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.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-08146 — Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Rayed Bean, Sheepnose, Snuffbox, and Spectaclecase Mussels
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is officially protecting over 3,800 river miles across 17 states as critical habitat for four endangered freshwater mussels: rayed bean, sheepnose, snuffbox, and spectaclecase. This means these rivers will get special care to help these mussels survive and thrive. The new protections start May 27, 2026, and could affect activities near these waters, encouraging conservation efforts without heavy costs.
2026-05678 — Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for 22 Species in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the Territory of Guam
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wants to protect 22 special plants and animals in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands by marking nearly 60,000 acres as critical habitat. This means these areas will get extra care to help these species survive and thrive. People can share their thoughts by June 22, 2026, and an economic report is ready to show how this might affect local communities.
2026-10238 — Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Enhancement of Survival Permit Application; Conservation Benefit Agreement for the Greenback Cutthroat Trout; Colorado
Colorado Parks and Wildlife wants a special permit to help save the greenback cutthroat trout, a rare fish in Colorado. This permit would let them and local landowners work together on projects to protect and grow the trout’s population. The public can share their thoughts by June 22, 2026, as this plan moves forward without big environmental hurdles or extra costs.
2026-10045 — Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reclassification of the Rough Popcornflower From Endangered to Threatened With a Section 4(d) Rule
Great news! The rough popcornflower, a rare plant, is no longer in immediate danger of extinction, so it’s being moved from endangered to threatened status starting June 18, 2026. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is also putting new rules in place to help protect and conserve this plant as it continues to recover. This change helps focus efforts while keeping the plant safe for the future.
2026-09896 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Northeast Region Alaska Native Handicrafts
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is renewing a paperwork process for Alaska Native artists in the Northeast Region who make and sell traditional handicrafts. No changes are planned, but they want your feedback by July 17, 2026. This keeps things smooth for artists and the government, with no new costs or extra hassle.
2026-09805 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget; Federal Fish and Wildlife Permit Applications and Reports-Management Authority
The Fish and Wildlife Service is renewing its paperwork for federal fish and wildlife permits without making any changes. This affects anyone applying for or reporting on these permits, keeping the process steady with no new costs or deadlines. You can share your thoughts by June 15, 2026, if you want to weigh in!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-01944 — Importer of Controlled Substances Application: Sharp Clinical Services, LLC
Sharp Clinical Services, LLC wants to become an official importer of certain controlled substances, including some Schedule I drugs like Gamma Hydroxybutyric Acid and MDMA. This affects companies involved in drug manufacturing and regulation, who can comment or request a hearing by March 4, 2026. No fees or immediate changes yet, but this step could impact drug supply chains soon.
Next: 2026-01946 — Importer of Controlled Substances Application: Medi-Physics Inc. DBA GE Healthcare
Medi-Physics Inc., also known as GE Healthcare, wants to become an official importer of certain controlled substances like cocaine for medical use. People and companies involved can share their thoughts or ask for a hearing by March 4, 2026. This move could impact how these substances are brought into the U.S., but no costs or fees are mentioned yet.