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HANDBOOK FOR GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY OPERATORS FOR WASHINGTON'S OFFSHORE AND INLAND MARINE WATERS Pro e-t f cF - -..-:ary Prepared by Sara Williams Washington State Department of Ecology Shorelands and Coastal Zone Management Program Olympia, Washington July 1986 U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NUO COASTAL . FRVICES CENTER 223A )(ulT H(QPgON AVENUE .I I CHRLESVA,~ -? 9A05-2413 The preparation of this document was financially aided through a grant to the Washington State Department of Ecology with funds obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and appropriated for Section 306 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972. TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION PAGE NUMBER PREFACE ii I INTRODUCTION 1 Background 5 Legislation 6 Federal - OCS Lands Act 6 - Memorandum of Agreement 9 State - Shoreline Management Act 11 - SEPA 14 Environmental Overview 15 2 WASHINGTON'S FISHERIES 22 Fishing gear and methods 23 Crab and fish pots 23 Longline 30 Gillnets 32 Trawls 36 Purse seines 38 Trolling 41 Reef net 42 3 MARINE MAMMALS/MARINE BIRDS/SENSITIVE HABITATS 43 Marine mammals 43 Seabirds 57 Sensitive habitats 60 4 SEISMIC SURVEYS 68 Process 70 Operations 72 5 APPENDICES 77 Geophysical survey permit process 77 Geophysical survey permit 79 Memorandum of Agreement 81 SEPA Checklist 87 LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE TITLE PAGE NUMBER 1 Cross Section of Continental Shelf iii 2 Washington/Oregon OCS Planning Area 2 3 Idealized Cross Section of Ocean 19 Subfloor Strata 4 Map of Ocean Fisheries 24 5 Illustration of Crab Fishing Boat 25 6 Map of Crab Fishing Areas - North Coast 26 7 Map of Crab Fishing Areas - South Coast 27 8 Illustration of a Longliner 31 9 Illustration of a Gillnetter 34 10 Illustration of a Trawler 34 11 Illustration of a Purse Seiner 39 12 Illustration of a Troller 39 13 External Anatomy of Cetaceans 45 14 Relative Sizes of Adult Cetaceans 49 15 Pinniped Habitat - North Coast 53 16 Pinniped Habitat - South Coast 54 17 Pinniped Habitat - North Puget Sound 55 18 Pinniped Habitat - South Puget Sound 56 19 Sensitive Bird Habitats - North Coast 63 20 Sensitive Bird Habitats - South Coast 64 21 Sensitive Bird Habitats - North Puget Sound 65 22 Sensitive Bird Habitats - South Puget Sound 66 23 Profile of Seismic Survey Operation 69 24 Seismic Streamer Towing Configuration 71 71 I I LIST OF TABLES TABLE TITLE PAGE NUMBER 1 List of Marine Mammal Species Reported 44 from the Coastal Waters of Washington I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I The Department of Ecology, Outer Continental Shelf State Participation Program, would like to acknowledge the following individuals and agencies for their contributions to this publication. Wa. Department of Ecology Don Bales Pamela Miller Tim Schlender Brian Walsh Wa. Department of Fisheries Greg Bargmann Steve Barry Brian Culver Don Haring Mary Lou Mills Wa. Department of Game Steve Jeffries Kelly McAllister Natural Resources Consultants, Seattle, Wa. Oil/Fisheries Group of Alaska Western Oil and Gas Association (California) PREFACE I ~~Washington State's marine environment is rich in resources. A wide diversity of habitats support many species of marine mammals and birds, and a valuable commercial fishing industry. I ~~The shallow undersea terrace adjacent to the coastline, called the continental shelf, provides habitat for many living resources. Submarine canyons and offshore banks support a tremendously productive commercial fishery, and marine mammals, seabirds and fish thrive in a complex food web. H ~~The continental shelf also abounds with non-living resources. The Washington/Oregon outer continental shelf may contain approximately 180 million barrels of oil and 3.2 trillion cubic feet of gas in undiscovered reserves, according to estimates by the federal Department of the I ~~Interior. Based on 1983 figures for United States 3 ~~consumption, these reserves would provide a 56-day supply of oil and an 11-week supply of natural gas for the entire 3 ~~United States. Interest in the oil and gas potential of the Washington/Oregon offshore has prompted the Secretary of the I ~~Interior to schedule a lease offering in the year 1991. I ii~~~~ 2(00mileS Exclusive Economic zone m i n m m i n m m~~~~~~m~~ - - -"-n GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Although the continental shelf extends seaward 8-40 miles off Washington's coast, the term outer continental shelf, or I ~~OCS, is used to describe the federally-managed submerged lands that lie seaward of the state's three mile territorial I ~~sea. The federal government's jurisdiction, called the Exclusive Economic Zone, extends 200 miles out from the coast (Figure 1). GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Historically, the culture of Washington's coastal Indians thrived on the abundant seafood found in the waters of f our I ~~coasts. Today, the commercial fishing industry remains productive, contributing an estimated 1.2 billion dollars each year to the state's economy. As interest in the Pacific Northwest's hydrocarbon potential increases, it becomes imperative to create and improve communication between marine resource users. Only through I ~~careful planning of seismic programs, and detailed communication between geophysical operators and fishermen,, can we avoid or at least minimize operational conflicts so that the two industries can successfully coexist. I~~~~~~~~~~~i I I __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I SECTION ONE I I I I I I I I I I I INTRODUCTION I~ I I I I ~~The level of pre-lease activity, especially offshore geophysical or "seismic" surveys, is likely to increase as a result of the placement of Washington and Oregon's offshore on the proposed lease schedule (Figure 2). Offshore geophysical surveys are the principal method by which I ~~geologists map the geologic strata beneath the seafloor in search of clues about petroleum deposits. Typically, geophysical surveys mark the first step in offshore exploration. Whether in state or federal waters, I ~~this activity requires a permit. There are a number of important criteria for permit issuance, among them the stipulation that the activity not adversely affect the I ~~state's fisheries and wildlife resources. 3 ~~The Washington State Department of Ecology is the agency that responds to the U.S. Department of the Interior's outer I ~~continental shelf (OCS) oil and gas lease program. Ecology 3has responsibility for ensuring that various OCS activities in Washington and adjacent waters are consistent with state Icoastal zone planning objectives. <~~~ *~~~~~~~ . ...... z~~~~~ Ajipunog ~ ~ a ZfL ajd -10~~~~~~~~~ (a~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~a FIGURE 2 Washington/Oregon OCS Planning Area I GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 3 3 ~~Given that user conflicts on the OCS have often been a result of inadequate coordination and notification, the 3 ~~department has pursued various means of improving the dialogue between different marine resource users. To this U ~~end, the Washington Departments of Ecology and Fisheries I ~~negotiated with the U.S. Department of the interior a Memorandum of Agreement. The memorandum contains a means 3 ~~for minimizing conflicts between federal seismic survey operations and state-managed fisheries and a notification I ~~process of proposed surveys. U ~~The purpose of this Handbook for Geophvsical. Survey 3 ~~operators is to improve communication between marine resource users. By providing appropriate information to I ~~both seismic survey operators and to commercial fishermen, the handbook is intended to establish and promote communication between the two groups. The handbook is organized as follows: section one - provides an environmental overview and an overview of federal and state permit requirements. GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 4I Section Two - contains information on commercial fishinga areas, gear and methods, and avoidance of fisheries operations. Section Three - includes information on marine mammals,I seabirds and sensitive habitats. Section Four - focuses on seismic survey methods of3 operations for the benefit of interested members of the fishing industry. Section Five - summarizes the issues and contains lists ofI references, contacts and appendices.3 Since offshore oil and gas drilling has not occurred along the Washington coast in more than 20 years, the focus of this handbook remains on pre-lease activity. The DepartmentI of Ecology recognizes that subsequent stages of post-lease exploration and development could cause additional impacts to coastal fisheries and wildlife. For example, drilling could result in chronic oil spills and effluent discharges, space conflicts and obstructions, and navigational problemsI due to increased vessel traffic. GEOP:HYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK p ~~BACKGROUND oil seeps were first reported in Washington circa 1881 along the sea cliffs an the west side of the Olympic Peninsula. I ~~Few exploratory wells have been drilled of f Washington 3 ~~shores since then. Only one -- the Medina #1 near ocean City, Washington -- ever produced a significant amount of 3 ~~oil. This well spouted 12,000 barrels of crude oil, but the pressure rapidly dwindled and it was capped in 1962. Periodic exploratory activities continued however, including several seismic surveys that were conducted in the early 3 ~~1980s. one seismic survey had disastrous results. I ~~In December, 1980, more than 1,200 crab pots were caught in the airgun array of a vessel conducting a geophysical survey in federal waters of f Washington causing in excess of 3 ~~$100,000 damage to fishing gear alone. As these pots were rendered irretrievable, they continued to capture crab. The Washington Department of Fisheries estimated a 5% loss of the offshore Dungeness crab resource and untold opportunity costs as a consequence from this incident alone. It was the realization that such an accident could occur again that prompted the State of Washington to become involved in the regulation of geophysical surveys. GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 61 LEGISLATION: FEDERALI In 1945, President Truman proclaimed that the natural resources of the continental shelf were subject to federal3 jurisdiction and control. In 1953, the Submerged Lands Act and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act reaffirmed federalI control of the outer continental shelf, while clarifying5 that coastal states controlled the waters and submerged lands three nautical miles seaward of their coastlines.3 Outer Continental Shelf Lands ActI The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), passed in 1953, directs the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the interior to develop a 5-year schedule for offshore oil and gas leasing, exploration, and development on submerged lands of the outer continental shelf (OCS).5 In 1978, the U.S. Congress amended this act to both expedite development on the nation's OCS and to provide environmental safeguards. Undoubtedly, the 1972 Arab oil embargo prompted the former directive, while concerns about major oil spills, such as the one in the Santa Barbara Channel in 1969, led to the latter.I GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK I Page 7 5 ~~The OCS Lands Act requires the Secretary of the interior to develop a five-year lease program which, upon completion of 5the environmental review and public comment process, is submitted to Congress. In developing the program, the I ~~secretary must, under the OCS Lands Act, consider the following: - -Provide for national energy needs; - -Share the developmental benefits and environmental risks equitably among regions; 3 ~~~- Consider the economic, social and environmental value of the resources in the OCS and related potential impacts of oil and gas activities on these resources; I ~~~- Consider other uses of the OCS, includincg fisheries; - Obtain fair market value for the resources leased on the OCS; and - -Balance the need for oil and gas production with the potential for adverse environmental impacts. GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 81 Offshore Oil and Gas Development ProcessI The process for offshore oil and gas development begins with3 preliminary exploration, for which the MMS (Minerals Management Service) issues permits for geophysical orI "seismic" surveys. Geophysical survey ships explore and mapa sub-sea geology, searching for geologic formations that may indicate the presence of hydrocarbons. Permits for seismic3 surveys can be issued before an area is on a lease schedule. In the first phase of the leasing process, the Secretary of the Interior prepares a five-year schedule of leases that identifies the areas in which lease sales will be held. After a schedule is accepted, and prior to an actual lease sale, Interior gathers environmental data, oil and gas resource estimates and other information for inclusion in a draft environmental impact statement (EIS). State agencies, local governments and citizens may review the draft EIS. This is a focal point for citizen3 involvement and comment. Based on this review, recommendations on the EIS and lease sale are made by the Governor to the Secretary of Interior.3 IGEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 9 3 ~~Interior then prepares a final EIS which includes responses to stipulations or recommendations from the state. Tracts 5 ~~for final lease consideration are included in the EIS. Once the Dept. of Interior determines which tracts are still I ~~under consideration for lease, if any, they announce a 5 ~~"Proposed Notice of Sale." The state can then review and comment on tracts proposed for lease. The OCS Lands Act 3requires the Interior Secretary to follow the Governor's comments unless "national interests" override. After any Imodifications, a "Final N~otice Of Sale" is issued and the 3lease sale is held. 3 ~~Finally, petroleum companies must bid on particular tracts within the lease area. Before exploratory drilling can S ~~begin, the oil company must obtain permits from several 3 ~~federal agencies including the Army Corps of Engineers, the Coast Guard, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the U.S. IEnvironmental Protection Agency. Drilling must also be consistent with state coastal zone management plans (See IAppendix, page 87). 