🐋Regulations for Marine Mammal Protection in Kingston Ferry Project
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Kingston Ferry Trestle Seismic Retrofit Project in Kingston, WA
Summary
NMFS has received a request from Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the Kingston Ferry Terminal Trestle Seismic Retrofit Project in Kingston, WA. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to incidentally take marine mammals during the specified activities. NMFS is also requesting comments on a possible one-time, 1-year renewal that could be issued under certain circumstances and if all requirements are met, as described in Request for Public Comments at the end of this notice. NMFS will consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the issuance of the requested MMPA authorization and agency responses will be summarized in the final notice of our decision.
Agencies
- Commerce Department
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Business Impact
$$$ - High
The regulation outlines compliance and regulatory requirements concerning incidental takes of marine mammals due to construction activities, which have implications for businesses involved in similar projects. It entails the need for business owners to adhere to specific environmental protections, monitoring, and reporting, particularly if they are engaged in infrastructure developments near marine ecosystems.