UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OP THE INTERIOR

MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE

Gulf of Hexico OCS Region

Nov orloans, Louisiana

FINAL

S I T E - S P E C I F I C ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSNENT

ENDANGERED SPEC IES/STRUCTURE WMOVAL(S)

NO. ES/SR 92-OS3A

Structure-Removal A c t i v i t i s s

Mustang I s l a n d Aree , Block 781

Leasa OCS-G 5993

August, 1992

BEST AVAILABLt LuPY

UNITED STATES DEPARTNENT OP THE INTERIOR

MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE

GUlf Of NOXICO OCS Roqion

Nov Orloans, Loui s iana

FINAL

S I T E - S P E C I F I C ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

ENDANGERED SPECIES/STRUCTURE REHOVAL(8)

SEA HO. ES/SR 92-083A

saont of that Environaontal Iapacta of tha Propoaod Raaoval of P l a t f o r a A

in Hustang l a l a n d Araa, Block 781 (OCS-G 5993) by Ha11-Houston O i l Coapany

Da taa Subalttod: Juno 23 and Auguat 18, 1992

Commencement Dete: August 24, 1992

Prepered by Ken Grehaa

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT INPACT

I have conaidarad tha raviaad notif ication by Hall-Houaton Oi l

Coapany, to raaova Platfora A in Huatang Inland Araa, Block 781

(OCS-G 5993), SBA No. ES/SR 92-0S3A. Baaed on the environaental

analyaia and a i t iga t ive aeaauree eontelned in the aite-epecif ic

environaental aaeeeenent, there ia no evidence to indicete thet

tho propoaed actiona w i l l eignificantly (40 CFR 1508.27) affact

tha quality of tha huaan environaent i f the perait/applicetion ii

epproved aubject to e l l of the a i t iqat ive aeeeuree. Preperetion

of en environaental iapact eteteaent le not required.

BEST AVAILABLE COPY

i i

TABLE OP CONTENTS

PAGE

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT INPACT i

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

Z. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSAL(S) AND NEED POR THE PROPOSAL(S)

A. DESCRIPTIOH OF THE PROFOSED ACTIOH(8) HITH HITIGATIOH

B. NEED FOR THE PROPOSED ACTIOH(S)

I I . ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED ACTIOH(8)

A. NONREHOVAL OF THE STRUCTURE(8)

B. REHOVAL OF THE STRUCTURE (S) BY ALTERNATIVE NON-EXPLOSIVE NETHODS

C . RENOVAL OF THE STRUCTURE (S) AS PROPOSED NITH ADDED HITIGATION ( • )

I Z Z . ENVIRONNENTAL EFFECTS, SOCIOECONOMIC CONCERNS, AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

A . PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

1. Environmontal Geology and Geologic Hasards

2. Neteoro log l e a l Conditiona

3. Phyaical and Chaalcal Ocaanography a. Phyaical Ocaanography

b . Chanical Oceanography

4. Natar Quality

5. Air Quality

B. BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT

1. Coaatal Habitata

2. Protected, Endangered, end/or Threetened Speciee a. b. c.

Birde Marine Ha aaa Saa Turtles

l s

3. Birda 5

PAC!

4. S e n s i t i v e Merlne Hebltete I

5. Of f sho i e Hebltets end Biote

C. SOCIOECONOMIC CONCERNS ,

1. Employment ,

2. Econoaics (

3. Onehore Support Fecllitiaa, Lend Uee, snd Coeetel Conaunitiaa end Services

D. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS ,

1. C o n a e r c i e l end Recreet ionel F l e h e r i e s s . C o a a e r c i a l F i a h e r i e a < b. R e c r e e t i o n e l P ieher iee

2. Archaeo log ica l Reeourcea

3. M i l i t a r y Uee/Heming Areee end Exploeive Duaping Areee

4. Nevigetion end Shipping

5. P i p e l i n e a and Cablee I

S. Other Minera l Reeourcee i

7. Huaan Hee l th end Sefety I

I . UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE INPACTS I

I V . PUBLIC OPINION I

V . CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION I

V I . BIBUOGRAPHY AMD BFECIAL REFERENCES 10

VTX. PREPARERS 1 2

VIII.APPENDICES 13

A. HALL-HOUSTON OIL COMPANY AMENDED CORRESPONDENCE 14

B. NNFS CORRESPONDENCE 17

TABLE 1 - Explosives Propossd Removal of Plstfora Araa, Block 711 (aa

by tha Oparator for tha A, in Muatang laland ravisad on 8/18/92) \\

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

Tha purpoaa) of th ia Site-Specif ic Environaental Aaaaaaaant (SEA) ia to aasaaa tha apaeific iapacta aaaoclated with propoaad atructura-raaoval a c t i v i t i a a . Tha SBA ia baaad on a Proqreaaatic Environaental Aaaaaaaant (PEA) (USDOZ, NNS, 1917) which eveluetee a broader epectrua of potential iapacte reaulting froo the reaoval of etructuree; e.g., pletforae/caieeone ecroae the central and weatern plenning areea of the Oulf of Noxico Outer Continental Shelf . The PEA/SEA proceee ie deeigned to e lap l i fy and reduce the a l i a of environaentel aaaeeeaent docuaenta by eliminating repet i t ive diocuaeione of the eeae iaeuee. Thie SEA conf oroa to tha MMS and other eppropriete guide11nee for preparing environaontal aeeeoeaente by ut i l i z ing data preeented i n the PEA to coaplete the eeeeeeaent. Zt preeents e l te-epeci f ic dete regerding tho propoeed etructure renoval (a) and eveluetee the potentiel lapecta. Mitigation aeeeuree are eontelned ln thia docuaent to leeaan potential lapecta. Preperetion of thia SEA hae ellowed the deteralnatlon of whether e Finding of No Significant Impact (PONSZ) ia eppropriete or whether further eeeeeaaent of tha propoeel(e) ie neceeeery.

Z. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSAL(S) AND HEED POR THE PROPOSAL(S)

A. OESCR I PT I OH OF THE PROPOSED ACTION (S) WITH HZTZOATZOH

Hell-Houaton O i l Coapeny, propoeee to reaova Pletfora A in Muateng lelend Araa, Block 781 (OCS-G S993). Block 781 l i ee ebout 22 ailee weat of Muatang Ialand, Nuecee County, Texea. Tha operator plane to uoo exploeivee (end nechenleel cutting) to oover the etructure IS foet below the nudline. See Teble 1 for epeeif ic d-ta regerding the exploeive reaovel operetione.

Refer to Appendix A for etructure epoci f leet lone for the renovel(e), edditionel dete o~ reaovel techniquee, end sequence of evente.

HZTZOATZOH

Refer to tho operator's propoeel (Appendix A) for ait igative aeeaure(e) propoeed to reduce the likelihood of deeth or injury to eee turtlee end aarine mammals.

