Incidental Take Authorization: Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion Project, Hampton-Norfolk, Virginia (2021-2026)
Summary
NOAA Fisheries, upon request of the Hampton Roads Connector Partners (HRCP), had issued regulations to govern the unintentional taking of marine mammals incidental to construction activities associated with the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel Expansion Project in Norfolk, Virginia, over the course of five years (2021-2026). These regulations, which allow for the issuance of Letters of Authorization for the incidental take of marine mammals during the described activities and specified timeframes, prescribe the permissible methods of taking and other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammal species or stocks and their habitat, as well as requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking.