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<REGINFO_RIN_DATA xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" RUN_DATE="2026-04-28-04:00" xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="https://www.reginfo.gov/public/xml/REGINFO_XML_Ver10262011.xsd">
    <RIN_INFO>
        <RIN>0648-AW59</RIN>
        <PUBLICATION>
            <PUBLICATION_ID>200904</PUBLICATION_ID>
            <PUBLICATION_TITLE>Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions</PUBLICATION_TITLE>
        </PUBLICATION>
        <AGENCY>
            <CODE>0648</CODE>
            <NAME>National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</NAME>
            <ACRONYM>NOAA</ACRONYM>
        </AGENCY>
        <PARENT_AGENCY>
            <CODE>0600</CODE>
            <NAME>Department of Commerce</NAME>
            <ACRONYM>DOC</ACRONYM>
        </PARENT_AGENCY>
        <RULE_TITLE>Take and Import Marine Mammals: Proposed Rule for Take of Marine Mammals Incidental to Routine Operations of 13 Power Generating Stations in Central and Southern California</RULE_TITLE>
        <ABSTRACT><![CDATA[NMFS is issuing a proposed rule to govern the take of marine mammals by Level A harassment (injury) and mortality from 13 power generating stations located on the coast of central and southern California incidental to routine power plant operations for a period of five years, under the authority of section 101(a)(5)(A) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act.  Under that authority NMFS also must prescribe mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements in connection with take authorizations.

Incidental takings of marine mammals, including California sea lions, harbor seals, and northern elephant seals can and do occur as a result of the operation of circulating water systems (CWS) by the electrical power generation plants located on the coast of central and southern California described in the incidental take authorization applications.  These CWS are an integral part of these power stations that provide continuous cooling water necessary for power generation and safety of the facility.  The typical location of entrainment occurs as water is taken into the plant via submerged structures or canals.  Intake velocities may be strong enough to pull live animals into the plant, particularly if they are actively seeking prey in the vicinity of intake structures.  Confinement within intake plumbing could lead to confusion and panic, especially for young, immature animals.  If the animal is unable to escape, it could (1) drown or become fatally injured in transit between intake and large sedimentation basins within the plants known as forebays, (2) survive the transit and succumb in the forebay due to exhaustion, illness, or disease, or (3) survive the transit and be rescued by plant personnel using cages specially designed for such an activity.  It is also likely that previously dead animals may end up entrained as well.]]></ABSTRACT>
        <PRIORITY_CATEGORY>Substantive, Nonsignificant</PRIORITY_CATEGORY>
        <RIN_STATUS>Previously Published in The Unified Agenda</RIN_STATUS>
        <RULE_STAGE>Proposed Rule Stage</RULE_STAGE>
        <MAJOR>No</MAJOR>
        <UNFUNDED_MANDATE_LIST>
            <UNFUNDED_MANDATE>No</UNFUNDED_MANDATE>
        </UNFUNDED_MANDATE_LIST>
        <CFR_LIST>
            <CFR>50 CFR 216.101</CFR>
        </CFR_LIST>
        <LEGAL_AUTHORITY_LIST>
            <LEGAL_AUTHORITY>16 USC 1361 et seq</LEGAL_AUTHORITY>
        </LEGAL_AUTHORITY_LIST>
        <LEGAL_DLINE_LIST/>
        <RPLAN_ENTRY>No</RPLAN_ENTRY>
        <TIMETABLE_LIST>
            <TIMETABLE>
                <TTBL_ACTION>NPRM</TTBL_ACTION>
                <TTBL_DATE>11/00/2009</TTBL_DATE>
            </TIMETABLE>
        </TIMETABLE_LIST>
        <RFA_REQUIRED>Undetermined</RFA_REQUIRED>
        <SMALL_ENTITY_LIST>
            <SMALL_ENTITY>Businesses</SMALL_ENTITY>
        </SMALL_ENTITY_LIST>
        <GOVT_LEVEL_LIST>
            <GOVT_LEVEL>State</GOVT_LEVEL>
        </GOVT_LEVEL_LIST>
        <FEDERALISM>No</FEDERALISM>
        <ENERGY_AFFECTED>Yes</ENERGY_AFFECTED>
        <PRINT_PAPER>No</PRINT_PAPER>
        <INTERNATIONAL_INTEREST>No</INTERNATIONAL_INTEREST>
        <AGENCY_CONTACT_LIST>
            <CONTACT>
                <FIRST_NAME>Michael</FIRST_NAME>
                <LAST_NAME>Payne</LAST_NAME>
                <PREFIX>Dr.</PREFIX>
                <TITLE>Fishery Biologist</TITLE>
                <AGENCY>
                    <CODE>0648</CODE>
                    <NAME>National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration</NAME>
                    <ACRONYM>NOAA</ACRONYM>
                </AGENCY>
                <PHONE>907 586-7235</PHONE>
                <FAX>301 713-2521</FAX>
                <EMAIL>michael.payne@noaa.gov</EMAIL>
                <MAILING_ADDRESS>
                    <STREET_ADDRESS>P.O. Box 21668,</STREET_ADDRESS>
                    <CITY>Juneau</CITY>
                    <STATE>AK</STATE>
                    <ZIP>99802</ZIP>
                </MAILING_ADDRESS>
            </CONTACT>
        </AGENCY_CONTACT_LIST>
    </RIN_INFO>
</REGINFO_RIN_DATA>
