Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to the Port of Alaska Modernization Program Phase 2B: Cargo Terminals Replacement Project in Anchorage, Alaska

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In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, and implementing regulations, notification is hereby given that a modified letter of authorization (LOA) has been issued to the Don Young Port of Alaska (POA), for the unintentional taking of marine mammals incidental to the Cargo Terminals Replacement (CTR) project at the existing port facility in Anchorage, Alaska over the course of 5 years (2026-2031). Specifically, NMFS has updated table 2 Shutdown and Harassment Zones for vibratory extraction of 42-inch (in), 48-in, and 72-in steel pipe piles. In doing so, NMFS determined that the anticipated impacts are the same as those described in the final rule, the modification does not change the findings made for the regulations, the modification does not result in any change in the authorized number of takes of marine mammals, and the requirements of the previous LOA were implemented. As required under the relevant Incidental Take Regulations, NMFS is publishing a notice of issuance of the modified LOA.