In response to a request under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended, from the City of and Borough of Sitka, Alaska, the Service proposes to authorize nonlethal incidental take by harassment of small numbers of the 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.
The proposed incidental harassment authorization and supporting documents are available for public review and comment at www.regulations.gov, docket number FWS-R7-ES-2024-0016. The public comment period is from May 7, 2024 to June 6, 2024. Once the public comment period closes, we will review all submitted comments prior to making a final determination.
Comments may be submitted electronically or by U.S. Mail:
Electronic submission: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments to Docket No. FWS-R7-ES-2024-0016.
U.S. mail: Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. FWS-R7-ES-2024-0016, Policy and Regulations Branch, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: PRB (JAO/3W), 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041–3803
All comments received on a proposed authorization during the comment period will be posted at http://www.regulations.gov. You may request that we withhold personal identifying information from public review; however, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
