Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Miller Sands Island, Rice Island, and Cottonwood Island Pile Dike Repairs Projects on the Lower Columbia River in Oregon and Washington

Résumé

NMFS has received a request from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the Miller Sands-Rice Island Pile Dike Repairs Project (MSRI Project) and Cottonwood Island Pile Dike Replacement Project (CI Project) on the lower Columbia River (LCR) in Oregon and Washington. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue two incidental harassment authorizations (IHAs) to incidentally take marine mammals during the specified activities. NMFS is also requesting comments on possible one-time, 1-year renewals that could be issued under certain circumstances and if all requirements are met, as described in Request for Public Comments at the end of this notice. NMFS will consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the issuance of the requested MMPA authorizations and agency responses will be summarized in the final notice of our decision.