Company Seeks Permit for Accidental Marine Mammal Disturbance
Published Date: 7/13/2026
Notice
Summary
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.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
One-year IHA renewal lets work continue
NMFS proposes to renew Petrogas Pacific's Incidental Harassment Authorization so the Ferndale pier maintenance work can continue from August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2027. This renewal would allow nearly identical construction activities to proceed for up to one year past the initial IHA expiration.
Specified Level B takes by species and counts
NMFS proposes authorized Level B harassment takes for the renewal: 594 harbor porpoise, 209 harbor seal (Northern Inland Waters stock), 10 Steller sea lions, and 30 California sea lions for the project period. No Level A (injury) takes are proposed in the renewal.
Operational mitigation and monitoring rules required
The proposed renewal requires specific mitigation and monitoring: Protected Species Observers (PSOs) on site; monitoring starting 30 minutes before pile driving and ending 30 minutes after; shutdown zones of 10 meters for all hearing groups; large Level B monitoring zones of 6,310 m for 16-inch timber piles and 3,990 m for 30-inch steel piles; contact with the ORCA network each day for Southern Resident killer whale and humpback sightings; and immediate halt or delay of pile driving if animals enter shutdown zones. Bubble curtain and soft-start mitigation requirements are removed because no impact driving is planned.
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Key Dates
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