0648-BK65 202304 Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions 0648 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA 0600 Department of Commerce DOC Modify the Duration of Special Exception Permits and Letters of Confirmation Under the General Authorization Under Section 104 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act

This proposed rule would modify the following regulations pertaining to the duration of validity of Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) section 104 special exception permits and Letters of Confirmation (LOC) under the General Authorization, respectively:  50 CFR 216.35(b) and 50 CFR 216.45(d)(3). Currently, MMPA regulations state that the maximum duration of an issued MMPA special exception permit, major amendment, or LOC is five years.  This regulatory change would remove the 5-year duration restriction, consistent with Endangered Species Act (ESA) permitting regulations, to allow the agency discretion in determining the appropriate maximum duration of an MMPA permit.  This action would benefit permit holders including career scientists who conduct longitudinal scientific studies on marine mammals and others. This action would also increase efficiencies and create consistency in the duration of validity across permits issued under both the MMPA and ESA.

]]> Substantive, Nonsignificant Previously Published in The Unified Agenda Proposed Rule Stage No No 50 CFR 216 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq. No NPRM 06/00/2023 No None No No No Kim Damon-Randall Director, Office of Protected Resources 0648 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA 301 427-8400 kimberly.damon-randall@noaa.gov 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring MD 20910