[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 153 (Thursday, August 10, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37426-37438]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-16881]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XF574


Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; 
Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to US 101/Chehalis River Bridge-Scour 
Repair in Washington State

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

ACTION: Proposed incidental harassment authorization (IHA); request for 
comments.

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SUMMARY: NMFS has received a request from Washington State Department 
of Transportation (WSDOT) for authorization to take marine mammals 
incidental to US 101/Chehalis River Bridge-Scour Repair in Washington 
State. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is 
requesting comments on its proposal to issue an IHA to incidentally 
take marine mammals during the specified activities.

DATES: Comments and information must be received no later than 
September 11, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be addressed to Jolie Harrison, Chief, 
Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
National Marine Fisheries Service. Physical comments should be sent to 
1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 and electronic comments 
should be sent to [email protected].
    Instructions: NMFS is not responsible for comments sent by any 
other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the 
end of the comment period. Comments received electronically, including 
all attachments, must not exceed a 25-megabyte file size. Attachments 
to electronic comments will be accepted in Microsoft Word or Excel or 
Adobe PDF file formats only. All comments received are a part of the 
public record and will generally be posted online at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental/construction.htm without

[[Page 37427]]

change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address) 
voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do 
not submit confidential business information or otherwise sensitive or 
protected information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shane Guan, Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, (301) 427-8401. Electronic copies of the applications 
and 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.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Sections 101(a)(5)(A) and (D) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) 
direct the Secretary of Commerce to allow, upon request, the 
incidental, but not intentional, taking of small numbers of marine 
mammals by U.S. citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than 
commercial fishing) within a specified geographical region if certain 
findings are made and either regulations are issued or, if the taking 
is limited to harassment, a notice of a proposed authorization is 
provided to the public for review.
    An authorization for incidental takings shall be granted if NMFS 
finds that the taking will have a negligible impact on the species or 
stock(s), will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the 
availability of the species or stock(s) for subsistence uses (where 
relevant), and if the permissible methods of taking and requirements 
pertaining to the mitigation, monitoring and reporting of such takings 
are set forth.
    NMFS has defined ``negligible impact'' in 50 CFR 216.103 as an 
impact resulting from the specified activity that cannot be reasonably 
expected to, and is not reasonably likely to, adversely affect the 
species or stock through effects on annual rates of recruitment or 
survival.
    The MMPA states that the term ``take'' means to harass, hunt, 
capture, kill or attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill any marine 
mammal.
    Except with respect to certain activities not pertinent here, the 
MMPA defines ``harassment'' as: Any act of pursuit, torment, or 
annoyance which (i) has the potential to injure a marine mammal or 
marine mammal stock in the wild (Level A harassment); or (ii) has the 
potential to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild 
by causing disruption of behavioral patterns, including, but not 
limited to, migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or 
sheltering (Level B harassment).

National Environmental Policy Act

    Issuance of an MMPA 101(a)(5)(D) authorization requires compliance 
with the National Environmental Policy Act.
    NMFS preliminary determined the issuance of the proposed IHA is 
consistent with categories of activities identified in CE B4 (issuance 
of incidental harassment authorizations under section 101(a)(5)(A) and 
(D) of the MMPA for which no serious injury or mortality is 
anticipated) of the Companion Manual for NAO 216-6A and we have not 
identified any extraordinary circumstances listed in Chapter 4 of the 
Companion Manual for NAO 216-6A that would preclude this categorical 
exclusion.
    We will review all comments submitted in response to this notice 
prior to making a final decision as to whether application of this CE 
is appropriate in this circumstance.

Summary of Request

    NMFS received a request from WSDOT for an IHA to take marine 
mammals incidental to US 101/Chehalis River Bridge-Scour Repair in the 
State of Washington. WSDOT's request was for harassment only and NMFS 
concurs that serious injury or mortality is not expected to result from 
this activity. Therefore, an IHA is appropriate.
    In November 2016, WSDOT submitted a request to NMFS requesting an 
IHA for the possible harassment of small numbers of marine mammal 
species incidental to US 101/Chehalis River Bridge-Scour Repair in 
Washington State, between July 16 to September 30, 2018. WSDOT 
subsequently updated its project scope and submitted a revised IHA 
application on July 5, 2017. NMFS determined the IHA application was 
complete on July 14, 2017. NMFS is proposing to authorize the take by 
Level B harassment of the following marine mammal species: Harbor seal 
(Phoca vitulina); California sea lion (Zalophus californianus); Steller 
sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus); gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus); and 
harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena).

Description of Proposed Activity

Overview

    WSDOT is proposing to repair an area of scour associated with Pier 
14 of the US 101 Chehalis River Bridge (Figures 1-3 and 1-4 in the IHA 
application). The bridge foundation at Pier 14 is ``scour critical'' 
due to the bridge foundation being unstable for calculated scour 
depths. The southwest quadrant of Pier 14 is undermined by scour void 
as much as 8 feet deep, and some of the untreated timber pilings have 
been directly exposed to river/estuary water since 2008. Marine borers 
may weaken enough pilings to require more extensive pier repair if this 
project is not built in the near future. In addition, the footing and 
seal are exposed at the other three quadrants of Pier 14.
    The purpose of the US 101/Chehalis River Bridge Project is to make 
the bridge foundation stable for calculated scour depths, protect the 
foundation from further scour by removing debris, filling the scour 
void under Pier 14 with cementitious material (to protect the pilings 
from marine borers), and filling the scour hole and protecting the pier 
with scour resistant material.

Dates and Duration

    Due to NMFS and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in-water 
work timing restrictions to protect ESA-listed salmonids, planned WSDOT 
in-water construction is limited each year to July 16 through February 
15. For this project, in-water construction is planned to take place 
between July 16 to September 30, 2018. The total worst-case time for 
pile installation and removal is 50 hours over 12 days (Table 1).

Specified Geographic Region

    The US 101 Chehalis River Bridge is located in the City of 
Aberdeen, Grays Harbor County, Washington (Figure 1-1 in the IHA 
application). The bridge is located in Township 17 North, Range 9 West, 
Section 9, where the Chehalis River enters Grays Harbor. Land use in 
the Aberdeen area is a mix of residential, commercial, industrial, and 
open space and/or undeveloped lands (Figure 1-2 in the IHA 
application).

Detailed Description of In-Water Pile Driving Associated With the US 
101 Chehalis River Bridge Repair Project

    The proposed project includes vibratory hammer driving and removal 
creating elevated in-water and in-air noise that may impact marine 
mammals.
    Vibratory hammers are commonly used in steel pile driving where 
sediments allow and involve the same vibratory hammer used in pile 
removal. The pile is placed into position using a choker and crane, and 
then vibrated between 1,200 and 2,400 vibrations per minute. The 
vibrations liquefy the sediment surrounding the pile allowing it to 
penetrate to the required seating depth, or to be removed.

[[Page 37428]]

    Details of pile driving activities are provided below and are 
summarized in Table 1.
    Vibratory driving of six steel H piles. This will take 
approximately 30 minutes per pile, with all 6 piles installed in one 
day.
     Vibratory driving of 44 sheet piles. This will take 
approximately 30 minutes per pile, with 10 piles installed per day over 
5 days.
     Vibratory removal of 6 steel H piles. This will take 
approximately 30 minutes per pile, with all 6 piles removed in one day.
     Vibratory removal of 44 sheet piles. This will take 
approximately 30 minute per pile, with 10 piles removed per day over 5 
days.

