NOAA May Allow Whale Harassment for Alaska Dock Fixes
Published Date: 4/29/2026
Notice
Summary
NOAA is thinking about letting Coeur Alaska do some dock repairs in Berners Bay, Alaska, even though it might bother local marine mammals like seals and whales. They want your thoughts on this plan and a possible one-year extension if everything goes well. You’ve got until May 29, 2026, to speak up before they make a final call!
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Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Dock repair preserves sole marine access
The Kensington Dock is the only marine access in Berners Bay for importing supplies and fuel and for exporting mined ore concentrate; the project will replace two damaged mooring dolphins to restore structural integrity so the dock can safely berth vessels. Pile driving is expected to begin sometime after July 1, 2026, with about 33 in-water pile-driving days estimated over 8 to 10 weeks, and the IHA (if issued) would be valid for up to 1 year from its effective date.
NOAA proposes marine-mammal IHA
NOAA (NMFS) is proposing to issue an incidental harassment authorization to Coeur Alaska for the Kensington Dock Repair Project that would authorize Level B harassment (behavioral disturbance) for 7 marine mammal species representing 13 managed stocks. NMFS and Coeur do not expect any serious injury or mortality, and NMFS is accepting public comments through May 29, 2026 before making a final decision.
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