What's Happening

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is proposing to grant the U.S. Navy permission to incidentally disturb — but not injure or kill — marine mammals during two construction projects at San Diego Bay naval bases. The Navy submitted separate requests for what are called Incidental Harassment Authorizations (IHAs), which are permits that allow a non-fishing activity to disturb marine mammals as a side effect, as long as it won't significantly harm the overall population.

The two projects are:

  1. Naval Base Point Loma (NBPL) Deperming Pier Replacement Project — Removing and replacing 192 damaged fender piles at three piers used for magnetic treatment and calibration of Navy ships. Work is planned for approximately 171 in-water work days between June 1, 2026 and May 31, 2027.

  2. Naval Base San Diego (NBSD) Chollas Creek Quay Wall Repair Project — Demolishing and rebuilding a quay wall (a reinforced embankment used to dock ships) that suffered a catastrophic failure in 2019. This involves removing 544 piles and installing 936 new piles over approximately 190 in-water work days, planned between January 1, 2027 and December 31, 2027.

Why Marine Mammals Are Affected

Both projects require pile driving — hammering large posts into the seabed — and pile extraction using vibratory equipment. These activities generate elevated underwater noise that can disturb marine mammals in San Diego Bay. NMFS recognizes two levels of harassment under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA):

  • Level A harassment: Noise intense enough to potentially cause permanent hearing damage
  • Level B harassment: Noise that may temporarily disturb behavior (such as causing animals to swim away) without causing physical injury

For the NBPL project, up to six marine mammal species could experience Level A or Level B harassment. For the NBSD project, up to three species could experience Level B harassment only. Neither project is expected to result in serious injury or death.

Proposed Safeguards

The Navy and NMFS have proposed mitigation and monitoring measures to reduce impacts on marine mammals. All pile driving and removal will occur during daylight hours only. The IHAs would each be valid for a maximum of one year from the date they take effect, and could potentially be renewed once for an additional year if certain conditions are met.

Who Is Affected by This Notice

This Federal Register notice does not affect visa holders, immigrants, or workers. It is a regulatory action under the Marine Mammal Protection Act concerning wildlife at a military construction site. The notice is relevant to:

  • Conservation organizations and researchers focused on marine mammals in Southern California
  • Members of the public who may wish to comment on the proposed authorizations
  • Environmental advocates tracking federal permits for naval construction activities

Comment Deadline

NMFS is accepting public comments on both proposed IHAs — and on the possibility of one-time one-year renewals for each — until March 5, 2026. Comments must be submitted by email to the Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, NMFS. Electronic copies of the Navy's applications are available at NMFS's website for incidental take authorizations.

Timeline Summary

  • March 5, 2026: Public comment deadline
  • June 1, 2026 – May 31, 2027: Planned pile driving at Naval Base Point Loma (171 days)
  • January 1, 2027 – December 31, 2027: Planned pile driving at Naval Base San Diego (190 days)

NMFS will review all public comments before making a final decision on whether to issue the IHAs.