                         Table 1--Summary of In-Water Pile Driving and Removal Durations
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Pile size                     Duration per      Duration
            Method                  Pile type         (inch)        Pile number   pile (minutes)      (days)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vibratory driving.............  Steel H pile....              12               6              30               1
Vibratory driving.............  Sheet pile......  ..............              44              30               5
Vibratory removal.............  Steel H pile....              12               6              30               1
Vibratory removal.............  Sheet pile......  ..............              44              30               5
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.....................  ................  ..............             100  ..............              12
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proposed mitigation, monitoring, and reporting measures are 
described in detail later in this document (please see ``Proposed 
Mitigation'' and ``Proposed Monitoring and Reporting'').

Description of Marine Mammals in the Area of Specified Activities

    We have reviewed the applicants' species information--which 
summarizes available information regarding status and trends, 
distribution and habitat preferences, behavior and life history, and 
auditory capabilities of the potentially affected species--for accuracy 
and completeness and refer the reader to Sections 3 and 4 of the 
applications, as well as to NMFS's Stock Assessment Reports (SAR; 
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/), instead of reprinting all of the 
information here. Additional general information about these species 
(e.g., physical and behavioral descriptions) may be found on NMFS's Web 
site (www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/), or in the U.S. Navy's 
Marine Resource Assessments (MRA) for relevant operating areas. The 
MRAs are available online at: www.navfac.navy.mil/products_and_services/ev/products_and_services/marine_resources/marine_resource_assessments.html. Table 2 lists all species with 
expected potential for occurrence in Chehalis Bridge project area and 
summarizes information related to the population or stock, including 
potential biological removal (PBR), where known. For taxonomy, we 
follow Committee on Taxonomy (2016). 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 to assess 
the population-level effects of the anticipated mortality from a 
specific project (as described in NMFS's SARs). While no mortality is 
anticipated or authorized here, PBR and annual serious injury and 
mortality are included here as gross indicators of the status of the 
species and other threats.
    Marine mammal abundance estimates presented in this document 
represent the total number of individuals that make up a given stock or 
the total number estimated within a particular study area. NMFS's stock 
abundance estimates for most species represent the total estimate of 
individuals within the geographic area, if known, that comprises that 
stock.
    Five species (with five managed stocks) are considered to have the 
potential to co-occur with the proposed construction activities. All 
values presented in Table 2 are the most recent available at the time 
of publication and are available in the 2015 SARs (Carretta et al., 
2016) and draft 2016 SARs (available online at: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/draft.htm).

                                    Table 2--Marine Mammals With Potential Presence Within the Proposed Project Area
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                                                                                                               Stock
                                                                                             ESA/MMPA     abundance (CV,
                                                                                             status;        Nmin, most                      Annual M/SI
             Common name                   Scientific name               Stock           Strategic (Y/N)      recent            PBR             \3\
                                                                                               \1\           abundance
                                                                                                            survey) \2\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Order Cetartiodactyla--Cetacea--Superfamily Mysticeti (baleen whales)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Family Eschrichtiidae
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gray whale...........................  Eschrichtius robustus..  Eastern North Pacific..               N           20,990             624             132
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Family Phocoenidae (porpoises)
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Harbor porpoise......................  Phocoena phocoena......  Washington inland                     N           11,233              66             7.2
                                                                 waters.
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[[Page 37429]]

 
                                                         Order Carnivora--Superfamily Pinnipedia
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                                                      Family Otariidae (eared seals and sea lions)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
California sea lion..................  Zalophus californianus.  U.S....................               N          296,750           9,200             389
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steller sea lion.....................  Eumetopias jubatus.....  Eastern U.S............               N           71,562           2,498             108
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             Family Phocidae (earless seals)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Harbor seal..........................  Phoca vitulina.........  Washington northern                   N       \4\ 11,036           1,641              43
                                                                 inland waters.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Endangered Species Act (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 or which is determined to be declining and likely to be listed under the ESA within the foreseeable future. Any species or stock listed
  under the ESA is automatically designated under the MMPA as depleted and as a strategic stock.
\2\ NMFS marine mammal stock assessment reports online at: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/sars/. CV is coefficient of variation; Nmin is the minimum estimate of
  stock abundance.
\3\ 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, ship strike). Annual M/SI often cannot be determined precisely and is in some cases presented as a minimum value or range. A CV
  associated with estimated mortality due to commercial fisheries is presented in some cases.
\4\ Harbor seal estimate is based on data that are 8 years old, but this is the best available information for use here.

Potential Effects of Specified Activities 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 document will include a quantitative analysis of the 
number of individuals that are expected to be taken by this activity. 
The ``Negligible Impact Analysis and Determination'' section 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 how those impacts on individuals are likely to impact marine mammal 
species or stocks.
    Potential impacts to marine mammals from the proposed US 101/
Chehalis Bridge repair project are from noise generated during in-water 
pile driving and pile removal activities.

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. Note that no direct measurements of hearing ability have been 
successfully completed for mysticetes (i.e., low-frequency cetaceans). 
Subsequently, NMFS (2016) described generalized hearing ranges for 
these marine mammal hearing groups. Generalized hearing ranges were 
chosen based on the approximately 65 decibel (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. The functional groups 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 Hertz (Hz) and 35 
kilohertz (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.
     Pinnipeds in water; Phocidae (true seals): Generalized 
hearing is estimated to occur between approximately 50 Hz to 86 kHz, 
with best hearing between 1-50 kHz;
     Pinnipeds in water; Otariidae (eared seals): Generalized 
hearing is estimated to occur between 60 Hz and 39 kHz, with best 
hearing between 2-48 kHz.
    The pinniped functional hearing group was modified from Southall et 
al. (2007) on the basis of data indicating that phocid species have 
consistently demonstrated an extended frequency range of hearing 
compared to otariids, especially in the higher frequency range

[[Page 37430]]

