FINAL PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR CORAL RESTORATION IN THE FLORIDA KEYS AND FLOWER GARDEN BANKS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARIES July 15, 2010 Prepared by: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 1305 East West Highway Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910 (Contact: Alice Stratton: 203-882-6515 or [email protected]) UNITED STATES CEPARTMENT OF CCMMERCE National Ccaanlc and At:rno.pha..lc Adrnlnlat:...t:fDn P ROGRAM P LAN N IN G A N D IN TEGRATION 811",.... 9 1)<'1" 9. M aryl&nd 20910 AUG 3 2010 Dear Reviewer: In accordance with provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), we enclose for your review the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (FPEIS) for Coral Restoration in the Florida Keys and Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuaries (FKNMS and FGBNMS). This FPEIS addresses restoration techniques for physical injuries to coral reef resources within the FKNMS and FGBNMS. The purpose of this document is to present and analyze the current technologies available for effective implementation in these sanctuaries. Appropriate analysis of the technologies in this document will provide for efficient selection and implementation of action when needed. This FPEIS is prepared pursuant to NEP A to assess the environmental impacts associated with NOAA proceeding with coral restoration efforts in the FKNMS and FGBNMS. NOAA is not required to respond to comments received as a result ofissuance of the FPEIS. However, comments will be reviewed and considered for their impact on issuance of a record of decision (ROD). Please send comments to the responsible official identified below via mail or email by September 13, 2010. The ROD will be made available publicly following final agency action on or after September 13,2010. Responsible Official: Alice Stratton Ecologist Office ofNational Marine Sanctuaries National Ocean Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 1305 East West Highway Silver Spring, MD, 20910 Telephone number: 203-882-6515 Email: [email protected] S~C~f '. Paul N. Doremus Ph.D. ~ NOAA NEPA Coordinator Enclosure *Pnn ted on Rel-ycleci Paper FPEIS for Coral Reef Restoration TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF ACRONYMS ................................................................................................................ vi EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................... 1 CHAPTER 1. PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION ............................................................. 3 1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 3 1.2 Need for Action .......................................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Purpose ....................................................................................................................................... 4 1.4 Scope .......................................................................................................................................... 5 CHAPTER 2. CORAL RESTORATION ALTERNATIVES .................................................... 6 2.1 CORAL RESTORATION SELECTION CRITERIA ............................................................... 6 2.2 CORAL RESTORATION OPTIONS ....................................................................................... 6 2.2.1 No Action ......................................................................................................................... 7 2.2.2 Physical Restoration ......................................................................................................... 7 2.2.3 Biological Restoration .................................................................................................... 10 2.2.4 Emerging Technologies .................................................................................................. 11 2.2.5 Options Not Considered ................................................................................................. 12 2.2.6 Compensatory Restoration ............................................................................................. 13 2.3 PROPOSED ACTIONS ........................................................................................................... 14 CHAPTER 3. AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT ......................................................................... 16 3.1 HABITAT TYPES .................................................................................................................. 16 3.2 FLORIDA KEYS, FLORIDA ................................................................................................ 16 3.2.1 Location… ..................................................................................................................... 16 3.2.2 Climate ......................................................................................................................... 17 3.2.3 Water Quality ................................................................................................................ 18 3.2.4 Geology…. .................................................................................................................... 19 3.2.5 Air Quality ..................................................................................................................... 20 3.2.6 Noise …… ..................................................................................................................... 20 3.2.7 Biological Resources ..................................................................................................... 20 3.2.8 Cultural Resources......................................................................................................... 26 3.2.9 Social and Economic Environment ............................................................................... 27 3.2.10 Existing Jurisdictional Responsibilities and Institutional Arrangements .................... 30 3.3 EAST AND WEST FLOWER GARDEN AND STETSON BANKS, GULF OF MEXICO 30 3.3.1 Location and Area Use .................................................................................................. 30 3.3.2 Climate …………. ........................................................................................................ 30 3.3.3 Water Quality ................................................................................................................ 33 3.3.4 Geology…. .................................................................................................................... 33 3.3.5 Air Quality ..................................................................................................................... 33 3.3.6 Noise…… ...................................................................................................................... 33 3.3.7 Biological Resources ..................................................................................................... 33 3.3.8 Cultural Resources.......................................................................................................... 37 3.3.9 Social and Economic Environment ................................................................................ 37 3.3.10 Existing Jurisdictional Responsibilities and Institutional Arrangements ..................... 39 July 15, 2010 ii FPEIS for Coral Reef Restoration CHAPTER 4. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES ........................................................ 40 4.1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 40 4.1.1 Surrounding Land Use (All Restoration Alternatives) ................................................... 40 4.1.2 Climate (All Restoration Alternatives) ........................................................................... 40 4.1.3 Air Quality (All Restoration Alternatives) ..................................................................... 40 4.1.4 Noise (All Restoration Alternatives) .............................................................................. 40 4.2 NO ACTION ............................................................................................................................ 42 4.2.1 Location and Area Use (No Action) ............................................................................... 42 4.2.2 Geology (No Action) ...................................................................................................... 42 4.2.3 Water Resources (No Action) ........................................................................................ 43 4.2.4 Biological Resources (No Action) .................................................................................. 43 4.2.5 Infrastructure (Construction and Vessel Moorings) (No Action) ................................... 44 4.2.6 Cultural Resources (No Action) ..................................................................................... 44 4.2.7 Hazardous and Toxic Substances (No Action) ............................................................... 44 4.2.8 Socioeconomics (No Action) ......................................................................................... 44 4.2.9 Quality of Life (No Action) ............................................................................................ 44 4.3 DEBRIS AND VESSEL REMOVAL ....................................................................................