Section 217.297 - [Effective until 2/4/2029] Modifications of Letter of Authorization(a) An LOA issued under §§ 217.292 and 217.296 or this section for the activities identified in § 217.290(a) shall be modified upon request by LOA Holder, provided that: (1) The specified activity and mitigation, monitoring, and reporting measures, as well as the anticipated impacts, are the same as those described and analyzed for this subpart (excluding changes made pursuant to the adaptive management provision in paragraph (c)(1) of this section); and(2) NMFS determines that the mitigation, monitoring, and reporting measures required by the previous LOA under this subpart were implemented.(b) For a LOA modification request by the applicant that includes changes to the activity or the mitigation, monitoring, or reporting (excluding changes made pursuant to the adaptive management provision in paragraph (c)(1) of this section), the LOA shall be modified, provided that:(1) NMFS determines that the changes to the activity or the mitigation, monitoring, or reporting do not change the findings made for the regulations in this subpart and do not result in more than a minor change in the total estimated number of takes (or distribution by species or years), and(2) NMFS may publish a notice of proposed modified LOA in the FEDERAL REGISTER, including the associated analysis of the change, and solicit public comment before issuing the LOA.(c) An LOA issued under §§ 217.292 and 217.296 or this section for the activities identified in § 217.290(a) may be modified by NMFS under the following circumstances: (1) Through adaptive management, NMFS may modify (including delete, modify, or add to) the existing mitigation, monitoring, or reporting measures (after consulting with LOA Holder regarding the practicability of the modifications), if doing so creates a reasonable likelihood of more effectively accomplishing the goals of the mitigation and monitoring;(i) Possible sources of data that could contribute to the decision to modify the mitigation, monitoring, or reporting measures in an LOA include, but are not limited to: (A) Results from LOA Holder's monitoring(s);(B) Results from other marine mammals and/or sound research or studies; and(C) Any information that reveals marine mammals may have been taken in a manner, extent, or number not authorized by the regulations in this subpart or subsequent LOA.(ii) If, through adaptive management, the modifications to the mitigation, monitoring, or reporting measures are substantial, NMFS shall publish a notice of proposed LOA in the FEDERAL REGISTER and solicit public comment.(2) If NMFS determines that an emergency exists that poses a significant risk to the well-being of the species or stocks of marine mammals specified in the LOA issued pursuant to §§ 217.292 and 217.296 or this section, an LOA may be modified without prior notice or opportunity for public comment. Notice would be published in the FEDERAL REGISTER within 30 days of the action.89 FR 4457, 2/5/2024 through 2/4/2029