Federal Register #2026-05987

NOAA Regulatory Authorization for Marine Mammal Incidental Take – Mal Coombs Stairway Replacement, Shelter Cove, CA

This opportunity concerns a proposed regulatory authorization for construction at a federal coastal site in California: - Government Buyer: - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce - Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Department of the Interior (project proponent) - Project Scope: - Replacement of the Mal Coombs Stairway in Shelter Cove, CA, managed by BLM - Construction involves removing an existing wooden stairway and installing a prefabricated replacement - Regulatory Authorization: - NOAA proposes issuing an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to BLM for potential disturbance to marine mammals during construction - Authorization covers possible Level B behavioral harassment of California sea lions, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, and northern elephant seals - Requirements and Mitigation: - Construction limited to up to 5 days, scheduled between August and October (outside harbor seal pupping season) - At least one professional wildlife biologist required as a Protected Species Observer (PSO) - Implementation of mitigation and monitoring measures to minimize disturbance to marine mammals - Period of Performance: - IHA valid for up to one year from issuance, with a possible one-time, 1-year renewal - No OEMs, vendors, or specific products are identified; this is a regulatory/permit action, not a traditional procurement - Place of Performance: - Mal Coombs Park, Shelter Cove, California (federal facility managed by BLM)

Description

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) proposes to issue an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for the Mal Coombs Stairway Replacement Project in Shelter Cove, California. This authorization would allow the incidental take of marine mammals during the construction activities associated with the stairway replacement. The project is planned to occur over a few days in late summer 2026, with mitigation and monitoring measures in place to minimize impacts on marine mammals, including timing the project outside of harbor seal pupping season and employing protected species observers. Public comments are requested by April 27, 2026.

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