ln Reply Refer To: MS 5231 April IS, 1993 Kerr-Mc et Corporation Attention: Nr. Cary V. Bradford Pott Office Box 39400 lafaMte, louisiana 70593-9400 Gentlemen: Reference is Bade to the following plan received April 1, 1993: Type Plan - Initial Development Operations Coordination Document Lease - OCS-6 12932 Block - IS Area - Ship Shoal Activities Proposed - Mali and Platform No. 1 In accordance with 30 CFR 25i .34, this plan Is hereby deemed submitted and Is now being considered for approval. Your control number Is N-4470 and should ba referenced In your communication and correspondence concerning this plan. Sincerely, «% tm ««t E 0. J. Bourgeois Regional Supervisor Field Operations
Transcript
ln Reply Refer To: MS 5231 April IS, 1993
Kerr-Mc et Corporation Attention: Nr. Cary V. Bradford Pott Office Box 39400 la faMte , louisiana 70593-9400
Gentlemen:
Reference is Bade to the following plan received April 1, 1993:
Type Plan - In i t ia l Development Operations Coordination Document Lease - OCS-6 12932 Block - IS Area - Ship Shoal Activities Proposed - Mali and Platform No. 1
In accordance with 30 CFR 25i .34, this plan Is hereby deemed submitted and Is now being considered for approval.
Your control number Is N-4470 and should ba referenced In your communication and correspondence concerning this plan.
Sincerely,
«% tm ««t E
0. J. Bourgeois Regional Supervisor Field Operations
CORPORATION
larch 26, 1993
U.S. Department of tho Interior Minora'i Management Sorvlct Gulf of Mexico. OCS Region 1201 El-wood Park Boulevard NW Orleans, LA 70113-2394
ATTENTION: Rules arte" Product let
Gent!
* * * * * *
,nfo"natton
****
Oevolorient Operations Coordination Document OCaVt 12932 Mi l i i . 1 Slip Shoal Heck I I
This Initial Development Operations Coordination Document (DOCD) 1s submitted for your approval. The Information you room Ire is as follows:
The drilling of Well No. 1 Is expected tt begin em March 21, 1993, end drilling operations should be completed approximately Miy 10, 1993.
If this well proves productive, the will and two 4-1/2" ptptllnes "A* Platform ftr transporting pipelines art scheduled tt Installation should be
a 4-pile wall protector structure wil1 be set over • will be installed from this wall tt the OCS-0347
and processing production. The Installation tf the It begin once drilling operations art completed, letad att watt after the start date.
Information concerning this wall and pipelines art located on the location plat, pipeline drawing ami vicinity top.
MATER
2144' FNL A 9375' FNI ef Ship Shoal I lk 27
17.244* IS'
PUBLIC INFORMATiCi
Init ial Oevelopnent Operations Coordination Document (DOCO) • € * • 12912. Snip Shoal •lack I I Page t
Onshore basa oparationa will ba conducted fron our Morgan City Basa located In Morgan City, Louisiana. There will ba no significant 1 enact an tha onshore support facilities at a direct result tf these operations.
Enclosures: A. Location Plat I. Vicinity Plat C. Pipeline Drawing
ML tun mamm All drilling, construction and production operations shell be performed In accordance with Industry standards to prevent pollution of the environment. Kerr-McCee Corporation s Regional 011 Spill Contingency Plan was submitted to MMS July 23, 1991 and approved August 21, 1991. This plan designates an 011 Spill Team consisting of Kerr-McCee's personnel and contract personnel. This team's duties art tt eliminate the source of any spi l l , remove t i l sources of possible Ignition, deploy the most rtl labia means tf available transportation to monitor the movement t f a slick, and contain and remove the slick, i f possible.
Kerr-McCee Corporation I t a member of Clean lu l f Associates (CIA). The CGA has two permanent equipment oases la Texas, at Rockport and Galveston; and five beats in Louisiana, at Venice, Brand Isle, Houma, Intracoastal City and Cant raw. Each base Is equipped with fast-response skimmers and there 1s a barge-mounted, high-volume, open-sea skimmer based at Grand Isle. Louisiana. In addition to providing equipment, the CIA also supplies advisors for clean-up operations. Equipment available fran CIA and Its location 1s listed In the CIA Manual. Volume I, Section III.
It the event a spil l occurs from Ship Shoal Hack 27, our company has projected tl.e peth of a spil l utilizing Information In tha Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for OCS Lease Salts 131 and U l .
Enclosure: 0. 011 Spill Trajectory Analysis
A table Indicating the response tine required for a spill In this area Is attached.
