Comment from Allison Copeland

Pursuant to the requirements set forth by NMFS for incidental takings to be granted, it appears that the AAC has met these requirements. AAC has done most of its due diligence to ensure that the takings will have a negligible impact on the Stellar Seal Lion and Harbor Seal, and that the launches will not have an adverse impact upon the stellar sea lion, as well as the harbor seal. To the pass this rule, the AAC should be required to obtain video footage of the Harbor Seal reactions to the launch of the various space vehicles; not only so that this species’ reaction is documented, but because of the potential affect that the leaving or harm of the harbor seal could have on the endangered stellar sea lion. If there is found to be a severe reaction to the noise level by the harbor seals, and the species stops frequenting the Ugak Island area this could potentially alter the surrounding habitat, which could potentially adversely affect the population of the stellar sea lions in the area. This of course is somewhat of a stretched thought, but being thorough in all areas that may potentially impact these two species is key in maintaining a healthy marine environment in the Kodiak area. Under §217.74 Mitigation, §217.76 4 it is suggested that if the monitoring and aerial surveys indicate that the distribution, size, or productivity of the potentially affected pinniped populations has been affected that the launch procedures and monitoring methods will be reviewed, and changes may be made. This does not give any specific indications of what will be reviewed or potentially modified. If this mitigation section could become more broad as to give some type of indication of how potentially negative effects of the launches will be handled that would be an improvement.