Army Digs Deep in Alaska, Seals and Whales Not Invited
Published Date: 3/13/2025
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is getting a renewed green light to work on deepening the Unalaska (Dutch Harbor) Channel in Alaska, but with a new timeline from March 2025 to March 2026. This project might disturb four types of marine mammals, but the rules to protect them stay the same. No extra costs or changes in how many animals can be affected—just a fresh start after delays!
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
IHA Reissued — Channel Deepening Authorized
NMFS reissued an identical incidental harassment authorization that is effective March 15, 2025 through March 14, 2026, allowing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to proceed with dredging and confined blasting to deepen a 42-foot (12.8 m) bar at the entrance to Iliuliuk Bay (Dutch Harbor). The stated purpose of the work is to increase navigational safety and improve economic efficiencies into and out of Dutch Harbor, the only deep-draft, year-round ice-free port along the 1,200-mile (1,931 km) Aleutian Island chain.
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