(a) A Letter of Authorization, unless suspended or revoked, will be valid for a period of time specified in the Letter of Authorization, but a Letter of Authorization may not be valid beyond the effective period of the regulations.
(b) A Letter of Authorization with a period of validity less than the effective period of the regulations in this subpart may be renewed subject to renewal conditions in Sec. 217.76.
(c) A Letter of Authorization will set forth:
(1) The number of marine mammals, by species and age class, authorized to be taken;
(2) Permissible methods of incidental taking;
(3) Specified geographical region;
(4) Means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on the species of marine mammals authorized for taking and its habitat; and
(5) Requirements for monitoring and reporting incidental takes.
(d) Issuance of a Letter of Authorization will be based on a determination that the total taking by the activity as a whole will have no more than a negligible impact on the affected species or stocks of marine mammal(s).
(e) Notice of issuance or denial of a Letter of Authorization will be published in the Federal Register within 30 days of a determination.