{"abstract":"We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, received a request under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 from SAExploration, Inc., to issue regulations facilitating the authorization of incidental, unintentional take of small numbers of polar bears during seismic exploration activities on the North Slope of Alaska. Take may result from three-dimensional seismic survey programs and associated activities occurring for a period of 5 years beginning July 1, 2026. If this rule is finalized, we may issue letters of authorization, upon request, for specific activities in accordance with the final rule for a period of up to 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 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/2026/05/18/2026-09885.html","cfr_references":[{"chapter":null,"citation_url":null,"part":"18","title":50}],"citation":"91 FR 28521","comment_url":"http://www.regulations.gov/commenton/FWS-R7-ES-2023-0086-0001","comments_close_on":"2026-06-17","correction_of":null,"corrections":[],"dates":"Comments on these proposed incidental take regulations and the accompanying draft environmental assessment will be accepted on or before June 17, 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-2023-0086","FXES111607MRG01-267-FF07CAMM00"],"dockets":[{"supporting_documents":[{"title":"SAE25_ITR Petition","document_id":"FWS-R7-ES-2023-0086-0006"},{"title":"SAE25_100-word summary","document_id":"FWS-R7-ES-2023-0086-0005"},{"title":"SAE25_Draft EA","document_id":"FWS-R7-ES-2023-0086-0004"},{"title":"SAE25_Supplemental Information","document_id":"FWS-R7-ES-2023-0086-0003"},{"title":"SAE25_Literature 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Inc.","toc_subject":"Taking or Importing of Marine Mammals","topics":["Administrative practice and procedure","Alaska","Imports","Indians","Marine mammals","Oil and gas exploration","Reporting and recordkeeping requirements","Transportation"],"type":"Proposed Rule","volume":91}