Enclosure: I. 011 Spill Response Time
Drip pans will be Installed under all equipment which could be a source tf pollution. All waata products which contain oil will be properly transported to lend and disposed at approved disposal faci l i t ies . Domestic wastes will be treated by onboard sanitation treatment faci l i t ies and will be disposed Into lulf t f Mexico waters. These waters, pits formation and water base dri l l waters, will be discharged overboard at the site in accordance with NPDES regulations. All other solid and liquid waste which cannot ba disposed at the site will be transported tt land In approved containers and than disposed In accordance with local era state regulations.
PUBLIC INFORMATION
Initial Oovelopnnnt Operation*
OCS-9 .2932. Ship Shoal •lock I I I
All surface operations will be conducted In Ship Shoal Hock 27. There art no special least stipulations and there Is no Archeological Survey ftr Ship Shoal Slack 27.
Enclosures: F. Environmental Report (Includes CZM Consistency CtrtlfleetIon)
I. Public notice
n/A.
A typical pipeline laybarge will be utilized to Install the pipelines, and It Is antlcpated that I t n i l l take approlxnately I days ta complete the operations.
Enclosures: N. Air Quality Emissions Schedule - 2 Rants Emissions Olscharge Summary Exemtlon Summary
Reserves ftr this lease have been estimated at I I BCF and 1.2 MMBO. The estimated life ef the lease I t 7 years.
Kerr-Mc&ee Corporation plans ta develop this lease with a Minimum number ef surface structures, which mill ba determined as exploratory drilling takes place. It 1s understood thet the mail shall not be produced until final approval tf a production plan la obtained.
Kerr-Mc6>e Corporation Is of tha opinion that all Information supplied 1n this communication will be extant from disclosure under the "Freedom of Information Act" (S U.S.C. 122) and Implementing regulations (43 CFR Part 2).
It H believed that the data In this communication and Its attachments provide the Information required by 30 CFR Subpart I, 210.34. Therefore, 1t Is respectfully requested that this Initial Developmental Operations Coordinations Document be considered aa soon tt possible since dril l ing operations art tt commence April I I , 1993.
Should you have any questions, tr If additional Information Is required, please contact the undersigned.
Very truly yours.
CRC/bbl enclosures Manager - Regulatory Affairs
Xc: U.S. Department of tha Interior ^ Minerals Management Service
let 01str1< 3804 Country Drive lourg, LA 70343-0710
la the event a spill occurs from Ship Shoal Block 27, Kcrr-McGcc Corporation haa projected tne direction of a apill utilizing information in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for OCS Unsa Sales 139 and 141.
The EIS contains oil spill trajectory simulations using seasonal surface currents, coupled with wind data, adjusted every three (3) hours for thirty (30) da s ur until a target ia contacted.
Hypothetical spill trajectories wore simulated Cor each of tha potential launch sitae across the entire Gulf. Thane simulations presume 500 spills occurring in each of tha four (4) seasons of tha year. The results in the EIS were presented aa probabilities that an oil spill beginning from n particular launch site would contact n certain land segment within three (3). tan (10), or thirty (30) days. Utilizing the summary of tha trajectory analysis (frj tan (10) daya) as preeented in Table rV-22 on pages IV-112 and IV-113, the probable land (all of aa od spill from this site is as follows. Also listed is the CO A map number corresponding to the land segment which will be utilised to determine environmantaUy sensitive arena that may be affected by a apill.
Section V. Volume 0 of the CGA Manual fomaining maps as listed above, also includes equipment containment/cleanup protection response modes lor the sensitive areas. Pollution response iotjapmint available for CGA aad its snxkpfled base it listed in the COA Manual Volume L Section OL
Section VT, Volume 0 uf the CGA Operations Manual depicts tha protection response modes that art applicable for oil spill clean-up operations. Each rseponai mode ia schematically represented to show optimum deployment and operation of tha equipment in areas of environmental concern. Implementation of the suggested procedures assures the most effective una of the oquiproe nt and will result in reduced adverse impact of oil spills on the environment Supervisory personnel have the option to modify the deployment and operation of equipment to more effectively respond to site-specific circumstances
Rev. 12/11/90
I )
OIL SPILL RESPONSE IN HOURS SHIP SHOAL BLOCK 15
OCS-C Uf 33 WELL NO. 1
PRIMARY RESPONSE
Oil Spill Location of FfflllmTHflf liTfirlfMI
Houma, 1 miltiann Morgan City, Imririaao
Obtain truck to CO A Location Travel to Morgan City BAM Unload Truck
to Morgan City
Unload V«
Veea
I flllll BflBBBB fill
inland Weeen (1 Way) SsULbn.
