Federal Register #2026-09694

Incidental Harassment Authorization for Research and Maintenance at Farallon Islands National Wildlife Refuge

This opportunity concerns the proposed issuance of an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) for research and maintenance activities at the Farallon Islands National Wildlife Refuge, California. - Government Buyer: - National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), under the Department of Commerce and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Farallon Islands National Wildlife Refuge - Activities Covered: - Research, monitoring, and management activities on South Farallon Islands - Includes island access via motorboat, sailboat, and helicopter - Habitat restoration - Facilities maintenance, repair, removal, and construction - Cultural resource upkeep - Wildlife and plant research - Rocky intertidal habitat surveys and sampling - Marine Mammal Protection: - Authorization covers Level B harassment only (no serious injury or mortality expected) - Applies to five pinniped species - Strict mitigation and monitoring requirements to minimize impacts - Period of Performance: - Authorization valid for one year, with possible one-time renewal for an additional year - Major work scheduled to minimize disturbance to wildlife - Locations: - Primary: Farallon Islands National Wildlife Refuge, California - (Separate, unrelated activity: MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, for military readiness training) - No OEMs or commercial vendors are specified, as this is a regulatory authorization rather than a procurement of goods or services.

Description

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has received a request from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Farallon Islands National Wildlife Refuge, for authorization to incidentally take marine mammals during research, monitoring, and management activities on the South Farallon Islands, California. The activities include maintenance, repair, removal, and construction of onshore facilities, plant surveys, and intertidal research and sampling. The incidental take authorization (IHA) is proposed under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and includes a possible one-time, 1-year renewal. Public comments are invited until June 15, 2026.

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