Environmental Assessment of the Ptarmigan Geophysical Program 2012-2021 Offshore Western Newfoundland Stantec Consulting Ltd
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Environmental Assessment of the Ptarmigan Geophysical Program 2012-2021 Offshore Western Newfoundland Stantec Consulting Ltd. 607 Torbay Road St. John’s, NL A1A 4Y6 Tel: (709) 576-1458 Fax: (709) 576-2126 Prepared for Ptarmigan Energy Inc. 801 Torbay Road Torbay, A1K 1A2 Final Report File No. 121510837 Date: July 18, 2012 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE PTARMIGAN SEISMIC SURVEY OFFSHORE WESTERN NEWFOUNDLAND TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Relevant Legislation and Regulatory Approvals.......................................................... 3 1.2 The Proponent............................................................................................................. 3 1.3 Benefits to Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada ................................................ 4 1.4 Project Contacts.......................................................................................................... 4 1.5 Document Organization............................................................................................... 4 2.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ................................................................................................... 5 2.1 Spatial and Temporal Boundaries ............................................................................... 6 2.2 Project Overview ......................................................................................................... 6 2.2.1 History of Exploration Activities in Western Newfoundland Offshore Area...... 9 2.2.2 Objectives and Rationale................................................................................. 9 2.2.3 Alternatives to the Project..............................................................................10 2.2.4 Project Scheduling.........................................................................................11 2.2.5 Site Plans ......................................................................................................11 2.2.6 Seismic Vessel ..............................................................................................11 2.2.7 Seismic Streamers ........................................................................................14 2.2.8 Personnel, Logistics and Support..................................................................16 2.2.9 Environmental Management..........................................................................18 2.2.10 Health, Safety and Environment Policies ......................................................19 2.3 Mitigation...................................................................................................................19 3.0 CONSULTATION WITH STAKEHOLDERS .......................................................................20 3.1 Commercial Fisheries................................................................................................20 3.2 Meetings with Government Departments and Agencies ...........................................20 3.3 Media Communication...............................................................................................21 3.4 Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation Band.............................................................................21 3.5 Issues Identified Through Consultation .....................................................................21 4.0 ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS............................................................23 4.1 Methodology Related to Environmental Assessment................................................23 121510837 i July 18, 2012 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE PTARMIGAN SEISMIC SURVEY OFFSHORE WESTERN NEWFOUNDLAND 4.1.1 Issues Scoping and Selection of Valued Ecosystem Components ...............23 4.2 Environmental Effects Assessment Organization .....................................................25 4.2.1 Boundaries ....................................................................................................25 4.2.2 Identification of Project Related Environmental Effects................................. 26 4.2.3 Existing Conditions ........................................................................................26 4.2.4 Potential Interactions .....................................................................................26 4.2.5 Significance Definition ...................................................................................27 4.2.6 Mitigation .......................................................................................................27 4.2.7 Environmental Effects Assessment ...............................................................27 4.2.8 Accidental Events ..........................................................................................30 4.2.9 Cumulative Environmental Effects Assessment ............................................31 4.2.10 Monitoring and Follow-up ..............................................................................32 4.2.11 Change to the Project that could be Caused by the Environment.................32 5.0 PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT ..............................................................................................33 5.1 Geological Framework ..............................................................................................33 5.1.1 Regional Geology of Western Newfoundland................................................35 5.1.2 Hydrocarbon Potential of Western Newfoundland.........................................36 5.2 Seismicity ..................................................................................................................37 5.3 Physical Oceanography ............................................................................................39 5.4 Bathymetry ................................................................................................................40 5.5 Ocean Currents.........................................................................................................41 5.6 Tides..........................................................................................................................43 5.7 Waves .......................................................................................................................44 5.8 Ice ..........................................................................................................................44 5.9 Climate ......................................................................................................................46 5.9.1 Wind ..............................................................................................................48 5.10 Noise/Acoustic Environment .....................................................................................50 6.0 BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT ..........................................................................................52 6.1 Ecosystem.................................................................................................................52 6.1.1 Coastal Habitats ............................................................................................53 6.1.2 Plankton.........................................................................................................57 121510837 ii July 18, 2012 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE PTARMIGAN SEISMIC SURVEY OFFSHORE WESTERN NEWFOUNDLAND 6.1.3 Benthic Invertebrates.....................................................................................59 6.2 Species at Risk..........................................................................................................63 6.2.1 Status of Species...........................................................................................64 6.2.2 Marine Fish Species at Risk ..........................................................................69 6.2.3 Marine Mammal Species at Risk ................................................................. 114 6.2.4 Marine Reptile Species at Risk....................................................................130 6.2.5 Marine Bird Species at Risk ........................................................................135 6.3 Marine Fish and Shellfish........................................................................................142 6.3.1 Fish..............................................................................................................142 6.3.2 Shellfish.......................................................................................................147 6.4 Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles ..........................................................................149 6.4.1 Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises................................................................. 152 6.4.2 Seals............................................................................................................157 6.4.3 Marine Reptiles............................................................................................160 6.5 Marine Birds ............................................................................................................160 6.6 Sensitive Areas .......................................................................................................162 6.6.1 Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSAs).............................164 6.6.2 Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society - Special Marine Areas ...............164 6.6.3 Other Identified Sensitive Areas ..................................................................165