3 ~~MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT in 1982, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed between the State of Washington and the Department of the Interior. GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 101 The memorandum outlines a procedure to avoid or minimize conflicts between outer continental shelf seismic survey operations and state-managed fisheries resources.5 The MOA establishes three time periods or "windows" for3 seismic work correlating to the fixed-gear fishing activities of f the Washington coast. Survey operators are encouraged to conduct operations during the "period of low-3 fishing activity" between Seintember 15 and November 25, which is off-season for the fixed gear coastal crab and5 black-cod fisheries. March 16 throucrh September 14 is a "period of moderate5 fishing activity". Approximately 60 crab vessels fish during this period, with as many as 18,000 crab pots. Crab3 gear is generally located inside the 20 fathom line. operators are encouraged to plan any surveys during thisI period for the area outside the 20 fathom line.5 During the "period of peak fishing activity", from November1 26 throucrh March 15, as many as 165 crab fishing vessels and 42,000 pots can be found in waters to depths of 65 fathoms.3 Seismic surveys should be planned to avoid this peak fishing period. GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK EPage 11 pThe Memorandum also contains a notification process by which the MKS alerts the state of proposed surveys. The state 5Departments of Ecology and Fisheries have at least two weeks to review survey applications and recommend permit Iconditions to the Dept. of interior. If potential conflicts with fixed gear fisheries are identified, the state usually recommends geographic restrictions to be placed on the 5proposed survey. IPrior to this agreement, the state had no formal role in reviewing federal permits for geophysical exploration of f I ~~the Washington coast (See Appendix, page 81). LEGISLATION: STATE Shoreline Management Act -- RCW 90.58 IThe state Shoreline Management Act (SMA) was passed in 1971, calling for development of a program to balance development I ~~and protection of Washington's valuable shoreline resources. 5Under the Shoreline Management Act, surface drilling in Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca is prohibited. I ~~This prohibition, however, does not restrict geophysical exploration activities. GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 121 In 1983, the SMA was amended to provide the Department of Ecology with permit authority for oil and gas exploration in5 state marine waters so that aquatic resources, water quality, and normal public uses were protected. The permit applicant completes the required application form and State Environmental Policy Act checklist. Pursuant to regulations adopted by the department in 1983, the permit application must be reviewed by other state3 natural resource management agencies, local governments, and Indian tribes affected by the proposed exploration activity.I The reviewing agencies and interested persons are allowed5 fifteen days from receipt of the application to respond to the Department of Ecology. In addition, a public notice3 must be published in area newspapers. Depending upon public response, the department may hold one or more hearings.I The department will approve an exploration activity permit application if it determines that the proposed activityI meets the criteria set forth in the Shoreline Management Act. Exploration activities may not:I IGEOPHYSICAL S3URVEY HANDBOOK Page 13 p- interfere materially with the normal public uses of the marine waters of the state; - injure the marine biota or other fish and wildlife! beds, Ior tidelands of the waters; - violate water quality standards established by the department; I ~~- create a public nuisance; or - -conflict with a shoreline master program approved by the department. IThe Department of Ecology may place terms and conditions in the exploration activity permit as necessary such as, geographic limits on the area of operation, timing of the 5operation, limitations on hours of operation, placement of on-board observers, use of lead boats, insurance or bond, 3and/or fishermen (or other users group) notification procedures (See Appendix, page 77). GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 141 State Environmental Policy Act -- RCW 43.21C3 The State Environmental Policy Act, known as SEPA, affects5 all state laws, regulations, and policies. It was enacted in 1971 to ensure that the environment is given appropriate consideration in state and local permit decisions. When a permit is applied for, the applicant fills out an3 environmental checklist to identify potential environmental impacts from the project. The purpose of the checklist is5 to provide information to help the applicant and the agency identify impacts from the proposal (and to reduce or avoidI impacts from the proposal, if it can be done) and to help5 the agency decide whether an environmental impact statement is required.5 If the environmental impacts of the proposal are determined to be inconsequential, a determination of non-significance (DNS) will be issued. For a major project, or any project which poses greater impacts, an environmental impact3 statement (EIS) will most likely be necessary. once the applicant has written the EIS, the lead agency for the project is responsible for circulating the document to other agencies and the public. Review periods are 15 days5 for a DNS and 30 days for an EIS (See Appendix, page 77). IGEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 15 3 ~~~~~~~ENVIRONMENTAL OVERVIEW 3 ~~The marine environment is a complex system influenced by climate, currents, winds, waves, depth, geomorphology, I ~~salinity, and, as ocean resources become more exploitable, 5 ~~by man. since life in the marine environment is highly dependent on the interrelationships between different 3 ~~species and the environment, the disturbance of one species or section of the environment may directly or indirectly I ~~affect others. U ~~This section provides an overview of the important physical 3 ~~and biological processes at work in the marine environment. I ~~PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION I ~~Open Coast Washington's southern coast is characterized by long sandy 5 ~~beaches, interrupted by three important bays and estuaries: the Columbia River estuary, Willapa Bay, and Gray's Harbor I ~~estuary. in contrast, the northern coast is considerably more remote 3 ~~and rugged, marked by numerous steep and often unstable cliffs interspersed with sandy beaches and rocky coves. GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 161 Rock outcrops, seastacks, and islands are found off of Washington's coast, the majority in the northern stretch. The Strait of Juan de Fuca is the transition zone between the open ocean and Puget Sound. The Strait is 80 miles fromU Cape Flattery to Whidbey island, and is between nine and thirteen miles in width. Puget Sound Puget Sound, an interconnected system of inlets, bays, and islands, is sometimes referred to as a huge estuary. it is a result of geological processes that created deep channels,5 300-900 feet deep, broken by islands and peninsulas. The marine environment of Puget Sound is influenced by5 freshwater runoff from rivers, wind patterns controlled by mountains and islands, and the saltwater influx and tidalI action from the Pacific Ocean via the Strait of Juan de3 Fuca. Rock and gravel shorelines predominate in the Sound, although sand, mud, and clay shorelines are present, andI several estuaries have extensive siltation. Submerged3 shelves are narrow or nonexistent. The bottom slopes gradually to a depth of 300-700 feet an the average, reaching a maximum of 900 feet in several places. EGEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 17 CLIMATE Western Washington's climate is one of relatively mild I ~~winters and cool summers. The Pacific Ocean moderates the air masses passing over it which influences the regional weather. Although the winds on the Pacific Northwest coast are prevailing westerlies, there is a seasonal cycle of winds largely determined by the circulation of the North I ~~Pacific high pressure area and the Aleutian low pressure area. 3 ~~During the summer the North Pacific high predominates. Summers are generally times of fair weather with winds from I ~~the north to northwest and little precipitation due to the buffer provided by the North Pacific high pressure system. In the winter the North Pacific high weakens and the 5 ~~Aleutian low intensifies. Winds are generally from the southwest in winter months, bringing precipitation and cloud 3 ~~cover. GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page IS GEOLOGY The seafloor off Washington -- the continental shelf -- is3 gently sloping and ranges in width from approximately eight to forty miles. The Washington shelf is intersected by3 several large submarine canyons. These canyons are the result of large rivers that flowed through soft marine sediments thousands of years ago when the sea level was low3 (late Pleistocene). One submarine valley, extending in a southwesterly direction from the mouth of the Strait of JuanI de Fuca at Cape Flattery, is four miles wide and cuts 300 feet down into the continental shelf,.U At the edge of the continental shelf, the gradient steepens and the seafloor slopes down to the ocean depths. The sedimentary rock formations and geological faults andI folds that contain oil and gas are similar to those found on3 dry land. oil originated in the sunlit, shallow, coastal waters of ancient seas with the accumulation of dense3 sediments that time and conditions transformed into oil and natural gas. Reservoirs of petroleum and natural gas areI formed when the oil and gas is trapped between layers of3 impermeable rock (Figure 3). v- _-~ - - - - ~~Ocean Surface ~:''.�,~;.~l~.;~�i:�~~! .S IMud/Silt Shale . a 1 r A 7 .TV Z V -- 1 / L ' v - &' 1~ J1' V "1 7� &a d A - ,.,",-,,~_<".".7,,,,<",,,-=,.1 "" , o ,~"',, ,.-" 4^.4, <V" Impermeable Layer A , 4 , r >S A _ ~ -> ' 'Sandstone with trapped Irr+l oil, water & gas ",'"~ , . ,�~~~, ~/,, Impermeable Layer -I - - " I~ ~... - ~ L ' . 7 ~ I~ ~.~1' GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 20 OCEANOGRAPHY The OCS region is influenced by two currents -- the Alaskan current which is an eastern counterclockwise current and two clockwise segments of the westward drift of the North3 Pacific current. Generally the large scale circulation is southward from May to August, northward between October andI February, and variable the rest of the time.3 During summer months there is a phenomenon known as coastal upwelling. During upwelling, relatively cold nutrient-richI water moves upward from the depths to replace sun-warmed5 surface water. This phenomenon is largely a result of north-northwest summer winds that produce a southward flow in the surface layer combined with an offshore surface flow due to the earth's rotation. Ocean currents sweeping overI the edge of the continental shelf also create upwellingg along the shoreline and eddies and turbulence over the continental shelf. This causes cold, saline water to upwell3 in eddies resulting in low dissolved oxygen content and high salinities. Both air and sea temperatures in the nearshoreI region are lowered as a consequence of upwelling and humidity is increased. GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK IPage 21 BIOLOGY The abundance of life in the oceans's upper layers is a direct result of available energy from light. Marine plants Iand some microscopic animals capture energy from the sun through photosynthesis and convert it to a form that other organisms may use. The combination of abundant nutrients 3from upwelling and the energy from light allows the growth of phytoplankton, masses of microscopic floating plants. IThese plants are consumed by animals, including zooplankton, which in turn are eaten by carnivores such as fish. And the food chain continues -- fish become prey for other fish, 3marine mammals, birds, and humans. Further discussions of the marine birds and mammals of the outer coast and inland waters may be found in Section Three. I I I SECTION TWO I I I I I I g W~~ASHINGTON'S FISHERIES I I I I I I I I I I GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK WASHINGTON' S FISHERIES 3INTRODUCTION I ~~Commercial fisheries are an extremely important industry in Washington State. In fact, in both number of pounds and total value of fish and shellfish, fishermen from Washington 3lead the nation. While this includes fish caught in distant waters -- of f Alaska and other states -- the figures for Ifish caught in Washington inland and offshore waters are impressive on their own. According to a recent study published by the Natural Resources Consultants of Seattle, an annual harvest of 150 million pounds of fish and shellfish, worth an average of $93 million has been I ~~harvested commercially in Puget Sound and the waters of f Washington's coast over the past few years. 