Federal Register #RTID 0648-XF627

Renewal of Incidental Harassment Authorization for Eareckson Air Station Fuel Pier Repair, Shemya Island, Alaska

This opportunity concerns the renewal of an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) for the United States Air Force Pacific Regional Support Center's repair project at Eareckson Air Station Fuel Pier, Shemya Island, Alaska. - Government Buyer: - Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) - United States Air Force Pacific Regional Support Center (project sponsor) - Project Scope: - Repair and construction activities at Eareckson Air Station Fuel Pier, including installation and removal of temporary 30-inch steel pipe piles and permanent 42-inch steel interlocking pipe piles - Use of vibratory and impact hammers and down-the-hole drilling - Total of 173 piles involved - Environmental Compliance: - Renewal of IHA authorizes incidental harassment of marine mammals during construction - Enhanced mitigation measures required, including: - Use of NMFS-approved Protected Species Observers (PSOs) - Establishment of shutdown zones - Implementation of soft start techniques - Expanded monitoring and reporting requirements - Unique Requirements: - Increased durations for vibratory pile driving and removal compared to the initial IHA - Larger harassment and shutdown zones to minimize marine mammal impacts - Location: - Eareckson Air Station Fuel Pier, Alcan Harbor, Shemya Island, Alaska (Aleutians West Census Area) - No specific OEMs or commercial vendors are named, as this is an environmental compliance authorization rather than a procurement of goods or services.

Description

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a renewal incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to the United States Air Force Pacific Regional Support Center (USAF) for activities related to the Eareckson Air Station Fuel Pier Repair in Alcan Harbor on Shemya Island, Alaska. This authorization allows the incidental harassment of marine mammals during construction activities involving pile driving and removal. The renewal IHA is valid from April 21, 2026, to April 20, 2027, and includes mitigation, monitoring, and reporting measures to minimize impacts on marine mammals.

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