Incidental Take Authorization: Orsted Wind Power North America, LLC's Site Characterization Surveys off Delaware

NOAA Fisheries has received a request from Orsted Wind Power North America, LLC, for an incidental harassment authorization that is identical to an IHA previously issued to Orsted authorizing the take of marine mammals, by Level B harassment only, incidental to marine site characterization surveys conducted off the coast of Delaware in the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Commercial Lease of Submerged Lands for Renewable Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf Lease Area OCS-A 0482 and 0519, and the associated export cable route area. The only changes from the previously issued IHAs involve the updated marine mammal population estimates, marine mammal density data, and take estimates, as well as the new effective dates for the IHA. NOAA Fisheries is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an IHA to incidentally take marine mammals during specified activities. NOAA Fisheries is also requesting comments on a possible 1-year renewal IHA that could be issued under certain circumstances and if all requirements are met, as described in Request for Public Comments at the end of this notice. NOAA Fisheries will consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the issuance of the requested MMPA authorization and agency responses will be summarized in the final notice of our decision. The IHA would be valid for one year from the effective date.