Marine Mammals; Incidental Take During Specified Activities; Proposed Incidental Harassment Authorization for Southeast Alaska Stock of Northern Sea Otters in Juneau, Alaska

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), propose to authorize incidental take by harassment of small numbers of northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) from the Southeast Alaska stock for a period of up to 1 year from the date of issuance. We are responding to a request submitted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended, by Turnagain Marine Construction. The applicant has requested this authorization for take by harassment that may result from activities associated with pile driving and marine construction within Stephens Passage in Juneau, Alaska. This proposed authorization, if finalized, would be for incidental take by Level A harassment and Level B harassment of northern sea otters from the Southeast Alaska stock. We invite comments on the proposed incidental harassment authorization and the accompanying draft environmental assessment from the public, Tribes, and local, State, and Federal agencies.