(Hemil[auml] et al., 2006; Kastelein et al., 2009; Reichmuth and Holt, 
2013).
    For more detail concerning these groups and associated frequency 
ranges, please see NMFS (2016) for a review of available information. 
Nine marine mammal species (2 cetacean and 3 pinniped (2 otariid and 1 
phocid) species) have the reasonable potential to co-occur with the 
proposed survey activities. Please refer to Table 2. Of the cetacean 
species that may be present, one species is classified as low-frequency 
cetaceans (i.e., gray whale), and one is classified as high-frequency 
cetaceans (i.e., harbor porpoise).
    The WSDOT's US 101 Chehalis River Bridge Project using in-water 
pile driving and pile removal could adversely affect marine mammal 
species and stocks by exposing them to elevated noise levels in the 
vicinity of the activity area.
    Exposure to high intensity sound for a sufficient duration may 
result in auditory effects such as a noise-induced threshold shift 
(TS)--an increase in the auditory threshold after exposure to noise 
(Finneran et al., 2005). Factors that influence the amount of threshold 
shift include the amplitude, duration, frequency content, temporal 
pattern, and energy distribution of noise exposure. The magnitude of 
hearing threshold shift normally decreases over time following 
cessation of the noise exposure. The amount of TS just after exposure 
is the initial TS. If the TS eventually returns to zero (i.e., the 
threshold returns to the pre-exposure value), it is a temporary 
threshold shift (TTS) (Southall et al., 2007).
    Threshold Shift (noise-induced loss of hearing)--When animals 
exhibit reduced hearing sensitivity (i.e., sounds must be louder for an 
animal to detect them) following exposure to an intense sound or sound 
for long duration, it is referred to as a noise-induced TS. An animal 
can experience TTS) or permanent threshold shift (PTS). TTS can last 
from minutes or hours to days (i.e., there is complete recovery), can 
occur in specific frequency ranges (i.e., an animal might only have a 
temporary loss of hearing sensitivity between the frequencies of 1 and 
10 kHz), and can be of varying amounts (for example, an animal's 
hearing sensitivity might be reduced initially by only 6 dB or reduced 
by 30 dB). PTS is permanent, but some recovery is possible. PTS can 
also occur in a specific frequency range and amount as mentioned above 
for TTS.
    For marine mammals, published data are limited to the captive 
bottlenose dolphin, beluga, harbor porpoise, and Yangtze finless 
porpoise (Finneran et al., 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2010a, 2010b; 
Finneran and Schlundt, 2010; Lucke et al., 2009; Mooney et al., 2009a, 
2009b; Popov et al., 2011a, 2011b; Kastelein et al., 2012a; Schlundt et 
al., 2000; Nachtigall et al., 2003, 2004). For pinnipeds in water, data 
are limited to measurements of TTS in harbor seals, an elephant seal, 
and California sea lions (Kastak et al., 1999, 2005; Kastelein et al., 
2012b).
    Lucke et al. (2009) found a TS of a harbor porpoise after exposing 
it to airgun noise with a received sound pressure level (SPL) at 200.2 
dB (peak-to-peak) re: 1 micropascal ([mu]Pa), which corresponds to a 
sound exposure level of 164.5 dB re: 1 [mu]Pa\2\ s after integrating 
exposure. Because the airgun noise is a broadband impulse, one cannot 
directly determine the equivalent of root mean square (rms) SPL from 
the reported peak-to-peak SPLs. However, applying a conservative 
conversion factor of 16 dB for broadband signals from seismic surveys 
(McCauley, et al., 2000) to correct for the difference between peak-to-
peak levels reported in Lucke et al. (2009) and rms SPLs, the rms SPL 
for TTS would be approximately 184 dB re: 1 [mu]Pa, and the received 
levels associated with PTS (Level A harassment) would be higher. 
Therefore, based on these studies, NMFS recognizes that TTS of harbor 
porpoises is lower than other cetacean species empirically tested 
(Finneran & Schlundt, 2010; Finneran et al., 2002; Kastelein and 
Jennings, 2012).
    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 
(similar to those discussed in auditory masking, below). 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. Also, depending on the degree and frequency range, the effects 
of PTS on an animal could range in severity, although it is considered 
generally more serious because it is a permanent condition. Of note, 
reduced hearing sensitivity as a simple function of aging has been 
observed in marine mammals, as well as humans and other taxa (Southall 
et al., 2007), so one can infer that strategies exist for coping with 
this condition to some degree, though likely not without cost.
    In addition, chronic exposure to excessive, though not high-
intensity, noise could cause masking at particular frequencies for 
marine mammals, which utilize sound for vital biological functions 
(Clark et al., 2009). Acoustic masking is when other noises such as 
from human sources interfere with animal detection of acoustic signals 
such as communication calls, echolocation sounds, and environmental 
sounds important to marine mammals. Therefore, under certain 
circumstances, marine mammals whose acoustical sensors or environment 
are being severely masked could also be impaired from maximizing their 
performance fitness in survival and reproduction.
    Masking occurs at the frequency band that the animals utilize. 
Therefore, since noise generated from vibratory pile driving is mostly 
concentrated at low frequency ranges, it may have less effect on high 
frequency echolocation sounds by odontocetes (toothed whales). However, 
lower frequency man-made noises are more likely to affect detection of 
communication calls and other potentially important natural sounds such 
as surf and prey noise. It may also affect communication signals when 
they occur near the noise band and thus reduce the communication space 
of animals (e.g., Clark et al., 2009) and cause increased stress levels 
(e.g., Foote et al., 2004; Holt et al., 2009).
    Unlike TS, masking, which can occur over large temporal and spatial 
scales, can potentially affect the species at population, community, or 
even ecosystem levels, as well as individual levels. Masking affects 
both senders and receivers of the signals and could have long-term 
chronic effects on marine mammal species and populations. Recent 
science suggests that low frequency ambient sound levels have increased 
by as much as 20 dB (more than three times in terms of sound pressure 
level) in the world's ocean from pre-industrial periods, and most of 
these increases are from distant shipping (Hildebrand, 2009). For 
WSDOT's Chehalis Bridge repair activities, noises from vibratory pile 
driving and pile removal contribute to the elevated ambient noise 
levels in the project area, thus increasing potential for or severity 
of masking. Baseline ambient noise levels in the vicinity of project 
area are high due to ongoing

[[Page 37431]]

shipping, construction and other activities in the Puget Sound.
    Finally, marine mammals' exposure to certain sounds could lead to 
behavioral disturbance (Richardson et al., 1995), such as: 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 noise sources are located; and/or flight responses (e.g., 
pinnipeds flushing into water from haulouts or rookeries).
    The onset of behavioral disturbance from anthropogenic noise 
depends on both external factors (characteristics of noise sources and 
their paths) and the receiving animals (hearing, motivation, 
experience, demography) and is also difficult to predict (Southall et 
al., 2007). Currently NMFS uses a received level of 160 dB re 1 [mu]Pa 
(rms) to predict the onset of behavioral harassment from impulse noises 
(such as impact pile driving), and 120 dB re 1 [mu]Pa (rms) for 
continuous noises (such as vibratory pile driving). For the WSDOT's US 
101 Chehalis River Bridge Project, only the 120-dB level is considered 
for effects analysis because WSDOT plans to use vibratory pile driving 
and pile removal.
    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 biologically significant if the change affects 
growth, survival, and/or reproduction, which depends on the severity, 
duration, and context of the effects.

Potential Effects on Marine Mammal Habitat

    The primary potential impacts to marine mammal habitat are 
associated with elevated sound levels produced by vibratory pile 
removal and pile driving in the area. However, other potential impacts 
to the surrounding habitat from physical disturbance are also possible.
    With regard to fish as a prey source for cetaceans and pinnipeds, 
fish are known to hear and react to sounds and to use sound to 
communicate (Tavolga et al., 1981) and possibly avoid predators (Wilson 
and Dill, 2002). Experiments have shown that fish can sense both the 
strength and direction of sound (Hawkins, 1981). Primary factors 
determining whether a fish can sense a sound signal, and potentially 
react to it, are the frequency of the signal and the strength of the 
signal in relation to the natural background noise level.
    The level of sound at which a fish will react or alter its behavior 
is usually well above the detection level. Fish have been found to 
react to sounds when the sound level increased to about 20 dB above the 
detection level of 120 dB (Ona, 1988); however, the response threshold 
can depend on the time of year and the fish's physiological condition 
(Engas et al., 1993). In general, fish react more strongly to pulses of 
sound (such as noise from impact pile driving) rather than continuous 
signals (such as noise from vibratory pile driving) (Blaxter et al., 
1981), and a quicker alarm response is elicited when the sound signal 
intensity rises rapidly compared to sound rising more slowly to the 
same level.
    During the coastal construction only a small fraction of the 
available habitat would be ensonified at any given time. Disturbance to 
fish species would be short-term and fish would return to their pre-
disturbance behavior once the pile driving activity ceases. Thus, the 
proposed construction would have little, if any, impact on marine 
mammals' prey availability in the area where construction work is 
planned.
    Finally, the time of the proposed construction activity would avoid 
the spawning season of the ESA-listed salmonid species.

