarine technology. Construction will include use of impact and 
vibratory pile driving, including installation and removal of steel, 
concrete, composite, and timber piles. The specified activity is 
comprised of six distinct projects, four of which are comprised of 
multiple smaller projects. These projects and components are summarized 
in Table 1. Please see Figure 1-2 in the Navy's application for 
locations of facilities referred to in Table 1.

      Table 1--Summary of Proposed Waterfront Construction Projects
------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Project ID              Descriptor                Summary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Project 1: Port Operations Waterfront Facilities Repair
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1A....................  Tug Pier.............  Repair concrete
                                                structural piles, pile
                                                caps, utility cover
                                                grates, headwall,
                                                mooring support and
                                                hardware, and deck
                                                undersides; replace
                                                wooden fender piles with
                                                concrete piles; and
                                                modify the fender system
                                                on the south side of
                                                access pier.
1B....................  General Access Pier    Install new guide piles,
                         Crab Island.           and repair brow and
                                                handrails.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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     Project 2: Unspecified Minor Construction Layberth Fender Pile
                              Modification
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.....................  Unspecified Minor      Install additional fender
                         Construction           piles to shorten the
                         Layberth Fender Pile   distance between
                         Modification P661      existing piles and
                         Project.               provide the required
                                                support for hydro-
                                                pneumatic fenders.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Project 3: Waterfront Repair and Replacement Maintenance Program
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3A....................  Explosive Handling     Repair high-density
                         Wharf #2 Pier w/       polyethylene (HDPE)
                         Capstans (7).          fender pile wraps,
                                                sacrificial anodes
                                                attached to the steel
                                                fender piles, steel
                                                safety ladders and
                                                treated timber bracing;
                                                repair or replace
                                                various pile caps,
                                                piles, and mooring
                                                foundations; and clean
                                                and repaint mooring
                                                fittings and two steel
                                                guide pipe piles on the
                                                diver's float.
3B....................  (Dry Dock) Interface   Replace timber fender
                         Wharf.                 bearing strips and
                                                wales, repair concrete
                                                deck, bullrail, edge
                                                beams, and mooring
                                                foundations; and repair,
                                                paint and recoat
                                                cathodic protection on
                                                the steel H-pile fender
                                                system and sheet pile.
3C....................  Refit Wharf #1.......  Replace various pile
                                                caps, piles, and the
                                                outboard edge beam; and
                                                repair, clean, and paint
                                                several mooring
                                                fittings.
3D....................  Refit Wharf #2.......  Replace or repair various
                                                pile caps, piles,
                                                outboard edge beams, and
                                                mooring foundations; and
                                                reattach underdeck
                                                lighting conduit and
                                                clean and repaint
                                                various mooring
                                                fittings.
3E....................  Refit Wharf #3.......  Replace or repair various
                                                pile caps, piles, the
                                                outboard edge beams, and
                                                mooring foundations; and
                                                clean and repaint
                                                various mooring
                                                fittings.
3F....................  Warping Wharf w/       Repair HDPE fender pile
                         Capstan (4).           wraps; replace or repair
                                                various pile caps,
                                                piles, and mooring
                                                foundations; and clean
                                                and repaint mooring
                                                fittings.
3G....................  Tug Pier.............  Replace timber fender
                                                piles with guide piles
                                                and small boat access
                                                floats; paint mooring
                                                fittings; and repair
                                                concrete pile caps,
                                                concrete piles, concrete
                                                underdeck, and storm
                                                drain.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Project 4: Transit Protection System (TPS) Pier and Off-Shore Supply
                  Vessel Berthing Modification Project
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4A....................  New TPS Pier.........  Construct a new pier with
                                                full hotel service
                                                capability including
                                                power; potable water;
                                                fire protection; sewage
                                                connections; Ship
                                                Overboard Drainage
                                                collection; fuel; and
                                                telephone, cable, and
                                                Local Area Network
                                                services.
4B....................  Small Craft Berth      Once the new TPS pier is
                         Site VI.               constructed, floating
                                                berthing slips would be
                                                constructed and provided
                                                with full hotel service
                                                capability. The berthing
                                                pier would consist of a
                                                pile supported
                                                reinforced concrete
                                                structure with floating
                                                sections. This project
                                                includes the
                                                installation of two
                                                5,000-gallon above
                                                ground storage tanks and
                                                provides two associated
                                                truck off-loading
                                                connections and fuel
                                                dispensing units.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Project 5: Trident Refit Facility Waterfront Facilities Repair, Magnetic
                      Silencing Facility with Crane
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.....................  Magnetic Silencing     Replace timber fender
                         Facility with Cranes   piles, restraining
                         (Trident Refit         chains, aluminum utility
                         Facility Waterfront    tray, and concrete pile
                         Facilities Repair).    utility guide bracket;
                                                and repair wooden hand
                                                rails and the cracked
                                                concrete deck underside.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Project 6: Demolition of the Transit Protection System Pier and Layberth
                              North Trestle
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6A....................  Demolition of TPS      Remove the tip of the
                         Pier.                  existing TPS Pier.
6B....................  Demolition of          Demolish the North
                         Layberth North         Layberth Trestle.
                         Trestle.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dates and Duration

    The specified activity may occur at any time during the five-year 
period of validity of the proposed regulations. Planned dates of 
individual projects and project components are shown in Table 2, 
however, project dates may shift. In-water construction activities 
would occur during daylight hours, defined here as one hour post-
sunrise to one hour prior to sunset.

Specified Geographical Region

    NSB Kings Bay is located in southeastern Georgia, approximately 
four miles inland (straight line distance) from the Atlantic Ocean, and 
approximately eight miles north of the Georgia-Florida border, along 
the western shore of Cumberland Sound (see Figure 2-1 in the Navy's 
application). NSB Kings Bay is an approximately 16,000 acre 
installation including the land areas and adjacent water areas along 
Kings Bay and Cumberland Sound between Marianna Creek to the north and 
Mill Creek to the south, and is restricted from general public access.
    This estuarine environment receives salt water input from ocean 
waters through tidal exchange, and fresh water input from rivers, 
tributaries, and stormwater outfalls. The large tidal range and strong 
currents result in tidally mixed waters that are refreshed on a daily 
basis. Please see section 2 of the Navy's application for more 
information.

Detailed Description of Activities

    The Navy plans to remove deteriorated timber, concrete, and steel 
piles and replace them with concrete, composite, and steel piles. New 
construction would involve installation of steel, concrete, and 
composite piles. Aspects of construction activities other than pile 
driving are not anticipated to have the potential to result in 
incidental take of marine mammals because they are either above water 
or do not produce levels of underwater sound with likely potential to 
result in marine mammal disturbance. Therefore, we do not discuss 
elements of construction

[[Page 687]]

activity other than pile driving. No concurrent pile driving would 
occur. Project specific pile totals are given in Table 2.
    A vibratory hammer would be used for all pile removal work. If use 
of the vibratory hammer is not feasible for pile installation (i.e., 
with steel piles), a Delmag Pile Hammer D62-22 or equivalent impact 
hammer would be used. The Delmag Pile Hammer D62-22 is a single acting 
diesel impact hammer with energy capacity of 76,899-153,799 foot-
pounds. The most effective and efficient method of pile installation 
available would be implemented for each project. The method fitting 
these criteria may vary based on specific project requirements and 
local conditions. In some areas of Kings Bay a limestone layer can be 
found relatively close to the substrate/water interface. This type of 
layer requires impact driving because vibratory installation will not 
drive the piles to a sufficient depth. Impact driving, while generally 
producing higher levels of sound also minimizes the net amount of 
active driving time, thus reducing the amount of time during which 
marine mammals may be exposed to noise. Impact or vibratory pile 
driving could occur on any day, but would not occur simultaneously.

                                                              Table 2--Pile Driving Summary
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Project                                                      Total number                                   Estimated     Total
                        start     Water     Pile                              ------------------------                             number of    maximum
         ID            (fiscal    depth     size            Pile type                                     Installation  method      strikes    in-water
                        year)     (ft)      (in)                                Installed    Removed                               per pile    work days
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1A..................      2017        24        18  Concrete.................         148           0  Impact...................          60          30
                                                24  Concrete.................          18           0  Impact...................          70           4
                                                16  Timber...................           0         159  n/a......................         n/a          31
1B..................      2017        15        16  Composite................           2           0  Vibratory................         n/a           1
                                                16  Timber...................           0           2  n/a......................         n/a           1
2...................      2017        46        14  Steel (H)................          55           0  Impact...................          80           7
3A..................      2017        46        24  Steel....................           2           2  Impact...................          70           2
                          2022                  24  Concrete.................           3           3  Impact...................          75           2
                                                24  Steel....................          10          10  Impact...................          70           7
3B..................      2021        46        14  Steel (H)................          99          99  Impact...................          60          15
3C..................      2018        46        24  Steel....................           6           0  Impact...................          70           1
                                                30  Steel....................           0           6  n/a......................         n/a           1
3D..................      2017        46        24  Steel....................           6           0  Impact...................          70           1
                                                30  Steel....................           0           6  n/a......................         n/a           1
3E..................      2018        46        24  Steel....................           6           0  Impact...................          70           1
                                                30  Steel....................           0           6  n/a......................         n/a           1
3F..................      2021        46        30  Steel....................           8           8  Impact...................          70           4
3G..................      2022        30        14  Steel (H)................          77          77  Impact...................          60          16
4A..................      2020        35        24  Concrete.................         165           0  Impact...................         200          55
                                                18  Concrete.................          50           0  Impact...................          80          17
                                                24  Concrete.................           0         121  n/a......................         n/a           8
4B..................      2020        35        24  Steel....................          30          30  Impact...................         100           8
5...................      2017        46        18  Composite................          18           0  Vibratory................         n/a           3
                                                16  Timber...................           0          18  n/a......................         n/a           3
6A..................      2022        46        24  Concrete.................           0         649  n/a......................         n/a          41
6B..................      2022        46        24  Concrete.................           0         121  n/a......................         n/a           6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Vibratory hammers, which can be used to either install or extract a 
pile, contain a system of counter-rotating eccentric weights powered by 
hydraulic motors, and are designed in such a way that horizontal 
vibrations cancel out, while vertical vibrations are transmitted into 
the pile. The pile driving machine is lifted and positioned over the 
pile by means of an excavator or crane, and is fastened to the pile by 
a clamp and/or bolts. The vibrations produced cause liquefaction of the 
substrate surrounding the pile, enabling the pile to be extracted or 
driven into the ground using the weight of the pile plus the hammer. 
Impact hammers use a rising and falling piston to repeatedly strike a 
pile and drive it into the ground. Impact or vibratory driving could 
occur on any work day during the period of validity of these proposed 
regulations.
    Steel piles are typically vibratory-driven for their initial 
embedment depths or to refusal and finished with an impact hammer for 
proofing or until the pile meets structural requirements, as necessary. 
Proofing involves striking a driven pile with an impact hammer to 
verify that it provides the required load-bearing capacity, as 
indicated by the number of hammer blows per foot of pile advancement. 
Non-steel piles are typically impact-driven for their entire embedment 
depth, in part because non-steel piles are often displacement piles (as 
opposed to pipe piles) and require some impact to allow substrate 
penetration.
    Table 3 shows total piles planned for installation (I) and removal 
(R) by pile type and size in total and per year. Note that no pile 
driving is planned for fiscal year (FY) 2019. Below we provide further 
detail specific to individual projects and project components. For 
additional detail, please see Table 1 and section 1 of the Navy's 
application. As noted previously, all pile removal would be 
accomplished using a vibratory hammer and all impact driving would be 
accomplished using a Delmag Pile Hammer D62-22 or equivalent impact 
hammer.

[[Page 688]]



                                                                              Table 3--Pile Totals by Type and Year
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                FY2017              FY2018              FY2020              FY2021              FY2022              Totals
                           Pile type                              Size   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  (in)        I         R         I         R         I         R         I         R         I         R         I         R
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Composite.....................................................        16         2         0         0         0         0         0         0         0         0         0         2         0
                                                                      18        18         0         0         0         0         0         0         0         0         0        18         0
Concrete......................................................        18       148         0         0         0        50         0         0         0         0         0       198         0
                                                                      24        18         0         0         0       165       121         0         0         3       773       186       894
Steel (H).....................................................        14        55         0         0         0         0         0        99        99        77        77       231       176
Steel.........................................................        24         8         2        12         0        30        30         0         0        10        10        60        42
                                                                      30         0         6         0        12         0         0         8         8         0         0         8        26
Timber........................................................        16         0       179         0         0         0         0         0         0         0         0         0       179
                                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals....................................................                 249       187        12        12       245       151       107       107        90       860       703     1,317
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Project 1A: Tug Pier--The Navy plans to remove deteriorated timber 
fender piles and replace them with concrete piles. It is anticipated 
that 5 to 16 piles would be removed or installed per day with a total 
of up to 65 days of in-water work.
    Project 1B: General Access Pier Crab Island--Timber guide piles at 
this pier are damaged and would be replaced by fiberglass reinforced 
plastic composite guide piles. Extraction and installation would both 
be performed using a vibratory hammer. It is anticipated that an 
average of two piles would be installed or removed per day for 
approximately two days of in-water work.
    Project 2: Unspecified Minor Construction, Layberth Pier--The Navy 
plans to install additional steel H-piles to reduce the existing gaps 
between fender piles, which are considered too wide to adequately 
support the necessary fender system. No existing piles would need to be 
removed. It is anticipated that an average of eight piles would be 
installed per day for approximately seven days of in-water work.
    The Waterfront Pile Repair and Replacement Maintenance Program 
(i.e., Project 3) consists of repairing and/or replacing structurally 
unsound piles along the waterfront restricted area. This project 
includes multiple individual projects as follows:
    Project 3A: Explosives Handling Wharf #2 Pier with Capstans--
Upgrading Explosives Handling Wharf #2 would require the installation 
of two new steel piles and the removal of two guide piles in FY17. 
Additionally, three concrete piles and ten steel piles would be removed 
and subsequently replaced in 2022. It is anticipated that two piles 
would be installed or removed per day for a total of approximately 11 
days of in-water work in FY17 and FY22.
    Project 3B: (Dry Dock) Interface Wharf--Numerous fender piles are 
in an advanced state of deterioration. Repairing the Interface Wharf 
would require the installation of new steel H-piles and removal of 
existing steel H-piles. It is anticipated that an average of 14 piles 
would be removed or installed per day for approximately 15 days of in-
water work.
    Projects 3C-E: Refit Wharfs 1-3--All three Refit Wharfs are in 
disrepair and present a safety risk to the personnel and heavy 
equipment utilizing the piers. In each case, proposed repair work would 
involve the removal of existing fender piles and replacement with new 
steel piles. It is anticipated that an average of six piles would be 
removed or installed per day for approximately two days of in-water 
work for each of the three projects.
    Project 3F: Warping Wharf with Capstan--Repairing deterioration of 
the existing Warping Wharf would require the installation of new steel 
piles and the removal of eight existing fender piles. It is anticipated 
that an average of five piles would be removed or installed per day for 
approximately four days of in-water work.
    Project 3G: Tug Pier--The same location subject to Project 1A, 
Project 3G represents anticipated future work at the Tug Pier 
(scheduled for FY22). A large quantity of steel fender piles would be 
removed and replaced. It is anticipated that an average of ten piles 
would be removed or installed per day for approximately sixteen days of 
in-water work.
    Project 4 (Transit Protection System (TPS) Off-Shore Supply Vessel 
Berthing Modification Project) involves the construction of a new pier 
associated with TPS functions and the modification of the existing 
berthing pier on the north trestle.
    Project 4A: New Facility--The construction of the new pier would 
require the installation of new square concrete piles and removal of 
existing concrete piles. It is anticipated that 16 to 22 piles would be 
removed and 3 to 12 piles would be installed per day for approximately 
80 days of in-water work.
    Project 4B: Small Craft Berth Site--The existing berthing pier on 
the north trestle would be relocated to align with the new pier 
associated with the proposed TPS Operational Facility and modified as 
needed. These modifications would require installation of new steel 
piles and the removal existing piles. It is anticipated that an average 
of eight piles would be installed or removed per day for approximately 
eight days of in-water work.
    Project 5: Waterfront Facilities Repair, Magnetic Silencing 
Facility (MSF)--The MSF at Kings Bay is in a deteriorated condition and 
Navy plans to replace existing timber fender piles with fiberglass 
reinforced plastic composite piles. It is anticipated that an average 
of six piles would be extracted or installed per day for approximately 
six days of in-water work.
    Following completion of Project 4, Project 6 would involve 
demolition of the existing TPS Pier and north trestle.
    Project 6A-B: Demolition of TPS Pier and North Trestle--Both 
projects would involve vibratory removal of existing concrete piles. 
For the TPS Pier, it is anticipated that an average of 16 piles would 
be removed per day for approximately 41 days of in-water work. For the 
work at the north trestle, it is anticipated that an average of 20 
piles would be removed per day for approximately 6 days of in-water 
work.

