Section 7 Biological Opinions Issued in the Alaska Region

Construction

2022

• Biological Opinion National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Marine and Aviation Operations Ketchikan Port Facility Recapitalization Project, Ketchikan, Alaska. NMFS Consultation Number: AKRO-2021-02754

2021

• Biological Opinion Port of Alaska's South Floating Dock, Anchorage, Alaska. NMFS Consultation Number: AKRO-2021-01051

• Biological Opinion Metlakatla Seaplane Facility Refurbishment Project, Metlakatla, Alaska. NMFS Consultation Number: AKRO-2020-03066

• Biological Opinion City of Hoonah Marine Industrial Center Cargo Dock Project at Hoonah, Alaska. NMFS Consultation Number: AKRO-2020-03675

• Biological Opinion for City of Ketchikan Berth III Mooring Dolphins Project. NMFS Consultation Number: AKRO-2020-02183

2020

• Biological Opinion Gastineau Channel Historical Society Sentinel Island Moorage Float Juneau Alaska. NMFS Consultation Number: AKRO-2019-03407

• Biological Opinion Crowley Fuels Dock Expansion and Upgrade in Kotzebue, Alaska (POA-2018-00199). NMFS Consultation Number: AKRO-2020-00125

• Biological Opinion Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Project. NMFS Consultation Number: AKRO-2018-01319

• Biological Opinion - Alaska Marine Lines’ Lutak Dock RoRo Modification Project, Lutak Inlet, Haines, Alaska, (POA-2019-00108). NMFS Consultation Number: AKRO-2019-01875

• Biological Opinion Sitka Dock North Dolphins Expansion Project. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR0-2019-02310

• Biological Opinion - Port of Alaska’s Petroleum and Cement Terminal, Anchorage, Alaska. NMFS Consultation Number: AKRO-2018-01332

2019

• Biological Opinion (Reinitiation) - City and Borough of Juneau Docks and Harbors Department  Statter Harbor Improvements Project Juneau, Alaska. NMFS Consultation Number: AKRO-2019-03544

• Biological Opinion POA-2018-00276, Erickson Residence Marine Access Project, Juneau, Alaska. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2019-01827

• Biological Opinion - Auke Bay Ferry Terminal Modifications Project, Juneau, Alaska. NMFS Consultation Number: AKRO-2019-02254

• Biological Opinion - City of Ketchikan Removal of Berth II Rock Pinnacle Project. NMFS Consultation Number: AKRO-2019-00553

• Biological Opinion - O’Connell Bridge Lightering Float Pile Replacement Project, Sitka, Alaska.  NMFS Consultation Number: AKRO-2018-00245

• Biological Opinion - Hoonah Cruise Ship and Lightering Dock Construction at Icy Strait Hoonah, Alaska. NMFS Consultation Number: AKRO-2018-00370

• Biological Opinion - City and Borough of Juneau Docks and Harbors Department Statter Harbor Improvements Project Juneau, Alaska. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2018-9770

• Biological Opinion - Taiya Inlet Railroad Dock Dolphin Project, Skagway, Alaska. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2018-9831

• Biological Opinion - Construction of the Tongass Narrows Project (Gravina Access). PCTS Number: AKR-2018-9806

2018

• Biological Opinion - Sun’aq Tribe Dock Project in Kodiak Inner Harbor. NMFS Consultation Number: AKRO-2018-00052

• Biological Opinion for Construction at the City Dock and Ferry Terminal in Tenakee Springs, Alaska and Issuance of Incidental Harassment Authorization. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2018-9756

• Biological Opinion - Issuance of a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Permit and Incidental Harassment Authorization for Harvest Alaska LLC Cook Inlet Pipeline Cross-Inlet Extension Project. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2018-9719

2017

• Biological Opinion on Kodiak Transient Float Construction. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2016-9596

• Biological Opinion on the Replacement of the Unalaska Marine Center Dock Positions III and IV. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2016-9588

• Biological Opinion on Biorka Island Dock Replacement Project Sitka, Alaska. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2017-9693

• Biological Opinion for Construction of Haines Alaska Ferry Terminal and Issuance of Incidental Harassment Authorization to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2017-9661

• Biological Opinion - City and Borough of Sitka Gary Paxton Industrial Park Multipurpose Dock Project. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2017-9686

2016

• Biological Opinion on Port of Anchorage Test Pile Project and Associated Proposed Issuance of Incidental Harassment Authorization and NWP Verification. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2016-9513

• Biological Opinion on the Replacement of the UniSea, Inc. Gl Dock and Associated Proposed Issuance of an Incidental Harassment Authorization in Iliuliuk Harbor, Unalaska, Alaska. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2016-9518

2015

• Biological Opinion on Kodiak Ferry Dock and Terminal Improvements. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2015-9446

