Public Input Sought on Maine Harbor Work and Marine Mammals
Published Date: 3/5/2025
Notice
Summary
The Maine Department of Transportation wants permission to do construction work at Lubec Harbor that might accidentally bother some local marine mammals. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is asking the public to share their thoughts on this plan and a possible one-year extension. Comments are open until April 4, 2025, so speak up if you care about sea life and harbor improvements!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
New boat launch and breakwater construction
The Maine Department of Transportation and the Town of Lubec propose to build a boat launch and breakwater in Johnson Bay to provide a sheltered area for mariners to launch, recover, and moor during inclement weather. In-water construction is planned to start in March 2025 and includes an estimated maximum of 234 pile driving/drilling days with up to 24 installation days per month.
Public comment window for IHA
NOAA/NMFS is requesting public comments on a proposed Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) for the Lubec Harbor Project and on a possible one-time, 1-year renewal; comments and information must be received no later than April 4, 2025 and should be submitted as directed in the notice (email provided in the document).
Requested Level B harassment authorization for five species
ME DOT requests authorization to incidentally take five marine mammal species by Level B harassment only during the project; NMFS states it does not expect serious injury or mortality and proposes to authorize take only for activities occurring in U.S. territorial waters. The application estimates pile driving/drilling activity over 234 days; NMFS notes DTH drilling noise may extend into Canadian territorial waters but the Marine Mammal Protection Act does not apply there.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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