Proposed Mitigation

    In order to issue an incidental take authorization under section 
101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA, NMFS must set forth the permissible methods 
of taking pursuant to such activity, ``and other means of effecting the 
least practicable adverse impact on such species or stock and its 
habitat, paying particular attention to rookeries, mating grounds, and 
areas of similar significance, and on the availability of such species 
or stock for subsistence uses.'' NMFS's implementing regulations 
require applicants for incidental take authorizations to include 
information about the availability and feasibility (economic and 
technological) of equipment, methods, and manner of conducting such 
activity or other means

[[Page 689]]

of effecting the least practicable adverse impact upon the affected 
species or stocks and their habitat (50 CFR 216.104(a)(11)).
    The mitigation strategies described below largely follow those 
required and successfully implemented under previous incidental take 
authorizations issued in association with similar construction 
activities. Measurements from similar pile driving events were coupled 
with practical spreading loss and other relevant information to 
estimate zones of influence (ZOI; see ``Estimated Take by Incidental 
Harassment''); these ZOI values were used to develop mitigation 
measures for pile driving activities at NSB Kings Bay. Background 
discussion related to underwater sound concepts and terminology is 
provided in the section on ``Description of Sound Sources,'' later in 
this preamble. Practical spreading loss is discussed in further detail 
in the section on ``Zones of Influence,'' later in this preamble. The 
ZOIs effectively represent the mitigation zone that would be 
established around each pile to prevent Level A harassment to dolphins, 
while providing estimates of the areas within which Level B harassment 
might occur. In addition to the specific measures described later in 
this section, the Navy would conduct briefings for construction 
supervisors and crews, marine mammal monitoring team, and Navy 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. All relevant personnel would watch applicable sections of 
the Navy's Marine Species Awareness Training video. Relevant personnel 
would also follow NMFS's ``Southeast Region Marine Mammal and Sea 
Turtle Viewing Guidelines,'' which are described in Attachment 1 of 
Navy's Monitoring Plan.

Monitoring and Shutdown for Pile Driving

    The following measures would apply to the Navy's mitigation through 
shutdown and disturbance zones:
    Shutdown Zone--The purpose of a shutdown zone is 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 some undesirable outcome, such as auditory injury or 
behavioral disturbance of sensitive species (serious injury or death 
are unlikely outcomes even in the absence of mitigation measures). For 
all pile driving activities, the Navy would establish a minimum 
shutdown zone with radial distance of 15 meters (m). This minimum zone 
is intended to prevent the already unlikely possibility of physical 
interaction with construction equipment and to establish a 
precautionary minimum zone with regard to acoustic effects.
    Using NMFS's user spreadsheet, an optional companion spreadsheet 
associated with the alternative implementation methodology provided in 
Appendix D of NMFS's acoustic guidance (NMFS, 2016), we calculated 
project, pile type, and pile driving methodology-specific zones within 
which auditory injury (i.e., Level A harassment) could occur. The user 
spreadsheet is publicly available online at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/acoustics/guidelines.htm. In using the spreadsheet, we assumed 
practical spreading loss and used supplementary information provided by 
the Navy regarding assumed number of piles driven per day and number of 
pile strikes necessary to install a pile (for impact pile driving) and 
daily duration of pile driving (for vibratory pile driving). Assumed 
source levels are provided in Table 7.
    In most cases, this minimum shutdown zone of 15 m is expected to 
contain the area in which auditory injury could occur. All predicted 
auditory injury zones are less than the minimum 15 m shutdown zone 
(radial distance range: 0.5-13.1 m), with the exception of impact 
driving of 30-inch (in) steel piles associated with Project 3F (radial 
distance of 38 m) and impact driving of 24-in steel piles associated 
with Project 4B (radial distance of 16.6 m). In all cases, predicted 
injury zones are calculated on the basis of cumulative sound exposure, 
as peak pressure source levels are below the injury threshold for mid-
frequency cetaceans. For these two scenarios we propose shutdown zones 
of 40 m and 20 m radial distance, respectively.
    Injury zone predictions generated using the optional user 
spreadsheet are precautionary due to a number of simplifying 
assumptions. For example, the spreadsheet tool assumes that marine 
mammals remain stationary during the activity and does not account for 
potential recovery between intermittent sounds. In addition, the tool 
incorporates the acoustic guidance's weighting functions through use of 
a single-frequency weighting factor adjustment intended to represent 
the signal's 95 percent frequency contour percentile (i.e., upper 
frequency below which 95 percent of total cumulative energy is 
contained; Charif et al., 2010). This will typically result in higher 
predicted exposures for broadband sounds, since only one frequency is 
being considered, compared to exposures associated with the ability to 
fully incorporate the guidance's weighting functions.
    Disturbance Zone--Disturbance zones are the areas in which sound 
pressure levels (SPLs) equal or exceed 160 and 120 dB root mean square 
(rms) (for impulsive and non-impulsive, continuous sound, 
respectively). 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 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 8.
    In order to document observed incidents of harassment, monitors 
record all marine mammal observations, regardless of location. The 
observer's location and the location of the pile being driven are 
known, and the location of the animal may be estimated as a distance 
from the observer and then compared to the location from the pile. It 
may then be estimated whether the animal was exposed to sound levels 
constituting incidental harassment on the basis of predicted distances 
to relevant thresholds in post-processing of observational data, and a 
precise accounting of observed incidents of harassment created. This 
information may then be used to extrapolate observed takes to reach an 
approximate understanding of actual total takes, in cases where the 
entire zone was not monitored and/or all days of activity were not 
monitored.
    Monitoring Protocols--Monitoring would be conducted before, during, 
and after pile driving activities. In addition, observers will record 
all incidents of marine mammal occurrence, regardless of distance from 
activity, and monitors will 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 will be completed without cessation, unless the animal 
approaches or enters the shutdown zone, at which point all

[[Page 690]]

pile driving activities would be halted. Monitoring will take place 
from 15 minutes prior to initiation through 30 minutes post-completion 
of pile driving activities. Pile driving activities include the time to 
install or 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. Observation of shutdown zones will always occur, but 
observation of the larger disturbance zones will occur on a subset of 
days associated with each specific project (see project-specific 
details provided in ``Proposed Monitoring and Reporting,'' later in 
this document). Please see the Monitoring Plan, developed by the Navy 
in agreement with NMFS, for full details of the monitoring protocols.
    The following additional measures apply to visual monitoring:
    (1) Monitoring will be conducted by designated observers, who will 
be placed at the best vantage point(s) practicable (as defined in the 
Monitoring Plan) to monitor for marine mammals and implement shutdown/
delay procedures when applicable by calling for the shutdown to the 
hammer operator. Observers would have no other construction-related 
tasks while conducting monitoring. Observers should have the following 
minimum qualifications:
     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;
     Ability to conduct field observations and collect data 
according to assigned protocols;
     Experience or training in the field identification of 
bottlenose dolphins, including the identification of behaviors;
     Sufficient training, orientation, or experience with the 
construction operation to provide for personal safety during 
observations;
     Writing skills sufficient to document 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 of marine mammals from 
construction noise within a defined shutdown zone; and marine mammal 
behavior; and
     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 15 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.
    (3) 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 fifteen minutes have 
passed without re-detection of the animal. Monitoring will be conducted 
throughout the time required to drive a pile and for thirty minutes 
following the conclusion of pile driving.

Soft Start

    The use of a soft start procedure is believed to provide additional 
protection to marine mammals by warning marine mammals or providing 
them with 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 and, for impact hammers, the actual number of strikes at 
reduced energy will vary because operating the hammer at less than full 
power results in ``bouncing'' of the hammer as it strikes the pile, 
resulting in multiple ``strikes.'' The Navy will utilize soft start 
techniques for impact pile driving. We require an initial set of three 
strikes from the impact hammer at reduced energy, followed by a 30-
second waiting period, then 2 subsequent 3-strike sets. Soft start will 
be required at the beginning of each day's impact pile driving work and 
at any time following a cessation of impact pile driving of thirty 
minutes or longer; the requirement to implement soft start for impact 
driving is independent of whether vibratory driving has occurred within 
the prior 30 minutes.
    We have carefully evaluated the Navy's proposed mitigation measures 
and considered a range of other measures in the context of ensuring 
that we prescribed the means of effecting the least practicable adverse 
impact on the affected marine mammal species and stocks and their 
habitat. Our evaluation of potential measures included consideration of 
the following factors in relation to one another: (1) The manner in 
which, and the degree to which, the successful implementation of the 
measure is expected to minimize adverse impacts to marine mammals, (2) 
the proven or likely efficacy of the specific measure to minimize 
adverse impacts as planned; and (3) the practicability of the measure 
for applicant implementation.
    Any mitigation measure(s) we prescribe 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 number (total number or number at 
biologically important time or location) of individual marine mammals 
exposed to stimuli expected to result in incidental take (this goal may 
contribute to 1, above, or to reducing takes by behavioral harassment 
only).
    (3) A reduction in the number (total number or number at a 
biologically important time or location) of times any individual marine 
mammal would be exposed to stimuli expected to result in incidental 
take (this goal may contribute to 1, above, or to reducing takes by 
behavioral harassment only).
    (4) A reduction in the intensity of exposure to stimuli expected to 
result in incidental take (this goal may contribute to 1, above, or to 
reducing the severity of behavioral harassment only).
    (5) Avoidance or minimization of adverse effects to marine mammal 
habitat, paying particular attention to the prey base, blockage or 
limitation of passage to or from biologically important areas, 
permanent destruction of habitat, or temporary 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 Navy's proposed measures, we have

[[Page 691]]

preliminarily determined that the proposed mitigation measures provide 
the means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on marine 
mammal species or stocks and their habitat, paying particular attention 
to rookeries, mating grounds, and areas of similar significance.

Description of Marine Mammals in the Area of the Specified Activity

    We have reviewed the Navy's species descriptions--which summarize 
available information regarding status and trends, distribution and 
habitat preferences, behavior and life history, and auditory 
capabilities of the potentially affected species and stocks--for 
accuracy and completeness, and refer the reader to Sections 3 and 4 of 
Navy's application, as well as to NMFS's Stock Assessment Reports 
(SARs; www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/), instead of reprinting the 
information here. Additional general information (e.g., physical and 
behavioral descriptions) and information on the U.S. regulatory status 
of species under the MMPA and ESA may be found on NMFS's Web site 
(www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/). Table 4 lists all species and 
stocks with expected potential for occurrence in the specified 
geographical region where Navy proposes to conduct the specified 
activity, and summarizes information related to the population or 
stock, including potential biological removal (PBR). PBR, defined by 
the MMPA as the maximum number of animals, not including natural 
mortalities, that may be removed from a marine mammal stock while 
allowing that stock to reach or maintain its optimum sustainable 
population, is considered in concert with known sources of ongoing 
anthropogenic mortality (as described in NMFS's SARs).
    Only one species under NMFS's jurisdiction is considered to have 
the potential to co-occur with Navy activities: The bottlenose dolphin. 
However, multiple stocks of bottlenose dolphin have the potential to be 
present. The offshore stock of bottlenose dolphins are generally found 
in deeper waters farther from the coast; biopsy tissue sampling and 
genetic analysis demonstrated that bottlenose dolphins concentrated 
close to shore were of the coastal morphotype, while those in waters 
greater than 40 m depth were from the offshore morphotype (Garrison et 
al., 2003). However, south of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, the ranges 
of the coastal and offshore morphotypes overlap to some degree. Based 
on genetic analysis of tissue samples collected in nearshore and 
offshore waters from New York to central Florida, Torres et al. (2003) 
found the offshore morphotype exclusively seaward of 34 kilometers (km) 
and in waters deeper than 34 m. Within 7.5 km of shore, all animals 
were of the coastal morphotype. Garrison et al. (2003) found offshore 
morphotype animals as close as 7.3 km from shore in water depths of 13 
m. Therefore, the offshore stock of bottlenose dolphins is considered 
extralimital to the project area and is not discussed further in this 
document. In addition, the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus 
latirostris) may be found in coastal waters of the Atlantic. However, 
manatees are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and are not 
considered further in this document. All stocks are assessed in NMFS's 
U.S. Atlantic SARs (e.g., Waring et al., 2016).

                                      Table 4--Marine Mammals Potentially Present in the Vicinity of NSB Kings Bay
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Stock abundance
                                                     ESA/MMPA      (CV, Nmin, most
            Species                   Stock           status;     recent abundance       PBR \3\        Annual M/SI    Relative occurrence in Kings Bay;
                                                   Strategic (Y/     survey) \2\                            \4\            season of occurrence \5\
                                                      N) \1\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Superfamily Odontoceti (toothed whales, dolphins, and porpoises)........................................................................................
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Family Delphinidae......................................................................................................................................
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bottlenose dolphin............  Western North     D; Y            4,377 (0.43;      31..............  1.2-1.6.......  Likely; year-round.
                                 Atlantic                          3,097; 2009).
                                 Coastal, South
                                 Carolina/
                                 Georgia.
                                WNA Coastal,      D; Y            1,219 (0.67;      7...............  0.4...........  Rare; year-round.
                                 Northern                          730; 2009).
                                 Florida.
                                WNA Coastal,      D; Y            9,173 (0.46;      63..............  0-12..........  Rare; January-March.
                                 Southern                          6,326; 2009).
                                 Migratory.
                                Southern Georgia  --; Y           194 (0.05; 185;   1.9.............  Unk...........  Likely; year-round.
                                 Estuarine                         2009).
                                 System.
                                Jacksonville      --; Y           Unknown.........  Undetermined....  1.2...........  Rare; year-round.
                                 Estuarine
                                 System.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ ESA status: Endangered (E), Threatened (T)/MMPA status: Depleted (D). A dash (--) indicates that the species is not listed under the ESA or
  designated as depleted under the MMPA. Under the MMPA, a strategic stock is one for which the level of direct human-caused mortality exceeds PBR (see
  footnote 3) or which is determined to be declining and likely to be listed under the ESA within the foreseeable future.
\2\ CV is coefficient of variation; Nmin is the minimum estimate of stock abundance. The most recent abundance survey that is reflected in the abundance
  estimate is presented; there may be more recent surveys that have not yet been incorporated into the estimate.
\3\ Potential biological removal, defined by the MMPA as the maximum number of animals, not including natural mortalities, that may be removed from a
  marine mammal stock while allowing that stock to reach or maintain its optimum sustainable population size (OSP).
\4\ These values, found in NMFS's SARs, represent annual levels of human-caused mortality plus serious injury from all sources combined (e.g.,
  commercial fisheries, subsistence hunting, ship strike). Annual M/SI often cannot be determined precisely and is in some cases presented as a range.
\5\ The Navy considers ``rare'' to mean that there may be a few confirmed sightings or that the distribution of the stock is near enough to the area of
  interest that the species could occur there, and that overall the stock may occur but only infrequently or in small numbers. ``Likely'' is considered
  to mean that confirmed and regular sightings of the species occur year-round. Extralimital stocks are those that are considered unlikely to co-occur
  with the activity because the action area is outside the range of normal occurrence, but for which there may be some sighting or stranding records.


