NOAAFinal Rule
Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities: Alaska LNG Project in Cook Inlet
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Summary
This regulation allows the Alaska LNG Project to proceed in Cook Inlet while establishing rules to minimize harm to marine mammals like whales and sea otters during construction and operations. The federal government is permitting some unavoidable animal deaths and injuries as a tradeoff for the natural gas development project, but requires the company to monitor impacts and take steps to reduce them.
Key Points
- 1The Alaska LNG Project can move forward in Cook Inlet, but must follow strict rules to protect marine mammals during construction and operation
- 2The regulation allows some marine mammals to be injured or killed during project activities, but sets limits on how many deaths are acceptable
- 3The company must monitor wildlife impacts, use protective equipment like acoustic deterrents to warn animals away, and report findings to federal regulators
- 4This affects Cook Inlet residents and communities that depend on fishing, as well as endangered beluga whales and other marine life in the area
- 5The regulation requires ongoing environmental checks to ensure marine mammals aren't harmed more than predicted, with potential project changes if impacts exceed limits
Key Dates
Published
December 11, 2025
This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.
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