Incidental Take Authorization: Berth III New Mooring Dolphins Project in Ketchikan, Alaska

NOAA Fisheries has received a request from the City of Ketchikan, Alaska for the reissuance of a previously issued incidental harassment authorization with the only change being effective dates. The initial IHA authorized take of nine species of marine mammals, by Level A and Level B harassment, incidental to construction associated with the Berth III New Mooring Dolphins Project in Ketchikan, AK. The project had been delayed by one year and NOAA Fisheries had reissued the IHA. The initial IHA was effective from October 1, 2021, through September 30, 2022. The first reissued IHA was effective from October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023. The City of Ketchikan has requested a subsequent reissuance of the IHA with new effective dates of October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024. The scope of the activities and anticipated effects remain the same, authorized take numbers are not changed, and the required mitigation, monitoring, and reporting remains the same as included in the initial IHA.

NOAA Fisheries has issued an IHA to the City of Ketchikan, Alaska to incidentally harass, by Level A and B harassment, marine mammals during construction activities associated with the Berth III New Mooring Dolphins Project in Ketchikan, AK.