Incidental Take Authorization: U.S. Navy Construction at Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island

NOAA Fisheries has issued a modified Letter of Authorization to the U.S. Navy to incidentally harass, by Level B harassment only, marine mammals during construction activities associated with pile driving and bulkhead repair at Naval Station Newport in Newport, Rhode Island.

NOAA Fisheries, upon request of the U.S. Navy, has issued regulations to govern the unintentional taking of marine mammals incidental to construction activities for bulkhead replacement and repairs at Naval Station Newport over the course of five years (2022-2027). These regulations, which allow for the issuance of a Letter 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.