Estimated Take

    This section provides an estimate of the number of incidental takes 
authorized through this IHA, which will inform both NMFS' consideration 
of whether the number of takes is ``small'' and the negligible impact 
determination.
    Harassment is the only type of take expected to result from these 
activities. 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).
    Authorized takes would be by Level B harassment only, in the form 
of disruption of behavioral patterns for individual marine mammals 
resulting from exposure to noise generated from vibratory pile driving 
and removal. Based on the nature of the activity and the anticipated 
effectiveness of the mitigation measures (i.e., shutdown measures--
discussed in detail below in Proposed Mitigation section), Level A 
harassment is neither anticipated nor proposed to be authorized.
    As described previously, no mortality is anticipated or authorized 
for this activity. Below we describe how the take is estimated.
    Described in the most basic way, we estimate take by considering: 
(1) Acoustic thresholds above which NMFS believes the best available 
science indicates marine mammals will be behaviorally harassed or incur 
some degree of permanent hearing impairment; (2) the area or volume of 
water that will be ensonified above these levels in a day; (3) the 
density or occurrence of marine mammals within these ensonified areas; 
and, (4) and the number of days of activities. Below, we describe these 
components in more detail and present the take estimate.

Acoustic Thresholds

    Using the best available science, NMFS has developed acoustic 
thresholds that identify the received level of underwater sound above 
which exposed marine mammals would be reasonably expected to be 
behaviorally harassed (equated to Level B harassment) or to incur PTS 
of some degree (equated to Level A harassment).
    Level B Harassment for non-explosive sources--Though significantly 
driven by received level, the onset of behavioral disturbance from 
anthropogenic noise exposure is also informed to varying degrees by 
other factors related to the source (e.g., frequency, predictability, 
duty cycle), the environment (e.g., bathymetry), and the receiving 
animals (hearing, motivation, experience, demography, behavioral 
context) and can be difficult to predict (Southall et al., 2007, 
Ellison et al., 2011). Based on what the available science indicates 
and the practical need to use a threshold based on a factor that is 
both predictable and measurable for most activities, NMFS uses a 
generalized acoustic threshold based on received level to estimate the 
onset of behavioral harassment. NMFS predicts that marine mammals are 
likely to be behaviorally harassed in a manner we consider Level B 
harassment when exposed to underwater anthropogenic noise above 
received levels of 120 dB re 1 [mu]Pa (rms) for continuous (e.g. 
vibratory pile-driving, drilling) and above 160 dB re 1 [mu]Pa (rms) 
for non-explosive impulsive (e.g., seismic airguns) or intermittent 
(e.g., scientific sonar) sources.
    Applicant's proposed activity includes the use of continuous 
(vibratory pile driving and removal)

[[Page 37432]]

source, and therefore the 120 dB re 1 [mu]Pa (rms) is applicable.
    Level A harassment for non-explosive sources--NMFS' Technical 
Guidance for Assessing the Effects of Anthropogenic Sound on Marine 
Mammal Hearing (Technical Guidance, 2016) identifies dual criteria to 
assess auditory injury (Level A harassment) to five different marine 
mammal groups (based on hearing sensitivity) as a result of exposure to 
noise from two different types of sources (impulsive or non-impulsive). 
Applicant's proposed activity includes the use non-impulsive (vibratory 
pile driving and pile removal) source.
    These thresholds were developed by compiling and synthesizing the 
best available science and soliciting input multiple times from both 
the public and peer reviewers to inform the final product, and are 
provided in the table below. The references, analysis, and methodology 
used in the development of the thresholds are described in NMFS 2016 
Technical Guidance, which may be accessed at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/acoustics/guidelines.htm.

                 Table 3--Current Acoustic Exposure Criteria for Non-Explosive Sound Underwater
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           PTS onset thresholds                    Behavioral thresholds
          Hearing group          -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Impulsive         Non-impulsive         Impulsive         Non-impulsive
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Low-Frequency (LF) Cetaceans....  Lpk,flat: 219 dB;   LE,LF,24h: 199 dB.  Lrms,flat: 160 dB.  Lrms,flat: 120 dB
                                   LE,LF,24h: 183 dB.
Mid-Frequency (MF) Cetaceans....  Lpk,flat: 230 dB;   LE,MF,24h: 198 dB.
                                   LE,MF,24h: 185 dB.
High-Frequency (HF) Cetaceans...  Lpk,flat: 202 dB;   LE,HF,24h: 173 dB.
                                   LE,HF,24h: 155 dB.
Phocid Pinnipeds (PW)             Lpk,flat: 218 dB;   LE,PW,24h: 201 dB.
 (Underwater).                     LE,PW,24h: 185 dB.
Otariid Pinnipeds (OW)            Lpk,flat: 232 dB;   LE,OW,24h: 219 dB.
 (Underwater).                     LE,OW,24h: 203 dB.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Dual metric acoustic thresholds for impulsive sounds: Use whichever results in the largest isopleth for
  calculating PTS onset. If a non-impulsive sound has the potential of exceeding the peak sound pressure level
  thresholds associated with impulsive sounds, these thresholds should also be considered.
Note: Peak sound pressure (Lpk) has a reference value of 1 [mu]Pa, and cumulative sound exposure level (LE) has
  a reference value of 1[mu]Pa2s. In this Table, thresholds are abbreviated to reflect American National
  Standards Institute standards (ANSI 2013). However, peak sound pressure is defined by ANSI as incorporating
  frequency weighting, which is not the intent for this Technical Guidance. Hence, the subscript ``flat'' is
  being included to indicate peak sound pressure should be flat weighted or unweighted within the generalized
  hearing range. The subscript associated with cumulative sound exposure level thresholds indicates the
  designated marine mammal auditory weighting function (LF, MF, and HF cetaceans, and PW and OW pinnipeds) and
  that the recommended accumulation period is 24 hours. The cumulative sound exposure level thresholds could be
  exceeded in a multitude of ways (i.e., varying exposure levels and durations, duty cycle). When possible, it
  is valuable for action proponents to indicate the conditions under which these acoustic thresholds will be
  exceeded.

Ensonified Area

    Here, we describe operational and environmental parameters of the 
activity that will feed into identifying the area ensonified above the 
acoustic thresholds.

