Notice is hereby given that ABR, Inc. Environmental Research and Services, P.O. Box 80410, Fairbanks, AK 99708 (Responsible Party: Adrian Gall, Ph.D.), has applied in due form f...
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION:
Notice; receipt of application.
SUMMARY:
Notice is hereby given that ABR, Inc. Environmental Research and Services, P.O. Box 80410, Fairbanks, AK 99708 (Responsible Party: Adrian Gall, Ph.D.), has applied in due form for a permit to conduct research on 4 pinniped species and 10 cetacean species.
DATES:
Written comments must be received on or before August 26, 2026.
ADDRESSES:
The application and related documents are available for review upon written request via email to
NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov.
Written comments on this application should be submitted via email to
NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov.
Please include File No. 29716 in the subject line of the email comment.
Those individuals requesting a public hearing should submit a written request via email to
NMFS.Pr1Comments@noaa.gov.
The request should set forth the specific reasons why a hearing on this application would be appropriate.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Amy Hapeman or Sara Young, (301) 427-8401.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The subject permit is requested under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA; 16 U.S.C. 1361et seq.), the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine mammals (50 CFR part 216), the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531et seq.), the regulations governing the taking, importing, and exporting of endangered and threatened species (50 CFR parts 222-226), and the Fur Seal Act of 1966, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1151et seq.).
The applicant proposes to evaluate the seasonal and annual distribution and abundance of marine mammals in the vicinity of a proposed barge site in the Tuxedni Bay and Tuxedni Channel, western Cook Inlet, Alaska. Target species include: endangered beluga (
Delphinapterus leucas,
Cook Inlet distinct population segment [DPS]); endangered fin (
Balaenoptera physalus); endangered North Pacific right (
Eubalaena japonica); gray (
Eschrichtius robustus,
including the endangered Western North Pacific stock); humpback (
Megaptera novaeangliae,
Hawaii, endangered Western North Pacific, and threatened Mexico DPSs), killer (
Orcinus orca), and minke (
B. acutorostrata) whales; Pacific white-sided dolphins (
Lagenorhynchus obliquidens); harbor (
Phocoena phocoena) and Dall's (
Phocoenoides dalli) porpoise; harbor (
Phoca vitulina) and Northern fur (
Callorhinus ursinus) seals; and California (
Zalophus californianus) and Steller (
Eumetopias jubatus,
endangered Western DPS) sea lions. Researchers would conduct vessel and aerial surveys (crewed and uncrewed) of marine mammals of all life stages for counts, photography/videography, and observations. See the application for numbers of animals requested by species. The permit is requested for 5 years and 3 months.
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321et seq.), an initial determination has been made that the activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.
Concurrent with the publication of this notice in the
Federal Register
, NMFS is forwarding copies of the application to the Marine Mammal Commission and its Committee of Scientific Advisors.
Dated: July 22, 2026.
Larissa Plants,
Acting Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.