Opaa Waun (1 Way) ni*.
Tie
TOTAL RF4PONSE TIME
IPrnNTlrilY •fflfflNlff met* boat will be available in City, oar worse case
m i / I n n .
is l i
simultaneously to Uuu only the greater time il
rrcpvauon <n of time to
will take piece watte earoute to spill location. Hours shown it
C0aJT*A
DEVKLQPimfT QppfATTQiia moTiTMATTQii wintwwr Typo of Plan
IHTP aHQAI. a W F 111 kfm arid Blook
na-t i m i I N N Numbar
Tho propoaad activitiee daacribad in detail ln thin DOCD coapiy with Loulnlnnn'n Conntnl Management Pugraa nnd will no conducted ln n nnnnnr oonnlmtent with auch Program.
Arrangeme. .a have oaan aada with tan State-Timea ln Bnten Rouge, Louloiana to publiah a public notion of tha propoaad aotlvltlnn no latur than 3-31-03. Additionally, arrangananta have oaan aada with Tan Dally Iberian ln Iberia Pariah, inn franklin Banner ln St. Nary Pariah, and Thai Houma Daily Courier ln Tarrabonna Pariah to publiah a public notion of tha propoaad aotlvltlnn no Utnr than 3-31-»J.
rr-Hcfitt corporatlwn Laaaaa or operator
Data
PUBLIC INFORMATION
ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT
FOR COASTAL MANAGEMENT CONSISTENCY DETERMINATION
QULP OP NEXICO
SHIP SHOAL AREA BLOCK #27
MAY 6. 1981
CART V. BRADFORD
SUPERVISOR — ENGINEERING SERVICES
KEHH-MCGEE CORPORATION
P. 0. DRAWER 21*9
MORGAN CITY, LOUISIANA 70380
50A/38A-8930
PREPARED BY:
OECS CORPORATION
LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA
318/233-97*0
OECS PROJECT #*26
PUBLIC INFORMATION
Table of Contents
I t *
X. Tit le Pe«e
Table Of Contents
Liet of Plguree
Llet of Tables
IX. Description of tho Propoaad Action
A. Travel Modes, Routes, and Prequencles
B. Support Base and Nee Peroonnel
C. Nov Support Paellltlee
D. New or Unueual Technology
t . Location of the Propeeed Act U l ties
I I I . Description of tho Affected Environment and
Iapects • •
A. Physics: and Environmental
1. ConmercW Pishing
2. shipping
3. Recreetlon
I . Cultural Resources
5. Ecologically Sensitive Peatures
I . Existing Pipe 11 nee and Cablet
7. Other Mineral Uses
8. Oeean Dumping.
9. Endangered or Threatened Species
B. Soclo-Economlc Impacts
PUBLIC INFORMATION'
11
Unavoidable Adverse Impacts 17
R e f e r e n c e s • 30
Appendl* 1—Coastal Zone Manafarnant
Conalatonoy Determination 22
PUBLIC INrOkMATiON
LIST OF P10UME3
HOURS PROS
1— General Vicinity Map 2
2 — Block Map I
PUBLIC INFORMATION
lv
LIST Of TABLES
TABLE
1 Co—tTl iBl lT Important f l o h Md Shellflon
i n tho Oonornl Lonnn Amn 10
2—fodorolly Luted Endangered or Throotonod
Species ln Louisiana 15
I I . Description of the Proposed Action
This report addresses the activity proponed by
Kerr-McOee Corporation for Ship Shoal Area Bloek #27. The
approximate location of the Activity alte la preaented ln
Figure 1, which lo a general vicinity map of the Outer
Continental Shelf (OCS) loaae areaa off the coaat of
Louie Una.
It la anticipated that a poated-barge drilling rig,
such aa the Deb Crowley, will no moved on location and the
single eaploratory well will be drilled. The well will no
looatod 700 feet P»L and 5900 feat PEL ln Bloek #27. a
detailed deecrtptton of the proposed actlvltleo la included
ln the Kerr-McOee Corporation Plan of Exploration for Ship
Shoal Area Block #27.
The propoaad activities will be conducted by
Kerr-McOee Corporation with a guarantee of the Pollowing:
1. The beat avail sole and safest technologies will be
utilised throughout the project. Thle includes
meeting all applicable requirements Per equipment
types, general projeet layout, safety systems, and
equipment and monitoring ayateaa.
2. All operatlono will no covered by a U. S. 0. S.
approved Oil Spill Contingency Plan.
