SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:MMPA Background and DeterminationsThe MMPA prohibits the “take” of marine mammals, with certain exceptions. No new information that would change any of the preliminary analyses, conclusions, or determinations in the proposed IHAs has become available since that notice was published, and therefore, the preliminary analyses, conclusions, and determinations included in the notice of proposed IHAs are considered final. To ensure ESA compliance for the issuance of IHAs, NMFS consults internally whenever we propose to authorize take of endangered or threatened species. No incidental take of ESA-listed species is authorized or expected to result from these activities. AuthorizationAccordingly, consistent with the requirements of section 101(a)(5)(D) of the MMPA, NMFS has issued two consecutive IHAs to USACE for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the BLBR Project on the Columbia River in Oregon.