Endangered Species Act Section 7 Biological Opinion: Proposed issuance of regulations and letters of Authorization to take marine mammals incidental to offshore oil and gas operations at the Northstar development in the U.S. Beaufort Sea, 2012-2016

NMFS, Office of Protected Resources, Permits and Conservation Division (NMFS PRl) requested formal consultation on regulations and subsequent Letters of Authorization (LOAs) under section 101(a)(5) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA), for offshore oil and gas facilities operations at the Northstar development in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska. This document constitutes NMFS's biological opinion on the effects of that action on threatened and endangered species in accordance with section 7 of the ESA. Specifically, this biological opinion analyzes the effects of the action on the 1) endangered bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus), and 2) the proposed threatened Beringia distinct population segment (DPS) of bearded seals (Erignathus barbatus), and 3) the proposed threatened Arctic subspecies of ringed seals (Phoca hispida hispida).