§ 218.86 Letters of Authorization.

(a) To incidentally take marine mammals pursuant to this subpart, the Action Proponents must apply for and obtain LOAs. (b) An LOA, unless suspended or revoked, may be effective for a period of time not to exceed the expiration date of this subpart. (c) In the event of projected changes to the activity or to mitigation, monitoring, or reporting measures (excluding changes made pursuant to the adaptive management provision of § 218.87(c)(1)) required by an LOA, the Action Proponent must apply for and obtain a modification of the LOA as described in § 218.87. (d) Each LOA will set forth: (1) Permissible methods of incidental taking; (2) Geographic areas for incidental taking; (3) Means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact (i.e., mitigation) on the species and stocks of marine mammals and their habitat; and (4) Requirements for monitoring and reporting. (e) Issuance of the LOA(s) must be based on a determination that the level of taking is consistent with the findings made for the total taking allowable under the regulations of this subpart. (f) Notice of issuance or denial of the LOA(s) will be published in the Federal Register within 30 days of a determination.