Biological Opinion (NMFS) for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the Hilcorp Incidental Take Regulations for Cook Inlet, Cook Inlet, Alaska

NMFS Consultation Number: AKRO-2025-01856

This opinion considers the effects of tugs towing, holding, and positioning a jack-up rig, production and exploratory pile driving and drilling, production well development, anchor handling and pipe pulling for pipeline repair and replacement, vessel support operations, and aircraft support operations.

These actions may affect the following endangered or threatened species and critical habitats: fin whale; Mexico distinct population segment humpback whale; Western North Pacific DPS humpback whale; Cook Inlet beluga whale; Western DPS Steller sea lion; and Cook Inlet beluga whale critical habitat.

This opinion is based on information provided in the ITR Application and Proposed ITRs (90 FR 34974, July 24, 2025), and biological assessment. Other sources of information relied upon include consultation communications (emails and virtual meetings), recent consultations completed in the same region, previous monitoring reports, and marine mammal surveys conducted in Cook Inlet. A complete record of this consultation is on file at NMFS's Anchorage, Alaska Regional office.

Last updated by Alaska Regional Office on 01/16/2026

More Information

• Incidental Take Authorization
• Section 7 Consultations Issued in Alaska
• Section 7 Consultations in Alaska