Today, NOAA Fisheries published a proposed rulemaking that will allow the take of small numbers of marine mammals, incidental to oil and gas exploration, development, production, and decommissioning activities Cook Inlet, Alaska. Underwater noise generated by Hilcorp Alaska, LLC’s activities may result in the take of marine mammals in the form of Level A (auditory injury) and Level B (behavioral) harassment. No mortality or serious injury of any marine mammal species or stock is expected or proposed to be authorized. As required by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the proposed rule includes practicable mitigation measures, as proposed by Hilcorp, such as delay or shutting down certain activities when animals are in the area, to minimize impacts on marine mammals, and also includes monitoring and reporting measures to better understand those impacts. More information about this proposed rule is available at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/incidental-take-authorization-hilcorp-... . -- *Jaclyn Daly-Fuchs* *MMPA Team Lead* *NOAA Fisheries, **Office of Protected Resources* *Permits and Conservation Division* *MMPA Incidental Take Program <https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/permit/incidental-take-authorizations-under-marine-mammal-protection-act>*