§ 217.306 Letter of Authorization.

(a) To incidentally take marine mammals pursuant to this subpart, LOA Holder must apply for and obtain a LOA; (b) LOA, unless suspended or revoked, may be effective for a period of time not to exceed December 31, 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 the LOA, LOA Holder must apply for and obtain a modification of the LOA as described in § 217.307; (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 the LOA must be published in the Federal Register within 30 calendar days of a determination.