Biological Opinion Metlakatla Seaplane Facility Refurbishment Project

The action agencies in this document are the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the NMFS Office of Protected Resources, Permits and Conservation Division (PR1). The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) has been designated as the non-federal representative for FAA. FAA, in cooperation with the ADOT&PF, is proposing maintenance improvements to the existing Metlakatla Seaplane Facility. PR1 proposes to authorize Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) Level B take (i.e., take by harassment) of one ESA-listed marine mammal species: humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), and seven non-listed marine mammal species in conjunction with the action. The seven non-listed marine mammal species are:

• Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) 
• harbor seal (Phoca vitulina)
• harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)
• Dall’s porpoise (Phocoenoides dalli)
• killer whale (Orcinus orca)
• Pacific white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens)
• minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata)

No level A take has been proposed for humpback whales.

This project includes the removal of 11 existing steel piles and installation of six permanent steel piles to support replacement of the floating dock structure. The existing steel pipes are 16-inch diameter and the steel pipes to be installed are 24 inch diameter. Twelve temporary steel piles will be installed to support pile installation and will be removed following the completion of pile installation. The temporary steel piles are 24 inch diameter. In addition, above-water construction will include repairs to the vehicle gangway and installation of an electrical lighting system for the approach and the new floating dock.