B. HEED FOR THE PROPOSED ACTZOH(S)

A diecueeion of the leqal and regulatory mandatea to reaove ebendonod oil end qee etructuree fron Federel wetere cen bo found in the PEA (USDOZ, MMS, 1987). The pletfora ie now unsafe die to daaaqe froa e recent ahip collision. Zt needa to bo reaoved ea soon ee possible.

I I . ALTERNATIVES TO TMS PROPOSED ACTION (8)

Alternatives to the propoeed atruoture reaoval (a) with aitigation or ig ina l l y aubaltted erei

A. NON-REMOVAL OF THE STRUCTURE (8)

The operator would not proceed with the propoood roaoval ( s ) . Thia alternative would ellalnate the poaaiblllty that aoa turtlea, aarine aaaaala, or other aarine l i f e would be harmad by reaovsl of tho atructure(s) ss proposod. However, non-reaoval of tha structurs(s) would rspreeerit * conf l ic t with Federal legal end regulatory requlremente, which mandate the t laely reaoval of obaolete or abandoned atructuree within e period of ono yeer efter terminetion of the leeae, or upon termination of a right-of-uee or eeaeaent. Therefore, non-reaoval doee not eppeer to be a valid a l ternat ive .

B. REMOVAL OF THE STRUCTURE(S) BY ALTERNATIVE NON-EXPLOSIVE METHODS

Tha NMS hae diacuaaad varioua atructure-reaoval techniquea ln the Pinel Environaental Iapact Stateaent (FEZB) for Propoaed O i l end Gae Leeae Selea 118 end 122 (USDOI, MMB, 1988) and the PEA (USDOI, MMB, 1987). Updated lnforaetlon ls s lso found ln ths FEI8 for Selee 123 and 12S (USDOI, MMS, 1989). I t wee concluded thet the aoet e f fec t ive aethoda of atructure reaoval are the uee of exploelvea, e i ther bulk or ahepod cherqee, end underveter ere cuttinq. Othor aethoda eppeer proaieinn but require edditionel developaent to eolve the operational end loqietlcel problene eeeocieted with thooo techniquee. Pr laer l ly for thie reeeon, they do not eppeer to bo feeelble eltornetlvee for the entire etructure reaoval. The operetor hee propoeed to uee nechenleel cuttinq for tho internel caeing atrlnga of the two conductore.

Refer to tho F E I S (USDOI, MMS, 19S8) end PEA (USDOI, HHS, 1987) for deteiled information concerning elternetive methoda of atructure reaoval.

C. REMOVAL OF THB STRUCTURE(8) AB PROPOSED HITH ADDED MITIGATION

I t hee been deteralned that the propoeed operetione f e l l within the cateqory of ect iv i t iea covered by the Netionel Narine Fieheriee Service (NMFS) biological opinion of July 25, 1988, which addraaaea "etenderd" exploeive etructure reaovsls ln ths G u l f of Hexico (GOM) .

Rsfsr to tho teraa end conditiona of the "qeneric" Incidentel Teke Steteaent (Appendix B) , end any aitigation identified by th ia SEA neceeeery to reduce che likelihood of deeth or injury to eee turtlee end narine aaaaala.

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Our enelyaee indicate that thera ara axiating plpeline(a) locatad within 150 aetera (490 faat) of tha propoaad activitiaa. Tha axiating pipalinaa aay poee a haiard to tho propoaod oparationa. Pracautiona ln accordance with NTL 83-3, faction IV.a., will bo token prior to perforalng the propoeed operetion.

The operetor will contact the chief, Naval Mr Training, Naval Air f tet ion, Attention: Lt. Connander I. V. Vales, UfM, or Lt. Jex, corpue Chrieti, Texea 78419-5100, telephones (812) 939-1862/3902 regerding control of electronagnetic aai aai ona and operetiona of boot end/or eircreft treffic into the deeigneted Militery Warning Aree w-2 28 or enter into en agraanant with the ailitary inatallatlon.

Through tho Fleharaan'e Contingency Pund, the MMS hee been notified of uie following hang eitee within flock 781t

X-2581S20.0 Y-726429.0 X-2570501.0 Y-71722 1 .0 X-2583875.0 Y-727940.0

The operetor la edvleed to uee ceutlon during the etructure reaovel, aince operatione will teke piece ln the vicinity of e deeigneted ehipping fairway.

I I I . ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS, SOCIOECONOMIC CONCERNS, AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

A. PHYSICAL ENVIRONNENT

1. Environmental Geology end Geologic n>»erde

A diecueeion of environnental geology end geologic hazarda cen be found ln tho PEA (USDOI, MMf, 1987). The propoeed atructure-reaoval activitiea are not ln en erea of eediaent inatability (aud flowa, elumpa, or el idee). Therefore, geologic conditione ero not expeoted to have en laaact on the propoeed atructure-reaoval eetlvltlea.

2. Meteorological Conditiona

No lapecta are expected ee e reeult of the propoaed eetlvltlea. Por anelyeie lnforaetlon, eee the PEA referenced ln the Introduction.

3. Phyeicel end Chenicel Oceenogrephy

a. Phyaical Oceenogrephy

No iapacta are expected ee e reault of the propoaod activitiea. For analyaia inforaation, eee the PEA referenced ln the Introduction.

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b. Cheaical Ocaanography

Iapacta ara expected to be very low aa a reeult of tha propoaad activitiee. rn* analyaie inforaation, aee the PEA rafarancad in the Introduction.

4. Meter Quelity

Iapacta are expected to be low aa 4 reault of th? .opoaed ectivitiee. Por enelyeie infornation, eee the PEA referenced in the Introduction.

t. Air Quality

lapecta era expected * > be very low ee e rea'ilt of the propoeed e c t i v i t i e a . Por enelyeie lnforaetlon, eee the PBA referenced ln tha Introduction.

B. BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT

1. Coaatal Habitete

Ho iapacta are expected ee e reeult of the propoeed ectivitiee. For enelyeie inforaation, eee the PEA referenoed n the Introduction.

2. Protected, Endengered, end/or Threetened Speciee

e. Birde

The PEA (USOOI, NNS, 19S7) delineates aanaitiva areee elong the Texaa coeetline where whooping crenee end brown pelicene could be edvereely lapected by etructure-reaovel eupport ectivitiee. The operetor hee lndiceted thet helicopter flighte and boat treffic would utilist e ehorebeee in Oelveeton, Texea.

