# 2025-23894: Ferry Fix in Alaska Might Ruffle Some Marine Mammal Feathers

2025-23894, Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities' Cold Bay Ferry Terminal Reconstruction Project in Cold Bay, Alaska, is a Federal Register notice from Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration published 2025-12-29, effective 2026-01-28 (as of 2026-06-08).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-23894
- As of: 2026-06-08
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2025-23894
- Title: Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities' Cold Bay Ferry Terminal Reconstruction Project in Cold Bay, Alaska
- Type: Notice
- Agencies: Commerce Department; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Citation: 90 FR 60653
- Published: 2025-12-29
- Effective: 2026-01-28
- Comments close: 2026-01-28
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-06-08

## In one line

Ferry Fix in Alaska Might Ruffle Some Marine Mammal Feathers

## Summary

The Alaska Department of Transportation wants to rebuild the Cold Bay Ferry Terminal, which might disturb some local marine mammals. NOAA is thinking about giving permission for this, but they want your thoughts by January 28, 2026. If all goes well, there could be a one-year extension, helping the project stay on track without harming wildlife too much.

## Abstract

NMFS has received a request from the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the Cold Bay Ferry Terminal Reconstruction Project in Cold Bay, Alaska. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to incidentally take marine mammals during the specified activities. NMFS is also requesting comments on a possible one-time, 1-year renewal that could be issued under certain circumstances and if all requirements are met, as described in Request for Public Comments at the end of this notice. NMFS will consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the issuance of the requested MMPA authorization and agency responses will be summarized in the final notice of our decision.

## Effects PRIA read

- Dock Replacement Keeps Cold Bay Supplied: benefit, high. The Cold Bay Ferry Terminal rebuild is planned to begin May 1, 2028 and run through April 30, 2029. The new pile-supported dock is intended to maintain ferry service and keep fuel, goods, cargo, and potable water flowing to Cold Bay (a community of about 50 people), which the notice says would othe…
- Replacement Lifts Weight Restrictions: benefit, high. The notice says current use restrictions limit axle loads and gross vehicle weights on the existing Cold Bay dock until it can be fully replaced. Building the new dock is intended to remove those restrictions and accommodate commercial freight, fuel transport, and public transportation such as the…
- Possible 1-Year Renewal to Keep Project On Track: benefit, medium. NOAA (NMFS) is proposing an incidental harassment authorization for the construction and is asking for public comments by January 28, 2026. The agency is also requesting comments on a possible one-time, 1-year renewal of the authorization that could be issued if certain requirements are met, which…

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## Sources
- [2025-23894 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/29/2025-23894/takes-of-marine-mammals-incidental-to-specified-activities-taking-marine-mammals-incidental-to-the)
- [2025-23894 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-12-29/pdf/2025-23894.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2025-23893, Procurement List; Proposed Additions](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-23893)
- [Next: 2025-23895, Procurement List; Additions and Deletions](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-23895)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2025-23894 (as of 2026-06-08).