Incidental Take Authorizations for Military Readiness Activities
This page lists Incidental Take Authorizations for Military Readiness Activities. Applications are typically posted once public review is initiated.
An Interactive Map can be viewed that shows recent and in process authorizations.
Authorizations In Process
The Authorizations below are in process:
U.S. Marine Corps Training Activities at Cherry Point Range Complex, NC (2020)
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| In Process | 4/15/2020 | -- | -- |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries has received a request from the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to training exercises at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point Range Complex, North Carolina. NOAA Fisheries is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to incidentally take marine mammals during the specified activities. We are also requesting comments on a possible one-year renewal that could be issued under certain circumstances and if all requirements are met. We will consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the issuance of the requested MMPA authorizations and agency responses will be summarized in the final notice of our decision. The USMC’s activities are considered military readiness activities pursuant to the MMPA, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (NDAA).
U.S. Navy Northwest Training and Testing (NWTT) 2020
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| In Process | Closed | -- | -- |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries has received a request from the U.S. Navy (Navy) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to training and testing activities conducted in the Northwest Training and Testing (NWTT) Study Area for a period of seven years, from November, 2020 through November, 2027.
U.S. Navy Hawaii-Southern California Training and Testing (Extension)
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| In Process | Closed | -- | -- |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries has received a request from the U.S. Navy (Navy) to extend the expiration date from December 2023 to December 2025 for Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) regulations authorizing the take of marine mammals incidental to Navy training and testing activities conducted in the Hawaii-Southern California Training and Testing (HSTT) Study Area. In August 2018, the MMPA was amended by the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2019 to allow for seven-year authorizations for military readiness activities, as compared to the previously allowed five years. The Navy’s activities qualify as military readiness activities pursuant to the MMPA as amended by the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2004. The Navy proposes no changes to their specified activities, the geographical region in which those activities would be conducted, mitigation measures, monitoring, or reporting over the longer seven-year period.
U.S. Navy Mariana Islands Training and Testing (MITT)
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| In Process | Closed | -- | -- |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries has received a request from the U.S. Navy (Navy) to take marine mammals incidental to training and testing activities conducted in the Mariana Islands Training and Testing (MITT) Study Area. The Navy’s activities qualify as military readiness activities pursuant to the MMPA, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (2004 NDAA).
Active Authorizations
The Authorizations below are active:
U.S. Navy Ice Exercise Activities 2020 (ICEX20) in the Beaufort Sea and Arctic Ocean
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active | Closed | 1/30/2020 | 2/1/2020 - 1/31/2021 |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries has issued an IHA to the United States Department of the Navy (Navy) to incidentally harass, by Level B harassment only, marine mammals during submarine training and testing activities associated with Ice Exercise 2020 (ICEX20) north of Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. The Navy’s activities are considered military readiness activities pursuant to the MMPA, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (NDAA).
Office of Naval Research Arctic Research Activities in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active | Closed | 9/10/2019 | 9/10/2019 - 9/9/2020 |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries has issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to the Office of Naval Research (ONR) to incidentally harass, by Level B harassment only, marine mammals during Arctic Research Activities in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas. ONR’s activities are considered military readiness activities pursuant to the MMPA, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (NDAA).
U.S. Navy Operations of Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System Low Frequency Active (SURTASS LFA) Sonar (beginning in 2019)
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active | Closed | 8/12/2019 | 8/12/2019 - 8/11/2026 |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries, upon request from the U.S. Navy, issues these regulations pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act to govern the taking of marine mammals incidental to the use of Surveillance Towed Array Sensor Systems Low Frequency Active (SURTASS LFA) sonar systems onboard U.S. Navy surveillance ships for training and testing activities conducted under the authority of the Secretary of the Navy in the western and central North Pacific and eastern Indian oceans beginning August 2019. These regulations, which allow for the issuance of Letters of Authorization (LOA) for the incidental take of marine mammals during the described activities and 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, and establish requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking.
U.S. Navy Target and Missile Launch Activities at San Nicolas Island, CA (2019)
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active | Closed | 6/12/19 | 6/12/19 - 6/11/20 |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries has issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to the U.S. Navy (Navy) to incidentally harass, by Level B harassment only, marine mammals during target and missile launch activities on San Nicolas Island (SNI), California for the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, Point Mugu Sea Range. The Navy’s activity is considered a military readiness activity pursuant to the MMPA, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004.
