Marine Mammals; Proposed Incidental Harassment Authorization for Polar Bears in the Beaufort Sea and Arctic Ocean; Ice Exercise Activities by the U.S. Navy
Published Date: 2/2/2026
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering letting the Navy do some temporary ice camp and training activities in the Arctic from February to April 2026. These activities might disturb up to six polar bears but won’t hurt them. The public can share their thoughts by March 4, 2026, before a final decision is made.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Permit to Disturb Up to Six Polar Bears
The Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to authorize the U.S. Navy to incidentally harass (Level B, nonlethal) up to six Southern Beaufort Sea polar bears from February 18, 2026, to April 18, 2026. The proposed authorization does not request or propose any take by injury or mortality, and FWS must find the taking will have a negligible impact and will not cause an unmitigable adverse impact on subsistence use by Alaska Natives before issuing a final decision.
Required Mitigation and Monitoring Measures
The Navy must implement mitigation measures during mobilization, operation, and demobilization of the temporary ice camp (mid-February through early April 2026), including polar bear interaction plans, attractant management (food and garbage control), observer and thermal camera monitoring, minimum flight-altitude measures when safe to do so, avoidance of areas with snow drifts or pressure ridges over 1.5 meters that may support dens, and cessation of in-water activities if a polar bear enters the ice camp. These measures are intended to reduce human–polar bear interactions and minimize disturbance to polar bears.
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