Source Levels

    The project includes vibratory pile driving and removal of steel H 
piles and sheet piles. The dimension of the H piles is unknown, but not 
is expected to be more than 12 inches (in).
    Source levels for the steel H pile vibratory driving are based on 
in-water measurements reported by CALTRANS (2015) of 12-in steel H 
pile, which are 150 dBrms and 165 dBpeak re 1 
[micro]Pa at 10 meters (m). Source levels for the sheet pile are based 
on in-water measurements at the Elliot Bay Seawall Project (The 
Greenbush Group, 2015), which is 165 dBrms and 180 
dBpeak re 1 [micro]Pa at 10 m. For vibratory pile removal, 
the source levels are conservatively estimated using the pile driving 
source levels as proxies.
    A summary of source levels from different pile driving and pile 
removal activities is provided in Table 4.

                             Table 4--Summary of In-Water Pile Driving Source Levels
                                              [at 10 m from source]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                   SEL  (dB re 1  SPLrms  (dB re
                    Method                               Pile type/size            [micro]Pa\2\-   1 [micro]Pa)
                                                                                        s)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vibratory driving/removal.....................  12-in steel H pile..............             150             150
Vibratory driving/removal.....................  Sheet pile......................             165             165
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    These source levels are used to compute the Level A injury zones 
and to estimate the Level B harassment zones. For Level A harassment 
zones, since the peak source levels for both pile driving are below the 
injury thresholds, cumulative SEL were used to do the calculations 
using the NMFS acoustic guidance (NMFS 2016).

Estimating Injury Zones

    When NMFS Technical Guidance (2016) was published, in recognition 
of the fact that ensonified area/volume could be more technically 
challenging to predict because of the duration component in the new 
thresholds, we developed a User Spreadsheet that includes tools to help 
predict a simple isopleth that can be used in conjunction with marine 
mammal density or occurrence to help predict takes. We note that 
because of some of the assumptions included in the methods used for 
these tools, we anticipate that isopleths produced are typically going 
to be overestimates of some degree, which will result in some degree of 
overestimate of Level A take. However, these tools offer the best way 
to predict

[[Page 37433]]

appropriate isopleths when more sophisticated 3D modeling methods are 
not available, and NMFS continues to develop ways to quantitatively 
refine these tools, and will qualitatively address the output where 
appropriate.
    For cumulative SEL (LE), distances to marine mammal injury 
thresholds were estimated using NMFS Optional User Spreadsheet based on 
the noise exposure guidance.
    Isopleths to Level B behavioral zones are based on rms SPL 
(SPLrms) that are specific for non-impulse (vibratory pile 
driving) sources. Distances to marine mammal behavior thresholds were 
calculated using practical spreading.
    A summary of the measured and modeled harassment zones is provided 
in Table 5.

                                                         Table 5--Distances to Harassment Zones
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                         Injury zone  (m)
         Pile type, size and pile driving method         --------------------------------------------------------------------------------  Behavior zone
                                                            LF cetacean     MF cetacean     HF cetacean       Phocid          Otariid           (m)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vibratory driving & removal, sheet pile, 10 piles/day...            36.9             3.3            54.6            22.4             1.6          10,000
Vibratory driving & removal, steel H pile, 6 piles/day..             2.6             0.2             3.9             1.6             0.1           1,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Marine Mammal Occurrence

    In this section we provide the information about the presence, 
density, or group dynamics of marine mammals that will inform the take 
calculations.
    In most cases, marine mammal density data are from the U.S. Navy 
Marine Species Density Database (U.S. Navy 2015). Harbor seal density 
is based on a counts of harbor seals at 44 low-tide haul outs in Grays 
Harbor by Jeffries, et al. (2000), the estimated density of harbor 
seals in the US 101 Chehalis River Bridge project area is 29.4 animals 
per square kilometer (km\2\).
    The Navy Marine Species Density Database (U.S. Navy 2015) estimates 
the density of California sea lions in the waters offshore of Grays 
Harbor as 0.033 animals/km\2\. This estimate will be used as a 
surrogate for Grays Harbor.
    The Navy Marine Species Density Database (U.S. Navy 2015) estimates 
the density of Steller sea lions in the waters offshore of Grays Harbor 
as 0.0145 animals/km\2\. This estimate will be used as a surrogate for 
Grays Harbor.
    The Navy Marine Species Density Database (U.S. Navy 2015) estimates 
the density of harbor porpoises in the waters offshore of Grays Harbor 
as a range between 0.69 and 1.67 animals per square kilometer. 
According to Evenson, et al. (2016), the maximum harbor porpoise 
density in the Strait of Juan de Fuca (approximately 105 miles north of 
Grays Harbor) in 2014 was 0.768 animals/km\2\. The higher density 
estimate for waters offshore of Grays Harbor (1.67) will be used for 
this analysis.
    According to counts conducted by Calambokidis et al. (2012), 29 
gray whales were observed over a 12-year period during the months of 
July through September (the proposed period of project activities). 
Based on this data, an average of 2.25 gray whales may be present in 
Grays Harbor/south Washington coast during the 3-month period.

Take Calculation and Estimation

    Here we describe how the information provided above is brought 
together to produce a quantitative take estimate. For all marine mammal 
species except gray whale, estimated takes are calculated based on 
ensonified area for a specific pile driving activity multiplied by the 
marine mammal density in the action area, multiplied by the number of 
pile driving (or removal) days. Distances to and areas of different 
harassment zones are listed in Tables 5 and 6. Total days for sheet 
pile driving and removal are five days each, and the total day for 
steel H pile driving and removal is one day each.

                                                           Table 6--Areas of Harassment Zones
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                       Injury zone  (km\2\)
         Pile type, size and pile driving method         --------------------------------------------------------------------------------  Behavior zone
                                                            LF cetacean     MF cetacean     HF cetacean       Phocid          Otariid         (km\2\)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vibratory driving & removal, sheet pile, 10 piles/day...           0.004           0.000           0.009           0.002           0.000            2.13
Vibratory driving & removal, steel H pile, 6 piles/day..           0.000           0.000           0.000           0.000           0.000            0.67
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The results predicted that a total of 666 harbor seals, 1 
California sea lion, 0 Steller sea lion, and 38 harbor porpoise could 
be exposure to received levels that would cause Level B harassment. 
However, owing to the prior observations that California sea lion and 
Steller sea lion's presence in the project area, we adjusted the take 
number of these species to 10.
    For gray whales, the Level B takes were estimate based on an 
average sighting of 2.25 whales in Grays Harbor/south Washington Coast 
during the months of July through September (Calambokidis et al., 
(2012) adjusted upwards to 3 animals.
    Due to the extreme small injury zones (maximum zone is 0.009 km\2\ 
for high-frequency cetacean), the calculation predicted no animals 
would be exposed to noise levels that could cause Level A harassment, 
and therefore no Level A take is proposed for authorization. A summary 
of estimated marine mammal Level B takes is listed in Table 7.

