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Regulatory the Marine Mammal Protection Act (ESA). The bill would exempt
MMPA-covered marine mammals
(MMPA). The legislative package
News included the SEA Act, as previously from needing the additional,
introduced by Rep. Johnson (R-
less rigorous standards used
LA), to streamline the Incidental in the ESA process. It would
United States Harassment Authorization (IHA) also prohibit any related
process for offshore activities, federal activity from the ESA’s
IAGC staff continue outreach efforts including geophysical surveys. consultation requirement as
on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., Additionally, the language would applied to marine mammals.
educating the 115thCongress and remove the duplicative consultation • Ensuring Efficiency – This
their staff of the vital role G&G process under the Endangered transfers certain MMPA granting
activities play in the U.S. economy Species Act (ESA) where MMPA authority from NMFS to BOEM.
and for the energy sector. IAGC is protections are satisfied. Also,
leading a multitrade organization language was added during the Importantly, the Committee rejected
effort to provide materials to committee markup that will transfer an amendment to strip the MMPA
some of the MMPA authorization modernization language,further
Congress for the modernization process from National Marine proving the support Congress has for
of the Marine Mammal Protection Fisheries Service (NMFS) to the updating a decades-old law to return
Act (MMPA),ncourage Congress to Department of Interior, or BOEM. the statute to its original intent.
weigh in on the developing EIS and
ITR for G&G activities in theGOM, Specific provisions include: Other trade associations joined
reverse an expansion of the Flower • Sets Application Timeframe the IAGC in a formal letter of
Garden Banks National Marine - It sets a clear framework support of the House SECURE
Sanctuary, and address many other for MMPA authorization Act on 6 November.
issues impacting IAGC members.
applications to be accepted This was a major step in the right
During the remaining weeks of 2017, or denied by the secretary. direction for the geophysical industry
Congress and the administration • Issuance of Final Authorization in the United States and advances
are considering funding bills, tax - The secretary has 120 days one of IAGC’s main priorities on the
legislation and an energy package, after an application has been government and regulatory affairs
among other measures. All provide deemed complete to issue front. We will continue to fight for
opportunities for the geophysical the authorization allowing for removing barriers to access offshore
industry to seek passage of activity to begin. If a decision is and your freedom to operate.
proactive legislation to enhance not rendered, the authorization
our members’ freedom to operate. will be deemed approved on the IAGC Submits Comments
terms stated in the application. to BOEM on Information
U.S. House Committee on • Science-Based Extension of Collection Request
Natural Resources Advances IHAs - This allows the option
IAGC Priority Legislation to extend an IHA for more The IAGC and API submitted
than a year if there has been on 30 October comments on
On 8 November, the House the Bureau of Ocean Energy
Committee on Natural Resources no substantial change to the
advanced broad energy legislation, marine mammal populations Management’s (BOEM) proposed
the “Strengthening the Economy in the area of the activity. renewal of an information collection
with Critical Untapped Resources • Removing Duplication - This request (ICR) for G&G explorations
to Expand American Energy Act” or eliminates the duplicative process of the Outer Continental
the “SECURE American Energy Act,” currently in place surrounding Shelf published in the Federal
that included language to modernize the Endangered Species Act Register on 31 August 2017.
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