Incidental Take Authorization: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Small Boat Harbor Preconstruction Activities (Geotechnical Surveys) in St. George, Alaska

NOAA Fisheries has received a request from the United States Army Corps of Engineers for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to geotechnical drilling in St. George, Alaska. NOAA Fisheries is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an incidental harassment authorization to incidentally take marine mammals during the specified activities. NOAA Fisheries is also requesting comments on a possible one-time, 1-year renewal that could be issued under certain circumstances and if all requirements are met, as described in Request for Public Comments at the end of this notice. NOAA Fisheries will consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the issuance of the requested MMPA authorization and agency responses will be summarized in the final notice of our decision.