Biological Opinion National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Protected Resources, Permits and Conservation Division Skagway Ore Terminal Redevelopment Project, Skagway, Alaska

This opinion considers the effects of pile driving activities, including vibratory and impact pile driving, and vessel transit of materials and construction barges through habitat occupied by ESA-listed marine mammals. 

These actions have the potential to affect the endangered blue whale, endangered fin whale, endangered sei whale, threatened Mexico distinct population segment (DPS) humpback whale, endangered Western North Pacific (WNP) DPS humpback whale, endangered North Pacific right whale, endangered sperm whale, endangered Southern Resident DPS killer whale, endangered Cook Inlet beluga whale, endangered Western DPS Steller sea lion, Steller sea lion critical habitat, Cook Inlet beluga whale critical habitat, Southern Resident DPS killer whale critical habitat, Mexico DPS humpback whale critical habitat, and WNP DPS humpback whale critical habitat. There is no critical habitat for North Pacific right whales in the action area.

This opinion is based on information provided in the IHA application, the proposed IHA (88 FR 23627, April 18, 2023), and the Biological Assessment with addendums. Other sources of information include consultation communications (emails and virtual meetings), recent consultations completed in the region, and previous monitoring reports. A complete record of this consultation is on file at NMFS’s Anchorage, Alaska office.