Biological Opinion on Lease Sale 244, Cook Inlet, Alaska 2017–2022
September 13, 2017
Biological opinion on the potential effects of oil and gas exploration activities in Lease Sale 244, Cook Inlet, on endangered and threatened species and designated critical habitats.
This opinion considers the effects of the authorization of oil and gas exploration activities for LS 244 under the OCSLA from September 2017 to September 2022. These actions have the potential to affect the:
- endangered Cook Inlet beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas)
- endangered fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus)
- endangered Western North Pacific DPS humpback whale
- threatened Mexico DPS humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
- endangered western DPS Steller sea lion (Eumatopias jubatus)
- designated critical habitat for Cook Inlet beluga whale and Steller sea lion
Action Agencies: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE)
NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2016-9580