§ 217.272 — Permissible Methods Of Taking

Under the LOA, issued pursuant to §§ 217.276, and 217.277, and § 216.106 of this chapter, the LOA Holder, and those persons it authorizes or funds to conduct activities on its behalf, may incidentally, but not intentionally, take marine mammals within the vicinity of BOEM Lease Area OCS-A 0486 Commercial Lease of Submerged Lands for Renewable Energy Development, along export cable routes, and at the two sea-to-shore transition points located at Quonset Point in North Kingstown, Rhode Island in the following ways, provided LOA Holder is in complete compliance with all terms, conditions, and requirements of the regulations in this subpart and an LOA issue under §§ 217.276 and 217.277:

(a) By Level B harassment associated with the acoustic disturbance of marine mammals by impact pile driving (WTG and OSS foundation installation), vibratory pile driving (cofferdam and goal post installation and removal), pneumatic hammering (casing pipe installation and removal), UXO/MEC detonations, and HRG site characterization surveys;

(b) By Level A harassment associated with the acoustic disturbance of marine mammals by impact pile driving of WTG and OSS foundations, pneumatic hammering of casing pipes, and UXO/MEC detonations;

(c) Take by mortality or serious injury of any marine mammal species is not authorized; and

(d) The incidental take of marine mammals by the activities listed in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section is limited to the following stocks:

Table 1 to Paragraph (d)