Alaska Harbor Upgrade May Temporarily Bug Local Sea Mammals
Published Date: 3/25/2026
Notice
Summary
The City of Unalaska wants to replace harbor floats A and B, which might disturb local marine mammals a bit. NOAA is considering allowing this with rules to protect the animals and is asking the public to share their thoughts by April 24, 2026. If all goes well, the project could get a one-year extension, balancing progress with marine life safety.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.
NOAA may authorize marine mammal harassment
NOAA (NMFS) is proposing to issue an incidental harassment authorization that would allow the City of Unalaska to incidentally 'take' five marine mammal species by Level B harassment, and for a subset of three species by Level A harassment, during pile driving for the Robert Storrs Harbor Floats A&B replacement project. The agency states no serious injury or mortality is expected and the authorization would include mitigation, monitoring, and reporting requirements.
Work timing and pile-driving limits
The project plans up to 95 days of pile driving (maximum 100 days), with in-water work limited to daytime 10- to 12-hour shifts and normally scheduled between March 15 and September 30, and the City plans to start work in July 2026. Piles used will be steel pipe no larger than 24 inches (61 centimeters) and no simultaneous pile driving is planned.
Mandatory mitigation and monitoring measures
The City of Unalaska must implement mitigation and monitoring measures, including multiple trained protected species observers (PSOs) in strategic locations and clearance zones, and must follow reporting requirements intended to minimize the number and intensity of marine mammal takes. NMFS states the City agreed these measures are practicable and they are included as IHA requirements.
IHA duration and possible 1-year renewal
The proposed IHA would be valid for 1 year from the date it becomes effective and must not begin later than 1 year after issuance or extend beyond 2 years from issuance; NMFS is also requesting comments on a possible one-time, 1-year renewal that could be issued if certain conditions are met. This affects how long construction may proceed under the same authorization and the potential for a single extension.
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