Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; U.S. Navy's Atlantic Fleet Active Sonar Training (AFAST)

In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, and implementing regulations, notice is hereby given that NMFS has issued a letter of authorization (LOA) to the U.S. Navy (Navy) to take marine mammals incidental to Navy training, maintenance, and research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) activities to be conducted within the Atlantic Fleet Active Sonar Training (AFAST) Study Area, which extends east from the Atlantic Coast of the U.S. to 45[deg] W. long. and south from the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Coasts to approximately 23[deg] N. lat., but not encompassing the Bahamas (see Figure 1-1 in the Navy’s Application), from January 22, 2010 through January 21, 2011.