Marine mammals: Incidental take during specified activities— Polar bears and Pacific walrus,

[Federal Register: July 25, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 143)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 44020-44036]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr25jy03-30]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 18

RIN 1018-AH92

Marine Mammals; Incidental Take During Specified Activities

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

SUMMARY: We, the Fish and Wildlife Service, are proposing regulations that would authorize the incidental, unintentional take of small numbers of polar bears and Pacific walrus during year-round oil and gas industry (Industry) exploration, development, and production operations in the Beaufort Sea and adjacent northern coast of Alaska. Industry operations for the covered period are similar to and include all activities covered by the 3-year Beaufort Sea incidental take regulations that were effective from March 30, 2000, through March 31, 2003 (65 FR 16828). We are proposing that this rule be effective for approximately 16 months from date of issuance.

We will also be conducting an evaluation for a new 5-year regulation based on a petition received from Industry on August 23, 2002. We will work to assess the effects of Industry activities for the requested period (5 years) and expect to publish a longer term proposed rule during the period that this rule is in effect.

We propose a finding that the total expected takings of polar bear and Pacific walrus during oil and gas industry exploration, development, and production activities will have a negligible impact on these species and no unmitigable adverse impacts on the availability of these species for subsistence use by Alaska Natives. We base this finding on the results of 9 years of monitoring and evaluating interactions between polar bears, Pacific walrus, and Industry, and on oil spill trajectory models, polar bear density models, and independent population recruitment and survival models that determine the likelihood of impacts to polar bears should an accidental oil release occur. We are seeking public comments on this proposed rule.

DATES: Comments on this proposed rule must be received by August 25, 2003.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:

1. By mail to: Craig Perham, Office of Marine Mammals Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99503.

2. By Fax to: (907) 786-3816.

3. By Internet, electronic mail by sending to: FW7MMM@fws.gov. Please submit Internet comments as an ASCII file avoiding the use of special characters and any form of encryption. Please also include ``Attn: RIN 1018-AH92'' and your name and return address in your Internet message subject header. If you do not receive a confirmation from the system that we have received your Internet message, contact us directly at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Marine Mammals Management, (907)-786-3810 or 1-800-362-5148.

4. By hand-delivery to: Office of Marine Mammals Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99503.

   Comments and materials received in response to this action are available for public inspection during normal working hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the Office of Marine Mammals Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 E. Tudor Road, Anchorage, Alaska 99503.

   FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Craig Perham, Office of Marine Mammals Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99503; Telephone 907-786-3810 or 1-800-362-5148; or Internet craig_perham@fws.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

   Background

   Section 1371(a)(5)(A) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (Act) (16 U.S.C. 1361-1407) gives the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) through the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (we) the authority to allow the incidental, but not intentional, taking of small numbers of marine mammals, in response to requests by U.S. citizens (you) [as defined in 50 CFR 18.27(c)] engaged in a specified activity (other than commercial fishing) in a specified geographic region. If regulations allowing such incidental taking are issued, we can issue Letters of Authorization (LOA) to conduct activities under the provisions of these regulations when requested by citizens of the United States.

   We propose to authorize the incidental taking of polar bears and Pacific walrus based on our proposed

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   finding using the best scientific evidence available that the total of such taking for the regulatory period will have no more than a negligible impact on these species and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of these species for taking for subsistence use by Alaska Natives. These regulations set forth: (1) Permissible methods of taking; (2) the means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on the species and their habitat and on the availability of the species for subsistence uses; and (3) requirements for monitoring and reporting.

   The term ``take,'' as defined by the Act, means to harass, hunt, capture, or kill, or attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill, any marine mammal. Harassment as defined by the Act, as amended in 1994, ``means any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance which (i) has the potential to injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild'' (the Act calls this type of harassment Level A harassment), ``or (ii) has the potential to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing disruption of behavioral patterns, including, but not limited to, migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering.'' (the Act calls this type of harassment Level B harassment). As a result of 1986 amendments to the Act, we amended 50 CFR 18.27 (i.e., regulations governing small takes of marine mammals incidental to specified activities) with a final rule published on September 29, 1989. Section 18.27(c) included a revised definition of ``negligible impact'' and a new definition for ``unmitigable adverse impact'' as follows. Negligible impact is ``an impact resulting from the specified activity that cannot be reasonably expected to, and is not reasonably likely to, adversely affect the species or stock through effects on annual rates of recruitment or survival.'' Unmitigable adverse impact means ``an impact resulting from the specified activity (1) that is likely to reduce the availability of the species to a level insufficient for a harvest to meet subsistence needs by (i) causing the marine mammals to abandon or avoid hunting areas, (ii) directly displacing subsistence users, or (iii) placing physical barriers between the marine mammals and the subsistence hunters; and (2) that cannot be sufficiently mitigated by other measures to increase the availability of marine mammals to allow subsistence needs to be met.'' Industry conducts activities such as oil and gas exploration, development, and production in marine mammal habitat and, therefore, risks violating the prohibitions on the taking of marine mammals.

   Although Industry is under no legal requirement to obtain incidental take authorization, since 1993 Industry has chosen to seek authorization to avoid the uncertainties of taking marine mammals associated with conducting activities in marine mammal habitat.

   On November 16, 1993 (58 FR 60402), we issued final regulations to allow the incidental, but not intentional, take of small numbers of polar bears and Pacific walrus when such taking(s) occurred in the course of Industry activities during year-round operations in the area described later in this proposed rule in the section ``Description of Geographic Region.'' The regulations were effective for 18 months. At the same time, the Secretary of the Interior directed us to develop, and then begin implementation of, a polar bear habitat conservation strategy before extending the regulations beyond the initial 18 months for a total 5-year period as allowed by the Act. On August 14, 1995, we completed development of and issued our Habitat Conservation Strategy for Polar Bears in Alaska to ensure that the regulations met with the intent of Congress. On August 17, 1995, we issued the final rule and notice of availability of a completed final polar bear habitat conservation strategy (60 FR 42805). We then extended the regulations for an additional 42 months to expire on December 15, 1998.

   On August 28, 1997, BP Exploration (Alaska), Inc., submitted a petition for itself and for ARCO Alaska, Inc., Exxon Corporation, and Western Geophysical Company for rulemaking pursuant to section 101(a)(5)(A) of the Act, and section 553(e) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA; 5 U.S.C. 553). Their request sought regulations to allow the incidental, but not intentional, take of small numbers of polar bears and Pacific walrus when takings occurred during Industry operations in Arctic Alaska. Specifically, they requested an extension of the incidental take regulations that begin at 50 CFR 18.121 for an additional 5-year term from December 16, 1998, through December 15, 2003. The geographic extent of the request was the same as that of previously issued regulations that begin at 50 CFR 18.121 that were in effect through December 15, 1998 (see above).

   The petition to extend the incidental take regulations included two new oil fields (Northstar and Liberty). Plans to develop each field identified a need for an offshore gravel island and a buried sub-sea pipeline to transport crude oil to existing onshore infrastructure. The Liberty prospect was subsequently abandoned, while the Northstar prospect moved toward production. At the time, based on the preliminary nature of the information related to sub-sea pipelines published in a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Northstar project, we were unable to make a finding of negligible impact and issue regulations for the full 5-year period as requested by Industry.

   On November 17, 1998, we published proposed regulations (63 FR 63812) to allow the incidental, unintentional take of small numbers of polar bears and Pacific walrus in the Beaufort Sea and northern coast of Alaska for a 15-month period. These regulations did not authorize the incidental take of polar bears and Pacific walrus during construction or operation of sub-sea pipelines in the Beaufort Sea. On January 28, 1999, we issued final regulations effective through January 30, 2000 (64 FR 4328).

   The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers finalized the Northstar Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) in February 1999. On February 3, 2000, we issued regulations effective through March 31, 2000 (65 FR 5275), in order to finalize the subsequent longer term regulations without a lapse in coverage. After a thorough analysis of the Northstar FEIS and other data related to oil spills, on March 30, 2000, we issued regulations effective for a 3-year duration, through March 31, 2003 (65 FR 16828). This assessment included a polar bear oil spill risk analysis, a model that simulated oil spills and their subsequent effects on estimated polar bear survival on the basis of distribution in the Beaufort Sea. The likelihood of polar bear mortality caused by oil spills during different seasons (open-water, ice-covered, broken ice) was also analyzed. A 3-year period was selected, rather than a 5- year period, due to the potential development of additional offshore oil and gas production sites, such as the offshore Liberty Development, which would need increased oil spill analysis if development proceeded. The Liberty Development Plan was subsequently withdrawn by the operator to be re-evaluated.

   Between January 1994 and March 2003, we issued 223 LOAs for oil and gas related activities. Activities covered by LOAs included: exploratory operations, such as seismic surveys and drilling; development activities, such as construction and remediation; and production activities for operational fields. Between January 1, 1994, and March 31, 2000, 77 percent (n=89) of LOAs issued were for exploratory

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   activities, 10 percent (n=11) were for development, and 13 percent (n=15) were for production activities. Less than a third (32 of 115) of these activities actually sighted polar bears, and approximately two- thirds of sightings (171 of 258) occurred during production activities.

   Summary of Current Request

   On August 23, 2002, the Alaska Oil and Gas Association (AOGA), on behalf of its members, requested that we promulgate regulations for nonlethal incidental take of small numbers of Pacific walrus and polar bears pursuant to section 101(a)(5) of the Act. The request was for a period of 5 years, from March 31, 2003, through March 31, 2008. Members of AOGA include Alyeska Pipeline Service Company; Marathon Oil Company; Anadarko Petroleum Corporation Petro Star, Inc.; BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc.; Phillips Alaska, Inc.; ChevronTexaco Corporation; Shell Western E&P Inc.; Cook Inlet Pipe Line Company; Tesoro Alaska Company; Cook Inlet Region, Inc.; TotalFinaElf E&P USA; EnCana Oil & Gas (USA) Inc.; UNOCAL; Evergreen Resources, Inc.; Williams Alaska Petroleum, Inc.; ExxonMobil Production Company; XTO Energy, Inc.; and Forest Oil Corporation. Along with their request for incidental take authorization, Industry has also developed and implemented polar bear conservation measures. The geographic region defined in Industry's 2002 application is described later in this proposed rule in the section titled ``Description of Geographic Region.''