3 ~~The fishing industry's value to Washington is calculated in two ways: direct figures, or the prices paid for landed 3fish, and indirect figures, the revenue gained from supporting industries such as canneries, marine supply I ~~companies, net makers, shipyards, marinas and fish markets. 3Adding the direct and indirect value of Washington's fisheries, the Natural Resources Consultants of Seattle 1 ~~arrived at a figure of approximately $294 million that was added to the state's economy in 1985. GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 233 The most important fisheries to Washington are those for the five Pacific salmon: sockeye (red), pink (humpback), chum (dog), coho (silver) and chinook (king). Important fisheries also exist for albacore tuna, sablefish, flatfish,3 Pacific hake, rockfish species, Pacific herring, shrimp, dungeness crab, oysters, scallops, and clams (Figure 4).1 FISHING GEAR AND METHODS Fixed gear, a term used to describe fishing gear which is set out then retrieved after varying amounts of time, hasI the greatest potential for conflict among marine users.3 Mobile gear, which includes all gear used from the vessel itself, pose less of a conflict, although navigational conflicts still must be avoided. Fixed gear includes crab and fish pots, longlines, and gillnets. These devices either attract target species through the use of bait and/or ensnare them. Mobile gear5 includes trawls and seines. Crab and fish Dots in the ocean, crab pots are set in depths of up to 65U fathoms, although 'most are set inside of 40 fathoms I S>#7Sz>op Jesus Coho (silver) Salmon Sockeye (red) Salmon Pink (humpback) Salmon Chum (dog) Salmon Chinook (king) Salmon N Albacore Tuna Sablefish Pacific Hake Rockfish species Pacific Herring Shrimp Dungeness Crab .. Oysters Scallops Clams COL UMBIA RIVER FIGURE 4 Map of Ocean Fisheries 3 24 I I I I I I I I I~L0? ~~I I I1 Crabber FIGURE 5 Illustration of Crab Fishing Boat I I 25 a ArS I~~~~~~~~~~~ O W~~~~O .4 V DE I FUCA I Crabbing grounds out to 30 fathoms I I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I IGURE 6 Map of Crab Fishing A~reas - North Coast 26 I-.- I\ 'U~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~�r i I Crabbing grounds out to 30 fathoms uI$AUI-": ~~ ~~y. ~~FIGURE 6 Map of Crab Fishing Areas - North Coast 26 Crabbing grounds out o33 GRA YS 1IQUIAM -ABERDEEN3 - If U~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~B I Crabbing g round FIGURE 7 Map of Crab Fishing Areas -South Coast 27 _ I GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 28 (Figures 5, 6, & 7). Pots are almost always individually buoyed to the surface. However, strong currents can cause I ~~buoys to submerge, especially around the mouths of major coastal estuaries where tidal currents make this an almost daily occurrence. Therefore, it cannot be assumed that crab gear is not present when buoys are not in sight. I ~~Crab pots are fished at one to seven day intervals depending on fishing success and weather conditions. During the peak of the coastal fishery, the fleet consists of 100 to 140 boats using a total of 30,000 to 40,000 pots. The cost of a fully rigged crab pot is $80 to $120. The season opens 1 ~~December I but fishermen are allowed to begin setting pots on November 27. Usually by early spring nearly all gear is moved inside of 20 fathoms and the amount of gear decreases 3 ~~after some fishermen leave the fishery. The season closes September 15 but is occasionally extended by 15 days. The long-term production average for the crab fishery is over 7 million pounds per season, however crab abundance is cyclical and production has ranged from 2.5 million to 18.4 million pounds. Sablefish is a finfish species taken in baited pots at I ~~depths greater than 90 fathoms. There are between one and 3 ~~five large sablefishery vessels (80-90 feet in length) GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 29 operating off the Washington coast in a given year. The fishery operates on a quota system with no set season and is weather-dictated. Generally the fishery begins in spring and may continue until late fall if the quota is not met sooner. In 1985, 845 metric tons of sablefish were landed using pots. By comparison, 2,410 metric tons of sablefish were taken in 1985 with longline gear. E GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 30 Loncgline ILongline or set line gear is used primarily for Pacific halibut, rockfish, sablefish and flatfish. Longline vessels are 20-40 feet in length. The gear consists of a heavy groundline, often several miles in length, to which short lengths of line carrying baited hooks are attached every two I ~~to six feet (Figure 8). The hooks are baited, usually with iherring or squid, and the line "shot" out the stern of the vessel. The fish are attracted by the bait, hooked, and Iheld by the mouth until they are brought aboard the vessel. IGroundlines are anchored on both ends, and buoys and flags are attached for markers. After setting, the vessel returns to the starting point and begins hauling. A winch is used I ~~to haul in anchors, buoy lines and groundlines. Crew members remove hooked fish as they are drawn aboard. Drift lines operate on much the same concept except that the ends are attached to floats instead of anchors. Drift lines are worked continuously; set lines may be fished for as long as 24 hours. Set and drift line vessels have limited maneuverability I ~~while working the line. Drift lines are attached to the I ~~vessel and to a marked buoy with a strobe oh it at the free I I I I N I 5 I I I I I I I I I FIGURE 8 Illustration of a Longliner I I IGEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 32 floating end; however, they still may be hard to see since the lines can stretch from one-half to several miles in Ilength. A gillnet is used primarily for salmon and herring and in I ~~the Columbia River for sturgeon. The gilinet fishery is mostly restricted to estuaries. The net typically measures between 1800 and 2400 feet long and 24 feet deep, with mesh jsizes from ranging from 3-1/2 inches to 6 inches depending on the species and size of the fish (up to 10 inches for Isturgeon). The net hangs vertically in the water, and traps the fish by the gills or fins as they attempt to swim Ithrough the mesh. Nets are retrieved with the help of a j ~~power reel or by hand. Fish are removed as the net is retrieved. There are two main types of gillnets -- set and drift nets. ISet gillnets are anchored in place -- one end attached to a river bank or a beach, the other anchored offshore. Drift gillnets have one end attached to a vessel which drifts with I ~~the currents. Fishing times can be up to 24 hours for set nets; drift nets are fished for periods of up to several Ihours. GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 331 A set net is kept upright using floats at the top and3 weights at the bottom, with the ends anchored to keep in place. Large buoys, marked with flags, are attached by lines to the anchors and are used to locate the net and to haul it in. Gillnets can be located at the surface, inI midwater, or near the bottom by varying the number of buoys,3 floats and weights on the net (Figure 9). The Washington set net fishery is limited to Puget Sound and targets on3 Pacific cod (Port Townsend Bay and Port Gamble) and dogfish (all of Puget Sound). The Pacific cod fishery is closed inI 1987, and may be closed for over two years hence to allow5 for population recovery. The regulations for the dogfish fishery are complex since certain areas may be closed at3 certain times to prevent incidental catches of other species. There is wide variation in net length, net mesh, and boat size depending on the waters to be fished. Gillnetting is a3 very popular type of commercial fishing because of its versatility. Gill nets operate best in turbid water or at night when fish cannot readily avoid them. While setting and hauling, the gillnetter normally has3 limited maneuverability. once a set net is in the water, the gillnet vessel can maneuver freely, however, the net may not be too far beneath the surface so it is important to Gillnetter FIGURE 9 Illustration of a Gillnetter Trawler FIGURE 10 Illustration of a Trawler 34 GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 351 avoid areas between buoys. A single vessel may have several nets out at a time. Drift net vessels have somewhat less maneuverability since they have nets attached to them.3 I GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 36 3 ~~Trawls I ~~Fishing vessels known as otter trawlers, trawlers or 5 ~~draggers, trail a net behind the vessel, either on the seafloor or through the water column. Trawlers fish waters 3 ~~from 10 fathoms to the deepest parts of Puget Sound, and to about 300 fathoms of f the coast (Figure 10). The trawl net is a large bag, wide at one end and tapered to a closed end, or cod-end, where the fish are trapped. The 3trawl drags the bottom and scoops up any fish in the area. The trawl has otter boards, or "doors" that attach to each 3 ~~side of the net keeping the mouth open. When the net is towed, the doors are pulled outward because of both the Uangle at which they are connected to the towline and the 3water pressure exerted against them. The top of the net opening is held up by floats'and the bottom is weighted with lead. The fish are funneled. into a smaller bag at the end of the net and hauled into a boat. The length from the Imouth to the end of the net can be up to 150 feet. Trawlers fish on the bottom or in mid-water. On-bottom trawling targets on flatfish, rockfish, sole, and shrimp Mid-water trawling is used for species such as pollack and Irockfish. Mid-water trawls may have expensive sonar and GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 37 depth sensing equipment worth up to $10,000 directly on the3 net to help locate schools of fish in the water column. The method of setting and hauling the nets is essentially the same for all types of trawls. When setting the net, theI vessel is generally pointing into the seas, holding dead in the water or making way. The codend is put in the water over the stern followed by the rest of the net and the3 doors. The trawl is then lowered to the desired depth. A net usually can be set in about 15-20 minutes; however, it may take 45 minutes or more to haul the net. The time it takes to set or haul a net depends on the depth, the winch3 speed, the weather, and the size of the catch. Fishing times for trawls depend on which type of trawl is beingI fished. Bottom trawls can range from a few minutes to several hours. Kid-water trawls may last more than 12 hours, with the vessel searching for fish while the gear is3 in place. The number of tows per day depends on the size of each catch, the distance traveled between schools, the3 depth, and the weather. I GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 38 3 ~~Purse seines I ~~A purse seine is a net up to 2,500 feet long and 240 feet 3 ~~deep with a line that closes the bottom. Specially equipped boats, some with a hydraulic drum used to store the net, 50- 3 ~~75 feet long, are used for this operation (Figure 11). I ~~Purse seines are used to capture schooling pelagic fish. 3 ~~For example, salmon schools near the surface are located visually and intercepted. Once a school is spotted, the net 3 ~~is set by dropping the net skiff, which is attached to one wing of the net, into the water. It drags behind the seiner I ~~pulling the net, land ing bag first, of f the stern into the 3 ~~water. The seiner circles the school until it meets up with the net skiff. The net is held upright by a cork line along 3 ~~the top and chains along the bottom. The purse line, which is made from steel cable, runs through a series of purse I ~~rings hanging beneath the net. When the wings are brought together, the purse line is picked up and pulled in by power winches to close the bottom of the net to prevent the catch 3 ~~from escaping. Transfer of the catch to the vessel is accomplished by a large dip net or by some type of fish 3 ~~pump. I ~~Purse seining for salmon generally occurs in water from 8-90 3 ~~fathoms. The sockeye and pink salmon purse seine fisheries Purse Seiner FIGURE 11 Illustration of a Purse Seiner Trotter~~~~~~~~~ FIGURE12 Illstratin of aTrolle 39~~~~~~~ I GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 40 are concentrated primarily in the San Juan Islands area, off Point Roberts and in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The season I ~~for sockeye is from late July to early September. The pink salmon purse seine fishery extends from mid-August to late September. Silver and chum salmon are purse seined mostly within Puget Sound from early September to late October and mid-October to the end of November, respectively. Two relatively small purse seine fisheries in Puget Sound are the herring fishery and the lampara (a smaller version of the standard purse seine) herring fishery for sport bait (to supply the salmon sport fishery). The first, the non- bait herring fishery, has been closed since 1982 because of insufficient population numbers. When the herring fishery I ~~was open, two areas were fished: Bellingham Bay (December- January) and Cherry Point (April-May). Up to 32 boats were involved, fishing in waters from 10-50 fathoms. The only purse seining outside of Puget Sound is the anchovy I ~~bait fishery. Anchovy are used as bait for tuna. This relatively small fishery operates from June-September, primarily near Ilwaco and Westport. Seiners usually work in groups. The vessels will move on I ~~erratic or zig-zag courses, trying to spot schools visually or on sonar. Purse seining is usually done at night, GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 41 preferably during periods of a new moon or cloud cover so3 that the nets are not detected visually by the fish schools. When fishing at night many vessels operate with few lights3 on as possible until they start hauling in the net, making it difficult to see this type of fishing vessel.I The entire purse seining operation may take more than 1-1/21 hours. When the vessel is circling the school and completes3 the set, it may take up an area 900 feet across, which would decrease as pursing begins. Once the net is set and pursingI begins, the vessel is dead in the water. Not until the net is hauled is it possible for the vessel to maneuver, and even then it has limited maneuverability. During this time,3 the vessel may drift a considerable distance. Trolling Trolling involves dragging lines at various depths through3 the water at a slow speed. Hooks are attached to these lines and baited with herring or lures. Troll fishing is3 used along the coast following the salmon runs and for lingcod (primarily in the Strait) and black rockfish (offI the coast from Point Grenville to the Strait) (Figure 12).3 Gear consists of an outrigger pole on each side of the3 vessel with varying numbers of taglines attached via a GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK I Page 42 3 ~~shock absorbing device; this device is used to absorb the initial jolt of a fish hitting the lure. Salmon are usually I ~~fished at depths between 36 and 210 feet with seven lines having four hooks per line; trolling speeds vary from 1 to 3 knots. In contrast, albacore trollers use up to eleven 3 ~~lines with one hook per line fished near the surface at speeds around 6 knots. The length of line trailing the 3 ~~vessel can range from 100 to 150 feet for albacore trollers and from 100 to 425 feet for salmon trollers. 