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Alaska AOA NEPA Analysis

NOAA Fisheries is conducting a programmatic environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act.
Alaska

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NEPA Overview

As part of the AOA Identification process and in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), NOAA Fisheries Alaska Region is developing a programmatic environmental impact statement (PEIS), to evaluate alternatives for identifying Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOAs) in state waters within the Gulf of Alaska. NEPA requires U.S. federal agencies to identify and consider the potential environmental impacts on the human, natural, or cultural environment before making a decision on a proposal. The PEIS will also evaluate the adverse and beneficial effects associated with siting aquaculture in those locations, which could occur through future proposals and project level review.

The PEIS will support long-term planning for aquaculture in Alaska state waters. The identification of AOAs is not a regulatory or permitting action and does not authorize or permit any specific aquaculture-related activities or individual aquaculture projects. AOAs will not be identified until the completion of a final PEIS and issuance of a final decision document.

Public involvement is an important part of the NEPA process, and a number of opportunities are available for the public to participate throughout the development of the PEIS including public scoping and comment, and review and comment on the Draft PEIS.

Alaska Aquaculture Opportunity Area NEPA Process
Alaska Aquaculture Opportunity Area NEPA Process

Notice of Intent

The Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare a PEIS represents an opportunity for the public to be involved in the development of the scope of the PEIS. During the public comment period on the NOI, interested parties are invited to provide comments on the scope of the PEIS, alternatives to be considered, sources of information, and to identify potential issues or concerns. 

NOAA Fisheries published a NOI in the Federal Register (91 FR 18832)

Scoping Meetings & Oral Comments:

Public Scoping Report

Public scoping concluded on May 28, 2026. The Scoping Summary Report summarizes the public comments we received on the NOI to prepare a PEIS for the indentification of one or more AOAs in Alaska state waters. Scoping is only one part of the public engagement process.

Next Steps

NOAA Fisheries is currently developing a Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (DPEIS) for the identification of one or more AOAs in the Gulf of Alaska state waters.

Last updated by Alaska Regional Office on 09/24/2026