[[Page 692]]

    Bottlenose dolphins range widely in temperate and tropical waters 
and are found from deep, offshore to coastal areas, including bays, 
estuaries and river mouths. In the western North Atlantic, there are 
two morphologically and genetically distinct bottlenose dolphin 
morphotypes described as the coastal and offshore forms (Duffield et 
al., 1983; Hersh and Duffield, 1990; Mead and Potter, 1995; Curry and 
Smith, 1997; Rosel et al., 2009). These forms are genetically distinct 
based upon both mitochondrial and nuclear markers (Hoelzel et al., 
1998; Rosel et al., 2009). As described above, the offshore form--which 
is distributed primarily along the outer continental shelf and 
continental slope--is considered extralimital to the project area and 
is not discussed here. The coastal morphotype is continuously 
distributed in nearshore coastal and estuarine waters along the U.S. 
Atlantic coast south of Long Island, New York, around the Florida 
peninsula and into the Gulf of Mexico. Primary habitat for coastal 
dolphins generally includes waters less than 20 m deep (e.g., Garrison 
et al., 2003).
    Initially, a single stock of coastal bottlenose dolphins was 
thought to migrate seasonally between New Jersey (summer months) and 
central Florida based on seasonal patterns in strandings during a large 
scale mortality event occurring during 1987-1988 (Scott et al., 1988). 
However, re-analysis of stranding data and extensive analysis of 
genetic, photo-identification, and satellite telemetry data demonstrate 
a complex mosaic of coastal bottlenose dolphin stocks (Zolman, 2002; 
McLellan et al., 2002; Rosel et al., 2009; Waring et al., 2016). 
Integrated analysis of these multiple lines of evidence suggests that 
there are five coastal stocks of bottlenose dolphins, including the 
South Carolina/Georgia and northern Florida stocks that may be present 
in the action area.
    The coastal morphotype inhabits inshore estuarine waters in 
addition to coastal nearshore and continental shelf waters, with 
multiple lines of evidence supporting demographic separation between 
bottlenose dolphins residing within different estuaries along the 
Atlantic coast (Wells et al., 1987; Scott et al., 1990; Wells et al., 
1996; Zolman, 2002; Speakman et al., 2006; Stolen et al., 2007; Balmer 
et al., 2008; Mazzoil et al., 2008). In some cases, studies have 
identified communities of resident dolphins that are seen within 
relatively restricted home ranges year-round, as well as year-round 
resident dolphins repeatedly observed across multiple years (Zolman, 
2002; Speakman et al., 2006; Stolen et al., 2007; Mazzoil et al., 
2008). A few published studies demonstrate that these resident animals 
are genetically distinct from animals in nearby coastal waters and/or 
from animals residing in nearby estuarine areas (Caldwell, 2001; Rosel 
et al., 2009; Litz et al., 2012). However, the degree of spatial 
overlap between estuarine and coastal populations remains unclear, and 
the degree of movement of resident estuarine animals into coastal 
waters on seasonal or shorter time scales is poorly understood (Waring 
et al., 2016). Bottlenose dolphins inhabiting primarily estuarine 
habitats are considered distinct stocks from those inhabiting coastal 
habitats.
    The spatial extent of the coastal stocks, their potential seasonal 
movements, and their relationships with estuarine stocks are poorly 
understood (Waring et al., 2016). Photo-identification studies 
documented dolphins in coastal waters off Charleston, South Carolina, 
that are not known resident members of the estuarine stock (Speakman et 
al., 2006). Genetic analyses of samples from northern Florida and 
Georgia and central South Carolina, using both mitochondrial DNA and 
nuclear microsatellite markers, indicate significant genetic 
differences between these areas (NMFS, 2001; Rosel et al., 2009). 
Therefore, NMFS defines separate stocks occurring in coastal Atlantic 
waters from the North Carolina/South Carolina border south to the 
Georgia/Florida border, and from the Georgia/Florida border south to 
29.4[deg]N. There is likely to be some overlap between actual stock 
ranges at these borders, which are defined for management purposes, and 
the action area is located adjacent to the Georgia/Florida border. 
Therefore, although we would expect that most coastal dolphins 
encountered would be from the Georgia/South Carolina stock, it is 
possible that animals from the northern Florida stock could be present.
    These five stocks also include migratory stocks that move south 
seasonally from mid-Atlantic coastal waters. In particular, the 
southern migratory stock, defined on the basis of satellite tag 
telemetry studies and stable isotope analysis, is thought to migrate 
south from waters of southern Virginia and north central North Carolina 
in the summer to waters south of Cape Fear and as far south as coastal 
Florida during winter months, where it could overlap with the South 
Carolina/Georgia coastal stock (and potentially occur in the action 
area) (Knoff, 2004; Waring et al., 2016). Also based on tagging 
studies, the northern migratory stock is not thought to move south of 
Cape Lookout, North Carolina, during cold water months (Waring et al., 
2016). Telemetry data suggest this stock occupies waters of southern 
North Carolina (south of Cape Lookout) during October-December, before 
moving south during January-March (as far south as northern Florida). 
During April-June, the stock moves north back to North Carolina, and is 
presumed to remain in coastal waters north of Cape Lookout, North 
Carolina, from July-August (Waring et al., 2016). However, during its 
winter movements the southern migratory stock is thought to occur in 
waters from 10-30 m depth (i.e., remain further offshore than it does 
in northern waters, where it is more likely to overlap with estuarine 
system stocks) (Waring et al., 2016). Therefore, we assume that rare 
occurrence of migratory stock dolphins during January to March may be 
possible.
    There are two resident estuarine stocks of bottlenose dolphin that 
may occur in the action area: Those present in southern Georgia and 
Jacksonville estuarine systems (SGES and JES). Balmer et al. (2011) 
conducted photo-identification studies between 2004 and 2009 in two 
field sites in south-central Georgia, one in the Turtle/Brunswick River 
estuary and the second north of the Altamaha River/Sound including the 
Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve and extending north 
to Sapelo Sound. The data revealed strong site fidelity to the two 
regions and supported Altamaha Sound as an appropriate boundary between 
the two sites (Balmer et al., 2013). Genetic analysis of mitochondrial 
DNA control region sequences and microsatellite markers of dolphins 
biopsied in southern Georgia showed significant genetic differentiation 
from animals biopsied in northern Georgia and southern South Carolina 
estuaries as well as from animals biopsied in coastal waters greater 
than 1 km from shore at the same latitude (Waring et al., 2016). 
Caldwell (2001) investigated the social structure of bottlenose 
dolphins inhabiting the estuarine waters between the St. Mary's River 
(at the Georgia/Florida border) and Jacksonville Beach, Florida, using 
photo-identification and behavioral data. Multiple behaviorally-
different communities were identified during the study, including those 
inhabiting estuarine waters to the north and south of the St. Johns 
River, which differed in density, habitat fidelity and social 
affiliation patterns. Dolphins to the north of the St. Johns River were 
isolated, with 96 percent of the groups observed containing dolphins 
that had been photographically identified only in

[[Page 693]]

this area, demonstrating strong year-round site fidelity (Caldwell, 
2001). Cluster analyses suggested that dolphins using the northern area 
did not socialize with those using the area to the south of the St. 
Johns River (Caldwell, 2001).
    The SGES stock is bounded in the south by the Georgia/Florida 
border at the Cumberland River out through Cumberland Sound and in the 
north by the Altamaha River out through Altamaha Sound, and encompasses 
all estuarine waters in between as well as coastal waters out to 1 km 
from shore. The southern boundary abuts the northern boundary of the 
JES stock, which is currently considered to extend south to 
Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Although both stocks may occur in the 
action area (the proposed construction site is just north of the shared 
SGES/JES stock boundary), we assume that animals from the JES stock 
would occur only rarely if at all due to the strong site fidelity 
exhibited within areas to the south of the St. Mary's River and 
Cumberland Sound.
    The best available abundance estimate for the SGES stock is 194 
animals (Table 4). However, seasonal mark-recapture, photo-
identification surveys informing this estimate cover less than half of 
the assumed range of the stock and, therefore, the abundance estimate 
is negatively biased (Waring et al., 2016). The portion of range 
surveyed did not include the proposed action area. There is no official 
abundance estimate for the JES stock because existing data are greater 
than eight years old. However, photo-identification data from 1994-1997 
yielded 334 individually identified dolphins, including an unknown 
number of seasonal residents and transients (Gubbins et al., 2003). 
Mark-recapture analyses including all individually identifiable 
dolphins yielded a population abundance estimate of 412 animals (CV = 
0.06; Gubbins et al., 2003). This is considered to be an overestimate 
because it included non-resident and seasonally resident dolphins 
(Waring et al., 2016).
    In summary, the SGES stock and the South Carolina/Georgia coastal 
stock are expected to be the two stocks most likely to be affected by 
the specified activity. Individual animals from the northern Florida 
and southern migratory (January to March only) coastal stocks and the 
JES stock may also occur rarely.
    Biologically Important Areas--LaBrecque et al. (2015) recognize 
multiple biologically important areas (BIA) for small and resident 
populations of bottlenose dolphins in the mid- and south Atlantic. 
Small and resident population BIAs are areas and times within which 
small and resident populations occupy a limited geographic extent, and 
are therefore necessarily important areas for those populations. Here, 
these include areas defined for the SGES and JES populations and 
correspond with the stock boundaries described above.
    Unusual Mortality Events (UME)--A UME is defined under the MMPA as 
``a stranding that is unexpected, involves a significant die-off of any 
marine mammal population, and demands immediate response.'' Beginning 
in July 2013, elevated strandings of bottlenose dolphins were observed 
along the Atlantic coast from New York to Florida. The investigation 
was closed in 2015, with the UME ultimately being attributed to 
cetacean morbillivirus (though additional contributory factors are 
under investigation; www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/health/mmume/midatldolphins2013.html; accessed November 25, 2016). Dolphin 
strandings during 2013-2015 were greater than 6 times higher than the 
average from 2007-2012, with the most strandings reported from 
Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida. A total of approximately 1,650 
bottlenose dolphins stranded from June 2013 to March 2015 and, 
additionally, a small number of individuals of several other cetacean 
species stranded during the UME and tested positive for morbillivirus 
(humpback whale, fin whale, minke whale, pygmy sperm whale, and striped 
dolphin). Approximately one hundred of the stranded dolphins were 
recovered along the Georgia coast, with at least 31 found on nearby 
Cumberland Island. Only one offshore ecotype dolphin has been 
identified, meaning that over 99 percent of affected dolphins were of 
the coastal ecotype (D. Fauquier; pers. comm.). Research, to include 
analyses of stranding samples and post-UME monitoring and modeling of 
surviving populations, will continue in order to better understand the 
impacts of the UME on the affected stocks. Notably, an earlier major 
UME in 1987-1988 was also caused by morbillivirus. Over 740 stranded 
dolphins were recovered during that event.
    A second UME, declared in 2010, affected bottlenose dolphins in the 
St. Johns River (FL). Affected animals likely belonged to the JES 
stock; the cause of this UME is undetermined. For more information on 
UMEs, please visit: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/health/mmume/ mmume/.
    Take Reduction Planning--Take reduction plans are designed to help 
recover and prevent the depletion of strategic marine mammal stocks 
that interact with certain U.S. commercial fisheries, as required by 
Section 118 of the MMPA. The immediate goal of a take reduction plan is 
to reduce, within six months of its implementation, the annual human-
cause mortality and serious injury (M/SI) of marine mammals incidental 
to commercial fishing to less than the PBR level. The long-term goal is 
to reduce, within five years of its implementation, the M/SI of marine 
mammals incidental to commercial fishing to insignificant levels, 
approaching a zero serious injury and mortality rate, taking into 
account the economics of the fishery, the availability of existing 
technology, and existing state or regional fishery management plans. 
Take reduction teams are convened to develop these plans.
    One take reduction plan has been developed to reduce deaths of 
Atlantic coastal bottlenose dolphins incidental to commercial fishing. 
The bottlenose dolphin take reduction plan contains both regulatory and 
non-regulatory conservation measures, including seasonal gillnet 
restrictions, gear proximity requirements, and gear length 
restrictions, as well as continued research and monitoring, 
enforcement, outreach, and partnership efforts. Gillnet restrictions 
are in place in Georgia waters. More information is available online 
at: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/interactions/trt/bdtrp.html.

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

    This section includes a summary and discussion of the ways that 
components of the specified activity may impact marine mammals and 
their habitat. The ``Estimated Take by Incidental Harassment'' section 
later in this preamble will include a quantitative analysis of the 
number of incidents of take expected to occur incidental to this 
activity. The ``Negligible Impact Analysis'' section will include an 
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 these 
activities 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 driving.

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Description of Sound Sources

    This section contains a brief technical background on sound, on the 
characteristics of certain sound types, and on metrics used in this 
proposal inasmuch as the information is relevant to the specified 
activity and to a discussion of the potential effects of the specified 
activity on marine mammals found later in this document.
    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 or corresponding points of a sound wave 
(length of one cycle). Higher frequency sounds have shorter wavelengths 
than lower frequency sounds, and typically attenuate (decrease) more 
rapidly, except in certain cases in shallower water. Amplitude is the 
height of the sound pressure wave or the ``loudness'' of a sound and is 
typically described using the relative unit of the decibel (dB). A 
sound pressure level (SPL) in dB is described as the ratio between a 
measured pressure and a reference pressure (for underwater sound, this 
is 1 microPascal ([mu]Pa)), and is a logarithmic unit that accounts for 
large variations in amplitude; therefore, a relatively small change in 
dB corresponds to large changes in sound pressure. The source level 
(SL) represents the SPL referenced at a distance of 1 m from the source 
(referenced to 1 [mu]Pa), while the received level is the SPL at the 
listener's position (referenced to 1 [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.
    Sound exposure level (SEL; represented as dB re 1 [mu]Pa\2\-s) 
represents the total energy contained within a pulse, and considers 
both intensity and duration of exposure. Peak sound pressure (also 
referred to as zero-to-peak sound pressure or 0-p) is the maximum 
instantaneous sound pressure measurable in the water at a specified 
distance from the source, and is represented in the same units as the 
rms sound pressure.
    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 a 
manner similar to ripples on the surface of a pond and may be either 
directed in a beam or beams or may radiate in all directions 
(omnidirectional sources), as is the case for sound produced by the 
pile driving activity considered here. 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., 
wind and waves, earthquakes, ice, atmospheric sound), biological (e.g., 
sounds produced by marine mammals, fish, and invertebrates), and 
anthropogenic (e.g., vessels, dredging, construction) sound. 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 sound 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 sound 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 sound at 
frequencies above 500 Hz, and possibly down to 100 Hz during quiet 
times.
     Biological: Marine mammals can contribute significantly to 
ambient sound levels, as can some fish and snapping shrimp. The 
frequency band for biological contributions is from approximately 12 Hz 
to over 100 kHz.
     Anthropogenic: Sources of ambient sound related to human 
activity include transportation (surface vessels), dredging and 
construction, oil and gas drilling and production, seismic surveys, 
sonar, explosions, and ocean acoustic studies. Vessel noise typically 
dominates the total ambient sound 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. 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.
    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 
human 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, its intensity, and the receivers' generalized 
hearing range, sound from a given activity may be a negligible addition 
to the local environment or could form a distinctive signal that may 
affect marine mammals.
    The underwater acoustic environment at NSB Kings Bay is dominated 
by noise from day-to-day port and vessel activities. The base is 
sheltered from most wave noise, but is a high-use area for naval ships, 
tugs, submarines, and security vessels. When underway, these sources 
can create noise between 20 Hz and 16 kHz (Lesage et al., 1999), with 
broadband noise levels up to 180 dB rms. Normal port operations, 
including transits, docking, and maintenance by multiple vessels would 
continue throughout the period proposed for the specified activity. As 
a result of measurements conducted in February 2015, the Navy found 
that background sound levels averaged around 135 dB rms (Acentech, 
2015). Due to the existing loud environment and

[[Page 695]]

similarity to noise produced by existing activity, it is unlikely that 
noise produced by vibratory pile driving in particular would have any 
significant impact on marine mammals occurring in the vicinity of NSB 
Kings Bay. Details of source types are described in the following text.
    Sounds are often considered to fall into one of two general types: 
pulsed and non-pulsed (defined in the following). 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.
    Pulsed sound sources (e.g., airguns, 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, 2005; Harris, 1998; NIOSH, 1998; ISO, 2003) 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.
    Impact hammers operate by using a piston or weight to drive the 
pile into the substrate. The impulsive sound generated by impact 
hammers is characterized by rapid rise times and high peak levels, a 
potentially injurious combination (Hastings and Popper, 2005). 
Vibratory hammers install piles by vibrating them, which liquefies 
surrounding substrate, and allowing the weight of the hammer to push 
the pile into the sediment. Vibratory hammers produce non-impulsive, 
continuous noise at levels significantly lower than those produced by 
impact hammers. Peak SPLs may be 180 dB or greater, but are generally 
10 to 20 dB lower than SPLs generated during impact pile driving of the 
same-sized pile (Oestman et al., 2009). Rise time is slower, reducing 
the probability and severity of injury, and sound energy is distributed 
over a greater amount of time (Nedwell and Edwards, 2002; Carlson et 
al., 2005).

