Distribution, Habitat Use, and Behavior of Cook Inlet Beluga Whales in Knik Arm Fall 2007

This report summarizes a study conducted by Alaska Pacific University in conjunction with the Beluga Whale Monitoring Program. This study was developed for the Marine Terminal Redevelopment Project in Anchorage, and took place October 9 through November 20, 2007. Implementation of this program is one of the conditions of the permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for Phase II of the MTR Project, one of the projects under the port of Anchorage Intermodal Expansion Project. The Monitoring Program was developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration, and the Port of Anchorage in consultation with NOAA Fisheries. APU conducted beluga whale monitoring under contract with Integrated Concepts and Research Corporation, prime contractor for the MTR Project. The monitoring effort included data collection on the presence, habitat use, and behavior of the Cook Inlet beluga whales during in-water construction work.