[[Page 37434]]



  Table 7--Estimated Numbers of Marine Mammals That May Be Exposed to Received Noise Levels That Cause Level B
                                                   Harassment
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                      Density
                     Species                         (animals/       Estimated       Abundance      Percentage
                                                      km\2\)       Level B take
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pacific harbor seal.............................            29.4             666          11,036            6.03
California sea lion.............................           0.033              10         296,750            0.00
Steller sea lion................................          0.0145              10          71,562            0.00
Gray whale......................................              NA               3          20,990            0.00
Harbor porpoise.................................            1.67              38          11,233            0.34
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Proposed Mitigation

    In order to issue an IHA under section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA, 
NMFS must set forth the permissible methods of taking pursuant to such 
activity, and other means of effecting the least practicable impact on 
such species or stock and its habitat, paying particular attention to 
rookeries, mating grounds, and areas of similar significance, and on 
the availability of such species or stock for taking for certain 
subsistence uses (latter not applicable for this action). NMFS 
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 of effecting the least practicable adverse 
impact upon the affected species or stocks and their habitat (50 CFR 
216.104(a)(11)).
    In evaluating how mitigation may or may not be appropriate to 
ensure the least practicable adverse impact on species or stocks and 
their habitat, as well as subsistence uses where applicable, we 
carefully consider two primary factors:
    (1) The manner in which, and the degree to which, the successful 
implementation of the measure(s) is expected to reduce impacts to 
marine mammals, marine mammal species or stocks, and their habitat. 
This considers the nature of the potential adverse impact being 
mitigated (likelihood, scope, range). It further considers the 
likelihood that the measure will be effective if implemented 
(probability of accomplishing the mitigating result if implemented as 
planned) the likelihood of effective implementation (probability 
implemented as planned) and;
    (2) The practicability of the measures for applicant 
implementation, which may consider such things as cost, impact on 
operations, and, in the case of a military readiness activity, 
personnel safety, practicality of implementation, and impact on the 
effectiveness of the military readiness activity.

Mitigation for Marine Mammals and Their Habitat

1. Time Restriction
    Work would occur only during daylight hours, when visual monitoring 
of marine mammals can be conducted. In addition, all in-water 
construction will be limited to the period between July 16, 2018, and 
September 30, 2018.
2. Establishing and Monitoring Level A, Level B Harassment Zones, and 
Exclusion Zones
    Before the commencement of in-water construction activities, which 
include vibratory pile driving and pile removal, WSDOT shall establish 
Level A harassment zones where received underwater SELcum 
could cause PTS (see above).
    WSDOT shall also establish Level B harassment zones where received 
underwater SPLs are higher than 120 dBrms re 1 [micro]Pa for 
non-impulsive noise sources (vibratory pile driving and pile removal).
    WSDOT shall establish exclusion zones within which marine mammals 
could be taken by Level A harassment. For Level A harassment zones that 
is less than 10 m from the source, a minimum of 10 m distance should be 
established as an exclusion zone.
    A summary of exclusion zones is provided in Table 8.

          Table 8--Exclusion Zones for Various Pile Driving Activities and Marine Mammal Hearing Groups
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Exclusion zone  (m)
Pile type, size and pile driving -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             method                 LF cetacean     MF cetacean     HF cetacean       Phocid          Otariid
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vibratory driving & removal,                  37              10              55              22              10
 sheet pile, 10 piles/day.......
Vibratory driving & removal,                  10              10              10              10              10
 steel H pile, 6 piles/day......
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    NMFS-approved protected species observers (PSO) shall conduct an 
initial survey of the exclusion zones to ensure that no marine mammals 
are seen within the zones before pile driving and pile removal of a 
pile segment begins. If marine mammals are found within the exclusion 
zone, pile driving of the segment would be delayed until they move out 
of the area. If a marine mammal is seen above water and then dives 
below, the contractor would wait 30 minutes. If no marine mammals are 
seen by the observer in that time it can be assumed that the animal has 
moved beyond the exclusion zone.
    If pile driving of a segment ceases for 30 minutes or more and a 
marine mammal is sighted within the designated exclusion zone prior to 
commencement of pile driving, the observer(s) must notify the pile 
driving operator (or other authorized individual) immediately and 
continue to monitor the exclusion zone. Operations may not resume until 
the marine mammal has exited the exclusion zone or 30 minutes have 
elapsed since the last sighting.
3. Shutdown Measures
    WSDOT shall implement shutdown measures if a marine mammal is 
detected within an exclusion zone or is about to enter an exclusion 
zone listed in Table 8.
    Further, WSDOT shall implement shutdown measures if the number of 
authorized takes for any particular species reaches the limit under the 
IHA (if issued) and if such marine mammals

[[Page 37435]]

are sighted within the vicinity of the project area and are approaching 
the Level B harassment zone during in-water construction activities.
    Based on our evaluation of the required measures, NMFS has 
preliminarily determined that the prescribed mitigation measures 
provide the means effecting the least practicable impact on the 
affected species or stocks and their habitat, paying particular 
attention to rookeries, mating grounds, and areas of similar 
significance.

Proposed Monitoring and Reporting

    In order to issue an IHA for an activity, section 101(a)(5)(D) of 
the MMPA states that NMFS must set forth, ``requirements pertaining to 
the monitoring and reporting of such taking.'' The MMPA implementing 
regulations at 50 CFR 216.104(a)(13) indicate that requests for 
authorizations must include the suggested means of accomplishing the 
necessary monitoring and reporting that will result in increased 
knowledge of the species and of the level of taking or impacts on 
populations of marine mammals that are expected to be present in the 
proposed action area. Effective reporting is critical both to 
compliance as well as ensuring that the most value is obtained from the 
required monitoring.
    Monitoring and reporting requirements prescribed by NMFS should 
contribute to improved understanding of one or more of the following:
     Occurrence of marine mammal species or stocks in the area 
in which take is anticipated (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 marine mammal responses (behavioral or 
physiological) to acoustic stressors (acute, chronic, or cumulative), 
other stressors, or cumulative impacts from multiple stressors;
     How anticipated responses to stressors impact either: (1) 
Long-term fitness and survival of individual marine mammals; or (2) 
populations, species, or stocks;
     Effects on marine mammal habitat (e.g., marine mammal prey 
species, acoustic habitat, or other important physical components of 
marine mammal habitat); and
     Mitigation and monitoring effectiveness.

Proposed Monitoring Measures

    WSDOT shall employ NMFS-approved PSOs to conduct marine mammal 
monitoring for its US 101/Chehalis Bridge Repair Project. The purposes 
of marine mammal monitoring are to implement mitigation measures and 
learn more about impacts to marine mammals from WSDOT's construction 
activities. The PSOs will observe and collect data on marine mammals in 
and around the project area for 30 minutes before, during, and for 30 
minutes after all pile removal and pile installation work. NMFS-
approved PSOs shall meet the following requirements:
    1. Independent observers (i.e., not construction personnel) are 
required;
    2. At least one observer must have prior experience working as an 
observer;
    3. Other observers may substitute education (undergraduate degree 
in biological science or related field) or training for experience;
    4. Where a team of three or more observers are required, one 
observer should be designated as lead observer or monitoring 
coordinator. The lead observer must have prior experience working as an 
observer; and
    5. NMFS will require submission and approval of observer CVs;
    Monitoring of marine mammals around the construction site shall be 
conducted using high-quality binoculars (e.g., Zeiss, 10 x 42 power). 
Due to the different sizes of ZOIs from different pile types, two 
different ZOIs and different monitoring protocols corresponding to a 
specific pile type will be established.
     For vibratory pile driving and pile removal of sheet 
piles, a total of four land-based PSOs will monitor the exclusion zones 
and Level B harassment zone.
     For vibratory pile driving and pile removal of H piles, a 
total of three land-based PSOs will monitor the exclusion zones and 
Level B harassment zone.
    Locations of the land-based PSOs and routes of monitoring vessels 
are shown in WSDOT's Marine Mammal Monitoring Plan, which is available 
online at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental/construction.htm.
    To verify the required monitoring distance, the exclusion zones and 
ZOIs will be determined by using a range finder or hand-held global 
positioning system device.