1
3* A l l applicable Ptderal, State, and local
requirements regarding a i r emlaalona, water
quality, and dlacharge for the proposed
act iv i t ies , as well aa any other permit
conditions, will be compiled with.
A. Travel Modes, Routes, and Frequencies
Kerr-McOee Corporation wi l l operate out of their
service base facil ity established in Morgan City,
Louisiana. Kerr-MeUee Corporation anticipates using one
(1) heJicopter, one (1) erewboat, and one (1) supply boat
to support the Ship 3hoal Area Block #27 activity.
The helicopter utilised by Kerr-McOee Corporation wil l
make an estimated two (2) tripa par day to the poated-barge
rig during the exploration aetlvity period. The one (1)
erewboat la e spec ted to travel to the activity elte every
other day for a total maslmum frequency of four (A) trips
per week. The supply boat w i l l alee make a maximum of four
(s) tripe per week to tho dr i l l ing elte.
I t ie anticipated that the transportation vessels will
ut i l i se the most dlreet route from the Morgan City service
baee. Reoauae a veooel supporting the Rloek #27
exploration activity, aa outlined in the flan of
Exploration for Ship Shoal Area Block #27, may bo schedule!
3
for other otopo ln tho area, tho exact route for aaeh
vessel on each particular trip cannot oo predetermined.
B. Support Baae and Now Personnel
Kerr-McOee Corporation wi l l ut i l i se a support baae
faci l i ty established In Morgan City, Louisiana, as their
operatlona bane* Thia baae la approximately forty-two CH2>
alios Proa the exploration activity alte.
Becauae helicopter and marine faci l i t ies are currertly
available at the service baae and are presently manned, no
additional onahore employment ia eapeeted to ba generated
aa a mault of these act ivit ies .
The i n i t i a l OCS Socio-Economic Data Base Report for
the service baae faci l i t ies uti l ised by Kerr-McOee
Corporation wi l l be prepared for submission pursuant to tho
specific paraaetore to be established by the u. 3. 0. S.
and scheduled to be laaued early In 1981.
New Support Paeilities
The proposed exploration activities for Ship Shoal
Area Bloek §27 will not require the development of any new
support f a c i l i t i e s .
a
0* Mew or Unusual Technology
Tho exploration activities outlined In tho proposed
Plan or Exploration for Ship Shoal Area Blook #27 will not
warrant utilising any new or unuaunl technology that may
a free*, constnl waters.
I . LoontIon of the Proposed Activities
Ship Shoel Ares Blook #27 lo located approximately
forty-ten (AS) elles south of Morgan City, Louisiana. The
exploration nativity site is approximately five (5) miles
from the nearest Louisiana coast, figure 1 presents
visually the location of the bloek ln relation to the
Louisiana coaat, aa well aa the geographic relationship
between the Ship Shoal Area and the other OCS Inane areas
orr the coaet or tho State, figure 2 provides the essct
dimensions and coordinates of the bloek.
5
FIGURE 2 6
BLK 28 BLK 2 7 BLK ze
I
oc t - o i 4 r I BLK 36
PROPOSED MINERAL DEVELOPMENT
MASTER S H E E T SHIP SHOAL AREA
G U L F OF M E X I C O MAfcl
APPLICATION BY ftfNR McGCC COOFORA TIOT. MAY 05.1981 MORGAN ClTf cA
PUBUC INFORMATION
XXI. DESCRIPTION" OP THE APPECTED ENVIRONMENT AND IMPACTS
A. Physical and Environmental
1. Commercial Pishing
Overall, fisherman have benefited from the growth of
the petroleum industry In the OCS watere of tho Oulf of
Moileo. While technological Improvements have enabled
eoesserelal fishermen to lnereaoe the volume of landings,
oyproducte of the petroleum Industry development have also
hod an impact. Seoauee OCS petroleum development la
dependent upon extensile marine veeeel utilisation, harbors
and ports have been Improved, port access waterways have
been eapanded and Improved, and the availability and
quality of marine voooel maintenance and repair reallitlea
have Improved. These Improvemonts have definitely had a
positive effeet on fI-hereon (Las*iter, 1980).
Becauae tha Oulf watera off the c aet are abundant In
varloua typeo of flshllfs, the co. aerotal fishing industry
haa provided the economic base for a aajorlty of tho
state'e ooaatal areas. The addition of petroleum industry
activity ln ooaatal areao of Louisiana has strengthened
local economies and provided a divers If lent ion of local
revenue and employment sourceJ.
