Federal Register #2026-20222

NOAA authorization for Navy waterfront maintenance and pile replacement in Puget Sound

NOAA authorized the U.S. Navy to perform waterfront maintenance and pile replacement at three Puget Sound installations, subject to marine-mammal protections. - Government entities: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce, issued the authorization to the United States Navy, Department of Defense. - Locations: Naval Base Kitsap (NBK) Bangor, Naval Station (NS) Everett, and NBK Manchester in Washington. - Work authorized: Maintenance and repair of existing waterfront structures and removal and replacement of degraded piles. Up to 234 unsound piles may be replaced with 233 concrete or steel piles. Construction may occur over up to 227 days: 22 days at Bangor, 77 at Everett, and 128 at Manchester. - Methods and materials: Vibratory and impact pile driving and removal, impact proofing, and auger drilling; work involves concrete and steel piles. The revised plan allows up to 74 42-inch steel casings at NBK Manchester in place of 36-inch casings. - Notable protections: Authorization covers incidental harassment of 10 marine mammal species and requires clearance and shutdown zones, impact-driving soft starts, bubble curtains for impact installation or proofing of steel piles, and trained protected-species observers to monitor work and report results. - OEMs and vendors: No commercial manufacturers, OEMs, or vendors are identified. This is an environmental authorization, not a solicitation for products or services or a procurement award.

Description

The National Marine Fisheries Service issued an incidental harassment authorization to the United States Navy for marine mammal takes incidental to its Marine Structure Maintenance and Pile Replacement Program in Puget Sound, Washington. The program covers maintenance and repair of existing marine waterfront structures and replacement of degraded piles at three Navy installations. The authorization is effective from September 25, 2026 through September 24, 2027.

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