Interior Department, Fish and Wildlife Service
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in response to a request under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended, from the City and Borough of Sitka, Alaska, propose to authorize nonlethal, incidental take by harassment of small numbers of Southeast Alaska stock of northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025. The applicant requested this authorization for take by harassment that may result from activities associated with construction of a seaplane base in Sitka Channel, Sitka, Alaska. We estimate that this project may result in the nonlethal, incidental take by harassment of up to 36 sea otters from the Southeast Alaska stock. This proposed authorization, if finalized, will be for up to 36 takes of sea otters by Level B harassment only. No take by injury or mortality is requested, expected, or proposed to be authorized.
Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service [Docket No. FWS-R7-ES-2024-0016; FXES111607MRG01-245-FF07CAMM00] AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of receipt of application; proposed incidental harassment authorization; draft environmental assessment; request for comments. SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in response to a request under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended, from the City and Borough of Sitka, Alaska, propose to authorize nonlethal, incidental take by harassment of small numbers of Southeast Alaska stock of northern sea otters ( Enhydra lutris kenyoni ) between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025. The applicant requested this authorization for take by harassment that may result from activities associated with construction of a seaplane base in Sitka Channel, Sitka, Alaska. We estimate that this project may result in the nonlethal, incidental take by harassment of up to 36 sea otters from the Southeast Alaska stock. This proposed authorization, if finalized, will be for up to 36 takes of sea otters by Level B harassment only. No take by injury or mortality is requested, expected, or proposed to be authorized. DATES: Comments on this proposed incidental harassment authorization and the accompanying draft environmental assessment must be received by June 6, 2024. ADDRESSES: Document availability: You may view this proposed incidental harassment authorization, the application package, supporting information,…
Citation: 89 FR 38167
