Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to U.S. Coast Guard Fast Response Cutter Homeporting in Sitka, Alaska

NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) to modify an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) that was issued to the USCG on December 20, 2024, and effective from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2027, to take small numbers of nine species of marine mammals, by Level A and Level B harassment, incidental to the construction activities associated with fast response cutter (FRC) homeporting in Sitka, Alaska. Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposal to modify the IHA. This modification includes changes to the duration, project design, and take estimates. NMFS will consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the issuance of the requested modification of the MMPA authorization and agency responses will be summarized in the final notice of our decision.