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

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.