FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Issuance of an Incidental Harassment Authorization to the Washington State Department of Transportation to Take Marine Mammals by Harassment Incidental to Wingwalls Replacement Project at Bremerton Ferry Terminal, Washington, in 2014 February 2014 LEAD AGENCY: USDOC, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Protected Resources 1315 East West Highway Silver Spring, MD 20910 RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL: Donna S. Wieting, Director, Office of Protected Resources FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: Office of Protected Resources National Marine Fisheries Service 1315 East West Highway Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301) 427-8401 LOCATION: Bremerton, Washington ABSTRACT: The National Marine Fisheries Service proposes to issue an Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Ferries Division (WSF) for the taking, by Level B harassment, of small numbers of marine mammals incidental to wingwalls replacement project at Bremerton Ferry Terminal in the State of Washington. The IHA would be valid from October 1, 2014 through September 30, 2015. TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF ACRONYMS, ABBREVIATIONS, AND INITIALISMS ........................................................................... III CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION/DESCRIPTION OF ACTION AND BACKGROUND ...................................... 1 1.1 Introduction/Description of Action ..................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Background ........................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2.1 Purpose And Need ........................................................................................................................................ 2 1.2.2 Scoping Summary ......................................................................................................................................... 2 1.2.3 Comments On Application and EA .............................................................................................................. 3 1.2.4 Issues Within The Scope Of This EA ........................................................................................................... 3 1.2.5 Applicable Laws And Necessary Federal Permits, Licenses, And Entitlements .......................................... 3 1.2.5.1 National Environmental Policy Act ........................................................................................................ 3 1.2.5.2 Endangered Species Act .......................................................................................................................... 4 1.2.5.3 Marine Mammal Protection Act .............................................................................................................. 4 1.2.5.4 Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ............................................................ 5 1.2.5.5 Coastal Zone Management Act ............................................................................................................... 5 CHAPTER 2 ALTERNATIVES INCLUDING THE PROPOSED ACTION ......................................................... 7 2.1 WSDOT Project Objectives ................................................................................................................................. 7 2.2 Alternative 1: No Action Alternative – Deny Issuance of an IHA ................................................................... 7 2.3 Alternative 2: Issuance of an IHA with Mitigation (Preferred Alternative) .................................................. 7 2.3.1 Vibratory Hammer Pile Removals ................................................................................................................ 8 2.3.2 Direct Pull and Clamshell Removal .............................................................................................................. 9 2.3.3 Vibratory Hammer Pile Installation .............................................................................................................. 9 2.3.4 Mitigation Measures ..................................................................................................................................... 9 2.3.5 Monitoring And Reporting ......................................................................................................................... 10 2.3.5.1 Marine Mammal Observers ................................................................................................................... 11 2.3.5.2 Marine Mammal Monitoring Protocols ................................................................................................. 12 2.3.5.3 Reporting Requirements ....................................................................................................................... 13 2.4 Alternatives Considered But Eliminated From Detailed Study ..................................................................... 13 CHAPTER 3 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT .......................................................................................................... 14 3.1 Physical Environment ........................................................................................................................................ 14 3.1.1 Bremerton ................................................................................................................................................... 14 3.1.2 Ambient Sound ........................................................................................................................................... 14 3.1.3 Essential Fish Habitat ................................................................................................................................. 15 3.2 Biological Environment ..................................................................................................................................... 16 3.2.1 Marine Flora ............................................................................................................................................... 16 3.2.2 Marine Invertebrates ................................................................................................................................... 16 3.2.2.1 Pelagic Invertebrates ............................................................................................................................. 16 3.2.2.2 Subtidal Benthic Invertebrates .............................................................................................................. 17 3.2.2.3 Intertidal Benthic Invertebrates ............................................................................................................. 17 3.2.3 Fish Species ................................................................................................................................................ 17 3.2.3.1 Non-ESA-Listed Fish Species ............................................................................................................... 17 3.2.3.2 ESA-Listed Fish Species ....................................................................................................................... 22 3.2.4 Marine Mammals ........................................................................................................................................ 25 3.2.4.1 Harbor Seal ........................................................................................................................................... 26 3.2.4.2 California Sea Lion ............................................................................................................................... 27 3.2.4.3 Steller Sea Lion ..................................................................................................................................... 28 3.2.4.4 Killer Whale .......................................................................................................................................... 29 3.2.4.5 Gray Whale ........................................................................................................................................... 31 3.2.4.6 Humpback Whale .................................................................................................................................. 32 3.3 Social and Economical Environment ................................................................................................................ 33 i CHAPTER 4 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ......................................................................................... 35 4.1 Effects Of Alternative 1: Deny Issuance of an IHA (no action) .................................................................... 35 4.1.1 Impacts on the Physical Environment ......................................................................................................... 35 4.1.2 Impacts on the Biological Environment ...................................................................................................... 35 4.1.3 Social and Economic Environment ............................................................................................................. 35 4.2 Effects Of Alternative 2: Issuance of an IHA with Mitigation (preferred) ................................................. 35 4.2.1 Impacts on the Physical Environment ........................................................................................................