Acoustic Effects

    Here, we first provide background information on marine mammal 
hearing before discussing the potential effects of the use of active 
acoustic sources on marine mammals.
    Marine Mammal Hearing--Hearing is the most important sensory 
modality for marine mammals underwater, and exposure to anthropogenic 
sound can have deleterious effects. To appropriately assess the 
potential effects of exposure to sound, it is necessary to understand 
the frequency ranges marine mammals are able to hear. Current data 
indicate that not all marine mammal species have equal hearing 
capabilities (e.g., Richardson et al., 1995; Wartzok and Ketten, 1999; 
Au and Hastings, 2008). To reflect this, Southall et al. (2007) 
recommended that marine mammals be divided into functional hearing 
groups based on directly measured or estimated hearing ranges on the 
basis of available behavioral response data, audiograms derived using 
auditory evoked potential techniques, anatomical modeling, and other 
data. Subsequently, NMFS (2016) described generalized hearing ranges 
for these marine mammal hearing groups. Generalized hearing ranges were 
chosen based on the approximately 65 dB threshold from the normalized 
composite audiograms, with the exception for lower limits for low-
frequency cetaceans where the lower bound was deemed to be biologically 
implausible and the lower bound from Southall et al. (2007) retained. 
Functional groups for cetaceans and the associated frequencies are 
indicated below (note that these frequency ranges correspond to the 
range for the composite group, with the entire range not necessarily 
reflecting the capabilities of every species within that group):
     Low-frequency cetaceans (mysticetes): Generalized hearing 
is estimated to occur between approximately 7 Hz and 35 kHz, with best 
hearing estimated to be from 100 Hz to 8 kHz;
     Mid-frequency cetaceans (larger toothed whales, beaked 
whales, and most delphinids): generalized hearing is estimated to occur 
between approximately 150 Hz and 160 kHz, with best hearing from 10 to 
less than 100 kHz;
     High-frequency cetaceans (porpoises, river dolphins, and 
members of the genera Kogia and Cephalorhynchus; including two members 
of the genus Lagenorhynchus, on the basis of recent echolocation data 
and genetic data): generalized hearing is estimated to occur between 
approximately 275 Hz and 160 kHz.
    For more detail concerning these groups and associated frequency 
ranges, please see NMFS (2016) for a review of available information. 
The bottlenose dolphin is classified as a mid-frequency cetacean.
    Potential Effects of Underwater Sound--Please refer to the 
information given previously (``Description of Active Acoustic 
Sources'') regarding sound, characteristics of sound types, and metrics 
used in this document. Note that, in the following discussion, we refer 
in many cases to a recent review article concerning studies of noise-
induced hearing loss conducted from 1996-2015 (i.e., Finneran, 2015). 
For study-specific citations, please see that work. Anthropogenic 
sounds cover a broad range of frequencies and sound levels and can have 
a range of highly variable impacts on marine life, from none or minor 
to potentially severe responses, depending on received levels, duration 
of exposure, behavioral context, and various other factors. The 
potential effects of underwater sound can result in one or more of the 
following: temporary or permanent hearing impairment, non-auditory 
physical or physiological effects, behavioral disturbance, stress, and 
masking (Richardson et al., 1995; Gordon et al., 2004; Nowacek et al., 
2007; Southall et al., 2007; G[ouml]tz et al., 2009). The degree of 
effect is intrinsically related to the signal characteristics, received 
level, distance from the source, and duration of the sound exposure. In 
general, sudden, high level sounds can cause hearing loss, as can 
longer exposures to lower level sounds. Temporary or permanent loss of 
hearing will occur almost exclusively for noise within an animal's 
hearing range. We first describe specific manifestations of acoustic 
effects before providing discussion specific to Navy's pile driving.
    Richardson et al. (1995) described zones of increasing intensity of 
effect that might be expected to occur, in relation to distance from a 
source and assuming that the signal is within an animal's hearing 
range. First is the area

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within which the acoustic signal would be audible (potentially 
perceived) to the animal but not strong enough to elicit any overt 
behavioral or physiological response. The next zone corresponds with 
the area where the signal is audible to the animal and of sufficient 
intensity to elicit behavioral or physiological responsiveness. Third 
is a zone within which, for signals of high intensity, the received 
level is sufficient to potentially cause discomfort or tissue damage to 
auditory or other systems. Overlaying these zones to a certain extent 
is the area within which masking (i.e., when a sound interferes with or 
masks the ability of an animal to detect a signal of interest that is 
above the absolute hearing threshold) may occur; the masking zone may 
be highly variable in size.
    We describe the more severe effects (i.e., certain non-auditory 
physical or physiological effects) only briefly as we do not expect 
that there is a reasonable likelihood that Navy pile driving may result 
in such effects. Non-auditory physiological effects or injuries that 
theoretically might occur in marine mammals exposed to high level 
underwater sound or as a secondary effect of extreme behavioral 
reactions (e.g., change in dive profile as a result of an avoidance 
reaction) caused by exposure to sound include neurological effects, 
bubble formation, resonance effects, and other types of organ or tissue 
damage (Cox et al., 2006; Southall et al., 2007; Zimmer and Tyack, 
2007). Marine mammals that show behavioral avoidance of pile driving, 
including some odontocetes, are especially unlikely to incur auditory 
impairment or non-auditory physical effects, and Navy construction 
activities do not involve the use of devices such as explosives or mid-
frequency active sonar that are associated with these types of effects.
    1. Permanent Threshold Shift--Marine mammals exposed to high-
intensity sound, or to lower-intensity sound for prolonged periods, can 
experience hearing threshold shift (TS), which is the loss of hearing 
sensitivity at certain frequency ranges (Finneran, 2015). TS can be 
permanent (PTS), in which case the loss of hearing sensitivity is not 
fully recoverable, or temporary (TTS), in which case the animal's 
hearing threshold would recover over time (Southall et al., 2007). 
Repeated sound exposure that leads to TTS could cause PTS. In severe 
cases of PTS, there can be total or partial deafness, while in most 
cases the animal has an impaired ability to hear sounds in specific 
frequency ranges (Kryter, 1985).
    When PTS occurs, there is physical damage to the sound receptors in 
the ear (i.e., tissue damage), whereas TTS represents primarily tissue 
fatigue and is reversible (Southall et al., 2007). In addition, other 
investigators have suggested that TTS is within the normal bounds of 
physiological variability and tolerance and does not represent physical 
injury (e.g., Ward, 1997). Therefore, NMFS does not consider TTS to 
constitute auditory injury.
    Relationships between TTS and PTS thresholds have not been studied 
in marine mammals, and there is no PTS data for cetaceans, but such 
relationships are assumed to be similar to those in humans and other 
terrestrial mammals. PTS typically occurs (a 40-dB threshold shift 
approximates PTS onset; e.g., Kryter et al., 1966; Miller, 1974) at 
exposure levels at least several decibels above that inducing mild TTS 
(a 6-dB threshold shift approximates TTS onset; e.g., Southall et al. 
2007). Based on data from terrestrial mammals, a precautionary 
assumption is that the PTS thresholds for impulse sounds (such as 
impact pile driving pulses as received close to the source) are at 
least 6 dB higher than the TTS threshold on a peak-pressure basis, and 
PTS cumulative sound exposure level thresholds are 15 to 20 dB higher 
than TTS cumulative sound exposure level thresholds (Southall et al., 
2007). Given the higher level of sound or longer exposure duration 
necessary to cause PTS as compared with TTS, it is considerably less 
likely that PTS could occur.
    2. Temporary Threshold Shift--TTS is the mildest form of hearing 
impairment that can occur during exposure to sound (Kryter, 1985). 
While experiencing TTS, the hearing threshold rises, and a sound must 
be at a higher level in order to be heard. In terrestrial and marine 
mammals, TTS can last from minutes or hours to days (in cases of strong 
TTS). In many cases, hearing sensitivity 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.
    Marine mammal hearing plays a critical role in communication with 
conspecifics, and interpretation of environmental cues for purposes 
such as predator avoidance and prey capture. Depending on the degree 
(elevation of threshold in dB), duration (i.e., recovery time), and 
frequency range of TTS, and the context in which it is experienced, TTS 
can have effects on marine mammals ranging from discountable to 
serious. For example, a marine mammal may be able to readily compensate 
for a brief, relatively small amount of TTS in a non-critical frequency 
range that occurs during a time where ambient noise is lower and there 
are not as many competing sounds present. Alternatively, a larger 
amount and longer duration of TTS sustained during time when 
communication is critical for successful mother/calf interactions could 
have more serious impacts.
    Currently, TTS data only exist for four species of cetaceans 
(bottlenose dolphin, beluga whale, harbor porpoise, and Yangtze finless 
porpoise [Neophocoena asiaeorientalis]) exposed to a limited number of 
sound sources (i.e., mostly tones and octave-band noise) in laboratory 
settings (Finneran, 2015). In general, harbor porpoises have a lower 
TTS onset than other measured cetacean species (Finneran, 2015). 
Additionally, the existing marine mammal TTS data come from a limited 
number of individuals within these species. There are no data available 
on noise-induced hearing loss for mysticetes. For summaries of data on 
TTS in marine mammals or for further discussion of TTS onset 
thresholds, please see Southall et al. (2007), Finneran and Jenkins 
(2012), and Finneran (2015).
    3. Behavioral effects--Behavioral disturbance may include a variety 
of effects, including subtle changes in behavior (e.g., minor or brief 
avoidance of an area or changes in vocalizations), more conspicuous 
changes in similar behavioral activities, and more sustained and/or 
potentially severe reactions, such as displacement from or abandonment 
of high-quality habitat. Behavioral responses to sound are highly 
variable and context-specific and any reactions depend on numerous 
intrinsic and extrinsic factors (e.g., species, state of maturity, 
experience, current activity, reproductive state, auditory sensitivity, 
time of day), as well as the interplay between factors (e.g., 
Richardson et al., 1995; Wartzok et al., 2003; Southall et al., 2007; 
Weilgart, 2007; Archer et al., 2010). Behavioral reactions can vary not 
only among individuals but also within an individual, depending on 
previous experience with a sound source, context, and numerous other 
factors (Ellison et al., 2012), and can vary depending on 
characteristics associated with the sound source (e.g., whether it is 
moving or stationary, number of sources, distance from the source). 
Please see Appendices B-C of Southall et al. (2007) for a review of 
studies involving marine mammal behavioral responses to sound.
    Habituation can occur when an animal's response to a stimulus wanes

[[Page 697]]

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. It is important to note that 
habituation is appropriately considered as a ``progressive reduction in 
response to stimuli that are perceived as neither aversive nor 
beneficial,'' rather than as, more generally, moderation in response to 
human disturbance (Bejder et al., 2009). 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. As noted, behavioral state may affect the type of response. 
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 have shown pronounced behavioral reactions, 
including avoidance of loud sound sources (Ridgway et al., 1997). 
Observed responses of wild marine mammals to loud pulsed sound sources 
(typically seismic airguns or acoustic harassment devices) have been 
varied but often consist of avoidance behavior or other behavioral 
changes suggesting discomfort (Morton and Symonds, 2002; see also 
Richardson et al., 1995; Nowacek et al., 2007).
    Available studies show wide variation in response to underwater 
sound; therefore, it is difficult to predict specifically how any given 
sound in a particular instance might affect marine mammals perceiving 
the signal. If a marine mammal does react briefly to an underwater 
sound by changing its behavior or moving a small distance, the impacts 
of the change are unlikely to be significant to the individual, let 
alone the stock or population. However, if a sound source displaces 
marine mammals from an important feeding or breeding area for a 
prolonged period, impacts on individuals and populations could be 
significant (e.g., Lusseau and Bejder, 2007; Weilgart, 2007; NRC, 
2005). There are broad categories of potential response, which we 
describe in greater detail here, and that include alteration of dive 
behavior, alteration of foraging behavior, effects on breathing, 
interference with or alteration of vocalization, avoidance, and flight 
responses.
    Changes in dive behavior can vary widely, and may consist of 
increased or decreased dive times and surface intervals as well as 
changes in the rates of ascent and descent during a dive (e.g., Frankel 
and Clark, 2000; Ng and Leung, 2003; Nowacek et al.; 2004; Goldbogen et 
al., 2013a, b). Variations in dive behavior may reflect interruptions 
in biologically significant activities (e.g., foraging), or they may be 
of little biological significance. The impact of an alteration to dive 
behavior resulting from an acoustic exposure depends on what the animal 
is doing at the time of the exposure and the type and magnitude of the 
response.
    Disruption of feeding behavior can be difficult to correlate with 
anthropogenic sound exposure, so it is usually inferred by observed 
displacement from known foraging areas, the appearance of secondary 
indicators (e.g., bubble nets or sediment plumes), or changes in dive 
behavior. As for other types of behavioral response, the frequency, 
duration, and temporal pattern of signal presentation, as well as 
differences in species sensitivity, are likely contributing factors to 
differences in response in any given circumstance (e.g., Croll et al., 
2001; Nowacek et al.; 2004; Madsen et al., 2006; Yazvenko et al., 
2007). A determination of whether foraging disruptions incur fitness 
consequences would require information on or estimates of the energetic 
requirements of the affected individuals and the relationship between 
prey availability, foraging effort and success, and the life history 
stage of the animal.
    Variations in respiration naturally vary with different behaviors, 
and alterations to breathing rate as a function of acoustic exposure 
can be expected to co-occur with other behavioral reactions, such as a 
flight response or an alteration in diving. However, respiration rates 
in and of themselves may be representative of annoyance or an acute 
stress response. Various studies have shown that respiration rates may 
either be unaffected or could increase, depending on the species and 
signal characteristics, again highlighting the importance in 
understanding species differences in the tolerance of underwater noise 
when determining the potential for impacts resulting from anthropogenic 
sound exposure (e.g., Kastelein et al., 2001, 2005, 2006; Gailey et 
al., 2007).
    Marine mammals vocalize for different purposes and across multiple 
modes, such as whistling, echolocation click production, calling, and 
singing. Changes in vocalization behavior in response to anthropogenic 
noise can occur for any of these modes and may result from a need to 
compete with an increase in background noise or may reflect increased 
vigilance or a startle response. For example, in the presence of 
potentially masking signals, humpback whales and killer whales have 
been observed to increase the length of their songs (Miller et al., 
2000; Fristrup et al., 2003; Foote et al., 2004), while right whales 
have been observed to shift the frequency content of their calls upward 
while reducing the rate of calling in areas of increased anthropogenic 
noise (Parks et al., 2007). In some cases, animals may cease sound 
production during production of aversive signals (Bowles et al., 1994).
    Avoidance is the displacement of an individual from an area or 
migration path as a result of the presence of a sound or other 
stressors, and is one of the most obvious manifestations of disturbance 
in marine mammals (Richardson et al., 1995). For example, gray whales 
are known to change direction--deflecting from customary migratory 
paths--in order to avoid noise from seismic surveys (Malme et al., 
1984). Avoidance may be short-term, with animals returning to the area 
once the noise has ceased (e.g., Bowles et al., 1994; Goold, 1996; 
Stone et al., 2000; Morton and Symonds, 2002; Gailey et al., 2007). 
Longer-term displacement is possible, however, which may lead to 
changes in abundance or distribution patterns of the affected species 
in the affected region if habituation to the presence of the sound does 
not occur (e.g., Bejder et al., 2006; Teilmann et al., 2006).
    A flight response is a dramatic change in normal movement to a 
directed and rapid movement away from the perceived location of a sound 
source. The flight response differs from other avoidance responses in 
the intensity of the response (e.g., directed movement, rate of 
travel). Relatively little information on flight responses of marine 
mammals to anthropogenic signals exist, although observations of flight 
responses to the presence of predators have occurred (Connor and 
Heithaus, 1996). The result of a flight response could range from 
brief, temporary exertion and displacement from the area where the 
signal provokes flight to, in extreme cases, marine mammal strandings 
(Evans and England, 2001). However, it should be noted that response to 
a perceived predator does not necessarily invoke flight (Ford and 
Reeves, 2008), and whether individuals are solitary or in groups may 
influence the response.
    Behavioral disturbance can also impact marine mammals in more 
subtle ways. Increased vigilance may result in costs related to 
diversion of focus and attention (i.e., when a response consists of 
increased vigilance, it may come at

