Environmental assessment of a low-energy marine geophysical survey by the R/V Thompson in the western tropical Pacific Ocean, November-December 2011 Environmental assessment for SIO Western Pacific cruise, 2011 111101_Adopted_EA_NSF_Geophysical_Survey_Western_Pacific_L.pdf

"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 low-energy marine geophysical survey in the western tropical Pacific Ocean, November to December, 2011. In 2011. In 2011, NMFS adopted the National Science Foundation's Environmental Assessment Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. and Executive Order 12114, Marine Geophysical Survey by the R/V Thompson in the western tropical Pacific Ocean, November-December 2011. NSF's EA is based on an Environmental Assessment of a Low-Energy Marine Geophyiscal Survey by the R/V Thompson in the Western Tropical Pacific Ocean, November-December 2011, and prepared by LGL Ltd., Environmental Research Associates. NMFS has determined that the impact of conducting seismic survey in international waters within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Wake Island (U.S.) and possibly in the EEZ of the Republic of the Marshall Islands may result, at worst, in a temporary modification in behavior of small numbers of species of marine mammals. No injury, or 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"--Cover letter summary.