FINAL

SITE-SPECIF It ^WIIWWOITAL ASSESSMENT

' VAN61RED S W . t /STRUCTURE ItEllWAL(S)

Ht. ES/SI 9O-069

UNITFi SIATti tttPMTOlT Of THE INTERIM

NINERALS NAMAC ̂ f l 1 SERVICE

(iuH of NMfCfl OCS Rtfff«ft

Nov Ori MIW , LovUiAM

Structure.Pe«ov«l ACtWftfM ' 'Mjfyj r ^

EASt C MM row Arte, Block 34

LOOM OCS-C 2*55

SB 1 . T

UNI TEC STATES DEPARTMENT Of TME INTERIOR

MINERALS NANAGENENT SERVICE

Gulf of Heaico OCS Region

Ne* Orleans, Louisiana

I iNAL

SITE-SPECIFIC ENVIRONMENT*; ASSESSMENT

EWANGEPFD SPECIES/STRUCTURE REMOVAL(S)

Ho. ES/SR 90-069

Assessnent of the Enviromwntal Inpacts of the Proposed Reaoval of Platfom A in East Car ro* Area, '̂ock 34

(OCS-G 2855) by Ken-McGee Corporation

Oate Subeitted: June 7 >90 CotJawncevent Oate: July .̂ 90

Prepared by Dennis Chew

t I 'MG OF MO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

I have conaidered th. notification by Karr McGee Corporation to

reaove Platfona A in Last Caaaron Araa, Block 34 (OCS-G l t t f ) , SEA

Mo. CS/SN 90-06*. Baaed on tha anvIronaental analyaia and

mitigative aaaauraa contained in tha nlta-apeeific anvironaantal

aaaeaaaent, there la no evidence to indicate that th* propoaad

actlone will aiqniflcantly (40 CPU 190N.2?) affact th* quality of

the huaan environaent if th* parait/appIIcatlon ia approvad aubjact

to a l l of tha aitigative aaaauraa. Preparation of an anvironaantal

iapact stateaent ia not required.

leasing, and Env i ronaant tlf of Mexico OCS Notion

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FINOING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

INTRODUCTION ANO BACKGROUND

I . DESCRIPTION OF TME PNOPOSA; (5) AND NEED FOB TME PROPOSAL(S)

A DESCRIPTION CF TME PROPOSE A : T I O N ( S ) WlTM MITIGATION

B NEEO FOR TME PROPOSED ACTION(S)

I I . ALTERNATIVES TO TME PROPOSED AtTJON(S)

A. NON-REMOVAL OF THf STWCTURr (S)

B. RENOVAt QF TME STRUCTURE(S) BY At TERMATIVE NON-EXPLOSIVE NfTHOOS

C. REMOVAL Of TME SIRaXTVNC(S| AS PIWPOSED WITH AOOEO MITIGATION

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

A. PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

1 . Environaental Get logy and Geologic Msx.: rds

2. Heteoro logtca l Cond i t ion*

3. Physical and Cheatcal Oceanography a. Physical Oceanography

b. Cheaical Oceanography

4. W t t t r Qua l i t y

5. A i r Q u a l i t y

B. BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONNENT

1. Coastal Habitats

2. Protected, Endangered, and/or Threatened Species

a. 8! rd \ b. Marin* N I N M U

c. Sea Turtle*

3. Birds

i . Sensitive Marine Habitats

b. Offshore Habitats and Biota

C. SOCIOECONOMIC CONCERNS

1. Employment

2. Economics

J . Onshore Support Faci l i t ies. .and Use, and Coastal Coavmrnities and Services

0. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

1. Coenertial and Recreational Fisheries a. CoMwrcial Fisheries b. Recreational fisheries

2. Archaeological Resources

3. Hilitary Use/Naming Areas and Explosive Duaping Areas

4. Navigation and Shipping

5. Pip-1 mes nd I abltl

6. Othtr Ninere1 Resources

1. Huaan Health and Safety

E. UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE INPACTS

IV. PUBLIC OPINION

V. CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION

PAGC

VI . BIBLIOGRAPHY ANO SPECIAL RCFFRENCE(S) 11

V I I . PREPARERS 12

V I I I . APPENDICES 13

A KERR-MCGEE CORPORATION ORR CENCE 14

B. NMfS CORRESPONDENCE 34

INTRODUCTION ANO BACKGROUND

The purpose of this Site-Specific Environmental Assessnent (SEA) is to assess the specific iapacts associated with proposed structure-reaoveI activities The SEA is based on a Programmatic Environaental Assessaent (PEA) (USOI. MMS, 1987) which evaluates a broader spectrum of potential impacts resulting froa the renoval of structures; e.g., platforms/caissons across the central and wesvern planning areas of the Gu'f of Hexico Outer Continental Shelf. The PEA/SEA process is designed to simplify and reduce the size of environaental assessaent documents by eliainating repetitive d.scissions of the same issues. This SEA conforas tc NHS ad other appropriate guidelines for preparing environmental assessaents by ut,l*zing data presented in the PEA to complete the assessment. It presents site-specific data regarding the proposed structure removal(s) and evaluates the potential impact*. Nitigation measure, are contained in this document to lessen potential iapacts. Preparation of this SEA has allowed the determination of wnether a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONS1) <s appropriate or whether further assessaent of the proposal(s) is necessary.

I . DESCRIPTION OF TME PROPOSAl(S) ANO NEED FOR THE PROPOSAL(S)

A. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ACTIOH(S) MlTM NITIGATION

Kerr-HcGee Corporation proposes to remove Platform A in East Car* *n Area. Block 34 (OCS-G 2855). The structure is located in a water depv about 40 feet. Block 34 lies about 6 miles south of Cameron Parish, Louisiana. The operator plans to use explosives to sever the two caissons 20 feet below the mudline. See Table I for specific data regarding the explosive removal operations.

Refer to Append!i A for structure specifications for the removal(s). additional data on removal techniques, and sequence of events.

MITIGATION

Refer to ti*e operator's proposal (Appendix A) for aitigative measure(s) proposed to reduce the likelihood of deatP or injury to sea turtles and marine

1

B. NEED. FOB THE PROPOSED ACTION(S)

A discussion of the legal and regulatory mandates to remove abandoned oil and gas structures from Federal waters can be found in the PEA (USDI, HN'. 1987). The reserves associated with the wells are depleted and the wells are no longer in use.

Table 1

E»plos«ves Proposed by the Operator f o r the St ruc ture Reaova! in East Caawron Area. Slock 34 (OCS-G 2855)

Lai v* EM*gmy>:

Octal or Coaposition 8.

hjfflftfr M i S J u pf ttjjrjfj;

Four, 20-pound bulk charges (one for each l e g / p i l e ) .

F i v e , 48-pound bulk charges (one for each 36" « 1" casino, w i th 16" i n t e r i o r s t r i n g ) .

One, 2S-pound bulk charge ( f o r 36' n 1" casing w i th 7-S/8" i n t e r i o r s t r i n g )

One, 50-pou*-d bulk charge ( f o r 48" conduc tor ) .

fj»loyfKPt of Charges,:

Inside. 20 feet below the eud line.

StwtnQng of P t t o ^ t w

Multiple shots.

Sho s will be sequenced with a elniaua of 0 '< second de'ay between shots. Conductors will be shot in one group and piles in another group.

l l . ALTERNATIVES TO THE PROPOSED ACTIOH(S)

A ' te r r .a t t ves to the proposed s t ruc tu re removal(s) w i t h * i t -<;at>on

o r i g i n a l ) / submitted are:

A. WON-REMOVAL Cc THE STRUCTURE(S)

The operator would not proceed w i t h the proposed removal (s) . This a l t e r n a t i v e would e l im ina te the p o s s i b i l i t y tha t sea t u r t l e s , marm* a*«"w!s. or o ther marine l i f e woulo be harmed by removal of t h * s t r uc tu re (s ) a> proposed. However, non-removal of the s t r u c t u r e ( s ) wou'd represent a c o n f i ' C t w i th Federal legal and regu la to ry requirement*, which mandate the t imely removal of obsolete <r abandoned s t ruc tu res w i t h i n a per iod of one year a f t e r t e rm ine t i cn cf the lease, or upon t c t h n a t i o n of a r i g h t - o f - u s e or easement. A d d i t i o n a l l y , the s t ruc tu re poses a safety . ia*ard. Therefore, non-rem:'-ai does not appear to be a v a l i d a l t e r n a t i v e .

B. REMOVAL Of THE STRUCTURr at ALTERNATIVE NON-EXPLOSIVE METHOD'̂

The MMS has discussed . t ruc ture- removal technique*, in tr»e .- inal Environmental Impact Statement r t i ' ; f o r Proposed 011 md Gas L** t * Sales 118 and 122 (USOI. HHS. 1968* ann* t h * PCR (USOI. NMS. 1987) UtcMed in format ion is a lso found in the PEIS f o r Sales 123 and 125 (USOI. MMS, 1989). I t was concluded that the most e f f e c t i v e methods nf s t r uc tu re removal are the use ot exp los i ves , e i t h e ; bu l - or shaped charges, ard underwater arc c u t t i n g . Other methods appear premising out requ i re add i t i ona l development to solve the opera t iona l and l o g i s t i c a l problems associated w i t h tr.ese techniques. P im*H1y *or t h i s reason, they do not appear to be f eas ib l e a l t e r n a t i v e s fo r the removal of the subject s t r u c t u r e ( s > .