Reporting Measures

    WSDOT is required to submit a draft monitoring report within 90 
days after completion of the construction work or the expiration of the 
IHA (if issued), whichever comes earlier. This report would detail the 
monitoring protocol, summarize the data recorded during monitoring, and 
estimate the number of marine mammals that may have been harassed. NMFS 
would have an opportunity to provide comments on the report, and if 
NMFS has comments, WSDOT would address the comments and submit a final 
report to NMFS within 30 days.
    In addition, NMFS would require WSDOT to notify NMFS' Office of 
Protected Resources and NMFS' West Coast Stranding Coordinator within 
48 hours of sighting an injured or dead marine mammal in the 
construction site. WSDOT shall provide NMFS and the Stranding Network 
with the species or description of the animal(s), the condition of the 
animal(s) (including carcass condition, if the animal is dead), 
location, time of first discovery, observed behaviors (if alive), and 
photo or video (if available).
    In the event that WSDOT finds an injured or dead marine mammal that 
is not in the construction area, WSDOT would report the same 
information as listed above to NMFS as soon as operationally feasible.

Negligible Impact Analysis and Determination

    NMFS has defined negligible impact 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'' (50 CFR 216.103). 
A negligible impact finding is based on the lack of likely adverse 
effects on annual rates of recruitment or survival (i.e., population-
level effects). An estimate of the number of takes alone is not enough 
information on which to base an impact determination. In addition to 
considering estimates of the number of marine mammals that might be 
``taken'' through harassment, NMFS considers other factors, such as the 
likely nature of any responses (e.g., intensity, duration), the context 
of any responses (e.g., critical reproductive time or location, 
migration), as well as effects on habitat, and the likely effectiveness 
of the mitigation. We also assess the number, intensity, and context of 
estimated takes by evaluating this information relative to population 
status. Consistent with the 1989

[[Page 37436]]

preamble for NMFS's implementing regulations (54 FR 40338; September 
29, 1989), the impacts from other past and ongoing anthropogenic 
activities are incorporated into this analysis 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, ongoing 
sources of human-caused mortality, or ambient noise levels).
    To avoid repetition, this introductory discussion of our analyses 
applies to all the species listed in Table 7, given that the 
anticipated effects of WSDOT's Chehalis Bridge repair project 
activities involving pile driving and pile removal on marine mammals 
are expected to be relatively similar in nature. There is no 
information about the nature or severity of the impacts, or the size, 
status, or structure of any species or stock that would lead to a 
different analysis by species for this activity, or else species-
specific factors would be identified and analyzed.
    For all marine mammal species, takes that are anticipated and 
authorized are expected to be limited to short-term Level B harassment 
(behavioral) because of the small scale (only a total of 100 piles to 
be installed and removed), lower source levels (small piles by 
vibratory pile driving and pile removal), and short durations (maximum 
five hours pile driving or pile removal per day). Marine mammals 
present in the vicinity of the action area and taken by Level B 
harassment would most likely show overt brief disturbance (startle 
reaction) and avoidance of the area from elevated noise levels during 
pile driving and pile removal. For these reasons, these behavioral 
impacts are not expected to affect marine mammals' growth, survival, 
and reproduction, especially considering the limited geographic area 
that would be affected in comparison to the much larger habitat for 
marine mammals in the Pacific Northwest.
    The project also is not expected to have significant adverse 
effects on affected marine mammals' habitat, as analyzed in detail in 
the ``Anticipated Effects on Marine Mammal Habitat'' section. There is 
no ESA designated critical area in the vicinity of the Chehalis Bridge 
Project area. The project activities would not permanently modify 
existing marine mammal habitat. The activities may kill some fish and 
cause other fish to leave the area temporarily, thus impacting marine 
mammals' foraging opportunities in a limited portion of the foraging 
range; but, because of the short duration of the activities and the 
relatively small area of the habitat that may be affected, the impacts 
to marine mammal habitat are not expected to cause significant or long-
term negative consequences. Therefore, given the consideration of 
potential impacts to marine mammal prey species and their physical 
environment, WSDOT's proposed construction activity at Chehalis Bridge 
would not adversely affect marine mammal habitat.
    In summary and as described above, the following factors primarily 
support our determination that the impacts resulting from this activity 
are not expected to adversely affect the species or stock through 
effects on annual rates of recruitment or survival:
     No injury, series injury, or mortality is anticipated or 
authorized;
     All harassment is Level B harassment in the form of short-
term behavioral modification; and
     No areas of specific importance to affected species are 
impacted.
    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 prescribed monitoring and 
mitigation measures, NMFS finds that the total take from the proposed 
activity will have a negligible impact on all affected marine mammal 
species or stocks.

Small Numbers

    As noted above, only small numbers of incidental take may be 
authorized under section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA for specified 
activities other than military readiness activities. The MMPA does not 
define small numbers and so, in practice, NMFS compares the number of 
individuals taken to the most appropriate estimation of abundance of 
the relevant species or stock in our determination of whether an 
authorization is limited to small numbers of marine mammals.
    The estimated takes are below seven percent of the population for 
all marine mammals except harbor porpoise (Table 7).
    Based on the analysis contained herein of the proposed activity 
(including the prescribed mitigation and monitoring measures) and the 
anticipated take of marine mammals, NMFS finds that small numbers of 
marine mammals will be taken relative to the population size of the 
affected species or stocks.

Unmitigable Adverse Impact Subsistence Analysis and Determination

    There are no relevant subsistence uses of the affected marine 
mammal stocks or species implicated by this action. Therefore, NMFS has 
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 incidental take of ESA-listed species is proposed for 
authorization or expected to result from this activity. Therefore, NMFS 
has determined that formal consultation under section 7 of the ESA is 
not required for this action.

Proposed Authorization

    As a result of these preliminary determinations, NMFS proposes to 
issue an IHA to WSDOT for conducting US 101/Chehalis Bridge Repair 
Project between July 1, 2018, and June 30, 2019, provided the 
previously mentioned mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements 
are incorporated. This section contains a draft of the IHA itself. The 
wording contained in this section is proposed for inclusion in the IHA 
(if issued).
    1. This Authorization is valid from July 1, 2018, through June 30, 
2019.
    2. This Authorization is valid only for activities associated with 
in-water construction work at the US 101/Chehalis Bridge Repair Project 
in the State of Washington.
    3. (a) The species authorized taking by Level B harassment and in 
the numbers shown in Table 7 are: Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina), 
California sea lion (Zalophus californianus), Steller sea lion 
(Eumetopias jubatus), gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus), and harbor 
porpoise (Phocoena phocoena).
    (b) The authorization for taking by harassment is limited to the 
following acoustic sources and from the following activities:
     Vibratory pile driving; and
     Vibratory pile removal.
    4. Prohibitions.
    (a) The taking, by incidental harassment only, is limited to the 
species listed under condition 3(a) above and by the numbers listed in 
Table 7 of this notice. The taking by injury, series injury, or death 
of these species or the taking by harassment, injury or death of any 
other species of marine mammal is prohibited unless separately 
authorized or exempted under the MMPA and may result in the 
modification, suspension, or revocation of this Authorization.
    (b) The taking of any marine mammal is prohibited whenever the 
required protected species observers (PSOs), required by condition 
7(a), are not present in conformance with condition 7(a) of this 
Authorization.

