Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the New London Pier Extension Project at the Naval Submarine Base

Résumé

NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Navy (Navy) for the re-issuance of a previously issued incidental harassment authorization (IHA) with the only change being effective dates. The initial IHA authorized take of six species of marine mammals, by Level B harassment, and for take of harbor seals, gray seals, and harp seals by Level A harassment, incidental to construction associated with the New London Pier Extension Project at the Naval Submarine Base (SUBASE) New London in Groton, Connecticut. The project has been delayed and none of the work covered in the initial IHA has been conducted. The scope of the activities and anticipated effects remain the same, authorized take numbers are not changed, and the required mitigation, monitoring, and reporting remains the same as included in the initial IHA. NMFS is, therefore, issuing a second identical IHA to cover the incidental take analyzed and authorized in the initial IHA.