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DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-BC46 Publication ID: Spring 2014 
Title: Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Precision Strike Weapon and Air-to-Surface Gunnery Training and Testing Operations at Eglin Air Force Base, FL  
Abstract: NMFS received an application from the U.S. Department of the Air Force, Headquarters 96th Air Base Wing for authorization to take marine mammals, incidental to testing and training activities associated with Precision Strike Weapon and Air-to-Surface gunnery missions (military readiness activities), at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida from approximately September 2012 to September 2017. The proposed regulations set forth the permissible methods of taking, other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on the affected species or stocks and their habitats (i.e., mitigation), and the requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking. The proposed regulations, if implemented, and associated Letters of Authorization issued under NMFS implementing regulations, would authorize incidental take by Level A and Level B harassment of Atlantic bottlenose dolphin and Atlantic spotted dolphin incidental to Precision Strike Weapon testing and training activities, and Level B harassment of dwarf and pygmy sperm whales, Atlantic bottlenose and spotted dolphins, pan tropical spotted dolphin, and spinner dolphin incidental to Air-to-Surface gunnery testing and training operations. Previously, NMFS issued separate take authorizations under separate statutory provisions for these two activities. The U.S. Air Force complied with the requirements of the previous Letters of Authorization and Incidental Harassment Authorization issued for these activities, and zero takes of marine mammals were recorded by the Eglin Air Force Base incidental to these training exercises. 
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   
Legal Authority: 16 USC 1361 et seq   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  05/07/2013  78 FR 26586   
Final Action  06/00/2014 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Donna Wieting
Director, Office of Protected Resources
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway,
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone:301 427-8400