NOAA OKs Seal Shenanigans for Alaska Harbor Glow-Up?
Published Date: 3/13/2026
Notice
Summary
The City of Kodiak plans to rebuild St. Herman Harbor over two years, which might disturb local marine mammals like seals and whales. NOAA is considering allowing some accidental noise impacts during construction but wants your thoughts before deciding. Comments are open until April 13, 2026, so jump in and help protect Alaska’s ocean friends while supporting important harbor upgrades!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Harbor rebuild restores mooring capacity
You (vessel owners and operators) will benefit from the St. Herman Harbor Infrastructure Rebuild Project because it will remove and replace aging harbor infrastructure to restore functionality and improve navigation. The harbor serves more than 328 vessels; Phase I is scheduled November 1, 2026 through October 31, 2027 and will occur over 42 non-consecutive construction days, and Phase II is expected to occur over 227 non-consecutive days within the 2-year project (2026–2028). Phase I will add a new vessel mooring float and drive-down dock and Phase II will replace 12 concrete headwalks/mainwalks/slip floats with 14 new floats and associated piles and dredge approximately 1,900 cubic yards (1,453 m3).
NOAA may authorize incidental marine mammal takes
NOAA/NMFS is proposing to issue two consecutive 1-year incidental harassment authorizations (IHAs) to allow Level B harassment of 12 marine mammal species (15 stocks) and Level A harassment for 4 species (4 stocks) during the two-year Kodiak harbor construction. NMFS states it does not expect serious injury or mortality and is requesting public comments by April 13, 2026.
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