No Iapacte on threetened or endengered birde end their heLitete ere expected.

b. Narine Neaaele

A dlacuaaion of aerine aeaaale occi ring ecroee the OON end en eeeeeeaent of the potentiel iapecte «. etructure-reaovel ectivltlee on narine aaaaele cen be founo in the PEA (USOOI, NNS, 19S7). fritta, at el. (1*83) conducted eeriel eurveye ecroee GON wetere. Reeulte of theee eurveye indicete thet the bottlenoee dolphin la probably the aoet likely aerine aaaael to be encountered et the propoeed etructure reaovel (e). The KH& obeervwre aay be utilised to look for aarine aeaaale prior to detonetlon of tha priaary oharge(e) et tha reac.el eite(e). If aarine aeaaela a.e detected et the etructure-reaoval elte(e) detonetlon of tha priaary cherge(e) wou'd be deleyed until the

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aniaals ara removed froa tha araa(a). In apita of thaaa precautions, s lov probability exists that aarina aaaaals could antar tha blaat a. -i(a) undetected and could ba injurad or killed by the underveter, subsurface detonetion(e). Sueh en occurrence is considered highly unlikely and vith the lndiceted protective aitigation measure(s), the propoeed etructure-reaoval activitiea are expected to heve only a low iapact on aarine aaaaala.

c. See Turtlee

A diecueeion of eee turtlee occurring ecroee the central and westsrn GON end en eeeessnent of the potentiel inpecte of structure-removal activitiee on eee turtlee cen be found in the PEA (USDOI, NMS, 19S7). studies by Pritte, et el. (1983) end stranding dete froe the See Turtle Stranding and Selvege Netvork (Tees, 1992) indicete thet eee turtlee occur in the vicinity of the propoeed ectivitiee end therefore could bo impacted by the structure-reaoval operetione. Definitive inforaation on the probebility of encountering eee turtlee et the reaoval aite(e) during exploeive operetione ie ecerce.

The NNFS end/or NNS observers aay be utilised to look for see turtlee prior to detonetion of the priaary charge(s). If see turtlee ere detected at tha atructure- reaoval aite(a), detonetion of the priaary charge(e) v i l l bo deleyed until the animals ere reaoved froa the sree(e). Aa in the ceee of aarine mammals, the poasibility exists thet eee turtlee could enter the bleet eree(e) undetected end could be injured or killed by the underwater, subsurface detonetion(e). Thie occurrence ia conaidered unlikely, and with *-.he lndiceted protective aitigation aeeeure(e), tha propoaed atructure-reaoval activitiee ere expected to heve only e lov iapact on aee turtlee. A cuaulative incidentel teke hee been euthorlsed by NNFS for ectlone in thie cetegory, but with e l l the preceutione to be teken ee mitigating meaeure(e), i t ia unlikaly that eny eee turtlea will be effected by theee propoeed operetiona.

3. Birda

Iapecte ara expected to be very low ee a reeult of the propoeed ectivitiee. For analysis inforaation, aee the PEA referenced in the Introduction.

4. Sensitive Harine Habitete

A diecueeion of sensitive aarina habitete occurring in the centiel end weatern GOH and en eaeeaeaant of the potentiel iapecte of etructure-reaoval ectivitiee on theee ereee cen be found in the PEA (USDOI, MMS, 1987). The propoeed ectivitiee ere not neer eny eeneitive aerine hebitate. Therefore, the aubject etructure-reaovel ectivitiea v i l l not iapact any aanaitiva aarine hebitete or their reaident biota.

5. Offshor* Habitats and Biota

Iapacta ara axpactad to ba low aa a raault of tha propoaad act iv i t iaa . Por analyaia inforaation, aaa tha PBA rafarancad ln tha Introduction.

C. SOCIOECONOMIC CONCERNS

1. Employment

Iapacta ara axpactad to ba vary low aa a raault of tha propoaad a c t i / i t i a a . Por analyaia inforaation, aaa tha PEA rafarancad in tha Introduction.

2. Econoaica

Iapacta ara axpactad to bo vary low aa a result of ths proposed activitiee. Por analyaie lnforaetlon, aee the PEA referenced ln the Introduction.

3. Onahora Support facilities, Lend uee, end Coaatel Communitlaa and Sarvicaa

The operetor hee Indicated thet Oelveeton, Texee would bo tho ahore beee for the propoeed atructura-raaoval ectivitiee. No iapacte ere expeoted ea a reeult of tho proposod sot ivities. Por snslysis lnforastlon, sse the PEA referenced in the Introduction.

D. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

1. Coaaorciel ar.d Recreetionel Fieheriee

e. Coaaorciel Pieheriee

Por enelyeia information, aee the PEA referenced in the Introduction. Since t.,e PEA wee or ig inal ly written, naw concerna have emerged concerning the lapecta of exploeive atructura removale on reef f iah pop .latlons. On Nay 9, 1991, tho Oulf of Noxico Fiahery Hanagement Council expreeeed concern over the declining etocka of reef f lah, eepecielly rod anapper. Thay referred to tho entidotal eccounte of f lnf leh k i l l a aaaoclated with exploeive reaovale of offehore atructuraa ln order to link theee ect ivit ioa with their concerne ebout declining populationa of reef f i sh . They further suggeeted thet tho MMB ehould hold a l l exploeive etructure reaovele in abeyance unti l aore lnforaetlon bocoaoa evelleble on the effecta of thaaa ac t iv i t i ea on fieh etocka. Bee the PEA (Section on Offahore Hebltete and Biota) for a diecueeion of fiah k i l l a in eeeocietion with exploeive etructure reaovele.

The NMS hee declined to hold e l l exploeive structurs reaovele in abeyance cit ing the reguletory mandatee for structurs

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removals and problems with currsnt non-explosive structurs ramoval aathoda. Ths MMS hss ststsd s commitaent to carry out studiss to asssss the impects of o i l end gss structurs ramova la on Oulf fiahariaa resourcss and ths reeults of those atudiaa v l l l bo usod to determine futurs polio ioa with reapect to thooo e c t i v i t l e s .

The MMS continuea to coneider the overall iapacta of atructure rsaova l a on coaaercial fiahing to bo lov. The MMS pol icy ol encouraging an active riga-to-reef a prograa v l l l help to offaet cuaulative etructure-reaovel lapecta to fiaheriea reeourcee.

b. Rec root lona.'. Pieheriee

Iapacta ara expected to be lov aa a raault of the propoeed ec t iv i t i ee . Por enelyeie inf onset ion, see the PIA referenced in the Introduction. Soo the preceding eectlon for e discussion of f i s h k i l l s ln sssoc ls t len with axploaiva etructure reaovsls.

2. Archaeological Reaourcaa

Impacta ara expected to be lov ee e reeult of tho propoeed ec t iv l t l ee . Por enelyeie information, aea tho PIA referenced ln the Introduction.

3. Militery Uee/Maming Areee end Exploaive Duaping Areee

A deecription of a i l i t ary uee/warning ereee end exploeive duaping ereee, the i r locetione, end potentiel iapscts of structurs-rsaoval ac t iv i t i ee on theee ereee cen bo found ln the PIX (USDOI, MMS, 19S7). The propoeed etructure-reaovel ec t iv i t i e s v l l l tako place in Military Naming Aree w-228.

