Incidental Take Authorization: U.S. Navy's Construction Activities at the Q8 Bulkhead at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia

NOAA Fisheries published a final rule on October 9, 2024 for the taking of marine mammals incidental to the Q8 bulkhead repair and replacement project at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia over the course of 5 years (i.e., 2025-2029). The Navy has requested the effective date of the rule be modified from January 1, 2025 to August 4, 2025 and modify the expiration date from December 31, 2029 to August 3, 2030.

NOAA Fisheries, upon request from the U.S. Navy, hereby issues regulations to govern the unintentional taking of marine mammals incidental to the Q8 Bulkhead repair and replacement project at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia over the course of 5 years (i.e., 2025-2029). These regulations, which allow for the issuance of a Letter of Authorization for the incidental take of marine mammals during the described activities and specified timeframes, prescribe the permissible methods of taking and other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammal species or stocks and their habitat, as well as requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking.