Federal Register #2026-05812

Incidental Harassment Authorization for Marine Mammal Takes During Harbor Float Replacement in Unalaska, Alaska

This opportunity concerns the proposed Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) for marine mammal takes during the Robert Storrs Harbor Floats A&B Replacement Project in Unalaska, Alaska. - Government Buyer: - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Protected Resources - City of Unalaska is the project proponent - Project Scope: - Replacement of harbor floats at Robert Storrs Harbor, involving removal and installation of steel piles (up to 24 inches in diameter) - Pile driving methods include vibratory, impact, and down-the-hole (DTH) drilling - Up to 100 days of pile driving within a 1-year period, with 10- to 12-hour daytime construction shifts - Services Requested: - Incidental Harassment Authorization for marine mammal take - Protected Species Observer (PSO) services to monitor marine mammal activity - Implementation of a Marine Mammal Monitoring and Mitigation Plan - Unique Requirements: - Strict mitigation, monitoring, and reporting protocols - Use of NMFS-approved PSOs - Soft-start techniques for pile driving - Shutdown zones and immediate halt of construction if unauthorized species are observed - Authorization covers Level B harassment for several marine mammal species and Level A harassment for harbor porpoises, Steller sea lions, and harbor seals - No specific OEMs or commercial vendors are named, as this is a regulatory authorization rather than a procurement of goods - Place of Performance: - Robert Storrs Harbor and Iliuliuk Harbor, Unalaska, Alaska

Description

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has received a request from the City of Unalaska for authorization to incidentally take marine mammals during the replacement of harbor floats in Unalaska, Alaska. This project involves pile driving and removal activities that may disturb marine mammals temporarily. NMFS is proposing to issue an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and is requesting public comments on the proposal. The authorization would include mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements to minimize impacts on marine mammals and their habitat.

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