Alaska Terminal Rebuild Gets Permission to Bother Nearby Marine Mammals
Published Date: 10/29/2026
Notice
Summary
NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service gave PetroMarine Services permission to accidentally disturb some marine mammals while rebuilding the Juneau Airport fuel terminal in Alaska. This project runs from October 26, 2026, to October 25, 2027, and includes rules to keep marine life safe. The goal is to let the work happen without hurting the animals or their homes.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
IHA allows construction with incidental take
NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service issued an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to PetroMarine Services permitting accidental disturbance (“take”) of marine mammals during the Juneau International Airport Rock Dump Fuel Terminal Reconstruction Project in Juneau, Alaska. The IHA is effective October 26, 2026 through October 25, 2027 and authorizes specified incidental harassment while work proceeds under required mitigation, monitoring, and reporting measures.
Steller sea lion not likely jeopardized
The NMFS Alaska Regional Office issued a Biological Opinion dated October 22, 2026, concluding that the proposed IHA-modified action is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the Western DPS Steller sea lion, a species listed under the Endangered Species Act that occurs in the project area.
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