Marine Mammals; Incidental Take of Polar Bears and Pacific Walruses in the Beaufort Sea and North Slope of Alaska
What happened
Signed by Donald Trump, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a final rule authorizing incidental, unintentional take of small numbers of polar bears and Pacific walruses. Effective October 19, 2026, through October 19, 2031, the rule applies to oil and gas exploration, development, production, and transportation across the Beaufort Sea and northern coast of Alaska, excluding the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Following a request from the Alaska Oil and Gas Association, the agency will issue letters of authorization for specific covered operations.
Why it matters
The rule provides oil and gas operators legal coverage under the Marine Mammal Protection Act while requiring mitigation, monitoring, and reporting measures to minimize adverse impacts on wildlife and their habitat. It also legally conditions industry activities so they do not unmitigably harm the availability of polar bears and walruses for Alaska Native subsistence hunting.
Who it affects
- ›The Alaska Oil and Gas Association and participating energy companies.
- ›Alaska Native subsistence hunters targeting polar bears and Pacific walruses.
- ›U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service personnel overseeing wildlife monitoring and permits.
The receipts are official. The summary is ours.
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