Incidental Take Authorization: Vineyard Northeast, LLC's Marine Site Characterization Survey from Massachusetts to New Jersey

NOAA Fisheries received a request from Vineyard Northeast, LLC for the renewal of their currently active incidental harassment authorization to take marine mammals incidental to marine site characterization surveys offshore from Massachusetts to New Jersey in the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Commercial Lease of Submerged Lands for Renewable Energy Development on the Outer Continental Shelf Lease Areas OCS-A 0522 and OCS-A 0544 and associated offshore export cable corridor routes. The proposed action is a subset of the survey efforts that were previously authorized but were not yet completed under the currently active IHA, which will soon expire. NOAA Fisheries requested comments on both the proposed IHA and the potential for renewing the initial authorization if certain requirements were satisfied. The renewal requirements have been satisfied, and NOAA Fisheries is now providing an additional 15-day public comment period to allow for any additional comments on the proposed renewal not previously provided during the initial 30-day comment period.

NOAA Fisheries has issued an incidental harassment authorization to Vineyard Northeast, LLC to incidentally harass, by Level B harassment only, marine mammals during marine site characterization surveys offshore from Massachusetts to New Jersey.