View Rule

View EO 12866 Meetings Printer-Friendly Version     Download RIN Data in XML
DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-AT79 Publication ID: Fall 2008 
Title: Taking and Importing of Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Explosive Removal of Offshore Structures in the Gulf of Mexico 
Abstract: The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has received a request from the Minerals Management Service (MMS), U.S. Department of the Interior, on behalf of offshore operators, for authorization to harass marine mammals incidental to explosive severance activities at offshore oil and gas structures in the Gulf of Mexico outer continental shelf. In compliance with Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act regulations and MMS guidelines, operators are required to remove sea-floor obstructions from their leases within one year of lease termination or after a structure has been deemed obsolete or unusable. As a result of this request, NMFS is proposing regulations, that if implemented, would govern the incidental taking of marine mammals under individual Letters of Authorization (LOAs) issued to participants in this industry to take marine mammals by harassment and non-serious auditory impairment. In order to promulgate regulations and issue LOAs thereunder, NMFS must determine that these takings will have a negligible impact on the affected species and stocks of marine mammals. 
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 50 CFR 216.101   
Legal Authority: 16 USC 1361 et seq   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  04/07/2006  71 FR 17790   
NPRM Comment Period End  05/22/2006    
Final Action  11/00/2008    
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: Federal 
Small Entities Affected: Businesses  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Kenneth R. Hollingshead
Fishery Biologist
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Office of Protected Resources, 1315 East-West Highway,
Silver Spring, MD 20912
Phone:301 713-2055
Email: ken.hollingshead@noaa.gov