Biological Opinion on Lease Sale 193 Oil and Gas Exploration Activities, Chukchi Sea, Alaska
June 04, 2015
NOAA Fisheries' biological opinion on the effects of oil and gas exploration activities for LS 193 on endangered and threatened species and designated and proposed critical habitats. NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2015-9422.
This opinion considers the effects of the authorization of oil and gas exploration activities for LS 193 under the OCSLA from June 2015 to June 2024. These actions have the potential to affect the:
- endangered bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus)
- endangered fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus)
- endangered humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
- endangered North Pacific right whale (Eubalaena japonica)
- endangered western North Pacific distinct population segment of gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus)
- endangered sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus)
- endangered western DPS of Steller sea lion (Eumatopias jubatus)
- threatened Arctic subspecies of ringed seal (Phoca hispida hispida)
- Beringia DPS of bearded seal (Erignathus barbatus nauticus)
as well as the designated critical habitats for North Pacific right whale and Steller sea lion, and proposed critical habitat for the Arctic subspecies of ringed seal.
Action Agencies: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), and Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE)