FWS okays harassing sea otters for Alaska pile driving project
Published Date: 8/12/2026
Notice
Summary
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), propose to authorize incidental take by harassment of small numbers of northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) from the Southeast Alaska stock for a period of up to 1 year from the date of issuance. We are responding to a request submitted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended, by Turnagain Marine Construction. The applicant has requested this authorization for take by harassment that may result from activities associated with pile driving and marine construction within Stephens Passage in Juneau, Alaska. This proposed authorization, if finalized, would be for incidental take by Level A harassment and Level B harassment of northern sea otters from the Southeast Alaska stock. We invite comments on the proposed incidental harassment authorization and the accompanying draft environmental assessment from the public, Tribes, and local, State, and Federal agencies.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
One-year permit for pile-driving take
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes to authorize incidental take by Level A and Level B harassment of northern sea otters for up to 1 year from the date the permit is issued for Turnagain Marine Construction’s Douglas Island cruise ship terminal project in Stephens Passage, Juneau, Alaska. The project would include up to 122 non-consecutive pile-driving days and installation/removal of 78 temporary piles and 97 permanent piles up to 121.9 cm (48 in) in diameter.
Mandatory mitigation and monitoring rules
If finalized, the proposed authorization includes mitigation measures the applicant must follow, such as a 20-meter (66-ft) physical-interaction shutdown zone, vessel operators maintaining a minimum distance of 100 meters (328 ft) from sea otters, use of a bubble curtain for installation of 121.9-cm (48-in) piles, and monitoring and reporting requirements during up to 122 pile-driving days. These requirements apply during pile installation and removal and are intended to reduce risks to sea otters.
Subsistence harvest access and outreach
The Service states the project area does not significantly overlap current subsistence sea otter harvest areas (most harvest occurs more than 19 km / 12 mi outside Juneau) and does not expect construction to preclude access to hunting areas. The Service will conduct outreach with potentially affected communities and, if conflicts arise, the applicant (TMC) will develop a plan of cooperation to minimize effects on subsistence harvest.
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