---
kind: "section"
citation: "50 C.F.R. § 217.196"
title: "50"
number: "217.196"
heading: "Letters of Authorization."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/50/217.196"
---

# §217.196. Letters of Authorization.

- (a) To incidentally take marine mammals pursuant to the regulations under this subpart, the Coast Guard must apply for and obtain an LOA.
- (b) An LOA, unless suspended or revoked, may be effective for a period of time not to exceed the expiration date of the regulations under this subpart.
- (c) If an LOA expires prior to the expiration date of the regulations under this subpart, the Coast Guard may apply for and obtain a renewal of the LOA.
- (d) In the event of projected changes to the activity or to mitigation and monitoring measures required by an LOA, the Coast Guard must apply for and obtain a modification of the LOA as described in [§ 217.197](/cfr/50/217.197.md).
- (e) The LOA shall set forth:
  - (1) Permissible methods of incidental taking;
  - (2) Means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact (i.e., mitigation) on the species, its habitat, and on the availability of the species for subsistence uses; and
  - (3) **Requirements for monitoring and reporting.**
- (f) Issuance of the LOA shall be based on a determination that the level of taking will be consistent with the findings made for the total taking allowable under the regulations of this subpart.
- (g) Notice of issuance or denial of an LOA shall be published in the Federal Register within 30 days of a determination.

## Notes

### Source

Source: 88 FR 87957, Dec. 20, 2023, unless otherwise noted.

### Authority

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq., unless otherwise noted.

### Source

Source: 74 FR 35143, July 20, 2009, unless otherwise noted.