Refer to the FEIS (USOI. NMS. 1988) and PEA (USDI. NMS. 1987) fo r d e t a i l e d in format ion concerning a l t e r n a t i v e methods of s t r uc tu re removal.

C. REMOVAL Of THE STRUCTURE(S) AS PROPOSED WITH ADDED MITIGATION

I t has been determined t ha t the proposed operat ions f a l l w i t h i n the category of a c t i ies covered by the National Narine f i s h e r i e s Service (NNFS) b i o l o g i c a l o?:nion of Ju ly 25, 1988, which addresses ' s tandard* explos ive s t r u c t u r e removals in the Gul f o f Mexico (GOM).

P*fer to the tenes and cond i t i ons of the ' g e n e r i c ' Inc identa l Take Statement (Appendix B ) , and any m i t i g a t i o n i d e n t i f i e d by t h i s SEA necessary to

4

reduc* the Mkelihoo" of de* u c * Injury to si a •u<" *»-1ne M M I U .

Our analyses ind ica te that there are e i i s t i n g p 'p ) ine (> ; l o c a t e l w i t h i n ISO Meters (490 f e t t ) or the prrr-osed a c t i v i t i e s . The ex is t 1 . • " e s M y po*e a w a r n to the proposed Op- r t t ioms. Precautions in acco*--. w i t h RTI 83-3, Section I V . 8 . , he taken p r i o r tc performing the pro 90>*d nperat iun

H i . CHVIRXmH'Al EFFECTS, SOCIOECONOMIC rrmXfaHS. AND OTHEF tOMS:'»f PAT IOHS

A. PHYSICAL EN\ TfN>MMf NT

1. Environment*! Oeo I oey and fseoio j ic Hazarcs

• dt«icss»on of environmer.ta. •-*••• » and geologic hazard? can be found in the r t f .. 'SOI, HNS. 1987). Th« (• j x u e f s t ructure-removal # t t ' t i e s are not in t : area of sediment Internet l i t (mud f l ows , slumps, or s l iSes . The r '~ # ore, geologic cond i t ions are no 'xoeeted to have en iecact or t * prr>jos»' st ructure-re>no*a' a c t i v i t i t s .

Heteo ?'ce. 9\ Con0ivi-«:s

Ho NspftC ».i -yetted as a resuU af the proposed a c t i v i t i e s * r Analysis i t . t r t i M m , see the PEA referenced in the I n t i o d u c t i o n .

3. , , wal and Chemical Oceanography

f Physical Oceanography

Ho 'epacts are expected as a r e s u l t of the proposed a c t i v i t i e s . For ana lys is n fo rma t ion . see PEA referenced i n the I n t r o d u c t i o n .

h. Chemical Oceanography

r w ^ c t ; are expected to be *v low as a r e i u l t of the p r o o f e d c u v . t i e i . f o r ana lys is i n fo rma t i on , see the PEA *eferenced i n the I n t r o u u c t i - r .

4 . * a i . v Qua l i t y

Impacts are expected to be ' o * s «. r e s u l t ot the proposed a c t i v i t i e s . For analys is i n fo rma t i on , see t.H* PiA referenced in the i n t r o d u c t i o n .

5. Air OMI i t /

Iepacts are expected to oe \ery low s a result of tiie? proposed ac t i v i t i es . For analysis v f o n e * >#* He PEA referenced -n the Introduction.

3. BIOlOGICAl ENVIRCMCIIT

1. Coastal Hsbitats

Ho iapacts are expected as a result ot the f.r-nostv ac t i v i t i es , analysis in fomat ion , see tht PEA referenced in the I n t r ^ - c t i o n .

2. Protected, Endangered, and/or Threaten*:! S^vctes

a. Birds

Iht PEA (USOI, HNS. 1987) de ' - ' - .a ' ts sensitive ertes : wg the Texas coast1ine ' " f f whooping cranes anr brown pelican? • '4 **? adversely ejected b> st uct •»• eaoval support a c t i v i t i e s . The oparat„» hvs neicated t> t t h t ' . . o P t r ' 'gnts and boat t f t f f<C would u t i l i z e 2 she 'rase in Noroar Ci ty, louts..:- Ho iapects on threjuvned or endangered M r „ ^d the i r k b i tats are entered.

b. Marin's Minaals

£ discussion of Mr i«e aiana 1 s occu*ring across the GOM and an a^essaent of »he potential 'HT cts of >t.-ucture-rtM«al ac t i v i t i es on narine aaaajls can be found in the PiA (USOI, KMS. 198/) F r i t tS . et a l . ( IBM) conducted aer ia l surveys across * S,b!4 soaart-oi le ar- of GOM waters. Results of these surveys indicate that the bottlenose dc'ahin is prohebly the aost l ike ly ttrtiMj aaaaal to be encountered at the proposed structure reaoval ( s ) . MMS observers aey be u t i l i zed to look for M r ine aaaaals pr ior to detonation of the p r iMry charge(s) at the reaoval s i t e (s ) . I f Mr ine Maaats are detected at t h t s t ruct"^-reaoval s i t e ( s ) . detonation of th t p r iMry charge(s) would bt delayed unt i l th t an a*Is t r t reaoved free th t area(s). In Spite of these precautions, a low probabi l i ty exists that M r * * * Mean Is could enter the blast aret(s) • " ected and could bt injured t r k i l i ed by th t underwater, subsurface dctoi. t i on (s ) . Such an or.cu. sect is considered highly wfttaf ly and wi th tb t indicated p r o t e c t s n i t iee t ton aeasure(s). th t proposed structure-renoval act i vi t i t s ar t expect et c * - .ly a I ta Iapact sa N H M

6

C. Sra T u r t l e *

A ''scussion of se* tu r t le* 01 run ing «cross the i t ra l and western COM s.»d . < .essnent ot the potential iapacts of structure-renoval ac t iv i t ies oti sea t - t i e : can h i found in the PEA (USti. MMS, l t o / ) . Studies by F r i t t s . e» a l . [\<*%5) ano Ful ler and Tappan (1986) as well as stranding data froe the Sea Turtle itranding and Salvage Metwoi* (Teas, 1989) indicate that sea tur t les occur in the v i c i n i t y or the proposed ac t i v i t i es and therefore could be impacted i the ' 'ructu-e-retJova' operations. Def ini t ive -nf.'-nation on th» prababil . wf encountering sea tur t les at the renoval s i te(s) during explosive operations is scarce. hMFS and/or PffS observers nay be u t i l i zed to look for ?t4 tu r t l es p *o r to detonation of the priaary ch<irge(s). I f se* .art les r i '"tected at i-e ',tructure-renx : s i t e ( s ) , detcnation of the penary charge(s) w i l l be delayed unt i l tt *n i *u l * are rennved fron the a.ea(s). As - the case of narine eannalv th? poss ib i l i t y l i t t s that sea tur t les co (! t n t c the blast area(>) undetected and could be njured cr k i l l ed b' underveter, subsurface detonaticnfs). This occurrence is c o n s * u n l i k e l y , and with the indicated protective a i t iga t ion neasurefs), tne pro ;ed structure-renoval ac t i v i t i es a ' * enpected to have only a low i»v*t t tn sea t u r t l e s . A cumulative incidental take b i t been authorized by MHfS for actions in this category, but with a l l the precautions to be taken as n i t lgat lng ."w»avure(s), i t is unlikely that any sea tur t les w i l l be affected by these propose.* ooerations.

3. Bircs

Iapac's are e*p,-v.\er to be very low as a result of the proposes ac t i v i t i es . ' ar anatys n format ion, see the PEA referenced 1n t V Introduction.

* Se i t i v e Mar4 Hjbitats

A liscussiot. of s t f is i i . -e av* nc ha*- *»ts occurring in tne central and • estem tflM and an asse<sne->t ot w j o ' e n i a l inpacts of structure-removal ' . c t i v i t i e ; *r. then? e»ta' can bt r>v«" in ths PEA (USDI. HMS. 1987). The croposcd ac t i v i t i e s are ;«v* near any sensit ive narine habitats. Therefore, toe subjtct structurt-renoval act. • t i t s nViX not isn-ect any sensitive narine habitats or t h t i r resident bit-ra.

S. Offshore Habitats *nd B . f j

m t s a r t • -.•"-ted to be low as * result of tht prop**** i r t i v i t l e s . For •*V,y:is In t * * " * ion, see th t PEA referenced In the Introduction.

7

• MaaffaTM*l**^r"****

C iXIOECONC . TflCERMS

1. Employment

Inpacts are expected t j be ery low es .> resul* «f the proposed activ For analysis infomat ion, see the ?EA le 'cenred in the ' n t r o d u c " i o r .

