Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Homeporting United States Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Cutters at Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island

摘要

NMFS has received a request from the United States Coast Guard (USCG), on behalf of the United States Navy (Navy), for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to construction activities associated with the project Homeporting USCG Offshore Patrol Cutters (OPCs) at Naval Station (NAVSTA) Newport, Rhode Island (RI). Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue two consecutive 1-year 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 for each IHA that could be issued under certain circumstances and if all requirements are met, as described in the Request for Public Comments section 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.