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the cost of decreased attention to other critical behaviors such as 
foraging or resting). These effects have generally not been 
demonstrated for marine mammals, but studies involving fish and 
terrestrial animals have shown that increased vigilance may 
substantially reduce feeding rates (e.g., Beauchamp and Livoreil, 1997; 
Fritz et al., 2002; Purser and Radford, 2011). In addition, chronic 
disturbance can cause population declines through reduction of fitness 
(e.g., decline in body condition) and subsequent reduction in 
reproductive success, survival, or both (e.g., Harrington and Veitch, 
1992; Daan et al., 1996; Bradshaw et al., 1998). However, Ridgway et 
al. (2006) reported that increased vigilance in bottlenose dolphins 
exposed to sound over a five-day period did not cause any sleep 
deprivation or stress effects.
    Many animals perform vital functions, such as feeding, resting, 
traveling, and socializing, on a diel cycle (24-hour cycle). Disruption 
of such functions resulting from reactions to stressors such as sound 
exposure are more likely to be significant if they last more than one 
diel cycle or recur on subsequent days (Southall et al., 2007). 
Consequently, a behavioral response lasting less than one day and not 
recurring on subsequent days is not considered particularly severe 
unless it could directly affect reproduction or survival (Southall et 
al., 2007). Note that there is a difference between multi-day 
substantive behavioral reactions and multi-day anthropogenic 
activities. For example, just because an activity lasts for multiple 
days does not necessarily mean that individual animals are either 
exposed to activity-related stressors for multiple days or, further, 
exposed in a manner resulting in sustained multi-day substantive 
behavioral responses.
    4. Stress responses--An animal's perception of a threat may be 
sufficient to trigger stress responses consisting of some combination 
of behavioral responses, autonomic nervous system responses, 
neuroendocrine responses, or immune responses (e.g., Seyle, 1950; 
Moberg, 2000). In many cases, an animal's first and sometimes most 
economical (in terms of energetic costs) response is behavioral 
avoidance of the potential stressor. Autonomic nervous system responses 
to stress typically involve changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and 
gastrointestinal activity. These responses have a relatively short 
duration and may or may not have a significant long-term effect on an 
animal's fitness.
    Neuroendocrine stress responses often involve the hypothalamus-
pituitary-adrenal system. Virtually all neuroendocrine functions that 
are affected by stress--including immune competence, reproduction, 
metabolism, and behavior--are regulated by pituitary hormones. Stress-
induced changes in the secretion of pituitary hormones have been 
implicated in failed reproduction, altered metabolism, reduced immune 
competence, and behavioral disturbance (e.g., Moberg, 1987; Blecha, 
2000). Increases in the circulation of glucocorticoids are also equated 
with stress (Romano et al., 2004).
    The primary distinction between stress (which is adaptive and does 
not normally place an animal at risk) and ``distress'' is the cost of 
the response. During a stress response, an animal uses glycogen stores 
that can be quickly replenished once the stress is alleviated. In such 
circumstances, the cost of the stress response would not pose serious 
fitness consequences. However, when an animal does not have sufficient 
energy reserves to satisfy the energetic costs of a stress response, 
energy resources must be diverted from other functions. This state of 
distress will last until the animal replenishes its energetic reserves 
sufficient to restore normal function.
    Relationships between these physiological mechanisms, animal 
behavior, and the costs of stress responses are well-studied through 
controlled experiments and for both laboratory and free-ranging animals 
(e.g., Holberton et al., 1996; Hood et al., 1998; Jessop et al., 2003; 
Krausman et al., 2004; Lankford et al., 2005). Stress responses due to 
exposure to anthropogenic sounds or other stressors and their effects 
on marine mammals have also been reviewed (Fair and Becker, 2000; 
Romano et al., 2002b) and, more rarely, studied in wild populations 
(e.g., Romano et al., 2002a). For example, Rolland et al. (2012) found 
that noise reduction from reduced ship traffic in the Bay of Fundy was 
associated with decreased stress in North Atlantic right whales. These 
and other studies lead to a reasonable expectation that some marine 
mammals will experience physiological stress responses upon exposure to 
acoustic stressors and that it is possible that some of these would be 
classified as ``distress.'' In addition, any animal experiencing TTS 
would likely also experience stress responses (NRC, 2003).
    5. Auditory masking--Sound can disrupt behavior through masking, or 
interfering with, an animal's ability to detect, recognize, or 
discriminate between acoustic signals of interest (e.g., those used for 
intraspecific communication and social interactions, prey detection, 
predator avoidance, navigation) (Richardson et al., 1995; Erbe et al., 
2016). Masking occurs when the receipt of a sound is interfered with by 
another coincident sound at similar frequencies and at similar or 
higher intensity, and may occur whether the sound is natural (e.g., 
snapping shrimp, wind, waves, precipitation) or anthropogenic (e.g., 
shipping, sonar, seismic exploration) in origin. The ability of a noise 
source to mask biologically important sounds depends on the 
characteristics of both the noise source and the signal of interest 
(e.g., signal-to-noise ratio, temporal variability, direction), in 
relation to each other and to an animal's hearing abilities (e.g., 
sensitivity, frequency range, critical ratios, frequency 
discrimination, directional discrimination, age or TTS hearing loss), 
and existing ambient noise and propagation conditions.
    Under certain circumstances, marine mammals experiencing 
significant masking could also be impaired from maximizing their 
performance fitness in survival and reproduction. Therefore, when the 
coincident (masking) sound is man-made, it may be considered harassment 
when disrupting or altering critical behaviors. It is important to 
distinguish TTS and PTS, which persist after the sound exposure, from 
masking, which occurs 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.
    The frequency range of the potentially masking sound is important 
in determining any potential behavioral impacts. For example, low-
frequency signals may have less effect on high-frequency echolocation 
sounds produced by odontocetes but are more likely to affect detection 
of mysticete communication calls and other potentially important 
natural sounds such as those produced by surf and some prey species. 
The masking of communication signals by anthropogenic noise may be 
considered as a reduction in the communication space of animals (e.g., 
Clark et al., 2009) and may result in energetic or other costs as 
animals change their vocalization behavior (e.g., Miller et al., 2000; 
Foote et al., 2004; Parks et al., 2007; Di Iorio and Clark, 2009; Holt 
et al., 2009). Masking can be reduced in situations where the signal 
and noise come from different directions (Richardson et al., 1995), 
through amplitude modulation of the signal, or through other 
compensatory behaviors (Houser and Moore, 2014). Masking can

[[Page 699]]

be tested directly in captive species (e.g., Erbe, 2008), but in wild 
populations it must be either modeled or inferred from evidence of 
masking compensation. There are few studies addressing real-world 
masking sounds likely to be experienced by marine mammals in the wild 
(e.g., Branstetter et al., 2013).
    Masking affects both senders and receivers of acoustic signals and 
can potentially have long-term chronic effects on marine mammals at the 
population level as well as at the individual level. 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, with most of the increase from distant commercial shipping 
(Hildebrand, 2009). All anthropogenic sound sources, but especially 
chronic and lower-frequency signals (e.g., from vessel traffic), 
contribute to elevated ambient sound levels, thus intensifying masking.
    Potential Effects of Navy Activity--As described previously (see 
``Description of Active Acoustic Sound Sources''), the Navy proposes to 
conduct pile driving, including impact and vibratory driving. 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. 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.
    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 lead to effects on growth, 
survival, or reproduction, such as drastic changes in diving/surfacing 
patterns or significant habitat abandonment are extremely unlikely in 
this area (i.e., shallow waters in a heavily altered industrial area).
    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).
    Whether impact or vibratory driving, sound sources would be active 
for relatively short durations, with relation to potential for masking. 
The frequencies output by pile driving activity are lower than those 
used by bottlenose dolphins for communication or foraging. We expect 
insignificant impacts from masking, and any masking event that could 
possibly rise to Level B harassment under the MMPA would occur 
concurrently within the zones of behavioral harassment already 
estimated for vibratory and impact pile driving, and which have already 
been taken into account in the exposure analysis.

Anticipated Effects on Marine Mammal Habitat

    The proposed activities would not result in permanent impacts to 
habitats used directly by marine mammals, but may have potential short-
term impacts to food sources such as forage fish. The proposed 
activities could also affect acoustic habitat (see masking discussion 
above), but meaningful impacts are unlikely. There are no known 
foraging hotspots, or other ocean bottom structures of significant 
biological importance to marine mammals present in the marine waters in 
the vicinity of the project area. Therefore, the main impact issue 
associated with the proposed activity would be temporarily elevated 
sound levels and the associated direct effects on marine mammals, as 
discussed previously in this preamble. The most likely impact to marine 
mammal habitat occurs from pile driving effects on likely marine mammal 
prey (i.e., fish) near NSB Kings Bay and minor impacts to the immediate 
substrate during installation and removal of piles.
    Effects to Prey--Impact pile driving would produce pulsed sounds, 
and fish react to sounds which 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 various received levels may cause subtle to 
noticeable changes in fish 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 expected short daily duration of individual pile 
driving events and the relatively small areas being affected. It is 
also not expected that the industrial environment of NSB Kings Bay 
provides important fish habitat or harbors significant amounts of 
forage fish.
    The area likely impacted by the project is relatively small 
compared to the available habitat in inland waters in the region. Any 
behavioral avoidance by fish of the disturbed area would still leave 
significantly large areas of fish and marine mammal foraging habitat in 
the nearby vicinity. As described in the preceding, the potential for 
Navy construction to affect the availability of prey to marine mammals 
or to meaningfully impact the quality of physical or acoustic habitat 
is considered to be insignificant. Effects to habitat will not be 
discussed further in this document.

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).''
    Anticipated takes would be by Level B harassment, as pile driving 
activity has the potential to result in disruption of behavioral 
patterns for individual

[[Page 700]]

marine mammals. Level A harassment by auditory injury is unlikely to 
occur as a result of this activity for bottlenose dolphins (i.e., mid-
frequency hearing specialists) and, although it is unlikely that take 
by Level A harassment would occur even in the absence of the proposed 
mitigation and monitoring measures, the proposed measures are expected 
to further minimize such potential. The Navy has requested 
authorization for the incidental taking by Level B harassment of 
bottlenose dolphins in the vicinity of NSB Kings Bay that may result 
from pile driving during waterfront construction activities described 
previously in this document.

Sound Thresholds

    We have historically used generic sound exposure thresholds (see 
Table 5) to determine when an activity that produces sound might result 
in impacts to a marine mammal such that a take by harassment might 
occur. These thresholds should be considered guidelines for estimating 
when harassment may occur (i.e., when an animal is exposed to levels 
equal to or exceeding the relevant criterion) in specific contexts; 
however, useful contextual information that may inform our assessment 
of effects is typically lacking and we consider these thresholds as 
step functions. For Level B harassment, the 160 dB and 120 dB rms 
criteria are used to estimate incidents of take resulting from impact 
and vibratory pile driving, respectively.

             Table 5--Historical Acoustic Exposure Criteria
------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Criterion                Definition             Threshold
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Level A harassment..........  Injury (onset PTS--   180 dB rms
                               any level above       (cetaceans).
                               that which is known
                               to cause TTS).
Level B harassment..........  Behavioral            160 dB rms (impulse
                               disruption.           sources); 120 dB
                                                     rms (non-impulsive,
                                                     continuous
                                                     sources).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In August 2016, NMFS released its ``Technical Guidance for 
Assessing the Effects of Anthropogenic Sound on Marine Mammal 
Hearing,'' which established new thresholds for predicting auditory 
injury (NMFS, 2016), and which equates to Level A harassment under the 
MMPA. For more information, please visit www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/acoustics/guidelines.htm. In the August 4, 2016, Federal Register 
notice announcing the guidance (81 FR 51694), NMFS explained the 
approach it would take during a transition period, wherein we balance 
the need to consider this new best available science with the fact that 
some applicants have already committed time and resources to the 
development of acoustic analyses based on our previous thresholds and 
have constraints that preclude the recalculation of take estimates, as 
well as with a consideration of where the agency is in the decision-
making pipeline. In that notice, we included a non-exhaustive list of 
factors that would inform the most appropriate approach for considering 
the new guidance, including: how far in the MMPA process the applicant 
has progressed; the scope of the effects; when the authorization is 
needed; the cost and complexity of the analysis; and the degree to 
which the guidance is expected to affect our analysis.
    The new guidance identifies the received levels, or thresholds, 
above which individual marine mammals are predicted to experience 
changes in their hearing sensitivity (either temporary or permanent) 
for all underwater anthropogenic sound sources, reflects the best 
available science, and is intended to better predict the potential for 
auditory injury than does NMFS's historical criteria. The guidance 
reflects the best available science on the potential for noise to 
affect auditory sensitivity by:
     Dividing sound sources into two groups (i.e., impulsive 
and non-impulsive) based on their potential to affect hearing 
sensitivity;
     Choosing metrics that better address the impacts of noise 
on hearing sensitivity, i.e., peak SPL (better reflects the physical 
properties of impulsive sound sources, to affect hearing sensitivity) 
and cumulative sound exposure level (cSEL) (accounts for not only level 
of exposure but also durations of exposure);
     Dividing marine mammals into functional hearing groups and 
developing auditory weighting functions based on the science supporting 
that not all marine mammals hear and use sound in the same manner.
    NMFS's new guidance (NMFS, 2016) recommends specific thresholds 
under the dual metric approach (i.e., peak SPL and cSEL) and recommends 
that marine mammals be divided into functional hearing groups based on 
measured or estimated functional hearing ranges. The premise of the 
dual criteria approach is that, while there is no definitive answer to 
the question of which acoustic metric is most appropriate for assessing 
the potential for injury, both the intensity and duration of received 
signals are important to an understanding of the potential for injury. 
Therefore, peak SPL is used to define a pressure criterion above which 
tissue injury is predicted to occur, regardless of exposure duration 
(i.e., any single exposure at or above this level is considered to 
cause tissue injury), and cSEL is used to account for the total energy 
received over the duration of sound exposure (i.e., both received level 
and duration of exposure) (Southall et al., 2007; NMFS, 2016). As a 
general principle, whichever criterion is exceeded first would be used 
as the effective injury criterion (i.e., the more precautionary of the 
criteria). Note that cSEL acoustic threshold levels incorporate marine 
mammal auditory weighting functions, while peak pressure thresholds do 
not. NMFS (2016) recommends 24 hours as a maximum accumulation period 
relative to cSEL thresholds. For further discussion of auditory 
weighting functions and their application, please see NMFS (2016). 
Table 6 displays relevant thresholds provided by NMFS (2016).

