Federal Register/Vol. 86, No. 158/Thursday, August 19, 2021
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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 158 / Thursday, August 19, 2021 / Notices 46685 Based on the results of our analysis, abundance estimate, NMFS will stock abundance reports (SAR; NMFS has determined that the level of determine that the numbers of marine www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/ taking expected for this survey and mammals taken of a species or stock are marine-mammal-protection/marine- authorized through the LOA is small. For more information please see mammal-stock-assessments) and model- consistent with the findings made for NMFS’ discussion of the MMPA’s small predicted abundance information the total taking allowable under the numbers requirement provided in the (https://seamap.env.duke.edu/models/ regulations. See Table 1 in this notice final rule (86 FR 5322, 5438; January 19, Duke/GOM/). For the latter, for taxa and Table 9 of the rule (86 FR 5322; 2021). where a density surface model could be January 19, 2021). The take numbers for authorization, produced, we use the maximum mean Small Numbers Determination which are determined as described seasonal (i.e., 3-month) abundance Under the GOM rule, NMFS may not above, are used by NMFS in making the prediction for purposes of comparison authorize incidental take of marine necessary small numbers as a precautionary smoothing of month- mammals in an LOA if it will exceed determinations, through comparison to-month fluctuations and in ‘‘small numbers.’’ In short, when an with the best available abundance consideration of a corresponding lack of acceptable estimate of the individual estimates (see discussion at 86 FR 5322, data in the literature regarding seasonal marine mammals taken is available, if 5391; January 19, 2021). For this distribution of marine mammals in the the estimated number of individual comparison, NMFS’ approach is to use GOM. Information supporting the small animals taken is up to, but not greater the maximum theoretical population, numbers determinations is provided in than, one-third of the best available determined through review of current Table 1. TABLE 1—TAKE ANALYSIS Authorized Percent Species Abundance 2 take 1 abundance Rice’s whale 3 .............................................................................................................................. 0 51 n/a Sperm whale ................................................................................................................................ 2 2,207 0.1 Kogia spp ..................................................................................................................................... 1 4,373 0.0 Beaked whales ............................................................................................................................ 40 3,768 1.1 Rough-toothed dolphin ................................................................................................................ 1 4,853 0.0 Bottlenose dolphin ....................................................................................................................... 83 176,108 0.0 Clymene dolphin .......................................................................................................................... 2 11,895 0.0 Atlantic spotted dolphin ............................................................................................................... 18 74,785 0.0 Pantropical spotted dolphin ......................................................................................................... 10 102,361 0.0 Spinner dolphin ............................................................................................................................ 3 25,114 0.0 Striped dolphin ............................................................................................................................. 1 5,229 0.0 Fraser’s dolphin ........................................................................................................................... 0 1,665 n/a Risso’s dolphin ............................................................................................................................. 1 3,764 0.0 Melon-headed whale ................................................................................................................... 2 7,003 0.0 Pygmy killer whale ....................................................................................................................... 0 2,126 n/a False killer whale ......................................................................................................................... 0 3,204 n/a Killer whale .................................................................................................................................. 0 267 n/a Short-finned pilot whale ............................................................................................................... 0 1,981 n/a 1 Scalar ratios were not applied in this case due to brief survey duration. 2 Best abundance estimate. For most taxa, the best abundance estimate for purposes of comparison with take estimates is considered here to be the model-predicted abundance (Roberts et al., 2016). For those taxa where a density surface model predicting abundance by month was produced, the maximum mean seasonal abundance was used. For those taxa where abundance is not predicted by month, only mean annual abundance is available. For the killer whale, the larger estimated SAR abundance estimate is used. 3 The final rule refers to the GOM Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni). These whales were subsequently described as a new species, Rice’s whale (Balaenoptera ricei) (Rosel et al., 2021). Based on the analysis contained LOA is of no more than small numbers. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE herein of Telesis’s proposed survey Accordingly, we have issued an LOA to activity described in its LOA Telesis authorizing the take of marine Office of the Secretary application and the anticipated take of mammals incidental to its geophysical Community Input on Noise Mitigation marine mammals, NMFS finds that survey activity, as described above. small numbers of marine mammals will Dated: August 13, 2021. AGENCY: Office of Local Defense be taken relative to the affected species Community Cooperation, Department of Shannon Bettridge, or stock sizes (i.e., less than one-third of Defense (DoD). Acting Director, Office of Protected Resources, the best available abundance estimate) ACTION: Request for information. and therefore the taking is of no more National Marine Fisheries Service. than small numbers. [FR Doc. 2021–17746 Filed 8–18–21; 8:45 am] SUMMARY: The Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC) is Authorization BILLING CODE 3510–22–P carrying out an effort requested under NMFS has determined that the level the report accompanying the of taking for this LOA request is Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, consistent with the findings made for to, in part, work with communities to the total taking allowable under the find measures that would mitigate noise incidental take regulations and that the caused by defense fixed wing aviation amount of take authorized under the activities. Approximately 205 active and VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:28 Aug 18, 2021 Jkt 253001 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\19AUN1.SGM 19AUN1 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 46686 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 158 / Thursday, August 19, 2021 / Notices reserve installations have been SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Office Secretaries to define parameters for a identified with ‘‘covered facilities’’ of Local Defense Community responsive and competitive noise (hospitals, daycare facilities, schools, Cooperation seeks to work with mitigation program, including eligible facilities serving senior citizens, and communities and the Service Secretaries activities, and publish a Federal private residences) that appear to be to find measures that would mitigate Funding Opportunity Forecast for located within one mile or a day-night any impacts from noise caused by public comments later this year. average sound level of 65 decibel or defense fixed wing aviation activities, (1) Are you aware of noise problems greater of a military installation or with special attention to communities within your jurisdiction as a result of another location at which military fixed with new airframes, noting ‘‘all types of military fixed wing aviation activities? wing aircraft are stationed. OLDCC is mitigation efforts should be considered (2) What type of sound attenuation requesting affected communities for implementation.’’ activities are you either presently adjacent to those 205 active and reserve A significant portion of working with undertaking or believe is necessary to installations to provide feedback communities at this time is to solicit address the jet (military fixed wing through a web portal on measures to feedback from leaders and other citizens aircraft) noise issues in your mitigate defense aviation noise for of civilian jurisdictions within one mile jurisdiction—please provide as much OLDCC to consider in its efforts to or a day-night average sound level of 65 detail as possible? or greater of a military installation listed develop a community noise mitigation (3) Are there disadvantaged or in the following list in this notice on program in collaboration with the underserved populations in your Service Secretaries. what mitigation efforts should be specifically considered for this program. jurisdiction that may be unaware of this DATES: Affected jurisdictions should This feedback will be through answers