   We are proposing to issue new regulations that would remain in effect for, 16 months, from date of issuance, to ensure that we have adequate time to thoroughly assess effects of Industry activities over the longer period (5 years) requested by Industry. New LOAs may be issued after the new finding is made. We will assess the effects of Industry activities for the requested period (5 years) and expect to publish a longer-term proposed rule during the term described in this proposed rule.

   Prior to issuing regulations at 50 CFR part 18, subpart J, we must evaluate the level of industrial activities, their associated potential impacts to polar bears and Pacific walrus, and their effects on the availability of these species for subsistence use.

   To minimize disruptions related to a lapse in the regulations, we propose developing a short-term rule, while a longer term rule is being developed to address anticipated future actions by Industry. The recent petition and discussions with Industry indicate that industrial activities during the effective period of this rule will be similar to those analyzed in the most recent regulations, with no new major Industry developments anticipated.

   Description of Proposed Regulations

   The regulations that we are proposing include: permissible methods of taking; measures to ensure the least practicable adverse impact on the species and the availability of these species for subsistence uses; and requirements for monitoring and reporting. The geographic coverage and the scope of industrial activities assessed in these proposed regulations are the same as those in the regulations we issued on March 30, 2000. New LOAs will be issued if the proposed regulations become final.

   These proposed regulations would not authorize the actual activities associated with oil and gas exploration, development, and production. Rather, they would authorize the incidental, unintentional take of small numbers of polar bears and Pacific walrus associated with those activities. The U.S. Minerals Management Service, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management are responsible for permitting activities associated with oil and gas activities in Federal waters and on Federal lands. The State of Alaska is responsible for activities on State lands and in State waters.

   If we issue final incidental take regulations, persons seeking taking authorization for particular projects will apply for an LOA to cover take associated with exploration, development, and production activities pursuant to the regulations. Each group or individual conducting an oil and gas industry-related activity within the area covered by these regulations may request an LOA. Applicants for LOAs must submit a plan to monitor the effects of authorized activities on polar bears and walrus. Applicants for LOAs must also include a Plan of Cooperation on the availability of these species for subsistence use by Alaska Native communities that may be affected by Industry operations. The purpose of the Plan is to minimize the impact of oil and gas activity on the availability of the species or the stock to ensure that subsistence needs can be met. The Plan must provide the procedures on how Industry will work with the affected Native communities, including a description of the necessary actions that will be taken to: (1) Avoid interference with subsistence hunting of polar bears and Pacific walrus, and (2) ensure continued availability of these species for subsistence use.

   We will evaluate each request for an LOA for a specific activity and specific location, and may condition each LOA for that activity and location. For example, an LOA issued in response to a request to conduct activities on barrier islands with known active bear dens, or a history of polar bear denning, may be conditioned to require avoidance of a specific den site by 1 mile, intensified monitoring in a 1-mile buffer around the den, or avoiding the area until a specific date. More information on applying for and receiving an LOA can be found at 50 CFR 18.27(f).

   Description of Geographic Region

   These proposed regulations would allow Industry to incidentally take small numbers of polar bear and Pacific walrus within the same area, referred to as the Beaufort Sea Region, as covered by our previous regulations. This region is defined by a north/south line at Barrow, Alaska, and includes all Alaska State waters and all Outer Continental Shelf waters, east of that line to the Canadian border. The onshore region is the same north/south line at Barrow, 25 miles inland and east to the Canning River. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is not included in the area covered by these regulations.

   Description of Activities

   In accordance with 50 CFR 18.27, Industry submitted a request for the promulgation of incidental take regulations pursuant to section 101(a)(5)(A) of the Act. Activities covered in this proposed regulation include Industry exploration, development, and production of oil and gas, as well as environmental monitoring associated with these activities. These proposed regulations do not authorize incidental take for offshore production sites other than the previously evaluated Northstar Production area.

   Exploration activities may occur onshore or offshore and include: geological surveys; geotechnical site investigations; reflective seismic exploration; vibrator seismic data collection; airgun and water gun seismic data collection; explosive seismic data collection; vertical seismic profiles; subsea sediment sampling; construction and use of drilling structures such as caisson-retained islands, ice islands, bottom-founded structures (steel drilling caisson: SDC), ice pads and ice roads; oil spill prevention, response, and cleanup; and site restoration and remediation.

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   Exploratory drilling for oil is an aspect of exploration activities. Exploratory drilling and associated support activities and features include: transportation to site; setup of 90-100 person camps and support camps (requiring lights, generators, snow removal, water plants, wastewater plants, dining halls, sleeping quarters, mechanical shops, fuel storage, camp moves, landing strips, aircraft support, health and safety facilities, data recording facility and communication equipment); building gravel pads; building gravel islands with sandbag and concrete block protection, ice islands, and ice roads; gravel hauling; gravel mine sites; road building; pipelines; electrical lines; water lines; road maintenance; buildings; facilities; operating heavy equipment; digging trenches; burying pipelines and covering pipelines; sea lift; water flood; security operations; dredging; moving floating drill units; helicopter support; and drill ships such as the SDC, CANMAR Explorer III, and the Kulluk.

   Development activities associated with oil and gas industry operations include: road construction; pipeline construction; waterline construction; gravel pad construction; camp construction (personnel, dining, lodging, maintenance shops, water plants, wastewater plants); transportation (automobile, airplane, and helicopter traffic; runway construction; installation of electronic equipment); well drilling; drill rig transport; personnel support; and demobilization, restoration, and remediation.

   Production activities include: personnel transportation (automobiles, airplanes, helicopters, boats, rolligons, cat trains, and snowmobiles); and unit operations (building operations, oil production, oil spills, cleanup, restoration, and remediation).

   Alaska's North Slope encompasses an area of 88,280 square miles and contains 8 major oil and gas fields in production: Endicott/Duck Island; Prudhoe Bay; Kuparuk River; Point McIntyre; Milne Point; Badami; Northstar; and Colville River. These 8 fields include 21 current satellite oilfields: Sag Delta North; Eider; North Prudhoe Bay; Lisburne; Niakuk; Niakuk-Ivashak; Aurora; Midnight Sun; Borealis; West Beach; Polaris; Orion; Tarn; Tabasco; Palm; West Sak; Meltwater; Cascade; Schrader Bluff; Sag River; and Alpine. Exploration and delineation of known satellite fields identified within existing production fields would also be appropriate for coverage under the provisions of this proposed rule.

   During the period covered by the proposed regulations, we anticipate a level of activity per year at existing production facilities similar to that during the timeframe of the previous regulations. In addition, during the period of the rule, we anticipate that the levels of new annual exploration and development activities will be similar to those of the previous 3 years.

   Biological Information

   Pacific Walrus

   The Pacific walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) typically inhabits the waters of the Chukchi and Bering seas. Most of the population congregates near the ice edge of the Chukchi Sea pack ice west of Point Barrow during the summer. Walrus migrate north and south following the annual advance and retreat of the pack ice. In the winter, walrus inhabit the pack ice of the Bering Sea, with concentrations occurring in the Gulf of Anadyr, south of St. Lawrence Island, and south of Nunivak Island. The most current conservative, minimum population estimate is approximately 200,000 walrus. Pacific walrus use five major haul out sites on the west coast of Alaska. There are no known haulout sites from Point Barrow to Demarcation Point on the Beaufort Sea coast.

   Walrus occur infrequently in the Beaufort Sea, and although individuals are occasionally seen in the Beaufort Sea, they do not occur in significant numbers to the east of Point Barrow. If walrus are observed, they are most likely to be seen in nearshore and offshore areas during the summer, open-water season. They will not be encountered during the ice-covered season.

   Walrus sightings in the Beaufort Sea have consisted solely of widely scattered individuals and small groups. For example, while walrus have been encountered and are present in the Beaufort Sea, there were only five sightings of walrus between 146[deg] and 150[deg]W during Minerals Management Service (MMS) sponsored aerial surveys conducted from 1979 to 1995.

   Pacific walrus mainly feed on bivalve mollusks obtained from bottom sediments along the shallow continental shelf, typically at depths of 80 m (262 ft) or less. Walrus are also known to feed on a variety of benthic invertebrates, such as, worms, snails, and shrimp, and some slow-moving fish; and some animals feed on seals and seabirds.

   Mating usually occurs between January and March. Implantation of a fertilized egg is delayed until June or July. Gestation lasts 11 months (a total of 15 months after mating) and birth occurs between April and June during the annual northward migration. Calves weigh about 63 kg (139 lb) at birth and are usually weaned by age two. Females give birth to one calf every two or more years. This reproductive rate is much lower than other pinnipeds; however, some walrus may live to age 35-40 and remain reproductively active until late in life.

   Polar Bear

   Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) occur in the circumpolar Arctic and they live in close association with polar ice. In Alaska, their distribution extends from south of the Bering Strait to the U.S.-Canada border. Two stocks occur in Alaska: the Chukchi/Bering seas stock, whose minimum size is approximately 2,000, and the Southern Beaufort Sea stock, which was estimated in 2002 to have 2,273 bears.

   Females without dependent cubs breed in the spring and enter maternity dens by late November. Females with cubs do not mate. Each pregnant female gives birth to one to three cubs, with two cub litters being most common. Cubs are usually born in December. Family groups emerge from their dens in late March or early April. Only pregnant females den for an extended period during the winter; however, other polar bears may burrow in depressions to escape harsh winter winds. The reproductive potential (intrinsic rate of increase) of polar bears is low. The average reproductive interval for a polar bear is 3-4 years. The maximum reported age of reproduction in Alaska is 18 years. Based on these data, a female polar bear may produce about 8-10 cubs in her lifetime.