2. Economics

Injects are expected to be very low i a , resu't of the proposed act iv i t ie For analysis in fomat ion, see t i e REA referenced in the Introduction.

3. Onshore Support Fac i l i t i es , Land Use, anc oasial Cesssuni t les and Services

The operator has indicate that Morgan City, Louisiana would be the shore base for the proposed t i n , * are-removal ac t i v i t i es . Mo -iepacts are expected as a result of the proceed a c t i v i t i e s . For anal Y V i " fnna* ' ion, see the PEA referenced in the Introduction.

0. OTHER CC*IS I DERATIONS

1. Commercial and «e«.»-eational Fisheries

a. Commercial Fisheries

Impacts are expected to be low as a result of the proposed ac t i v i t i es For analysis i r fo r ra t t io r , see the PEA re femced in the Introduction.

b. Recreational Fisheries

Impacts are expecud to be low as a result of the oroposed ac t i v i t ies for analysis iajform.ition, see the PEA referenced in the In t rod jc t ion.

2. Arcvaeo logical Resources

Impacts are expect*** to be low as a rese't of the proposed ac t i \ i t i e s For ana', YMS in fomat i ' -n , ,ee the PEA referenced in the Introduction.

8

?. H H i t a r > Use/warning Area'. and Explosive Duaping Areas

t n > „ c r i p t f c o o." m i l i t a r y use/w^rnlng a t e e i end exp'osive duaping a r e * - . , u . < i r i e c i ' n n s , and ; t o n t i a l iapacts of s t ruc tu re - reoova i a c t i v i t i e s o« •Vse . eas n n b i .'ouMrl in the PEA (USOI. HHS, 19c?). The proposed

s! jc'.wr* rest* •« el a c t i v i t i e s w i l l not take p lace in a > o f these a r e a . , ho -.pact \ • • r - c t e d .

4. .<i..v1netion and Shipping

Tfit proposes s t ruc tu re - renova l a c t i v i t i e s are not located adjacent to « vessel safety fa i rway or m an anchorage area Structure* located nearshore •ay serve *s " .andnarks" to vessels ar h e l i c o p t e r s operat ing in the area on » regular bas is . The o v e r a l l iapacts o* the proposed work ,n nav iga t ion and shipping are expected to be very lew. More in fo rmat ion on the ia ac ts of s t ruc tu re removals on nav iga t i on and shipping ca»» be found in the REA (USOI, HNS. 19€/) .

5. P ipe l ines .«.' Cables

The PEA (USOI. Mh". 19f*7) cent.- ns i d e s c r i p t i o n of the iapacts of s t ruc ture- rea»v«l a c t i v i t i e s o* n I ; * l i n e s and cab les. There are e x i s t i n g p ipe l ines ' t f t r ISO n e t e r * (490 f e e t ' o f the proposed s t ruc tu re - reaova l a c t i v i t i e s ' ecaut ions i n accordance w i t n M.L MI . 8 3 - ' . Sect ion I V . B . , w i l l oe take*-. p«-;cr to c o n d u c i n g vhe reaoval a c t i v i t i e s ; t he re fo re , the proposed wwik w i l l not pose a hazard * J p i n * ' i .es(s) and cab le(s) in the area.

o Other Miner sl Reseo'ce:

Bo impacts are expected as a r e . u l t of the propos» J a c t i v i t i e s . For analysis ' n f o m a t i o n , see • » * PEA -e 'erenced i n the I n t r oduc t i on .

7. Honor Hea l th %i -afety

The PPA (USOI. MMS, 1*07) describes the hazardous cond i t ions f o r workers during s tn j c t t» " • • retaoval a c t i v i t i e s . Tht opera tor has proposed the use of explosive* in c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h the i r ue tu -e - renova l a c t i v i t i e s . E x i s t i n g legal and regu la to ry s a f t t y requ i remen t w i l l keep the iapac's of the proposed work on hunen hea l t h and sa fe t y at a very low l e v e l .

E. UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS

v d i s c u s s ; r n of unavoidable adverse iapacts o r be faun* i n the PFA

9

(USOI, NHS, 1987). Two areas of primary concern are the potential irapact to protected, threetened, and/or endangered species end potential loss of habitat to the narine environnent. Both topics are oiscussed in the PEA and previously in this document. Other unavoidable adverse impacts are considered *o be ninor.

IV. PUBLIC OPINION

A discussion of public concems regarding structure-removal activities can be 'ound in the PCA (USOI, NHS, >87). The proposed structure-removal activities have generated no comments from the public.

V. CONSULTATION ANO COORD I NAT ION

In accordance with the revisions of Section •' of the Endangered Species Act, the proposed structt-e-.emoval operations are covered by the Biological Opinion issued by NNFS on July 25, 1968. which established a category of "standard" explosive structure-removal operations. Their convents are inc' jded in AppendU B. The NNFS concluded that this category of structure-removal activities will not likely jeonerdire the contimr fi existence of any threat*" * z* endangered species under their purview. However, they concluded that t h s type of "standard" structure-removal activity may result in injur) or mortality of logger-head, Kemp's ridley, green, hawksbill, and leatherback turtles. Therefore, they established a cusnilative level of incidental take and discussed various measures necessary to monitor and rininire this impact (see Appendi» B). The NNFS noted that no incidental taking of narine nanmals was authorized under Section 101(a)(5) of the Narine Naonml Protection Act of 1972 in connection with this category of stmctum-removal activit ies. Therefore, taking of marine eeanals by the operator *oul bt prohibited unless they successfully apply for and obtain a perait or waiver to do so fron NNFS.

10

VI. BIBLIOGRAPHY AMD SPECIAL REFERENCE(S)

Fritts, T.H., A.B. Irvine, R.O. Jennings, L.A. Collum, W. Hoffman, and H.A. McGehee. 1983. Turtles, ?iirds. and maurw in the northern Gulf of Mexico and nearby Atlantic waters. U.S. fish and Wildlife Service, Division nf Biological Services, Washington, D.C.

Fuller, D.A. and A.M. Tappan. 1986. The occurrence of sea turtles in Louisiana coastal waters. Coastal Fisheries Institute. Center for wetland Resources. Louisiana State University. Baton Rouge, LA.

Teas, Wendy G. !939. 1989 serai-annual report of the sea turtle stranding and salvage network. Atlantic and 6ulf Coasts of the United States. January -June 1989. National Marine Fisheries Service. Southeast Fisheries Ce-ter, Miami laboratory, 75 Virginia Beach Drive, Mierai, FL.

U.S. Department of the Interior. Hinerals Management Service. 1989. Final Environmental Impact Statement. Gulf of Mexico Sales 123 and 125: Central and western Planning Areas. OCS EIS/EA MMS 89-0053. Washington, D.C. Ava lable from HTIS. Springfield. VA: PB-89234900/AS.

U.S. Department of the Interior. Hinerals Management Service. 1988. Final Environmental Impact Statement. Proposed OCS oil and gas lease sales 118 and 122 (Central and Western Gulf of Mexico). OCS EIS/MMS 880044. Washington, O.C. available from NTIS, Springfield. VA: P889-114185/AS.

U.S. Department of the Interior. Minerals Management Service. 1987. Programmatic Environmental Assessment. Structure-removal activities Central and western Gulf cf Mexico Planning Areas. OCS/EA 87-0002. Gulf of Hexico OCS Region, New Orleans. LA.

11

mmmWmWmWIMmmwesm m. mm

APPENDICES

A. KERR-MCGEE CORPORATION CORRESPONDENCE

8. NMFS CORRESPONDENCE

I

APPENDIX A

KERR-HC6EE CORPORATION CORRESPONDENCE

mi

I

i

WM

I f

- I u

R E C t. I ty E U

^ M r ^

Tc: 2 - = e s t i l Cp«r-i ' . ::r.: l e c t i c e CLE-D

Free: Off ice c f S t ruc tu ra l Tertr . icai Support, F i e - i Operations. Culf cf ?-«?x:cc CCZ r>glcc (CSTr.)

5.t««? = t : P U t f c r s F«=CTS1

CP £?A:C?: |Ce r"f" - f j c Gee

Ccctrol No: FS/.r = R C - C & 9

putroPB Ares /B lock LeJXSj!

—f

Sho r t Base: H p t ^ q ^ G ' T v J ; L A

Tne attached appl icat ion Is fcrvmnled to your o f f i c e so text the Finding o f Mo

S ign i f i can t I rpsct csn be prepared. Vm believe t h u proposed a c t i v i t y Beets

tbe re e.u.1 resects c f the generic Fxdaxgere?! Species Act Jectlco 7 Coosultatlco

3©cua*ent, Tbere are/eaeeaeae ex is t ing p lpe l lne(s ) v l t h l n 5CC fee t of the proposed

rescTal locat ion.

