Incidental Take Authorization: U.S. Navy Submarine Base New London Pier Construction, Groton, Connecticut

Upon application from the U.S. Navy, NOAA Fisheries is issuing regulations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act for the taking of marine mammals incidental to the pier construction activities conducted at the Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut, over the course of five years (2020-2025). These regulations allow NOAA Fisheries to issue a Letter of Authorization for the incidental take of marine mammals during the specified construction activities carried out during the rule’s period of effectiveness, set forth the permissible methods of taking, set forth other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammal species or stocks and their habitat, and set forth requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of the incidental take.