Environmental Assessment of the Promulgation of Regulations Authorizing Take of Marine Mammals Incidental to Rocket Launches at Kodiak Launch Complex, Alaska, and the Issuance of Subsequent Letters of Authorization
January 04, 2006
Analysis of the potential impacts of rocket launches conducted at the Kodiak Launch Complex on Kodiak Island, Alaska
On June 26, 2001, NOAA Fisheries received an application from Alaska Aerospace Development Corporation requesting NOAA Fisheries promulgate a 5-year rule and subsequently issue Letters of Authorization (LOAs) under section 101 (a)(5)(A) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The regulations and associated LOAs would authorize the take of small numbers of marine mammals incidental to rocket launches conducted at the Kodiak Launch Complex on Kodiak Island, Alaska.
Section 101(a)(5)(A) of the MMPA (16 U.S.C.1361 et seq.) directs the Secretary of Commerce to allow, upon request, the incidental, but not intentional, taking of marine mammals by U.S. citizens who engage in a specified activity (other than commercial fishing) within a specified geographical region if certain findings are made and regulations are issued.