The operetor v i l l contact tha Chief, Novel Air Training, Navel Air Stetion, Attentiont Lt . Coaasndsr I . V. Veles, USN, or L t . Jex, Corpus C h r i s t i , Tsxss 78419-5100, telephone: (512) 939-3862/3902 regerding control of electroaegnotic ealeelone and operetione of boot end/or a ircraft t r e f f i c into the deeigneted Mil i tery Warning Aron w-221 or enter into en egrasasnt with the n l l i t e r y inatal lat lon. Therefore, no lapect le expected.

4. Nevigetion end Shipping

The propoeed atructure-reaoval ac t iv i t i ee are loceted neer e veaael eefety fairway. Structuree loceted neerehore aay serve ee "lendaarke" to veaaela or halicoptere operating ln tho eree on a r e g u l a r bes is .

The operetor v i l l bo advised to uae caution during tha atructure reaovel, since operstions v l l l tske plscs ln ths v i c i n i t y of s dssignstsd shipping feirvey. Therefore, tho

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o v e r a l l impact* of t h a propoaad work on navigation and ahipping aro expected to be vary lov. Nora inforaation on the iapacte of a tructure reaovele on navigation and ahipping can be found ln the PEA (USDOI, MMS, 1987).

5. Pipalinaa and Cablea

The PEA (USDOI, MMS, 19S7) contains a deecription of tho lapecta of atructura-raaoval ac t iv i t iaa on pipelinee end ceblee. There are exiating pipelinee vithin 150 aetars (490 feet) of the propoeed atructura-raaoval ac t iv i t iaa . Preceutione in accordance with MTL No. 83-3, Soctlon I V . B . , v l l l bo taken prior to conducting the reaoval act iv i t ies ; therefore, the propoeed vork v l l l not pose a hazai : to pipel ines (s) end cable(a) ln tho eree.

6. Other Mlnerel Reeourcea

Mo lapecta ara expected ee e reault of the propoeed e c t i v i t i e e . Por enelyeia lnforaetlon, see the PSA referenced ln tho Zntroduction.

7. Huaan Heelth end Safety

The PSA (USDOI, NMS, 19S7) describes tho hazardoue conditiona for workers during structure-reaoval ac t iv i t i aa . The operetor hae propoaad tha uae of both exploalvea and mechanical cut t ing ln conjunction vith the etructure-reaovel ec t iv i t ioa . Ex ia t ing legel end reguletory eefety requirements v l l l keep tho impacts of the propoeed work on huaan heelth end eefety et e very lov level .

S . UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE INPACTS

A discussion of unavoidable edveraa iapacta can bo found in tho PEA (USDOI, NMS, 1987). Two areea of ongoing concern heve boon tho potentlal lapect to protected, threatened, end/or endengered species and potentiel loee of habitat to the aarina environaent. Both topics are diecueaed ln the PEA end previouely i n th ia docuaent. A aore recent issue of concern hea aurfeced regerding the iapecte of exploeive atructura reaovala on roof f i a h etocke. Thie issue hee boon proviouoly diecueeed ln thie docuaent. Although tho iapecte to coaaorciel end recreetionel f iaher iee le eonaidorod to bo low, further etudiee lnforaetlon ebout thia issue ahould bo evelleble ln the future. Other unevoldable edveree Iapecte ere coneidered to be minor.

I V . PUBLIC OPINION

A dlacuaaion of public concerne regarding etructure reaovale can bo found ln tho PEA (USDOI, NMS, 1987).

8

In May 1991, tho Oulf of Noxico f ishery Managooont Council requested that tho HMS piece a noratoriun ovsr ths sxplosivs rsssovsl of offshore etructuree vith throe or nors supports Nonronovsl of theee structurss vould conf l i c t vith current Federal legal end reguletory requir*r»ente vhlch mandate the timely reaovsl of abandoned or obeolete etructuree within s por led of ons yosr s f t e r termination of tho leese, or upon termination of e riqht-of-uss or easement.

Tho HNS bellevee thst current dsts on ths sf fscts of exploeive reaovala on f i sh aortsl l ty i s insuff ic ient to drsw sny conclusions, snd s aoratoriua on s l l but eingle p i l s csissons st t h i s tiae ie unjuat l f l ed . In order to quantify exploeive e f f ec te , the NNS I n i t i a t e d an interagency atudy with tho NNPS to deteraine fiah aor ta l l t iee froa pletfora raaoval oparationa. In addition to the ebove etudy, the NNS oupporte en ect ive rigs-to-reef progrea and encourages industry to search for aethod thet v l l l ainialte e f fec ta on flah froa pletfora reaovel operetione.

V. CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION

Tn accordance v i t h the provlaiona of Saction 7 of the End-..go red Spocloo Act, the propoood atructure-reaoval operetione oro covered by tho bioloqicel opinion ieeued by NNFS on J u l y 25, 19SS, which eatabl iehed e category of "atandard" axploaiva structure-rwaoval operetiona. Their coaaente ara included in Appendix 0. The NNPS concluded thet this cstsgory of structurs-rsaoval a c t i v i t i e a v l l l not l ikoly jeopardize tha continuod exietonce of eny threetened or endengered apeciea under t h e i r purview. However, they concluded thet thia type of "atandard" atructura-reaovsl sc t iv i ty aay raault ln injury or aorta l l ty of loggerheed, Keep'a r idley, green, hevkebill, and leatherback turt lee . Therefore, they eetebllehed e cuaulative lovol ef lneidentel teke end diecueeed verloue aeeeuree neceeeery to aonitor end a i n i a i s e thie lapect (eee Appendix • ) . Tbe NNPS noted thet no incidentel teking of aar ins aeaaale ves authorized under Section 101(e)(5) of the Narine Maaaal Protection Act of 1972 in connection v i t h thie category of etructure-reaoval a c t i v i t i e s . Thsrsfore, teklnq of aarine aaaaals by tho opsrstor vould be prohibited unices they eucceeefully apply for and obtain a porait or valvar to do oo froa HHPS.

9

VZ. BIBLIOGRAPHY AMD SPBCZAL REFERENCE (8)

P r i t t s , T.H. , A.B. I r v i n e , R.D. Jennings, L .A . Collun, M. Hoffmen, and N.A. NcOehee. 1983. Turt lee , birds, snd neanels ln the northern Oulf of Mexico snd neerby At lsnt ic waters. U.B. Pish snd wildl i fe Service , Division of Biologicsl Serv 1 coe, Heehington, D.C.

Toes, Wendy 0. Annuel report of tho soo t u r t l s strsnding snd ss lvsgs network. At l en t i c snd Gulf Coests of ths United Ste tee. Jenuery - Dseesjber l t t i . Netionel Nerine F lshsr i s s Service, southeeet f isheriee Center, Nlsni Lsborstory, 75 Vlrglnls Bosch Drive, Nisei, PL.

U . S . Depertaent of tho Interior. Hinerels Nanegeaent Service. 1S90. f ins l Environaentel lapect Stataaent. Proposed OCS Oi l end Gee Lssss Sslee 131, 135, snd 137 (Central, Weetern, end Seetern Gulf of Noxico). OCS EIS/EA NMS Ho. 90-0042. Washington, D.C. Aval ieble froa the Gulf of Nexico Region or froa NTIS, Springfield VA: v o l . 1 , PS90-2735t2l vo l . 2 , PB90-273590.