• Biological Opinion on Icy Strait Point Cruise Ship Terminal Development in Hoonah, Alaska and Issuance of Incidental Harassment Authorization to the Hoonah Totem Corporation. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2015-9440

• Biological Opinion on the Icy Strait Point Cruise Ship Terminal Development in Hoonah, Alaska. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2015-9440

2012

• Biological Opinion on Knik Arm Crossing, Anchorage, Alaska. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2010-6087

2011

• Biological Opinion on the Marine Terminal Redevelopment Project at the Port of Anchorage. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2009-2523

2009

• Biological Opinion on the Marine Terminal Redevelopment Project at the Port of Anchorage, Alaska. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2009-2523

2005

• Biological Opinion on Kensington Gold Project Operations. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2004-2624

Fisheries

2019

• Biological Opinion - Reissuance of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System General Permit AKG524000 for Offshore Seafood Processors in Alaska. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2018-9801

2014

• Biological Opinion on Alaska Groundfish Fisheries and an Exempted Fishing Permit to Test a Salmon Excluder Device in the Bering Sea Pollock Fishery. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2014-9400

• Biological Opinion on Authorization of the Alaska Groundfish Fisheries Under the Proposed Revised Steller Sea Lion Protection Measures. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2013-9294

2010

• Biological Opinion on Authorization of groundfish fisheries under the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, Authorization of groundfish fisheries under the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska, State of Alaska parallel groundfish fisheries. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2006-7616

2006

• Biological Opinion on the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area Groundfish Fishery and an Acoustic Survey Exempted Fishing Permit. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2006-1059

2003

• Biological Opinion on the Authorization of Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Groundfish Fisheries and Gulf of Alaska Groundfish Fisheries Based on the Respective Fishery Management Plans as Modified by Amendments 61 and 70 - Supplement

2001

• Biological Opinion on the Authorization of Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Groundfish Fisheries and Gulf of Alaska Groundfish Fisheries Based on the Respective Fishery Management Plans as Modified by Amendments 61 and 70

2000

• Biological Opinion on the Authorization of the Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Groundfish Fisheries and the Gulf of Alaska Groundfish Fisheries. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2000-978

1999

• Biological Opinion on Authorization of Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska Groundfish Fisheries

1998

• Biological Opinion on the Authorization of the Atka Mackerel and Walleye Pollock Fisheries between 1999-2002. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-1998-1409

• Biological Opinion on Authorization of Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska Groundfish Fisheries. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-1999-23

Oil and Gas

2022

• Biological Opinion - Hilcorp Cook Inlet Tugs Towing a Jack-up Rig. NMFS Consultation Number: AKRO-2021-03484

2020

• Biological Opinion National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska Integrated Activity Plan Biological Opinion. NMFS Consultation Number: AKRO-2020-01519

• Biological Opinion on the Issuance of a Letter of Authorization under section 101(a)(5)(A) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act to Hilcorp Alaska, LLC and Eni U.S. Operating Co. Inc. for the Construction, Maintenance, and Use of Sea Ice Roads and Trails on the North Slope, Beaufort Sea, Alaska, 2020 to 2025. NMFS Consultation Number: AKRO-2019-00194

2019

• Biological Opinion - Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Coastal Plain Lease Sale. NMFS Consultation Number: AKRO-2019-00141
• Biological Opinion - Liberty Oil and Gas Development and Production Plan Activities, Beaufort Sea, Alaska. NMFS Consultation Number: AKRO-2019-00004 (Previously AKR-2018-9747)
• Biological Opinion - Hilcorp Alaska and Harvest Alaska Oil and Gas Activities. NMFS Consultation Number: AKRO-2018-00381

2017

• Biological Opinion on Furie’s Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration Drilling in the Kitchen Lights Unit of Cook Inlet, Alaska, 2017-2021. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2016-9600 

• Biological Opinion on Lease Sale 244, Cook Inlet, Alaska 2017-2022. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2016-9580

2016

• Biological Opinion on the Issuance of an Incidental Harassment Authorization to Fairweather LLC for Anchor Retrieval Activities in the U.S. Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, Alaska. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2016-9526

2015

• Biological Opinion on the Proposed Issuance of an Incidental Harassment Authorization to Hilcorp Alaska, LLC for Shallow Geohazard and Strudel Scour Surveys in Foggy Island Bay, Beaufort Sea, Alaska. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2015-9454

• Biological Opinion on the Issuance of Incidental Harassment Authorization to Shell for the Non-Lethal Taking of Whales and Seals in Conjunction with Planned Exploration Drilling Activities During 2015. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2015-9449

• Biological Opinion on Lease Sale 193 Oil and Gas Exploration Activities, Chukchi Sea, Alaska. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2015-9422