Er.cloaur*

c

A. r: i l«X2f&S 3iff* 5

/ r r i c d T h a b (CST2) tx tensice 289*

IS

I

KERR MCGEE , w

« 0

une

Departwent of tft< Inter ior "inerals M4ng»-)*nt Service J J ' * *e« ica "" \ •g in*

c , r twood p l * * BojUvar-J

he* Orleans, Louis Una N}*?3-?394

Attentio**: **r : r * i « Sta* RE: Addi*. 1 c r a ' Information

£«V Cam^rcr Bloci 34 CCS-G ?955 -A- P f « t f o r «

Q f f sno r * . Louis-ana **

, . n t l e * te * : pa T K " , U t t e r •< t r i n s e r t e d to con fe r * tha t t h * snot s e r e n e * f o r reecva" o ' the referenced S t ruc tu re ' s p i ' . Ings , conducto*s ard casings wi U be 0.9 secot.ds u t i l i z i n g oc ta l composite 3 type exp los i ves .

Should you hawi any Questions br require additional information, oleast the -rdersigrao. ft

Sincerely,

KERR-*cGH CORrJRJITr 1

C V C. i . Bradford' Manager - Engineering Services

CYtVpbf

nuaeww- '

. •;rHij8 mWimim Vs\

(qfm K&mmcen CORPORATION •' — ^ » O M * M • -o«»«r«t . — n i l t a i M f s

June 4. 1990

J.S. Depertment of tne I n t e r . 0 ' Minerals management Service Gulf of Me«lco OCS Region lew OHeens, Louisiana ?0i? 3-^394

At tent ion- Hr. 0. J . Bourgeois

..4 \ 4 \

RE: P l a t f o r e Removal East Cameron 34 OCS-G 2855 "A" Plat form Of fshore , Louisiana

im

Gentlemen:

Aerr-McGee Corporat ion requests approval to remove the r e f t * r<eO p la t f o rm . Kerr-McGee plans to remove t h i s p la t fo rm dur ing the month of Ju l y , 1990.

Attached for your review Is a copy of the OCS P la t fo rm/St ruc ture Removal c orm ind l i i te Clearance Plan.

Should you have any questions or requ i re add i t i ona l in fo rmat ion , please contact the unde.-signed.

S incere ly .

KERR-McGEE CORPORATIOR

CV8:pbf

Attachment

r t, C. i . Bradford Manager - Engineering Services

:

:

: 11

f*0*>SfB X S P\ATFOI»VSTPA*CTv^'- HW0VA4.

A. L N N Operator M M Kfrr-flf.fiff CflCH L l U a i .

3. Aoorett _ _ _ _ _ Post Office U r 39400

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ Lafayette, 70593-9400

C . Contact r*er»on and Tal ep hone s .a te . : . >. 8radford

I I . >4trrtM iCitif lB Bf t t B t f a m l tt ttt

A. PI t t f OT* NtBO iASt CWfro* 34 "A"

6. Location L « I * -aa. Block, ant Block Coordinatee)

Sr* attached location piat fora.

C. Oate Ins ta l led (Year) alaaeaatta i q 7 ?

0. Propoaad 0tt«» of fttavval (Month/Year! >iul». IJBfl

1. h t tac Death < 0 '

I H . QtafftBtlf ln Bf H n a r t l i ^ O a U a V

A. Caaf f fara t ioa (Attach a Photoorr** or a ulearea)

V S I M w ' 1

C . i ^eMmtmfmJWM « » y 4 ley, fe cas inos. 4 p i les

IB

MHtHMf ... . .

:

0. Olaneter and wall Thlchanta * • ce*>y Cei inea/niMnot leas 20" i T

\n • u_ i n ftftf" rmm - u i _#j - i m 1 [ / 1 f- I U i u

Str ing.

E. Ara H i n t jroutad? ^ Inaide or Outside? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

r. B r i e f detv:riat.tn of M i l coneotltlon and condition _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

IV. ___f l_ l

Br lof diacwtalan of tho ronton for renewing the struct - . : -• • •• '

- A. Br lo f dencript io- of -.no aot nod to Oo uaai S^-vrr 3ecfc 'row j a o e t .

set on e a t e n a) barge. Sc»er D ' l e i t conductor casinos 10' Pel on the

m -* mdlrne. i'<", set on material oeroe. _ _ _ _ _ _

B. I f aaalaa1 voo aro to Bn wood* provide too following,

I . Kind of Caa loot VO* Octal or r.naa. a.

ic 2 . » n » n e «ad Sitae of O . - g n t 4-20* (p i les ) S-4B». 1-25B on _P

Inter ior , 1-S0# on 4B" Conductor.

t . Single SOot ae Mult iple Shotaf Multiple

B. t f t n l t l p l e •note, sequence ond t l a l a a of dotoaatlonp

• i l l be sequenced aitn a minimum of Q.JB seconds delay between

shots. nt . C c p s a i a t W l o*se, ^ o u / j j

I

3. Bulk or Shaped Chora*? Boil

t. Ototh of Oeteettiam Belt* MoO Hm Jl

b. t M < - «f o . t t i _ • n i i M f t Inside

Pro, M— ol monitoring Technlquee

1. It tho woo of ottro chorgoo or ac emetic tow loot proeoeet! •

tf yee. prow too tho following!

o. hoojor tod Kind _ _ _ _ ^ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .

b. SflO of Chtrert ^-m—-m—^^^m^^—-—^^--~^^--—mm^-—m.

c . Brief toocrtptloh of hem. were, tot when metre cnergee or

ecowetlc devlcee will bo wood _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

2. Mill diver* or tcoottlc devlcee bo wood to coed wet • pro-removal

eervey to ittmtt pr co of twrtltt tmd morloo mtamtltT jU

I f yet* rrtefly teecriee too proeeeed detection method

oiwr* -,11 rnnduct • ore-detonation search for 30 minutes pn . r tp

1i-.ni.lBfli

Moot mm tl Mom iter ing Technique*

1. Mill transducer* eo wood to mooowro toe ,/reeeere oot tmooloo of the

detonation*? jnl Unfit.. ,

20

2. V i n divert be used to tervey too tree after roooval to

ooy effocto oo aerlne l i fer vet

If tvti i*oTo* provide too root Ita of ooy recent biological surveys

conducted in too vicinity of too structure. If tvt11t.1t* doocrtoo

ooy roc oot ootenrttione of turtleo or eerine aeovtU i t too structure

• 1tO.

VII. Shorebase - Kerr-Hc6ee Corporation's Morgan City Base

21

< •f—

BLK 2 3

t f m <i t t t—mnltttt mm* 'mmt'

•too Mcoet connon.TON ocs- § - toss

» • '»••*.•<• • • i i * H I

BLK 34 "v̂ ****** **

I U . 41 00 tO

L.MJ t i r i t f l **» S IO

..aur C CIWM. • mmmm* , im.

I

Jj I :

K » « M c O I I COOOOOOTK)*!

O C I I - 1C31 NO. 6

PERMIT PLAT

CAST C A M OOO AOCA

O C A l t . l" • SOOO 10/0

i

• I *

EAST CAMERON #34 OCS G 2855 #0 0

•

R 7 !

I -

-

48" (&> 262'

. 10* t l

IW 10-3/4" ® 3.739"

J L 7-5/8" @ 12.967

21

EAST CAMERON #34 OCS G-2855 #4 #4 -0

RKB MWL - 89 WATFR OEPTH 39 SPUO 0-3-77

38" <9 258

16* 810'

10-3,4" a) 3 525

A I - 7" # 11.045

24

EAST CAMERON #34 OCS-G-2S55 #3

RKB MWL 69' WATER DEPTH JPUO 3 16-77

36" @ 253

16* @ §30

10-3/4' S> 3.659

7" <g> 12.314'

25

~*̂ &tommmmMm:m» : 1 i POT ran

EAST CAMERON #34 O C S G 285S #2

RKB MWL 69' WATER DEPTH 39 SPUO 12-31 77

36' # 246'

16" <g> 819

10 3/4- <§> 3.541

A B.

