Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine…
May 11, 2026 6:10am
NMFS has received a request from Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the...
NMFS has received a request from Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the Ward Creek Bridge Replacement Project in Ketchikan, Alaska (AK). Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue two consecutive incidental harassment authorizations (IHAs) to incidentally take marine mammals during the specified activities.
5-Second Takeaway
NMFS has received a request from Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the Ward Creek Bridge Replacement Project in Ketchikan, Alaska (AK).
Why This Matters
Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue two consecutive incidental harassment authorizations (IHAs) to incidentally take marine mammals during the specified activities.
What Changed
- NMFS is also requesting comments on possible one-time, 1-year renewals that could be issued for either or both of the two IHAs under certain circumstances and if all requirements are met, as described in Request for Public Comments at the end of this notice.
- NMFS will consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the issuance of the requested MMPA authorizations.
- The official abstract outlines the main policy action and its scope.
- The summary describes who is affected and the expected compliance path.
- The notice explains timing and implementation details for the change.
- Federal Register document: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/11/2026-09305/takes-of-marine-mammals-incidental-to-specified-activities-taking-marine-mammals-incidental-to-the
- Federal Register home: https://www.federalregister.gov/
Key Facts
- NMFS is also requesting comments on possible one-time, 1-year renewals that could be issued for either or both of the two IHAs under certain circumstances and if all requirements are met, as described in Request for Public Comments at the end of this notice.
- NMFS will consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the issuance of the requested MMPA authorizations.
- The official abstract outlines the main policy action and its scope.
- The summary describes who is affected and the expected compliance path.
Key Numbers
- NMFS is also requesting comments on possible one-time, 1-year renewals that could be issued for either or both of the two IHAs under certain circumstances and if all requirements are met, as described in Request for Public Comments at the end of this notice.
- Federal Register document: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/11/2026-09305/takes-of-marine-mammals-incidental-to-specified-activities-taking-marine-mammals-incidental-to-the