OCS EIS/EA BOEM 2013-219 Proposed Geophysical and Geological Activities in the Atlantic OCS to Identify Sand Resources and Borrow Areas North Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, and South Atlantic-Straits of Florida Planning Areas FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Division of Environmental Assessment Herndon, VA Proposed Geophysical and Geological Activities in the Atlantic OCS to Identify Sand Resources and Borrow Areas North Atlantic, Mid-Atlantic, and South Atlantic-Straits of Florida Planning Areas FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Division of Environmental Assessment Prepared by U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Division of Environmental Assessment March 2014 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1. BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................................. 1-1 1.2. PURPOSE OF AND NEED FOR THE PROPOSED ACTION ................................................................... 1-2 1.3. REGULATORY FRAMEWORK ........................................................................................................ 1-3 1.4. OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF THIS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ............................................... 1-3 1.5. STUDY AREA ............................................................................................................................... 1-4 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES ........................................ 2-1 2.1. RANGE OF ALTERNATIVES ........................................................................................................... 2-1 2.2. ALTERNATIVE A: THE PROPOSED ACTION .................................................................................. 2-1 2.2.1. Overview ............................................................................................................................... 2-1 2.2.2. Reconnaissance and Site-Specific Investigations .................................................................. 2-4 2.2.3. Geophysical Survey Equipment and Techniques ................................................................... 2-5 2.2.4. Acoustic Characteristics of Geophysical Sources ............................................................... 2-11 2.2.5. Geological and Geotechnical Equipment and Techniques .................................................. 2-11 2.2.6. Survey Vessels, Timing, and Design .................................................................................... 2-13 2.2.7. Mitigation Measures ........................................................................................................... 2-14 2.3. ALTERNATIVE B: ADDITIONAL OPERATIONAL RESTRICTIONS AND TIME-AREA CLOSURES ..... 2-23 2.4. ALTERNATIVE C: NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ............................................................................ 2-24 3. DESCRIPTION OF THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES .................................................................................................................................... 3-1 3.1. RESOURCES DISMISSED FROM FURTHER DETAILED ANALYSIS .................................................... 3-1 3.2. DEFINITION AND DESCRIPTION OF IMPACT LEVELS ..................................................................... 3-3 3.3. MARINE MAMMALS ..................................................................................................................... 3-4 3.3.1. Affected Environment ............................................................................................................ 3-4 3.3.2. Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................. 3-20 3.4. FISH AND ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT .......................................................................................... 3-29 3.4.1. Affected Environment .......................................................................................................... 3-29 3.4.2. Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................. 3-35 3.5. BENTHIC HABITAT AND COMMUNITIES ..................................................................................... 3-41 3.5.1. Affected Environment .......................................................................................................... 3-41 3.5.1. Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................. 3-45 3.6. SEA TURTLES ............................................................................................................................. 3-49 3.6.1. Affected Environment .......................................................................................................... 3-49 3.6.2. Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................. 3-64 3.7. MARINE AND COASTAL BIRDS AND BATS .................................................................................. 3-70 3.7.1. Affected Environment .......................................................................................................... 3-70 3.7.2. Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................. 3-77 3.8. HISTORIC/PRE-CONTACT RESOURCES ....................................................................................... 3-82 3.8.1. Affected Environment .......................................................................................................... 3-82 3.8.2. Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................. 3-84 3.9. RECREATION .............................................................................................................................. 3-85 3.9.1. Affected Environment .......................................................................................................... 3-85 3.9.2. Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................. 3-85 3.10. RECREATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL FISHING ............................................................................. 3-85 3.10.1. Affected Environment .......................................................................................................... 3-85 3.10.2. Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................. 3-87 3.11. MARINE TRANSPORTATION ....................................................................................................... 3-87 3.11.1. Affected Environment .......................................................................................................... 3-87 3.11.2. Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................. 3-88 3.12. MILITARY AND CIVILIAN SPACE PROGRAM USES ...................................................................... 3-90 3.12.1. Affected Environment .......................................................................................................... 3-90 3.12.1. Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................. 3-90 4. CUMULATIVE EFFECTS ...................................................................................................................... 4-1 4.1. REASONABLY FORESEEABLE FUTURE ACTIONS WITHIN THE STUDY AREA ................................. 4-1 4.1.1. Oil and Gas Exploration ....................................................................................................... 4-2 4.1.2. Renewable Energy Site Assessment ....................................................................................... 4-2 4.1.3. Marine Minerals Use ............................................................................................................ 4-2 4.1.4. Commercial and Recreational Fishing ................................................................................. 4-3 4.1.5. Marine Transportation .......................................................................................................... 4-3 4.1.6. Military Range Complexes and Civilian Space Program Use .............................................. 4-3 4.1.7. Dredged Material Disposal ................................................................................................... 4-3 4.1.8. New Cable Infrastructure ...................................................................................................... 4-3 4.2. CLIMATE CHANGE ....................................................................................................................... 4-4 4.3. CUMULATIVE NOISE IN THE OCEAN ............................................................................................. 4-4 4.4. CUMULATIVE IMPACTS BY IMPACT-PRODUCING FACTORS .......................................................... 4-5 4.4.1. Underwater Noise ................................................................................................................. 4-5 4.4.2. Vessel Traffic ........................................................................................................................