Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Bluecrest Alaska Operating LLC Drilling Activities in Lower Cook Inlet, 2015

NMFS has received an application from Bluecrest Alaska Operating, LLC (Bluecrest) for an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to conducting an offshore exploratory drilling program in lower Cook Inlet, AK, during the 2015 open water season. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an IHA to Bluecrest to incidentally take, by Level B harassment only, marine mammals during the specified activity.