   Ringed seals (Phoca hispida) are the primary prey species of the polar bear, although polar bears occasionally hunt bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus) and walrus calves. Polar bears also scavenge on marine mammal carcasses washed up on shore and have been known to eat anthropogenic nonfood items such as Styrofoam, plastics, car batteries, antifreeze, and lubricating fluids.

   Polar bears have no natural predators, and they do not appear to be prone to death by disease or parasites. The most significant source of mortality is humans. Since 1972, with the passage of the Act, only Alaska Natives are allowed to hunt polar bears in Alaska. Bears are used by Alaska Natives for subsistence purposes, such as for consumption and the manufacture of handicraft and clothing items. The Native harvest occurs without restrictions on sex, age, number, or season, provided that takes

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   are non-wasteful. From 1980 through 2002, the total annual harvest in Alaska averaged 107 bears. The majority of this harvest (69 percent) occurred in the Chukchi and Bering Seas area.

   Polar bears in the near-shore Alaskan Beaufort Sea are widely distributed in low numbers, with an average density of about one bear per 30 to 50 square miles. Polar bears congregate on barrier islands in the fall and winter because of available food and favorable environmental conditions. Polar bears will occasionally feed on bowhead whale carcasses on barrier islands. In November 1996, biologists from the U.S. Geological Survey observed 28 polar bears near a bowhead whale carcass on Cross Island, and approximately 11 polar bears within a 2- mile radius of another bowhead whale carcass near the village of Kaktovik on Barter Island. From 2000 to 2003, biologists from the USFWS conducted systematic coastal aerial surveys for polar bears from Cape Halkett to Barter Island. During these surveys they observed as many as 5 polar bears at Cross Island and 51 polar bears on Barter Island within a 2-mile radius of bowhead whale carcasses. In a survey during October 2002, we observed 109 polar bears on barrier islands and the coastal mainland from Cape Halkett to Barter Island, a distance of approximately 350 kilometers.

   Effects of Oil and Gas Industry Activities on Subsistence Uses of Marine Mammals

   The subsistence harvest provides Native Alaskans with food, clothing, and materials that are used to produce arts and crafts. Walrus meat is often consumed, and the ivory is used to manufacture traditional arts and crafts. Polar bears are primarily hunted for their fur, which is used to manufacture cold weather gear; however, their meat is also consumed. Although walrus and polar bears are a part of the annual subsistence harvest of most rural communities on the North Slope of Alaska, these species are not as significant of a food resource as bowhead whales, seals, caribou, and fish.

   Pacific Walrus

   The Pacific walrus has cultural and subsistence significance to native Alaskans. Although it is not considered a primary food source for residents of the North Slope, walrus are still taken by a few Alaskan communities located in the southern Beaufort Sea along the northern coast of Alaska, including Barrow, Nuiqsut, and Kaktovik.

   The primary range of Pacific walrus is west and south of the Beaufort Sea. Accordingly, few walrus inhabit, or are harvested in, the Beaufort Sea along the northern coast of Alaska. Therefore, the effect to Pacific walrus of Industry activities described in this rule making would most likely be minimal, as they would affect only those individuals inhabiting the Beaufort Sea. Walrus constitute only a small portion of the total marine mammal harvest for the village of Barrow. From 1994 to 2002, 182 walrus were reported taken by Barrow hunters through the Service Marking, Tagging, and Reporting Program. Reports indicate that only up to 4 of the 182 animals were taken east of Point Barrow, within the geographic area of these proposed incidental take regulations. Furthermore, hunters from Nuiqsut and Kaktovik do not normally hunt walrus east of Point Barrow and have taken only one walrus in that area in the last 13 years.

   Polar Bear

   Within the area covered by the proposed regulations, polar bears are taken for subsistence use in Barrow, Nuiqsut, and Kaktovik where Alaska Natives utilize parts of the bears to make traditional handicrafts and clothing. Data from our Marine Mammal Management Office indicate that, from July 1, 1993, to June 30, 2002, a total of 194 polar bears was reported harvested by residents of Barrow; 26 by residents of the village of Nuiqsut; and 26 by residents of the village of Kaktovik. Hunting success varies considerably from year to year because of variable ice and weather conditions.

   Native subsistence polar bear hunting could be affected by oil and gas activities in various ways. Hunting areas where polar bears are historically taken may be viewed as tainted if an oil spill were to occur at these sites. In general, though, traditional hunting areas are not located near current or planned Industry activities. Other potential disturbances, such as noise and vehicular traffic, could have limited effects on subsistence activities if these disturbances were to occur near traditional hunting areas and lead to the displacement of polar bears.

   Plan of Cooperation

   Polar bear and Pacific walrus inhabiting the Beaufort Sea represent a small portion, in terms of the number of animals, of the total subsistence harvest for the villages of Barrow, Nuiqsut, and Kaktovik. Despite this fact, the harvest of these species is important to Alaska Natives. An important aspect of the LOA process therefore, is that prior to receipt of an LOA, Industry must provide evidence to us that an adequate Plan of Cooperation has been presented to the subsistence communities, the Eskimo Walrus Commission, the Alaska Nanuuq Commission, and the North Slope Borough. The plan will ensure that oil and gas activities will continue not to have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the species or stock for subsistence uses. This Plan of Cooperation must provide the procedures on how Industry will work with the affected Native communities and what actions will be taken to avoid interfering with subsistence hunting of polar bear and walrus.

   Effects of Oil and Gas Industry Activities on Marine Mammals

   Pacific Walrus

   Walrus are not present in the region of activity during the ice- covered season and occur only in small numbers in the defined area during the open-water season. From 1994 to 2000, three Pacific walrus were sighted during the open-water season. In June 1996, one walrus was observed from a seismic vessel near Point Barrow. In October 1996, one walrus was sighted approximately 5 miles northwest of Howe Island. In September 1997, one walrus was sighted approximately 20 miles north of Pingok Island.

   Certain activities associated with oil and gas exploration and production during the open-water season have the potential to disturb walrus. Activities that may affect walrus include disturbance by: (1) Noise, including stationary and mobile sources, and vessel and aircraft traffic; (2) physical obstructions; and (3) contact with releases of oil or waste products. Despite the potential for disturbance, no walrus has been injured during an encounter by industry activities on the North Slope, and there have been no lethal takes to date. 1. Noise Disturbance

   Reactions of marine mammals to noise sources, particularly mobile sources, such as marine vessels, vary. Reactions depend on the individual's prior exposure to the disturbance source and their need or desire to be in the particular habitat or area where they are exposed to the noise and visual presence of the disturbance sources. Walrus are typically more sensitive to disturbance when hauled out on land or ice than when they are in the water. In addition, females and young are generally more sensitive to disturbance than adult males.

   Noise generated by Industry activities, whether stationary or mobile, has the potential to disturb small numbers of

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   walrus. The response of walrus to sound sources may be either avoidance or tolerance. In one instance, prior to the initiation of incidental take regulations, walrus that tolerated noises produced by Industry activities were intentionally harassed to protect them from more serious injury. Shell Western E & P Inc. encountered several walrus close to the drillship during offshore drilling operations in the eastern Chukchi Sea in 1989. On more than one occasion, one walrus actually entered the ``moon pool'' of the drillship. Eventually, the walrus had to be removed from the ship for its own safety.

   1. Stationary Sources--It is highly improbable that noise from stationary sources would impact many walrus. Currently, Endicott, the saltwater treatment plant, and Northstar, are the only offshore facilities that could produce noise that has the potential to disturb walrus. Although walrus are rare in the vicinity of these facilities, one walrus hauled out on Northstar Island in the fall of 2001.

   2. Mobile Sources--Open-water seismic exploration produces underwater sounds, typically with airgun arrays, that may be audible numerous kilometers from the source. Such exploration activities could potentially disturb walrus at varying ranges. In addition, source levels are thought to be high enough to cause hearing damage in pinnipeds that are in close proximity to the sound. It is likely that walrus hearing and sensitivities are similar to pinnipeds at close range, and therefore, it is possible that walrus within the 190 dB re 1

      [mu] Pa safety radius of seismic activities (industry standard) could suffer temporary threshold shift; however, the use of acoustic safety radii and monitoring programs are designed to ensure that marine mammals are not exposed to potentially harmful noise levels. Previous open-water seismic exploration has been conducted in nearshore ice-free areas. It is highly unlikely that walrus will be present in these areas, and therefore, it is not expected that seismic exploration would disturb many walrus.

   3. Vessel Traffic--Noise produced by routine vessel traffic could potentially disturb walrus. However, walrus densities are highest along the edge of the pack ice, and Industry vessel traffic typically avoids these areas. The reaction of walrus to vessel traffic is highly dependent on distance, vessel speed, as well as previous exposure to hunting. Walrus in the water appear to be less readily disturbed by vessels than walrus hauled out on land or ice. In addition, barges and vessels associated with Industry activities will not typically travel near large ice floes or land where walrus could potentially be found. Thus, vessel activities are likely to impact at most a few walrus.

   4. Aircraft Traffic--Aircraft overflights may disturb walrus; however, most aircraft traffic is in nearshore areas, where there are typically few to no walrus. Reactions to aircraft vary with range, aircraft type, and flight pattern, as well as walrus age, sex, and group size. Adult females, calves, and immature walrus tend to be more sensitive to aircraft disturbance. 2. Physical Obstructions

      Based on known walrus distribution and numbers in the Beaufort Sea near Prudhoe Bay, it is unlikely that walrus movements would be displaced by offshore stationary facilities, such as the Northstar or Endicott, or vessel traffic. There was no indication that the walrus, that used Northstar Island as a haulout in 2001 was displaced from its movements. Vessel traffic could temporarily interrupt the movement of walrus, or displace some animals when vessels pass through an area. This displacement would probably be short-term and would last no more than a few hours at most. 3. Contact With Releases of Oil or Waste Products

      The potential releases of oil and waste products associated with oil and gas exploration and production during the open-water season and the associated potential to disturb walrus and polar bears are discussed following the polar bear discussion in this section.

