The Bureau has announced
its intent to prepare a PEIS to evaluate potential environmental effects of
multiple G&G activities on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). On April 2,
2010, MMS published an announcement in the Federal Register reopening for 45 days the
public comment to accept comments related to future industry G&G
activity on the Atlantic OCS, and listing the schedule for public scoping
meetings. The public comment period closed on May 17, 2010. The purpose of
scoping is to receive comments on the scope of the PEIS,
identify significant resources and issues to be analyzed, and
identify possible alternatives to the proposed action. These G&G activities are
associated with siting renewable energy projects, identifying marine
minerals for coastal restorations, and exploring for oil and gas. The OCS areas that will be
analyzed are the Mid-Atlantic Planning Area and the
South Atlantic Planning Area (refer to figure below).
Current EIS Schedule
The proposed PEIS will evaluate the environmental
impacts of multiple G&G activities in OCS waters of the Atlantic. The proposed
PEIS will be the first National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) programmatic
document performed for G&G activities in the Atlantic OCS. The PEIS is proposed
for the Atlantic in light of multiple applications for permits received by the
Bureau
and industry’s expressed interest in expanding activities into the Atlantic
offshore waters. This PEIS will also review advances in G&G technology and
improved knowledge of acoustic impacts on marine life. This PEIS will determine
whether significant impacts to Atlantic resources could occur as a result of G&G
activities, and where needed, outline mitigation and monitoring measures that
will reduce or eliminate the potential for impacts to the environment.
2009 Federal Register Notice announcing a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Atlantic G&G activities
2010 Federal Register Notice
announcing Atlantic G&G scoping meetings and comment period
Applications received for Atlantic OCS seismic activities:
CGGVeritas
Map of proposed survey area
Global Geo Services
Map of proposed
survey area
Global Geo Services
Map of proposed
survey area
GX
Technology
Map of proposed
survey area
SeaBird
Exploration Americas, Inc.
Map of proposed
survey area
Spectrum Geo,
Inc.
Map of proposed
survey area
Spectrum GGS (formerly Global
Geo Services)
Map of proposed
survey area
TGS-NOPEC
Map of proposed
survey area
WesternGeco
Map of proposed
survey area
Additional resources:
Mid- and South Atlantic OCS Geological and
Geophysical Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement
Descriptions of Geological and
Geophysical Activities
Uses of Geological and Geophysical
Survey Data
Compliance with the Endangered Species Act
and Marine Mammal Protection Act for Geological
and Geophysical Activities on the Atlantic OCS
Atlantic Geological and
Geophysical Survey Regulatory Authority
Geological and Geophysical Exploration Regulations
Geological and Geophysical Data Acquisition - Outer
Continental Shelf Through 2003
Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Geological
and Geophysical Exploration for Mineral Resources on the Gulf of Mexico
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS
EIS/EA MMS 2004-054)
A brief history of the use of sound in ocean exploration:
http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/sfmapping/soundhist.htm
A brief tutorial on seismic technology and how it is used:
http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/operations/sfmapping/seismic.htm