3 ~~Trolling vessels are anywhere from 16-60 feet in length. The troller is fairly maneuverable when fishing and usually is 3 ~~able to turn within three boat lengths if necessary. * ~~Reef net The reef net has been adapted from an Indian method of 3 ~~catching salmon. Two large skiffs or small barges are anchored about fifty feet apart, with a net fifty feet I ~~square rigged between them. The method is employed for sockeye and pink salmon in the area of the San Juan Islands, and requires clear water to see when the salmon are in the * ~~net. I I ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I I I I I I I I I I I MARINE MAMMALS/MARINE BIRDS/ SENSITIVE HABITATS I I I I IGEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 43 MARINE MAMMALS, MARINE BIRDS AND SENSITIVE HABITATS IMarine Mammals (Table 1) -- Order Cetacea Cetaceans -- all whales, dolphins and porpoises -- are mammals whose body form and functions have evolved from terrestrial mammals to cope with a life spent entirely in Iwater. Unlike fish, cetaceans must surface to breathe. Blowholes located on top of the head allow cetaceans to breathe while swimming at the surface. The forward limbs I ~~have evolved into flippers, while the hind limbs exist only as vestigial appendages -- evidence of the animals' Iterrestrial heritage. Propulsion is provided by fibrous, horizontally flattened tail flukes. I ~~In the eastern North Pacific these mammals range in size from the five-foot harbor porpoise to the one-hundred foot blue whale. Cetaceans are pelagic, mobile species. Since their behavior and migration is linked to variable Ioceanographic conditions, their migration patterns are not I ~~always predictable. IThere are two suborders of living cetaceans (Figure 13). Baleen, or whalebone, whales have no teeth and are Iexternally distinguishable by having paired blowholes and a I ~~huge lower jaw. Rooted in the upper jaw are up to 800 TABLE 1 List of Marine Mammal Species Reported from the Coastal Waters of Washington ORDER SPECIES OCCURRENCE STATUS MMPA ESA Carnivora Sea otter, Enhvdra lutris R x x Pinnipedia Ca. sea lion, ZaloDhus californianus C N. sea lion, EumetoDias iubatus C x N. fur seal, Callorhinus ursinus R x Pacific harbor seal, Phoca vitulina C x N. elephant seal, Mirounaa anaustirostris R x Cetacea Ca. gray whale, Eschrichtius robustus C x x Right whale, Eubalaena alacialus A x x Minke whale, BalaenoDtera acutorostrata R x x Fin whale, BalaenoDtera Dhvsalus A x x Sei whale, BalaenoDtera borealis A x x Blue whale, BalaenoDtera musculus A x x Humpback whale, MeaaDtera novaeanaliae R x x Sperm whale, Phvseter macroceDhalus R x x Pygmy sperm whale, Koaia breviceDs A x x N. Pacific beaked whale, MesoDlodon steineceri A x Hubb's beaked whale, Mesorlodon carlhubbsi A x Cuvier's beaked whale, Ziphius cavirostris A x Baird's beaked whale, Berardius bairdii A x Pilot whale, GlobiceDhala macrorhvnchus A x Risso's dolphin, Grampus ariseus A x Killer whale, Orcinus orca R x False killer whale, Pseudorca crassidens A x Common dolphin, DelDhinus delDhis A x N. right whale dolphin, LissodelDhis borealis A x Striped dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba A x Pacific white-sided dolphin, Laaenorhvn- cus obliauidens A x Dall's porpoise, Phocoenoides dalli R x Harbor porpoise, Phocoena Dhocoena C x 1. C=Common R=Rare A=Accidental 2. MMPA=Marine Mammal Protection Act ESP=Endangered Species Act 3. Sea otters were transplanted to the Oregon and Washington coasts from Amchitka Island, Alaska stock in 1969 and 1970. I 1. I Blowholes Fin Dorsal Fin Blowholes IMedian Ridge Notch I ~ Baleen;_ \ Throat Groves Flukes Pectoral Fin FIG Dorsal Fin 45C z ~~~~~Flukes Beak - /~ ~ MamNotch Umbilicus Uro-Genital Slit Pectoral Fin FIGURE 13 External Anatomy of Cetaceans 45 GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 46 plates of baleen, a series of parallel horny plates fringed with hairs. They use these plates to strain their food,I which consists of zooplankton and small schooling fish. Some species feed by skimming, passing slowly through swarms of relatively passive prey. Others feed by distending the throat to take in huge quantities of water and staining food organisms as the water is forced through the baleen. Toothed cetaceans on the other hand, have between 2 and 250I teeth, although in the female of some species the teeth remain concealed in the gums throughout life. Toothed cetaceans include dolphins and porpoises. Their teeth allow3 them to capture prey, such as fish, squid, small birds and marine mammals. In contrast to the paired blowholes on aI baleen whale, toothed cetaceans can be recognized by a3 single blowhole. in captivity, dolphins and whales have often surprised trainers with an extensive learning capacity. CetaceansI have an exceptionally large brain indicating a high level of intelligence. Their most important sense is hearing. They communicate with others of their species through a variety3 of sounds; sound also serves as a way of locating food or objects by means of echolocation. Given their dependency onI echolocation for finding food and navigating, some scientists are concerned that the acoustic pulses E GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 47 released by seismic survey airguns might have a more profound impact than previously suspected on their survival. I ~~Much of what we know about these mammals comes from records kept during former whaling (hunting) excursions and from beach strandings. Although some cetaceans have been studied in captivity and others observed during an occasional I ~~surface at sea, there are data gaps -- about breeding, migration, and behavior in general. In particular, more studies are needed to determine whether the various stages of oil and gas development disrupt their feeding, migration, and breeding habits, and if so, to what degree. U ~~~~~~~~~Migration Whales migrate individually or in groups called pods. When I ~~seen of f the Washington coast, they usually are migrating between southern breeding/calving grounds (winter) and U ~~northern feeding grounds (summer). Although most sightings of whales are in nearshore areas, they likely occur in greater numbers in deeper offshore waters. Gray whales are most often observed off Washington in early spring when migrating north. From their summer feeding I ~~grounds above the Arctic Circle to calving grounds of f Baja California, gray whales migrate a longer distance than any GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 48I other mammal. Migration routes follow close to shore, generally within 20 km of land. Gray whales are most commonly observed of f Washington from late October to mid- December and from March through June, although each year a few individuals may remain in Washington waters as localI residents. Blue whales and humpbacks may be found off Washington during summer months, while sperm whales may be observed during the winter. The orca (killer) whale, Dall's. porpoise, harborI porpoise, and minke whale are year round residents (Figure 14). Less is known of the migration habits of dolphins and porpoises. Seasonal shifts in abundance of the harborI porpoise and the Pacific white-sided dolphin indicate that they do migrate, although mass movements have not been observed. Both the harbor porpoise and Pacific white-sided dolphins are usually seen close to shore, the latter sometimes congregating in large herds of up to a thousand3 animals. Dall's porpoise, a cold water animal, can be found throughout the year off Washington. Risso's dolphin seem to prefer the offshore waters and are not commonly observed north of Vancouver Island. If i /EWLUEWHALE of'~- :J7 FIN WHALE RIGHT WHALE I WHALE SPERM WHALE L =~IIIII'" 3 HUMPBACK WHALE ~ GRAY WHALE PACIFIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHIN FEET 0 20 40 FIGURE 14 Relative Sizes of Adult Cetaceans 49 GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 501 Population estimates among different species vary dramatically. Some species such as the right whale were hunted to near extinction in the later parts of the last century and never made much of a comeback. Today only anI estimated 200 right whales are thought to inhabit the entire North Pacific. In comparison, as many as an estimated 472,000 sperm whales and 920,000 Dali's porpoise inhabit the North Pacific. Therefore, of f the Washington coast, sightings of right whales are considered rare occurences.I However, sighting pods of Dali's porpoise may occur more frequently. All marine mammals are protected from being killed, captured or harassed under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972.1 Seven species of cetaceans are on federal and state endangered and threatened lists. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service maintains a list for the entire United States, and3 Washington State has its own list maintained by the Washington State Department of Game. These laws prohibit3 the killing, capture or harassment of these species and any harmful alteration of their habitats.I I GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 52. Marine Mammals--Order Pinnipedia--seals and Sea Lions I ~~Seals and sea lions -- the fin-footed mammals -- are dependent on both oceanic and land habitats. Periodically, they must haul out on land to rest and breed. These areas 3 ~~are usually located on uninhabited islands, offshore rocks, or undisturbed portions of coast. Pinnipeds are shy animals I ~~and each species congregates in only a few breeding sites, 3 ~~so it is important to protect their haul out sites and rookeries from human disturbance and development. in Washington waters the most common pinniped is the harbor I ~~seal (Figures 15-18 show distributions of pinnepeds and sea otters in Washington waters). There are roughly 12, 000 year round residents, many of which live in Puget Sound. Harbor I ~~seals are rarely seen very far from a haul out spot. Two species of migrating seals are sometimes seen in offshore Washington habitats: the northern fur seal and the larger and less common northern elephant seal. In contrast 3 ~~to the harbor seal, the northern elephant seal and the northern fur seal, are rarely seen near land during non- 3 ~~breeding times. Deep divers, they feed off the continental shelf and beyond. GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 521 Two species of sea lions, the California and northern sea lion, occur seasonally in Washington waters. Sea lions also spend most of their time near shore, but are known to feed offshore. Unlike the somnolent harbor seal, sea lions are almost always on the move. Fearful of man, sea lions mayI stampede when disturbed, injuring or killing their young, or perhaps abandon a breeding ground altogether. Marine Mammals--Order Carnivora--Sea otters Once hunted to near extinction, the sea otter population is making a comeback. A small population now resides inU nearshore waters of f Washington's Olympic Peninsula. The3 sea otter is dependent on shallow marine areas since it obtains food from the bottom, thus it cannot migrate long5 distances offshore. The seaward limit of the sea otter's habitat is considered to be the 120 foot depth curve. The sea otter is rarely seen on land. They are generally found in the vicinity of large beds of giant and/or bull kelp. Their preferred food organisms are sea urchin, abalone, crab and clams, although their diet adjusts to whatI food is available. The sea otter's dense fur provides its only insulation against the cold, in contrast to the protective layer of ' EP~~~~~~~~ CAPE~ ~ CAEL CAP I) Pacific Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina) BJOHNO haul out sites and rookeries Z California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) U~~~~ haul out sites GRAVEYARD ENorthern Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) I ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~haul out sites I ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~EL Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris) sightings 3 ~~~~~ISLAND Siz D EST RUCT ION 3E,9 Z,4 P from Cape Flattery to Point Grenville POINT I FIGURE 15 Pinniped Habitat -North CoaSt 1 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~53 POINT GRENVILLEI HOQ'UAMAEDN GRA YS HABRE 4.~~~~~~~~CEAI p~~~~~~~~ Pacific~~~~ HabrWPPo c iui P Californiaro SeeaLio (Zlpho scalvitut iona) haul out sites WLAf E Northern Se Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) &A .