{"abstract":"We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, received a request under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 from the Alaska Oil and Gas Association to issue regulations facilitating the authorization of incidental, unintentional take of small numbers of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) and Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) during year-round oil and gas industry activities in the Beaufort Sea (Alaska and the Outer Continental Shelf) and adjacent northern coast of Alaska. Take may result from oil and gas exploration, development, production, and transportation activities occurring for a period of 5 years. Oil and gas industry operations include similar types of activities covered by the previous 5-year Beaufort Sea incidental take regulations effective from August 5, 2021, through August 5, 2026. If this rule is finalized, we may issue letters of authorization, upon request, for specific proposed activities in accordance with this proposed regulation. We are proposing that this rule, if finalized, will be for 5 years. We intend that any final action resulting from this proposed rule will be as accurate and effective as possible. Therefore, we request comments or suggestions on these proposed regulations and the accompanying draft environmental assessment from the public, Tribes, and local, State, and Federal agencies.","action":"Proposed rule; notice of availability of draft environmental assessment; and request for comments.","agencies":[{"raw_name":"DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR","name":"Interior Department","id":253,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/interior-department","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/253","parent_id":null,"slug":"interior-department"},{"raw_name":"Fish and Wildlife Service","name":"Fish and Wildlife Service","id":197,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/fish-and-wildlife-service","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/197","parent_id":253,"slug":"fish-and-wildlife-service"}],"body_html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/full_text/html/2026/03/09/2026-04558.html","cfr_references":[{"chapter":null,"citation_url":null,"part":"18","title":50}],"citation":"91 FR 11240","comment_url":null,"comments_close_on":"2026-04-08","correction_of":null,"corrections":[],"dates":"Comments will be accepted on or before April 8, 2026. Comments submitted electronically using the Federal eRulemaking Portal (see ADDRESSES, below) must be received by 11:59 p.m. eastern time on the closing date.","disposition_notes":null,"docket_ids":["Docket No. FWS-R7-ES-2026-0694","FXES111607MRG01-267-FF07CAMM00"],"dockets":[{"supporting_documents":[{"title":"FWS Case Studies Table March 2026","document_id":"FWS-R7-ES-2026-0694-0829"},{"title":"Supplemental Information-Case Study Updates","document_id":"FWS-R7-ES-2026-0694-0828"},{"title":"2025-09-30_Final AOGA ITR Petition","document_id":"FWS-R7-ES-2026-0694-0007"},{"title":"AOGA Proposed ITR Draft EA","document_id":"FWS-R7-ES-2026-0694-0006"},{"title":"AOGA Proposed ITR Supplemental Information","document_id":"FWS-R7-ES-2026-0694-0005"},{"title":"AOGA Proposed Rule 100-word summary","document_id":"FWS-R7-ES-2026-0694-0004"},{"title":"AOGA ITR 2026 Literature Cited","document_id":"FWS-R7-ES-2026-0694-0003"},{"title":"Link to Model 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