OCS EIS/EA MMS 2002-081 Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Grid 16 Site-Specific Evaluation of BP Exploration and Production, Inc.’s Initial Development Operations Coordination Document, N-7469 Thunder Horse Project Mississippi Canyon Block 777 Unit (Blocks 775, 776, 777, 778, 819, 820, 821, and 822) U.S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region OCS EIS/EA MMS 2002-081 Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Grid 16 Site-Specific Evaluation of BP Exploration and Production, Inc.’s Initial Development Operations Coordination Document, N-7469 Thunder Horse Project Mississippi Canyon Block 777 Unit (Blocks 775, 776, 777, 778, 819, 820, 821, and 822) Prepared by Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region Published by U.S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service New Orleans Gulf of Mexico OCS Region December 2002 MITIGATION FOR N-7469 Mitigation 2.02 (Advisory) – Potential to exceed exemption level, DOCD A deviation from your DOCD (such as additional drilling time, changes in the drilling schedule, and/or the use of higher horsepower equipment, especially for the drilling rig and construction barges) could potentially cause the annual emissions exemption level for NOx to be exceeded. Therefore, if such a deviation occurs, please be advised that you will immediately prepare a revised DOCD pursuant to 30 CFR 250.204(q)(2) to include the recalculated emission amounts and the air quality modeling required by 30 CFR 250.303(e). You will not proceed with the actions that could cause the potential exceedance until the revised DOCD has been submitted to and approved by this office. Mitigation 2.05 (Advisory) – Fuel usage or run time documentation The projected NOx emissions amounts in your plan were calculated using historic fuel consumption rates. Therefore, please be advised that you will maintain records of the total monthly fuel consumption for the drilling rig and provide the information to this office upon request. Mitigation 2.06 (Reminder) – Flaring beyond 48 hours Your plan indicates well test flaring for more than 48 continuous hours. Please be reminded that 30 CFR 250.1105(a)(3) requires you to obtain approval from the Regional Supervisor for Production and Development prior to conducting the proposed flaring activities. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Fgures...........................................................................................................................................................ix Tables...........................................................................................................................................................xi Abbreviations and Acronyms ....................................................................................................................xiii Introduction.................................................................................................................................................xv 1. The Proposed Action ............................................................................................................................1 1.1. Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action................................................................................1 1.2. Description of the Proposed Action............................................................................................1 2. Alternatives to the Proposed Action .....................................................................................................8 2.1. Nonapproval of the Proposal ......................................................................................................8 2.2. Approval of the Proposal with Existing and/or Added Mitigation.............................................8 2.2.1. Mitigative Measures Identified in the PEA....................................................................9 2.2.2. Mitigation Proposed by the Operator.............................................................................9 3. Description of the Affected Environment...........................................................................................10 3.1. Physical Elements of the Environment.....................................................................................10 3.1.1. Water Quality...............................................................................................................10 3.1.1.1. Coastal Waters...............................................................................................10 3.1.1.2. Offshore Waters............................................................................................11 3.1.2. Air Quality...................................................................................................................12 3.2. Biological Resources................................................................................................................13 3.2.1. Sensitive Coastal Environments...................................................................................13 3.2.1.1. Coastal Barrier Beaches and Associated Dunes............................................13 3.2.1.2. Wetlands........................................................................................................13 3.2.1.3. Seagrasses......................................................................................................14 3.2.2. Deepwater Benthic Communities/Organisms..............................................................14 3.2.2.1. Chemosynthetic Communities ......................................................................14 3.2.2.2. Coral Reefs....................................................................................................15 3.2.2.3. Deepwater Benthos.......................................................................................15 3.2.2.3.1. Megafauna...................................................................................15 3.2.2.3.2. Macrofauna .................................................................................17 3.2.2.3.3. Meiofauna ...................................................................................18 3.2.2.3.4. Microbiota...................................................................................18 3.2.3. Marine Mammals.........................................................................................................18 3.2.3.1. Nonendangered and Nonthreatened Species .................................................19 3.2.3.2. Endangered and Threatened Species.............................................................23 3.2.4. Sea Turtles...................................................................................................................25 3.2.5. Birds.............................................................................................................................28 3.2.6. Essential Fish Habitat and Fish Resources ..................................................................30 3.2.6.1. Essential Fish Habitat....................................................................................30 3.2.6.2. Description of Fish Resources.......................................................................30 3.2.7. Gulf Sturgeon...............................................................................................................31 3.3. Socioeconomic Conditions and Other Concerns ......................................................................32 3.3.1. Economic and Demographic Conditions .....................................................................32 3.3.1.1. Socioeconomic Impact Area .........................................................................32 3.3.1.2. Population and Education..............................................................................32 3.3.1.3. Infrastructure and Land Use..........................................................................33 v 3.3.1.4. Navigation and Port Usage............................................................................33 3.3.1.5. Employment ..................................................................................................34 3.3.1.6. Current Economic Baseline Data ..................................................................35 3.3.1.7. Environmental Justice...................................................................................36 3.3.1.8. Commercial Fisheries....................................................................................37 3.3.1.9. Recreational Resources.................................................................................38 3.3.1.9.1. Federal and State Reserves .........................................................39 3.3.1.9.2. Marine Recreational Activities ...................................................39 3.3.1.10. Archaeological Resources.........................................................................................40 3.3.1.10.1. Prehistoric ................................................................................................40 3.3.1.10.2. Historic.....................................................................................................40 4. Potential Environmental Effects .........................................................................................................41 4.1. Physical Elements of the Environment.....................................................................................41 4.1.1. Impacts on Water Quality ............................................................................................41