U . S . Depertaent of tho Interior. Ninerele Nanegeaent Service. 19BB. f inal Environaentel Iapact Stateaent. Propossd OCS O i l snd Gss Leeee Selee 118 and 122 (Centrel and westsrn Gulf of Noxico). OCS EIS/MMS SS0044. Washington, D.C. Available froa NTIS, Springfield, VAi PnSt-1141t5/AS.

U .S . Depertaent of the Interior. Minerela Menegeaent tervico . 1987. Prograaaatic Environaental Aaaeeeaent. structure-reaoval ect iv i t iee Centrel and Weetern Gulf ef Noxico Plenning Areea. OCS/EA 87-0002. Gulf of Nexico OCS Region, Nov Orloene, LA.

10

Table 1

Exploaiva* Propoaad by tha Oparator for tha Raaoval of Platfora A,

ln Mustang laland Araa, block 7tl (OCS-G 5993)

Typa of E x p l o a i v a !

Coapoaition b in bulk chargaa

HiiaiTtr in* * i m m p t > , r f l M 1

Pour, bulk chargaa of 90 pounda (ono for each of tho four piling)

Ono, bulk charge of 45 pounda (for tho 30-inch conductor).

Ono, bulk charga of 49 pounda (for tha 26-inch conductor).

One, bulk charga of 45 pounda (for tha caaing atub - ball Mo.l) Motet Tho Internel caaing atrlnga of tha two conduetora v l l l

be reaoved by aachanlcal cutting.

r«plovmant of Char oaa:

Ineide. at leaat Id fact belov the aud line.

ascpisnclna of Detonation t Multiple ahota v i t h 1.0 aecond deley between detonetione

l l

V I I . PREPARERS

Author:

Ron Grshsa - Biologist

Typis t :

A l i c e Sus Kris - c lerk Typist

VIII.APPENDICES

A. HALL-HOUSTON OIL COMPANY AMENDED CORRESPONDENCE

S. NNPS CORRESPONDENCE

13

APPENDIX A

HAIX-HOUSTOM O I L COMPANY. AJOWDID COIWI»IK>«DEJICE

14

ROOTING AND TNANfMfTTAL UN*

fc?c*u» \s«*ov\j +o a^j»iOv«.c(

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'tX 15'97

700 UM.**«n«.Cw»u f l00/Hotau*A W i 770CJ

••'las* nott fit* tddrtu fi C C C . V IvO I

r | J |- fn I J f l »> 2«-7*Oi •al f eoawcai luaajrt

UU:

TO fc^i^// « £ W

Tnico#t f (

SUBJffT:

KAU-MOWrOI

nMaaMalmj

OIL COMfwrr

UM&VT

mVmiA Of PA6ES TO fQLUkt;

If ton hm any quejtiont, p)a«*a a l l (711) Z7I-071)

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44£ 17 ' « 15:0B . . . V t

HAL^gHOUlTOil OH. COMWMIY 00 L mlili I I ,ssfa Sico/Heueuw, Toeee 7700B

August 17. 19ft fjBjjSjsj ^ t f S - 0 7 1 1

Mr. M t i J . Bourgeois Regional Supervisor. F is ld Operations U.S. Department of the Interior Minerals Management Service 1Z01 tf awood Part Blvd. tSS Orleans, Loutslana 70123 2394

Attention: Arvtsd Shaw WS 5210

Mustang Island Ttl It t s Approved Platform Removal

Gentl

Your I t t tSf dated June 10, 1992 granted spprovsl to remove tss 'A» platform, Mustang Islsnd Arms, Block 781, OCS C 1993 by using sxplosivss.

By this lsttsr, kal I -Houston oil Compan/ reguests ss amendment te tss approval is follows:

1) Change the proposed 40 IBs charge for thc W conductor to S 46 lb charge. The remain ing information I s tee seem.

*> " thed «f resovlng the 26" stub from mechanical cutting

IsUrvV l ) \mt *W BW.! ( C - P B * * * * * * 1

Hall-Houston anticipates commencing reaoval operations oe August 24, 1992, therefore your earliest soprovsl will be greatly appreciated.

Thank yes fs r your consideration with th is matter I f yee have any questions or require further Information please contact tho undersigned.

Slscertly,

Kathy Camp Regulat ry a Environmental Manager

B t t t

Bellas aei

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APPENDIX B

NNFB CORRESPONDENCE

17

'milt* D'»«arMl»jT o» C O M M C A C I

JUL 2 5 hill

N r . M i l l i e s 0. te t tenbero Oiroctor Minorals Meneqoeent tervico U. t . Oopartoont of INo Interior Washington, O.C. 20240

Deer Nr. Settenberg:

Encloeed io tho Biological Opinion ptspared hy tho national Marino flshsriss service (MMPt) pursuant ta faction 7 of tno Endangered faae laa hart ( U l ) osncornlng patantlsl iapscts on endangered snd thraatanad spociss eseoclsted with rsaovsl of aorta in ail snd gaa platf araa aad rslstsd atructures ln the oulf af Nes lee (fOM) ueing eaploeivee.

Thia "stsndsrd" eeneul tst len severs only thoaa reaovsl epe rot lone that aoet epeelfled orltorlo ports ln lng to the else ef eaploaive ths rpt ueed, detonetien depth, end nuaher ef fleets per structurs 1 grouping. Consultation auat he Initiated en s eaae-by-eaae baaia fee t i l fiaeantling operationa requiring tho uee ef axploelvee thet do aet aeet the sstsblishsd erlteria.

NMPf concludes thet etructure reaovsls in the OON thet f s l l .within the M tool lshed erltsris tre net likely te Jeopardise the continued evlotonce of listed epeciee under the jar ladle v.: en of NMPf. fewevsr, i t le our eplnien that the propoeed setlvltiee aey reeult la the injury er sorts uty ef ant sneered end threetened sss turtlee. Therefore, pursusnt te testlea 7(h)(4) ef ths ttt, ws heve eetehl lehed t lev level ef incidental teka. which lt cuaulative fer t i l reeevele severed hy thlt conaultatlsa, sad terae aad oonditions neoeseery te ainlalss snd aonltsr eny lapeote, shoalf they oeeur. Ths tsras and conditions are een telnet is the eneloeed Incidental tsks ststsasnt. aite oatlttot la t l ist ef pea flag consultstions tnet aoet. vith noted sas set lens, tho or iter is sstsblishsd in ths "stsndsrd* tontaltotlen. This biological eplnien snd ths ai tigs ting sassaroo end teraa end eonditione eontelned in the releted incidentel teke ststsasnt spply te teats prepeeed reooval operetione. Thsrsfore, fsrael eonsultstion ls concluded fer these propoted set lent.

