a OCS Study MMS 93-0008 U.S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service Alaska OCS Region [mEcological Research Associates, Inc. OCS Study MMS 93-0008 Guidelines for Oil and Gas Operations In Polar Bear Habitats Edited by: Joe C. Truett LGL Ecological Research Associates, Inc. 1410 Cavitt Street Bryan, TX 77801 August 1993 This study was funded by the Minerals Management Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C., under Contract Number 14-35-0001-30572. This report has been reviewed by the Minerals Management Service and approved for publication. Approval does not sigmfy that the contents necessarily reflect the dews and policies of the service, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. P ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Many people provided assistance in development of this handbook. Without the help of the following individuals the task would have been much more difficult and the product less effective. Steve Treacy and Cleve Cowles ably represented the U.S. Minerals Management Service (MMS) during the performance of the contract that produced this handbook. Other MMS personnel contributed in the planning stages; they include Jim Regg, Nancy Swanton, Frank Wendling, and Glenn Yankus. Canadian biologists provided invaluable assistance. In particular, we acknowledge the outstanding efforts of Peter Clarkson and Andy Derocher, who contributed many ideas and much printed material. Ian Stirling helped direct us to these biologists and to sources of printed information. Mitch Taylor and John Lee provided informationon polar bear biology and reactions to humans. Mary Tapsell kindly loaned photographs. Several individuals with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provided major assistance. Steve Amstrup reviewed the draft manuscript and graciously allowed the use of some of his photographs. Lori Quackenbush, Gerald Garner, Scott Schliebe, and Jon Nickles contributed helpful manuscript reviews and provided materials. John Bridges and Scott Schliebe helped in planning and manuscript review. Craig George of the North Slope Borough's Department of Wildlife Management contributed useful l- ideas, information, and suggestions. Individuals with industry assisted during the planning stages, provided advice on the technology of detection and deterrence, and contributed other materials. Bob Griffith (ARC0 Alaska), Michelle Gilders (BP Exploration), John Monarch (Chevron U.S.A.), and Bill Sands (Western Geophysical) contributed ideas and written materials during the early stages of the project. Bill Sands provided useful photographs. Joe Polya and Wade Srock (Conoco) provided information about Conoco's use of a trip-wire detection system. Jeff Marley (Margo Enterprises, Calgary, Alberta) and Lloyd Morris (Alaska Telecom) provided helpful advice about various detection and deterrent methods. Several LGL personnel contributed significantly to the effort. Warren Ballard edited and otherwise assisted with final handbook preparation. Vijay Chippa assisted in developing the format for the polar bear data base, an effort related to this handbook preparation. Eileen Brooks, Audrey Bishop, and Peggy Kircher processed the manuscript in its various forms, patiently enduring computer and other malfunctions; Peggy prepared part of the computer graphics. John Richardson helped in various ways and at various stages to expedite manuscript preparation. Photos were scanned and archived by Mark Simpson who also converted some of the graphics to digital form as well as creating others. Mark also did the final manuscript layout and acted as printers' liason. Jean Erwin did her usual tenacious job of proofing final output and drafts and helped with final printing ,P arrangements. Acknowledgements ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................. i ... LlST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................111 LlST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................iv CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................1 Joe C. Truett, LGL Ecological Research Associates, Inc. CHAPTER 2. POLAR BEAR BIOLOGY ........................................................................3 Ray Schweinsburg, Arizona Game & Fish Department CHAPTER 3. ATTRACTION TO HUMAN ACTIVITY ..................................................17 Dick Shideler, Alaska Department of Fish & Game CHAPTER 4. DETECTION SYSTEMS ......... .. .... .. ... .. ... .. ..... .. .... ... .. .. ...... .... ..... .. ..25 John Hechtel, Alaska Department of Fish & Game CHAPTER 5. DETERRENT METHODS .....................................................................35 Dick Shideler, Alaska Department of Fish & Game CHAPTER 6. PERSONNEL RESPONSIBILITIES AND TRAINING ........................... 51 Ray Schweinsburg, Arizona Game & Fish Department CHAPTER 7. LAWS AND REGULATIONS CONCERNING POLAR BEARS .............61 Richard Tremaine, LGL Alaska Research Associates, Inc. CHAPTER 8. SITE DESIGN AND OPERATION .........................................................67 Denis Thomson and William Koski, LGL Limited CHAPTER 9. RESPONSIBILITIES AND PROTOCOL FOR BEAR ENCOUNTERS ..81 Richard Tremaine, LGL Alaska Research Associates, Inc. CHAPTER 10. PREPARATION OF SITE-SPECIFIC BEAR INTERACTION PLAN ..... 85 Richard Tremaine, LGL Alaska Research Associates, Inc. Appendices APPENDIX 4-1. Schematic of trip-wire system .......................................................... 89 APPENDIX 4-2. Manufacturers of detection systems ................................................90 APPENDIX 5-1. Sources for bear deterrents ............................................................. 91 APPENDIX 5-2. Design of electric fence systems .....................................................92 APPENDIX 10-1. Polar bear observation form ........................................................... 103 Guidelines For Oil and Gas Operations In Polar Bear Habltats f" List of Figures Figure 2-1 Relative sizes of young and adult polar bears ..................................... ... ................................. 3 Figure 2-2 Polar bear tracks in snow .................................................................................................. 4 Figure 2-3 Approximate winter and summer distributions of polar bears in offshore areas of Alaska ....... 6 Figure 2-4 Sea ice zones in late winter, Beaufort Sea, Alaska .................................................................7 Figure 2-5 Polar bear dens ................................................................................................................... 9 Figure 2-6 Polar bear food web ............................................................................................................... 10 Figure 2-7 Ringed seals and bearded seals around hole in ice .......................................................... 11 Figure 2-8 Female with cubs ................................................................................................................... 14 Figure 2-9 Bear in warning posture .................................................................................................. 15 Figure 3-1 Tracks of a bear that investigated a tugboat frozen into ice at West Dock, Prudhoe Bay ..... 19 Figure 3-2 Female and her older cub feed at an inadequately protected food cache .............................20 Figure 3-3 This female and young cub were attracted to the tent camp by food odors ........................... 21 Figure 3-4 Artificial lead "downcurrent" of the SSDC at ARCO's "Cabot" prospect ................................. 22 Figure 4-1 Typical layout of trip-wire system at an exploratory drilling island .....,,.................... ....... 26 Figure 4-2 Exterior alarm (strobe and horn mounted on tower) and floodlights facing outward toward trip wire were part of CONOCO1sdetection system at "Badami II" drillsite ........................... 28 Figure 5-1 Diagram of wire skirting system for elevated camps ........................................................... 40 Figure 5-2 Diagram of exit "cage" ........................ ..... ....................................................................... 41 Figure 5-3 Fencing may not deter a motivated bear ............................................................................. 43 Figure 5-4 A selection of bear repellents ........................................ Figure 6-1 Seismic exploration .......................................................................................................... 52 Figure 6-2 Training materials .................................. ............................................................................. -54 Figure 6-3 Kulluk drilling station ......................................................................................................... 55 Figure 6-4 Seal Island drilling station ..................................................................................................... 57 Figure 6-5 Seismic train ....................................................................................................................... 59 Figure 8-1 Idealized permanent camp design .........................................................................................69 Figure 8-2 Idealized design for semi-permanent camp ..........................................................................70