[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 85 (Thursday, May 2, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 18828]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-08947]



[[Page 18828]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XG559


Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; 
Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Boost-Back and Landing of Falcon 9 
Rockets

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

ACTION: Notice; withdrawal of an Incidental Harassment Authorization 
(IHA) application.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Space Exploration Technology 
Corporation (SpaceX) has withdrawn its application for an IHA to take 
marine mammals incidental to boost-back and landing of Falcon 9 rockets 
at Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) in California, and at contingency 
landing locations in the Pacific Ocean. Accordingly, NMFS has withdrawn 
its related proposed IHA.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 20, 2018 NMFS received an IHA 
application from SpaceX for the taking of marine mammals incidental to 
Falcon 9 First Stage recovery activities, including in-air boost-back 
maneuvers and landings of the First Stage of the Falcon 9 rocket at 
VAFB in California, and at contingency landing locations offshore. NMFS 
determined that the application was adequate and complete on October 
23, 2018. The requested IHA would have authorized take, by Level B 
harassment only, of six marine mammal species as a result from the 
specified activity. NMFS published a notice of the proposed IHA in the 
Federal Register (83 FR 57432) on November 15, 2018. On April 18, 2019, 
NMFS accepted notice from SpaceX withdrawing their IHA application for 
the proposed action after take of marine mammals incidental to their 
proposed activities was authorized by Letters of Authorization issued 
in accordance with 50 CFR 217, Subpart G--Taking of Marine Mammals 
Incidental to Rocket and Missile Launches and Aircraft Operations at 
Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB), California. Therefore, NMFS has 
withdrawn its proposed IHA for the action.

    Dated: April 29, 2019.
Donna S. Wieting,
Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-08947 Filed 5-1-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P