{"abstract":"NMFS, upon request from Hilcorp Alaska, LLC (Hilcorp), issues this final rule pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), to govern the taking of marine mammals incidental to specified activities conducted in support of oil and gas exploration, development, production, and decommissioning in Cook Inlet, Alaska, over the course of 5 years (2026-2031) and an associated letter of authorization (LOA). Together, the final rule and LOA allow for the incidental take of marine mammals during the described specified activities and timeframes, prescribes the permissible methods of taking and other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact on marine mammal species and their habitat, and establishes requirements pertaining to the monitoring and reporting of such taking.","action":"Final rule; notification of issuance of Letter of Authorization (LOA).","agencies":[{"raw_name":"DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE","name":"Commerce Department","id":54,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/commerce-department","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/54","parent_id":null,"slug":"commerce-department"},{"raw_name":"National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration","name":"National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration","id":361,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/national-oceanic-and-atmospheric-administration","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/361","parent_id":54,"slug":"national-oceanic-and-atmospheric-administration"}],"body_html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/full_text/html/2026/02/20/2026-03375.html","cfr_references":[{"chapter":null,"citation_url":null,"part":"217","title":50}],"citation":"91 FR 8123","comment_url":null,"comments_close_on":null,"correction_of":null,"corrections":[],"dates":"This final rule and the LOA are effective February 20, 2026, through February 19, 2031.","disposition_notes":null,"docket_ids":["Docket No. 260213-0047"],"dockets":[{"supporting_documents":[{"title":"Draft Environmental Assessment (pdf, 122 pages)","document_id":"NOAA-NMFS-2025-0052-0005"},{"title":"Updated Application (pdf, 259 pages) - March 2025","document_id":"NOAA-NMFS-2025-0052-0004"},{"title":"Application (pdf, 259 pages) - 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Alaska"},"comments_count":0,"agency_id":"NOAA","comments_url":"https://www.regulations.gov/docketBrowser?rpp=50&so=DESC&sb=postedDate&po=0&dct=PS&D=NOAA-NMFS-2025-0052","supporting_documents_count":4,"docket_id":"NOAA-NMFS-2025-0052","document_id":"NOAA-NMFS-2025-0052-0030","regulation_id_number":"0648-BN57","title":"Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Hilcorp Alaska, LLC Oil and Gas Activities in Cook Inlet, Alaska","checked_regulationsdotgov_at":"2026-02-21T18:55:03Z"},"regulations_dot_gov_url":null,"significant":false,"signing_date":null,"start_page":8123,"subtype":null,"title":"Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Hilcorp Alaska, LLC Oil and Gas Activities in Cook Inlet, Alaska","toc_doc":"Hilcorp Alaska, LLC Oil and Gas Activities in Cook Inlet, AK","toc_subject":"Taking or Importing of Marine Mammals","topics":["Administrative practice and 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