Federal Register #2026-08153

NOAA Considers Incidental Take Authorization for USACE Pile Dike Repairs on Lower Columbia River

NOAA is considering a request from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for incidental take authorizations related to pile dike repairs on the Lower Columbia River. - Government Buyer: - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce - National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (project proponent) - OEMs and Vendors: - No specific Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) or vendors are named in the documents. - Products/Services Requested: - Pile driving and removal services for steel and timber piles - 8 x 24-inch steel pipe piles (ATON) for MSRI Project - 114 x 12-inch timber pole piles for CI Project - 10 to 12-inch steel pipe piles (quantity unspecified) for CI Project - 16-inch steel pipe piles (quantity unspecified) for CI Project - 100 x 24-inch steel sheet piles for CI Project - 18 x Material Offload Facilities (MOF) piles (24-inch steel pipe and steel sheet piles) for CI Project - Protected Species Observation Services (NMFS-approved PSOs) - Unique or Notable Requirements: - Implementation of mitigation, monitoring, and reporting measures to minimize impacts on marine mammals - Use of bubble curtains during impact pile driving - Soft start procedures for pile driving - Shutdown zones to protect marine mammals - NMFS-approved Protected Species Observers present during all in-water work - Public comment period for proposed authorizations - Authorizations may be valid for up to one year, with possible one-time renewals - Locations: - Miller Sands-Rice Island, Lower Columbia River (Wahkiakum County, WA and Clatsop County, OR) - Cottonwood Island, Lower Columbia River (Cowlitz County, WA) - Lower Columbia River Federal Navigation Channel - Pinniped haulout sites near Rainier, OR and Longview, WA

Description

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has received a request from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for authorization to incidentally take marine mammals during pile dike repair projects at Miller Sands Island, Rice Island, and Cottonwood Island on the lower Columbia River in Oregon and Washington. The activities involve impact and vibratory pile driving and removal, which may cause incidental harassment of marine mammals. The notice requests public comments on the proposed incidental harassment authorizations and possible one-time renewals. Monitoring, mitigation, and reporting measures are proposed to minimize impacts on marine mammals and their habitat.

View original listing