Final Report AGS Marine Net Pen Relocation Applied Science Associates Project: Port Angeles-East A member of the RPS Group plc Biological Evaluation 55 Village Square Drive AUTHOR(S): South Kingstown, RI 02879 USA RPS ASA: Tel: +1 (401) 789-6224 Alicia Morandi Fax: +1 (401) 789-1932 Jill Rowe M. Conor McManus Zachary Singer Leavitt www: www.rpsgroup.com Richard Balouskus www: www.asascience.com Melanie Gearon Shoal’s Edge Consulting: Danielle Reich PROJECT NUMBER: VERSION: Final RPS ASA 15-260 DATE: 21 January 2016 Prepared for: American Gold Seafoods Applied Science Associates a member of the RPS Group plc Location End Client Internal Reviewer(s) Clallam County, Washington American Gold Seafoods Vicki Morris (Vicki Morris Consulting Services; SEPA/NEPA Document Preparation and Permit Specialist), Danielle Reich (Shoals Edge) Date Release File Name Notes Submitted Final RPSASA_PortAngeles_BioEval_2016Jan21.doc 1/21/2016 Biological Evaluation i rpsgroup.com rpsgroup.com | asascience.com | 122 AGS Marine Net Pen Relocation Project: Port Angeles-East- Biological Evaluation | 15-260 | American Gold Seafoods | USA 1/21/2016 Executive Summary American Gold Seafoods (subsidiary of Icicle Seafoods) has contracted with RPS ASA for preparation of a Biological Evaluation to address relocation of an existing marine aquaculture operation from within Port Angeles Harbor to a new site east of the harbor. The marine net pen relocation project is driven by a US Navy proposal to build a pier on the harbor side of Ediz Hook that will expropriate a portion of the Aquatic Lands Lease area used by the existing AGS Port Angeles Harbor farm, and result in significant construction impacts and operational risks to the existing operation. This document includes a summary of the benthic, pelagic, and shoreline habitats in the vicinity of the proposed project area; a description of the threatened and endangered species and critical habitats that may be present in the project action area, and an effects analysis of the potential impacts of net pen construction and operation on the species and habitats most likely to occur within the project action area. Following the analysis of species and habitats of concern, Table E-1 provides the summary of effects findings for each species or group. Table E-1. Summary of effects analysis findings for protected and priority species that may occur within or near the project action area. Species Effects Analysis Determination Marine Mammals Gray whale may affect, not likely to adversely affect Humpback whale may affect, not likely to adversely affect Killer whale a may affect, not likely to adversely affect Dall’s porpoise may affect, not likely to adversely affect Pacific harbor porpoise may affect, not likely to adversely affect Harbor seal may affect, not likely to adversely affect Northern elephant seal may affect, not likely to adversely affect California sea lion may affect, not likely to adversely affect Stellar sea lion may affect, not likely to adversely affect Marine Fish Bull trout a may affect, not likely to adversely affect Dolly varden may affect, not likely to adversely affect ii rpsgroup.com rpsgroup.com | asascience.com | 122 AGS Marine Net Pen Relocation Project: Port Angeles-East- Biological Evaluation | 15-260 | American Gold Seafoods | USA 1/21/2016 Species Effects Analysis Determination Chinook salmon (Puget Sound ESU) a may affect, not likely to adversely affect Chum salmon (Puget Sound/Strait of may affect, not likely to adversely affect Georgia ESU) Coho salmon may affect, not likely to adversely affect Cutthroat may affect, not likely to adversely affect Pink salmon (Odd Year DPS) may affect, not likely to adversely affect Steelhead trout (Puget Sound DPS) may affect, not likely to adversely affect Bocaccio (Puget Sound/Georgia Basin may affect, not likely to adversely affect DPS) Canary rockfish (Puget Sound/Georgia may affect, not likely to adversely affect Basin DPS) Yelloweye rockfish (Puget may affect, not likely to adversely affect Sound/Georgia Basin DPS) Other rockfish species b may affect, not likely to adversely affect Eulachon (Southern DPS) may affect, not likely to adversely affect Green sturgeon (Southern DPS) a may affect, not likely to adversely affect Green sturgeon (Northern DPS) may affect, not likely to adversely affect Pacific cod may affect, not likely to adversely affect Pacific hake may affect, not likely to adversely affect Pacific herring may affect, not likely to adversely affect Walleye pollock may affect, not likely to adversely affect Marine Invertebrates Geoduck may affect, not likely to adversely affect Birds Bald eagle may affect, not likely to adversely affect Common loon may affect, not likely to adversely affect iii rpsgroup.com rpsgroup.com | asascience.com | 122 AGS Marine Net Pen Relocation Project: Port Angeles-East- Biological Evaluation | 15-260 | American Gold Seafoods | USA 1/21/2016 Species Effects Analysis Determination Brandt’s cormorant may affect, not likely to adversely affect Brown pelican may affect, not likely to adversely affect Tufted puffin may affect, not likely to adversely affect Marbled murrelet may affect, not likely to adversely affect Clarke’s grebe may affect, not likely to adversely affect Western grebe may affect, not likely to adversely affect Common murre may affect, not likely to adversely affect a Critical habitat for this species is designated within the project area. b Black rockfish, brown rockfish, copper rockfish, quillback rockfish, tiger rockfish, yellowtail rockfish, green-striped rockfish, widow rockfish, red-stripe rockfish, china rockfish. iv rpsgroup.com rpsgroup.com | asascience.com | 122 AGS Marine Net Pen Relocation Project: Port Angeles-East- Biological Evaluation | 15-260 | American Gold Seafoods | USA 1/21/2016 Table of Contents 1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Proposed Action ........................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Project Action Area ...................................................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Document Objectives ................................................................................................................................... 4 1.4 Clallam County Critical Areas Code Habitat Management Plan and Mitigation Plan .................................. 4 1.5 Clallam County Floodplain Management Code ............................................................................................ 6 1.6 Regulations Applicable to this BE ................................................................................................................. 7 2 Habitats near the Project Action Area .................................................................................................................. 8 2.1 Benthic Habitats ........................................................................................................................................... 8 2.2 Pelagic Habitats ............................................................................................................................................ 8 2.3 Shoreline Habitats ........................................................................................................................................ 8 2.4 Critical Habitats ............................................................................................................................................ 9 2.5 Essential Fish Habitat ................................................................................................................................... 9 2.6 Environmental Baseline Conditions ........................................................................................................... 10 3 Priority Habitats and Species near the Project Area ........................................................................................... 11 3.1 Marine Mammals ....................................................................................................................................... 16 3.1.1 Gray Whale ........................................................................................................................................ 16 3.1.1.1 Status and Description .............................................................................................................. 16 3.1.1.2 Distribution and Habitat Use .................................................................................................... 16 3.1.1.3 Threats and Occurrence within the Project Action Area .......................................................... 17 3.1.2 Humpback Whale .............................................................................................................................. 17 3.1.2.1 Status and Description .............................................................................................................. 17 3.1.2.2 Distribution and Habitat Use .................................................................................................... 18 3.1.2.3 Threats and Occurrence within the Project Action Area .......................................................... 18 3.1.3 Killer Whale ......................................................................................................................................