On January 5, 2023, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) published a proposed rule that would retain the findings of its 2021 final rule related to the taking of marine mammals incidental to geophysical survey activities in the Gulf of Mexico. NOAA determined that information provided in the final rule contained errors. The proposed rule provides new data and information related to the “negligible impacts” analyses that supported its final rule and attempts to correct these errors. Based on this updated data, NOAA is concluding that no changes need to be made to that final rule and proposes to retain the existing regulations. NOAA seeks comments on its updated data. Written comments are due by February 6, 2023.
Advocacy contact: Send an email to Prianka Sharma at prianka.sharma@sba.gov or call at (202) 205-6938.