Issuance of Incidental Harassment Authorization for West Harrison Bay Seismic Surveys and Ice Road and Ice Trail Construction in the Artic.

On July XX, 2024, NMFS received the initial application from Narwhal requesting authorizations for take of small numbers of marine mammals incidental to construction activities related to seismic surveys and ice roads and ice trails construction in West Harrison Bay, Alaska. NMFS provided questions and comments to Narwhal after receiving the initial application regarding several aspects of the project. Narwhal submitted a modified request on July XX, 2024, which NMFS deemed adequate and complete on August XX, 2024. Narwhal is proposing to conduct high-resolution 3D seismic surveys at the four potential drilling sites and construct ice roads and trails to connect and allow access between the proposed drilling sites. These ice roads and trails will be constructed during ice-covered season to facilitate the transportation of drilling equipment to the potential drilling sites. Additional explanations about the applicant’s activities is explained in Chapter 2 and is also described in the notice of the proposed rule under “Summary of Requests” and “Description of Specified Activities”.