Federal Register #FWS-R7-ES-2025-1232

This opportunity involves a proposed authorization by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) for the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) to incidentally harass up to 34 northern sea otters during marine construction at the Angoon Ferry Terminal in Killisnoo Harbor, Angoon, Alaska. - Government Buyer: - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Department of the Interior - Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) as the applicant - Scope of Authorization: - Nonlethal, incidental take (harassment only) of up to 34 northern sea otters (Southeast Alaska stock) - Activities include pile driving (vibratory and impact), down-the-hole drilling, and marine construction - No lethal take is permitted - Services and Requirements: - Monitoring and reporting of sea otter observations and mitigation effectiveness - Monthly and final reports required - Use of equipment that generates the lowest practicable in-water noise levels - Coordination with local subsistence stakeholders to avoid interference with subsistence hunting - Development of a plan of cooperation if concerns arise - Locations: - Place of performance: Angoon Ferry Terminal, Killisnoo Harbor, Angoon, Alaska - Government office: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99503 - No specific OEMs or commercial vendors are named, as this is an environmental regulatory authorization, not a procurement of goods or equipment. - The FWS invites public comments on the proposed authorization and draft environmental assessment.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) proposes to authorize the nonlethal incidental take by harassment of up to 34 northern sea otters from the Southeast Alaska stock. This authorization is in response to a request from the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities for activities related to pile driving and marine construction within Killisnoo Harbor in Angoon, Alaska, from May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2027. The proposed take is limited to behavioral disturbance and displacement, with no lethal take anticipated. The FWS invites public comments on the proposed authorization and the accompanying draft environmental assessment.