NOAA Greenlights Whale 'Oopsies' for Alaska Natural Gas Operations
Published Date: 3/30/2026
Notice
Summary
Furie Operating Alaska wants to keep their permission to accidentally disturb marine mammals while working on natural gas in Cook Inlet, Alaska. The government is asking for public comments by April 14, 2026, before renewing this authorization. This renewal won’t change the current activities or costs but keeps the protection rules in place for the animals.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Renewal IHA Allows Rig Moves
NMFS proposes to renew Furie Operating Alaska's incidental harassment authorization (IHA) for natural gas activities in Cook Inlet from September 13, 2026 through September 12, 2027. The renewal would authorize the same Level B harassment takes as the initial Year 2 IHA for identical (or nearly identical) activities and anticipates two rig moves (one in October or November 2026 and one in the early-to-middle 2027 open-water season).
No Pile Driving — No Level A Harassment
Under the proposed renewal, Furie is not proposing to conduct pile driving, and NMFS is not proposing to authorize any Level A harassment; Level A harassment in the initial Year 2 IHA was associated with pile driving. The renewal therefore limits authorized takes to Level B harassment only.
Mitigation, Monitoring, Reporting Rules Stay In Place
The renewal would keep the same mitigation, monitoring, and reporting measures as the initial IHA. Requirements include employing NMFS-approved protected species observers (minimum two on-watch during towing), clearance zones (beluga: as far as PSOs can observe; other species: 1.5 km), pre-activity 30-minute PSO watches (with 15- or 30-minute hold times depending on species), maintaining ~4 knots tug speed, staying at least 2.4 km from the mean lower-low water line of the Sustina River Delta between April 15 and November 15, and helicopter transit at 1,500 feet when practicable. Draft monitoring reports must be submitted within 90 days after pile driving or 60 days prior to a requested subsequent IHA, with final reports due 30 days after NMFS comments.
NMFS Finds No Subsistence Impact; Negligible Takes
NMFS preliminarily determined the authorized Level B takes will have a negligible impact on affected marine mammal species or stocks and concluded Furie's activities will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on subsistence uses. NMFS previously completed an Environmental Assessment with a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) signed on September 12, 2024, and is preparing an EA for this renewal action.
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
2026-14204 — Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary; Delay of Effective Date
NOAA is giving everyone more time before the rule that bans grappling or anchoring on Lake Ontario shipwrecks kicks in. Instead of starting in July 2026, this rule is now delayed until September 2028 to let NOAA set up mooring buoys and work with divers and boaters. This means boaters and commercial vessels can keep anchoring safely while NOAA gets everything ready without rushing.
2026-14195 — Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are wiping away the official definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act starting September 14, 2026. This change affects anyone involved in protecting endangered plants and animals by shifting how “harm” is understood and enforced. It’s a big move that could change how projects and protections are handled, but no new costs or deadlines are added right now.
2026-05599 — Deep Seabed Mining: Notice of Receipt of Applications for Deep Seabed Mining Exploration Licenses and Announcement of Public Comment Period and Virtual Public Hearings
NOAA got two applications from companies wanting to explore mining deep under the ocean floor. They’re holding virtual public meetings in April and want your thoughts by May 22, 2026. This affects anyone interested in ocean mining and how we protect our seas while exploring new resources.
2026-04256 — Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Spatial Fisheries Management; Amendment 15 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan
Starting April 3, 2026, new rules change shark fishing zones and times in the Atlantic to better protect sharks and manage fishing risks. Fishermen using bottom and pelagic longline gear will see updated area boundaries and must pay for electronic monitoring if fishing in certain safer zones. These changes help keep shark populations healthy while supporting responsible fishing.
2026-14004 — Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Ferndale Pier Maintenance Activities in Ferndale, Washington
Petrogas Pacific wants to keep doing their pier maintenance in Ferndale, Washington, which might accidentally bother some marine mammals. The government is reviewing their request to renew permission for these activities and is asking the public to share thoughts by July 28, 2026. This renewal means the work can continue without delays, keeping the pier in good shape while protecting sea life.
2026-14048 — Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of America, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region; Abbreviated Framework Amendment 5
The government wants to update fishing rules for blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic to keep the fish population healthy and fishing fair. These changes affect fishermen and businesses by adjusting how much fish can be caught, based on the latest science. Comments on the plan are open until August 12, 2026, so now’s the time to speak up!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-06098 — Interest Rates
The Small Business Administration set the Optional Peg Rate at 4.50% for April through June 2026, which helps decide interest rates on certain SBA loans. This affects small businesses using SBA direct or 504 loans, with lenders capped on how high they can charge based on state laws. If you’re borrowing or lending through SBA programs, keep an eye on these rates—they impact your loan costs this quarter!
Next: 2026-06100 — Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is asking for public comments on renewing a rule that stops bad info about human trafficking victims from showing up on their credit reports. This affects businesses that report credit info and helps protect nearly 780,000 people. Comments are due by April 29, 2026, and the process involves a big time commitment from businesses but no new fees.