Scientific etudlee examining the effect of the
7
petroleum Industry development on tho commercial Pishing
Industry have eoneludod thst *ho presence of offshore
dr i l l ing and production structures has had very l i t t l e , If
any, negative Impact on commercial Pishing ln tho Gulf. In
tho approximately twenty-five (25) years of petroleum
Industry development in tho Gulf, tho menhaden harvest off
tho coast of Louisiana has grown from 213,000 metric tons
ln 1955 to s peak of 820,000 metric tons In 1978 (Laoslter.
1980). While Pishing industry technological Improvements
woro primarily responsible for tho growth In harvests, this
fsot lo particularly Important because tha menhaden depends
upon a oloan estuarine system for survival. I t la apparent
that there has boon no significant degradation of tho
quality of Oulf watars slnoa tha Inception of petroleum
tnduotry activity.
I t should bo noted thst Louisiana has consistently
ranked f i r s t in tha nation ln U. S. commercial landings,
surpassed only by California ln 1936 (U. S. Department of
Commerce, April, 1980).
Ship Shoal Area Slock #27 lo loeated approximately
forty-two (A2) miles south of Morgan City, Louisiana, and
five (5) miles rroa the Louisiana ooast or Terreborne
Parish. Because this leaae area la more than three (3)
alios Prom tho cosst and is considered an Outer Continental
8
Shtlf (OCS) art*, state fishing M I I M I are net applicable
for the bloek. Table 1 present* a Hating of commercially
important flah and ahelifleh found in thia general area of
the Ouif (U. S. Department of the Interior, DSIS OCS Lease
Salt 62 and 62a, visual No. 5).
The pooted-barte rig may be a potential obetaele to
commercial flahlng vessels for the duration of exploration
activity. Thlt tffttt It likely to at eery inaigntfleant
aa the rig Mill only eliminate access to a email portion of
or the approximately 5,760 acres of the blook.
2. Shipping
Ship Shoal Area Sleek #27 it approximately nine (9)
miles mnnt of the neareat shipping fairway. It In not
likely that the marine vessels supporting tlie Sleek #27
activity will utilise tht shipping fairway. It la likely,
however, that the marine eupport vessels will utilise
another fairway, loeated approximately twenty-five (ft)
miles west or Block #27, to gain acceee to the Morgan City
service base. It is unlikely that the marine vessels will
have a significant effect on fairway traffic aa they will
be infrequent and only for the duration of drilling. The
drilling rig and each of the marine vessele will fee
equipped with all u. s. Coast Ouard required navigational
aafoty alda.
9
TABLE 1
Selected Pi th end S h e l l f i s h of Ceseserelsl Uportence
In the denere1 v i c i n i t y of
Ship Shoel Ares Block #27
Coenon none: Scientific Meae:
Brown Shrlsjn Peneeue OS to flu*
White Shrlep Peneeus setiferue
Blue e m Calllneotee snplduo
Menhaden Brevoortl* petronus
Grosser nieropoeon undulstus
Speckled Trout Cynoscton nehuloeue
ftedtteh Selsenops esellntn
Bed Snspper Lutjanu* caepechanus
Gulf Hake ilrophrele elrrntus
Soursss: U. S . Doperteent of the In ter ior , 1910, Vieusl he. 9
Hoeee end Moore, 1977
Mason, et S l , 1978
10
PUBLIC INFOfc.' VVTiOfN
3* Recroot Ion
Dugas. tt t i , have etated thtt the »ro-th of the apart
fishing lnduetry It the direct moult or the presence or so
•sny offshore drilling and production structure*. Offshore
structures serve SS srtlf lclel reefs, tt different depth
levele on n drilling rig or pintrnm, one can rind aigao,
bsrnecles, anemones, blvalvee, bryosoa, and an re. This aat
or sessile animals sttrscts t wide verlety of mobile,
groting pelagic orgsnlsas, particularly flsn and ersbe.
These grtslng organlsnt provide a ronevatlo food source for
the cernl /oroue fishes thtt am of oo—srcUl and
>treatlonel value.
although tha offerors drilling rig end exploration
tsMvltlet planned ay Kerr-McOee Corporation nay possibly
tt an obstacle to recreation fishing vessels aa well aa
coesserelal fiehing vetttlt, thlt negative effect, again, Is
likely to be negligible. Frequently, offenore drilling
rlgt and platforms servo aa navigation pelntt for snail
commercial and recreational marine crsft. Manned drilling
rigs and platforea can also provide a haven for email craft
operstors forced to abandon their vessels during stoma or
following boat aeeldentt. The Installation and use of
navigational aide, Ufesaving equipment, and other safety
requlreaenta pursuant to Coast "<uerd regulations are
11
PUBLIC INFORMATIO: •
standard procedure- Tor Jrllllng rige and eertne vessels
utilised by Nerr-ncoee Corporation.
A. Cultural Reooureea
Vlaual No. 1 from the Dei3 for Leant Salee 62 and 62*
lndleatea that there la no specific evidence of
archeological features In Slock #27. Several ahlpemckt
have been Identified In the surrounding north-central are*
of the (lulf of Htaloo; however, none were located within
the boundaries of Block #27.
9. tnologloally Seneiuve reeturee
Ship Shoal Area Blook #27 lo not In or near a
protected area ef offehore biologic l significance. The
eloaeot area of offehore biological elgnlfUanee to Block
#27 lo tue Shell fteye Hattonal Wildlife Refuge. This
refuge la appro*leately fifty (5c, nllee tree) Bleak #27.
There are no other ecologically sensitive areaa ln the
vicinity of Ship Shear area Block #27.
The Morgan City, Louisiana, support baae, whfth will
be utlilted aa operations baoe for the Bloek #27
eaploratlon activity, is loeated approximately twelve (12)
allea frees the Attakapaa Wildlife Management Area. (U. 3.
Oepartaent of the Interior, ntIS Lease Sale 62 and 62A,
visual No. A).
12
In general, tf nil activities are eseouted aa planned,
encountering no unusual circumstances, tne environmentally
aenaltlve nrena Mill not be arrested.
6. Existing Pipelines and Cablea
The ahallow hasards survey perroreed by Kerr-flcOce
Corporation indicated that there are no existing pipelines
or cables in Ship Shoal Area Bloek #17. A oopy of the
survey la included aa sn sttaehewnt to the Plan of
Exploration for Ship Shoal Area Block #27.
7. Other Mineral Uses
There are ne other known Mineral reaeureeo loeated in
or near Ship Shoal Area Block #27.
8. Oeean Dumping
The major sources or ocean dumping related to OCS
petroleum exploration activity are drilling fluids, or
"muds," end dr i l l cuttings. After the exploratory drilling
in Blook §91 lo completed, Aerr-MoOee Corporation
antlclpatee dumping approximately 800 barrels ef drilling
fluids. Dri l l cuttings are brought up by ths drilling mud
and range ln alss from gralne or sand to pebbles. These
cuttings are separated and sifted, and then disposed or
overboard. There Mill be no Intentlenai discharge or any
13
oily or hazardous materials ln violation of 0. 0. E. or
E. P. A. regulatione.
9* Endangered of Throatonod Spoelaa
Plvo species of ur ine turtlee occur ln tha Oulf of
hOBleo: loggerhead, green, Atlantic Ridley, hawksbill. and
leatherback. All of thooo species arc designated aa
"Endangered" ay tho Convention on International Trade In
Endangered Spec loo of Wild »auna and Flora (0*. 3.
Department of the Interior, EIS Uaae Sale 5A), aa well aa
by the halted Statea government (U. 3. Department of the
Interior, Region IV Endangered Speclee Notebook).
The ee l , f i n , blue, humpback, and spare whalee were
classified aa 'Kn dan go red" on December 2, 1970 (Federal
Register, Oecenber 2, 1970). These apeolee occur In the
central and western Oulf of rtesico, but the population
jtatus and migration pattetne or theae species are not
known. The lease area la not ln or near a known cr i t i ca l
habitat for any or the federally Hated endangered or
threatened martne species.
Table 2 presents the federally listed species that are
endangered or threatened In and offehore Louisiana and
their general geographic distribution.
1A
TABLE 2
KEOERALLY LISTED ENDANGERED OH THREATENED SPECIES IN LOUISIANA
(E-Endang-red; T-Threet*n*d)
Mammal*: Designation: Distribution:
Pinthsr, PI or Ids. WhsIs, bluo Whale, finback Whale, humpback Whale, M l WhsIs, »p*rm Wolf, rod
Entlrt scat* Coos to l waters Coastal Motors Coastal Motors Coaotal Mators Coastal Motors Cameron and
Calcasieu Parish*:*
Birds:
Curl**, Eskimo E En tiro otato Eagle, maid K Entlra atato Palcon, Arotle peregrine E East, south P*llcan, brown E Coast Warbler, Bachman'a E Entire etate woodpecker, Wory-bllled E Entire otato Woodpecker, red-cockadad K Entire etate
esoept Delta
Raptllee:
Alligator, American E Animator, Atterlern T« Turtle, Atlantic ridley E Turtle, green C Turtle, nwwkeblll E Turtle, leatherback E Turtle, loggernead E
Inland Coastal areaa Cuaatal Maters Coaatsi water* Coastal watero Coaotal Mttero P aotsl Mat rre
• A H i f at ,r population* in Celeaeleu, Cameron, Xberlo, Jeffereon, Lafourche, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charlen, St. Nary, St. ?: enny, Terrebonne, and Vermilion Parlahee are Hated an Thro, nod due to elallarlty of appearance, Regulated hervoet ln theae parlehee lo permitted under SUte Law*, alnoe theoo population* are blologleally neither Endangered or Threatened.
SOURCE: U. S. Department of the Interior Ploh and Wildlife Servlee Region IV Endangered Speclee Notebook
15
I t Is very unlikely that the offshore or onshore
act lvit lee re Is ted to the Ship Shoe! Ares Block #27
explorstory dril l ing e l l l here sny effect on the previously
nseed speoleo.
Soclo-Econoelc tapscts
In accordance -1th U. S. 0. S. guidelines (OS-7-01),
doted November 20, 1980. the l n l t l s l OCS Dots Snse Report
Mill be developed for su balsa ion on or before the
prescribed due dote. Subsequent Environmental Reporte
provided by Serr-Medee Corporation Mill address this dots
end related activity lapsoto.
16
XV. UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS
Th* greatest threat to tho natural environment la
eausod by inadequate operations' safeguard* that may eouao
or contribute to an oi l api l l or well blowout. These
accldenta can oo gre»tly reduced ln number by uti l is ing
trained operational personnel and employing a l l available
oafety and pollution eontrol systems. Eerr-MoOeo
Corporation haa an approved Oil Spi l l Contingency Plan.
The unavoidable adverae impacts that e l l l occur aa a
reeult or the eaploratory dr i l l ing and discharging wil l be
few ln number and temporary In nature. The primary adverse
impacts Include a localised degradation of eater and air
quality ln the vicinity or the dri l l ing elte(e), the
potential obstruction to commercial and rvcroatlonal
riehlng vessels, and the disruption end/or ki l l ing or
benthic and/or pelagic organisms during location of tho
dri l l ing r ig and during disposal or muds, cuttings, end
domestic waatoo and oewage.
Discharging from tho d r i l l elte lo Inevitable during
OCS operations, particularly during exploration. Any
materials that may contain o i l or other hasardoua
material a, and therefore would have a much greoter adverse
Impact on tho environment, e l l l not be discharged
17
Intentionally. Any discharging wil l bo done pursuant to
a l l 0. 0. E . and E. P. A. regulations. Tho discharges to
be disposed of overboard aa a result or tho exploration
activity wi l l include domestic waate and sewage that lo
treated on the rig before discharging, formation waters,
d r i l l cut tinge, and eseooo water-baaed aud. The
discharging wi l l result in an lnereaoe ln water turbidity,
burial of benthic organisms, and possible toxic effeets on
marine organlama in the Immediate vicinity of the drilling
rig. A reduction ln photoeynthetlc activity and plankton
populations can also be eapeeted aa a result of
discharging. I t ta expected,however, that the pelagic and
benthlo organisms will regenerate almost immediately after
dlecharglng i f the effeeto are minimal and Intermittent aa
eapeeted.
Offahore activities generate a small out algrlflcant
amount of a i r pollutants due to the emissions of dlooel
engines; therefore, the deterioration of air quality la
unavoidable ln an OCS operation areo. In moat instances,
thooe emissions effect only the Immediate exploration
activity elte end are rapidly dissipated by the atmosphere,
depending upon climatic conditions.
Commercial and recreational fishing operatlone would
be effected by OCS development, but primarily ln terms of
IS
Inconvenience and interference. Although tha unavoidable
adverec Impacts could Include some smothering or shellfish,
snagging or traul note, reduction or area preoencly used
for unrestricted fishing, and alnleel finfish killing,
commercial fishing activities would not be slgnlflesntly
affected, excluding an oil sp i l l . An oil spill would
result ln serious economic losses r j to the contamination
or coswserclal fish speeles over a l. .ge area.
There la a remote possibility that offshore areas or
historical, cultural, or biological significance could be
damaged or deetroyed by OCS exploration operations. Visual
No. A from the U. S. Department or the Interior DKI3 for
Leaae Salea 62 *nd 62A, indicates that no archeological,
cultural, or historic areaa are In the vicinity of Ship
Shoal Area Block #27. Additionally, Kerr-NoOee Corporation
Mill make every effort to avoid disturbing any
historically, culturally, or biologically significant
feature.