      Polar Bear

      Oil and gas activities could impact polar bears in various ways during both open-water and ice-covered seasons. These impacts could result from the following: (1) Noise from stationary operations, construction activities, vehicle traffic, vessel traffic, aircraft traffic, and geophysical and geological exploration activities; (2) physical obstruction, such as a causeway or an artificial island; (3) human/animal encounters; and (4) oil spills or contact with hazardous materials or production wastes. 1. Noise Disturbance

      Noise produced by Industry activities during the open-water and ice-covered seasons could potentially result in takes of polar bears. During the ice-covered season, denning female bears, as well as mobile, non-denning bears, could be exposed to oil and gas activities and potentially affected in different ways. The best available scientific information indicates that female polar bears entering dens, or females in dens with cubs, are thought to be more sensitive than other age and sex groups to noises.

      Noise disturbance can originate from either stationary or mobile sources. Stationary sources include: construction, maintenance, repair, and remediation activities; operations at production facilities; flaring excess gas; and drilling operations from either onshore or offshore facilities. Mobile sources include: vessel and aircraft traffic; open-water seismic exploration; winter vibroseis programs; geotechnical surveys; ice road construction and associated vehicle traffic; drilling; dredging; and ice-breaking vessels.

   1. Stationary Sources--All production facilities on the North Slope in the area to be covered by this rulemaking are currently located within the landfast ice zone. Typically, most polar bears ocurr in the active ice zone, far offshore, hunting throughout the year; although some bears also spend a limited amount of time on land, coming ashore to feed, den, or move to other areas. At times, usually during the fall season when the ice edge is near shore and then quickly retreats northward, bears may remain along the coast or on barrier islands for several weeks until the ice returns. During this time of year, the potential for human/bear encounters can increase. Polar bear interaction plans and employee training serve to reduce the number of encounters and the need for deliberately harassing bears.

      During the ice-covered season, noise and vibration from Industry facilities may deter females from denning in the surrounding area, even though polar bears have been known to den in close proximity to industrial activities. In 1991, two maternity dens were located on the south shore of a barrier island within 2.8 km (1.7 mi) of a production facility. Recently, industrial activities were initiated while two polar bears denned close to the activities. During the ice-covered seasons of 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 active, known dens were located within approximately 0.4 km and 0.8 km (0.25 mi and 0.5 mi) of remediation activities on Flaxman Island without any observed impact to the polar bears. Other observations indicate some dens may have been vacated due to exposure to human disturbance.

      Noise produced by stationary Industry activities could elicit several different responses in polar bears. The noise may act as a deterrent to bears entering the area, or the noise could potentially attract bears. Attracting bears to these facilities could result in a human/bear

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      encounter, which could result in unintentional harassment, lethal take, or intentional hazing (under separate permit) of the bear.

      Most bears seen near production facilities are transients, and only a small fraction of those observed closely approach the facilities. Currently, there is no evidence that unequivocally states that noise associated with Industry facilities disturbs or does not disturb polar bears. In fact, bears have commonly approached industrial sites in the Canadian Beaufort Sea. In addition, a few bears will approach facilities, particularly on artificial or natural islands, such as Endicott and West Dock in Prudhoe Bay, even though garbage and other attractants are carefully managed.

   2. Mobile Sources--In the southern Beaufort Sea, during the open- water season, polar bears spend the majority of their lives on the pack ice, which limits the chances of impacts on polar bears from Industry activities. Although polar bears have been documented in open water, miles from the ice edge or ice floes, this is a relatively rare occurrence. In the open-water season, Industry activities are generally limited to vessel-based exploration activities, such as ocean-bottom cable (OBC) and shallow hazards surveys.

   3. Vessel Traffic--Vessel traffic would most likely result in short-term behavioral disturbance only. During the open-water season, most polar bears remain offshore in the pack ice and are not typically present in the area of vessel traffic.

   4. Aircraft Traffic--Routine aircraft traffic should have little to no affect on polar bears. However, extensive or repeated overflights of fixed-wing aircraft or helicopters could disturb polar bears throughout the year. Behavioral reactions of non-denning polar bears should be limited to short-term changes in behavior and would have no long-term impact on individuals and no impacts on the polar bear population. Mitigation measures are routinely implemented to reduce the likelihood that bears are disturbed by aircraft. Noise and vibrations produced by extensive aircraft overflights could also disturb denning bears during the ice-covered season, potentially causing them to abandon their dens or depart their dens prematurely.

   5. Seismic Exploration--It is unlikely that seismic exploration activities or other geophysical surveys during the open-water season would result in more than temporary behavioral disturbance to polar bears. Polar bears normally swim with their heads above the surface, where underwater noises are weak or undetectable. Although polar bears are typically associated with the pack ice during summer and fall, open-water seismic exploration activities can encounter polar bears in the central Beaufort Sea in late summer or fall.

      Noise and vibrations produced by oil and gas exploration and production activities during the ice-covered season could potentially result in impacts on polar bears. During this time of year, denning female bears as well as mobile, non-denning bears could be exposed to and affected differently by potential impacts from oil and gas activities. Disturbances to denning females, either on land or on ice, are of particular concern. As part of the LOA application for seismic surveys during denning season, Industry provides us with the proposed seismic survey routes. To minimize the likelihood of disturbance to denning females, we evaluate these routes along with information about known polar bear dens, historic denning sites, and probable denning habitat.

      A standard condition of LOAs requires Industry to maintain a 1-mile buffer between survey activities and known denning sites. In addition, we may require Industry to avoid denning habitat until bears have left their dens. To further reduce the potential for disturbance to denning females, we have conducted research, in cooperation with Industry, to enable us to accurately detect active polar bear dens. We have evaluated the use of remote sensing techniques, such as Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) imagery and the use of scent-trained dogs to locate dens. In addition, Industry has sponsored cooperative research evaluating noise and vibration propagation through substrates and the received levels of noise and vibration in polar bear dens.

      Depending upon the circumstances, bears can be either repelled from or attracted to sounds, smells, or sights associated with Industry activities including seismic exploration. The LOA process requires the applicant to develop a polar bear interaction plan for each operation. These plans outline the steps the applicant will take, such as garbage disposal procedures, to minimize impacts to polar bears by reducing the attraction of Industry activities to polar bears. Interaction plans also outline the chain of command for responding to a polar bear sighting. In addition to interaction plans, Industry personnel participate in polar bear interaction training while on site. The result of these polar bear interaction plans and training allows personnel on site to detect bears and respond appropriately. Most often, this response involves deterring the bear from the site. Without such plans and training, the undesirable outcome of lethal takes of bears in defense of human life could occur.

      Although very unlikely, it is possible that on-ice vehicle traffic related to seismic exploration could physically run-over an unidentified polar bear den. Known dens around the oilfield are monitored by USFWS and Industry. The oil and gas industry communicates with the USFWS to determine the location of their activities relative to known dens. General LOA provisions require Industry operations to avoid known polar bear dens by 1-mile. There is the possibility that an unknown den may be encountered during Industry activities. If a previously unknown den is identified, communication between Industry and the USFWS and the implementation of mitigation measures help ensure that disturbance is minimized. 2. Physical Obstructions

      There is little chance that Industry facilities would act as physical barriers to movements of polar bears. Most facilities are located onshore where polar bears are only occasionally found. The offshore and coastal facilities are most likely to be approached by polar bears. The Endicott Causeway and West Dock facilities have the greatest potential to act as barriers to movements of polar bears because they extend continuously from the coastline to the offshore facility. Yet, because polar bears appear to have little or no fear of man-made structures and can easily climb and cross gravel roads and causeways, bears have frequently been observed crossing existing roads and causeways in the Prudhoe Bay oilfields. Offshore production facilities, such as Northstar, may be approached by polar bears, but due to their layout (i.e., continuous sheet pile walls around the perimeter) the bears may not gain access to the facility itself. This situation may present a small scale, local obstruction to the bears' movement, but also minimizes the likelihood of human/bear encounters. 3. Human/Polar Bear Encounters

      Encounters with humans can result in the harassment or (rarely) the death of polar bears. Unlike most mammals, polar bears typically do not fear humans and are extremely curious. Polar bears are most likely to encounter humans during the ice-covered season, when both humans and bears are found on the land-fast ice and adjacent coastline. Polar bears can also come in contact with humans along the coast or on islands, particularly near locations

      [[Page 44027]]

      where subsistence whalers haul bowhead whales on shore to butcher them. Employee training programs are designed to educate field personnel about the dangers of bear encounters and to implement safety procedures in the event of a bear sighting. Personnel are instructed to leave an area where bears are seen. If it is not possible to leave, in most cases bears can be displaced by using pyrotechnics or other forms of deterrents.

      Contact With Oil or Waste Products by Pacific Walrus and Polar Bears

      The discharge of oil into the environment could potentially impact polar bears and walrus depending on the location (i.e., onshore or offshore), size of the spill, environmental conditions, and success of cleanup measures. Spills of crude oil and petroleum products associated with onshore production facilities during ice-covered and open-water seasons are usually minor spills (i.e., 1 to 50 barrels per incident) that are contained and cleaned up immediately. They can occur during normal operations (e.g., transfer of fuel, handling of lubricants and liquid products, and general maintenance of equipment). Fueling crews have personnel that are trained to handle operational spills. If a small offshore spill occurs, spill response vessels are stationed in close proximity and respond immediately. Production related spills, generally larger, could occur at any production facility or pipeline connecting wells to the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS). These large spills have been modeled to examine potential impacts on marine mammals. 1. Physical Effects of Oil on Pacific Walrus and Polar Bear

      Walrus could contact oil in water and on potential haulouts (ice or islands), while polar bears could contact spilled oil in the water, on ice, or on land. In 1980, Canadian scientists performed experiments that studied the effects to polar bears of exposure to oil. More information is available regarding the effects of oil on polar bears than walrus.