• Biological Opinion on the Issuance of Incidental Harassment Authorization to SAExploration, Inc. for Marine 3D Ocean Bottom Node Seismic Activities in the U.S. Beaufort Sea, Alaska, during the 2015 Open Water Season. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2015-9451

• Biological Opinion on the Issuance of Incidental Harassment Authorization to Shell Gulf of Mexico and Shell Offshore Inc. for Aviation Operations Associated with Ice Condition Monitoring. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2015-9448

• Biological Opinion on the Issuance of Incidental Harassment Authorization to SAExploration, Inc. for Marine 3D Ocean Bottom Node Seismic Activities in the U.S. Beaufort Sea, Alaska, during the 2015 Open Water Season. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2015-9451

2014

• Biological Opinion on the Issuance of Incidental Harassment Authorization under 10l(a)(5)(D) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act to SAExploration, Inc. (SAE) for Marine 3D Ocean Bottom Node Seismic Activities. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2014-9383

• Biological Opinion on the Issuance of Incidental Harassment Authorization to BP Exploration (Alaska), Inc. for Marine 3D Ocean Bottom Sensor Seismic Activities. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2014-9369

• Biological Opinion on the Issuance of Incidental Harassment Authorization to BP Exploration (Alaska), Inc. for Shallow Geohazard Survey in the U.S. Beaufort Sea, Foggy Island Bay, Alaska. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2014-9370

• Biological Opinion on the Issuance of Regulations and a Letter of Authorization to Take Marine Mammals Incidental to Offshore Oil and Gas Operations at the Northstar Development in the U.S. Beaufort Sea, January 13, 2014-January 14, 2019

2013

• Biological Opinion on the Issuance of Incidental Harassment Authorization to SAExploration, Inc. for Marine 3D Ocean Bottom Cable Seismic Activities in the U.S. Beaufort Sea, Alaska. NMFS Consultation Number: FIAKR/2013/9283

• Biological Opinion on the Issuance of Incidental Harassment Authorization to Shell for Geophysical Surveys, and Equipment Recovery and Maintenance Activities.NMFS Consultation Number: FIAKR/2013/9281

• Biological Opinion on Oil and Gas Leasing and Exploration Activities in the U.S. Beaufort and Chukchi Seas, Alaska. NMFS Consultation Number: FIAKR/2011/0647

• Biological Opinion on 3-D Seismic Surveys of Cook Inlet, Alaska by Apache Alaska Corporation

2012

• Biological Opinion on the Issuance of Incidental Harassment Authorization to Shell Offshore, Inc. for Exploratory Drilling in the Alaskan Beaufort Sea in 2012. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2012-2419

• Biological Opinion on the Issuance of Incidental Harassment Authorization to Shell Offshore, Inc. for Exploratory Drilling in the Alaskan Chukchi Sea in 2012. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2012-1550

• Biological Opinion on Proposed Regulations and Authorization to take Marine Mammals Incidental to Offshore Oil and Gas Operations at the Northstar Development in the U.S. Beaufort Sea, 2012-2016. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2013-9309

• Biological Opinion on the Issuance of Incidental Harassment Authorization to TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company ASA for Marine 2D Seismic Activities in the Federal and International Waters in the Chukchi Sea. NMFS Consultation Number: F/AKR/2013/9282

• Biological Opinion on the Issuance of Incidental Harassment Authorization and a Geological and Geophysical Permit to ION for 2D Seismic Survey in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas in 2012. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2015-9471

• Biological Opinion on the Issuance of Incidental Harassment Authorization to BP Offshore, Inc. for Seismic Surveys in the Simpson Lagoon in 2012. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2015-9470

• Biological Opinion on 3-D Seismic Surveys of Cook Inlet, Alaska by Apache Alaska Corporation (May)

• Biological Opinion on 3-D Seismic Surveys of Cook Inlet, Alaska by Apache Alaska Corporation (February)

2011

• Biological Opinion on the Incidental Harassment Authorization to Allow for Incidental Takes of Marine Mammals During Shallow Hazards Survey in the Chukchi Sea, Alaska, 2011. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2011-6545

2010

• Biological Opinion on the Authorization of Small Takes for Certain Oil and Gas Exploration Activities in the U.S. Beaufort and Chukchi Seas, Alaska for 2010

2008

• Biological Opinion on Oil and Gas Leasing and Exploration Activities in the U.S. Beaufort and Chukchi Seas, Alaska; and Authorization of Small Takes Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act

2006

• Biological Opinion on Oil and Gas Leasing and Exploration Activities in the U.S. Beaufort and Chukchi Seas, Alaska and Authorization of Small Takes Under the MMPA

2003

• Biological Opinion on Oil and Gas Sales 191 and 199 Cook Inlet, Alaska Planning Area; and Authorization of Small Takes Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act