19
REFERENCES
Acadian* Profile, "Scuba Dlvara Active ln Atchafalaya Baaln." May 1976, pp. 1-9.
Dugas, R., Gulllory. V., and Fischer, M., "Oil Riga and orf shore Sport Pis..ing In Louis lana," Fisheries Magna Inn, Nov.-Doc. 1979i p. 8.
Hoese, H. D. and R. H. Noora, PISHES OP THK GULP OP MEXICO; TEXAS, LOUISIANA, AND ADJACENT WATERS. Collage Station, Texaa; Teana A I N University Preea, 1977.
Lasa iter, Ronald C, "The Ooorgea Bank: Pish and Rue I," Ninth Annual Sea arant Lecture, NIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, October 23* 1980.
Louisiana Wildlife and Plsherles Commission, COOPERATIVE GULP OP MEXICO ESTUARINE INVENTORY AND STUD*: LOUISIANA. 1977.
The Marine Newsletter, November-December, 1980, Vol. 11, No. 6, p. 6, "Oil Rlge Enhance Recreational Pishing in the Gulf of Mexico."
Regan, Jamee 0., et al, "Bottomflshee or the Continental Shelf orr Louisiana," Professional Paper Serine (Biology), Nleholle State University, 1978.
Tranoeo, Map or South Louisiana and Continental Shelf Showing Natural Oaa PipelIneo, 1980.
U. S. Department of Commerce, MOAA. ENVIRONMENTAL GUIDE POR THE U. S. OULP COAST, Environmental Data Servloo, National Climatic Center, Aohevlllo, N. C., 1972.
U. S. Department or Commerce, NOAA. FISHERIES OP THE UNITED STATES:1979, National Marino Plsherles Servloo, Washington, D. C, Noy 1980.
U. S. Deportment or the Interior, BLM. PINAL OlVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT; OCS SALE 36. 3 Vols. laahlngton, D. C., 197k.
ir INFORMATIC j
U. S. Department or tho Interior, BLM. FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT; OCS SALE 58. 2 Vole. Waehlngton, D. C., 19T9.
U. S. Department or tho Interior, BLM. DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL INPACT STATEMENT; OCS 3AL,:S 62 AND 62A. Washington, D. C., 197%.
U. S . Department of tho I n t e r i o r , FWS. ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING FOR OFPSHORE OIL AND OAS VOL. Sl REGIONAL STATUS REPORTS—PART 3 (THS GULP COAST). Weahlngton, D. C . , 1977.
U. S . Department of tho I n t e r i o r , FWS. ENVIRONMENTAL PLAUNIMO POM OFFSHORE OIL AND OAS VH.. 3: EFFECTS ON LIVING RESOURCES ANO HABITATS. Washington, D. C . , 1977.
U. S. Department or tho I n t e r i o r , PW8. REGION IV ENDANGERED SPECIES NOTEBOOK. At lanta, Geo-gle, 1976. (per iod ica l ly updated)
U. S. Department of the I n t e r i o r , PWS. Podoral Register , Vol. 35. No. 233. Washington. D. C . , December 2, 1970.
Public Notion of Federal Coneietency Rovlov of a
it operations coordination Docuaent {
by tho Coaotal Hanageaant Division/ Louiaiana Dept. of Natural Raaourcaa
for tan Plan'a Conelatency vith tha Louiaiana Coaatal •anoarona Prograa
Ship Shoal Araa, Laaao OCS-G 12932 Block 18 Lease offering Data • Hay I , 1991
Propones! Development Operatione Coordination On mutant (DOCD) for the above area provides far tha developnent nf hydrocarbone Support notivlt lee are to be conducted froa an onahore baee located at Morgan City, Louiaiana. Mo ecologically aeneitive species or habitata era sap sotad ta ha located or affected by thsns aotlvlt lnn.
A copy of the plan described above l a available far interaction nt the) coaatal Ittnafeoaont Divleion Of f l ea located on tha 10th floor of tha State Land and Natural BssouroOB Building, 625 North 4th Street , Baton Rouge,Louiaiana. Off ice Houre: 4:00 a .a . to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Tha public ln raojaaatad ta subait coaaents to the Coaatal Wantgoeont Divleion, Attention: OCS Plana, font Offloa non 44487, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70B04-44B7. Cccanenta nuat ba received within IB daya of tha date of thin notion or 19 nays after tha Coaatnl Managaewant Divleion obtains a copy of the plan and i t l a available for public inspection. Thia public notice lo provided to aeet tha requireaenta of the NOAA Regulationa on rederax Coneletency with approved Coaatal Manageaent Programs.
