The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is proposing to give the U.S. Navy permission to incidentally disturb marine mammals during two upcoming construction projects in San Diego Bay, California. The projects involve pile driving and removal at Naval Base Point Loma and Naval Base San Diego — and the underwater noise from that work could harass nearby dolphins, seals, and other marine mammals.

Key Points

  • What: NMFS is proposing two Incidental Harassment Authorizations (IHAs) allowing the Navy to disturb — but not injure or kill — marine mammals during pier and quay wall construction in San Diego Bay.
  • Who: Marine mammal populations in San Diego Bay; the U.S. Navy as the project applicant; members of the public who wish to comment.
  • When: Public comments due by March 5, 2026; pile driving at Naval Base Point Loma expected June 2026–May 2027, and at Naval Base San Diego January–December 2027.
  • Impact: Up to six marine mammal species could be exposed to harassment-level underwater noise from pile driving; no injuries or deaths are anticipated.

What's Being Proposed

NMFS received two separate requests from the Navy in spring 2025. Both projects are located within San Diego Bay and are being reviewed together since they overlap in location and timing.

Naval Base Point Loma (NBPL) — Deperming Pier Replacement: The Navy needs to remove and replace 192 damaged fender piles at three piers that support magnetic treatment of Navy surface ships. Work would span an estimated 171 in-water days. The underwater noise could result in both Level A harassment (potential permanent hearing damage) and Level B harassment (temporary disturbance) of six marine mammal species.

Naval Base San Diego (NBSD) — Chollas Creek Quay Wall Repair: A quay wall that suffered a catastrophic failure in 2019 needs to be fully demolished and rebuilt. The Navy plans to remove 544 piles and install 936 new ones over approximately 190 in-water work days. This project is expected to cause Level B harassment only — meaning temporary disturbance, not injury — to three marine mammal species.

What Is an IHA?

An Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) is a permit issued under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) that allows a non-commercial activity to incidentally disturb — but not intentionally harm — marine mammals. NMFS can only issue an IHA if it determines the impact will be "negligible" on the species population. Each IHA lasts a maximum of one year, though a one-time renewal is possible under certain conditions.

Mitigation Measures

Both projects include mitigation requirements to minimize marine mammal exposure, including:

  • Conducting all pile work during daylight hours only
  • Monitoring for marine mammals before and during pile driving
  • Halting work if animals enter designated safety zones

The Navy is not proposing bubble curtains (a sound-dampening tool) for either project, a decision explained in the full application.

What You Should Do

This notice is not directed at visa holders or immigrants — it is an environmental regulatory process open to any member of the public.

If you have expertise in or concerns about marine mammal protection in San Diego Bay, you can submit comments to NMFS by March 5, 2026 via email at the address listed in the Federal Register notice. Comments become part of the public record. NMFS will summarize public input in its final authorization decision.

For most readers: no action required. This is a proposed authorization — no final decision has been made yet.