U.S. Air Force Launching of Space Launch Vehicles, Missiles, and Aircraft and Helicopter Operations at Vandenberg Air Force Base (2019-2024)
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active LOA | Closed | 04/10/2019 | 04/10/2019 - 04/09/2024 |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries, upon request of the U.S. Air Force (USAF), hereby issues regulations to govern the unintentional taking of marine mammals incidental to launching space launch vehicles, intercontinental ballistic and small missiles, and aircraft operations at Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB), over the course of five years. These regulations, which allow for the issuance of Letters of Authorization (LOA) 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. In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, and implementing regulations, notification is hereby additionally given that a five-year LOA has been issued to USAF to take marine mammals incidental to rocket and missile launch and recovery activities and aircraft operations.
U.S. Navy Hawaii Southern California Training and Testing (HSTT)
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active LOA | Closed | 12/27/2018 | 12/21/2018- 12/20/2023 |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries has received a request from the U.S. Navy (Navy) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the training and testing activities conducted in the Hawaii-Southern California Training and Testing (HSTT) Study Area. The Navy's activities qualify as military readiness activities pursuant to the MMPA, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (2004 NDAA).
U.S. Navy Atlantic Fleet Training and Testing (AFTT) along Atlantic and Gulf Coasts
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active LOA | Closed | 11/14/2018 | 11/14/2018 - 11/13/2025 |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries has issued regulations pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) to govern the taking of marine mammals incidental to the training and testing activities conducted in the Atlantic Fleet Training and Testing (AFTT) Study Area over the course of seven years, effectively extending the time period from November 13, 2023, to November 13, 2025. These regulations, which allow for the issuance of Letters of Authorization (LOAs) for the incidental take of marine mammals during the described activities and 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, and establish requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking.
U.S. Air Force Testing and Training Activities in Eglin Gulf Test and Training Range at Eglin Air Force Base, FL
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active LOA | Closed | 2/08/2018 | 2/13/2018- 2/12/2023 |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries has issued regulations and an LOA to the U.S. Air Force, Eglin Air Force Base 96th Test Wing for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to conducting testing and training activities in the Eglin Gulf Test and Training Range in the Gulf of Mexico over the course of five years.
U.S. Air Force 86 Fighter Weapons Squadron Long Range Strike Weapon Systems Evaluation Program, Kauai, HI
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active LOA | Closed | 8/22/2017 | 8/21/2017-8/22/2022 |
Summary: Upon application from the U.S. Air Force 86 Fighter Weapons Squadron, NOAA Fisheries has issued a LOA and regulations under the MMPA to govern the taking of marine mammals incidental to Long Range Strike Weapons System Evaluation Program exercises off Kauai, Hawaii, from August 2017 through August 2022.
U.S. Navy Training Activities in the Gulf of Alaska Temporary Maritime Activities Area
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active LOA | Closed | 4/26/2017 | 4/26/2017- 4/26/2022 |
Summary: Upon application from the U.S. Navy, NOAA Fisheries has issued a LOA and regulations under the MMPA to govern the taking of marine mammals incidental to the training activities conducted in the Gulf of Alaska Temporary Maritime Activities Study Area (GOA TMAA) from May 2017 through May 2022.
U.S. Navy Northwest Training and Testing (NWTT)
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active LOA | Closed | 11/09/2015 | 11/09/2015 - 11/08/2020 |
Summary: Upon application from the U.S. Navy, NOAA Fisheries has issued LOAs and regulations under the MMPA to govern the unintentional taking of marine mammals incidental to training and testing activities conducted in the Northwest Training and Testing (NWTT) Study Area from November 2015 through November 2020.
U.S. Navy Mariana Islands Training and Testing (MITT), South of Japan
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active LOA | Closed | 07/31/2015 | 08/03/2015 - 08/03/2020 |
Summary: Upon application from the U.S. Navy, NOAA Fisheries has issued a LOA and regulations under the MMPA to govern the unintentional taking of marine mammals incidental to training and testing activities conducted in the Mariana Islands Training and Testing (MITT) Study Area from August 2015 through August 2020.
U.S. Navy Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore Training in VA and NC
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active LOA | Closed | 06/02/2015 | 06/02/2015 - 06/01/2020 |
Summary: Upon application from the U.S. Navy, NOAA Fisheries issued an LOA and regulations under the MMPA to govern the take marine mammals incidental to conducting Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) training activities in Virginia and North Carolina, from June 2015 through June 2020.