           Table 6--Exposure Criteria for Auditory Injury \1\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Cumulative
                                                  Peak          sound
                Hearing group                 pressure \2\    exposure
                                                              level \3\
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mid-frequency cetaceans.....................       230 dB        185 dB
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Onset PTS--any level above that which is known to cause TTS.
\2\ Referenced to 1 [mu]Pa; unweighted within generalized hearing range.
\3\ Referenced to 1 [mu]Pa\2\s; weighted according to appropriate
  auditory weighting function.

    NMFS considers these updated thresholds and associated weighting 
functions to be the best available information for assessing whether 
exposure to sound from specific activities is likely to result in 
changes in marine mammal hearing sensitivity. In this case, Navy 
submitted a timely

[[Page 701]]

request for authorization that was determined to be adequate and 
complete prior to availability of the guidance. The Navy's analysis 
considered the potential for auditory injury to marine mammals, but 
ultimately concluded that injury would be unlikely to occur due to 
their proposed mitigation measures; i.e., Level A harassment mitigation 
zones calculated on the basis of NMFS's then-current thresholds for 
onset of permanent threshold shift (i.e., 180 dB rms). Following 
release of the new guidance, we have considered the likely implications 
for potential auditory injury of marine mammals. Based on consideration 
of the guidance, potential injury zones are much smaller than 
previously expected, and are fully encompassed by Navy's revised 
proposed shutdown zones. In consideration of the small injury zones and 
the Navy's proposed mitigation, we believe that injury will be avoided. 
In summary, we have considered the new guidance and believe that the 
likelihood of injury is adequately addressed in this analysis, and 
appropriate protective measures are in place in the proposed 
regulations.

Zones of Influence

    Sound Propagation--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:
R1 = the distance of the modeled SPL from the driven 
pile, and
R2 = the distance from the driven pile of the initial 
measurement.

    This formula neglects loss due to scattering and absorption, which 
is assumed to be zero here. The degree to which underwater sound 
propagates away from a sound source is dependent on a variety of 
factors, most notably the water bathymetry and presence or absence of 
reflective or absorptive conditions including in-water structures and 
sediments. Spherical spreading occurs in a perfectly unobstructed 
(free-field) environment not limited by depth or water surface, 
resulting in a 6 dB reduction in sound level for each doubling of 
distance from the source (20*log(range)). Cylindrical spreading occurs 
in an environment in which sound propagation is bounded by the water 
surface and sea bottom, resulting in a reduction of 3 dB in sound level 
for each doubling of distance from the source (10*log(range)). As is 
common practice in coastal waters, here we assume practical spreading 
loss (4.5 dB reduction in sound level for each doubling of distance) 
here. Practical spreading is a compromise that is often used under 
conditions where water increases with depth as the receiver moves away 
from the shoreline, resulting in an expected propagation environment 
that would lie between spherical and cylindrical spreading loss 
conditions.
    Sound Source Levels and Behavioral Zones--The intensity of pile 
driving sounds is greatly influenced by factors such as the type of 
piles, hammers, and the physical environment in which the activity 
takes place. However, there are no measurements available from the 
specific environment of NSB Kings Bay. Numerous studies have examined 
sound pressure levels (SPLs) recorded from underwater pile driving 
projects in California and Washington, and the Navy has conducted a few 
studies on the east coast. In addition, the majority of studies are 
focused on steel pipe piles, with less data available for other pile 
types. In order to determine reasonable SPLs and their associated 
effects on marine mammals that are likely to result from pile driving 
at NSB Kings Bay, studies with similar properties to the specified 
activity were evaluated, and are displayed in Table 7. Where available, 
data from the east coast were prioritized due to the differences in 
bathymetry and sediment at west coast sites. For pile types for which 
data from the east coast were not available, averages of west coast 
data were used to approximate source levels. For fiberglass reinforced 
plastic composite piles, no measured data are available. The source 
level estimates for this type of pile were based on data from timber 
piles driven on the east coast of the U.S, assuming that this is the 
most similar pile material. In all cases, where data from the same pile 
size/type were not available, a more conservative proxy was used. Where 
appropriate, weighted project averages were considered. Values measured 
at distances greater than 10 m were normalized to 10 m before 
calculating averages. For full details of data considered, please see 
Appendix C of the Navy's application.

                                       Table 7--Summary of Proxy Measured Underwater Sound Pressure Levels (SPLs)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                 Proxy source levels (dB at 10 m)
                 Method                       Pile size and material                   Proxy             -----------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                rms             pk              SEL
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vibratory..............................  16'' timber; 16-18'' composite.  12-16'' timber \1\............             161             n/a             n/a
Vibratory..............................  18-24'' concrete...............  24'' steel pipe 2-5...........             166             n/a             n/a
Vibratory..............................  14'' steel H...................  14'' steel H \6\..............             163             n/a             n/a
Vibratory..............................  24'' steel pipe................  24'' steel pipe 2-5...........             166             n/a             n/a
Vibratory..............................  30'' steel pipe................  30'' steel pipe 7-9...........             166             n/a             n/a
Impact.................................  18'' concrete..................  18'' concrete \4\.............             170             184             159
Impact.................................  24'' concrete..................  24'' concrete 1 6.............             174             184             165
Impact.................................  14'' steel H...................  14'' steel H \4\..............             178             196             168
Impact.................................  24'' steel pipe................  24'' steel pipe 4 10-11.......             190             206             179
Impact.................................  30'' steel pipe................  30'' steel pipe 4 8 10 12.....             193             209             188
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sources: \1\ Illingworth & Rodkin, 2015; \2\ Illingworth & Rodkin, 2010; \3\ Illingworth & Rodkin, 2012; \4\ Caltrans, 2012; \5\ Illingworth & Rodkin,
  2013b; \6\ Illingworth & Rodkin, 2013a; \7\ Laughlin, 2010a; \8\ Laughlin, 2010b; \9\ Laughlin, 2011; \10\ Laughlin, 2005a; \11\ Laughlin, 2005b; \12\
  MacGillivray and Racca, 2005.

    We consider the values presented in Table 7 to be representative of 
SPLs that may be produced by the specified activity. All calculated 
distances to and the total area encompassed by the marine mammal sound 
thresholds are provided in Table 8. Calculated radial distances to the 
160 dB threshold assume a field free of obstruction.

[[Page 702]]

However, the waters surrounding NSB Kings Bay do not represent open 
water conditions and the calculated zone-specific areas take landforms 
into consideration. Actual zones are depicted in Figures 6-1 through 6-
26 of the Navy's application. Although calculated radial distances to 
threshold do not change, the actual zone sizes may vary depending on 
the specific project location.

                                       Table 8--Distances to Relevant Sound Thresholds and Areas of Ensonification
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Project                                          Pile type..............................         Distance to threshold (m) and associated area of
                                                                                                              emsonification (km\2\)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      160 dB
                                                                          120 dB
                                                                                         ---------------------------------------------------------------
1A.............................................  16'' timber............................             n/a             n/a           5,412            3.69
1A.............................................  18'' concrete..........................            46.4            0.01             n/a             n/a
1A.............................................  24'' concrete..........................            85.8            0.02             n/a             n/a
1B.............................................  16'' timber/composite..................             n/a             n/a           5,412            3.12
2..............................................  14'' steel H...........................             159            0.06             n/a             n/a
3A (FY17)......................................  24'' steel pipe........................           1,000            0.88          11,659            3.63
3A (FY22)......................................  24'' concrete..........................            85.8            0.02          11,659            3.63
3A (FY22)......................................  24'' steel pipe........................           1,000            0.88          11,659            3.63
3B.............................................  14'' steel H...........................             159            0.04           7,356            2.40
3C.............................................  24-30'' steel pipe.....................           1,000            0.75          11,659            3.32
3D.............................................  24-30'' steel pipe.....................           1,000            0.90          11,659            3.17
3E.............................................  24-30'' steel pipe.....................           1,000            0.88          11,659            3.72
3F.............................................  30'' steel pipe........................           1,585            1.35          11,659            3.49
3G.............................................  14'' steel H...........................             159            0.07           7,356            4.00
4A.............................................  18'' concrete..........................            46.4            0.02          11,659            7.51
4A.............................................  24'' concrete..........................            85.8            0.01          11,659            7.51
4B.............................................  24'' steel pipe........................           1,000            1.63          11,659            6.39
5..............................................  16'' timber/18'' composite.............             n/a             n/a           5,412           10.75
6A/6B..........................................  24'' concrete..........................             n/a             n/a          11,659            9.34
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Areas presented take into account attenuation and/or shadowing by land. Please see Figures 6-1 to 6-26 in the Navy's application.

Marine Mammal Density

    The Navy conducted marine mammal surveys at NSB Kings Bay during 
2006-2007 (McKee and Latusek, 2009). Transect lines were run in the 
waters around NSB Kings Bay during summer and fall 2006 and during 
winter and spring 2007. The survey area included estuarine waters 
extending from the mouth of the St. Marys River north through the 
Cumberland Sound to approximately eight nautical miles (nmi) inland 
along the Satilla River. The Crooked River and the Brickhill River, 
which flow into Cumberland Sound, were also part of the study area, 
though line transects were not possible in these locations, and census 
counts were substituted here. The geographic limits ranged from 
30[deg]40' N. to 31[deg]00' N. and inland limits to 81[deg]40' W. 
Nearshore Atlantic waters were not included in the surveys.
    Observations were made with 7x50 power binoculars and with the 
naked eye, scanning from 0-90[deg] relative to the vessel's line of 
travel. Sightings, radial distance and angle to animal, and number of 
individuals were recorded. For census count areas, the vessel was 
driven along the center line of the river and distance and angle to 
sightings were noted. Commercially available software (Distance 5.0) 
was used to analyze the collected data, including area surveyed, and 
calculate a seasonal density. Seasonal densities were combined to 
calculate an average annual density of 1.12 dolphins per km\2\.

Incidental Take Calculation

    The species density described above (1.12 animals/km\2\) was 
multiplied by the activity-specific ZOIs shown in Table 8 to determine 
the estimated daily exposures. The Navy then rounded these daily 
exposure estimates to the nearest whole number before multiplying by 
activity-specific pile driving days, shown in Table 2, to yield the 
exposure estimates shown in Table 9. The Navy has requested 
authorization for a total of 881 incidents of Level B harassment of 
bottlenose dolphins over the five-year period of validity of these 
proposed regulations. Table 9 displays the total take estimate broken 
out by project and year. However, note that year assignments reflect 
only the projected project start years. Projects may continue into 
succeeding years, but neither exact start dates nor whether a project 
would in fact continue into the succeeding year are known at this time.

                                         Table 9--Incidental Take Totals
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Year                                    Project         Impact         Vibratory
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY17............................................................              1A               0             124
                                                                              1B             n/a               6
                                                                               2               0             n/a
                                                                              3A               1               4
                                                                              3D               1               4
                                                                               5             n/a              72
FY17 Totals.....................................................             n/a               2             210
                                                                                 -------------------------------
                                                                                                212
                                                                                 -------------------------------
FY18............................................................              3C               1               4
                                                                              3E               1               4

[[Page 703]]

 
FY18 Totals.....................................................             n/a               2               8
                                                                                 -------------------------------
                                                                                                10
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
FY19............................................................                        n/a
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
FY20............................................................              4A               0              64
                                                                              4B               8              32
FY20 Totals.....................................................             n/a               8              96
                                                                                 -------------------------------
                                                                                                104
                                                                                 -------------------------------
FY21............................................................              3B               0              21
                                                                              3F               4               8
FY21 Totals.....................................................             n/a               4              29
                                                                                 -------------------------------
                                                                                                33
                                                                                 -------------------------------
FY22............................................................              3A               4              16
                                                                              3G               0              32
                                                                              6A             n/a             410
                                                                              6B             n/a              60
FY22 Totals.....................................................             n/a               4             518
                                                                                 -------------------------------
                                                                                                522
                                                                                 -------------------------------
FY17-22 Totals..................................................             n/a              20             861
                                                                                 -------------------------------
                                                                                                881
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Analyses and Preliminary Determinations

Negligible Impact Analysis

    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.'' 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 
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 by mortality, serious injury, and 
Level A or Level B harassment, we consider other factors, such as the 
likely nature of any behavioral responses (e.g., intensity, duration), 
the context of any such responses (e.g., critical reproductive time or 
location, migration), as well as the number and nature of estimated 
Level A harassment takes (if any), and effects on habitat. We also 
assess the number, intensity, and context of estimated takes by 
evaluating this information relative to population status (i.e., the 
environmental baseline).
    Consistent with the 1989 preamble for NMFS's implementing 
regulations (54 FR 40338; September 29, 1989), the impacts from other 
past and ongoing anthropogenic activities are incorporated into these 
analyses via their impacts on the environmental baseline (e.g., as 
reflected in the regulatory status of the species, population size and 
growth rate where known, sources of human-caused mortality).
    Pile driving activities associated with the wharf construction 
projects, as described previously, have the potential to disturb or 
displace marine mammals. Specifically, the specified activities may 
result in take, in the form of Level B harassment (behavioral 
disturbance) only, from underwater sounds generated from pile driving. 
Potential takes could occur if individual bottlenose dolphins are 
present in the ensonified zone when pile driving is happening.
    No serious injury or mortality would be expected even in the 
absence of the proposed mitigation measures. No Level A harassment is 
anticipated given the nature of the activities and measures designed to 
minimize the possibility of injury. The potential for injury is small, 
and is expected to be essentially eliminated through implementation of 
the planned mitigation measures--soft start (for impact driving) and 
shutdown zones. Impact driving, as compared with vibratory driving, has 
source characteristics (short, sharp pulses with higher peak levels and 
much sharper rise time to reach those peaks) that are potentially 
injurious or more likely to produce severe behavioral reactions. Given 
sufficient notice through use of soft start, marine mammals are 
expected to move away from a sound source that is annoying prior to its 
becoming potentially injurious or resulting in more severe behavioral 
reactions. Environmental conditions in waters surrounding NSB Kings Bay 
are expected to generally be good, with calm sea states, albeit with 
high turbidity. Nevertheless, we expect conditions would allow a high 
marine mammal detection capability, enabling a high rate of success in 
implementation of shutdowns to avoid injury.
    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; HDR, Inc., 2012; 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. The 
pile driving activities analyzed here are similar to, or less impactful 
than, numerous other construction activities

[[Page 704]]

conducted in San Francisco Bay and in the Puget Sound region, which 
have taken place with no known long-term adverse consequences from 
behavioral harassment.
    The Navy has conducted similar multi-year activities potentially 
affecting bottlenose dolphins in San Diego Bay and in the same general 
region at Mayport Florida, that have similarly reported no apparently 
consequential behavioral reactions or long-term effects on bottlenose 
dolphin populations (Lerma, 2014; Navy, 2015). Repeated exposures of 
individuals to relatively low levels of sound outside of preferred 
habitat areas are unlikely to significantly disrupt critical behaviors. 
Thus, even repeated Level B harassment of some small subset of the 
overall stock is unlikely to result in any significant realized 
decrease in viability for the affected individuals, and thus would not 
result in any adverse impact to the stock as a whole. Level B 
harassment will be reduced to the level of least practicable adverse 
impact through use of mitigation measures described herein and, if 
sound produced by project activities is sufficiently disturbing, 
animals are likely to simply avoid the area while the activity is 
occurring. While vibratory driving associated with some project 
components may produce sound at distances of multiple kilometers from 
the pile driving site, thus intruding on higher-quality habitat, the 
project sites themselves and the majority of sound fields produced by 
the specified activities are within a heavily impacted, industrialized 
area. Therefore, we expect that animals annoyed by project sound would 
simply avoid the area and use more-preferred habitats.
    In summary, this negligible impact analysis is founded on the 
following factors: (1) The possibility of 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; (3) the absence of any significant 
habitat within the project area, including known areas or features of 
special significance for foraging or reproduction; and (4) the presumed 
efficacy of the proposed mitigation measures in reducing the effects of 
the specified activity to the level of least practicable adverse 
impact. In addition, while some of the potentially affected stocks are 
considered depleted under the MMPA, it is unlikely that minor noise 
effects in a small, localized area would have any effect on the stocks' 
ability to recover. 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 activities will 
have only minor, short-term effects on individuals. The specified 
activities are 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, we preliminarily find that the total marine mammal 
take from the Navy's waterfront construction activities will have a 
negligible impact on the affected marine mammal species or stocks.

