§ 217.286 - Letter of Authorization.

§ 217.286 Letter of Authorization.

(a) To incidentally take marine mammals pursuant to this subpart, LOA Holder must apply for and obtain an LOA;

(b) An LOA, unless suspended or revoked, may be effective for a period of time not to exceed February 21, 2029, the expiration date of this subpart;

(c) In the event of projected changes to the activity or to mitigation and monitoring measures required by an LOA, LOA Holder must apply for and obtain a modification of the LOA as described in § 217.287;

(d) The LOA must set forth:

(1) Permissible methods of incidental taking;

(2) Means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact (i.e., mitigation) on the species, its habitat, and on the availability of the species for subsistence uses; and

(3) Requirements for monitoring and reporting;

(e) Issuance of the LOA must be based on a determination that the level of taking must be consistent with the findings made for the total taking allowable under the regulations of this subpart; and

(f) Notice of issuance or denial of an LOA must be published in the Federal Register within 30 days of a determination.