Incidental Take Authorization: Bay State Wind, LLC Marine Site Characterization Surveys off Rhode Island and Massachusetts

NOAA Fisheries has received a request from Bay State Wind, LLC, for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to marine site characterization surveys off the coast of Rhode Island and Massachusetts 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 0500 and the associated export cable route area. NOAA Fisheries is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an incidental harassment authorization to incidentally take marine mammals during the specified activities. NOAA Fisheries is also requesting comments on a possible one-time, 1-year renewal that could be issued under certain circumstances and if all requirements are met, as described in the Request for Public Comments section 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.

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