[[Page 37437]]

    5. Mitigation.
    (a) Time Restriction. In-water construction work shall occur only 
during daylight hours.
    (b) Establishment of Level A and Level B Harassment Zones.
    (A) Before the commencement of in-water pile driving/removal 
activities, WSDOT shall establish Level A harassment zones. The modeled 
Level A zones are summarized in Table 5.
    (B) Before the commencement of in-water pile driving/removal 
activities, WSDOT shall establish Level B harassment zones. The modeled 
Level B zones are summarized in Table 5.
    (C) Before the commencement of in-water pile driving/removal 
activities, WSDOT shall establish exclusion zones. The proposed 
exclusion zones are summarized in Table 8.
    (c) Monitoring of marine mammals shall take place starting 30 
minutes before pile driving begins until 30 minutes after pile driving 
ends.
    (d) Shutdown Measures.
    (i) WSDOT shall implement shutdown measures if a marine mammal is 
detected within or to be approaching the exclusion zones provided in 
Table 8 of this notice.
    (ii) WSDOT shall implement shutdown measures if the number of any 
allotted marine mammal takes reaches the limit under the IHA, if such 
marine mammals are sighted within the vicinity of the project area and 
are approaching the Level B harassment zone during pile removal 
activities.
    6. Monitoring.
    (a) Protected Species Observers.
    WSDOT shall employ NMFS-approved PSOs to conduct marine mammal 
monitoring for its construction project. NMFS-approved PSOs will meet 
the following qualifications.
    (i) Independent observers (i.e., not construction personnel) are 
required.
    (ii) At least one observer must have prior experience working as an 
observer.
    (iii) Other observers may substitute education (undergraduate 
degree in biological science or related field) or training for 
experience.
    (iv) Where a team of three or more observers are required, one 
observer should be designated as lead observer or monitoring 
coordinator. The lead observer must have prior experience working as an 
observer.
    (v) NMFS will require submission and approval of observer CVs.
    (b) Monitoring Protocols: PSOs shall be present on site at all 
times during pile removal and driving.
    (i) A 30-minute pre-construction marine mammal monitoring will be 
required before the first pile driving or pile removal of the day. A 
30-minute post-construction marine mammal monitoring will be required 
after the last pile driving or pile removal of the day. If the 
constructors take a break between subsequent pile driving or pile 
removal for more than 30 minutes, then additional 30-minute pre-
construction marine mammal monitoring will be required before the next 
start-up of pile driving or pile removal.
    (iii) Marine mammal visual monitoring will be conducted for 
different ZOIs based on different sizes of piles being driven or 
removed, as shown in maps in WSDOT's Marine Mammal Monitoring Plan.
    (A) For vibratory pile driving and pile removal of sheet piles, a 
total of four land-based PSOs will monitor the exclusion zones and 
Level B harassment zone.
    (B) For vibratory pile driving and pile removal of H piles, a total 
of three land-based PSOs will monitor the exclusion zones and Level B 
harassment zone.
    (iv) If marine mammals are observed, the following information will 
be documented:
    (A) Species of observed marine mammals;
    (B) Number of observed marine mammal individuals;
    (C) Behavior of observed marine mammals;(D) Location within the 
ZOI; and
    7. Reporting:
    (a) WSDOT shall provide NMFS with a draft monitoring report within 
90 days of the conclusion of the construction work or within 90 days of 
the expiration of the IHA, whichever comes first. This report shall 
detail the monitoring protocol, summarize the data recorded during 
monitoring, and estimate the number of marine mammals that may have 
been harassed.
    (b) If comments are received from NMFS Office of Protected 
Resources on the draft report, a final report shall be submitted to 
NMFS within 30 days thereafter. If no comments are received from NMFS, 
the draft report will be considered to be the final report.
    (c) In the unanticipated event that the construction activities 
clearly cause the take of a marine mammal in a manner prohibited by 
this Authorization (if issued), such as an injury, serious injury, or 
mortality, WSDOT shall immediately cease all operations and immediately 
report the incident to the Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, and the 
West Coast Regional Stranding Coordinators. The report must include the 
following information:
    (i) Time, date, and location (latitude/longitude) of the incident;
    (ii) description of the incident;
    (iii) status of all sound source use in the 24 hours preceding the 
incident;
    (iv) environmental conditions (e.g., wind speed and direction, sea 
state, cloud cover, visibility, and water depth);
    (v) description of marine mammal observations in the 24 hours 
preceding the incident;
    (vi) species identification or description of the animal(s) 
involved;
    (vii) the fate of the animal(s); and
    (viii) photographs or video footage of the animal (if equipment is 
available).
    Activities shall not resume until NMFS is able to review the 
circumstances of the prohibited take. NMFS shall work with WSDOT to 
determine what is necessary to minimize the likelihood of further 
prohibited take and ensure MMPA compliance. WSDOT may not resume their 
activities until notified by NMFS via letter, email, or telephone.
    (E) In the event that WSDOT discovers an injured or dead marine 
mammal, and the lead PSO determines that the cause of the injury or 
death is unknown and the death is relatively recent (i.e., in less than 
a moderate state of decomposition as described in the next paragraph), 
WSDOT will immediately report the incident to the Office of Protected 
Resources, NMFS, and the West Coast Regional Stranding Coordinators. 
The report must include the same information identified above. 
Activities may continue while NMFS reviews the circumstances of the 
incident. NMFS will work with WSDOT to determine whether modifications 
in the activities are appropriate.
    (F) In the event that WSDOT discovers an injured or dead marine 
mammal, and the lead PSO determines that the injury or death is not 
associated with or related to the activities authorized in the IHA 
(e.g., previously wounded animal, carcass with moderate to advanced 
decomposition, or scavenger damage), WSDOT shall report the incident to 
the Office of Protected Resources, NMFS, and the West Coast Regional 
Stranding Coordinators, within 24 hours of the discovery. WSDOT shall 
provide photographs or video footage (if available) or other 
documentation of the stranded animal sighting to NMFS and the Marine 
Mammal Stranding Network. WSDOT can continue its operations under such 
a case.
    8. This Authorization may be modified, suspended or withdrawn if 
the holder fails to abide by the conditions prescribed herein or if 
NMFS determines the authorized taking is having more than a negligible 
impact on the species or stock of affected marine mammals.

[[Page 37438]]

    9. A copy of this Authorization must be in the possession of each 
contractor who performs the construction work at the US 101/Chehalis 
Bridge Repair Project.

Request for Public Comments

    We request comment on our analyses, the draft authorization, and 
any other aspect of this Notice of Proposed IHA for the WSDOT's US 101/
Chehalis Bridge Repair Project. Please include with your comments any 
supporting data or literature citations to help inform our final 
decision on the request for MMPA authorization.

    Dated: August 7, 2017.
Donna S. Wieting,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-16881 Filed 8-9-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P