Federal Register #FWSR7ES20262576

Incidental Harassment Authorization for Marine Construction Affecting Northern Sea Otters in Unalaska, Alaska

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), part of the Department of the Interior, is proposing to issue an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) for marine construction activities at Robert Storrs Harbor in Unalaska, Alaska. - Government Buyer: - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Alaska Region, Department of the Interior - Project Scope: - Authorization covers incidental take by harassment of up to 112 northern sea otters (Southwest Alaska stock) during pile driving and marine construction - Activities include removal and installation of steel piles over up to 100 non-consecutive days within a one-year period - Both Level A (potential injury) and Level B (behavioral disturbance) harassment events are included (up to 32 Level A and 273 Level B events estimated) - Services Requested: - Incidental Take Authorization for marine mammal harassment - Environmental monitoring and reporting services to document sea otter observations, mitigation effectiveness, and compliance - Notable Requirements: - Implementation of mitigation measures to minimize in-water noise and impacts to sea otters - Establishment of shutdown zones to protect sea otters during construction - Use of soft-start procedures for pile driving - Comprehensive monitoring and reporting throughout the project - No specific OEMs or commercial vendors are named, as this is a regulatory authorization and compliance monitoring effort rather than a procurement of goods or branded services.

Description

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes to authorize incidental take by harassment of small numbers of Southwest Alaska stock northern sea otters for up to one year. The authorization is requested by the City of Unalaska for activities related to pile driving and marine construction at Robert Storrs Harbor in Unalaska, Alaska. The proposed authorization covers Level A and Level B harassment of northern sea otters. The agency invites comments on the proposed authorization and the draft environmental assessment from the public, Tribes, and local, State, and Federal agencies.

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