IHA Application

Application Questions
for an Incidental Take Authorization (ITA)
Applications for either Letter of Authorizations (LOA) or Incidental
Harassment Authorizations (IHA)must include the following information
(required by regulation).
These application questions may be found on NMFS homepage at:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm
1. A detailed description of the specific activity or class of activities that
can be expected to result in incidental taking of marine mammals;
2. The date(s) and duration of such activity and the specific
geographical region where it will occur;
3. The species and numbers of marine mammals likely to be found
within the activity area;
4. A description of the status, distribution, and seasonal distribution
(when applicable) of the affected species or stocks of marine
mammals likely to be affected by such activities;
5. The type of incidental taking authorization that is being requested
(i.e., takes by harassment only; takes by harassment, injury and/or
death) and the method of incidental taking;
6. By age, sex, and reproductive condition (if possible), the number of
marine mammals (by species) that may be taken by each type of
taking identified in paragraph (a)(5) of this section, and the number
of times such takings by each type of taking are likely to occur;

Application Questions Continued
These application questions may be found on NMFS homepage at:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm
7. The anticipated impact of the activity upon the species or stock;
8. The anticipated impact of the activity on the availability of the
species or stocks of marine mammals for subsistence uses;
9. The anticipated impact of the activity upon the habitat of the marine
mammal populations, and the likelihood of restoration of the
affected habitat;
10.The anticipated impact of the loss or modification of the habitat on
the marine mammal populations involved; The availability and
feasibility (economic and technological) of equipment, methods, and
manner of conducting such activity or other means of effecting the
least practicable adverse impact upon the affected species or stocks,
their habitat, and on their availability for subsistence uses, paying
particular attention to rookeries, mating grounds, and areas of similar
significance;
12. Where the proposed activity would take place in or near a
traditional Arctic subsistence hunting area and/or may affect the
availability of a species or stock of marine mammal for Arctic
subsistence uses, the applicant must submit either a "plan of
cooperation" or information that identifies what measures have
been taken and/or will be taken to minimize any adverse effects on
the availability of marine mammals for subsistence uses.

Application Questions Continued
These application questions may be found on NMFS homepage at:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/permits/incidental.htm
13. The suggested means of accomplishing the necessary monitoring
and reporting that will result in increased knowledge of the
species, the level of taking or impacts on populations of marine
mammals that are expected to be present while conducting
activities and suggested means of minimizing burdens by
coordinating such reporting requirements with other schemes
already applicable to persons conducting such activity.
Monitoring plans should include a description of the survey
techniques that would be used to determine the movement and
activity of marine mammals near the activity site(s) including
migration and other habitat uses, such as feeding. Guidelines for
developing a site-specific monitoring plan may be obtained by
writing to the Director, Office of Protected Resources; and
14. Suggested means of learning of, encouraging, and coordinating
research opportunities, plans, and activities relating to reducing
such incidental taking and evaluating its effects.