Alaska Port Upgrade Allowed, But Don't Scare the Seals!
Published Date: 5/15/2026
Notice
Summary
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.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
IHA Authorizes Pier 5 Construction
The National Marine Fisheries Service issued an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to The Aleut Corporation allowing construction work on Pier 5 at the Port of Adak, Alaska. The authorization allows incidental take of marine mammals during the Port of Adak Pier 5 Improvements Project and is effective for up to one year starting from the IHA-holder's notification, not to exceed May 12, 2027. The IHA requires mitigation, monitoring, and reporting measures for the construction activity.
Subsistence Uses Protected by IHA
NMFS found that issuing the IHA for the Pier 5 project will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of marine mammal species for subsistence uses. The IHA includes required mitigation, monitoring, and reporting measures intended to minimize impacts on subsistence harvests during the one-year authorization period beginning from the IHA-holder's notification (not to exceed May 12, 2027).
ESA-Listed Species Consultation Outcome
NMFS identified that the action could affect ESA-listed stocks (Mexico and Western North Pacific DPS of humpback whale and the Western DPS of Steller sea lion) and initiated section 7 consultation. The resulting Biological Opinion determined the action is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of those listed stocks.
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