🎣Alaska Sportfishing Economic Survey
The Department of Commerce, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is collecting public comments on the Alaska Saltwater Sportfishing Economic Survey. This information aims to assess the economic impact of marine recreational fishing and inform regulatory decisions affecting fisheries management in Alaska, focusing on charter fishing services.
Learn More🌊Proposed Regulations for Whittier Harbor Rebuild and Business Impact
NMFS has received a request from the City of Whittier for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the Whittier Harbor Rebuild Phase III Project in Whittier, Alaska. 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.
Learn More🌊Proposed Incidental Harassment Authorizations for Alaska Projects
NMFS has received a request from the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the Prince William Sound Ferry Terminal Improvement Projects (PWS Projects) in Cordova, Chenega, and Tatitlek, Alaska. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to issue three incidental harassment authorizations (IHAs) to incidentally take marine mammals during the specified activities associated with each of the three projects. NMFS is also requesting comments on possible one-time, 1-year renewals 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 authorizations and agency responses will be summarized in the final notice of our decision.
Learn More⛴️Coast Guard Issues Bulk Fuel Exemption Permit for Alaska
Commander, Seventeenth Coast Guard District, has issued a permit exempting two vessels from requirements in the Code of Federal Regulations when transporting cargo, including bulk fuel, within Alaska. Permits temporarily waive vessel inspection requirements to facilitate the movement of cargo, including bulk fuel, to remote Alaskan sites when inspected cargo vessels are not reasonably available. Sundog Charters Inc., the operator of M/V SUPPLIER (O.N. 1205481) and M/V TRANSPORTER (O.N. 1321256), received a single permit allowing one of the vessels to conduct on-going bulk fuel deliveries of up to a total of 8,000 gallons of heating oil, diesel, gasoline and aviation gasoline carried in approved portable tanks on deck, between Kodiak and remote sites around the island. The permit expires on 06 March 2026. This notification of issuance of a permit promotes the Coast Guard's marine safety mission and the flow of essential cargo to remote sites.
Learn More🎣Amendment 125 Enhances Small Boat Access to Pacific Cod in Alaska
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) submitted amendment 125 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI FMP) to the Secretary of Commerce for review. If approved, amendment 125 would modify the BSAI Pacific cod jig sector to allow catch from catcher vessels (CV) using hook-and-line or pot gear that are less than or equal to 55 feet (ft) (16.8 meters (m)) length overall (LOA) harvesting Pacific cod in the BSAI during the jig gear A season to accrue to the jig sector allocation. Amendment 125 would promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), BSAI FMP, and other applicable laws.
Learn More🐟Clarification on Cost Recovery for Alaska Fisheries Regulations
NMFS is clarifying the cost recovery process timing from the final rule implementing amendment 122 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI). Amendment 122 established the Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative Program (PCTC Program or Program) to allocate Pacific cod harvest quota to qualifying groundfish License Limitation Program (LLP) license holders and qualifying processors. In this correction, NMFS is clarifying the timing of the cost recovery fee schedule for the existing cost recovery requirements for participants. NMFS is also correcting an out-of-date cross reference.
Learn More🛢️Proposed Rescission of Alaska Oil Regulation and Its Implications
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing to rescind the "Management and Protection of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska" final rule, issued on May 7, 2024. We solicit comment on all aspects of this proposed rule.
Learn More🐋Permit Amendment for Marine Mammal Research - Business Impact Analysis
Notice is hereby given that a major amendment to Permit No. 24378-01 has been issued to the University of Alaska Southeast, 1332 Seward Ave, Sitka, AK 99835 (Responsible Party: Jan Straley).
Learn More🌄Land Conveyance Decision
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) hereby provides constructive notice that it will issue an appealable decision approving conveyance of the surface and subsurface estates in certain lands to NANA Regional Corporation, Inc., an Alaska Native regional corporation, pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971 (ANCSA).
Learn More✈️FAA Revokes Jet Route J-606 and Establishes RNAV Route Q-182
This action revokes Jet Route J-606 and establishes United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Route Q-182 in Alaska. The FAA is taking this action due to the pending decommissioning of the Chinook, AK, Nondirectional Radio Beacon (NDB).
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