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im .j <r» iC+.

octlvitioo thot My offoct liotod opocloo in o oonnor or to on out ont not conoidorod thuo for in our opinione; (!) tho idontifiod octlvitioo art modified ip o eenner thet coueeo on odvoroo offoct te lioted tpeclee net proviouoly conoidorod; er (4) e now opocloo le lieted er eritleel hobltot lo deeienoted thet eey he of footed hy the pro) eet.

z look forward te yeer cent 1 need oooporotlon la future coneultetiene.

•incoroly,

tneloeuree

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t i o l o g l e a l O p i n i o n

Agency: Minerala Menegeaent Service, U.f. Depertaent of tha Interior

Activity: Cc.ultAtion for Seeov.i af Cartaln Qatar Continental Shelf Oil and Oaa Structures ln the dalf sf nexleo

coneultation Conductad Sy: National MerIns fisheries Sarvica (hMFt)

Oate Iaauad: _m

l Sackground Inforaation.

Sn a latter dstad Nevaaear i t , l t f f , taa Minorals Maneo oeen t service (NMS) code en in i t ia l reeueet for formal oeeoultetlsa purauant te Section 7 af the Endangarad Spaciaa Act faaa) far tha roaoval sf to sffehere a l l snd sas plstfora laaa tst la taa Federal vatara of tho Oulf of Nexico (OOM) . MMf snd MMft deteralned that raaoval of a i l snd fSt platforaa and rslstsd atructuraa in taa OOM aoy sffsct endenaered snd thrsstsnod asrins a pec ioa. Thlt "aay effeot" dstsralnetlen aaa he eed sn t peesibis reletienehlp between endanoered and thr aat aaad see turtle aortal itiaa snd tha dlftjtwtllns; sf platforaa ualng era losl ves. Cn Moveauar tt, i t t j . riMPt Issusd tho f i r s t of t aariaa of biological oplnlone addroaaing, ia detail, the potential lapecta ta listed asrins epoolee thst asy scour ee a reeair ef oct abandonaant sct iv i t iaa .

MMf end MMft eetahliahed] proceoo roe for eased i t leg section 7 consultations ea pletfera ib in Sweet ectivitles In tae OOM re ferret te es "oaa s f l tod osesuleatlsno." fol lew inf theee proceduree. asereolaotely 44 aaaael tet laaa have aeon eaapletod for reaovel apsratlesst la the fOM region, a l l of tha consultetlsae havo eenelwded thet the prep ssst shtaftnasnt ectivlties were aot likely te jsoperdlse the eontlnuod oxlotonco ef any listsd epeciee. Mat thst tho propoeed ectivitles aey rssult ln ths incidentel taking ef sndeagsrsd snd threetened sss turtlss

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The dismantling of pletforae end rolotod otructuroo ueing explooivee hoo ovolvod to o point where o "otondord" protocol con be ootODIiehed for reeovel operetione eeetinf certein criterie Beeed upon rooovel techniquee developed end revloved in conjunction vith the previouely conducted "expedited coneultetione." MMf hee requeeted, fy letter ef Key 24, i n « "generic coneultetlon" thet would ho applicable to e l l future' reeovel operetione thet fe l l within e dletlnct cotogory, defined by epeeifie pereeetere. A category hee been deelgned to Include thoee etructure typee end reeovel techniquee eeet coenonly encountered during the eapod1tod coneultetione end dleaentllng operetione elreody eoepleted. 81noe epproximetely l t f f etructuree thet aay be echodulod fee future reeevel fe l l within the pereaetere af the eetebllehed cotogory, MMft egrooo thet e "generic" eeneultetlen le eppropriete et thia tlaa. The objective ef the coneultetlon le to redeeo the edalnletretlve burden en both MMf end MMf8 fer conducting repetitive coneultetione en eetivltlee thet aey reeult in s iai lar iapecte to lieted epeciee and thet require leant leal oitigeting aeeeuree te aelnteln edequete protection for auch epeciee. Thia biologieol opinion reopenle te MMf' May 34, l t t t , ceneultetien requeet. The opinion i t beeed en the aeet eelentlfle end coaaorciel date preeentiy evelleble end lneoraeretoe lnferaetlen froai 1) previoua MMf tuaaerv ffveluetlone, 2) previoue MMft biologieel oplnlone en pletfeva reaevel, 1) the eclentifle l i tore ture, end 4) ether pertinent and evelleble informetion. Coneultetlon auet he reinitiated i f nev lnforaetlon Boooeeo eve liable cencernlnq] iapeeto te lieted epeelee thet would elter the cone luo lone reeehed ln thio eplnien or require aadlf leet ion ef the aeeeuree identified la the attached lneidentel teke eteteaent. Connultetion v i l l continue en a caae-by-ceee heele far theee etructure reaovolo that do not aeet tho erlterle eetebllehed for "etandard" rooovele.

Deecription of f r ep OBof action:

The prepeeed eetlon lnvelvee the raenwal. by expl er ive aaent, of offahere a l l aai pee etructuree loceted ln federel vetere ia the culf of Moxlco. Beeevel ef the atructuree v i l l he eceeepllehcd by oover ine the neap art pilings, at toe ana, well coneuotero. etc.. uelnq vary ine; eaeunte ef eapleeivee te peralt eelvege of the etrueturee. Thie involvee the pltcaasnt ef eapl'.alvee ineide er outelde ef evppertlnf otructuree end dstencting ohergee eriearily ueing electronlcolly oontr lied elgnele.

Thia "generic" eeneultetlen cone I dore oaly theee roaovol opera tiene that aeet certein erlterle pertaining te the eite ef the exploeive chorge ueed. detonetlon depths, end nuaber ef blaata per otructurel grouping. The epeeific criteria eetahliahed te eever auch reaovala are aa foi love:

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1) UM of hich velocity explosives (dotonetion rete qreeter then 7,SOO ootere/second).

2) A sexlnua of eiqht lndlvidusl bleete per qroup of dotonetlone with chergee steggered st sn lntsrvsl of 0.9 oocondo (900 oilllsscondo).

3) Chsrqss sust ho set st s slninun dspth sf If fsst belov tho oodlaont surf ses. Sever lnq sf structurss ebove ths sedissnt surfscs •seen veter" euet bo sccoojplishod hy sschsnlcsl (non-exploeivs) sothodo.