I *

7- a 12.488'

EAST CAMERON #34 OCS-G-2855 #1 #1-0

z

- 36* '-si 2*8

20' @ 800

. 13-3/8* ® 3 050

9-5/8" @ 11.679

A - 7 5/6* (g 12.495

V

EAST CAMERON #34 OCS G-2855 #8

»

RK8 MWL 88 WATER DEPTH

. k 38* DRIVE PtPE ® 374

, L. 20' ® *75

J3-3/6" Ig 3 560

— TOC @ 5.292

n

k i 9-5/8 ' ® 12*96

FfSH 0 12.490 28

ADD At a • i ^ s t 3*' • io* 39400

V a y c t t f . •0593-?4QO

• LOCATIObi BLOCI # 14 VU.TPOMI He

3 * « o» rnir iehr iom Btrnm nnn rnmlrnnn * * * * omm n

HXJtl OF n i l f I CAT I O I COMTTU-CTOl (OOOHVI) a ^ i ' „ f v h r ^ Xnr*n* /Jerry tJrjU*$j» 318* 2 37-65 36

cotfTBjACTOt comci pttaon 8nrwBirharrt n o n ft nai *4-4aoc

ama. or nAxrnan OTsrTtvcroo . pending ai, nal-ili-m •AXTAOa COOTACT MfL0O8 _M rnoMi i W/A i o n OF DXTXM C»-ITUT*CTOI aiflpji a^tri I ,gnt ri>t9 r>. {";•

OT-im* COaTnCT llaoXWi Larry Stroma" IffXWJI • (318) 334-?483

o» rmjA-xiM ooOTBjfccro- JU? UnfcVu. 1%, TmAJTLlp CO AT ACT rMaTM S«. • . inaa - SYJCsnB t ;$Q4) 449-^00

oi tct i r r iov or •TJITITI

T»m-xcaixoaji I M B I ,

a stationary bottom eesanlao. ao*. • (I4w' oelor scsnnia? A—ar) v.11 ba ua»d ta o aaalaat a earl f lnnric . * taa raaa a ee—eny at tba tbovt refereeced 1 aoa t laa . Taa eoner eurwny o l l l too onanaattt' over o toe f t . raa lan fron Usa a antar nt tan na i l aetata n eft u s traasducor ihaaa). Tbs tend v i l l hm nnnnsa4 nn o nibnttad tripod to laamra level piaoamaat. Ton belfbt off tan head o l l l on anpraoi natal y 4-

— an aoo taa aaafloor. 100% off tan axon v i l l ba covered by ton .*j nr anlSkf ami tip la drops aa aeceaaary.

Daacrlptlon and aaount of dabrla o l l l bo ooatalaed Is taa diving and trnsrilasj nnntlnn nf tbn f inal

A i Aat on af ton axon ooonrod y ton aanor Abasing onealbla dabrla an pl* enwont of tan band la relation ta taa struoture and tea oatter off tba wall t i l l ba laeludod ia taa app *a i l * of tain report al asf witb n oopy af a alfaad l otter/a tat nana t froa tbo ••a i float lon Bmrvey (seanx) eontraotor aad dielee oontreetor -t i t le? taa reeelt* of taa survey, A video taaa srltb oadln record

ol taa aurvey aad/er elsaaioo opereticaa v i l l bo aad* and eaoloaed la t l - f i n a l raport v i ta bard copy prlats of taw f ina l noaaa abn* *J n ole« bottoa free of dear Is (dn fined nn por WTL tO-tl

24

imom or 3 0 O *

Tha stationary bettoti sonar i s • 340" color scanning oonor. Too hood of ths sonsr lo positioned spproxlno-ely five (S) 'eet ebove too eanbmd A g Intel nd mount tripod lo used to onouro nar l level orinntst.on.

Tho sonsr tronoducor convorto e lectr ical ly trsnsalttod pulsss to scoustic signals. Thsss signsls srs rsflected and mcnlvod back to tbo hand and up to tbn sonsr processor vis on n lnctr lcs l cabin. The sonsr procsssor convorto tbn onto i t rscsivos fron tbn sonsr hood (trnnnducnr) into video wages. Tbn RCt video son 1tor diaplnyn oonor lnagnn and prof i lea tbn obiect accord lnsj to olio ond shapn. Thnno 1magna provide tbo oonor operator wltb a vlaunl reproonntntlon of tbn sea floor object'e s i t s on avail aa an Indirect aeaaureaent of lto density.

Tbn trnnnducnr (head) uses s *?5 kHs transducer etandard witb 300 kltt optional.

Tbn 3d0* color scanning sonar containo a numbar of optional uoaful feeturea. A compsaa ln ths haad provides srmltha ln Isgrasa (000 o*) froa tbn band to tba obiect. Dual cursors nm uaad to nan im dlotanaa snd nlsn ln foot (ooo.o'i

Al l dntn and screens nm recorded on n four-bond blab quality (NQ) vcn VHS, witb audio format to provide a record. A bard copy nnchlnn ln uaad to provide a m a l tlan print of tha bOI dato o tbo vest tape looms significant rnnolutlon duo ta tba encoder's, IfTSC forant.

id

'-- MMM WW LU

prion or TRAITLIHC VESSEL

at

COMPANY dL a fanflit*.. In;

NAME OP V E S S E L :

NAME OF CAPTAIN:

l i l n i a m Prawler

tikJI aJJullAll CAPTAIN'S BOAT L I C E N S E : jaw rjtadrjtJ CAFTAIH'8 TRAMTING L I C E N S E FXPERIENCE:

YEAR i l T A T * t f i raa A 6190

LA •0368 A 02621

** A 313070

LENGTH as WIDTH 22

• ELECTRON I C S :

1 1 5 f u r and L P 1000 Lor i n P lo t te r 1 2 A H M M ' r iM 01 a H i ] OfDth ?*13r-r

I 1 1 s tandard *iQM2Qn I nterco* f t ! fox aad -iiAiJ^'thciirlcr

STATE

Texas —• r«as

TeTaT

DEPTH 06UPT

330-03068-7 S30-OWM-8

8 t

i l ) King VHF 7000 Radio •TJ ?l " H e Bsnge 'adar l j ) ; P t r r , T T A u t _ 0 PHot • l j ' l nqW side Mnd Radio 5TTR a 9ecode

* j D i g i t a l fcncoder/Decoder l l ) Uni t ro i i lcs VHP Radio* MAIM ENGINES: LU faUrnillrr sll? TA Rrrtuf'. .in &fir 6.1 with ,QTL IffcTjUl AUXILIARY MACHINE**:

1 ) 40 sry Generator Orlven by a 4-71 G.N. mXMM C+nernuir D r u m BJ 4 J-71 S J L

TRAWLING EQUI

CWJTRIOOIRS J ,

KXTS [JflJ SQ f t

( S I Z E AND AMOUNT)

1L1L TRY MSjJTB (JJ 16 F t .

TNT NIT BOARDS) (2) »t1n of AT a 24'

TRAWL DOORS

QUARTERS

UJ Pilra af 10 CL 8 «

P Head

\5CK)

[ j j Sank room with 2 BunSs per Rooe.

TANK C A P A C I T I E S : POTABLE WATER

»•» txao _ MITSCRBS m ? Q r ^ M e F i r o , Traa l i Nlnch. Model S05. OrWen >»a power - t a s e - o f f ,

[JM Try l e t Hlncb. Driven via a 10 HP E lec t r i c Motor t h r o w n a Gesr BOB.

GAL. LUBE O I L 210 h l H .

GAL. HYDRAULIC O I L HQ ftoU. GAL.

II

tssssasswASSs^** t , * t * ^ - ; ; , A ; 35BSS

,. * >i,,*imiiW't lijNii*»t..-i*i»ivV.'.Wi

KERR-McGEE SITE CLEARANCE SONAR SURVEY PROCEDURE

LOCATION: fc. j m u s n BLOCK. . J i

OATC. 6/4/90

:

KERR-McGEE CORPORATION PROPOSED TRAWLING PATTERN

LOCATION: fc- Cmmerpr BLOCK: 3* PLATFORM A fc B

OATE 6/1/90

EACH NORTH SOUTH LINE WfcVL BE COVERED IN A NORTH TO SOUTH OBJECTION ANO A SOUTH TO NORTH DIRECTION WITH A 50 OVERLAP \N CH PASS

EACH EAST WEST UME W I L K COVeT** tN A EAST TO WEST DIRECTION ANO A TO EAST DIRECTION WITH A 5C O W H A l - L A C H FASS

-f 0 -0"

N

I

| V l ^ 6KARD4) NOT

KERR-McGEE CORPORATION PROPOSED TRAWUNQ PATTERN

LOCATION: i - Cameron BLOCK: 34

6/1/90

PLATFORM A | a

DATE

mi

EACH NORTH SOUTH LINE WH.L BE COVERED IN A NORTH TO SOUTH OWECTION AND A SOUTH TO NORTH OBJECTION WITH A 50' OVERLAP :>N CH PASS

EACH EAST WEST LINE W I A BE C O V E ' - ' JN A EAST TO WEST DIRECTION ANO A TO EAST DIRECTION WITH A 5C CVf rHA i - ; ACH FASS

^

< V$ S tORW MOT NCLUOCD N CXrVtRAQf )

'99' aj 31

fiiiiWiiiiiiiM ijiirni nil if im n

MM"', i

f V ^ X UbWTIO BTATfB OSOneTMtftJT 0» COMMCOCS *^L\ ' I N»i.o««i O U I N I I mn4 At«n*t.s*j»ri« AewtlnlSlra«<en vT4>,y <*aa»-*aM* OC S C O *

JUL 2 5 -181

Mr. willlen 0. Bettnnbnro Director Minerals Mansgsoent Service U.S. Dapartaant of tha Interior Washington, DC 20240

Dor : Mr. Bottenberg:

Incloeed lo tho Biologieoi Opinion prepared by the Motional Marina f isheries Service (MMPS) pursuant tn faction 7 of tho Endangarad Speclee Act (BSA) concerning potontlnl iapacte on endangered ond threatened species sssoclstsd with rnaovsl of certain n i l snd gss pletforae ond minted structures ln the Oulf of Mexico (OOM) using aaplooivoa.

