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

NOAA Fisheries is proposing to modify an existing incidental harassment authorization issued to Bay State Wind, LLC on October 3, 2024, authorizing take of marine mammals incidental to marine site characterization surveys conducted off the coasts 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. While conducting said marine site characterization surveys, Bay State Wind has encountered common dolphins at a rate greater than anticipated under the analysis for that IHA and, therefore, requests that NOAA Fisheries modify the IHA to increase the number of authorized take by Level B harassment for that species only. No other changes to the IHA were requested or are proposed herein, and the expiration date remains unchanged.

NOAA Fisheries has issued an incidental harassment authorization to Bay State Wind, LLC, to incidentally harass marine mammals during 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.

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