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Date: Tue Dec 31, 2013 10:15 am ((PST))
> From: Amy SCHOLIK - NOAA Federal <>
> Subject: Public Comment: Draft NOAA Guidance for Assessing the Effects of=
Anthropogenic Sound on Marine Mammals
> Date: December 31, 2013 at 10:27:52 AM EST
> To:
> Reply-To: Amy SCHOLIK - NOAA Federal <>
>
> Greetings,
>
> The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is pleased to =
announce the availability of "Draft NOAA Guidance for Assessing the Effects=
of Anthropogenic Sound on Marine Mammals: Acoustic Threshold Levels for On=
set of Permanent and Temporary Threshold Shifts" for a 30-day public commen=
t period.
>
> NOAA has developed draft guidance for assessing the effects of anthropoge=
nic sound on marine mammal species under NOAA=92s jurisdiction. The guidanc=
e provides updated received levels, or acoustic threshold levels, based on =
the best available science, above which individual marine mammals are predi=
cted to experience changes in their hearing sensitivity (either temporary o=
r permanent) for all underwater anthropogenic sound sources. This guidance =
is intended to be used by NOAA analysts and managers and other relevant use=
r groups and stakeholders, including other federal agencies, when seeking t=
o determine whether and how their activities are expected to result in part=
icular types of impacts to marine mammals via acoustic exposure. Although N=
OAA has updated the acoustic threshold levels from those previously used, a=
nd these changes may necessitate new methodologies for calculating impacts,=
the application of the thresholds under applicable statutes (Marine Mammal=
Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, and National Marine Sanctuaries Ac=
t) remains consistent with past NOAA practice.
>
> Electronic copies of the document can be found at: http://www.nmfs.noaa.=
gov/pr/acoustics/guidelines.htm and the Federal eRulemaking Portal http://=
www.regulations.gov. Comments may also be submitted via the Federal eRulem=
aking Portal (http://www.regulations.gov, search for NOAA-NMFS-2013-0177).=
> In conjunction with this public comment period, we will be hosting a publ=
ic meeting on January 14, 2014 in Silver Spring, Maryland. For those unable=
to attend in person, there will be webinar access. Please consult the foll=
owing web site for more detailed information and updates: http://www.nmfs.n=
oaa.gov/pr/acoustics/guidelines.htm
> Thank you for your interest in the guidance document.
>
> For more information, please contact Dr. Amy Scholik-Schlomer (amy.scholi=
or 301 427-8402).
>
>
>
>
> Amy R. Scholik-Schlomer, Ph.D.
> Fishery Biologist (Protected Resources Acoustic Coordinator)
> NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service
> Office of Protected Resources, Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Conservation =
Division
> 1315 East-West Hwy.
> SSMC3, Rm. 13605
> Silver Spring, MD 20910
> (301) 427-8402 (phone)
> (301) 713-0376 (fax)
> Email:
> http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/acoustics/
>
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