      Effects on experimentally oiled polar bears (where bears were forced to remain in oil for prolonged periods of time) included acute inflammation of the nasal passages, marked epidermal responses, anemia, anorexia, biochemical changes indicative of stress, renal impairment, and death. In experimental oiling, many effects did not become evident until several weeks after exposure to oil.

   1. External Oiling-- Oiling of the pelt causes significant thermoregulatory problems by reducing the insulation value of the pelt in polar bears. Excessive oiling could cause mortality as well. Polar bears rely on their fur as well as their layer of blubber for thermal insulation. Experiments on live polar bears and pelts showed that the thermal value of the fur decreased significantly after oiling, and oiled bears showed increased metabolic rates and elevated skin temperatures. Irritation or damage to the skin by oil may further contribute to impaired thermoregulation. Furthermore, an oiled bear would ingest oil because it would groom in order to restore the insulation value of the oiled fur.

      In one field observation, biologists documented a bear in Cape Churchill, Manitoba with lubricating oil matted into its fur on parts of its head, neck and shoulders. The bear was re-sighted two months later, at which time he had suffered substantial hair loss in the contaminated areas. Four years later, the bear was recaptured and no skin or hair damage was detectable, which suggests that while oiling can damage the fur and skin, in some instances this damage is only temporary.

      Walrus do not rely on fur for thermal insulation, using a layer of blubber for warmth. Hence, they would be less susceptible to similar insulative and pelt impacts of external oiling than bears.

      Petroleum hydrocarbons can also be irritating or destructive to eyes and mucous membranes, and repeated exposure could have detrimental consequences to polar bears and walrus. In one experimental study, ringed seals quickly showed signs of eye irritation after being immersed in water covered by crude oil. This progressed to severe inflammation and corneal erosions during the 24-hour experiment. When the animals were returned to uncontaminated water, the eye condition resolved within 3-4 days. This reaction could be expected in other marine mammals, such as polar bears and walrus.

   2. Ingestion and Inhalation of Oil-- Oil ingestion by polar bears through consumption of contaminated prey, and by grooming or nursing, could have pathological effects, depending on the amount of oil ingested and the individual's physiological state. Death could occur if a large amount of oil were ingested or if volatile components of oil were aspirated into the lungs. Indeed, two of three bears died in the Canadian experiment and it was suspected that the ingestion of oil was a contributing factor to the deaths. Experimentally oiled bears ingested much oil through grooming. Much of it was eliminated by vomiting and in the feces, but some was absorbed and later found in body fluids and tissues.

      Ingestion of sub-lethal amounts of oil can have various physiological effects on a polar bear, depending on whether the animal is able to excrete and/or detoxify the hydrocarbons. Petroleum hydrocarbons irritate or destroy epithelial cells lining the stomach and intestine, and thereby affect motility, digestion and absorption. Polar bears may exhibit these types of symptoms if they ingest oil.

      Polar bears and walrus swimming in, or bears walking adjacent to, an oil spill could inhale petroleum vapors. Vapor inhalation by polar bears and walrus could result in damage to various systems, such as the respiratory and the central nervous systems, depending on the amount of exposure.

   3. Indirect Effects of Oil-- Oil may affect food sources of walrus and polar bears. A local reduction in ringed seal numbers as a result of direct or indirect effects of oil could, therefore, temporarily affect the local distribution of polar bears. A reduction in density of seals as a direct result of mortality from contact with spilled oil could result in polar bears not using a particular area for hunting. Also, seals that die as a result of an oil spill could be scavenged by polar bears, thus increasing the bears' exposure to hydrocarbons. Additionally, potentially lethal impacts caused by an oil spill to an area's benthic community could divert walrus from using the area as a food source. 2. Oil Spill and Hazardous Waste Impacts on Pacific Walrus and Polar Bears

   1. Pacific Walrus

      Onshore oil spills would not impact walrus unless oil moved into the offshore environment. During the open-water season, if a small spill occurs at offshore facilities or by vessel traffic, few walrus would likely encounter the oil. In the event of a larger spill during the open-water season, oil in the water column could drift offshore and possibly encounter a limited number of walrus. During the ice-covered season, spilled oil would be incorporated into the thickening sea ice. During spring melt, the oil would then travel to the surface of the ice, via brine channels, where most could be collected by spill response activities.

      Few walrus are found in the Beaufort Sea east of Barrow and low to moderate numbers are found along the pack-ice edge 241 km (150 mi) or more northwest of Prudhoe Bay. Thus, the probability of individual walrus encountering oil, as a

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      result of an oil spill from Industry activities, is low.

   2. Polar Bear

      Polar bears could encounter oil spills during the open-water and ice-covered seasons in offshore or onshore habitat. Although the majority of the Southern Beaufort Sea polar bear population spends a large amount of its time offshore on the pack ice, it is likely that individual bears will encounter oil from a spill regardless of ocean conditions.

      Small spills (1-50 barrels) of oil or hazardous wastes throughout the year by Industry activities could impact small numbers of bears. As stated previously, the effects of fouling fur or ingesting oil or wastes, depending on the amount of oil or wastes involved, could be short term or result in death. In April 1988, a dead polar bear was found on Leavitt Island, approximately 9.3 km (5 n mi) northeast of Oliktok Point. The cause of death was determined to be poisoning by a mixture that included ethylene glycol and Rhodamine B dye; however; the source of the mixture was unknown.

      During the ice-covered season, mobile, non-denning bears would have a higher probability of encountering oil or other production wastes than denning females. Current management practices put in place by Industry attempt to minimize the potential for such incidents by requiring the proper use, storage and disposal of hazardous materials. In the event of an oil spill, it is also likely that polar bears would be deliberately hazed to move them away from the area, further reducing the likelihood of impacting the population.

      To date, large oil spills from Industry activities in the Beaufort Sea and coastal regions that have impacted polar bears have not occurred, although the development of offshore production facilities has increased the potential for large offshore oil spills. In a large spill (i.e., 3,600 barrels: the size of a rupture in the Northstar pipeline and a complete drain of the subsea portion of the pipeline), oil would be influenced by seasonal weather and sea conditions. These would include temperature, winds, and for offshore events wave action and currents. Weather and sea conditions would also affect the type of equipment needed for spill response and how effective spill clean-up would be. For example, spill response has been unsuccessful in the clean-up of oil in broken ice conditions. These factors, in turn, would dictate how large spills impact polar bear habitat and numbers.

      The major concern regarding large oil spills is the impact a spill would have on the survival and recruitment of the Southern Beaufort Sea polar bear population. Currently, this bear population is approximately 2,200 bears. The most recent population growth rate was estimated at 2.4% annually based on data from 1982 through 1992, although the population is believed to have slowed their growth or stabilized since 1992. In addition, the maximum sustainable harvest is 80 bears for this population (divided between Canada and Alaska). In Alaska, the annual subsistence harvest has fluctuated around 36 bears. The annual subsistence harvest for the Southern Beaufort Sea population (Alaska and Canada combined) has been approximately 62 bears.

      The bear population may be able to sustain the additional mortality caused by a large oil spill of a small number of bears, such as 1-5 individuals. The additive effect, however, of numerous bear deaths (i.e. in the range of 20-30) caused by an oil spill coupled with the subsistence harvest and other potential impacts, both natural and human-induced, may reduce recruitment and survival. The removal rate of bears from the population would then increase higher than what could be sustained by the population, potentially causing a decline in the bear population and affecting bear productivity and subsistence use.

      Actual Impacts of Industry Activities on Pacific Walrus and Polar Bears

      The actual impact to Pacific walrus in the central Beaufort Sea from oil and gas activities has been minimal. Between 1994 to 2000, only three Pacific walrus were encountered in the Beaufort Sea. All were sighted during open-water seismic programs.

      Actual impacts on polar bears by the oil and gas industry during the past 30 years have been minimal as well. Polar bears have been encountered at or near most coastal and offshore production facilities, or along the roads and causeways that link these facilities to the mainland. During this time, only 2 polar bear deaths related to oil and gas activities have occurred. In winter 1968-1969, an industry employee on the Alaskan North Slope shot and killed a polar bear. In 1990 a female polar bear was killed at a drill site on the west side of Camden Bay. In contrast, 33 polar bears were killed in the Canadian Northwest Territories between 1976 to 1986 due to encounters with industry. Since the beginning of the incidental take program, no polar bears have been killed due to encounters associated with current Industry activities in the Prudhoe Bay area (Alpine to Badami).

      The majority of actual impacts on polar bears have resulted from direct human/bear encounters. Monitoring efforts by Industry required under previous regulations for the incidental take of polar bears and walrus have documented various types of interaction between polar bears and Industry. During a 7-year period (1994-2000), while incidental take regulations were in place, Industry reported 258 polar bear sightings. During this period, polar bears were sighted during 32 of the 115 activities covered by incidental take regulations. Approximately two- thirds of the sightings (171 of 258 sightings) occurred during production activities, which suggests that Industry activities that occur on or near the Beaufort Sea coast have a greater possibility for encountering polar bears than other Industry activities. Sixty-one percent of polar bear sightings (157 of 258 sightings) consisted of observations of polar bears traveling through or resting near the monitored areas without a perceived reaction to human presence, while 101 polar bear sightings involved bear-human interactions.

      Twenty-one percent of all bear-human interactions (21 of 101 sightings) involved anthropogenic attractants, such as garbage dumpsters and landfills, where these attractants altered the bear's behavior. Sixty-five percent of polar bear-human interactions (66 of 101 sightings) involved Level B harassment to maintain human and bear safety by preventing bears from approaching facilities and people. We have no indication that encounters that alter the behavior and movement of individual bears have any long-term effects on those bears, related to recruitment or survival. We, therefore, believe that the small number of encounters anticipated to occur between polar bears and Industry are unlikely to have any significant effect on the polar bear population.

      We conclude that it is unlikely that large numbers of polar bears will be taken by Industry in the future based on the proceeding information. Based on this discussion, any take reasonably likely to or reasonably expected to be caused by routine oil and gas activities will not result in more than a negligible impact on this species.

