The National Marine Fisheries Service's (NMFS) Office ofProtected Resources, Permits and Conservation Division (PRl), in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps ofEngineers (Corps), has requested formal consultation on the 3-D Seismic Surveys ofCook Inlet, Alaska by Apache Alaska Corporation (Apache or operator). This document constitutes NMFS Alaska Region's (NMFS AKR) opinion on the effects ofthat action on the endangered species in accordance with section 7 ofthe ESA. Specifically, this opinion analyzes the effects ofthe Cook Inlet 3-D Seismic Surveys on the endangered Cook Inlet beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) (73 FR 62919, October 22, 2008), Cook Inlet beluga whale critical habitat (76 FR 20180, April 11, 2011), and the endangered, western DPS of Steller sea lions (62 FR 24345, May 5, 1997).

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