Children's Pool Sand Quality Study Environmental Assessment

The City of San Diego has requested an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) under section 101(a)(5) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended, for the incidental take of marine mammals (pinnipeds) due to conducting a sand quality study at Children's Pool Beach in La Jolla, California. The sand quality study would have the potential to alert and flush harbor seals, sea lions, fur seals, and elephant seals into the water during sample collection events (approximately 16 events of approximately 4 hours sampling time over the course of 6 months).