Alaska Harbor Gets Okay to Ruffle Some Sea Mammal Feathers
Published Date: 5/15/2026
Notice
Summary
The City of Homer got the green light to replace a float at Homer Harbor, Alaska, even though some marine mammals might get a little disturbed during the work. This permission lasts for one year starting May 13, 2026, and aims to keep any harm to animals as low as possible. It’s a win for progress and wildlife protection, balancing harbor upgrades with care for local sea life.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
IHA Allows Homer Harbor Work
The National Marine Fisheries Service issued an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to the City of Homer allowing marine mammals to be incidentally taken during the Homer Harbor System Four Float Replacement Project. The authorization is effective for up to 1 year from issuance (May 13, 2026) or for 1 year from the date the IHA-holder notifies NMFS that work will start.
ESA-Listed Species Authorized for Take
The IHA authorizes incidental take of the Mexico DPS of humpback whales and the western DPS of Stellar sea lions during the float replacement project. NMFS’ Alaska Regional Office issued a Biological Opinion finding the action is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of these listed populations or to destroy or adversely modify their critical habitat.
Mitigation, Monitoring, Reporting Required
The IHA requires the City of Homer to follow the mitigation, monitoring, and reporting measures described in the proposed IHA; there are no changes to those measures. These requirements remain in place for the duration of the authorization (up to 1 year from issuance on May 13, 2026).
NMFS Found Negligible Impact, Protected Subsistence
NMFS concluded the authorized takes will have a negligible impact on the affected marine mammal species or stocks and will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of those species for subsistence uses. That determination supported issuing the one-year IHA to the City of Homer.
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