* haul out sites p~~~~~~~ RIVER~~ EAZ ~~~~cLUMaI p 'I0 FIGURE 16 Pinniped Habitat - South CoastI 541 ~~~~~Pacific Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina) p *:~~~..* ~haulI out sites and rookeries I ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Z California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) haul out sites I ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~E Northern Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) haul out sites ~~~~~~~~~SIT ISLA~~~~~~~~~~~~~ND ~~~~~~~~~~~~POR ~~~~TOPNEN 0.D I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ EVEACRET FIGRE 7 Pnnied a biat NothPueSon I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ACX PORT ANGELES" PI..... * . '!-. '.. .I P Pacific Harbor Seal (Phocavitulina) ' " haul out sites and rookeries EVERETT Z California Sea Lion (Zalophus californianus) I haul out sites . E Northern Sea Lion (Eumetopias jubatus) ! V ; haul out sites , t ; < SET *1n~ -' WA X- Op l TACOMAC SHELTON t R \_ FIGURE 18 Pinniped Habitat - South "4. i?~ ~'? '~"~~~ !~'~ EATTL � ~ ~:. .~" ~!.~~~~ IGEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 57 blubber found on whales and seals. Consequently, the sea otter is extremely vulnerable to oil or other pollution that I ~~would destroy the insulating properties of its fur. Marine birds Washington's waters, both nearshore and outer coast, provide I ~~habitat for both nesting and migrating marine birds and I ~~shore-based birds. Peak numbers of seabirds are found of f the Pacific coast during spring and autumn migrations. in addition to migratory periods, the numbers of waterfowl and other marine birds in Puget Sound swell during the winter I ~~months, while some marine birds such as gulls and cormorants I ~~can be found year round. Populations during fall migration are larger than those in spring, since many birds subject to high mortality during I ~~the first year of life are included in the fall population count. spring migration is usually shorter in duration, while fall migration is accomplished at a more leisurely pace. Thus, fall migrants may be more vulnerable to environmental impacts since they may be in a given area for 3 ~~longer periods and in greater numbers. GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 58 The highest density of seabirds occur over the continental shelf. The most regularly occurring birds are: Albatrosses Northern Fulmar Shearwaters Storm-petrels Phalaropes Jaegers and Skua Gulls Terns Alcids Very high seasonal concentrations of birds are located in the entrance to the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The southern coast also attracts a great many seabirds. Large flocks of shearwaters can be found feeding on anchovies just off beaches along the southern coast from July to September while many other species forage in and near the three estuaries (Grays Harbor, Willapa Bay, Columbia River) during their annual migration. There are about 240,000 seabirds known to be nesting along the outer coast of Washington. Among them is the largest nesting population of Caspian terns in the western United States. These terns nest in Grays Harbor, Willapa Bay and EGEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 59 in the entrance to the Columbia River. The Caspian tern has been classified as a species of concern or threatened I ~~species in Washington. The birds are vulnerable to increases in water turbidity which prevents them from seeing prey. This can be a critical problem during nesting season in nearshore and estuarine habitats where they forage. I ~~The northern coast also has a large population of nesting a ~~birds. About 170,000 alcids -- among them tufted puff ins and Cassin's auklets -- breed in Washington at many locations along the northern coast. Roughly 5,400 cormorants, 17,000 gulls, and 40,000 storm-petrels also nest I ~~along the ocean coast. Some marine birds may live as long as 30 years, however they do not mature sexually until they are several years old. This, combined with the fact that they only produce a few I ~~eggs at a time, amplifies the effect disturbance of breeding colonies has on the long-term viability of a species. When adults are frightened into leaving nests, eggs and young may be knocked out, and predators may take advantage 3 ~~of the unguarded nest. In the extreme case, the nest or the colony may be abandoned altogether. GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 601 The Puget Sound region is extremely important to 124 species of marine birds. Many rely on the sheltered bays and inlets for winter habitat or for forage during migration periods while others are year round residents. In particular, Puget Sound provides important habitat for brant, snow geese,I peregrine falcons and rhinoceros aukiets. Certain islands are of particular importance to breeding3 marine birds. Protection Island provides breeding habitat for rhinoceros auklets and tufted puff ins. Double-crestedI and pelagic cormorants breed on Colville Island. Several birds with threatened or endangered status are found3 in Washington waters. On the endangered list are short- tailed albatross, peregrine falcon, Aleutian Canada goose,4 and brown pelican. The bald eagle has threatened status. However, all non-game species of migratory birds are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This law prohibits hunting, capturing, or interfering with any migratory bird, its eggs or nest.3 Sensitive HabitatsI There are numerous special animal species inhabiting primarily marine and marine coastal areas, and site specificI habitat data for all of them would encompass virtually all I GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 61 5 ~~of Washington's coastline. Therefore, the following discussion is confined to our knowledge of critically I ~~important habitats for threatened and endangered species. species listed as threatened or endangered under Wildlife B ~~Policy .602, that frequent the marine and marine coastal areas, and may be impacted by seismic surveys are listed I ~~below: loggerhead sea turtle 3green sea turtle leatherback sea turtle I ~~brown pelican peregrine falcon bald eagle j ~~sea otter gray whale I ~~sei whale fin whale Iblue whale hump-backed whale black right whale sperm whale GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 62 Information on sea turtle critical feeding areas of migration routes are not known. Brown pelican feeding and resting areas are poorly known. The remaining known critical areas can be roughly described as outlined on the maps and as described below (Figures 19- 22). 1. Columbia River mouth - brown pelican concentrations during fall, year around bald eagle use. 2. Willapa Bay - brown pelican concentrations during fall, peregrine falcon wintering area. 3. Grays Harbor - brown pelican concentrations during fall, peregrine falcon wintering area. 4. Coastal Olympic Peninsula - brown pelican concentrations during fall, year around bald eagle and peregrine falcon use. 5. Dungeness Spit, Sequim Bay, Protection Island vicinity - peregrine falcon wintering habitat, bald eagle year around use. ::i; ~ ,'tj4. Brown Pelican !X~~t~ ,t~ XBald Eagle Peregrine Falcon i OZETTE LAKE ':::~~~~~~~<'!i f:; .:~! : %A I " 0~~~~~~~~0 FIGURE 19 Sensitive Bird Habitats - North Coast 63 3 . Peregrin e Falcon ~ OUA-BRE Brown Pelican HftO RI VER~~ 2. Pererin Eagleo O Brown Pelican3 FIGUE 20Senstiv Bird Habitat - Sot Cos 64U 6PrernFacon ~ 6. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Peregrine Falcon 3Bald Eagle PeregrinNCOTE - . ergrn Falcon ~. ~Bald Eagle POR I TRISOFWNSENDEFA 5. Peregrine Falcon ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ RE. FIGURE 21 Sensitive Bird Habitats -North Puget und I65 STRAITS OF JUAN DE FUCA PORT ANGELES -i EVERETT VI SEATTLE 44"i~~~i TACOMA S. Peregrine Falcon FIGURE 22 Sensitive Bird Habitats Sout t 3MPIA E GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 67 6. San Juan Islands, Nooksack estuary - year around bald eagle concentrations, local peregrine use areas. S7. Padilla, Samish, and Skagit Bays and associated estuaries -peregrine falcon wintering use and year around bald eagle use. 8. Nisqually Delta - peregrine falcon wintering area. The above list identifies the most important threatened and endangered species habitats. These areas also are important jhabitats for a wide variety of other wildlife, some of which may be sensitive to the disturbances associated with seismic surveys. The bald eagle areas identified herein were chosen for their relatively high densities of nesting or wintering eagles, or because they overlapped with relatively important habitat for another threatened or endangered species. Many bald eagle nesting territories and wintering areas are not I ~~included in the designated areas of importance. I I I SECTION FOUR l I l I I I I l I I I I I I I I I GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 68 I ~~~~~~~~SEISMIC SURVEYS I ~~oil and gas are hydrocarbons -- chemical compounds once part p ~~of living organisms that have been buried, heated and squeezed into new forms. They are located in deposits under the sea floor. I ~~since the beginning of the modern petroleum exploration era, p ~~more than 2.5 million oil wells have been drilled in the United States. Once the "easy" oil and gas was tapped, energy companies turned to the continental shelf to look for additional petroleum reserves. Significant reserves of oil I ~~and gas were found and tapped off the coasts of California, p ~~Alaska and the Gulf states. However, only recently have the energy industries exhibited interest in offshore Washington, 3 ~~ranking it 15 out of 26 on the latest leasing schedule. 3 ~~seismic surveys are the first step to oil and gas development (Figure 23). Seismic surveys provide clues to I ~~the sedimentary structure beneath the seafloor. This is done by bouncing sound energy off rock layers found on the ocean floor and recording and analyzing the reflections. 3 ~~Until recent years, the primary energy source for acoustic signals was an explosive, often dynamite. Today, preferred I ~~sources include compressed air, electric spark and propane stabilizing buoys srae al N~~~~N ** ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.. ~~V.::.~ .... .. ~~~~~~~~I a FIGURE 23 Profile of Seismic Survey Operation EGEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HAN~DBOOK Page 70 I ~~gas, all of which are easier to fire accurately and have less impact on marine life. Acoustic signals generated by compressed air is the energy source most used in seismic surveys conducted in outer 5continental shelf waters off Washington. What follows is a brief description of the process and operations used in the Icompressed air type of seismic survey. I ~~The Process A survey ship sends out pulsed sound waves, generated by an 5 ~~acoustic generator array (typically an airgun array). As these sound waves penetrate the seafloor, the various rock Ilayers reflect the signals back at different times to a I ~~series of sensitive listening devices that trail behind the ship on a streamer up to 9,000 feet long. Special 3instruments on the ship record the numerous signals on magnetic tape, which a computer can process to produce a Iprofile of the subsea formations. The airgun array is towed directly behind the ship at a 3depth of 30-40 feet (Figure 24). Some operators may use a device called a paravane to cause the airgun array to tow I ~~out away from the vessel and cable. The airguns release 3compressed air in the water, creating a sharp sound pulse. TYPICAL STREAMER TOWING CONFIGURATION TAIL BUOY SURVEY VESSEL - 70 - RECORDING CABLE - AIRGUN 2 MILES (10,560') ARRAY l DON'T PASS PASS AFT OF STREAMER PARAVANE MODERN AIRGUN AND , RECEIVERAY CONFIGURATION 165 ft. SURVEY/~ 1. ~STREAMER VESSEL , .000 ft. 10000 ft.ooo . PARAVANE SUB-ARRAY DON'T PASS PASS FIGURE 24 Seismic Streamer Towing Configuration I GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOK Page 72 5 ~~Typically, the array consists of six subarrays, each of which contains seven airguns. g ~~The sound detectors, or hydrophones, are housed in a long streamer cable which is up to two miles in length. Towed 5 ~~behind the ship at depths of 20-40 feet, the streamer cable collects signals from the sound detector in groups, I ~~generating a sound record. Then the information is 5 ~~transferred and recorded on a digital magnetic tape. 3 ~~operations 3 ~~The ship starts near one end of the first line by deploying the 2-mile long streamer. A tail buoy connected to the streamer with a rope 100 to 170 feet long is also dropped 3 ~~off. The buoy may have a light and a radar corner reflector to facilitate spotting. To minimize streamer damage and to I ~~maintain uniform running depths, a winged device called a bird is attached to the streamer every 980 to 1650 feet. The birds not only help keep the streams fairly level, but 5 ~~they have remote depth control, which permits the streamer to be raised-to avoid bottom obstructions and to be lowered 3for a crossing ship. UThe ship travels at a speed of about five knots along a pre- 3 ~~plotted seismic line while spreading the airgun array out GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY HANDBOOKI Page 73 from the ship. A sound pulse which penetrates the rocklayers is released every 80 feet or so by the airgun3 array. The resulting echoes or reflections from the rock layers are sensed by the detectors in the streamer,1 amplified by the seismic amplifiers, and recorded on5 magnetic tape. Fishermen should be aware that maneuverability of the slow- moving ship is severely limited. Quick turns and evasive3 actions are difficult to accomplish without losing org damaging gear. in addition, the vessel's course is pre- plotted in order to correctly interpret the rock layers;3 deviations from the pre-plotted course may require over two hours circling time to get properly realigned to resumeI recording. To avoid gear conflict it is suggested that an avoidance distance of 2-1/2 miles be allowed behind the vessel.3 Lights/Day ShapesI The lights and day shapes (Figures 25 and 26) used by geophysical vessels when they are surveying with equipment under tow are the same as used by all co~mmercial shipping. As illustrated, the day shapes are black in color and3 typically two feet in diameter. They are placed equidistant and are visible from all directions. The night lights are GEOPHYSICAL VESSEL LIGHT POSITIONS m I................. ~iii::i::i: :.iy E .LLOW - TO W IZN G LIGHT ::::::H:: T .:::::::::::: . