Draft Environmental Assessment for Amendments to the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Strike Reduction Rule

NMFS is proposing regulations pursuant to its rulemaking authority under MMPA section 112(a) (16U.S.C. 1382(a)), and ESA section 11(f) (U.S.C. 1540(f)) that would modify the North Atlantic right whale vessel speed rule (50 CFR § 224.105). This Draft Environmental Assessment considers a combination of one or more of the following changes to the existing speed rule: 1) adding most vessels greater than or equal to 35 ft (10.7 m) in length and less than 65 ft (19.8 m) in length to the class of vessels subject to speed regulation, 2) modifying Seasonal Management Area boundaries and timing to create proposed Seasonal Speed Zones (SSZs); and 3) implementing a new mandatory Dynamic Speed Zone (DSZ) program.