The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to the Maine Department of Transportation (ME DOT) for the Lubec Harbor project.
The authorization allows for the incidental harassment of six marine mammal species during construction activities, including the installation of a boat launch and breakwater structure in Johnson Bay, Lubec.
Construction activities, such as pile driving and drilling, are expected to cause Level B harassment (behavioral disturbance) and Level A harassment (auditory injury) to marine mammals.
The project aims to provide safer harbor facilities for mariners and townspeople by constructing a sheltered area for boat launching and mooring.
The IHA is effective from April 10, 2025, to April 9, 2026, covering an estimated 234 days of construction activities.
Mitigation measures include the use of bubble curtains to reduce noise, designated shutdown zones to prevent Level A harassment, and monitoring by Protected Species Observers (PSOs).
The project is expected to have negligible impact on marine mammal populations, with no serious injury or mortality anticipated.
Local marine species affected include minke whales, Atlantic white-sided dolphins, common dolphins, harbor porpoises, gray seals, and harbor seals.
The authorization includes specific measures to minimize impact, such as pre-activity monitoring and soft start procedures for pile driving.
The construction is part of efforts to revitalize Lubec’s marine infrastructure, historically significant for its fishing industry.