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~...................:... M ~ ~ ~ fil::::::::::'~:'':j::,7'.*.'....'.'.'.. ..iii:"x ,di...:" ::;..:::R:E:D:H:TE MA::::::::SE: DW H I T E- IGHTS WHITE STN LGT WHITE :i:::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::: ��;;: --- ..:::::::::::::::::::::: .............~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~i.... i.r �;;;;;� . ..�:��;��:��:�. i?.......1..... .�_. (Iiiiiiii5l~iliiiiiilil iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii:l~::t: ::::::~i~~i~~iiiii. OXii'':iii..:O�::iiiiii:�:� ~ ~~~~~~~iii:!,............. :: .................... ::i! ~~~~~~~.;�:.::::.:.:.:.:.:.:.::.:.:,,::% S RI'E E I @ W BI IY LEGPS"'::i:::::� :::��� ::ii::iiii:iii:i�iP IY3:bt8 .:.:.::.;.:.: .:..:.:..:..:...:.a: :: CD~i~ij YELLOW - TOW IN G LI[G" jS)~~~as::::::::::: �~ .. i!~,iiiii'~iiii ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ :::1~133 ~..i.'"i' :ii',11'~i!~,~,iiiiiii::iiiiiii~iiiiiiiiiiii;:''''�p:�~i~~i:f::iiij~~ i::i~::ij~::!~i~!i::::::i!i:iiiiii::iii ~1 ~ . T [ :-- i: ~~...... [.... . I- .....:_ _ ~- *- *... . - -I I ~ I,-i..... RED I o~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~HT MATEAD SDLIGHT GTREN SIDLIHG s ~:li~i:I:I:1:ii:~:;i1B1::::::::li:............. X,;�.~ji:::::::::::: SOURCE::::::: American~~ Petroleum: ; Institute~i............. GREEN This figure shows International lights for a typical geophysical vessel, with a tow exceeding 200 meters and restricted in ability to maneuver. Thered-white-redall-roundlightswillbelocatedonvessels where they can bes be. seen. (Adapted from USCGNavigation Rules,�:�:�:����:;��:�a::i~i~i~i:~ 23 Aug::::~:::::�:�:;:ii::i.. .982) � :::::::::::::::::~~~~~:::ii:.#.,:.:.:::i~~~~~i~i i:::/:i~~~l:::::::i::::~~~~::j::�:: WHITE - MASTHEAD ]LI.... ... .. .......... . ....... ........... . :::::::::::::::::j:::::::i::WHITE- STERN LIGHT ~ ~ ~ ~ �,�.�;.. nI:;rwi~a:~:~:::~w~i::j::::::::::::::::::,:.:.:.,1........... ........� ...............~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~:::::::~:::::::::::j:::::;.;::;::::::?:::: ~~�:�:�:;:�:::::::~~~~~~~~~::�: ::::88 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~-.~~�;���::eimiate .... . . . .. .~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~.�c:c:������i;�� :"::::::ij~:~:~::.::: ::t:~:::j:I :~:::::tj i~l~f~t:~ti8:3i~i~i:#:: ~ i~l~E ':~~:~:~ Il~i ~:::j:::~:~:~::~"~w::::i~j:::�:::�:iPPli:~:~:I:�:�::�:-:-~�-�:c..........: ...............5:~~~1~~'~''i ::::r::�� ���::���:�.I��-:~:::::::::: ....... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . .....::: �:-�:�:�::�,�:� SOURCE: American Petroleum Institute811B~cs NOTE: This figure shows International lights for a typical geophysical vessel, with a tow exceeding 200 meters and restricted in ability:::::::::�: to aneve. Te ed-hil-rd al-oun liht wil e lcatd n vssls her tey anbes besen. Adpte frm SCGNaigaio Rules, 23 Aug. 1982) .~..": ~� ::'::~::~~:::iI:~:1:I~:8 GEOPHYSICAL VESSEL Towing Day Shapes, Night Lights and Flags 5000 M. CABLE IN TOW A. BANNER __ 'RED, 3600 NIGHT LIGHTS K ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~WHI1TE1- 21 "7 'RED' 0~ B. FLAGS C. DAY SHAPES TAIL BUOY A. BANNER Banner to be exhibited on port and starboard side of geophysical vessel. Black block letters will be 36" high on yellow background for maximum visibility. Not all geophysical vessels carry this banner. B. LENGTH-OF-TOW (International) FLAGS Length-of-tow flags to be flown as indicated on main mast forward of tow- ing shapes as prescribed in H.O. Pub. 102 (1969) International Code of Signals. These flags denote a submerged object in tow and the length of tow is 2730 fathoms (5000 M or 16,400 ft.) aft of the vessel, which is adequate to safeguard all current geophysical cables. Flags will remain constant for all towed cables up to 2730 fathoms (500 M). Thus clearance aft should be this distance at all times while cables are under tow. C. TOWING SUBMERGED OBJECTS Towing shapes to be flown as indicated on main mast aft as prescribed in USCG Bulletin COMDTINT M16672.2 (1982). These shapes indicate a submerged cable is being towed at or near the surface. D. TAIL BUOY Typical tail buoy for all geophysical vessels attached to end of towed cable. Usually highly visible, of 12 foot average length, with radar reflector. Some buoys have radar transponders. USCG rules require an all-round white light. Other vessels should not pass between tail buoy and geophysical vessel. These buoys are normally marked un- manned with name of owner and vessel. FIGURE 26 Geophysical Vessel Towing Day Shapes, Night Lights and Flags 75 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I APPENDICES I I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I I Chapter 173-15 WAC PERMITS FOR OIL OR NATURAL GAS EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED FROM STATE MARINE WATERS WAC (1) Applicability. 173-15-010 Authority and purpose. (a) A person desiring to perform oil or natural gas 173-15-020 Definitions. exploration activities by vessel located on or within ma- 173-15-030 Exploration activity permit system. 173-15-040 Penalties. rine waters of the state shall first obtain a permit from the department. WAC 173-15-010 Authority and purpose. These (b) An exploration activity permit obtained under (a) rules are promulgated pursuant to RCW 90.58.550(6) of this subsection shall be the sole permit required to be for the purpose of establishing the basic requirements for obtained for exploration activity under chapter 90.58 the exploration activity permit system. [Statutory Au- RCW. thority: RCW 90.58.550, 90.58.560 and 1983 c 138. 84- (c) Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, noth- 01-028 (Order DE 83-35), � 173-15-010, filed ing herein shall modify any powers of local governments 12/12/83.1 set forth in chapter 90.58 RCW. (2) Exploration activity permit application. WAC 173-15-020 Definitions. The following defi- (a) Applications for an exploration activity permit nitions shall apply: shall be supplied by the department. (1) "Department" means the department of ecology. (b) Applications shall be filed with the Shorelands (2) "Exploration activity" means reconnaissance or Division, Department of Ecology, Headquarters Office, survey work related to gather information about geologic Olympia, WA 98504. features and formations underlying or adjacent to ma- (c) No application shall be processed until it is rine waters. Such activities include sonic, ultrasonic, deemed complete by the department. seismic, sparker, side-scan sonar, infrared, heat sensor, (d) Each application for an exploration activity permit chemical analysis (sniffer), or other remote sensing shall be accompanied by a completed environmental techniques which do not disturb the surface of the checklist as provided in Title 197 WAC. aquatic lands, as well as drilling, core sampling, or other (3) Processing of complete application. exploratory techniques which penetrate the beds under- (a) A complete application will be forwarded to state lying or adjacent to marine waters. natural resource management agencies and local govern- (3) "Marine waters" includes the waters of Puget ments and Indian tribes affected by the proposed explo- Sound north to the Canadian border, the waters of the ration activity. Strait of Juan de Fuca, the waters between the western (b) Comments will be requested regarding the pro- boundary of the state and the ordinary high water mark, posed exploration activity and its compatibility with the and related bays and estuaries. RCW 90.58.550 (1)(b). criteria established under RCW 90.58.550(2). Normally, (4) "Normal public use of the marine waters of the reviewing agencies will be allowed fifteen days, from re- state" means those activities generally enjoyed by mem- ceipt of the application as provided by the department, bers of the public including, but not limited to, recre- in which to submit comments to the department. ation, fishing (commercial and sports), navigation and (4) Public notice. commerce. (a) Upon receipt of a completed application, the de- (5) "Vessel" includes ships, boats, barges, or any partment shall instruct the applicant to publish notice other floating craft. RCW 90.58.550 (1)(c). thereof. (6) "Director" means the director of the department (b) Notices of the proposed exploration activity shall of ecology. be published in the newspaper of the largest general cir- (7) "Person" means any individual, public or private culation within each of the counties in which the activity corporation, agency, or other entity whatsoever, except is proposed. for state ur federal agencies. [Statutory Authority: (c) Any person wishing to express views on the pro- RCW 90.58.550, 90.58.560 and 1983 c 138. 84-01-028 posed exploration activity will be given fifteen days to (Order DE 83-35), � 173-15-020, filed 12/12/83.] comment to the department. (d) All notices of applications for exploration activity WAC 173-15-030 Exploration activity permit sys- permits shall contain, as a minimum, the information tern. The permit system established by RCW 90.58.550 called for in the following form: shall be as follows: (12/12/83) 77 [Ch. 173-15 WAC-p II 173-15-030 Oil or Natural gas Exploration Activities Notice of Application for (a) The department shall place terms and conditions Exploration Activity Permit in the exploration activity permit as necessary to assure Notice is hereby given that (company name or institu- that the permitted activity meets the requirements of jion) has filed an application for an exploration activity RCW 90.58.550(2). permit for oil and/or natural gas survey and reconnais- (b) Such terms a nd conditions may include but are sance work in (list major bodies of water) not limited to: (i) Geographic limits on the area of operation; (ii) Timing of the operation; The exploration activity consists of (describe survey (iii) Limitations on hours of operation gear, vessel, and other equipment in sufficient detail to (iv) Placement of on-board observers; inform public of the nature of the operation) (v) Use of lead boats; (vi) Insurance or bond; and/or The exploration activity is proposed to commence on (vii) Fishermen (or other users group) notification (date) and end (date) . procedures. Any person desiring to express views or to be notified of (8) Modifications of exploration activity permits. thacintknothsapiaineWhe a permittee seeksn to modify an explorication acshould notiv-fy the t~~~~~~~~~~~~~heacin take nti plcto hudntf ht permitdtie ascat n etdsrbn h department of ecology in writing of his/her interest ity permit, de mascatsal e s bi the within fifteen days of the final date of publication of this nature of the odificatione mit e de notice which is (date) . Written comments should partment. Mown the prmt m e a be mailed or delivered to the Washington Department of the departme amin at Ecology, Shorelands Division, Mail Stop PV-I I, such changes . Ecoloy, Sorelnds Dvisin, Mil Stp PVI 1, (9) Request for review. All requests for review of anyI Olympia, WA 98504, (206) 459-6272. Comment period final permit decision under RCW 90.58.550(2) and deadline is (date) these rules are governed by the procedures established in (e) An affidavit that the notice has been properly chapter 43.21B RCW and its implementing rules. 1Stat- published pursuant to this section shall be provided to utory Authority: RCW 90.58.550, 90.58.560 and 1983 c the department by the applicant. 138. 84-01-028 (Order DE 83-35), � 173-15-030, filed (5) Public hearing. A public hearing on the proposed 12/12/83.] exploration activity permit will be held by the depart- ment if it detcrmines, upon consideration of such factors WAC 173-15-040 Penalties. Any person violating as location, timing, duration, method of operation, and RCW 90.58.550, or the provisions of ths ruls, is sub- public comments, that a hearing would assist it in im- ject to a civil penalty issued by the department in an plementing the intent of RCW 90.58.550(2). amount of up to five thousand dollars a day. See RCW (6) Department exploration activity permit decision. 90.58.560 (1) and (2). [Statutory Authority: RCW 90- (a) The department will approve an exploration activ- .58.550, 90.58.560 and 1983 c 138. 