      Risk Assessment Analysis

      For marine mammals oil spills are of most concern when they occur in the marine environment, where spilled oil can accumulate at the water surface, ice edge, in leads, and similar areas of importance to marine mammals. Thus, offshore production activities, such as Northstar, have the potential to cause

      [[Page 44029]]

      negative impacts on marine mammals because as additional offshore oil exploration and production occurs, the potential for large spills increases. Northstar transports crude oil from a gravel island in the Beaufort Sea to shore via a 5.96-mile buried sub-sea pipeline. The pipeline is buried in a trench in the sea floor deep enough to reduce the risk of damage from ice gouging and strudel scour. Production of Northstar began in 2001, and currently 70,000 barrels of oil pass through the pipeline daily.

      Due to the concern of a potential offshore oil spill, a risk assessment was performed to investigate the probability of mortality in polar bears due to an oil spill and the likelihood of occurrence in various ice conditions. Pacific walrus were not included in the risk assessment due to a lack of data regarding walrus abundance and distribution in the Beaufort Sea because of small numbers present seasonally in the Beaufort Sea.

      The quantitative rationale for a negligible impact determination was based on a risk assessment that considered oil spill probability estimates for the Northstar Project, an oil spill trajectory model, and a polar bear distribution model. The Northstar FEIS provided estimates of the probability that one or more spills greater than 1,000 barrels of oil will occur over the project's life of 15 years. We considered only spill probabilities for the drilling platform and sub-sea pipeline, as these are the spill locations that would affect polar bears.

      Methodology

      Initially, Applied Sciences Associates, Inc., was contracted by BP Exploration Alaska Inc. to run the OILMAP oil spill trajectory model. The size of the modeled spills was set at 3,600 barrels, simulating rupture and drainage of the entire sub-sea pipeline. Each spill was modeled by tracking the location of 100 ``spillets,'' each representing 36 barrels. In the model, spillets were driven by wind, and their movements were stopped by the presence of sea ice. Open water and broken ice scenarios were each modeled with 250 simulations. A solid ice scenario was also modeled, in which oil was trapped beneath the ice and did not spread. In this event, we found it unlikely that polar bears will contact oil, and therefore removed this scenario from further analysis. Each simulation was run to cover a period of 4 days, with no cleanup or containment efforts simulated. At the end of each simulation, the size and location of each spill was represented in a geographic information system (GIS).

      The trajectory model was dependent on numerous assumptions, some of which underestimate, while others overestimate, the potential risk to polar bears. These assumptions relate to, and include: variation in spill probabilities during the year; the length of time that oil was in the environment and was subject to the spill trajectory model; whether or not containment occurred in various runs of the trajectory model; types of efforts and effects of efforts to deter wildlife during spills; contact by bears with a modeled spillet resulting in mortality; and the presence and size of bear groups. We assumed that the annual probability of a spill was equal during any season of the year. Any differences in seasonal spill probabilities would have a corresponding increase or decrease in risk. The model assumed oil would remain in the environment for 4 days; increasing that period of time would increase the risk to polar bears, while decreasing the period would decrease the risk. We assumed that containment of oil in broken-ice conditions would not be effective; however, any successful containment of oil under other water conditions would correspondingly reduce the risk of oiling to wildlife. We assumed that deterrent hazing of wildlife did not take place. If instituted, hazing could reduce the likelihood of polar bears encountering oil. We assumed that polar bear distribution was not affected by sights, smells, or sounds associated with a spill and that polar bears were neither attracted to nor displaced by these factors.

      Similarly, the risk assessment model accounted for average movements and likelihood of polar bears being present in any given location based on a history of movements from satellite-collared females. The model did not consider aggregations of polar bears that may be present seasonally in the study area, nor did it consider whether other sex and age classes of polar bears have movements similar to adult females. If aggregations were to occur, then the risk to polar bears could increase. If the distribution of other sex/age classes differs from adult females, then risk may correspondingly increase or decrease for these sex/age classes.

      Lastly, we assumed that polar bears located within the distribution grid that intersected with oil spillets modeled in the trajectory model were oiled and that mortality occurred, although this may not occur naturally. In evaluating the impacts of all these assumptions, we determined that the assumptions that overestimate and underestimate mortalities were generally in balance.

      Impacts to polar bears from the oil spill trajectory model were derived using telemetry data from the U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division (USGS). Telemetry data suggest that polar bears are widely distributed in low numbers across the Beaufort Sea with a density of about one bear per 30-50 square miles. Movement and distribution information was derived from radio and satellite relocations of collared adult females. The USGS developed a polar bear distribution model based on an extensive telemetry data set of over 10,000 relocations. Using a technique called ``kernel smoothing,'' they created a grid system centered over Northstar and estimated the number of bears expected to occur within each 0.25-km\2\ grid cell. Each of the simulated oil spills was overlaid with the polar bear distribution grid. In the simulation, if a spillet passed through a grid cell, the bears in that cell were considered killed by the spill. In the open water scenario, the estimated number of bears killed ranged from less than 1 to 78 bears, with a median of 8 bears. In the broken ice scenario, results ranged from less than 1 to 108, with a median of 21. These results are based on an ``average'' distribution of polar bears and do not include potential aggregation of bears, such as on Cross Island in the fall.

      The Service then analyzed the spill trajectory and polar bear distribution to estimate the probability of an oil spill during the proposed 16-month regulation period and the likelihood of occurrence of oil spills causing mortality for various numbers of bears. Assuming this probability was uniform throughout the year, the probability during any particular set of ice conditions was proportional to the length of those conditions. The probability of polar bear mortality in the event of an oil spill was calculated from mortality levels in excess of 5, 10, and 20 bears. Likelihood of occurrence is the product of the probabilities of spill and mortality. Hence, the overall likelihood is the sum of likelihoods over all ice conditions.

      Results

      The results of the analysis suggested that there is a 0.72% probability of an oil spill occurring during the period of the proposed rule. Furthermore, there was a 0.13-0.21 percent chance of a spill occurring that results in greater than five polar bears killed. As the threshold number of bears is increased, the likelihood of that event decreases; the likelihood of taking more bears becomes less. Thus, the probability of a spill that will cause a mortality of 10 or

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      more bears was 0.11-0.14 percent; and for 20 or more bears, it is 0.06- 0.08 percent.

      In addition, using exposure variables and production estimates from the Northstar EIS, we estimated that the likelihood of one or more spills greater than 1,000 barrels in size occurring in the marine environment is 1-5 percent during the period covered by the proposed regulations.

      Discussion

      The greatest source of uncertainty in our calculations was the probability of an oil spill occurring. The oil spill probability estimates for the Northstar Project were calculated using data for sub- sea pipelines outside of Alaska and outside of the Arctic. These spill probability estimates, therefore, do not reflect conditions that are routinely encountered in the Arctic, such as permafrost, ice gouging, and strudel scour. They may include other conditions unlikely to be encountered in the Arctic, such as damage from anchors and trawl nets. Consequently, we have some uncertainty about oil spill probabilities as presented in the Northstar FEIS. If the probability of a spill were actually twice the estimated value, however, the probability of a spill that will cause a mortality of one or more bears is still low (about 6 percent).

      In addition to the results from the risk analysis, anecdotal information supported our determination that any take associated with Northstar will have a negligible impact on the Beaufort Sea polar bear population. This information was based on observations of polar bear aggregations on barrier islands and coastal areas in the Beaufort Sea, which may occur for brief periods in the fall, usually 4 to 6 weeks. The presence and duration of these aggregations are influenced by the presence of sea ice near shore and the availability of marine mammal carcasses, notably bowhead whales from subsistence hunts. In order for any take associated with a Northstar oil spill to have more than a negligible impact on polar bears, an oil spill would have to occur, an aggregation of bears would have to be present, and the spill would have to contact the aggregation. We believe the probability of all these events occurring simultaneously is low.

      We concluded that if an offshore oil spill were to occur during the fall or spring broken-ice periods, a significant impact to polar bears could occur. However, in balancing the level of impact with the probability of occurrence, we concluded that the probability of large- volume spills that would cause significant polar bear takes is low. Additionally, because of the small volume of oil associated with onshore spills, the rapid response system in place to clean up spills, and the protocol available to deter bears away from the affected area for their safety, we concluded that onshore spills would have little impact on the polar bear population. Therefore, the total expected taking of polar bear during Industry activities will have no more than a negligible impact on this species.

      In making this proposed finding, we are following Congressional direction in balancing the potential for a significant impact with the likelihood of that event occurring. The specific Congressional direction that justifies balancing probabilities with impacts follows:

      If potential effects of a specified activity are conjectural or speculative, a finding of negligible impact may be appropriate. A finding of negligible impact may also be appropriate if the probability of occurrence is low but the potential effects may be significant. In this case, the probability of occurrence of impacts must be balanced with the potential severity of harm to the species or stock when determining negligible impact. In applying this balancing test, the Service will thoroughly evaluate the risks involved and the potential impacts on marine mammal populations. Such determination will be made based on the best available scientific information. 53 FR at 8474; accord, 132 Cong. Rec. S 16305 (Oct. 15, 1986).

      Summary of Take Estimate for Pacific Walrus and Polar Bear

      Pacific Walrus

      Since walrus are typically not found in the region of Industry activity, the probability is small that Industry activities, such as offshore drilling operations, seismic, and coastal activities, will affect walrus. Walrus observed in the region have typically been lone individuals, further reducing the number of potential takes expected. Only 3 walrus were observed by Industry during its activities between 1994 to 2000. In addition, the majority of walrus hunted by Barrow residents were harvested west of Point Barrow, outside of the area covered by incidental take regulations, while Kaktovik harvested only one walrus. Given this information, no more than a small number of walrus will be taken during the length of this rule. These takes would be unintentional and most likely non-lethal.

