Biological Opinion National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Protected Resources, Permits and Conservation Division, USCG Dock Construction, Seward and Sitka, Alaska

This opinion considers the effects of dock construction and replacement through pile driving and DTH, and the associated proposed issuance of an IHA on endangered Western DPS (WDPS) Steller sea lion and its critical habitat, threatened Mexico distinct population segment (DPS) humpback whale and its critical habitat, endangered Western North Pacific DPS humpback whale, endangered fin whale, endangered North Pacific right whale, and endangered sperm whale. The action agency also requested a formal conference on the proposed listing of the sunflower sea star. 

This opinion is based on information provided in the June 2024, BA submitted by WSP and the IHA Application and Proposed IHA (89 FR 60359, July 25, 2024); consultation communications (emails and virtual meetings) with NMFS AKR, WSP, and NMFS Permits Division; recent consultations completed in the same region; previous monitoring reports in the region; scientific literature; and marine mammal surveys in Alaska. A complete record of this consultation is on file at NMFS’s Anchorage, AKR Office.