How do I submit a public comment on Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys?

The public comment window for this decision closed on March 26, 2026. The record of what was at stake stays on this page.

When is the public comment deadline for Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys?

The comment window closed on March 26, 2026.

Do public comments actually change federal decisions?

Yes, when they are substantive. Agencies are legally required to read and respond to substantive comments before finalizing a rule, and specific personal comments about real places and real uses carry far more weight than identical form letters. Courts have overturned rules when agencies ignored substantive comments.

Affects public lands

Oppose Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys

Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys in the Gulf of America

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration· Gulf of America, Gulf of MexicoFederal Register 2026-03691 ↗

Drilling Wildlife Offshore Energy Marine Mammals

Dawn mist over the salt marsh at Davis Bayou, Gulf Islands National Seashore, Mississippi (NPS photo) · public land, held in trust for you

NMFS is proposing rules that would allow oil and gas companies to legally 'take' (harm or disturb) marine mammals as a side effect of conducting geophysical surveys in the Gulf of Mexico, now federally referred to as the Gulf of America. It's a reimplementation of existing incidental take regulations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, meaning this type of authorization has existed before and is being renewed. Marine mammals in the Gulf region, including dolphins and whales, are directly affected, as are industry operators running seismic and other geophysical survey activities.

In the agency’s own words

NMFS has received a request for the reimplementation of incidental take regulations (ITR) governing the incidental taking of marine mammals during geophysical survey activity conducted in the Gulf of America (GOA). Pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), NMFS is requesting comments on its proposed rule and will consider public comments relevant to this proposed rule prior to issuing any final rule.

Federal Register 2026-03691 ↗

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