Federal regulations · Through 2026-08-25 · Newer source version available

50 CFR 217.66: Letters of Authorization.

(a) To incidentally take marine mammals pursuant to this subpart, the USSF must apply for and obtain an LOA in accordance with § 216.106 of this chapter.
(b) An LOA, unless suspended or revoked, may be effective for a period of time not to exceed expiration of this subpart.
(c) If an LOA expires prior to the expiration date of this subpart, the USSF may apply for and obtain a renewal LOA.
(d) In the event of projected changes to the activity or to mitigation, monitoring, or reporting (excluding changes made pursuant to the adaptive management provision of § 217.67(c)(1) required by an LOA, USSF must apply for and obtain a modification of the LOA as described in § 217.67.
(e) Each LOA will set forth:
(1) Permissible methods of incidental taking;
(2) Means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact (i.e., mitigation) on the species and its habitat; and
(3) Requirements for monitoring and reporting.
(f) Issuance of the LOA shall be based on a determination that the level of taking will be consistent with the findings made for the total taking allowable under this subpart.
(g) Notice of issuance or denial of a LOA shall be published in the Federal Register within 30 days of a determination.

Where this section sits in the code

Title 50—Wildlife and Fisheries
CHAPTER II—NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
SUBCHAPTER C—MARINE MAMMALS
PART 217—REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE TAKE OF MARINE MAMMALS INCIDENTAL TO SPECIFIED ACTIVITIES
Subpart G—Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to U.S. Space Force Launches and Operations at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California

(a) To incidentally take marine mammals pursuant to this subpart, the USSF must apply for and obtain an LOA in accordance with § 216.106 of this chapter.

(b) An LOA, unless suspended or revoked, may be effective for a period of time not to exceed expiration of this subpart.

(d) In the event of projected changes to the activity or to mitigation, monitoring, or reporting (excluding changes made pursuant to the adaptive management provision of § 217.67(c)(1) required by an LOA, USSF must apply for and obtain a modification of the LOA as described in § 217.67.

(e) Each LOA will set forth:

(1) Permissible methods of incidental taking;

(2) Means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact (i.e., mitigation) on the species and its habitat; and

(3) Requirements for monitoring and reporting.

(f) Issuance of the LOA shall be based on a determination that the level of taking will be consistent with the findings made for the total taking allowable under this subpart.

(g) Notice of issuance or denial of a LOA shall be published in the Federal Register within 30 days of a determination.

Collected 2026-08-27T02:26:39Z. Source file · JSON

Browse this collection