Thlo "standard" cnnowltotlon eavnm only thoaa rsasvol operstlono thst asst opacified er l tor io parts ln ing tn the s u a of explooivo charge wood, detonation dnptb. and nuabar nf blasts por atructara 1 grouping. Consultstion aust BO init iated on a csss-by-reee eeole for s l l diaaentllngj operations requiring the uoo of sxplosivss that do not aan*. tha established e r l t e r l e .

MNPS concludee thet etrueture reaovais in the OOM thet f e l l within the eetebllehed er l ter le em net l ikely te jeopardise ths continued sxistsncs of lieted aped as under tba Jurisdict ion of MNPS. Movevor, I t ie our opinion that, tho propoeed eet lvit ioe oay roeult ln the injury nr aorts l l ty nf ondangsrnd and threetened eee turt lea. Therefore, pureuent te faction 7(b)(4) of the taa, wa bevn eetebllehed e lew level sf incidentel teke. which le eusMiletlwe far s l l reaovala oevered by thle consultation, sad teras and conditione noessssry to a ln ia i se snd nonitor eny inpacts, should tbey occur The tame end conditio'* em eea ta land in tba sac 1 seed ineldentel tobe atataaant. alee) snclossd le e l l e t ef pending oeneultetlont thst neat, with noted eaceptlone, tha er l ter le ootebl lehed ln tha "atsnderd" consultation. This bieleeieel opinion snd tbo oitigotlng ass su roe ond tome snd conditions contained ln the rolsted incidentel tobe eteteaent apply to thoee propoeed reeovsl operations. Thersfero, fernsl comj l t s t ior ie ceneludnd for thoee proposed actions.

r

** >t«»* liietalsttSf, * • » • • . - • »Pr * f r t» i • i t l * ' >hSS

3^

consultation nuat bn relnititetsd if: (l) tha snount or sxtsnt of taxing opacified in the incidental take statk-esnt lo •xcssdsd; (>) nnw information revoela iepocta of tho propoood activltiee that eey affect listed epeciee ln a aennsr or to an sxtsnt not coneidered thue fer in our opinions; (3) the idsntified sctivitiee are codified in a eenner thst caussa sn advsrss sffsct to listed epecloo not previouely consldsrsd: or (4) s r.sw speclet lt Hated or critical hebltet la deaignetsd that eey be sffooted by the project.

I look forvsrd to your continued coopsratlen In futurs conaultatisns.

sincerely.

Incloouros

Biological Opinion

Agancy: Minerals tsnsgseent Ssrvics , U.S. Doportaont of ths interior

Activity: eoneultetlon for Bonevol of Certain Outer continental Shelf Oil end Coo Structuree ln the Oulf of Monies

Consultation Conductsd By: Haticnai Marina f i shsr i s s Service (MMFB)

Date Iaaued:

I Background Infornetlon:

In o Inttor dotnd Mcvunber l t , ItSS, the Minerele Menegeaent Service (NNB) aade O.M i n i t i a l raquast for foreal eoneultetlon purauant to Section V of the Endangered Spoclee Aet (ISA) fer the ranovel ef en offehort o i l end gee pletfora locstsd in the foderel waters ef the Gulf of Mexico (OOM). MMS end KMFS dataralned that reaoval of o i l end see platforaa and releted structuree ln tho OOM nay sffsct sndsngstsd end threetened aarinn spoclee. Thle "say effect 1 1 deteminatlon one Beeed on e peeslbls ra.stionship Between smtengured end thrnetoned eee turt le aortel lt lee end the disasntling ef plot feme using sxploelvec. On Hovsaosr as, lBSd, MMJPS ieeued the f i r s t of a s s r i s s ef biologicsl opinions addressing, la detai l , the potential iapects to l isted aerlne spsclss thet aay occur ee e raault ef OCS abandonaant s c t i v i t i e e .

MMJ end Nxrs ootebllehed proceduree fer OMpsdltlna section 7 coneultetlene ca platfarm abandonaant ect iv i t iee in the SOM referred to ea "eaqsedxtsd coneul tet lens." fol lew ing theee proceduree. spproxluetely as coneultetlone heve been eeaplstsd for reaovel operstlons lb the OOM region Al l Cf taa coneultetione have conclude*1 thet the propossd ebendonaont act ivlt iee warn net l ike ly te jeopardise tba continued eatletence of eny l ieted speclee, but thet the proposed sc t iv i t i ee sey rssult ln the incidentel sk.ng ef sndsngsred end threetened eee turtles.

)7

Tht ilscsntllng of platfonn and related ttructu.ta using «*plo»lveo haa evolved to a point wh«r« a "at . 3-rd" protocol can ce aatabllahad for raaoval operations sooting : .ctaln cr i t e r i a Bated upon rsaoval techniques developed snd rsviewsd in conjunction vith tho previously conducted "sxpsditsd consultstions," MMS hss rsquestsd, by l s t t s r of May I f , ItSS, a -gsnsric consultstion" thst would bo applicable to a l l futurs reeovsl operstlons thst f s l l within s distinct cstsgory. dsfinsd by spscific para*stera. A cstsgory has bssn dsslgnsd to includs thoss structurs typos snd rsoovsl technlquee aost connonly sncountorod during tho sxpsditsd consultations and dlonsntllng operationa already conpleted. Since spproxlastaly 1000 structures thst eey be schsduled for future renoval f e l l within tha parsnstsrs of the eetabliehed cetegory, MMPS sgrsss that a "gsnsric" eoneultetlon io spproprlete et thle tine. The objective of the consultstion is to reduce the adnlnletrstivs burden on both MMS end MMPS 'or conducting repetitive consultstions on ectivitleo thot any rssult ln e i m l s r inpacts to lieted epeciee end thet require laenticel nltigatlng nessurse to aaintern adsgusts protsction for such spsclss. Thlo biologicsl opinion rnnponds to MMS' Mey 24, ItSS, consultation requeet. Tho opinion le based on the beet eclentlflc snd coaasrcisl data preeently evelleble end incorporates lnfnmatlon froe: 1) previoue MMS Sunnsry fvslust ions, 2) prsviouo MMPS biologleel opinions on pletfern rsoovsl, 2) the eclentlflc literature, ond 4) .thsr pertinent end evelleble information Coneultation nuet ba rs l n l t i s t s d i f new Informetlon becomes availabls concsrning lnpecte to lieted epeciee thet would alter the conclusions reached ln thle opinion nr regjuire nodi t loot ior. of tbo aeeeuree identified Ifl the atteched Incidents! take eteteaent. eoneultetlon wil* continue en a ceaa-by-case besis for thooe etrueture reacvele thet da not neat tho er iter la eatebliahed for "etenderd" reaovala.

Deecription of Propoeed ActIen:

The propooed eetlen invnlvnn the roaoval, by sxplosivs seena of offehore e l l end gee etrueturee locsted ln Federal wetere ln tbe Culf of Msxico. Raaoval of the etrueturee w i l l ba accoepllehed by covering the snpysrt pilinaa, eeleeene, well conductors, etc., uelng varying amounts af ewpleelvee te perait eelvefo ef the etrueturee. Thie involves the plscsnent f sxplosivss Inelde er outeldo ef supporting etrueturee end d ^noting chergee primarily uaing electronically controlled signals.

Thlo "generic" consultation consldsrs only theee reaovsl operstlona thet aaat certain e r l t e r l e pertaining te tbe disc of the exploeive charg* ueed. detonation depths, end nuabar of bleete psr structure* grouping. Tbe epecific c r l t e r l e ootebllobed to cover such reaovele ere ee follove:

a

16

> W'HMwvjaweninmm] smbuyjw.

36 - r r j

1) Uee of high velocity explosives (detonetlon rsts graatar trsn 7, SOO oeters/sscond).

2) A raxinus of eight lndlvlduel blssts por group of dstonatione with chorgoo atsogsrsd at sn lntsrvsl of O.t sscnds (too olllloocondo).

2) Chsrgss ouot bo oot ot s olnlaua Jepth of It feet below ths •sdloont surfsco. Severing of etrueturee ebove the eediaent aurfses "open weter" nust bo accoepllshsd by eeehsnlcsl (non-sxploeive) nethede.

«} The aaxiaua sxeesd SO pounds

saount of oxplooivoo por dstonstion ia not to

Speclea Oocuirlng ln tho Project Areei

Listsd spoclee under the jurisdict ion of H» the project sree:

rPS thet eey occur ln

rcseoow Mixi UAXU1

t

L I Q T C P

t/a/?o right whele flint!SSns fllafcUllS

UAXU1

t

L I Q T C P

t/a/?o finbeett whale eslseftflpLsrs BhYbslus 1 s/a/7o huopbaok whole r S/2/70

ss i whsls nj^Hncpt.aga h jSr i l l 11 S S/2/70

spsrn whole Phyaatar utadar, i s/a/70

green turt ln J ' . s lan la aydaa Th I * vas/7s keep's ridley turtle

i ia/a/70

leetherbeck tart la

Baaacbalxa M E I M M E s/a/7o

loggerheed turtle

Cmtmtti car att. A Tb vas/7s

hawksbill turtle

I r i t P b f 1 * ? ? Y l -ebr t c i l i s s/a/7o

• S l l of the U.S. groan turtle peanjlstlono sre lieted ee threetened nncnpt tbe Pier lata brooding population, which is lieted eo enCangsrod.

