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    <RIN_INFO>
        <RIN>0648-AW89</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 of Marine Mammals: Proposed Rule for Take of Marine Mammals Incidental to Operations of an LNG Port Facility in Massachusetts Bay</RULE_TITLE>
        <ABSTRACT><![CDATA[On February 28, 2008, NMFS received a request from Tetra Tech EC, on behalf of Northeast Gateway Energy Bridge L.L.C. (Northeast Gateway) for an authorization to take marine mammals by harassment incidental to operation and maintenance of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in Massachusetts Bay.  Since LNG Port operation and maintenance activities have the potential to take marine mammals, a marine mammal take authorization under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) is warranted.  NMFS has already issued a one-year incidental harassment authorization for this activity pursuant to section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA, which does not require promulgation of regulations.  However, since the LNG Port operation and maintenance activities will be ongoing in the foreseeable future, NMFS will propose regulations pursuant to section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA, which  would govern these incidental takes under a Letter of Authorization for up to five years.  Under section 101(a)(5)(A),  NMFS also must prescribe mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements in its regulations.]]></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</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>None</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>
