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DOC/NOAA RIN: 0648-BN44 Publication ID: Spring 2025 
Title: ●Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Military Readiness Activities in the Hawaii-California Training and Testing Study Area 
Abstract:

Pursuant to Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq. ), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), upon application from the U.S. Department of the Navy (including the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps) and on behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Army, plans to propose regulations to govern the unintentional taking of marine mammals incidental to training and testing activities conducted in the Hawaii California Training and Testing (HCTT) Study Area in support of military readiness activities. The proposed regulations would 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, if applicable, on their availability for taking for subsistence uses; and requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking. Letters of Authorization (LOAs) issued under the regulations would authorize the take of marine mammals incidental to the specified activities for a 7-year period beginning December 2025. Three LOAs issued under the regulations would authorize the take of marine mammals incidental to the Navy’s specified training and testing activities, the Coast Guard’s training activities, and the Army’s training activities to be conducted within the HCTT Study Area. The HCTT Study Area includes areas in the north-central Pacific Ocean, from California west to Hawaii and the International Date Line, and including the Hawaii Range Complex, Southern California (SOCAL) Range Complex, Point Mugu Sea Range, and the Northern California (NOCAL) Range Complex. NMFS’ proposed rule, if issued, would authorize take of individuals of 42 marine mammal species by Level A and B harassment, and a small number by injury or mortality from vessel strikes and explosives.

 
Agency: Department of Commerce(DOC)  Priority: Substantive, Nonsignificant 
RIN Status: First time published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
EO 14192 Designation: Not subject to, not significant 
CFR Citation: 50 CFR 218   
Legal Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  07/00/2025 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: Federal 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Kim Damon-Randall
Director, Office of Protected Resources
Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
1315 East-West Highway,
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone:301 427-8400
Email: kimberly.damon-randall@noaa.gov