NMFS Seeks Comment on Beaufort On-Ice Seismic Applications; MMS Seeks Comment on GOM Lease Sale EA
The National Marine Fisheries Service seeks public comment on NMFS' proposed issuance of on-ice seismic survey permits in the Beaufort Sea. The permits would authorize the incidental take of seals by harassment. The permits would be issued under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. One permit would be issued to CGGVeritas. The other permit would be issued to Shell Offshore, Inc. Both would require mitigation and monitoring including the use of trained seal lair sniffing dogs. Veritas and SOI also have to obtain from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service MMPA permits authorizing the incidental take of polar bears. Comments on either of the NMFS permits are due to NMFS by December 31, 2007.

The U.S. Minerals Management Service seeks public comment on MMS' preparation of an environmental assessment for Oil and Gas Lease Sale 207 in the Western Gulf of Mexico Planning Area. MMS seeks comment on any new information or issues that were not included in MMS' April 2007 Multisale Environmental Impact Statement for the GOM.