J

Ko c r i t i c s l >abitet hes bssn designated P tho pro-e.t %rea for tho ebove species.

Astsstnent of iapacts

dated upon their known distribution and abundance in tre GOM. endangered whe >a are believed unlikely to occur ln th« *t;.imty of tho proposeJ atructura reeovai ectiv-.tlev. and, * ,he.-«fj<-a. unll. oly to oa adverooly affected by t: e propoeed eetl 'n.

Pravi.ua KMFS biological oplniona ( v i s i t o r I i , ? f i r /4 Peb--uerj at 191?) heve addressed. in dete i l , i >oovai ; / etrv -ea '.- the OOM. Accounts of endangered end threatened rp -r wa .- h c-cur ln tbe project aree, and tbe V.eeo'assent vt ?av»e*".**• •r»hed in thooe prior oplnlono eleo t£pl? t» ehie ce v l t e t i . - . r-e incorporated by reference.

In suianary, tbo oplnlono rot-"-et end »'aove t -r- - -,.*e ealstance of a poeelblo roletloneMe »*t ••• a +e % \ t -ndsrvstsr oarploolvoe in ranov ln^ ; i s t f r r *nd ftlf».Cwa structuree end tbe occurrence nf e+rardd **** t u r i l . j , sssrins ssnnsls (Tuftlapt truncALm end fleb. Uni ted expsrieonte conducted by xwrs, Cslvsston Laboratory cor f i r e that eee turtleo {and other narine vertebrates) found in preatinlty ce petroioun platforms cen be injured or k i l l ed by rsaovsl operetione saploylng jnderwatsr saploslvee (Kline, I t t t ) .

Technology ooot coojsonly uood ln the dlneentllng of p l i t forms includnet bulk esrp!eslvee, eheped exploeive chersjee. escnenlcel snd ebreelve cutters end undnrveter ere cuttere. fee -»c ef bulk explosives hee bocons the industry's standard procedure fer ssvsring pilings, well eci iuotere end releted eupporting structuree (epprex. 90s uee). When uelng bulk chargeo, t i e inelde ef the etrueture car. ba jetted cut te et leeet l t fect below tbe eedinent fleer to allow plaeeaent ef esrpleelvee lot ids of tht structure, resulting in e dacrssss in the isspulee anr. prsssurs foreee reloeeod into the weter column upon detonation. Ths uee of high veleeity aktptd charges ie reported to hev, soae advsntsgee ever bulk oxplooivoo end bee been ueed in ceamV.net ion with smeller bulk chergee. The cutting ection ebtslned b/ s shaped charge ie eeewjsspl lehed by focus ino the eaploelvc energy with s eon1ool metallic l iner , k abler advantage eeaocJatoe vith utt of high velocity eheped charged ie thet e smeller '-nounv of explosive charge le i squired to cover the etrueture, which alao reoulto ln reductions in the lapulee end preeeure f/drees -ol«aeed into tho weter column. Unn of mochan<cal cuttere end underveter ero cuttere le eucceeeful in oesse oi uitencee enti de roe prodceo the inpuloe end preeouro fore- . tetoolttod with dsto-ation ef exploeivee, however, theee aathods are, in coot lnatancee, acre tine eeneusslng, costly snd more btterdoue te diveie. As s reeult, theee methods ere net it**/ on e routine bssls (MMS Rsport or. Plstfore Removal Technlgvne) . •

0AS«4 upon data obtained during previously conducted "s*psditsC" consultations on plstforo rssovsls, ths following is a cosperlson of ths typos of ssploslvss aost llksly to Oe ussd ln ths propossd resoval oporstionoi

UadJoVUtt DetancUno, Vtapqisv

no* appros. 1,199 o/ooc. l n

C-4 appros. 9.001 a, eee. L I S

>np -a appros. 7.901 o/ooe. X.JI

• brieence lo the oossurs of onottorlng power oo coopered to TNT which hss brleenct of 1.00. KHS Report on Pletfora Reaovel reenni cruse, l t t d . )

The proposed rsacvs l operetlons W i l l be accoepllshsd uelng high vsleeity esploeiveo. Oee ef thle type ef espleelve cherge ehould sir. m i s s ths durst lon ef the lapulee end preeeure forcee produced hy detonetlon ef tho chsrgeo, while providing the saount ef feroo requires to eever the etrueturee. hoarding te MKJ , root rioting the groupi-wj of detonations to eight lndlvlduel hleete per group snd stsgcorlng hleet* ny 0.9 seeends (ted Billiseconds) will oinlalie the eroe effected by tha bleete ond suppress phasing of ohock wsvss, thereby doeressIne the ouaulstlvs effecte ef tne bleete. Xn addition, since e l l detonations will occur et leoot IS feet belew the eediaent eurfece end ne acre than SO pounds of exploeivee per bleet v i l l be permitted, the •nonnt ef realduel energy releeeed into the narine snvlrorasnt nnculd be reduced significantly, aa e reeelt. nttPS believee thet einlnal ehoek snd ispuiss forcee will be releeeed ln the vicinity ef rettevel operetione et say given tlaa.

to dete, ef appros loosely 44 previously earwiuctod oarsultstiene covering abend' >nnt sctivitiss scout J J eta-wet ere tacvele hove boon coaplstsd. Ssch reaovsl operation wee btmitorw by btCPS oboerverd ead waa conducted we lnq epproprlate el tig ting eeteuree. ht tea prstint tiae, sight turt*ee wiwe baea sigh tad ln ereee near streatecae being dleaentled, 1 leaat twa ef which were green tartlee. Of the eight dscuasnt* sightings eae turtle wee reported ta be floating ea it'e beak aar e platfora after Oatonetlon a f Ohsrgea, apparently rtunned OT i n j u r e d . ha other incideate ef eea turtle injury er cartelity heve been roparted. Therefore. nttPS believee thet the ptspsssS actions ore net likely s reeult in significant edvoree lapecte te endangered end

reeter.ee aea t u r t l e » 1 *tions .

S

41

w &• -t wrssjai

Cone 1 a . ; n i :

Saeed on tho abo.a l t l t a r opinion tMt rooovl of pletforae end releted etrueturee ln tht OOM i t no* l ikely to jeopardise tht continued eeletence of threetened tn4 endangersi tpoclot under tho Juriedictlon nf MMft. However, oMTS concludne thet the propooed eet lvit ioe eey reeult ln the inlury or oortollty cf . jar haad; Reap11 ridley, green, hevkoblll end leetherbeck turtlee. Therefore, purtutnt tn taction t(h)(4) of the Cea. ue hove eetahl lehed e lew level cf Incidental taaa end tnrae tnd condltlonn nacaeeery te alniaise end nam tor thle mpact Coaplienee with theee terae end condltlone le the reepenelolllty of MMt end the perait opplleant.

Reinitiation ef Coneultttlnn:

Connultotlen auat he relnltlntad 1ft 1) the esyjunt nr oatont of tekirg opacified ln the Incidence*- taka etetSMsnt le eat or exceededJ 1) nav inforaation rav aai a leav*ete af the project thet eey affect llotod epeciee ln o aannar er te ea not ant net -oneleered ln thle opinion; J) use Identified aet 1> tlaa ere oodlfled ln e aenner that eeuaae en edveree affect on llotod apaclaa net praviouely ecnoldered. t r I ) I her* apaclaa le l i a t a d or c r i t i c a l heal tet le doe i f no ted thet aap be off carted by the propeeeyj ec t iv i t i e e .

4

,1

X M C X D C H T A L TAKS STATfJSttfT

S e c t i o n 7 ( b ) ( 4 ) Of t b « Endarq«r»d S p e c l e e A c t r e q u i r e e t h s t when • ptopoeed agency s c t l o n l o found t o bo c o n o i s t e n t w i t h S e c t i o n 7(d)(2) of the net end the rvopossd eetlene esy inc iden ta l l y t s k s indlvlduele of l lo tod epec.ee, M>trs w l l l ieeue e t ts teeent thst spec I f lee the 1erect (eaount or eetent) of eeeh ine ldente l tek lnf . i n c i d e n t a l tekl ' t f by the foderel agency or spp l lesn t thet coop H o e with the tpoc i f led te rse end condit ione ef th ie ststeeent l e euther i ted end svsspt f i t s the taking prohibl t lone s f tbe ISA.

