Overview
Title
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Eareckson Air Station Fuel Pier Repair in Alcan Harbor on Shemya Island, Alaska
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The USAF wants to fix a fuel pier in Alaska, and they need permission because their work might bother sea animals. They're asking people to share their thoughts on this plan.
Summary AI
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has proposed granting an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to the United States Air Force (USAF) for repair work at the Eareckson Air Station Fuel Pier in Alaska. This authorization would allow USAF to perform activities that might incidentally disturb marine mammals in the area. The proposal considers public comments and follows the implementation of mitigation measures to ensure minimal impact on the animals and their environment. NMFS is welcoming public feedback on the proposed authorization and is considering a potential one-year renewal if certain conditions are met.
Abstract
NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) on behalf of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces Regional Support Center (USAF) for an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) that is nearly identical to an IHA previously issued to USAF authorizing the take of marine mammals, by Level A and Level B harassment, incidental to the Eareckson Air Station (EAS) Fuel Pier Repair project in Alcan Harbor on Shemya Island, Alaska. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an IHA to incidentally take marine mammals during the Eareckson Fuel Pier Repair project. NMFS is also requesting comments on a possible 1-year renewal IHA that could be issued 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 and agency responses will be summarized in the final notice of our decision. The IHA would be valid for one year from the effective date.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), a part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has put forward a proposal to issue an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) for repair work at the Eareckson Air Station Fuel Pier in Alcan Harbor, Alaska. This authorization would permit activities that might inadvertently disrupt marine mammals in the vicinity. As part of this process, NMFS is inviting public comments and incorporating mitigation measures to minimize potential impacts on marine life.
Summary and Key Points
The document outlines a detailed plan to authorize certain construction activities that are likely to incidentally affect marine mammals. The proposal stems from a request by the United States Air Force (USAF) due to delays and issues encountered during prior work under a previous IHA. The work is crucial for the repair of a fuel pier that bears significance for the Air Station operations. NMFS emphasizes that the authorization should involve minimal impact through strategic measures that will safeguard marine mammals and their habitat. Additionally, the possibility for a one-year renewal of the authorization exists if certain conditions are fulfilled, ensuring the project can continue smoothly if necessary.
Significant Issues and Concerns
A notable concern with the document is its use of technical and legal language, which can be challenging for those unfamiliar with marine mammal protection laws and terminologies. The extensive reliance on pre-existing regulations, and references to various Federal Register notices without concise summaries, may make it difficult for the general public to comprehend the implications of such authorizations. Additionally, the document contains dense data related to "take by Level A and Level B harassment," which would benefit from more straightforward explanations or definitions to enhance public understanding.
Moreover, while NMFS encourages public feedback, the document does not clearly articulate how public input will directly affect decision-making processes, potentially indicating a lack of transparency. This could discourage meaningful community engagement and participation. There is also a lack of discussion regarding any potential conflicts of interest that might arise, ensuring the integrity of the IHA decision-making process remains unexplained.
Broad Public Impact
The document has implications for both marine environments and human activities. Broadly, it emphasizes the regulatory balance between carrying out necessary infrastructure works and protecting marine ecosystems. While maintaining this balance is critical for environmental stewardship, ensuring that such work is sound and conducted within legal frameworks is vital to uphold public confidence. The dense, technical nature of the document, however, might limit the public’s ability to engage fully and gives rise to the risk that vital feedback could be overlooked due to the complexity presented.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For stakeholders involved in this proposed activity, such as the USAF and the broader defense community relying on the operational integrity of the Eareckson Air Station, the anticipated authorization undoubtedly presents positive outcomes. It allows them to continue essential infrastructural strengthening activities while aligning with environmental regulations.
Conversely, environmental advocates and local communities invested in marine conservation may view the allowance as a potential threat, despite the outlined mitigation efforts. The necessity to balance development with conservation efforts is a tightrope, and these stakeholders might be concerned about the impending risks to marine life, especially if there are lapses in monitoring or if the mitigation measures prove ineffective over time. Additionally, the possibility of unobserved adverse effects due to fog or an inability to monitor extensive shutdown zones might heighten these concerns.
In closing, while NMFS's proposal seeks to ensure negligible impact on marine species, the communication of these plans must be made more accessible and transparent to the public. Bridging the gap between technical complexity and public understanding is crucial in fostering comprehensive engagement and ensuring that environmental protection remains a shared priority.
Issues
• The document is very detailed and technical, potentially making it hard to understand for those not familiar with the terminology and concepts related to marine mammal protection and construction activities.
• The language used is complex, often involving legal and scientific jargon that may not be accessible to the general public.
• The length and density of the document might discourage thorough public review and comment, as it requires substantial effort to comprehend fully.
• The reference to various Federal Register notices and documents without summarizing key points may lead to confusion for readers who haven't accessed these documents.
• There is a heavy reliance on previous analyses and determinations, without a simplified summary of these results, which might obscure understanding of the current proposed authorizations and their impacts.
• The discussion around 'take by Level A and Level B harassment' could benefit from clearer explanations or simpler definitions to aid in understanding.
• The document does not clearly address any potential conflicts of interest or favoritism that may be present in the decision to issue the IHA.
• The procedures and criteria for proposing changes to mitigation measures and shutdown zones are not presented in a way that is easily comprehensible to all stakeholders.
• The document could benefit from a clearer explanation of how public comments will directly influence the decision-making process, potentially indicating a lack of transparency.
• The data and estimated takes are based on complex calculations that are not broken down or explained in a user-friendly manner.