4) The ssxiaus 90

smount ef expleelvee per else ls net ts

Species Occurrinq] ln the Project Areei

Lieted spsciss under the juried let lee ef the project erect

birrs thet eey occur ln

ICIPfTIfIC MAI

rleht vhsls

finbeck vhsls

huoobscx vhsle

eel vhele

epore vhsle

qreon turtle

Keep's ridlsy turtls

lee the rhe ck turtle

loqoorhssf turtls

hevkeb i l l turtls

• h l l sf ths O.t. thrsstsnsd except l istsd eu

t

I

t

I

I

Th f •

t

t/a/7o

t/a/7t

•/a/7t

t/a. 7t

« / . 7 * t

7/at/7t

12/2/70

t/a/7e

vae/7

sya/*o

Pier Ids pepul breed

sre listsd te letlee. vhich i t

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^ • J i ^ i ^ ^ f ^ * h " •'••Ifneted ln th. prsject eree f # r

AitttiMnt of Iapaetst

Baaad upon thair known dlatrlbutlon oral sbundanca ln ths GON. endenqered whales are believed unlikely ts occur in tho vicinity of the propoeed etructure reaovel ectivitiee. end, therefore, unlikely te so sdversely effected by taa propoood ectlon

Previous BNPfl biologicel oplnlone (Novoaber SB. ISSS end Psbrusrv as, 1SS71 heve eddroeoed. in det. i l . roaovel of atrJctuTas i ™ R OOBJ. aeoeunte of endengered end threetened speciee which occur in the project eree. ead taa -Aeeeeeeent of Iapecte* eontelned ln thooo prler oplnlone else spply to thio ceneultetien and srs incorporated ay refer onoe.

In eusae ry. the oplnlone referenced ebove ecknowledgo tho oxlotonco of e poeeiblo reletienehlp between the soo of underveteT eaploeivee la r.aov inq pletforae aai rale, ed otructuroo end tho occurrence of otrondod eee turtleo. aerine nannals (T^appe. tDifittBtuj) and fish. Halted saporisente eonduetod hy n*PS. Oolvooton Uboretory eenflra thet eee turtlea (sad ether serine vortebretec) feaad la proalalty te aetreloaa pletforae sen he Injured er killed hy reaoval operat i i sapleylng underwater eep lee'.vee (Bllaa. l t t t ) .

Technology aaat coaaonly used In the dlaaentling ef platfc. lneladsei hulk eapleeivee. stspst eapleelve ehergee, aechenlcel and ebreeive cuttere snd underveter sre eutters. The uee ef hulk eapleelvss hss be coa s the industry's etenderd procedure for eever ing i l l Ince, ve i l sis tea tore end releted supporting etruetures (approx. tet ate). ansa as laaj hulk ehergee. the inside ef the atructura esn he jetted eat te et leeet i f fsst holey ths eediaent fleet to allow pl lsss ist of eaploeivee Inaide of the atructure. rssult lng la t ieofOSte ia the lapulse snd preasurs foreee rolosssd lata the weter eeluan span dstonstion. The aee sf klph veloeity snips! sha res s le rsport st te hsve sees edvantaoee ever hulk exploeivee end hee bene aaed in eeaav ine tion eaventeass over balk eapltelvae sad aee aooo aaed in eaahlnetl with eaeller hulk eherges. The out t lnq action ebt el nod hy s eheped che roe le sse sap 1 likif hy f saw o beg the espl solve energy with e eenissl aortal? <e liner, a, aatar edvaoiteoxa * w •eicel fhstallie liner. A asjcr advs<*tes>a eeeecleted with uee ef high veleaity atlasf Thstpee ke thet t teal lor oeeur:t ef oxpl.-eivo charge i s respired te sever the etructure, which elso results in rodutTlene is the Hauls* and areee ̂ r a I'eroae re leee-ths l i pulse end preeeurs fereee releeeed mto the wster eel una. Oos ef aashtalml cutters sad •iMsrweter ere euttsrs ie rveeeeefel ia soon circv Tten see end de> not produce the iapulee snd prsssur ereee seseelsteX vith detonetion sf exploeive., hswsvev. theas astfets srs, ln aeet lnstsness, sore tlae eonsualng, eeetly and aare heserdous to divere. as s reeult, theee Lothoee tre aet aeed sn s routine oaeie (NNS aopert en Platfora Beaovsl Techniquee).

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deed upon data obtained during pravioualy conducted "expeditee-conaultatiana on platfora reaovala, tba following le e coeperleor ol the typee ef exploeivee aoet likely te bo ue«d in the propoeed reaovel operetionai

UPlQllYl

P3X

C-4

Coop.-B

Detonating vtlocUy epprox. i,i99 a/eec.

opprox. B,oel a/aec.

opprox. 7,BOB a/eec.

L S I

1.19

1.32

• Brieenee le the aeeeure ef ehot tor lng power ee coopered to TNT whieh hee brieence of 1.00. (NNB Boport on Pletfera Beaovel Techniquee, l ttd.)

The propoaod reevoval operetiona a l l l he eoo oaa 1 lehed uelnq high velocity exploeivee. Oee ef thia typo of eapleelve charge ehould alnlalie the duration af the iapulee end preeeure fereee produced by detonetion af the chargaa. while providing the aeount ef foree recjuired to oover tho etruetureo. Bacairdlaa ta NNJ, raa tr let lnq the groupinq of dotonetlone te eight individual hleete per group and eteejforlaf hleete hy 0.9 ooeoaio (eee e l l 11 Si) wil l elnlBlte tha eree effected hy the hleete end evppreee phaelnq ef ehock vovee, thereby deer eoo lnq the eaauletlvo effecta ef the bleete. Zn addition, elaee e l l dotonetlone v l l l occur et leeet lf feet below the tad leant eurfece end no aore then to pounde of expleelvee per bleet v l l l he permit ted, the aaount of reelduel energy releeead late the Beriaa aavlrenaont eheuld he reduced eleni f lcent ly. he e result, NNFt hel levee thet al.ileal ehock end Iapulee forcee v l l l ha releeead la the vlelnlty ef reaoval eperetlene et aay given tlaa.

Te date, ef approxlaately 44 previously o aat art of eeneultetleee oover lag iBanionsaet eetivltlee, ah aat SB otructuro reaovele hovo been eoapleted. Bech Beaovel operatlea wss aaal tared hy NNFt obeervere and mms l OB atat if uaing aap r apr late ait igat ing aeooureo. ht tss pres sat tlaa, eight turtlee heve aaaa elehted ln ereee near etruertaree be inq dlaaantied. t t leeet two of whieh were ereea turtlaa. Of the eight toauaoatei olot*lose. aae turtle wee repart ad to be fleet lag ea it 'e eeeh near t platform after detonetion ef cherqee, apparently etaaasd er injured, he ether incldente ef eee turtle lal ery er aortallty have aoee reported. Therefore, NNFt hoi levee thet the prepeeed actiona ere not likely te reeult la eignif lcent edveree 1 api eta te endangered end threetened eee turtle populationa.

