Comments on the Jenner Estuary Lagoon Management activities for 2012 are due by April 16th.
Below is a link to the Federal Register’s publication of the Sonoma County Water Agency’s application for a Marine Mammal Protection Act Incidental Harassment Authorization. IHA’s have been requested and received for the 2010 and 2011 lagoon management periods.
As in past years, this IHA request would allow the Water Agency to conduct lagoon management activities on the beach between May 15-October 15, to conduct artificial breaching year round and to do ongoing biological monitoring and studies in the estuary. In addition, the application would allow the Water Agency to conduct limited studies of the jetty to help determine its role in the formation and maintenance of the estuary.
Similar to last year, the IHA would requires baseline monitoring of harbor seals and other pinnipeds twice a month; restricts activities during pupping season; and requires that seals and other pinnipeds be monitored at the Jenner haul-out and peripheral haul-outs during beach management activities.
The comment period on this application closes on April 16, 2012.
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-03-16/pdf/2012-6452.pdf
Ann DuBay
Sonoma County Water Agency
707.524.8378
707.322.8185
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