Alaska dock work gets permission to bother marine mammals—carefully
Published Date: 10/22/2026
Notice
Summary
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has renewed permission for Turnagain Marine Services to accidentally disturb some marine mammals while building the Seward Cruise Ship Passenger Dock in Alaska. This approval runs from September 25, 2026, to September 20, 2027, ensuring the project can move forward without harming marine life too much. It’s a win for progress and wildlife protection working together!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Renewal Allows Completion of Dock Work
NOAA issued a renewal incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to Turnagain Marine Services that is valid from September 25, 2026 through September 20, 2027 so the Seward Cruise Ship Passenger Dock and Terminal Facility project can finish remaining in-water work. The renewal explicitly authorizes a continuation of the same types of pile driving and down-the-hole drilling activities previously analyzed under the initial IHA.
Specific Remaining Piles and Work Days Authorized
The renewal IHA authorizes installation and removal of eight temporary 36-inch steel piles and installation of eight permanent 48-inch steel piles, to be completed over 12 construction days. These specific remaining activities and counts are what the renewal IHA covers as a subset of work from the initial authorization.
Operational Mitigation and Monitoring Requirements
Under the renewal IHA, Turnagain Marine Services must use NMFS-approved protected species observers (PSOs), conduct monitoring starting 30 minutes before through 30 minutes after pile driving and drilling, use soft-starts for impact driving, delay or halt work if marine mammals enter shutdown zones, and submit a draft marine mammal monitoring report within 90 days after completion (final due within 30 days after NMFS comments). If a marine mammal comes within 10 meters of construction activity, operations must be shut down.
Bubble Curtain Requirement Removed for Renewal
The renewal IHA removed the bubble-curtain requirement that had been included in the initial IHA for certain pile installations; NMFS explained the bubble curtain is not required under the renewal because the piles for which it was required (mooring dolphin piles) were already installed under the initial IHA. The draft renewal mistakenly retained the requirement but the issued renewal does not include it.
Subsistence Uses Not Adversely Affected
NMFS determined that the authorized takes under the renewal IHA will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of marine mammals for subsistence uses. The agency concluded TMC's activities will not affect subsistence uses and that appropriate mitigation and monitoring measures are included.
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