Baaed on at rend ing r e c o r d e . i n c i d e n t a l c a p t u r e s aboard C B S S t s r c l t l ehrissp veeeele end h l e t e r l e e l dete , f i v e eeet loo of eee tu r t l ee ere snoots to oocua ln northern Oulf ef Mealee vetere• current e v e i l a e i s in fornet lon en the re le t loneh lp between eee t u r t l e oor to l l ty end the uee ef h i g h - v e l o c i t y expleeivee te reaove e l l p l t t ferae ind l e t too that In jury end/or death a f eee t u r t l e e sw.y reeult froa the propooed act ions Therefore, pureuent to Sec ion 7(b)(4) e f tha t e a , ea i n c i d e n t a l take (by In jury a r mortal i ty) l s v s l s f one decuaented temp's r i d l e y , groon. h s v h a h l l l or leetherbeck t u r t l e er ten 1 so f t rated t u r t l e s i s st fe r e l l reeovsl operst lons conducted ussier the terae end condlt lone ef th le i n c i d e n t e l t a b teteeont. The l e v e l ef teklng opac i f ied hero i c o u a u l s t l v s fo* e l l resmovele oovtrod by t h l e eeneu l te t len . Xf the l n c i d s n t s l take coots a r txesode th le epee l f led l e v e l , nttfl oust r e i n i t i a t e oeneu l te t len . Tbe teuthet t t nogion, tntrs, w i l l coopers t s with htsf in the review af the incident te determine ths nsed fer developing fur ther e i t i g s t i o n aeeeuree.

The reeeeneble ead prudent nneamrce that nhTf ba l levee ere neceeeery t a a l n l a l t e tha 1 aspect of I n e H a s t a l t e k l p f t heve beon d i s c u s s e d w i t h KKS end w i l l bo L l S t t y r o t S u i n t h e r e ; o v a l d o e l f n for "etanderd" e t rueture resewe lc . f a s f e l l ewing to raa ead condi t leas ere ootebl lehed f a r thoee rsaovs ls t a last 1 tat a t the iden t i f i ed e l t lssst l e a aeeeuree ead t e Us tints; wt the Ine ldente l tate should tucn taka convert

1) Q u a l i f i e d ootsrver (s ) s s sspprevod by mWt, oust be ueed te eonlter the eree sre*and the s i t e p r io r t a , during end a f t e r d e t o n a t i o n a f c h a r g e s O b s e r v e r c o v s r s g e w i l l b e g i n 41 houre prior t a de tcae t len c f ohsrsjos. Xf oas t u r t l e e e ra obaerved in tbe v i c i n i t y e f tha p l s t f o r a ead thought t a ba reoident et the e l t e , p r e * end] poet-detonetlon diver eurveye euet bo conducted.

1

s j

2) On amy thet bleating oparatlona occur, a IC-a^nuta aarial survey auot Oo conducted wltnin ono hour before and one hour after each blasting episode. The MMFS -spproved obssrvsr and/or vxfS on-slts personnsl (NMP s seployoe only) oust bs ussd to check for ths prsosnce of turtleo snd. I f possible, to . ientlfy spsciss. I f weathsr condltlone (fee. sacsssivs vindo, ste.) asks it loposslt'.s To conduct s s r i s l survsys. blsstlng ac t iv i t i s s ssy ba sllowed to rocood if approved by tho NNft snd/or KMS pereonnel on-o.ts

3) I t sue tur Iss ara oboerved ln the vicinity of the plstfore (within 1090 yards of tbo elto) prior to detonating chergee, blsstlng wi l l be delayed unt i l ettesapte **• euecoooful ln reaoving tr.ee st leeat uoe yerde frea the bleet elte . The serls l survey nuet be rspested prior to resuming dstonstion of chergee.

S) Detonetlon sf ea> last vee w i l l oeour no sooner then 1 hour fol loving ounrleo snd nc Ister than - hour prior to ev.neet Kev*- er, i f l t le deters mad by isThVe snd/er MMS en-elte pereonnel

social elrouneisncss j u s t i f y s aodlflcetlon of theee tlaa »« • e*lone "wj that euoh aed I f loeV SW le net l ikely te

»«iy lapeet l i s ted epecloo, blesting nsy be sllowed te •ed oateide of hie t laa frees.

*) During a l l diving operet loae (versing divee se rex v i red in he oouree of th reaovels), divara wi l l be lnntructed te eeen

the euaourfeoe sroee surrounding tbe pletfora (bleetlng) eitee fer turtlee end aarine aaaaals. any sightings aunt be reported te the WMPe ar MMJ en-elte poraonnol. Open completion ef blesting, divsrs euet report ead attempt to recover eny elghtod Injured or deed oee turtlee er serine nomas i s .

si Chergee oust bo staggered o.t • • • • n i l (too alllleeeonde) fer seoh gressp ef etrueturee, te a lnia ise the cumulative iff sets of the bleete. Zf a reaovsl oporetlen involvoo multiple <t roup ings of etrueturee, tha lnterve' between detonetlon ef chsrgss fer eeeh group should ha aleinland te eweld the "chuaaing" effect , narrower euch lntervele ameeed eo-oinutee, the eeriel survey asset ha repeeted.

?) The wave af eeere ehargee should be eveided te alniaise the •chumming of feat .* Dec ef eeere chergee say ba el loved only i f epproved hy tint MM Ft snd/or MbU on-slts pereonnel.

• ) A report suaasrl. Ing the reeulte ef the lessevel end nitigetion nes su res aust be sumaltted to the VMS oulf of Mexico Region within l l working deye ef the rsaovsl. A copy ef the report auet bo forverdod t< rfMFt, Southeeet hag len

s/4

Thl« i n c u t r t . i t.k. it«t«Mnt epplloe only to endangered end threetened ooo turtloo. In order to olio* en incidentel teke ot e oor ine aaaaai epeciee. the taking a»*at bo eutherited unaer Soction 101(e)(5) sf the Merlne Mmt: Protection Act of lt?2 Althoueh interact hee been exprceeed ln obtaining ei. exception authorising, e United teke ef dolphlne incldontel to ebendonaont ectivitiee. ne aerlne oenael teke le eutherited until expropriate *aell take reguletione ere In piece tnd releted 'Lettsrt ef Author!set ion" ere leeued.

3*

B t r t P t H c t s

C a i l l o u e t , C M . , A N . Landry. N . J . Duroneiet, t . A . Memel ie , C . T . F o n t i l r t , D . t . Mcvtra, K . L . Inda l i ca to , T O . W i l l l e e e , and D Foreuecl I t t t . r r e l l » i r a r y Evaluation of S io l cx j i ca l Ispacts of u ; d « r v i t « r rxploeiona Assoclatsd k i t h R a s c a l of an O i l P io ld S truc ture froo tha C u l f of Mexico Hear C r y s t a l taach, Tesas . National Marina P i s h s r i s s Sorvico , Southssst f i s h s r i s s C s n t s r , Cs lv s s ton Laborst j r y JJ pp.

Duronolot. M . J . C M . C e i l l o u o t , S. Nonaolla, K.M. l .vJe l leeto , C . T . f o n t s l n s . D . t Rsvoro. T . W l U l a n o s n d O . l o s s . I t S S . Tho I f fscts of sn Undsrwstsr Explosion en tho Turtloo Lnauo^gheiy* AsTJBOl and Caret ta c a f a t t a with Obssrvatlon of I f foots OT Other Mar e orgenleee. Unpubl lehed Trip Report - Ksaoval ef Tenneeo O i l Plstfore on June S l . 1SSS. KMFS, DtPC. Oelvoston Laboratory. IS pp.

fontelne'. C . T . , ItSS. Observations on the Reaovsl of Tonnoeo Oil Pletfora 4 t» -S , boot Ceneron f i e l d , ae-SS July I M S . unpubllahed Trip Report ce MMPS. SIPC, oelveeton Laboratory top.

Kilae, K.P , I SSS. •uevaery Report en bio lea leel lopecte of Of feho r ratreleua Plat foi a Severance Oelna Explosives unpubllo.-.-i Repert to MMPS, s t fC, Oelvooten Leboretory l t pr

Minerele Mensueaent service, u s * . Pletfora Raaoval Techniques. Unpubllahed Report. MMS Oulf ef Mexleo Reqion, 14 pp.

Nstlonsl Merlne fieherlee Service, I S J S . Rleloeleel Opinion concerni.-wj lopecte of Propoeed Reaovsl of Cltloe Sorvieoo PM ei* Oee Corperetlon'e Offehore Pletfora s-1, Locstsd ln Oelveeton Sleek le4 . Oulf ef Mexico. 14 Bp

National Merino Piahsriss Service I t s ? . • ls lexjleal Opinion cones r r i no. .>xopoeed Reaovel ef Senatel ? ^oapeny' e Pletfora J». Loceted ln vo<-allllnn Slock aas, Ou;: e: sine. 14 pp.

Rsnsud. N end 4. Oitnctlef I S S ) . etudy of t io lce iee l Ie>ec~e sf the S^pleeive hen- vs) cf BP o i l share Pletfora ;t*onnt»ll Pletfora v e n u l e » *ite.» Jr-ublished Trip nvepert te MMFS. SIPC, Or av» on Ink arav «y. spp.

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Include on aatarlat (•) did not

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