🦭Authorization for Navy's Marine Mammal Harassment During Training
In accordance with the regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) as amended, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to the United States Navy (Navy) to incidentally harass marine mammals during construction activities associated with pile driving training exercises at Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme (NBVC). The Navy's activities are considered military readiness activities pursuant to the MMPA, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (NDAA).
Learn More⚓Notice of Alternate Compliance for USS John Basilone (DDG 122)
The U.S. Navy hereby announces that a Certificate of Alternate Compliance has been issued for USS JOHN BASILONE (DDG 122). Due to the special construction and purpose of this vessel, the Admiralty Counsel of the Navy has determined it is a vessel of the Navy which, due to its special construction and purpose, cannot comply fully with the navigation lights provisions of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS) without interfering with its special function as a naval ship. The intended effect of this notice is to warn mariners in waters where 72 COLREGS apply.
Learn More⚓Certificate of Alternate Compliance Issued for USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr.
The U.S. Navy hereby announces that a Certificate of Alternate Compliance has been issued for USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124). Due to the special construction and purpose of this vessel, the Admiralty Counsel of the Navy has determined it is a vessel of the Navy which, due to its special construction and purpose, cannot comply fully with the navigation lights provisions of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 (72 COLREGS) without interfering with its special function as a naval ship. The intended effect of this notice is to warn mariners in waters where 72 COLREGS apply.
Learn More🐋NMFS Reissues Incidental Harassment Authorization for Navy Project
NMFS has received a request from the United States Navy for the re-issuance of a previously issued incidental harassment authorization (IHA) with the only change being effective dates. The initial IHA authorized take of 10 species of marine mammals, by Level A and Level B harassment, incidental to construction associated with the Navy's Naval Facilities Engineering Command Northwest (NAVFAC) Northwest Marine Structure Program (MPR) project in Puget Sound, Washington. The project has been delayed and none of the work covered in the initial IHA has been conducted. The scope of the activities and anticipated effects remain the same, authorized take numbers are not changed, and the required mitigation, monitoring, and reporting remains the same as included in the initial IHA. NMFS is, therefore, issuing a second identical IHA to cover the incidental take analyzed and authorized in the initial IHA.
Learn More🛩️Extension of Comment Period for EA-18G Environmental Impact Statement
On March 14, 2025, the Department of the Navy (DoN) published in the Federal Register a Notice of Public Meetings for the Draft Amended Analysis to the Final Environmental Impact Statement for EA-18G Growler Airfield Operations at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Complex. In addition to announcing its hosting of two in-person public meetings (April 1 and 2, 2025) and one virtual meeting (April 3, 2025), the DoN announced a 45-day public comment period beginning March 14, 2025 and ending April 28, 2025. DoN is now extending the comment period until May 13, 2025 to allow the public additional time to review and submit comments on the Draft Amended Analysis.
Learn More🏗️Notice of Intent for Naval Air Station Pensacola Land Exchange
This notice provides information on the proposed conveyance of approximately 5.2 acres of underutilized land at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Special Area Bronson Field, Florida, to Escambia County, a political subdivision of the State of Florida, in exchange for a restrictive easement over approximately 31.15 acres of Escambia County owned land within portions of NAS Pensacola's Accident Potential Zones 1 and 2, which will limit encroachment and constraints on military training, testing, and operations.
Learn More🌍Public Meeting Notice on Environmental Impact for Growler Operations
The Department of the Navy has prepared a Draft Amended Analysis to the Final Environmental Impact Statement for EA-18G Growler Airfield Operations at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Complex (2018) (Record of Decision--March 14, 2019), pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act and court orders issued by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.
Learn More🌊New Regulations for Navy Activities and Marine Mammal Protections
NMFS, upon request from the U.S. Navy (Navy), issues these regulations pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to govern the taking of marine mammals incidental to the training and testing activities conducted in the Hawaii-Southern California Training and Testing (HSTT) Study Area between 2018 and 2025. In 2021, two separate U.S. Navy vessels struck unidentified large whales on two separate occasions, one whale in June 2021 and one whale in July 2021, in waters off Southern California. The takes by vessel strike of the two whales by the U.S. Navy were covered by the existing regulations and Letters of Authorization (LOAs), which authorize the U.S. Navy to take up to three large whales by serious injury or mortality by vessel strike between 2018 and 2025. The Navy reanalyzed the potential of vessel strike in the HSTT Study Area, including the recent strikes, and as a result, requested two additional takes of large whales by serious injury or mortality by vessel strike for the remainder of the current regulatory period. In May 2023, a U.S. Navy vessel struck a large whale in waters off Southern California. NMFS reanalyzed the potential for vessel strike based on new information, including the three strikes, and authorizes two additional takes of large whales by serious injury or mortality by vessel strike for the remainder of the current regulatory period (two takes in addition to the three takes authorized in the current regulations). The Navy's activities qualify as military readiness activities pursuant to the MMPA, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (2004 NDAA).
Learn More📄Notice on Information Collection by Department of Defense
The DoD has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act.
Learn More📋Department of Defense Information Collection Comment Request Notice
In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the United States Marine Corps announces a proposed public information collection and seeks public comment on the provisions thereof. Comments are invited on: whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed information collection; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
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