NOAA renews marine mammal harassment authorization for HEX gas work in Cook Inlet
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
NOAA allows HEX Operating to continue limited incidental harassment of marine mammals during natural gas activities in Cook Inlet, Alaska. The authorization runs from September 13, 2026, through September 12, 2027, and covers harassment only, not intentional harm or killing. HEX must follow NOAA’s conditions designed to reduce impacts on protected species and avoid serious effects on subsistence uses. The notice mainly matters to the company, marine contractors, Alaska communities that rely on marine resources, and environmental compliance teams tracking offshore energy work.
AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.
Key Changes
- Renews HEX Operating’s incidental harassment authorization for natural gas activities in Cook Inlet, Alaska
- Sets the renewed authorization period from September 13, 2026, to September 12, 2027
- Requires compliance with NOAA conditions meant to limit impacts on marine mammals and subsistence uses
Obligations
What this law requires
HEX Operating, LLC may only incidentally harass marine mammals in connection with its specified natural gas activities in Cook Inlet, Alaska under the NMFS renewal incidental harassment authorization; intentional taking is not authorized.
HEX Operating, LLC must limit any authorized marine mammal take to harassment only; the authorization does not permit serious injury, killing, or other intentional harm to marine mammals.
HEX Operating, LLC must comply with NMFS conditions attached to the renewal incidental harassment authorization for Cook Inlet natural gas activities, including measures intended to reduce impacts on protected marine mammals and avoid serious effects on subsistence uses.