Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to SouthCoast Wind Energy Marine Site Characterization Surveys off the Coast of Massachusetts and Rhode Island

Zusammenfassung

NMFS received a request from SouthCoast Wind Energy, LLC (SouthCoast Wind; formerly known as Mayflower Wind Energy, LLC) for the renewal of their prior incidental harassment authorization (IHA) (hereinafter, the "initial IHA") to take marine mammals incidental to marine site characterization surveys offshore of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. SouthCoast Wind's activities are identical to those covered in the 2023-2024 authorization, and consist of a subset of the initially planned activities. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), prior to issuing the previous IHA, NMFS requested comments on both the proposed IHA and the potential for renewing the initial authorization if certain requirements were satisfied. The renewal requirements have been satisfied, and NMFS is now providing an additional 15-day comment period to allow for any additional comments on the proposed renewal not previously provided during the initial 30- day comment period.