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Bill Would Create Presumption that Oil and Gas Projects in the Gulf of Mexico Are Compliant with the ESA and MMPA

House Resolution 1335 would streamline approval for onshore and offshore oil and gas drilling projects. This would be accomplished by measure that include requiring the Secretary of the Interior to authorize oil and gas activities on the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf within thirty days of receipt of a complete application and to deem any such applications compliant with the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. The bill was introduced by Representative Bruce Westerman and has been referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.

FWS Considering Request from BP for MMPA Authorization to Harass Polar Bears

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is considering a request from British Petroleum America Production Company for the authorized incidental take by harassment of multiple Southern Beaufort Sea polar bears between issuance and December 14, 2023, during the closure, remediation, and rehabilitation of Foggy Island Bay State No. 1 gravel pad in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. The abandoned pad contains contaminated materials and foam insulation surrounding an exploratory well. FWS will accept comments on the proposed authorization through March 17, 2023.

FWS Seeks Public Comments on Walrus and Sea Otter Reports

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced that it has developed draft revised marine mammal stock assessment reports for the Pacific walrus and for each of the three northern sea otter stocks in Alaska. FWS will accept public comments on the reports through May 8, 2023.

NMFS Seeks Public Comments on Air Force Request to Take Marine Mammals

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has received a request from the U.S. Department of the Air Force to take marine mammals incidental to testing and training military operations proposed to be conducted in the Eglin Gulf Test and Training Range from 2023 to 2030 in the Gulf of Mexico. NMFS is accepting public comments through March 9, 2023, on the proposed authorization.

Carnival Cruise Line Asks NMFS for Renewal of its Authorization to Harass Marine Mammals in Southern California

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) received a request from Carnival Corporation & GHD for the renewal of their incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to take marine mammals incidental to pile driving for the Long Beach Cruise Terminal improvement project at the Port of Long Beach, California. NMFS will accept public comments on renewal of the IHA through January 13, 2023.