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.. -- • » - - ,

Conclusions>

taeed on tho above. It ls our opinion thot reeovel of platforaa ond rolstod structuree ln tho OOM lo net likoly to jeeaerdiso tha contlnusd oxlotonco of throstsnod and endangered speciee undar tha Jurisdiction of MMft. However, irnri concludes that the propoood activitioo nay raault ln tho injury or aortallty of loggerheed, Keap'e rldlay, graan, hevkebill and laatharbaek turtlaa. Tharafora, pursusnt tu faction 7(h)(4) af tho Uh. vo hava aatabllahad a lau lovol af incidental taka end teraa snd conditiono neceeeery to alnialta aad eealter thia iapact. Coaplianoe vith theee torao and conditiono la tha reaponalblllty of MMt end the peralt appl leant. 1

Reinitiation af Ceneultetien:

Coneultetlon auat ho reinitiated l f t 1) tha aaount or eatent ef taxing specified in the incidentel taka atat aaent la aat er exceeded! 2) naw inforaation reveals Iapeeto ef the projact thet aay effeet liatad epoolee la a aenner er te ea extent not coneidered in thie opinion; S) the Identified activities are aodifiad ln a aanner that ceusee an edveree affect an lieted epecloe not previouely eonslderedI or 4) a nev apeciea ia lieted or critical habitat la designated that aey be affected hy the propeeed ectivitiee.

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INCIDENTAL TAKE STATEMENT

Section JU>H4) ef the En4.ng.reC Speciee Aet reeuiree thet when a proposed egency ectlon le found to ee eeneistont with Section 7(e)(1) of tho Act end the arspsssd ectlone aoy incldontolly tike individual, of l lo te i spsciss, NMfS will Ieeue e eteteeent the?

TIT ~" - - - - - - -ir— — , wm, immum e eteteeent th opoclfioo the loueoot (eaount er extent) ef euch incidentel taking. Incidental teking hy tha federel egency or eppllcent thet eoaplles with tho apecified taraa end conditiono of thie Sf'thTMA 1" • U t h ° r A , # < " * " r l * * r t r 9 m * • ****** prohibitlono Booed on etrendlng recordc, Incidentel cspturss ehoerd coaaorciel ehriap vssssls end historicsl data, five ssosloo sf sse turtlss ara known te occur ln northern Oulf af Moslss waters. Current evelleble informetion en the reletienehlp Between see turtls aortsllty end the eee ef high-velocity expleelvee te rsaova a l l plst formej indicetee thst Injury end/or death mf. eee turtles sey reeult free the prop esod set leee. Therefore, pursusnt te Beetle 7(h)(4) af the BSA, ea lneidentel take {hy iajary er sorts 1 ity) level sf sns docunented soap's ridley, tress, hewksblll or lsstherbeck turtle or tea loggerheed turtles l t eet fer s l l roaovol operetione conductad under tho terae sad conditions ef thia incidentel teke ststsasnt. fee level ef teking specified here le cuaulative fer e l l reaovsls eovered hy thie eeneultetlen. Zf the incidental teke aasta er sas s std thie specif led level, MMS auat reinitiate aan eul tet ea. flat Southeeet Beg lon, MMfS, v l l l coo per ste vith MMS in the reviev ef the Incident to deteraine the need fer developing furthei eltlgetlon aeeeuree.

The reeeonoble snd prudent a esuree thet MMft eel levee srs nscssssry te alnlalse the lap set of Incidental teh Inge hsvs been discussed vith MMS and v i l l be inocrporeted la the reaovel design for "stsndsrd" structurs reaovsls. tae folloving terae aad conditions srs eotabl lshed far thaaa reaovsls to lap I see at the ident if lot si tigs tion teke should euett

1) gualified oheervor(e), ee epprovod by MMfS, auet be uood to aonitor the area a revest ths elte prler to. der lag aad efter detonation of ohergee. Obeerver coverage v l l l aaf la 4t hours prler te ist east lea ef sas roes. I f eea turtlee ete seeerved in tho vlelnlty ef the platfora tad thsufht te he resident st the elte, pro- sad post-dstonation diver surveys eaat he eendueted.

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3) On i i y i that toianting oB«r«cieni occur, . 3t-ainute norm e-rv.y eu.t bo conducted within ono hour bof oro on* ero hour • f t . r ..ch bin.ting .cioede Tho MMM-.©prove.! obeerver and/or *M/f on-elte poroonnol (MMM oaployee only) eu.t o. u..5 to chic* for tho * eeance of turt.ae end, if peeolbie, to identify opocioo If weather condition, (fog, eecaeeive undo, otc.) aake i ! l ? f ! ! ! i h i # t # € # , l t * f l # # r U l • U . t l n q a c t i v i t i e s - o y oo nl lowed to proceed if epproved by tho MMf W end/or MMJ po.ooooo1 on-.lto.

3) If too turtloo or. ooeerveJ in too lelnity of too Pletfora (within lttt yerde of too . I t . ) prior to toton.t lJ oti.rgI. bleoting will bo deleyed until etteopte or. U T reaeving toot) ot leeet it tf yarde froo too bl . . t . i to. Tho oer 1.1 eurvey ooot oo repeeted prior to roeuolfwj toten..lea of chorgoo.

}) I " — * * * * 4 f eapleeivee ***** ** tooeo' thee 1 hour following eunrlee end no lot t*fft i Of f prior te ouncet Movever, If lt 1. do tore l nod * MMPt end/or MMt on-el to por Mono 1

* £ ? U l ************* U <• t t aadlfieetiee ef thoee tiae reotrlotlene aod thot eueh to ̂ fleet lea la not likely te edveroel, leeeee liated epeelee, bleeting aey be ellowed to proceed eutelde of thie tlae freae

. J ' " l ^ / i L * 1 ! ^ ^ ^ ! * * * ( ^ i f f * * * * *• reeaiired la tho cewree ef tho reaovolo), divora w.a hf instructed fe tho ouoeurfeee eraoo eurroundlfwj the pletfora (fleeting) I eurreuadiaf the pletfora (fleeting) eltee 5 # r » i a , S i 2 ! t l - " t r l n # •Mr****f<» reported to the haft ar MMf ea-e iu pereennel. Open coop let lon ef bleeting, divara auet report ead atteapt te recwer eny elfhted injured ar dead aae turtlee ar aariaa aaaaele.

• ) the ftf avat lat at off .red o.t ttttadt (tte a i l l i t e for ..eh greup ef etrueturee, to elate*oe f e euauletive af the bleete. tf a reaevel aperetiee involvee aw lt lei a groupinq. af etructuree, the lntervel he taaaa detonat le •htrpat far each froue ehould he aln ial ood to eveid tho •eh uaa lag* effect, aaaa over eueh lntervel o eaoood tt-a

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_ 'tlnutet, the eeriel eurvey eajoW he repeated.

7 * * * o f ehergee ahould fe eve;dod te ainialte the ahtfftt f t f he el

ea-eite poraeanel. -chuaalnf effeet.1* Qae ef aaere thorpM aey he el laved only if epprovod hy the Mtf--

t) » veeet •iMttirliiae the reeulte ef the reaevel ead eltlgev e* euree auet ae euhalttod to tho MMf fulf ef Mealeo hog iee t iJ i la i t worklne eeyo ef the roaovol. k aaay af the repert avat he forverded te MMPt, toutboo.t tog lea.

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