Small Numbers Analysis

    Please see Table 9 for information relating to this small numbers 
analysis; as described previously, although we provide exposure 
estimates broken out by year and project component, we do not have 
specific information about when each project would be concluded or 
therefore how many takes may actually accrue in any given year during 
the five-year period of validity of these propose regulations. The 
annual average over the course of the five year period is 176 takes. Of 
these annual average 176 incidents of behavioral harassment predicted 
to occur for bottlenose dolphin, we have no information allowing us to 
parse the predicted incidents amongst the stocks of bottlenose dolphin 
that may occur in the project area. However, because they would be 
expected to occur only rarely and/or seasonally, we assume that only 
small numbers of individuals of the northern Florida coastal, southern 
migratory coastal, and Jacksonville estuarine system stocks would be 
potentially present and available to be taken.
    The South Carolina/Georgia coastal and southern Georgia estuarine 
system stocks are expected to potentially be present more regularly. 
For the South Carolina/Georgia coastal stock, the annual average 
predicted number of incidents of take proposed for authorization would 
be considered small--approximately four percent--even if each estimated 
taking occurred to a new individual. This is an extremely unlikely 
scenario as, for bottlenose dolphins in estuarine and nearshore waters, 
there is likely to be some overlap in individuals present day-to-day.
    The total number of authorized takes for bottlenose dolphins, if 
assumed to accrue solely to new individuals of the SGES stock, is 
higher relative to the total stock abundance, which is currently 
estimated at 194 individuals. As described previously, this estimate is 
the result of surveys covering only a portion of the stock range and is 
assumed to underestimate the stock abundance. Regardless, these numbers 
represent the estimated incidents of take, not the number of 
individuals taken. That is, it is highly likely that a relatively small 
subset of SGES bottlenose dolphins would be harassed by project 
activities. SGES bottlenose dolphins range from Cumberland Sound at the 
Georgia-Florida border north to the Altamaha Sound, Georgia, an area 
spanning approximately 70 linear km of coastline and including habitat 
consisting of complex inshore and estuarine waterways. SGES dolphins 
show strong site fidelity (Balmer et al., 2013), and it is likely that 
the majority of SGES dolphins would not occur within waters ensonified 
by project activities. In summary, SGES dolphins are known to exhibit 
strong site fidelity (i.e., individuals do not generally range 
throughout the recognized overall SGES stock range), and the specified 
activity will be stationary within a relatively enclosed industrial 
area not recognized as an area of any special significance that would 
serve to attract or aggregate dolphins. We therefore believe that the 
estimated numbers of take, were they to occur, likely represent 
repeated exposures of a much smaller number of bottlenose dolphins, and 
that these estimated incidents of take represent small numbers of 
bottlenose dolphins.
    Based on the analysis contained herein of the likely effects of the 
specified activity on marine mammals and their habitat, we 
preliminarily find that small numbers of marine mammals will be taken 
relative to the populations of the affected species or stocks.

Proposed Monitoring and Reporting

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

[[Page 705]]

    Any monitoring requirement we prescribe should improve our 
understanding of one or more of the following:
     Occurrence of marine mammal species in action area (e.g., 
presence, abundance, distribution, density).
     Nature, scope, or context of likely marine mammal exposure 
to potential stressors/impacts (individual or cumulative, acute or 
chronic), through better understanding of: (1) Action or environment 
(e.g., source characterization, propagation, ambient noise); (2) 
affected species (e.g., life history, dive patterns); (3) co-occurrence 
of marine mammal species with the action; or (4) biological or 
behavioral context of exposure (e.g., age, calving, or feeding areas).
     Individual responses to acute stressors, or impacts of 
chronic exposures (behavioral or physiological).
     How anticipated responses to stressors impact either: (1) 
long-term fitness and survival of an individual; or (2) population, 
species, or stock.
     Effects on marine mammal habitat and resultant impacts to 
marine mammals.
     Mitigation and monitoring effectiveness.
    The Navy provided a separate Marine Mammal Monitoring Plan, which 
is available online at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental/construction.htm.

Visual Marine Mammal Observations

    The Navy 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 
Navy would monitor all shutdown zones at all times, and would monitor 
disturbance zones during a varying subset of total project days. 
Approximately half of disturbance zone monitoring effort is proposed 
for allocation during the first two years of project activities in 
order to provide verification during the early stages of the project 
regarding assumed numbers of bottlenose dolphins present in the area. 
If compliance monitoring results suggest that the actual number of 
incidental take events may differ significantly from the number 
originally authorized, the Navy would consult with NMFS. The Navy would 
conduct monitoring before, during, and after pile driving, with 
observers located at the best practicable vantage points. Based on our 
requirements, the Navy would implement the following procedures for 
pile driving:
     Marine mammal observers would be located at the best 
vantage point(s) in order to properly see the entire shutdown zone and 
as much of the disturbance zone as possible.
     During all observation periods, observers will use 
binoculars and the naked eye to search continuously for marine mammals.
     If the shutdown zones are obscured by fog or poor lighting 
conditions, pile driving at that location will not be initiated until 
that zone is visible. Should such conditions arise while impact driving 
is underway, the activity would be halted.
     The shutdown zone around the pile would be monitored for 
the presence of marine mammals before, during, and after all pile 
driving activity, while disturbance zone monitoring would be 
implemented according to the schedule proposed here.
    Notional marine mammal observation locations are depicted in 
Figures 3-14 of the Navy's monitoring plan. Total days planned for each 
project are provided above in Table 2. Project-specific disturbance 
zone monitoring proposals are described in the following list.
     Project 1A--A minimum of three observers would be deployed 
to monitor the disturbance zone on a minimum of ten days of vibratory 
pile driving.
     Project 1B--Only two total days of work are proposed as 
part of Project 1B, and no disturbance zone monitoring is proposed.
     Project 2--Only impact pile driving is proposed in 
association with Project 2; therefore, the disturbance zone would be 
visible during shutdown zone monitoring.
     Project 3A--This project is expected to occur in two 
phases, beginning in FY2017 and FY2022. During phase one, only two 
total days of work are proposed and no disturbance zone monitoring is 
proposed. During phase two, a minimum of three observers would be 
deployed to monitor the disturbance zone on a minimum of three days of 
vibratory pile driving.
     Project 3B--A minimum of three observers would be deployed 
to monitor the disturbance zone on a minimum of five days of vibratory 
pile driving.
     Projects 3C, 3D, and 3E--A minimum of two observers would 
be deployed to monitor the disturbance zone during all vibratory 
driving associated with these projects.
     Project 3F--A minimum of three observers would be deployed 
to monitor the disturbance zone on a minimum of two days of vibratory 
pile driving.
     Project 3G--A minimum of three observers would be deployed 
to monitor the disturbance zone on a minimum of four days of vibratory 
pile driving.
     Project 4A--A minimum of four observers would be deployed 
to monitor the disturbance zone on a minimum of eight days of vibratory 
pile driving.
     Project 4B--A minimum of four observers would be deployed 
to monitor the disturbance zone on a minimum of three days of vibratory 
pile driving.
     Project 5--A minimum of four observers would be deployed 
to monitor the disturbance zone on a minimum of three days of vibratory 
pile driving.
     Projects 6A and 6B--A minimum of five observers would be 
deployed to monitor the disturbance zone on a minimum of twelve days of 
vibratory pile driving.
    Individuals implementing the monitoring protocol will assess its 
effectiveness using an adaptive approach. Monitoring biologists will 
use their best professional judgment throughout implementation and seek 
improvements to these methods when deemed appropriate. Any 
modifications to the protocol will be coordinated between NMFS and the 
Navy.

Data Collection

    We require that observers use standardized data forms. Among other 
pieces of information, the Navy 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. 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., wind speed, percent cloud 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;
     Description of implementation of mitigation measures 
(e.g., shutdown or delay).
     Locations of all marine mammal observations; and
     Other human activity in the area.

[[Page 706]]

Acoustic Monitoring

    The Navy would implement a sound source level verification study 
during activities associated with specific project components of 
interest. Because data is relatively lacking for these pile types, data 
collection would be targeted towards impact and vibratory driving of 
concrete, timber and composite piles. A sample scope of work for 
acoustic monitoring is provided as Attachment 3 of the Navy's 
monitoring plan. The exact specifications of the acoustic monitoring 
work would be finalized in consultation with Navy personnel, subject to 
constraints related to logistics and security requirements. Reporting 
of measured sound level signals will include the average, minimum, and 
maximum rms value and frequency spectra for each pile monitored. Peak 
and single-strike SEL values would also be reported for impact pile 
driving. Acoustic monitoring would be conducted in association with 
Project 1A (impact driving of 18-24'' concrete piles and vibratory 
removal of 16'' timber piles); Project 2 (impact driving of 14'' steel 
H piles); Project 4A (impact driving of 18-24'' concrete piles and 
vibratory removal of 24'' concrete piles); and Projects 6A and 6B 
(vibratory removal of 24'' concrete piles).

Marine Mammal Surveys

    Subject to funding availability, additional work would be performed 
to describe the spatial and temporal distributions of bottlenose 
dolphins and their densities in areas that may be affected by the 
specified activities. Surveys would be performed as soon as 
practicable.

Reporting

    A draft report would be submitted to NMFS within 90 days of the 
completion of the monitoring period for each project. The report will 
include marine mammal observations pre-activity, during-activity, and 
post-activity during pile driving days, and will also provide 
descriptions of any behavioral responses to construction activities by 
marine mammals and a complete description of all mitigation shutdowns 
and the results of those actions and an extrapolated total take 
estimate based on the number of marine mammals observed during the 
course of construction. A final report must be submitted within thirty 
days following resolution of comments on the draft report. The Navy 
would also submit a comprehensive summary report following conclusion 
of the specified activities.

Adaptive Management

    The regulations governing the take of marine mammals incidental to 
Navy waterfront construction activities would contain an adaptive 
management component.
    The reporting requirements associated with this proposed rule are 
designed to provide NMFS with monitoring data from the previous year to 
allow consideration of whether any changes are appropriate. The use of 
adaptive management allows NMFS to consider new information from 
different sources to determine (with input from the Navy regarding 
practicability) on an annual or biennial basis if mitigation or 
monitoring measures should be modified (including additions or 
deletions). Mitigation measures could be modified if new data suggests 
that such modifications would have a reasonable likelihood of reducing 
adverse effects to marine mammals and if the measures are practicable.
    The following are some of the possible sources of applicable data 
to be considered through the adaptive management process: (1) Results 
from monitoring reports, as required by MMPA authorizations; (2) 
results from general marine mammal and sound research; and (3) any 
information which reveals that marine mammals may have been taken in a 
manner, extent, or number not authorized by these regulations or 
subsequent LOAs.

Impact on Availability of Affected Species for Taking for Subsistence 
Uses

    There are no relevant subsistence uses of marine mammals implicated 
by these actions. Therefore, we have determined that the total taking 
of affected species or stocks would not have an unmitigable adverse 
impact on the availability of such species or stocks for taking for 
subsistence purposes.

Endangered Species Act (ESA)

    No marine mammal species listed under the ESA are expected to be 
affected by these activities. Therefore, we have determined that 
section 7 consultation under the ESA is not required.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

    The Navy has prepared a draft EA in accordance with NEPA and the 
regulations published by the Council on Environmental Quality. We have 
posted it on the NMFS Web site concurrently with the publication of 
these proposed regulations. NMFS will independently evaluate the EA and 
determine whether or not to adopt it. We may prepare a separate NEPA 
analysis and incorporate relevant portions of the Navy's EA by 
reference. Information in the Navy's application, EA, and this notice 
collectively provide the environmental information related to proposed 
issuance of the regulations for public review and comment. We will 
review all comments submitted in response to this notice as we complete 
the NEPA process, including a decision of whether to sign a FONSI, 
prior to a final decision on the request for incidental take 
authorization.

Request for Information

    NMFS requests interested persons to submit comments, information, 
and suggestions concerning the Navy's request and the proposed 
regulations (see ADDRESSES). All comments will be reviewed and 
evaluated as we prepare the final rule and make final determinations on 
whether to issue the requested authorizations. This notice and 
referenced documents provide all environmental information relating to 
our proposed action for public review.

Classification

    Pursuant to the procedures established to implement Executive Order 
12866, the Office of Management and Budget has determined that this 
proposed rule is not significant.
    Pursuant to section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), 
the Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce has 
certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration that this proposed rule, if adopted, would not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
Navy is the sole entity that would be subject to the requirements in 
these proposed regulations, and the U.S. Navy is not a small 
governmental jurisdiction, small organization, or small business, as 
defined by the RFA. Because of this certification, a regulatory 
flexibility analysis is not required and none has been prepared.
    This proposed rule does not contain a collection-of-information 
requirement subject to the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act 
(PRA) because the applicant is a Federal agency. Notwithstanding any 
other provision of law, no person is required to respond to nor shall a 
person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection 
of information subject to the requirements of the PRA unless that 
collection of information displays a currently valid OMB control 
number. These requirements have been approved by OMB under control 
number 0648-0151 and include applications for

[[Page 707]]

regulations, subsequent LOAs, and reports.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 217

    Exports, Fish, Imports, Indians, Labeling, Marine mammals, 
Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Seafood, 
Transportation.

    Dated: December 22, 2016.
Samuel D. Rauch III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
    For reasons set forth in the preamble, 50 CFR part 217 is proposed 
to be amended as follows:

PART 217--REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE TAKING AND IMPORTING OF MARINE 
MAMMALS

0
1. The authority citation for part 217 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.

Subpart X [Reserved]

0
2. Add and reserve subpart X.

Subpart Y [Reserved]

0
3. Add and reserve subpart Y.
0
4. Add subpart Z to part 217 to read as follows:

Subpart Z--Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Navy Waterfront 
Construction Activities at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay

Sec.
217.250 Specified activity and specified geographical region.
217.251 Effective dates.
217.252 Permissible methods of taking.
217.253 Prohibitions.
217.254 Mitigation requirements.
217.255 Requirements for monitoring and reporting.
217.256 Letters of Authorization.
217.257 Renewals and modifications of Letters of Authorization.
217.258 [Reserved]
217.259 [Reserved]


Sec.  217.250  Specified activity and specified geographical region.

