Incidental Take Authorization: U.S. Navy Pile Training Exercises at Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme in California

NOAA Fisheries has received a request from the United States Navy for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to pile driving training exercises at Naval Base Ventura County, Port Hueneme. 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. NOAA Fisheries will consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the issuance of the requested Marine Mammal Protection Act authorization and agency responses will be summarized in the final notice of our decision. The Navy’s activities are considered military readiness activities pursuant to the Mammal Protection Act, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004.