Government Renews Paperwork for Accidentally Bothering Marine Animals
Published Date: 12/15/2025
Notice
Summary
The Fish and Wildlife Service is renewing its paperwork for permits that let people accidentally disturb marine mammals during activities like construction or research. This renewal won’t change any rules but keeps the process running smoothly for those affected, like businesses and researchers. You’ve got until February 13, 2026, to share your thoughts, and there’s no new cost involved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Paperwork Renewal Keeps IHA Process
The Fish and Wildlife Service is renewing the information collection for Incidental Harassment Authorizations (OMB Control Number 1018-0194) without changing the rules. Applicants must continue to submit IHA applications to obtain or retain authorizations; the agency estimates 15 annual respondents, 70 annual responses, a total of 365 annual burden hours, and each response takes between 1.5 and 50 hours. There is no new non-hour cost and the public may comment through February 13, 2026.
Application Content and Reporting Requirements
If you apply for an IHA, you must provide detailed information: a description of the activity, dates and geography, estimates of species and numbers (by age, sex, reproductive condition), types and frequency of take, status and seasonal distribution of affected stocks, anticipated impacts on species, habitat, and subsistence uses, and descriptions of mitigation, monitoring, and reporting methods. If an IHA is issued, applicants must submit on-site monitoring reports and a final report (some projects require weekly reports while activities occur) to document and assess incidental takes.
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