    (a) Regulations in this subpart apply only to the U.S. Navy (Navy) 
and those persons it authorizes or funds to conduct activities on its 
behalf for the taking of marine mammals that occurs in the area 
outlined in paragraph (b) of this section and that occurs incidental to 
waterfront construction activities.
    (b) The taking of marine mammals by Navy may be authorized in a 
Letter of Authorization (LOA) only if it occurs within waters adjacent 
to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay and Crab Island.


Sec.  217.251  Effective dates.

    Regulations in this subpart are effective from [EFFECTIVE DATE OF 
FINAL RULE] through [DATE 5 YEARS AFTER EFFECTIVE DATE OF FINAL RULE].


Sec.  217.252  Permissible methods of taking.

    (a) Under LOAs issued pursuant to Sec. Sec.  216.106 and 217.256 of 
this chapter, the Holder of the LOA (hereinafter ``Navy'') may 
incidentally, but not intentionally, take marine mammals within the 
area described in Sec.  217.250(b) of this chapter by Level B 
harassment associated with waterfront construction activities, provided 
the activity is in compliance with all terms, conditions, and 
requirements of the regulations in this subpart and the appropriate 
LOA.


Sec.  217.253  Prohibitions.

    Notwithstanding takings contemplated in Sec.  217.250 and 
authorized by a LOA issued under Sec. Sec.  216.106 and 217.256 of this 
chapter, no person in connection with the activities described in Sec.  
217.250 of this chapter may:
    (a) Violate, or fail to comply with, the terms, conditions, and 
requirements of this subpart or a LOA issued under Sec. Sec.  216.106 
and 217.256 of this chapter;
    (b) Take any marine mammal not specified in such LOAs;
    (c) Take any marine mammal specified in such LOAs in any manner 
other than as specified;
    (d) Take a marine mammal specified in such LOAs if NMFS determines 
such taking results in more than a negligible impact on the species or 
stocks of such marine mammal; or
    (e) Take a marine mammal specified in such LOAs if NMFS determines 
such taking results in an unmitigable adverse impact on the species or 
stock of such marine mammal for taking for subsistence uses.


Sec.  217.254  Mitigation requirements.

    When conducting the activities identified in Sec.  217.250 of this 
chapter, the mitigation measures contained in any LOA issued under 
Sec. Sec.  216.106 and 217.256 of this chapter must be implemented. 
These mitigation measures shall include but are not limited to:
    (a) General conditions: (1) A copy of any issued LOA must be in the 
possession of the Navy, its designees, and work crew personnel 
operating under the authority of the issued LOA.
    (2) The Navy shall conduct briefings for construction supervisors 
and crews, marine mammal monitoring team, acoustic monitoring team, and 
Navy 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) Except for pile driving covered under subsections (c) and (d), 
for all pile driving activity, the Navy shall implement a minimum 
shutdown zone of 15 m radius around the pile. If a marine mammal comes 
within or approaches the shutdown zone, such operations shall cease.
    (c) For impact pile driving associated with Project 3F (Warping 
Wharf with Capstan), the Navy shall implement a minimum shutdown zone 
of 40 m radius around the pile. If a marine mammal comes within or 
approaches the shutdown zone, such operations shall cease.
    (d) For impact pile driving associated with Project 4B (Small Craft 
Berth Site VI), the Navy shall implement a minimum shutdown zone of 20 
m radius around the pile. If a marine mammal comes within or approaches 
the shutdown zone, such operations shall cease.
    (e) The Navy shall deploy marine mammal observers as indicated in 
the final Marine Mammal Monitoring Plan and as described in Sec.  
217.255 of this chapter.
    (1) For all pile driving activities, a minimum of one observer 
shall be stationed at the active pile driving rig or reasonable 
proximity in order to monitor the shutdown zone.
    (2) Monitoring shall take place from 15 minutes prior to initiation 
of pile driving activity through 30 minutes post-completion of pile 
driving activity. Pre-activity monitoring shall be conducted for 15 
minutes to ensure that the shutdown zone is clear of marine mammals, 
and pile driving may commence when observers have declared the shutdown 
zone clear of marine mammals. In the event of a delay or shutdown of 
activity resulting from marine mammals in the shutdown zone, animals 
shall be allowed to remain in the shutdown zone (i.e., must leave of 
their own volition) and their behavior shall be monitored and 
documented. Monitoring shall occur throughout the time required to 
drive a pile. The shutdown zone must be determined to be clear during 
periods of good visibility (i.e., the entire shutdown zone and 
surrounding waters must be visible to the naked eye).
    (3) If a marine mammal approaches or enters the shutdown zone, all 
pile driving activities at that location shall be halted. If pile 
driving is halted or delayed due to the presence of a marine

[[Page 708]]

mammal, the activity may not commence or resume until either the animal 
has voluntarily left and been visually confirmed beyond the shutdown 
zone or fifteen minutes have passed without re-detection of the animal.
    (4) Monitoring shall be conducted by trained observers, who shall 
have no other assigned tasks during monitoring periods. Trained 
observers shall be placed from the best vantage point(s) practicable to 
monitor for marine mammals and implement shutdown or delay procedures 
when applicable through communication with the equipment operator.
    (f) The Navy shall use soft start techniques for impact pile 
driving. Soft start for impact drivers requires contractors to provide 
an initial set of strikes at reduced energy, followed by a thirty-
second waiting period, then two subsequent reduced energy strike sets. 
Soft start shall be implemented at the start of each day's impact pile 
driving and at any time following cessation of impact pile driving for 
a period of thirty minutes or longer.
    (g) Pile driving shall only be conducted during daylight hours.


Sec.  217.255  Requirements for monitoring and reporting.

    (a) Trained observers shall complete applicable portions of the 
Navy's Marine Species Awareness Training, as well as a general 
environmental awareness briefing conducted by Navy staff. At minimum, 
training shall include identification of bottlenose dolphins and 
relevant mitigation and monitoring requirements. All observers shall 
have no other construction-related tasks while conducting monitoring.
    (b) For shutdown zone monitoring, the Navy shall report on 
implementation of shutdown or delay procedures, including whether the 
procedures were not implemented and why (when relevant).
    (c) The Navy shall deploy additional observers to monitor 
disturbance zones according to the minimum requirements defined in this 
chapter. These observers shall collect sighting data and behavioral 
responses to pile driving for marine mammal species observed in the 
region of activity during the period of activity, and shall communicate 
with the shutdown zone observer as appropriate with regard to the 
presence of marine mammals. All observers shall be trained in 
identification and reporting of marine mammal behaviors.
    (1) During Project 1A (Tug Pier), Navy shall deploy a minimum of 
three additional marine mammal monitoring observers on a minimum of ten 
days of vibratory pile driving activity.
    (2) During the fiscal year 2022 phase of Project 3A (Explosives 
Handling Wharf #2), Navy shall deploy a minimum of three additional 
marine mammal monitoring observers on a minimum of three days of 
vibratory pile driving activity.
    (3) During Project 3B ((Dry Dock) Interface Wharf), Navy shall 
deploy a minimum of three additional marine mammal monitoring observers 
on a minimum of five days of vibratory pile driving activity.
    (4) During Projects 3C, 3D, and 3E (Refit Wharves #1-3), Navy shall 
deploy a minimum of two additional marine mammal monitoring observers 
on all days of vibratory pile driving activity.
    (5) During Project 3F (Warping Wharf with Capstan), Navy shall 
deploy a minimum of three additional marine mammal monitoring observers 
on a minimum of two days of vibratory pile driving activity.
    (6) During Project 3G (Tug Pier), Navy shall deploy a minimum of 
three additional marine mammal monitoring observers on a minimum of 
four days of vibratory pile driving activity.
    (7) During Project 4A (Transit Protection System (TPS) Pier), Navy 
shall deploy a minimum of four additional marine mammal monitoring 
observers on a minimum of eight days of vibratory pile driving 
activity.
    (8) During Project 4B (Small Craft Berth Site VI), Navy shall 
deploy a minimum of four additional marine mammal monitoring observers 
on a minimum of three days of vibratory pile driving activity.
    (9) During Project 5 (Magnetic Silencing Facility Repairs), Navy 
shall deploy a minimum of four additional marine mammal monitoring 
observers on a minimum of three days of vibratory pile driving 
activity.
    (10) During Projects 6A (Demolition of TPS Pier) and 6B (Demolition 
of North Trestle), Navy shall deploy a minimum of five additional 
marine mammal monitoring observers on a minimum of twelve days of 
vibratory pile driving activity.
    (d) The Navy shall conduct acoustic data collection (sound source 
verification), in accordance with NMFS's guidelines, in conjunction 
with Project 1A (Tug Pier), Project 2 (Unspecified Minor Construction 
Layberth Fender Pile Modification), and Projects 4A and 6A (TPS Pier).
    (e) Reporting: (1) Annual reporting: (i) Navy shall submit an 
annual summary report to NMFS not later than ninety days following the 
end of in-water work for each project. Navy shall provide a final 
report within thirty days following resolution of comments on the draft 
report.
    (ii) These reports shall contain, at minimum, the following:
    (A) Date and time that monitored activity begins or ends;
    (B) Construction activities occurring during each observation 
period;
    (C) Weather parameters (e.g., wind speed, percent cloud cover, 
visibility);
    (D) Water conditions (e.g., sea state, tide state);
    (E) Species, numbers, and, if possible, sex and age class of marine 
mammals;
    (F) Description of any observable marine mammal behavior patterns, 
including bearing and direction of travel and distance from pile 
driving activity;
    (G) Distance from pile driving activities to marine mammals and 
distance from the marine mammals to the observation point;
    (H) Description of implementation of mitigation measures (e.g., 
shutdown or delay);
    (I) Locations of all marine mammal observations; and
    (J) Other human activity in the area.
    (2) Navy shall submit a comprehensive summary report to NMFS not 
later than ninety days following the conclusion of marine mammal 
monitoring efforts described in this chapter.
    (3) Navy shall submit acoustic monitoring reports as necessary 
pursuant to Sec.  217.255(d) of this chapter.
    (f) Reporting of injured or dead marine mammals:
    (1) In the unanticipated event that the activity defined in Sec.  
217.250 clearly causes the take of a marine mammal in a prohibited 
manner, Navy shall immediately cease such activity and report the 
incident to the Office of Protected Resources (OPR), NMFS, and to the 
Southeast Regional Stranding Coordinator, NMFS. Activities shall not 
resume until NMFS is able to review the circumstances of the prohibited 
take. NMFS will work with Navy to determine what measures are necessary 
to minimize the likelihood of further prohibited take and ensure MMPA 
compliance. Navy may not resume their activities until notified by 
NMFS. The report must include the following information:
    (i) Time, date, and location (latitude/longitude) of the incident;
    (ii) Description of the incident;
    (iii) Environmental conditions (e.g., wind speed and direction, 
Beaufort sea state, cloud cover, visibility);
    (iv) Description of all marine mammal observations in the 24 hours 
preceding the incident;
    (v) Species identification or description of the animal(s) 
involved;

[[Page 709]]

    (vi) Fate of the animal(s); and
    (vii) Photographs or video footage of the animal(s). Photographs 
may be taken once the animal has been moved from the waterfront area.
    (2) In the event that Navy discovers an injured or dead marine 
mammal and determines that the cause of the injury or death is unknown 
and the death is relatively recent (e.g., in less than a moderate state 
of decomposition), Navy shall immediately report the incident to OPR 
and the Southeast Regional Stranding Coordinator, NMFS. The report must 
include the information identified in paragraph (f)(1) of this section. 
Activities may continue while NMFS reviews the circumstances of the 
incident. NMFS will work with Navy to determine whether additional 
mitigation measures or modifications to the activities are appropriate.
    (3) In the event that Navy discovers an injured or dead marine 
mammal and determines that the injury or death is not associated with 
or related to the activities defined in Sec.  217.250 (e.g., previously 
wounded animal, carcass with moderate to advanced decomposition, 
scavenger damage), Navy shall report the incident to OPR and the 
Southeast Regional Stranding Coordinator, NMFS, within 24 hours of the 
discovery. Navy shall provide photographs or video footage or other 
documentation of the stranded animal sighting to NMFS. Photographs may 
be taken once the animal has been moved from the waterfront area.


Sec.  217.256  Letters of Authorization.

    (a) To incidentally take marine mammals pursuant to these 
regulations, Navy must apply for and obtain a LOA.
    (b) A LOA, unless suspended or revoked, may be effective for a 
period of time not to exceed the expiration date of these regulations.
    (c) If a LOA expires prior to the expiration date of these 
regulations, Navy may apply for and obtain a renewal of the LOA.
    (d) In the event of projected changes to the activity or to 
mitigation and monitoring measures required by a LOA, Navy must apply 
for and obtain a modification of the LOA as described in Sec.  217.257 
of this chapter.
    (e) The LOA shall set forth:
    (1) Permissible methods of incidental taking;
    (2) Means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact (i.e., 
mitigation) on the species, its habitat, and on the availability of the 
species for subsistence uses; and
    (3) Requirements for monitoring and reporting.
    (f) Issuance of the LOA shall be based on a determination that the 
level of taking will be consistent with the findings made for the total 
taking allowable under these regulations.
    (g) Notice of issuance or denial of a LOA shall be published in the 
Federal Register within thirty days of a determination.


Sec.  217.257   Renewals and modifications of Letters of Authorization.

    (a) A LOA issued under Sec. Sec.  216.106 and 217.256 of this 
chapter for the activity identified in Sec.  217.250 shall be renewed 
or modified upon request by the applicant, provided that:
    (1) The proposed specified activity and mitigation, monitoring, and 
reporting measures, as well as the anticipated impacts, are the same as 
those described and analyzed for these regulations (excluding changes 
made pursuant to the adaptive management provision in paragraph (c)(1) 
of this section), and
    (2) NMFS determines that the mitigation, monitoring, and reporting 
measures required by the previous LOA under these regulations were 
implemented.
    (b) For a LOA modification or renewal requests by the applicant 
that include changes to the activity or the mitigation, monitoring, or 
reporting (excluding changes made pursuant to the adaptive management 
provision in paragraph (c)(1) of this section) that do not change the 
findings made for the regulations or that result in no more than a 
minor change in the total estimated number of takes (or distribution by 
species or years), NMFS may publish a notice of proposed LOA in the 
Federal Register, including the associated analysis of the change, and 
solicit public comment before issuing the LOA.
    (c) A LOA issued under Sec. Sec.  216.106 and 217.256 of this 
chapter for the activity identified in Sec.  217.250 may be modified by 
NMFS under the following circumstances:
    (1) Adaptive Management--NMFS may modify (including augment) the 
existing mitigation, monitoring, or reporting measures (after 
consulting with Navy regarding the practicability of the modifications) 
if doing so creates a reasonable likelihood of more effectively 
accomplishing the goals of the mitigation and monitoring set forth in 
the preamble for these regulations.
    (i) Possible sources of data that could contribute to the decision 
to modify the mitigation, monitoring, or reporting measures in a LOA:
    (A) Results from Navy's monitoring from previous years.
    (B) Results from other marine mammal and/or sound research or 
studies.
    (C) Any information that reveals marine mammals may have been taken 
in a manner, extent or number not authorized by these regulations or 
subsequent LOAs.
    (ii) If, through adaptive management, the modifications to the 
mitigation, monitoring, or reporting measures are substantial, NMFS 
will publish a notice of proposed LOA in the Federal Register and 
solicit public comment.
    (2) Emergencies--If NMFS determines that an emergency exists that 
poses a significant risk to the well-being of the species or stocks of 
marine mammals specified in a LOA issued pursuant to Sec. Sec.  216.106 
and 217.256 of this chapter, a LOA may be modified without prior notice 
or opportunity for public comment. Notice would be published in the 
Federal Register within thirty days of the action.


Sec.  217.258  [Reserved]


Sec.  217.259   [Reserved]

[FR Doc. 2016-31702 Filed 12-30-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P