Federal Register #2026-08299

NOAA Seeks Comment on Incidental Harassment Authorization for Marine Mammals at Kensington Dock Repair, Alaska

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is seeking public comment on a proposed incidental harassment authorization (IHA) for marine mammals during the Kensington Dock Repair Project in Berners Bay, Alaska. - Government Buyer: - Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Protected Resources, Permits and Conservation Division - Project Overview: - Kensington Dock Repair Project involves in-water pile driving and removal to replace two damaged mooring dolphins - Activities may disturb up to seven marine mammal species (13 stocks), including Dall's porpoise, harbor porpoise, harbor seal, humpback whale, killer whale, minke whale, and Steller sea lion - Estimated takes range from 2 to 1,352 individuals per species - Services and Requirements: - Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) for Level B harassment take of marine mammals - Deployment of NMFS-approved Protected Species Observers (PSOs) to monitor for marine mammals during pile driving and drilling - Implementation of mitigation measures: soft-start techniques, bubble curtains, establishment of shutdown zones, and continuous monitoring - Detailed reporting and monitoring requirements to minimize impacts on marine mammals and their habitat - Notable Details: - No specific OEMs or commercial vendors are named, as this is a regulatory authorization rather than a direct procurement of goods or equipment - The IHA is proposed for a 1-year period, with a possible one-time renewal; construction activities are expected to occur over 8 to 10 weeks within that period - Place of Performance: - Kensington Dock, Berners Bay, Alaska (federal facility)

Description

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has received a request from Coeur Alaska, Inc. for authorization to incidentally take marine mammals during the Kensington Dock Repair Project in Berners Bay, Alaska. This request is made pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). NMFS is proposing to issue an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) for the project and is seeking public comments on the proposed authorization and a possible one-time, 1-year renewal. The project involves in-water pile driving and other activities that may disturb marine mammals, and NMFS will consider mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements to minimize impacts.

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