Chukchi Sea Environmental Studies Chukchi Sea Environmental Studies ProgramProgram

Caryn Rea

Environmental Studies Lead

ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc.

January 23, 2009

Environmental Studies Baseline Program

Chukchi Sea, 2008

Summary of Major Program Summary of Major Program ComponentsComponents

Activity GoalObtain adequate environmental baseline data for NEPA documents in support of permitting approvalsAdd to the scientific knowledge base on the marine ecosystem of the Chukchi Sea

Offshore Environmental Studies Baseline Program 2008

Major Elements Two primary study areas

Marine Mammal Surveys-J. Bruggeman/Canyon Creek Consulting

Seabird Surveys-Dr. Bob Day/ABR

Contaminants-Battelle/ExponentIncludes old drillsites

Physical Oceanography-Dr. T. Weingartner/UAF

Biological Oceanography- Dr. Arny Blanchard/UAF; Dr. Russ Hopcroft/UAF

Acoustics- Dr. Chris Clark/Cornell

Local residents on Team

Desired OutcomeProvide data that can advance the state of scientific knowledge on baseline conditions in the Chukchi Sea

Obtain permits to drill

Program Status & Accomplishments

Chukchi Sea OCS Leases acquired February 2008Field Work Conducted mid-July to mid-OctZero Safety IncidentsData Analysis OngoingReporting Complete 3Q, 2009Planning underway for 2009 Program

PreliminaryPreliminary Results from 2008

Marine Mammal Observations

Pacific Walrus Sightings > 900Polar Bear Sightings - 8Ribbon Seals – 5Bearded Seals – 115Bowhead Whales – 1Gray Whales – 21Killer Whales – 9

Seabird Observations Approx. 30 species recordedMurres abundant at beginning of survey (July)Crested Auklets abundant in late summer/fall YBLOs in late August/early SeptEiders & LTDU nearshore late summerThousands of STSW in September Ross’s gulls migration to the soutwest in October

Data are not final and should only be used for general discussion purposes

Proposed Future Program – Chukchi SeaProposed Future Program – Chukchi Sea

Seabird SurveysMammal SurveysPhysical OceanographyBiological OceanographyAcoustics MonitoringContaminants (not confirmed)Coordinate with MMS COMIDA project to collect contaminants samples (sediment/biota) in a % of 2008 locations

ChallengesChallengesIce cover

Remote location

Harsh weather conditions

No infrastructure support

No comprehensive Studies Plan for Chukchi Sea OCS

Collaboration Opportunities

Minerals Management Service

COMIDA programNational Marine Fisheries Service, AK Beluga Whale Committee, NSB, Kotz IRA

Arctic Beluga Whale taggingIce Seal tagging

US Fish and Wildlife Service

Chukchi Sea Polar Bear StudiesPacific Walrus Tagging Studies

Summary

Continue with baseline studies programEngage with communities and involve locals to obtain traditional knowledgeEngage with multi-stakeholder group to leverage resourcesLeverage funding and knowledge with others