Hilcorp Wants 5-Year Pass to Bug Whales During Alaska Drilling
Published Date: 3/13/2025
Notice
Summary
Hilcorp Alaska wants permission to accidentally affect a few marine mammals while doing oil and gas work in Cook Inlet for the next five years. The government is asking the public to share thoughts or info about this plan by April 14, 2025. This helps make sure marine life is protected while energy work continues safely and responsibly.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Incidental harassment of Cook Inlet marine mammals
If you rely on Cook Inlet marine mammals for subsistence, Hilcorp has applied for permission to incidentally harass marine mammals during oil and gas work. The application requests Level B harassment authorization for 12 species (including Cook Inlet beluga whales) and Level A harassment for nine species, covering activities such as up to 54 days of tugging for production, up to 70 days of pile driving at Tyonek, additional days of tugging and pile driving for exploration, and up to 22 days of pipeline replacement/installation; the requested regulations would be valid for five years through December 31, 2029. NMFS must find that any authorized take will have a negligible impact and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on availability for subsistence uses.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-14204, Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary; Delay of Effective Date
NOAA is giving everyone more time before the rule that bans grappling or anchoring on Lake Ontario shipwrecks kicks in. Instead of starting in July 2026, this rule is now delayed until September 2028 to let NOAA set up mooring buoys and work with divers and boaters. This means boaters and commercial vessels can keep anchoring safely while NOAA gets everything ready without rushing.
2026-14195, Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are wiping away the official definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act starting September 14, 2026. This change affects anyone involved in protecting endangered plants and animals by shifting how “harm” is understood and enforced. It’s a big move that could change how projects and protections are handled, but no new costs or deadlines are added right now.
2026-07536, Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys in the Gulf of America
Starting April 20, 2026, NOAA is setting new rules for companies doing geophysical surveys in the Gulf of America to protect marine mammals. These rules let companies get permission to accidentally disturb marine mammals but require them to minimize harm and report what they find. This plan lasts five years and helps balance ocean research with saving sea life.
2026-05599, Deep Seabed Mining: Notice of Receipt of Applications for Deep Seabed Mining Exploration Licenses and Announcement of Public Comment Period and Virtual Public Hearings
NOAA got two applications from companies wanting to explore mining deep under the ocean floor. They’re holding virtual public meetings in April and want your thoughts by May 22, 2026. This affects anyone interested in ocean mining and how we protect our seas while exploring new resources.
2026-04256, Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Spatial Fisheries Management; Amendment 15 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan
Starting April 3, 2026, new rules change shark fishing zones and times in the Atlantic to better protect sharks and manage fishing risks. Fishermen using bottom and pelagic longline gear will see updated area boundaries and must pay for electronic monitoring if fishing in certain safer zones. These changes help keep shark populations healthy while supporting responsible fishing.
2026-20356, Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder Fishery; Quota Transfer From North Carolina to Massachusetts
North Carolina is sharing part of its 2026 summer flounder fishing quota with Massachusetts to help balance the catch between states. This change kicks in on October 2, 2026, and lasts until the end of the year. Fishermen in both states will see updated limits, making sure the fishery stays fair and sustainable.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-03978, Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Unalaska (Dutch Harbor) Channel Deepening Project
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!
Next: 2025-03982, Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Interstate Bridge Replacement Project on Interstate 5 Between Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, WA
The Interstate Bridge Replacement Project on I-5 between Portland, OR, and Vancouver, WA, wants permission to accidentally affect small numbers of marine mammals during construction over the next five years. The National Marine Fisheries Service is reviewing this request and asking the public to share their thoughts by April 14, 2025. This process helps protect marine life while allowing the bridge upgrade to move forward smoothly.