Incidental Take Authorization: Alaska Department of Transportation Ferry Berth Improvements in Tongass Narrows, Alaska

NOAA Fisheries has received a request from the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) for the re-issuance of a previously issued incidental harassment authorization (IHA) with the only change being effective dates. The initial IHA authorized take of eight species of marine mammals, by Level A and Level B harassment, incidental to Ferry Berth Improvements at Tongass Narrows, near Ketchikan, AK. The project has been delayed and none of the work covered in the initial IHA has been conducted. The initial IHA was effective from March 1, 2021 through February 28, 2022. ADOT&PF has requested re-issuance with new effective dates of March 1, 2022, through February 28, 2023. The scope of the activities and anticipated effects remain the same, authorized take numbers are not changed, and the required mitigation, monitoring, and reporting remains the same as included in the initial IHA. NOAA Fisheries is, therefore, issuing a second identical IHA to cover the incidental take analyzed and authorized in the initial IHA.

NOAA Fisheries has issued a Renewal incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to incidentally harass marine mammals incidental to Phase 1 of the two-part ferry berth improvements and construction in Tongass Narrows, near Ketchikan, AK. These activities consist of activities that are covered by the previous authorization but was not completed prior to its expiration. Prior to issuing the currently active IHA, we requested comments on both the proposed IHA and the potential for renewing the initial authorization if certain requirements were satisfied.

NOAA Fisheries has issued two consecutive IHAs to the ADOT&PF to incidentally harass, by Level A and Level B harassment, marine mammals during two years of activity related to ferry berth improvements and construction in Tongass Narrows, near Ketchikan, AK.

The Year 1 Authorization is effective from March 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021. The Year 2 Authorization is effective from March 1, 2021 to February 28, 2022.