Marine Mammals; Incidental Take During Specified Activities; Proposed Incidental Harassment Authorization for Southeast Alaska Stock of Northern Sea Otters in Angoon, Alaska

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes to issue an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) under the Marine Mammal Protection Act to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities for pile driving and marine construction at the Angoon Ferry Terminal in Killisnoo Harbor, Angoon, Alaska, from May 1, 2026, to April 30, 2027. The project involves removing 3 steel piles and installing 18 permanent and 16 temporary steel piles up to 76.2 cm in diameter using vibratory, impact, and down-the-hole drilling methods over 147 non-consecutive days. FWS proposes to authorize nonlethal incidental take by harassment of up to 34 Southeast Alaska stock northern sea otters, representing 0.15 percent of the stock, with no lethal take authorized. Public comments on the proposed IHA and draft environmental assessment are due April 24, 2026.