      Polar Bear

      Industry activities, from exploration, development and production operations could potentially disturb polar bears. These disturbances are expected to be primarily short-term behavioral reactions resulting in displacement, and should have no more than a negligible impact on the population. Noise and vibration are theorized to have the following effects on polar bears. Polar bears could be displaced from the immediate area of activity due to noise and vibrations. They could be attracted to sources of noise and vibrations out of curiosity, which could result in human/bear encounters. Denning females with cubs could prematurely abandon their dens due to noise and vibrations produced by certain industrial activities at close distances. Also, noise and vibration from stationary sources could keep females from denning in the vicinity of the source.

      Contact with, or ingestion of oil could also potentially affect polar bears. Small oil spills are cleaned up immediately and should have little opportunity to affect polar bears. The probability of a large spill occurring is very small. If such a spill were to occur at an offshore oil facility, however, polar bears could come into contact with oil. The impact of a large spill would depend on the location and size of the spill, environmental factors, and the success of clean-up measures.

      The Service estimates that only a small number of polar bear takes will occur during the length of the proposed regulations. These takes would be unintentional and non-lethal. However, it is possible that a few unintentional lethal takes could occur under low probability circumstances. For example, a scenario of an unintentional lethal take could be a road accident where a vehicle strikes and kills a polar bear.

      Conclusions

      Based on the previous discussion, we make the following findings regarding this action.

      Impact on Species

      The Beaufort Sea polar bear population is widely distributed throughout their range. Polar bears typically occur in low numbers in coastal and nearshore areas where most Industry activities occur. Hence, impacts that might be significant for individuals or small groups of animals are expected to be no more than negligible for the polar bear population as a whole. Likewise, the Pacific walrus is only occasionally found during the open-water season in the Beaufort Sea. Industry impacts would be no more than negligible for the walrus population as well.

      We reviewed the effects of the oil and gas industry activities on marine

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      mammals, which included impacts from stationary and mobile sources, such as noise, physical obstructions, and oil spills. Based on past LOA monitoring reports, we believe that takes resulting from the interactions between Industry and Pacific walrus and polar bears has had a negligible impact on these species. Additional information, such as recorded subsistence harvest levels and incidental observations of polar bears near shore, suggests that these populations have not been adversely affected. The projected level of activities during the period covered by the proposed regulations (existing development and production activities, as well as proposed exploratory activities) are similar in scale to previous levels. In addition, current mitigation measures will be kept in place. Therefore, based on past LOA monitoring reports, we conclude that any take reasonably likely to or reasonably expected to occur as a result of projected activities will have a negligible impact on polar bear and Pacific walrus populations.

      The Northstar development is currently the only offshore development in production with a subsea pipeline. Concerns about potential oil spills in the marine environment as a result of this development were raised in the Northstar FEIS. We have analyzed the likelihood of an oil spill in the marine environment of the magnitude necessary to kill a significant number of polar bears, and found it to be minimal. Thus, after considering the cumulative effects of existing development and production activities, and proposed exploratory activities, both onshore and offshore, we find that the total expected takings resulting from oil and gas industry exploration, development, and production activities will have a negligible impact on polar bear and Pacific walrus populations, and will have no unmitigable adverse impacts on the availability of these species for subsistence use by Alaska Natives during the proposed duration of this rule.

      We find, based on the recent scientific information available on polar bear and walrus, the results of monitoring data from our previous regulations, and the results of our oil spill modeling assessments, that any take reasonably likely to result from the effects of oil and gas related exploration, development, and production activities through the duration of these regulations, in the Beaufort Sea and adjacent northern coast of Alaska will have a negligible impact on polar bear and Pacific walrus populations.

      Even though the probability of an oil spill that will cause significant impacts to the walrus and polar bear population is extremely low, in the event of a catastrophic spill, we will reassess the impacts to polar bear and walrus and reconsider the appropriateness of authorizations for incidental taking through section 101(a)(5)(A) of the Act.

      Our proposed finding of ``negligible impact'' applies to oil and gas exploration, development, and production activities. As with our past incidental take regulations for these actions, generic conditions would be attached to each LOA. These conditions minimize interference with normal breeding, feeding, and possible migration patterns to ensure that the effects to the species remain negligible. We may add additional measures depending upon site-specific and species-specific concerns. Generic conditions include the following: (1) These regulations do not authorize intentional taking of polar bear or Pacific walrus. (2) For the protection of pregnant polar bears during denning activities (den selection, birthing, and maturation of cubs) in known and confirmed denning areas, Industry activities may be restricted in specific locations during specified times of the year. These restrictions will be applied on a case-by-case basis after assessing each LOA request. In potential denning areas, we may require pre-activity surveys (e.g., aerial surveys) to determine the presence or absence of denning activity; in known denning areas we may require enhanced monitoring during activities. (3) Each activity covered by an LOA requires a site-specific plan of operation and a site-specific polar bear interaction plan. The purpose of the required plans is to ensure that the level of activity and possible takes will be consistent with our proposed finding that the cumulative total of incidental takes will have a negligible impact on polar bear and Pacific walrus, and where relevant, will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of these species for subsistence uses.

      Impact on Subsistence Take

      We find, based on the best scientific information available, including the results of monitoring data, that any take reasonably likely to result from the effects of of Industry activities during the period of the rule in the Beaufort Sea and adjacent northern coast of Alaska, will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of polar bears and Pacific walrus for taking for subsistence uses.

      Polar bears are hunted primarily during the ice-covered season, and the proposed activities are expected to have a negligible impact on the distribution, movement, and numbers of polar bears found during this time period in the regulation area. Walrus are primarily hunted during the open-water season, and the proposed oil and gas activities are also expected to have a negligible impact on the distribution, movement, and numbers of walrus in the region. Regular communication between the industry and native communities will further reduce the likelihood of interference with subsistence harvest.

      If there is evidence during the period of the rule that oil and gas activities may affect the availability of polar bear or walrus for take for subsistence uses, we will reevaluate our findings regarding permissible limits of take and the measures required to ensure continued subsistence hunting opportunities.

      Monitoring and Reporting

      We require an approved plan for monitoring and reporting the effects of oil and gas industry exploration, development, and production activities on polar bear and walrus prior to issuance of an LOA. Monitoring plans are required to determine effects of oil and gas activities on polar bear and walrus in the Beaufort Sea and the adjacent northern coast of Alaska. Monitoring plans must identify the methods used to assess changes in the movements, behavior, and habitat use of polar bear and walrus in response to Industry activities. Monitoring activities are summarized and reported in a formal report each year. The applicant must submit a monitoring and reporting plan at least 90 days prior to the initiation of a proposed activity. We base each year's monitoring objective on the previous year's monitoring results. For exploration activities the applicant must submit a final monitoring report to us no later than 90 days after the completion of the activity. Since development and production activities are continuous and long-term, we will issue LOAs, which include monitoring and reporting plans for the life of the activity or until the expiration of the regulations, whichever occurs first. Prior to January 15 of each year, we will require that the operator submit development and production activity monitoring results of the previous year's activity. We require approval of the monitoring results for continued coverage under the LOA.

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      Required Determinations

      NEPA Considerations

      We have prepared a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) in conjunction with this proposed rulemaking. Subsequent to closure of the comment period for this proposed rule, we will decide whether this is a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment within the meaning of section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969. For a copy of the draft Environmental Assessment, contact the individual identified above in the section FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

      Regulatory Planning and Review

      This document has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review). This rule will not have an effect of $100 million or more on the economy; will not adversely affect in a material way the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or communities; will not create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency; does not alter the budgetary effects of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights or obligations of their recipients; and does not raise novel legal or policy issues. The proposed rule is not likely to result in an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more. Expenses will be related to, but not necessarily limited to, the development of applications for regulations and LOAs, monitoring, record keeping, and reporting activities conducted during Industry oil and gas operations, development of polar bear interaction plans, and coordination with Alaska Natives to minimize effects of operations on subsistence hunting. Compliance with the rule is not expected to result in additional costs to Industry that it has not already been subjected to for the previous 6 years. Realistically, these costs are minimal in comparison to those related to actual oil and gas exploration, development, and production operations. The actual costs to Industry to develop the petition for promulgation of regulations (originally developed in 2002) and LOA requests probably does not exceed $500,000 per year, short of the ``major rule'' threshold that would require preparation of a regulatory impact analysis. As is presently the case, profits would accrue to Industry; royalties and taxes would accrue to the Government; and the rule would have little or no impact on decisions by Industry to relinquish tracts and write off bonus payments.

      Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

      We have determined that this rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. The proposed rule is also not likely to result in a major increase in costs or prices for consumers, individual industries, or government agencies or have significant adverse effects on competition, employment, productivity, innovation, or on the ability of United States-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises in domestic or export markets.

      Regulatory Flexibility Act

      We have also determined that this proposed rule will not have a significant economic effect on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq. Oil companies and their contractors conducting exploration, development, and production activities in Alaska have been identified as the only likely applicants under the regulations. These potential applicants have not been identified as small businesses. The analysis for this rule is available from the person in Alaska identified above in the section, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

      Public Comments Solicited

      We are opening the comment period on this proposed rule for only 30 days because the previous regulations authorizing the incidental, unintentional take of small numbers of polar bears and Pacific walrus during year-round oil and gas industry exploration, development, and production operations in the Beaufort Sea and adjacent northern coast of Alaska expired March 31, 2003.

      Executive Order 12866 requires each agency to write regulations that are easy to understand. We invite your comments on how to make this rule easier to understand, including answers to questions such as the following:

      (1) Are the requirements in the rule clearly stated?

      (2) Does the rule contain technical language or jargon that interferes with its clarity?

      (3) Does the format of the rule (grouping and order of sections, use of headings, paragraphing, etc.) aid or reduce its clarity?

      (4) Would the rule be easier to understand if it were divided into more (but shorter) sections? (A ``section'' appears in bold type and is preceded by the symbol ``Sec. '' and a numbered heading; for example, Sec. 18.123, ``When is this rule effective?''

      (5) Is the description of the rule in the ``Supplementary Information'' section of the preamble helpful in understanding the proposed rule?

      (6) What else could we do to make the rule easier to understand?