2002

• Biological Opinion on the Construction and Operation of the Liberty Oil Production Island. NMFS Consultation Number: F/AKR/2001/00889

Research

2022

• Biological Opinion - Alaska Department of Fish and Game Research on Ice Seals. NMFS Consultation Number: AKRO-2022-03483

2019

• Biological Opinion - Alaska Fisheries Science Center Surveys in the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands, and Chukchi Sea/Beaufort Sea Research Areas, 2019-2022 and the International Pacific Halibut Commission Surveys in the GOA and BS, 2019-2022. ECO Number: AKRO-2017-00028

• Biological Opinion - National Park Service Monitoring Activities in Alaska’s National Parks: Glaucous-winged Gull and Climate Monitoring & Research in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska and Marine Bird and Mammal Monitoring in National Parks and adjoining coastlines in the Northern Gulf of Alaska. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2019-9851

2009

• Biological Opinion on the Full Implementation of the Preferred Alternative of the Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Research on Steller Sea Lions and Northern Fur Seals. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2009-7253

Other Activities

2016

• Biological Opinion on Quintillion Subsea Operations, LLC, Proposed Subsea Fiber Optic Cable-laying Activities and Issuance of an Incidental Harassment Authorization. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2016-9590

• Biological Opinion on Quintillion Subsea Operations, LLC, Proposed Subsea Fiber Optic Cable-laying Activities and Proposed Issuance of an Incidental Harassment Authorization. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2016-9555

Other Energy

2016

• Biological Opinion on the Issuance of an Incidental Harassment Authorization to ExxonMobil Alaska LNG LLC for Alaska LNG Geophysical & Geotechnical Program in the Waters of Cook Inlet, 2015-2016. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2015-9474

2015

• Biological Opinion - Issuance of Incidental Harassment Authorization to ExxonMobil Alaska LNG LLC for Alaska LNG Geophysical & Geotechnical Program in the Waters of Cook Inlet. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2015-9474

Military

2022

• Biological Opinion Ice Exercise 2022, Alaska. NMFS Consultation Number: AKRO-2021-02659
• Biological Opinion - Office of Naval Research Arctic Activities in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas - mid-September 2022 through mid-September 2023. NMFS Consultation Number: AKRO-2022-01871.

• Biological Opinion - Office of Naval Research Arctic Activities in the Beaufort Sea - July 2022. NMFS Consultation Number: AKRO-2022-00873.

2021

• Biological Opinion - Office of Naval Research Arctic Research Activities in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas Year 4 (2021-2022). NMFS Consultation Number: AKRO-2021-01926

2020

• Biological Opinion - Ice Exercise 2020. NMFS Consultation Number: AKRO-2019-02445

2019

• Biological Opinion - Office of Naval Research Arctic Research Activities 2018-2021 and Associated Proposed Issuance of an Incidental Harassment Authorization in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2018-9725

2015

• Biological Opinion on the Alaska Federal/State Preparedness Plan for Response to Oil & Hazardous Substance Discharges/Releases (Unified Plan). NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2014-9361

Miscellaneous

2019

• Biological Opinion - Consultation on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Proposed Approval of the State of Alaska’s Mixing Zone Regulation Section of the State of Alaska’s Water Quality Standards (Reinitiation). ECO Number: AKRO-2018-00362

2015

• Biological Opinion on Land Survey and Conveyance and Issuance of an Associated Incidental Take Authorization. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2015-9419

2012

• Biological Opinion on the Issuance of Annual Quotas Authorizing the Harvest of Bowhead Whales to the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission (2013-2018). NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2013-9314

2011

• Biological Opinion on Regulations and Authorization for the Incidental Take of Marine Mammals by U.S. Citizens Engaged in Space Vehicle and Missile Launch Operations at the Kodiak Launch Complex on Kodiak Island, Alaska. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2013-9306

2010

• Biological Opinion on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Proposed Approval of the State of Alaska’s Mixing Zone Regulation Section of the State of Alaska Water Quality Standards. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2010-6742

2008

• Biological Opinion on the Issuance of Annual Quotas Authorizing the Harvest of Bowhead Whales to the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission for the Period 2008-2012. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2007-7109

• Biological Opinion on Rat Eradication, Rat Island, Alaska. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2008-5708

2003

• Biological Opinion on Vessel Quotas and Operating Requirements for Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

More Information

• Section 7 Consultations in Alaska - Guidance, ESA Species and Critical Habitat

• Expedited Informal Consultations

• Incidental Take Authorizations (nationwide)

  • Military sonar and training exercises
  • Oil and gas development, exploration, and production activities
  • Other energy (renewable and LNG) activities
  • Scientific research projects
  • Construction projects
• Incidental Take Authorizations Points Map