Phil Taylor, E&E reporter
Published: Thursday, December 22, 2011
The Obama administration today inched closer to allowing oil and
gas drilling in the Arctic Ocean with the release of a draft
study of development's potential effects on marine mammals.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's draft
environmental impact statement examines steps the agency could
adopt over the next five years as it issues incidental take
authorizations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
The draft review will also inform the Interior Department as it
considers industry proposals to conduct seismic surveys, which
emit loud underwater pulses that can harm marine species.
"We know how important marine mammals are to healthy Arctic
ecosystems and the people who depend on them for food and
cultural traditions," said Eric Schwaab, NOAA's assistant
administrator for the National Marine Fisheries Service. "We want
to hear comments on these proposed alternatives to lessen any
effects of oil and gas exploration in the Arctic."
Today's step is part of a broader Obama administration effort to
gauge the impacts of oil and gas development in the Beaufort and
Chukchi seas, where Royal Dutch Shell PLC and other major oil
companies are proposing to drill as early as next summer.
Shell has received tentative approval from Interior and U.S. EPA,
but both agencies are currently defending those actions in court
and in administration review boards.
NOAA under federal law is tasked with allowing incidental and
unintentional "take," or disturbance, of small numbers of marine
mammals as long as the actions have a negligible effect on the
species and do not reduce opportunities for Alaska Natives who
hunt them.
Today's draft explores measures to minimize any potential impacts
from sound, discharge of pollutants and the presence of vessels
needed to support oil and gas drilling.
The draft also includes mitigation measures including seasonal
closures in whale migration and feeding areas and during
traditional whale and seal hunts, which are critical cultural and
dietary activities for native groups.
NOAA will allow 45 days for public comment and, along with the
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, will host public listening
sessions in January and February in eight North Slope
study of development's potential effects on marine mammals.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's draft
environmental impact statement examines steps the agency could
adopt over the next five years as it issues incidental take
authorizations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
The draft review will also inform the Interior Department as it
considers industry proposals to conduct seismic surveys, which
emit loud underwater pulses that can harm marine species.
"We know how important marine mammals are to healthy Arctic
ecosystems and the people who depend on them for food and
cultural traditions," said Eric Schwaab, NOAA's assistant
administrator for the National Marine Fisheries Service. "We want
to hear comments on these proposed alternatives to lessen any
effects of oil and gas exploration in the Arctic."
Today's step is part of a broader Obama administration effort to
gauge the impacts of oil and gas development in the Beaufort and
Chukchi seas, where Royal Dutch Shell PLC and other major oil
companies are proposing to drill as early as next summer.
Shell has received tentative approval from Interior and U.S. EPA,
but both agencies are currently defending those actions in court
and in administration review boards.
NOAA under federal law is tasked with allowing incidental and
unintentional "take," or disturbance, of small numbers of marine
mammals as long as the actions have a negligible effect on the
species and do not reduce opportunities for Alaska Natives who
hunt them.
Today's draft explores measures to minimize any potential impacts
from sound, discharge of pollutants and the presence of vessels
needed to support oil and gas drilling.
The draft also includes mitigation measures including seasonal
closures in whale migration and feeding areas and during
traditional whale and seal hunts, which are critical cultural and
dietary activities for native groups.
NOAA will allow 45 days for public comment and, along with the
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, will host public listening
sessions in January and February in eight North Slope
communities.
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