National Marine Fisheries Service Authorizes Maine Department of Transportation to Harass Marine Mammals During Construction Project

The National Marine Fisheries Service announced that it has issued an incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) which will allow the state agency to harass seven species of marine mammals during a bridge replacement project in Blue Hill, Maine. The IHA authorizes MDOT to incidentally, but not intentionally, harass Atlantic white-sided dolphins, common dolphins, harp seals, hooded seals, harbor porpoises, harbor seals, and gray seals between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023 during the bridge construction project.