FWS Renews Permits for Accidental Marine Mammal Harassment
Published Date: 4/13/2026
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is renewing its paperwork process for permits that allow some accidental disturbance of marine mammals during activities like construction or research. This renewal keeps the current rules and forms, so no big changes or extra costs are expected. People affected, like businesses and researchers working near marine mammals, can comment on this by May 13, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Applicants Face Time Burden To Get IHAs
If you apply for an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA), you must submit detailed application materials and monitoring reports. The Service estimates 15 respondents and 56 annual responses, with completion time per response ranging from 10 to 120 hours and total annual burden of 1,680 hours; responding is required to obtain or retain the authorization and there are no estimated non-hour costs.
Paperwork Renewal Keeps Status Quo
If you are a business, researcher, or other applicant who seeks an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) for marine mammals, the Fish and Wildlife Service is renewing the existing paperwork collection (OMB Control Number 1018-0194) without change. The agency says no big changes or extra costs are expected and the renewal keeps current rules and forms in place.
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 protecting over 3,800 river miles across 17 states as critical habitat for four endangered freshwater mussels: rayed bean, sheepnose, snuffbox, and spectaclecase. This new rule, effective May 27, 2026, helps these mussels survive and recover by safeguarding their homes. Landowners and communities near these rivers might see new rules to keep these waters clean and safe, but no big costs are expected.
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.
2026-09807 — Foreign Endangered Species; Receipt of Permit Applications
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is asking the public to weigh in on permit applications for activities involving foreign endangered species. These permits are needed because the law usually bans such activities without special approval. If you want to share your thoughts, make sure to comment by June 15, 2026—this helps protect wildlife while allowing some important work to happen.
2026-09751 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget; Horseshoe Crab and Cooperative Fish Tagging Programs
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is renewing its paperwork for the Horseshoe Crab and Cooperative Fish Tagging Programs without any changes. This means fishermen and researchers who tag these creatures will keep reporting info the same way, with no new costs or rules. You’ve got until June 15, 2026, to share your thoughts before the renewal is finalized.
2026-09233 — Foreign Endangered Species; Receipt of Permit Applications
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is asking the public to share their thoughts on permit applications for activities involving endangered foreign animals and plants. These permits are needed because the law usually bans such activities without special permission. If you want to weigh in, make sure to send your comments by June 10, 2026, or they won’t count!
2026-09093 — Receipt of Incidental Take Permit Application and Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan for Sand Skink and Blue-Tailed Mole Skink; Polk County, FL; Categorical Exclusion
The Fish and Wildlife Service got an application from a company planning to build homes in Polk County, Florida, where two special skinks live. They want permission to accidentally harm these skinks during construction but promise to protect their habitat too. The public can share thoughts by June 8, 2026, before any final decision is made.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-07094 — Marine Mammals; File No. 29014
Dr. Erich Jarvis from Rockefeller University wants permission to import parts from up to 10 dolphins each year for 5 years to study their genetics and clear up questions about dolphin species in Malaysia. The public can comment on this plan until May 13, 2026. This research won’t harm the environment and aims to help scientists understand coastal dolphins better.
Next: 2026-07096 — Environmental Management Site-Specific Advisory Board, Oak Ridge
The Oak Ridge Environmental Management Advisory Board is holding a public meeting on May 13, 2026, to talk about cleaning up the site, managing waste, and planning for the future. Anyone interested in Oak Ridge’s environmental cleanup can join in person or online by requesting access ahead of time. This meeting helps make sure the community’s voice is heard and that cleanup plans stay on track.