216.219—Renewal and modifications of Letters of Authorization.
(a)
A Letter of Authorization issued for the activity identified in § 216.211(a) will be renewed annually upon:
(2)
Timely receipt of the report(s) required under § 216.217(f), which have been reviewed by the Assistant Administrator and determined to be acceptable; and
(3)
A determination that the required mitigation, monitoring and reporting measures have been undertaken.
(b)
Notice of issuance of a renewal of the Letter of Authorization will be published in the Federal Register within 30 days of issuance.
(c)
In addition to complying with the provisions of § 216.106, except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, no substantive modification, including a request for a variance in the mitigation or monitoring requirements in this subpart or a withdrawal or suspension of the Letter of Authorization issued pursuant to § 216.106 and subject to the provisions of this subpart, shall be made until after notice and an opportunity for public comment. For purposes of this paragraph, renewal of a Letter of Authorization under § 216.219, without modification other than an effective date change, is not considered a substantive modification.
(d)
If the Assistant Administrator determines that an emergency exists that poses a significant risk to the well-being of the species or stocks of marine mammals specified in § 216.211(b), a Letter of Authorization issued pursuant to §§ 216.106 and 216.118, or renewed pursuant to this paragraph may be modified without prior notice and opportunity for public comment. A notice will be published in the Federal Register subsequent to the action.