Incidental Take Authorization: Rio Grande LNG, LLC (Rio Grande) LNG Terminal Construction in the Brownsville Ship Channel in Cameron County, Texas

NOAA Fisheries has received a request from Rio Grande LNG, LLC, for the reissuance of a previously issued incidental harassment authorization with the only change being effective dates. The initial IHA authorized take of three species of marine mammals incidental to activities associated with the construction of a Liquefied Natural Gas terminal in the Brownsville Ship Channel, Cameron County, Texas. The project has been delayed and none of the work covered in the initial IHA has been conducted. The initial IHA was effective from July 1, 2020, through June 31, 2021. Rio Grande has requested reissuance with new effective dates of January 15, 2025, through January 14, 2026. 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 an identical IHA to cover the incidental take analyzed and authorized in the initial IHA.

NOAA Fisheries has issued an incidental harassment authorization to Rio Grande LNG LLC, authorizing the take of small numbers of marine mammals incidental to the construction of a liquefied natural gas terminal in the Brownsville Ship Channel, Texas.