It did not identify or provide a thorough assessment of the 
specific measures that would be taken to assure that sea 
otters, harbor seals, sea lions, beluga whales, and other 
non-endangered marine mammals will not be affected adversely. 
Additionally, it did not indicate whether the Bureau of Land 
Management had consulted, or intended to consult, with the 
National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service to determine measures needed to provide the 
necessary assurances. Therefore, by letter of 31 October 
1980, the Commission noted the need for additional consideration 
of the potential adverse effects described above and recommended 
that, if it had not already done so, the Bureau of Land 
Management consult with the National Marine Fisheries Service 
and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to identify measures 
that may be needed to assure that the proposed action is not 
contrary to the intents and provisions of the Marine Mammal 
Protection Act as well as the Endangered Species Act. 
Proposed OCS Lease Sales #72 and #74 
in the Gulf of Mexico 
By letter of 11 August 1980, the Bureau of Land Management 
New Orleans OCS Office advised the Commission that, in 
accordance with the Department of the Interior's approved 
1980-1985 Oil and Gas Leasing Schedule, it was beginning the 
planning process for proposed Gulf of Mexico OCS Lease Sales 
72 and 74. The letter also requested that the Commission 
provide information on the species and populations of marine 
Mammals that inhabit and/or migrate through the proposed 
lease sale areas and that it suggest or recommend measures 
that might be taken to prevent or mitigate possible direct 
and indirect effects on marine mammals should the action 
proceed as proposed. 
The Commission, in consultation with its Committee of 
Scientific Advisors, considered these requests and, by 
letter of 7 November 1980, advised the New Orleans OCS 
Office that: twenty-seven different species of marine mammals 
have been reported to occur in, or migrate through, the Gulf 
of Mexico; eight of those species are listed as "endangered" 
under the Endangered Species Act; the habitat requirements 
and habitat-use patterns of those species are not well 
documented and, with only a few exceptions, available 
information is insufficient to identify sites which are 
essential or critical to their well-being and survival; and, 
likewise, available information on the possible effects of 
disturbance, noise and oil, and other pollutants is insufficient 
to accurately predict how the various species and their 
