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DOC/NOAA

RIN: 0648-BB38

Publication ID: Fall 2011

Title: ●Taking Marine Mammals Incidental To Conducting Geological and Geophysical Exploration of Mineral and Energy Resources on the Outer Continental Shelf in the Gulf of Mexico
Abstract: On April 18, 2011, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) received an application from the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (BOEMRE), formerly Minerals Management Service (MMS), for the promulgation of regulations and subsequent issuance of Letters of Authorization (LOAs) to take marine mammals incidental to oil and gas industry sponsored seismic surveys for purposes of geological and geophysical (G&G) exploration on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the Gulf of Mexico from approximately 2012 through 2017. The requested regulations would establish a framework for authorizing incidental take in future LOAs. These LOAs, if approved, would authorize the take, by Level A (injury) and Level B (behavioral) harassment, of 21 species of cetaceans (20 odontocetes and 1 mysticete) incidental to seismic surveys for purposes of G&G exploration on the OCS in the GOM. BOEMRE states that underwater noise associated with sound sources (i.e., airguns, boomers, sparkers, and chirpers) may expose marine mammals in the area to noise and pressure resulting in behavioral disturbance or temporary or permanent loss of hearing sensitivity. NMFS published a revised notice of receipt in the Federal Register on June 14, 2011 (76 FR 34656).
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)	Priority: Economically Significant
RIN Status: First time published in the Unified Agenda	Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage
Major: Yes	Unfunded Mandates: No
CFR Citation: 50 CFR 217
Legal Authority: 16 USC 1361 et seq

Legal Deadline: None

Timetable:

Action	Date	FR Cite
NPRM	04/00/2012

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No	Government Levels Affected: Federal
Small Entities Affected: Businesses	Federalism: No
Energy Effects: Statement of Energy Effects planned as required by Executive Order 13211.	Included in the Regulatory Plan: No
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No
Agency Contact: James H. Lecky Director, Office of Protected Resources Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 Phone:301 713-2332 Fax:301 427-2520 Email: jim.lecky@noaa.gov