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National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Regional Office

Cook Inlet Beluga Whales

Regulations, Rules and Notices Related to Cook Inlet Belugas

beluga in mud flats
Beluga in Cook Inlet mud flats.
Photo: Chris Garner, U.S. Army, Ft. Richardson.

2013
  • 78 FR 12720, February 25, 2013. Notice that NMFS has issued an Incidental Harassment Authorization to the Apache Alaska Corporation to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to a proposed 3D seismic survey in Cook Inlet, Alaska, between March 2013 and March 2014. Effective March 1, 2013 to March 1, 2014.

2012
  • 77 FR 73434, December 10, 2012. Notice that NMFS has received an application from Apache Alaska Corporation (Apache) for an Incidental Harassment Authorization to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to a proposed 3D seismic survey in Cook Inlet, Alaska, between January 2013 and January 2014. Comment period through January 9, 2013.
  • 77 FR 65060, October 24, 2012. NMFS has issued an Incidental Harassment Authorization to ION Geophysical to take, by harassment, small numbers of nine species of marine mammals incidental to in-ice marine seismic surveys in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas, Alaska, during the fall and winter of 2012. Effective October 17, 2011, through December 15, 2012.
  • 77 FR 32928, June 05, 2012. Notice of a proposed new information collection to conduct a survey to collect data for estimating nonconsumptive economic benefits associated with changes in extinction risk resulting from protection actions for the Cook Inlet beluga whale. Comment period through July 2, 2012.
  • 77 FR 27720, May 11, 2012. Notice that NMFS has issued an Incidental Harassment Authorization to the Apache Alaska Corporation to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to a proposed 3D seismic survey in Cook Inlet, Alaska, between April 2012 and April 2013. Effective April 30, 2012, to April 30, 2013.
  • 77 FR 27322, 05/09/2012. Notice that NMFS has issued an Incidental Harassment Authorization to Shell Gulf of Mexico Inc. to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to offshore exploration drilling on Outer Continental Shelf leases in the Chukchi Sea, Alaska. Effective July 1, 2012, through October 31, 2012.
  • 77 FR 27284, 05/09/2012. Notice that NMFS has issued an Incidental Harassment Authorization to Shell Offshore Inc. to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to offshore exploration drilling on Outer Continental Shelf leases in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska. Effective July 1, 2012, through October 31, 2012.
  • 77 FR 6065, February 7, 2012. Notice of a proposed information collection to collect data for measuring the economic benefits the public receives for providing additional protection, beyond current levels, to the Cook Inlet beluga whale. Comment period through April 9, 2012.

2011
  • 76 FR 58473, September 21, 2011. Notice of an application from Apache Alaska Corporation for an Incidental Harassment Authorization to take marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to a proposed 3D seismic survey in Cook Inlet, Alaska, between November 2011 and November 2012. Comment period through October 21, 2011.
  • 76 FR 39386, July 6, 2011. Notice that NMFS has issued a Letter of Authorization to the Port of Anchorage and the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration, to take four species of marine mammals incidental to the POA's Marine Terminal Redevelopment Project. Effective July 15, 2011, through July 14, 2012.
  • 76 FR 39706, July 6, 2011. Notice of a request from BP Exploration Inc. for authorization for the take of marine mammals incidental to operation of offshore oil and gas facilities in the U.S. Beaufort Sea, Alaska, for the period 2011–2016. Comment period through August 5, 2011.
  • 76 FR 20180, April 11, 2011 . Final rule to designate critical habitat for the Cook Inlet beluga whale distinct population segment under the Endangered Species Act. Two areas are designated, comprising 7,800 square kilometers (3,013 square miles) of marine habitat. Effective May 11, 2011.

