Environmental assessment, USGS geophysical survey, Arctic Ocean

"The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to issue an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) for the take, by Level B harassment only, of marine mammals during a marine geophysical (seismic) survey of portions of the Arctic Ocean, August to September, 2010. In 2010, NMFS adopted the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Environmental Assessment (EA) titled Environmental Assessment for a Marine Geophysical Survey of Parts of the Arctic Ocean, August-September, 2010, prepared by LGL Ltd. Environmental Research Associates. NMFS has determined that the impact of conducting the seismic survey in portions of the Exclusive Economic Zone of the U.S. and the Arctic Ocean off of Alaska may result, at worst, in a temporary modification in behavior of small numbers of species of marine mammals. No injury (Level A harassment), serious injury, or mortality is anticipated to result from this activity, nor is it authorized. NMFS has further determined that this activity will result in a negligible impact on the affected species or stocks of marine mammals"--Cover letter.

Environmental Assessment