2015 West Coast Civilian Port Defense

The U.S. Navy is proposing Civilian Port Defense training activities within and near the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, California, from October to November 2015. These activities are classified as military readiness activities. Marine mammals present in the Study Area may be exposed to sound from active acoustic sources (sonar). The Navy is requesting an Incidental Harassment Authorization from NMFS to take small numbers of seven marine mammal species by Level B harassment (behavioral). No ESA-listed species are expected to be taken.

The Navy has requested that NMFS issue an IHA for the proposed Civilian Port Defense training activities no later than October 21, 2015.

"Navy training activities, and NMFS' associated issuance of an authorization to take marine mammals, generally generates public attention because of the sonar component. However, for the proposed 2015 Civilian Port Defense training activities the projected take numbers are extremely low, takes are not injurious, and no ESA-listed species will be taken; thus, the project is less likely to generate strong public opposition. There were no public comments submitted on the Navy's draft EA.

The IHA processing schedule for the proposed training activities is under an accelerated timeline."