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Rule2026-059762026-03-27

Marine Mammals; Incidental Take of Northern Sea Otters During Specified Activities; Seward, Sitka, and Kodiak, Alaska

Interior Department, Fish and Wildlife Service

Abstract

In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended, and its implementing regulations, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, finalize incidental take regulations that facilitate the authorization of nonlethal, incidental, unintentional take by harassment of small numbers of northern sea otters during marine construction and pile driving in Seward, Sitka, and Kodiak, Alaska. Incidental take of northern sea otters may result from in-water noise generated during pile driving and marine construction activities. This rule is effective for 5 years from the date of issuance.

Action & Dates

Action
Final rule.
Dates
Effective date: This rule is effective March 27, 2026 and remains effective through March 27, 2031.
Effective Date
2026-03-27

CFR References

Topics

Administrative practice and procedureAlaskaImportsIndiansMarine mammalsReporting and recordkeeping requirementsTransportation

Document Excerpt

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 50 CFR Part 18 [Docket No. FWS-R7-ES-2024-0195; FXES111607MRG01-267-FF07CAMM00] RIN 1018-BI08 AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended, and its implementing regulations, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, finalize incidental take regulations that facilitate the authorization of nonlethal, incidental, unintentional take by harassment of small numbers of northern sea otters during marine construction and pile driving in Seward, Sitka, and Kodiak, Alaska. Incidental take of northern sea otters may result from in-water noise generated during pile driving and marine construction activities. This rule is effective for 5 years from the date of issuance. DATES: Effective date: This rule is effective March 27, 2026 and remains effective through March 27, 2031. Information Collection Requirements: If you wish to comment on the information collection requirements in this proposed rule, please note that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is required to make a decision concerning the collection of information contained in this proposed rule between 30 and 60 days after publication of this rule in the Federal Register . Therefore, comments should be submitted to OMB by April 27, 2026. ADDRESSES: You may view this rule, the associated final environmental assessment and finding of no significant impact (FONSI), comments rece

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Related Documents

Other Federal Register documents from the same docket.

Full Document

Citation: 91 FR 14760