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. Navy Mariana Islands Training and Testing (MITT)
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| In Process | 4/15/2019 | -- | -- |
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 Mariana Islands Training and Testing (MITT) Study Area for a period of seven years, from August, 2020 through August, 2027. Pursuant to regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), we are announcing receipt of the Navy’s request for the development and implementation of regulations governing the incidental taking of marine mammals. NOAA Fisheries invites the public to provide information, suggestions, and comments on the Navy’s application and request.
U.S. Navy Atlantic Fleet Training and Testing (AFTT) along Atlantic and Gulf Coasts (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 amend our Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) regulations authorizing the take of marine mammals incidental to Navy training and testing activities conducted in the Atlantic Fleet Training and Testing (AFTT) Study Area from November 2018 to November 2023 to cover seven years of the Navy’s activities, instead of five. Section 316 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (2019 NDAA), signed into law on August 13, 2018, amended the MMPA to extend the maximum period for MMPA incidental take regulations under section 101(a)(5)(A) from five to seven years for military readiness activities. The Navy proposes no changes to their specified activities, mitigation measures, monitoring, or reporting.
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 |
| In Process | Closed | -- | -- |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries has received a request from the U.S. Air Force (USAF) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to launching space launch vehicles, intercontinental ballistic and small missiles, and aircraft and helicopter operations at Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) from March 2019 to March 2024. As required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act NOAA Fisheries is proposing regulations to govern that take.
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 |
| In Process | 4/1/2019 | -- | -- |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries has received a request from the U.S. Navy (Navy) for authorization to take 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. As required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NOAA Fisheries is proposing regulations to govern that take. Pursuant to section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA, NOAA Fisheries is requesting comments on its proposal to issue regulations to govern the incidental take of marine mammals by Level B harassment during SURTASS LFA sonar activities. We will consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the issuance of the requested MMPA authorization and agency responses will be summarized in the final notice of our decision.
Active Authorizations
The Authorizations below are active:
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 - 11/13/2023 |
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 training and testing activities conducted in the Atlantic Fleet Training and Testing (AFTT) Study Area over the course of five years beginning in November 2018. 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.
Office of Naval Research Arctic Research Activities in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active | Closed | 9/20/2018 | 9/20/2018-9/19/2019 |
Summary: NOAA Fisheries has issued an IHA for the U.S. Navy's Office of Naval Research (ONR) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to Arctic Research Activities in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas. ONR's activities are considered military readiness activities pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004.
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.
U.S. Marine Corps Training Activities in Pamlico Sound, NC
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active LOA | Closed | 03/13/2015 | 03/13/2015 - 03/12/2020 |
Summary: Upon application from the U.S. Marine Corps, NOAA Fisheries has issued an LOA and regulations under the MMPA to govern to the take of marine mammals incidental to training operations at the Marine Corps' Cherry Point Range Complex in North Carolina from March 2015 through March 2020.
U.S. Navy Target and Missile Launch Activities at San Nicolas Island, CA
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active LOA | Closed | 06/6/2014 | 06/3/2014 - 06/3/2019 |
Summary: Upon application from the U.S. Navy's Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, NOAA Fisheries has issued an LOA and regulations under the MMPA to govern to the take of marine mammals incidental to missile launch operations at San Nicolas Island, California.
Vandenberg AFB Launch and Harbor Maintenance Activities
| Status | Public Comment | Issued Date | Effective Dates |
| Active LOA | Closed | 03/26/2014 | 03/26/2014 - 03/26/2019 |
Summary: Upon application from the U.S. Department of the Air Force, Headquarters 96th Air Base Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, NOAA Fisheries has issued a LOA and regulations under the MMPA to govern to the take of marine mammals incidental to launches, aircraft, and helicopter operations from Vandenberg Air Force Base launch complexes and Delta Mariner operations, cargo unloading activities, and harbor maintenance dredging, from March 2014 through March 2019. NOAA Fisheries issued a modified LOA in January 2018.
Expired Authorizations
For documents related to expired authorizations, please contact us.
| Applicant | Activity | Authorization Type | Effective Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
