Good morning Colleagues, On October 22, 2024, NOAA Fisheries will announce the final regulations to govern the incidental harassment of marine mammals related to the construction of the Maryland Offshore Wind Project, offshore Maryland.
As required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the final regulations include mandatory mitigation measures to be undertaken by the wind developer that will ensure the “least practicable adverse impact” on marine mammals and their habitat, as well as monitoring and reporting measures to better understand those impacts. NOAA Fisheries determined that underwater noise generated by the Project’s activities over a five-year period may result in the take of marine mammals, in the form of Level A (injury) and/or Level B (behavioral) harassment. Impacts to a small number of North Atlantic right whales are expected to be limited to short-term behavioral disturbance (Level B harassment). No mortality or serious injury of any marine mammal species or stock is expected or allowed. NOAA Fisheries determined that the number and manner of take that may be authorized in a Letter of Authorization will have a negligible impact on all affected marine mammal species and stocks. This regulatory action is part of NOAA’s ongoing work supporting the responsible development of offshore wind energy. Documents associated with this final action will be available on our website <https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/incidental-take-authorization-us-wind-inc-construction-and-operation-maryland-offshore-wind> tomorrow. NOAA Fisheries is committed to careful review and use of the best available scientific information in satisfying the requirements of the MMPA. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. Thank you, Jessica Taylor -- Jessica Taylor, M.E.M. (she/her) Senior Analyst, ESA/MMPA Support Services Contractor with Ocean Associates, Inc. Permits and Conservation Division Office of Protected Resources, NOAA Fisheries 1315 East-West Highway Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301) 427-8475 Email: jessica.tay...@noaa.gov
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