Expired Authorizations
For documents related to expired authorizations, please contact us.
| Applicant | Activity | Authorization Type | Effective Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Marine Corps | Training Activities in Pamlico Sound, NC | LOA | 03/13/2015 - 03/12/2020 |
| U.S. Navy | Arctic Research Activities in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas | IHA | 09/20/2018 - 09/19/2019 |
| U.S. Navy | Target and Missile Launch Activities at San Nicolas Island, CA | LOA | 06/3/2014 - 06/3/2019 |
| Vandenberg Air Force Base | Launch and Harbor Maintenance Activities | LOA | 03/26/2014 - 03/26/2019 |
| U.S. Navy | Hawaii Southern California Training and Testing (HSTT) (2013-2018) | LOA | 12/26/2013 - 12/25/2018 |
| U.S. Navy | Atlantic Fleet Testing and Training (2013-2018) | LOA | 11/13/2013- 11/14/2018 |
| U.S. Navy | Ice Exercise 2018 (ICEX18) Activities in the Arctic | IHA | 2/1/2018- 5/1/2018 |
| Eglin Air Force Base | Precision Strike Weapons and Air-to-Surface Gunnery Exercises | LOA | 03/05/2014- 02/13/2018 |
| Eglin Air Force Base | Maritime Weapons System Evaluation Program Testing and Training | IHA | 2/04/2017-2/03/2018 |
| U.S. Air Force 86 Fighter Weapons Squadron | Long Range Strike Weapon Systems Evaluation Program (2016-17) | IHA | 10/01/2016-09/30/2017 |
| U.S. Navy | Operations of Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System Low Frequency Active (SURTASS LFA) Sonar (2012-2017) | LOA | 08/15/2012- 08/15/2017 |
| Eglin Air Force Base | NEODS Training Operations (2012-2017) | LOA | 4/23/2012- 4/24/2017 |
| U.S. Navy | Training Activities in the Gulf of Alaska Temporary Maritime Activities Area (2011-2016) | LOA | 05/04/2011- 05/04/2016 |
| U.S. Air Force | Maritime Weapons Systems Evaluation Program Offshore FL (2016) | IHA | 2/4/2016 - 2/3/2017 |
| U.S. Navy | West Coast Civilian Port Defense Activities (2015) | IHA | 10/25/2015-12/31/2015 |
| U.S. Navy | Mariana Islands Range Complex, south of Japan (2010-2015) | LOA | 08/03/2010- 08/03/2015 |
| U.S. Air Force | Maritime Weapon Systems Evaluation Program (WSEP) near Florida Panhandle (2015) | IHA | 02/06/2015- 4/1/2015 |
| U.S. Navy | Testing AN/AQS-20A Mine Reconnaissance Sonar System in the Navy's NSWC Panama City Division Testing Range, FL | IHA | 07/27/2013- 07/26/2014 |
| U.S. Air Force | Maritime Strike Operations at Eglin Air Force Base, FL | IHA | 8/19/2013- 8/18/2014 |
| U.S. Navy | Silver Strand Training Complex exercises near San Diego Bay, CA | IHA | 07/18/2013- 07/17/2014 |
| U.S. Marine Corps | Training Activities in Pamlico Sound, NC | IHA | 06/17/2013- 06/14/2014 |
| U.S. Navy | 2012 Training in the Northwest Training Range Complex (NWTRC) | LOA | 11/12/2012-11/09/2015 |
| U.S. Navy | 2012 Training in the Mariana Islands Range Complex (MIRC) | LOA | 8/12/2012-8/03/15 |
| U.S. Navy | Gulf of Mexico (GOMEX) Range Complex Training Exercises | LOA | 3/18/2011-3/17/2012 |
| U.S. Navy | 2012 Training in 12 Range Complexes and U.S. Air Force Space Vehicle and Test Flight Activities in California | LOA | 2/1/2012-2/06/2014 |
More Information
- Incidental Take Authorization under the MMPA
- Apply for an Incidental Take Authorization
- Explore Incidental Take Authorizations for construction activities
- Explore Incidental Take Authorizations for oil and gas activities
- Explore Incidental Take Authorizations for other energy (renewable and LNG) activities
- Explore Incidental Take Authorizations for research and other activities
