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).
Simple Explanation
The U.S. Army wants to dig a deeper path for boats in Alaska, but this might bother some sea animals like whales. So, the government is letting them continue, as long as they are careful to not harm the animals too much.