2010
  • 75 FR 76703, December 9, 2010. Notice that ABR, Inc. Environmental Research and Services, Fairbanks, AK, has applied for a permit to conduct research on marine mammals. Comment period through January 10, 2011.
  • 75 FR 54599, September 8, 2010. Notice of a request from the Knik Arm Bridge Toll Authority, in coordination with the Department of Transportation Federal Highways Administration, for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to construction of a bridge across Knik Arm, named the Knik Arm Crossing, Alaska, over the course of five construction seasons; approximately spring 2013 through autumn 2017. Comment period through October 8, 2010.
  • 75 FR 49710, August 13, 2010. Notice of an issuance of an IHA to Shell Offshore Inc. to take, by harassment, small numbers of 8 species of marine mammals incidental to a marine survey program in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas, Alaska. Effective August 6 through November 30, 2010.
  • 75 FR 38465, July 2, 2010. Notice that NMFS has issued a Letter of Authorization to the Port of Anchorage and the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration, to take four species of marine mammals incidental to the Marine Terminal Redevelopment Project. Effective July 15, 2010, through July 14, 2011.
  • 75 FR 4528, January 28, 2010. Notice of intent to prepare a recovery plan for the Cook Inlet beluga whale. All comments and information must be received by 5 p.m. Alaska time, March 29, 2010.
  • 75 FR 3191, January 20, 2010. Notice of public hearings on the proposal to designate critical habitat for the endangered Cook Inlet beluga whale. Hearings will be held in Anchorage, Wasilla, Soldotna and Homer.
  • 75 FR 1582, January 12, 2010. Notice of a comment period extension for the proposed rule to designate critical habitat for the endangered Cook Inlet beluga whale. Comment period extended to March 3, 2010.

2009
  • 74 FR 69062, December 30, 2009. Notice of proposed information collection for a pilot survey to test a survey instrument that will be used to collect data for future analysis of public attitudes and preferences related to additional protection of Cook Inlet beluga whales. Comment period through March 1, 2010.
  • 74 FR 63080, December 2, 2009. Proposal to designate critical habitat for the Cook Inlet beluga whale under the Endangered Species Act. Two areas are proposed, comprising 7,809 square kilometers (3,016 square miles) of marine habitat. Comments and information regarding this proposed rule must be received by close of business on February 1, 2010. Requests for public hearings must be made in writing and received by January 19, 2010.
  • 74 FR 55539, October 28, 2009. Notice of NMFS and Minerals Management Service's withdrawl of their intent to prepare a Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement on proposed geophysical exploration using seismic surveys in the waters of the Chukchi and Beaufort seas. Effective October 28, 2009.
  • 74 FR 55368, October 27, 2009. Notice of issuance of an Incidental Harassment Authorization to Shell Offshore Inc. and Shell Gulf of Mexico Inc. in the Chukchi Sea, Alaska. Effective August 19, 2009, through August 18, 2010.
  • 74 FR 47925, September 18, 2009. Notice of issuance of a Letter of Authorization to the Port of Anchorage and the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration, to take four species of marine mammals incidental to the POA’s Marine Terminal Redevelopment Project. Effective July 15, 2009, through July 14, 2010.
  • 74 FR 35136, July 20, 2009. Final Rule to issue regulations to govern the unintentional taking of marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to Phase II of the POA’s Marine Terminal Redevelopment Project for the period July 2009 through July 2014. Effective July 15, 2009.
  • 74 FR 31011, June 29, 2009. Notice is hereby given that NMFS has issued a letter of authorization to BP Exploration, Inc. to take marine mammals incidental to the production of offshore oil and gas at the Northstar development in the Beaufort Sea off Alaska. Authorization is effective from July 7, 2009, through July 6, 2010.
  • 74 FR 27020, June 5, 2009. Notice of permit and permit amendment for LGL Alaska Research Associates (File No. 14210), and the National Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMML), Alaska Fisheries Science Center to conduct research on the Cook Inlet stock of beluga.
  • 74 FR 18492, April 23, 2009. Notice of receipt of an application from the Port of Anchorage and the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration for issuance of regulations governing the take of small numbers of marine mammals incidental to the Port’s Marine Terminal Redevelopment Project, Anchorage, Alaska. Construction activities which have the potential to harass marine mammals include in-water pile driving and demolition of the existing dock. Comments and information must be postmarked no later than May 26, 2009.
  • 74 FR 17131, April 14, 2009. Advance notice of proposed rulemaking to identify issues for consideration and evaluation when NMFS designates critical habitat for the endangered Cook Inlet beluga whale. Comments and information regarding the suggested designation process and areas being considered for designation may be sent to NMFS by May 14, 2009.
  • 74 FR 12840, March 25, 2009. Notice is hereby given that the Knik Arm Bridge Toll Authority has withdrawn its application for regulations and subsequent Letters of Authorization regarding the harassment of marine mammals incidental to construction of the Knik Arm Crossing.
  • 74 FR 6578, February 10, 2009. Notice of receipt of application and an application for amendment from LGL Alaska Research Associates, and the National Marine Mammal Laboratory for a permit and a permit amendment to conduct research on the Cook Inlet stock of beluga whales. Comment period through March 12, 2009.
  • 74 FR 3558, January 21, 2009. Notice of proposed information collection under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act. Native Americans conducting aboriginal subsistence whaling in accordance with the provisions of the International Whaling Commission must submit information about strikes on and catch of whales. Anyone retrieving a dead whale is also required to report. Comment period through February 20, 2009.

