Search Results for keywords:"construction activities"

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has received a request from the U.S. Navy to renew an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) for the NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO). This renewal allows for the incidental taking of marine mammals during the construction needed for relocating NOAA research vessels at Naval Station Newport in Rhode Island. The activities are nearly identical to those already analyzed in an existing authorization and the renewal will allow continuation for up to another year. NMFS has preliminarily determined that the proposed actions will not have a significant impact on marine mammals and seeks additional public comments before making a final decision.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has renewed an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) allowing the NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) to disturb marine mammals during construction at Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island. This renewal, effective for one year, covers unfinished activities related to relocating NOAA research vessels, such as pier and dock work. The renewal follows protocols to minimize impact on marine mammals, ensuring activities have a negligible effect on their populations and habitats. Despite updates in acoustic guidance and minor changes in marine mammal populations, the authorized impact remains minimal.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued two Incidental Harassment Authorizations (IHAs) to the United States Coast Guard (USCG) for activities related to construction of facilities in Seward and Sitka, Alaska. These permits allow for the incidental disturbance of marine mammals during the construction of fast response cutter docks, provided that the impact is negligible and does not adversely affect marine mammal populations or subsistence uses. The activities, expected to last into 2027 and 2028, involve measures to minimize harm, including monitoring for marine mammals and implementing shutdown procedures if necessary. The authorizations ensure compliance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act and relevant environmental regulations.

NMFS, a part of NOAA, has issued an updated incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to Trident Seafoods Corporation. This re-issuance allows for the incidental harassment of six species of marine mammals during dock replacement activities in Kodiak, Alaska, with the only change being the effective dates from March 1, 2025, to February 28, 2026, due to project delays. The mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements remain the same as in the initial IHA, ensuring minimal impact on the affected species. The work includes construction activities, like pile driving, and the authorization confirms that the activities will not adversely affect endangered species or their habitats.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has reissued an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for construction activities involved in the Unalaska Channels Deepening Project in Alaska. This reissuance is necessary due to project delays and extends the period of the initial authorization. The authorization allows for the incidental harassment of four species of marine mammals, like humpback whales and Steller sea lions, ensuring that the impacts remain negligible. The reissued IHA maintains the same mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements as originally approved, and complies with environmental laws including the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and the Endangered Species Act (ESA).