Rebuilding Baltimore Bridge? Don't Forget to Protect the Dolphins!
Published Date: 4/22/2026
Notice
Summary
The government is planning to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, and this work might accidentally disturb some local marine mammals like dolphins and seals. They’re asking for public comments before approving special permits that let the project continue while protecting these animals. The decision and possible renewals will happen soon, with comments due by May 22, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Pile driving schedule and scale
Construction is proposed to occur June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2028 with pile driving year-round; approximately 728 piles would be installed in Year 1 and 107 piles in Year 2. Work would generally be limited to daylight construction between April 15 and October 30 (typically a 12 hours on / 12 hours off schedule), and up to four piles may be driven concurrently.
NOAA proposes two IHAs for bridge work
NMFS is proposing to issue two consecutive incidental harassment authorizations (IHAs) to the Federal Highway Administration for the Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild covering June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2028. The proposed authorizations would allow take by Level B harassment of Tamanend's bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops erebennus) during construction, and NMFS is requesting public comments by May 22, 2026.
Authorized take limited to Level B harassment
NMFS and FHWA expect only Level B harassment (behavioral disturbance) of Tamanend's bottlenose dolphins, and they do not expect serious injury or mortality from the project. The application and NMFS' review identify bottlenose dolphins as the only species for which take is reasonably likely and proposed to be authorized.
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
2026-04256 — 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 when and where shark fishing is allowed in the Mid-Atlantic and adjust boundaries off Charleston and East Florida to better protect sharks. Fishermen using bottom and pelagic longline gear with Atlantic HMS permits will need to pay for electronic monitoring if they fish in certain safer zones. These updates help keep shark populations healthy while making fishing smarter and fairer.
2026-09776 — Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Port of Adak Pier 5 Improvements Project at Adak Island, Alaska
The Aleut Corporation got permission to do construction work on Pier 5 at the Port of Adak, Alaska, which might accidentally bother some local marine mammals. This project runs for one year starting May 12, 2026, and includes rules to keep harm to animals as low as possible. It’s a big step to improve the port while protecting wildlife and respecting local needs.
2026-09665 — Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of 12-Month Finding on a Petition to List Gulf of Alaska Chinook Salmon as Threatened or Endangered Under the Endangered Species Act
After a full review, NOAA decided that Gulf of Alaska Chinook salmon aren’t in danger of disappearing right now, so they won’t be listed as threatened or endangered. This means fishermen and communities can keep enjoying these salmon without new restrictions or costs for now. The decision was announced on May 14, 2026, and NOAA will keep watching to protect these fish if things change.
2026-09699 — North Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council is holding a public meeting from June 9-11, 2026, to review the health of the Eastern Bering Sea Tanner crab population. This affects fishermen, seafood businesses, and communities relying on crab fishing, as the review could lead to changes in fishing rules. The meeting is in Seattle and requires advance registration, signaling careful planning and possible future impacts on crab fishing limits and local economies.
2026-09669 — Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher/Processors Using Hook-and-Line Gear in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska
Starting May 12, 2026, fishing for Pacific cod using hook-and-line gear by catcher/processors in the Western Gulf of Alaska is temporarily closed to avoid going over the allowed catch limit for the season. This pause lasts until September 1, 2026, helping keep the fish population healthy and the fishing fair. Fishermen using this gear in this area need to plan around this closure to avoid penalties and support sustainable fishing.
2026-09617 — Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Omnibus Management Flexibility Amendment to New England Fishery Management Council Fishery Management Plans
The New England Fishery Management Council wants to make fishing rules more flexible and consistent across the Northeast. If approved, these changes will affect fishermen and fishery managers by simplifying some administrative steps without changing catch limits. You’ve got until July 13, 2026, to share your thoughts before the new rules could take effect.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-07767 — Product Change-Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage Negotiated Service Agreements, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage Negotiated Service Agreements
The Postal Service is updating its shipping deals for Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, and USPS Ground Advantage by adding new negotiated service agreements. These changes affect businesses and customers who use these shipping options, potentially offering new pricing or service perks. The updates were officially filed in April 2026 and could impact shipping costs and options soon.
Next: 2026-07769 — Government-Owned Inventions; Availability for Licensing
The National Institutes of Health is offering a cool new invention—special antibodies that fight West Nile Virus—for companies to license and develop into treatments or tests. This means businesses can jump on this opportunity to create medicines or diagnostics, with some foreign patent protections included. Interested parties should act soon and may need to sign a confidentiality agreement to get all the details.