2008
  • 73 FR 77623, December 19, 2008. Notice of receipt of an application from CGGVeritas for an Incidental Harassment Authorization to take small numbers of marine mammals, by Level B harassment, incidental to conducting an on-ice marine geophysical research and seismic survey in the U.S. Beaufort Sea. Comment period through January 20, 2009.
  • 73 FR 77013, December 18, 2008. Notice of a request from the Port of Anchorage and the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration for authorization to take marine mammals incidental to the Port’s Marine Terminal Redevelopment Project for the period of July 2009 through July 2014. Comment period through January 20, 2009.
  • 73 FR 66106, November 6, 2008. Notice of issuance of an IHA to take small numbers of marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to conducting a marine geophysical program, including deep seismic surveys, on oil and gas lease blocks located on Outer Continental Shelf waters in the mid- and eastern-Beaufort Sea and in the Northern Chukchi Sea has been issued to Shell Offshore, Inc. and WesternGeco. Effective from August 19, 2008 through August 18, 2009.
  • 73 FR 62919, October 22, 2008. Final determination to list a Distinct Population Segment of the beluga whale, Delphinapterus leucas, found in Cook Inlet, Alaska, as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.
  • 73 FR 62961, October 22, 2008. Notice of Availability of the final conservation plan for the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended.
  • 73 FR 60976, October 15, 2008. Final regulations establishing long-term limits on the maximum number of Cook Inlet beluga whales that may be taken by Alaska Natives for subsistence and handicraft purposes. Effective November 14, 2008.
  • 73 FR 41318, July 18, 2009. Notice of issuance of an IHA to the Port of Anchorage and the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration, to take small numbers of marine mammals, by Level B harassment, incidental to the first year of construction of its Marine Terminal Redevelopment Project at the Port, Anchorage, Alaska. Effective from July 15, 2008 – July 14, 2009.
  • 73 FR 35133, June 20, 2008. Notice of Availability for the Final Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Subsistence Harvest Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. Wait period ends July 21, 2008.
  • 73 FR 21578, April 22, 2008. NMFS extends the date for the final determination to list the beluga whales located in Cook Inlet, Alaska as endangered. A final determination will be made no later than October 20, 2008.
  • 73 FR 14443, March 18, 2008. Notice of proposed IHA and receipt of application from the Port of Anchorage to take small numbers of marine mammals by Level B harassment. Comment period through April 17, 2008.
  • 73 FR 14237, March 17, 2008. Notice of scoping meetings and Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Overseas Environmental Impact Statement for Navy training activities in the Gulf of Alaska. The Navy will invite the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service to be cooperating agencies in preparation of this EIS/OEIS.
  • 73 FR 13894, March 14, 2008. Availability of EPA comments on the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Subsistence Harvest Project.
  • 73 FR 2903, January 16, 2008. Notice of public hearings on the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Subsistence Harvest Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement.
  • 73 FR 2027, January 11, 2008. Correction to comment period date for 72 FR 73798, December 28, 2007. Comment period is from February 11, 2008 through March 4, 2008.

2007
  • 72 FR 73798, December 28, 2007. Notice of Availability of Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Subsistence Harvest Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS).
  • 72 FR 37697, July 11, 2007. Notice of public hearing to be held on July 27, 2007, from 6 to 9 p.m. in Soldotna, AK. Written comments must be received by August 3, 2007.
  • 72 FR 34661, June 25, 2007. Notice of a public hearing to be held in Silver Spring, Maryland on July 31, 2007, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Written comments must be received by August 3, 2007.
  • 72 FR 32605, June 13, 2007. Notice of public hearings on the proposed listing of the Cook Inlet beluga whale as an endangered species. Hearings to be held on July 19, 2007, in Homer and on July 20, 2007, in Anchorage, AK. Written comments must be received by August 3, 2007.
  • 72 FR 30534, June 1, 2007. Extension of public comment period and notice of public hearings on proposed Endangered Species Act listing of Cook Inlet beluga whales. The deadline for comments on the April 20, 2007 (72 FR 19854) proposed rule is extended from June 19, 2007, to August 3, 2007.
  • 72 FR 19854, April 20, 2007. Proposed endangered status for the Cook Inlet beluga whale. Public comment period through June 19, 2007.
  • 72 FR 536, January 5, 2007. Notice of proposed authorizations for two incidental take authorizations; request for comments by February 5, 2007.

