A Washington estuary restoration project can now incidentally harm marine mammals

The US Army Corps of Engineers asked for permission to incidentally harm marine mammals during a restoration project. This would allow the project to proceed for five years, from 2026 to 2031, in Hood Canal, Washington.

Restoration projects often face delays or increased costs due to environmental protections. This proposed rule suggests a path for large infrastructure projects to move forward even when they might impact protected species. It sets a precedent for how federal agencies can balance conservation goals with project timelines.