84-01-028 (Order ity permit application if it determines that the proposed DE 83-35), �173-15-040, filed 12/12/83.1 activity meets the criteria set forth in RCWI 90.58.550(2). Exploration activities may not: (i) Interfere materially with the normal public uses of the marine waters of the state; (ii) Interfere with activities authorized by a permit is- sued under RCW 90.58.140(2);, (iii) Injure the marine biota or other fish and wildlife, beds, or tidelands of the waters, (iv) Violate water quality standards established by the department; (v) Create a public nuisance; or (vi) Conflict with a shoreline master program ap-I proved by the department under RCW 90.58.090 or 90.58.190, (b) The department, as lead agency, will comply withI the provisions of the State Environmental Policy Act as governed by the procedures established under chapter 43.21 RCW and its implementing rules. (c) No application for an exploration activity permitI shall be approved by the department under this section which relates to surface drilling for oil or gas in the wa- ters of Puget Sound north to the Canadian boundary or the Strait of Juan de Fuca seaward of the ordinary high water mark. RCW 90.58.160. (7) Exploration activity permit terms and conditions. [Chi. 173-15 WAC-p 21 78 (21/3 B ~~~slate of aIIit-gtofI Application No. If ll eflt Permit No. APPLICATION FOR A PERMIT TO CONDUCT OIL OR NATURAL GAS EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES IN STATE MARINE WATERS This application is required under RCW 90.58.550 and Chapter 173-15 WAC Name of Applicant Address Telephone Contact Person Name of Geophysical Operator Address Telephone / Contact Person Purpose of activity: 0 Mineral Exploration 0 Scientific Research Number of days needed to conduct exploration activity Beginning date requested / / Ending date requested / / Vessel name call number size color Lead boat employed 0 Yes [0 No MECY 056 79 Exploratory equipment to be used (check appropriate boxes) o airgun* o] sparker* o] sniffer o] magnetometer o] explosives O other * If seismic signal sources are to be operated during the survey, will they be towed in a wide array? 0 Yes 0 No Also, please indicate the length of seismic steamer and depth to be towed General location (check appropriate boxes) [] Puget Sound El Strait of Juan de Fuca o Quter Coast Nature and location, if any, of onshore support facilities required. This application must be accompanied by: (1) Two sets of nautical charts showing exact location of all proposed seismic lines or seabed disturbing activities. (2) A completed environmental checklist as required under Chapter 197.10 WAC. For proposed oil and/or gas exploration activities involving drilling operations, the applicant is advised to contact the Washington Department of Natural Resources, Marine Lands Management Division, Olympia, Washington 98504 for compliance with the provisions of RCW 78.52. The applicant agrees that operation shall be conducted in conformance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations now, or hereafter, in effect during the life of any permit issued to this application. Signature Date Printed Name Title 80 MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT between the 3 ~~~~~~~STATE OF WASHINGTON and the UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR The State of Washington and the United States Department of the interior (DOI), Minerals Management Service (MMS), I ~~Pacific OCS Region, wish to establish a coordinated procedure for the issuance of Federal geological and geophysical (G&G) permits for offshore seismic surveys in a I ~~manner which will avoid or minimize adverse impacts to Washington's coastal resources. The authority for the parties to reach this agreement is Section 19(e) of the outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Amendments of 1978, 43 U.S.C. 1345(e). Past seismic survey operations by U.S. permittees in waters I ~~overlying the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) have, on occasion, resulted in the loss of and damage to fixed fishing gear of individual fishermen and to state-managed fisheries resources. Previous notification of seismic survey operations via the U.S. Coast Guard's "Notice to Mariners" has not always been effective to avoid the 3 ~~offshore conflicts. Enhanced coordination between DOI-MMS, the State of Washington, fishermen, and the offshore industry will prove I ~~valuable in avoiding future conflicts. For planning purposes, this Memorandum of Agreement outlines specific time periods pertaining to fishing activities offshore Washington. By~ planning for and conducting seismic survey operations during periods of low fishing activity, conflicts can be avoided or minimized early on. I ~~This Memorandum of Agreement also outlines a process by which DOI-MMS will notify the state of proposed surveys and provide for the incorporation of state recoimmendations, to reduce conflicts, into the permit prior to issuance. This process assures the state that concerns regarding coastal resources are considered and impacts minimized. I ~~I. Schedulina of Seismic Activities Three offshore fishing periods have been identified for I ~~~planning purposes. These periods have been tailored to the fixed-gear Dungeness crab fishing and crab concentrations, but also reflect considerations of I ~~~other important fisheries. The Dungeness crab fishery is the activity and resource most directly affected by seismic surveys of f Washington. The state has management responsibilities 3 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~81 Geophysical Survey MOA3 Pag 2for the protection and enhancement of the DungenessI crab resource on both the nearshore and offshore areas. The state also manages an active commercial, charter, and recreational salmon fishery of f the coast. InI addition, the sablefishery, under both the long-line and pot methods, is becoming an increasingly important part of the state's offshore fishing industry and3 management responsibilities. A. Period of Low Fishing Activity - September 15 through November 25.I The Dungeness crab fishery is closed during this time frame. There is a small sablefishery duringI the early part of this period. Sablefish are pursued in waters in excess of 300 fathoms through the use of both pots and long-lines. Seismic operators are encouraged to plan operations for this time period since there are virtually no crab pots present. State review will reflect efforts to avoid conflicts with the sablefishery. PermitI review can be expedited during this period due to the relatively low fixed-gear fishing activity. B. Period of Moderate Fishing Activity - March 16I through September 14. Approximately 60 crab vessels fish during thisU period, utilizing as many as 18,000 crab pots. Crab gear is generally located inside the 20 fathom line.I The salmon fishery generally begins in May and runs through August. As many as 1,000 offshore trawlers may work the Washington coast during this period, running out to 100 fathoms. Charter boats and smaller fishing boats operate closer to shore and combined, may number over 1,000 vessels. TheI sablefishery is also active during this period, with pots and long-lines working areas out to 350 fathoms. With the emphasis on avoiding fixed fishing gear conflicts, operators are encouraged to plan any surveys during this period for the area outside the 20 fathom line. State review will consider impacts to both the salmon and sablefish resources and recommended measures will reflect these concerns. Proposals for surveys inside the 20 fathom line could likely result in time consuming pot relocations.I 82I Geophysical Survey MQA I ~~Page 3 C. Period of Peak Fishing Activity - November 26 through March 15. During this brief period, as many as 165 crab I ~~~~~fishing vessels operate off Washington, fishing approximately 42,000 pots. The gear is located in waters to depths of 65 fathoms and cannot be I ~~~~~readily moved to shallower waters due to storm- inflicted damage. Winter storms, frequent of f the Washington coast, also prevent fishermen from I ~~~~~moving crab pots quickly, often necessitating in excess of two weeks to bring crab pots to shallow water or to port. Because of the high numbers of crab fishermen and associated fixed gear and the winter storm conditions, seismic surveys should be planned to avoid this peak fishing period. State review and I ~~~~~recommendations will reflect the importance of the Dungeness crab fishery and the time constraints associated with the relocation of fixed gear. 3 ~~II. Notification of Particiuatincr Aaencies When the Minerals Manager, DOI-MMS, Pacific OCS region, determines that an application for a G&G permit for I ~~~offshore Washington is complete, a copy will be forwarded to the state agency contacts listed below. The authority for the Department of Ecology's review rests with the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended. The Department of Ecology has been designated as the lead agency for the Washington Coastal Zone Management Program and the state OCS Participation I ~~~Program. The Department of Fisheries is the state agency responsible for fisheries management. Transmitted information will contain a description of I ~~~the proposed survey in enough detail to enable the state to determine the extent of potential conflicts. in instances where the survey is speculative, or for a "group shoot," a detailed map, to be be held confidential upon request by the applicant, will be furnished: 3 ~~~~~~Washington Department of Ecology Shorelands & CZM Program Mail Stop PV-11 Olympia, WA 98504 Attn: Brian Walsh - OCS Program Manager (206) 459-6782 3 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~83 Geophysical Survey MOA Page 4 Washington State Department of Fisheries 115 General Administration Building Olympia, WA 98504I Attn: Ron Westley - Assistant Director, Shellfish (206) 753-6749I Ill. State Review - ScoDe and Time Limitations The state, through coordination with field agents and fishermen, will review the G&G permit application to determine the extent of potential conflicts with state-I managed resources. If necessary, the state will contact the seismic operator for additional information. Within 14 days of receipt of the necessary survey information, the state will submit comments to: Minerals Manager, Pacific 005 Region Minerals Management Service 1340 W. Sixth Street, Suite 244I Los Angeles, CA 90017 The state will inform DOI-MKS of the location and general description of any fishing areas or locations of fixed gear that may be in conflict with the proposed operations, or that there are no conflicts. Comments will also include recommendations deemed necessary byI the state to avoid or minimize potential conflicts between the survey and state resources. The state response will also include a listing of WashingtonI State fishermen (or their associations) identified as having an interest in the survey. IV. Federal Permit IssuanceI A copy of the permit will be forwarded to the Departments of Ecology and Fisheries. Where recommendations suggested by the state are not incorporated, written justification will be provided to the state.3 Fishermen contacts (or their associations), as provided by the state, will be listed by DOI-MKS in the "Special Provisions" section of the permit to enhanceU coordination between the operator and potentially impacted fishermen. The permit will require the permittee to contact these designated fishermen (orI their associations) and the state agency contacts at least 72 hours in advance of the survey operation. 84g Geophysical Survey MOA I ~~Page 5 5 ~~V. Fishermen Notification The Department of Fisheries will notify identified fishermen (or their associations) of the permitted I ~~~~survey. This notification will include a posting of a notice at appropriate port locations as well as p ~~~~telephone contacts. VI. General Provisions 1. Direct contact between the DOI-MMS and other state I ~~~~~agencies are in no way limited by the Memorandum of Agreement. Such contacts are encouraged to promote more effective communication and coordination. 2. Nothing herein will be construed as obligating DOI-MKS or the State of Washington to violate any laws or regulations. 3. This Memorandum of Agreement will be reviewed at least annually by DOI-MIMS and the participating state agencies, as to current adequacy and need. I ~~~4. This Memorandum of Agreement will become effective on the date of signatures as evidenced below, and will remain in effect until mutually revised in writing or until 30 days-after notice of termination by either DOI-MMS or the State of Washington. 5 ~~THIS MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WAS REVIEWED AND REAFFIRMED BY THE PARTIES SHOWN BELOW: I ~~Director for the Department of Ecolo gy State of Washington Donald Moos 5 ~~~6-01-82 5 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~85 Geophysical Survey MOA I Page 6 Director for the Department of Fisheries State of Washington 3 Rolland Schmitten 6-01-82 I Minerals Manager, Pacific OCS Region I Minerals Management Service U.S. Department of the Interior Reid Stone 5-18-82 8 i I I I I I I I 86 I ti t W&4V1,X1 ~ ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST Purpose of Checklist: The Statle rEnvironmental Policy Act (SEP1A), chapter 43.21C RCW. requires all governmental agencies to consider te vil ronl nelliaIe implacts ol a proposal beflore making decisions. An environmiential impact statement ([FIS) luist bc prepaire-cd lor .ll proposils with probal)le signilficanl adversc imnpacts on ilhe qullalily of tihle einvirollniim. Thec purpose oi thllis checklIisl is to providec inlforilnalion to helip you and tilhe age ncy idenify inmpacts from your prolposal (anid lo reduce or avoid illp;acts froil tlhe proposal, if it call bc done) and to help the agency decidc whether an I IS is required. Insitrtioii is br .4Applicalnts: iThis environimenltal checklist asks you to describc somie basic inlorrmatlion about your proposal. (Governmental agcn- c ic use this checklist to determline whether the environmental imipacts of your proposal are significant, requiring preparation of an EIS. Answer the qucstions briefly, with the most precise information known, or give the best dc- scription you can. You must answer each question accurately and carefully, to the best of your knowledge. In most cases, you should be able to answer the questions from your own observations or project plans without thc need to hire experts. If you really do not know the answer, or if a question does not apply to your proposal, write "do not know" or "does not ap- ply". Complete answers to the questions now may avoid unnecessary delays later. Sonic questions ask about governmental regulations, such as zoning, shoreline, and landmark designations. Answcr these questions if you can. If you havc problems, the governmental agencies can assist you. The checklist questions apply to all parts of your proposal, even if you plan to do thcm over a period of time or on different parcels of land. Attach any additional information that will help dcscribe your proposal or its environmental effects. The agency to which you submit this checklist nmay ask you to explain your answers or provide additional in- formation reasonably related to dcitermining if thcrc may bc significant adverse impact. I Is. of hleckli.s! ftor nonlprojct proposals: ( oniplete this checklist Ifor nonproject proposals, even though questions nmay be answered "does not apply." IN Al)- Ill'IN, coMpIcte the SII'PI IMI-MNTAI SUil IT FOR NONPR()JI ( 1 A( 'TIONS (part I)). t:or nonproject actions, the references in the checklist to the words "project," "applicant," and "property or site" should be read as "proposal," "proposer," and "affected geographic area," respectively. A. .A, CKG;RO)t;NI) 1. Namic of proposed projcct, if applicable: . Naime of applicant: \ddrcss and phone n.umber of applicant and contact person: 4. I)DateC checklisl prepared: 5. .Agcncy requesting checklist: 6. Proposed l iniing or schedule (including phasing, if applicable): I 7. )o you lhave any plans for futuire additions, expansion, or furtlher activily related io or conniected with Ithis proposal'? 