Federal Register #2026-21371

Five-year incidental-take authorization framework for Beaufort Sea oil and gas activities

The Fish and Wildlife Service established a five-year regulatory framework for potential incidental take of polar bears and Pacific walruses during certain Beaufort Sea oil and gas activities; this is not a procurement solicitation or contract award. - Government buyer: U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, Alaska Region Marine Mammals Management Office. - Purpose and scope: The rule facilitates activity-specific authorizations for incidental, unintentional take of small numbers of polar bears and Pacific walruses associated with year-round oil and gas exploration, development, production, transportation, and related surveys and studies in the Beaufort Sea and adjacent northern Alaska coast. Arctic National Wildlife Refuge lands and waters are excluded. - Organizations named: The Alaska Oil and Gas Association (AOGA) submitted the underlying request on behalf of its members and 8 Star Alaska, LLC. Entities identified as eligible to apply for activity-specific letters of authorization include Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, BlueCrest Energy, Inc., Chevron Corporation, ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc., ExxonMobil Alaska Production, Inc., Finnex, Furie Operating Alaska, LLC, Glacier Oil and Gas Corporation, Hilcorp Alaska, LLC, Hilcorp North Slope, LLC, Marathon Petroleum Corporation, Petro Star Inc., Repsol, Santos, Shell Exploration and Production Company, APA Corporation, and 8 Star Alaska, LLC. - Applicant and operating requirements: Applicants must be U.S. citizens and provide an operational plan, plans for interactions with polar bears and walruses, and a site-specific monitoring and mitigation plan; a plan of cooperation is required where applicable. Mitigation, monitoring, reporting, and subsistence-coordination requirements apply. Authorization requests generally must be submitted at least 90 days before activities begin. - Procurement items: No products, quantities, part numbers, or contract services are being procured. The regulation creates an authorization framework and does not itself authorize oil and gas operations.

Description

The Fish and Wildlife Service finalized regulations facilitating authorization for incidental, unintentional take of small numbers of polar bears and Pacific walruses during oil and gas activities in the Beaufort Sea and adjacent northern coast of Alaska, excluding lands within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Covered activities include exploration, development, production, and transportation, and the regulations are effective for five years, from October 19, 2026, through October 19, 2031. Eligible parties may request letters of authorization for specific activities under the regulations. The rule includes mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements.

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