      Our practice is to make comments, including names and home addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular business hours. Individual respondents may request that we withhold their home address from the rulemaking record, which we will honor to the extent allowable by law. There also may be circumstances in which we would withhold from the rulemaking record a respondent's identity, as allowable by law. If you wish us to withhold your name and/or address, you must state that prominently at the beginning of your comment. However, we will not consider anonymous comments. We will make all submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, available for public inspection in their entirety.

      Takings Implications

      This proposed rule is not expected to have a potential taking implications under Executive Order 12630 because it would authorize the incidental, but not intentional, take of small numbers of polar bear and walrus by oil and gas industry companies and thereby exempt these companies from civil and criminal liability as long as they operate in compliance with the terms of their LOAs.

      Federalism Effects

      This proposed rule also does not contain policies with Federalism implications sufficient to warrant preparation of a Federalism Assessment under Executive Order 13132. In accordance with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1501, et seq.), this rule will not ``significantly or uniquely'' affect small governments. A Small Government Agency Plan is not required. The Service has determined and certifies pursuant to the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act that this rulemaking will not impose a cost of $100 million or more in any given year on local or State governments or private entities. This rule will not produce a Federal mandate of $100 million or greater in any year, i.e., it is not a

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      ``significant regulatory action'' under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.

      Civil Justice Reform

      The Departmental Solicitor's Office has determined that these regulations meet the applicable standards provided in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988.

      Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

      This regulation requires information collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act. General regulations in 50 CFR 18.27 (that implement the provisions of section 101(a)(5)(A) of the Act) contain information collection, record keeping, and reporting requirements associated with development and issuance of specific regulations and LOAs that are subject to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) The request for regulations includes information collection and record keeping requirements; therefore, under the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act the process of receiving authorization from the OMB is underway.

      Energy Effects

      Executive Order 13211 requires agencies to prepare Statements of Energy Effects when undertaking certain actions. This rule would provide exceptions from the taking prohibitions of the MMPA for entities engaged in the exploration, development, and production of oil and gas in the Beaufort Sea and adjacent coastal areas of northern Alaska. By providing certainty regarding compliance with the MMPA, this rule will have a positive effect on Industry and its activities. Although the rule would require Industry to take a number of actions, these actions have been undertaken by Industry for many years in the past as part of similar regulations. Therefore, this rule is not expected to significantly affect energy supplies, distribution, or use and does not constitute a significant energy action. No Statement of Energy Effects is required.

      List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 18

      Administrative practice and procedure, Alaska, Imports, Indians, Marine mammals, Oil and gas exploration, Reporting and record keeping requirements, Transportation.

      Proposed Regulation Promulgation

      For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the Service proposes to amend Part 18, Subchapter B of Chapter 1, Title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations as set forth below.

      PART 18--MARINE MAMMALS

1. The authority citation of 50 CFR part 18 continues to read as follows:

   Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.

2. Revise part 18 by adding a new subpart J to read as follows:

   Subpart J--Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Oil and Gas Exploration, Development, and Production Activities in the Beaufort Sea and Adjacent Northern Coast of Alaska

   Sec. 18.121 What specified activities does this rule cover? 18.122 In what specified geographic region does this rule apply? 18.123 When is this rule effective? 18.124 How do I obtain a Letter of Authorization? 18.125 What criteria does the Service use to evaluate Letter of Authorization requests? 18.126 What does a Letter of Authorization allow? 18.127 What activities are prohibited? 18.128 What are the monitoring and reporting requirements? 18.129 What are the information collection requirements?

   Sec. 18.121 What specified activities does this rule cover?

   Regulations in this subpart apply to the incidental, but not intentional, take of small numbers of polar bear and Pacific walrus by you (U.S. citizens as defined in Sec. 18.27(c)) while engaged in oil and gas exploration, development, and production activities in the Beaufort Sea and adjacent northern coast of Alaska.

   Sec. 18.122 In what specified geographic region does this rule apply?

   This rule applies to the geographic region defined by a north/south line at Barrow, Alaska, and includes all Alaska coastal areas, State waters, and Outer Continental Shelf waters east of that line to the Canadian border and an area 25 miles inland from Barrow on the west to the Canning River on the east. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is not included in the area covered by this rule. The following map shows the area where this rule applies.

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   [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP25JY03.000

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   Sec. 18.123 When is this rule effective?

   Regulations in this subpart are effective for 16 months from date of issuance, for year-round oil and gas exploration, development, and production activities.

   Sec. 18.124 How do I obtain a Letter of Authorization?

   (a) You must be a U.S. citizen as defined in Sec. 18.27(c) of this part.

   (b) If you are conducting an oil and gas exploration, development, or production activity that may cause the taking of polar bear or Pacific walrus in the geographic region described in Sec. 18.122 and you want incidental take authorization under this rule, you must apply for a Letter of Authorization for each exploration activity or a Letter of Authorization for activities in each development and production area. You must submit the application for authorization to our Alaska Regional Director (see 50 CFR 2.2 for address) at least 90 days prior to the start of the proposed activity.

   (c) Your application for a Letter of Authorization must include the following information:

   (1) A description of the activity, the dates and duration of the activity, the specific location, and the estimated area affected by that activity.

   (2) A site-specific plan to monitor the effects of the activity on the behavior of polar bear and Pacific walrus that may be present during the ongoing activity. Your monitoring program must document the effects on these marine mammals and estimate the actual level and type of take. The monitoring requirements will vary depending on the activity, the location, and the time of year.

   (3) A site specific polar bear awareness and interaction plan. For the protection of human life and welfare, each employee on site must complete a basic polar bear encounter training course.

   (4) A Plan of Cooperation to mitigate potential conflicts between the proposed activity and subsistence hunting. This Plan of Cooperation must identify measures to minimize adverse effects on the availability of polar bear and Pacific walrus for subsistence uses if the activity takes place in or near a traditional subsistence hunting area. You must contact affected subsistence communities to discuss potential conflicts caused by location, timing, and methods of proposed operations. You must make reasonable efforts to ensure that activities do not interfere with subsistence hunting or that adverse effects on the availability of polar bear or Pacific walrus are properly mitigated.

   Sec. 18.125 What criteria does the Service use to evaluate Letter of Authorization requests?

   (a) We will evaluate each request for a Letter of Authorization based on the specific activity and the specific geographic location. We will determine whether the level of activity identified in the request exceeds that considered by us in making a finding of negligible impact on the species and a finding of no unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the species for take for subsistence uses. If the level of activity is greater, we will reevaluate our findings to determine if those findings continue to be appropriate based on the greater level of activity that you have requested. Depending on the results of the evaluation, we may grant the authorization as is, add further conditions, or deny the authorization.

   (b) In accordance with Sec. 18.27(f)(5) of this part, we will make decisions concerning withdrawals of Letters of Authorization, either on an individual or class basis, only after notice and opportunity for public comment.

   (c) The requirement for notice and public comment in paragraph (b) of this section will not apply should we determine that an emergency exists that poses a significant risk to the well-being of the species or stock of polar bear or Pacific walrus.

   Sec. 18.126 What does a Letter of Authorization allow?

   (a) Your Letter of Authorization may allow the incidental, but not intentional, take of polar bear and Pacific walrus when you are carrying out one or more of the following activities:

   (1) Conducting geological and geophysical surveys and associated activities;

   (2) Drilling exploratory wells and associated activities;

   (3) Developing oil fields and associated activities;

   (4) Drilling production wells and performing production support operations;

   (5) Conducting environmental monitoring programs associated with exploration, development, and production activities to determine specific impacts of each activity.

   (b) You must use methods and conduct activities identified in your Letter of Authorization in a manner that minimizes to the greatest extent practicable adverse impacts on polar bear and Pacific walrus, their habitat, and on the availability of these marine mammals for subsistence uses.

   (c) Each Letter of Authorization will identify conditions or methods that are specific to the activity and location.

   Sec. 18.127 What activities are prohibited?

   (a) Intentional take of polar bear or Pacific walrus.

   (b) Any take that fails to comply with the terms and conditions of these specific regulations or of your Letter of Authorization.

   Sec. 18.128 What are the monitoring and reporting requirements?

   (a) We require holders of Letters of Authorization to cooperate with us and other designated Federal, State, and local agencies to monitor the impacts of oil and gas exploration, development, and production activities on polar bear and Pacific walrus.

   (b) Holders of Letters of Authorization must designate a qualified individual or individuals to observe, record, and report on the effects of their activities on polar bear and Pacific walrus.

   (c) We may place an observer on the site of the activity or on board drill ships, drill rigs, aircraft, icebreakers, or other support vessels or vehicles to monitor the impacts of your activity on polar bear and Pacific walrus.

   (d) For exploratory activities, holders of a Letter of Authorization must submit a report to our Alaska Regional Director within 90 days after completion of activities. For development and production activities, holders of a Letter of Authorization must submit a report to our Alaska Regional Director by January 15 for the preceding year's activities. Reports must include, at a minimum, the following information:

   (1) Dates and times of activity;

   (2) Dates and locations of polar bear or Pacific walrus activity as related to the monitoring activity; and

   (3) Results of the monitoring activities including an estimated level of take.

   Sec. 18.129 What are the information collection requirements?

   (a) The collection of information contained in this subpart has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and assigned clearance number 1018-0070. We need to collect the information in order to describe the proposed activity and estimate the impacts of potential takings by all persons conducting the activity. We will use the information to evaluate the application and determine whether to issue specific Letters of Authorization.

   (b) For the duration of this rule, when you conduct operations under this rule, we estimate an 8-hour burden per Letter of Authorization, a 4-hour burden for monitoring, and an 8-hour burden per monitoring report. You must respond to this information collection request to

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   obtain a benefit pursuant to section 101(a)(5) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. You should direct comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this requirement to the Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, Mail Stop 222 ARLSQ, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240, and the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (1018-0070), Washington, D.C. 20503.

   Dated: July 15, 2003. Craig Manson, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

   [FR Doc. 03-18907 Filed 7-24-03; 8:45 am]

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