2006
  • 71 FR 61022, October 17, 2006. Notice of revision to species of concern list, candidate species definition, and species considered as candidates. Cook Inlet beluga whale added as a candidate species. Effective October 17, 2006.
  • 71 FR 49433, August 23, 2006. NMFS has received a request from the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority (KABATA) for an authorization to take small numbers of marine mammals, by harassment, incidental to construction of the Knik Arm Bridge at the Knik Arm Crossing in Alaska during the period 2007 through 2012.
  • 71 FR 44614, August 7, 2006. Notice of a 90–day petition to list the Cook Inlet beluga whale as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act.
  • 71 FR 25150, April 28, 2006. Notice of reopening of the time period for submitting information for the status review of Cook Inlet Beluga Whales. Comment period through May 30, 2006.
  • 71 FR 15697, March 29, 2006. Notice of Intent to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), for the Subsistence Harvest Management of Cook Inlet, Alaska, Beluga Whales by Alaska Natives.
  • 71 FR 14836, March 24, 2006. Notice of request for information regarding the review status of the Cook Inlet beluga whale to determine if this group of beluga whales should be listed as an endangered or threatened species. Comment period through April 24, 2006.
  • 71 FR 8268, February 16, 2006. Notice of Availability of the Administrative Law Judge's decision on long term Cook Inlet beluga harvest regulations. The decision is available for public review, and NMFS solicits comments on his recommendations. Comments must be received by March 8, 2006.

2005
  • 70 FR 36118, June 22, 2005. Proposed Information Collection - Report of Whaling Operations. Comment period through August 22, 2005.
  • 70 FR 30697, May 27, 2005. Notice of comment period reopening for the Draft Conservation Plan for Cook Inlet Beluga Whales. Comment period through June 27, 2005.
  • 70 FR 12853, March 16, 2005. Notice of Draft Conservation Plan for the Cook Inlet Stock of Beluga Whales.

2004

2003
  • 68 FR 55604, September 26, 2003. Notice of Availability of Subsistence Harvest Management of Cook Inlet Beluga Whales Final Environmental Impact Statement, July 2003. Wait period through October 27, 2003.

2002
2000
  • 65 FR 59834, October 6, 2000. Notice of Availability of Cook Inlet Beluga Whale Stock Draft EIS
  • 65 FR 59164, October 4, 2000. Proposed regulations under the MMPA to limit the harvest and use of CI beluga whales.
  • FR 65 38778, June 22, 2000. NMFS determines that listing the Cook Inlet stock of beluga whales under the ESA is not warranted at this time. Effective June 22, 2000.
  • FR 65 34590, May 31, 2000. Designation of the Cook Inlet stock of beluga whales as depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). Effective June 30, 2000.

1999
  • FR 64 66901, November 30, 1999. Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on Federal activities necessary to halt the observed decline and promote recovery of the Cook Inlet, Alaska, stock of beluga whale.
  • FR 64 56298, October 19, 1999. Proposed rule to designate the Cook Inlet, Alaska, stock of beluga whale as depleted.
  • FR 64 53269, October 1, 1999. Proposed rule on the marking and reporting of beluga whales harvested in Cook Inlet, Alaska.
  • FR 64 37690, July 13, 1999. Cook Inlet beluga whale harvest reporting requirements and notice of Public Hearing.
  • 64 FR 3346, June 23, 1999. NMFS identifies Cook Inlet beluga whale as a candidate for possible addition to the List of Endangered and Threatened Species.
  • FR 64 27295, May 24, 1999. Cook Inlet beluga whale harvest reporting requirements Interim Rule.
  • FR 64 17347, April 9, 1999. Notice of receipt of petitions to list the Cook Inlet population of beluga whales under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and one petition to designate the population as depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).

1998
1988
  • 53 FR 33516, August 31, 1988. NMFS identifies vertebrate and invertebrate marine species as candidates for additions to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants.


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