11' , cs. explain. ECY 050-45 87 8. L.ist any environmental informaltion you know about that has been prepared, or will be prepared, directly related to this proposal. 9. I)o you know whether applications are pending for governmcntal approvals of other proposals directly affecting the property covered by your proposal' If yes, explain. 10. L.ist any government approvals or permits that will be needed for your proposal, it known. I 1. Give brief, complete description of your proposal, including the proposed uses and the size of the project and site. There are several questions later in this checklist thalt ask you to describe certain aspects of' your proposal. You do not need to repeat those answers on Ihllis page. (I.ead agencies may modify this form It, include additional specil'ic infor- mation on project description.) 12. Location of the proposal. Give sufficient information for a person to understand the precise location of your pro- U posed project, including a street address, if any, and section, township, and range, if known. If a proposal would occur over a range of area, provide the range or boundaries of the site(s). Provide a legal description, site plan, vicinity map, and topographic map, if reasonably available. While you should submit any plans required by the agency, you are not required to duplicate maps or detailed plans submitted with any permit applications related to this checklist. raO BEi- (C)MPI.I:TII) T BY AF'I' IC(AN1 liVAI.IATION FO:R B. ENVIRONMENTAL ELiME'NTS A(;IiNCY tIt ONI Y I. Earth a. General description of the site (circle one): Flat, rolling, hilly, steep slopes, mountainous, J other b. What is the steepest slope on the site (approximate percent slope)? 3 I 'r B131 (COMFI1'1.'T'I) BY API't'ICANT I'VA.IUJArTIN FOR A(iN('Y JUSE ONl.Y c. What general types of soils are found on the site (for example, clay. sand, gravel, peal, muck)? If you know the classification of agricultural soils, specify them and note any prime farmland. d. Arc there surface indications or history olf tiustable soils in the immediate vicinity'! If so. describe. e Describe the purpose, type, and approximate quantities of any filling or grading pro- posed. Indicate source of fill. f. ('oulId cl rosion occnr as a result of clearing, construction, or' use' If' so, genera;lly describe. g Aboul what percent of the site will be covered with impervious surfaces after project construction (for example, asphalt or buildings)? h. Proposed measures to reduce or control erosion, or other impacts to the earth, if any: '. Air a. What types ol' emissions to the air would result from the proposal (i.e., dust, automobile, odors. industrial wood snioke) during construction and whenI the project is completed'! 11' ;Iny. gcnerally describe anld give approximate quantities if known. b. Are there any off site sources of emissions or odor that may al'eclt your proposall' If so, generally describe. c I 'rop ed ica su res to rednec or conlrotl eilissions or' otiher i pacs to air, i ii y: 89 TO lIE COMPI.I:TII) BY Al'l'PPI.CANr EVAl.UATIO)N FOR 3. Water A(;I{Nt' tlSF: ON! ' a. Surface: " l) Is there any surface water body on or in the immediate vicinity of the site (including year round and seasonal streams, saltwater. lakes. ponds. wetlands)? If' yes, describe type and provide n;nCes. If approprial�. slalle whall sirca';ll or river it flows inlo. 2) Will the project require any work over, in. or adjacent to (within 200 feelt) the described watcrs?'! If yes, pleasc describe and attach available plans. 3) Estimate the amount of fill and dredge material that would be placed in or removed from surface water or wetlands and indicate the area of the site that would bc affected. In- dicatc the source of fill material. 4) Will the proposal require surface water withdrawals or diversions'? Give gencral de- scription. purpose, and approximate quantitics if known. 5) DIoes tilhe proposal lie within a 100 year floodplain? If so, note location on the site plan. 6) Does the proposal involve any discharges of waste materials to surface waters?'! If so, describe the type of waste and anticipated volume of discharge. b. Ground: I 1) Will ground water be withdrawn, or will water be discharged to ground water'? Give general description, purpose. and approximate quantities if known. | 2) lDescribe waste material that will be discharged into the ground from septic tanks or olther sources, if any (fo0r example: I)Domestic sewage: industrial, containing the following chlmcic;ls . . agricuhltural: etc.). I)cscribc the general size of the system, the number of such systems, the number ol' houses to be served (if applicable), or the number of animals or humans the system(s) are expected to serve. I 90 1 I r( 11 ('(MIN' 1F:FI1) T B API'PI I('AN 'i IVAItA'I(ON IO)R At;liN('Y tiSt ONI Y c. Water Runoff (including storm water): I) Describe the source of' runoff (including storm walter) and method of collection and disposal, if any (include quantities, if known). Where will this water flow'? Will this water flow into other waters? If so, describe. 2) Could waste materials enter ground or surface waters? If so, generally describe. d. IProposed measures to reduce or control surface, ground, and runoff water impacts, if any: 4. Plants a. Check or circle types of vegetation found on the site: _ deciduous tree: alder, maple, aspen, other _ evergreen tree: fir, cedar, pine, other shrubs _ grass pasture _ crop or grain _ wet soil plants: cattail. buttercup, bullrush, skunk cabbage, other _ water plants: water lily, cclgrass, milfoil, other _ other types of vegetation b. Whal kind and amount of vegetation will be removed or altered'! c. List threatened or endangered species known to be on or near the site. d. Proposed lan dscaping, use of native plants, or other measures to preserve or enhaice vegetation on the site, if any: 5. Animals a. Circle any birds and animals which have been observed on or near the site or are known to be on or near the site: birds: hawk, heron, eagle, songbirds, other: ................................. mammials: deer, bear, elk, beaver, other: ................................... fish: bass, salmon, trout, herring, shellfish, other: ............................ b. lis anlly threatened or endangered species known to be on or near the site. 91 14' IIF IM1 1111 'l'l) n� A1'1'1 I1'AN I I:AI UA'ION I:VR A(;I:N('C tIS I NI c. Is the site part of a migration roule? If so, explain. d. Proposed measures to prcserve or enhance wildlife, if any: 6. Energy and Natural Resources a. What kinds of energy (electric, natural gas, oil, wood stove, solar) will be used to meet the completed project's energy needs? Describe whether it will be used for heating, manu- faicltring, etc. b. Would your project affect the potential use of solar energy by adjacent properties? If so, generally describe. c. What kinds of energy conservation features are included in the plans of this proposal? I.ist other proposed measures to reduce or control energy impacts, if any: 7. Environmental Health a. Are there any environmental health hazards, including exposure to toxic chemicals, risk of fire and explosion, spill, or hazardous waste, that could occur as a result of this proposal? If so, describe. I ) Describe special emergency services that might be required. 2) Proposed measures to reduce or control environmental health hazards, if any: b. Noise I) What types of noise exist in the area which may affect your project (for example: traffic, equipment, operation, other)? 2) What types and levels of noise would be created by or associated with the project on a short-term or a long-term basis (for example: traffic, construction, operation, other)? Indi- cate what hours noise would come from the site. I 1() Bl3 ( ()MPI I:TIl) BY APPI.I('ANT INVALUATION l-OR A(iENfY USE ONI.Y 3) Proposed mncasures to reduce or control noise impacts. if ally: S. Iand and Shoreline I Ise a What is the current use ofl' the site and adjacent properties'? b. tlas the site been used for agriculture'? If so, describe. I . Describe any structures on the site. d. \Vill anv structuries be demlolished'? If so, what'? c. What is the current zoning classification of the site? 1f. What is the current comprehensive plan designation of the site? g. If applicable, what is the current shoreline master program designation of the site? h. tlas any part of the site been classified as an "environmentally sensitive" area'! If so, specify. i Applroximately how many people would reside or work in tile completed project? j .1. Approximllicly how malny people would the comipleled project displae? k. Proposed measures to avoid or reduce displacement impacts, if any: I. Proposed measures to ensure the proposal is compatible with existing and projected land uses and plans, if any: 93 1'1 1I1 ('OMI'I 1:11:1) llY APPI'' I( ANI I:VAI UATI()N FOR A(I;:N('N l. IONI N 9. Htousing a. Approximately how many units would be provided, if' any'? Indicate whether high, mid- dle, or low-income housing. b. Approximately how many units, if any, would be eliminated? Indicate whether high, middle, or low--income housing. c. Proposed measures to reduce or control housing impacts, if any: 10. Aesthetics a. What is the tallest height of any proposed structure(s), not including antennas; what is the principal exterior building material(s) proposed? b. What views in the immediate vicinity would be altered or obstructed'? c. Proposed measures to reduce or control aesthetic impacts, if any: 11. Light and Glare a. What type of light or glare will the proposal produce? What time of day would it mainly occur? b. Could light or glarc from the finished project be a safety hazard or interfere with views'? c. What existing ofl'f site sontres of' light or glare may affect your proposal? d. Proposed measures to reduce or control light and glare impacts, if any: I 12. Recreation a. What designated and inf1ormIal recrealional opportunities are in'the immediate vicinity? I b. Would the proposed project displace any existing recreational uses? If so, describe. I 94 I I I rO) 1: (OMI'N11'1111Tl) BY AF'F'I I'ANI IVAIIIATlF)N AMil. Nt- tUSI ( I c. Proposed measures to reduce or control impacts on recreation, including recreation op- portunities to be provided by the project or applicant, if any: 13. Ilistoric and ('ultural Preservation a. Arc there any places or objects listed on. or proposed for, national, slate. or local preser- vation registers known to be on or next to the site'? If so, generally describe. b. Generally describe any landmarks or evidence of historic, archaeological, scientific, or cultural importance known to be on or next to the site. c. Proposed measures to reduce or control impacts, if any: 14. Transportation a. Identcify public streets and highways serving the site, and describe proposed access to the existing street system. Show on site plans, if any. b. Is sit e currently served by public transit? If not, what is the approximate distance to the nearest transit stop'? c. tlow miany parking spaces would the completed project have'? I low many would the project eliminate'? d. W ill the proposal require any new roads or streets, or improvemenls to existing roads or slreets, not including driveways? If so, generally describe (indicatle whether public or privatlc). c. WVill the projecc use (or occur in te immedi;ate vicinity of) water, rail. or air tra:lsportia- tioll If so, generally describe. '. How many vehicular trips per day would be generated by the completed project? If known, indicate when peak volumes would occur. 95 1/) I31 ('l)MPC I i-'l.) 1BY A'PP'l.I('ANI' tIVAI lIAl'IO)N FOR A(;I'NC'Y tIS ONllI N g. Proposed measures to reduce or control transportation impacts, if any: 15. Public Services a. Would the project result in an increased need for public services (for example: fire pro- lection, police protection, health care. schools, other)? If so, gencrally describe. b. I'roposed measures to reduce or control direct impacts on public services, il any. 16. Utilities a. Circle utilities currently available at the site: clectricity, natural gas, water, refuse serv- ice, telephone, sanitary sewer, septic system, other. b. Describe the utilities that are proposed for the project, the utility providing the service, and the general construction activities on the site or in the immediate vicinity which might be needed. (. SIlNAT' RII The alhove answers ar Iruc land conplete 1 tolhe best of my knowledge. I undersland th;ai thc lacd agenIIy is relying on Ihem Io m;ake its decision. Signature: ............................................................... I)ale Submitted: .......................................................... 96