The U.S Bureau of Ocean Energy Management requests comment on a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for oil and gas leases in the Central and Eastern planning areas of the Gulf of Mexico. BOEM continues to rely on current mitigation measures to protect marine mammals. For example, the DSEIS states:
“Operators must adhere to certain NTLs while conducting OCS oil- and gas-related activities in order to reduce impacts to marine mammals. The operator’s reaffirmed compliance with NTL 2012-JOINTG01 (“Vessel Strike Avoidance and Injured/Dead Protected Species Reporting”) and NTL 2012-BSEEG01 (“Marine Trash and Debris Awareness and Elimination”), as well as the limited scope, timing, and geographic location of the EPA proposed action, would result in negligible effects from the proposed drilling activities on marine mammals. In addition, NTL 2012-JOINT-G02, “Implementation of Seismic Survey Mitigation Measures and Protected Species Observer Program,” minimizes the potential of harm from seismic operations to marine mammals. These mitigations include onboard observers, airgun shutdowns for whales in the exclusion zone, ramp-up procedures, and the use of a minimum sound source.”
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“In addition, NTL 2012-JOINT-G02, “Implementation of Seismic Survey Mitigation Measures and Protected Species Observer Program,” minimizes the potential of harm from seismic operations to sea turtles and marine mammals; these mitigations include onboard observers, airgun shut-downs for whales in the exclusion zone, ramp-up procedures, the use of a minimum sound source, and delayed use of explosives when sea turtles or marine mammals are observed in the exclusion zone.”
Comments on this DSEIS are due to BOEM by March 16, 2015.
Click here for the DSEIS.
