Extension of the Navy’s
Pacific NW Test Range in the
The US Navy has published a Proposal for Range Extension of the Pacific Northwest Complex, and a notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in the Federal Register. The proposed extension of the test range has raised concerns about impacts to the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (OCNMS).
· The Preliminary Report of
the US Commission on Ocean Policy – Governor’s Draft reveals concerns about
the impact of vessel collisions and noise on marine mammals near naval
operations.
· Concern about sonar effects
on marine mammals prompted Congress to fund a public participation process
managed by the Marine Mammal Commission that will examine research on the
acoustic effects of sonar on marine mammals, review public comments on the
issue, and develop a means of reducing sonar threats to marine mammals, while
maintaining the oceans as a highway for international commerce.
The
test ranges being considered for expansion include the Quinault, Keyport, and
Dabob Ranges. The Olympic Coast Alliance
(OCA) will focus only on potential environmental impacts of extending the
Quinault Underwater Tracking Range, just off the coast from the Quinault Indian
Reservation. This draft position paper
summarizes what is currently known about plans to extend the Quinault Range,
outlines environmental concerns regarding Quinault Range extension, and
recommends actions to assure protection of Sanctuary resources.
Naval testing activities in the Quinault Underwater Tracking Range have focused on submarine research and underwater mapping. Future operations will include testing, training, and evaluating the effectiveness of manned and unmanned vessels in marine environments. The Navy has proposed extension of the Quinault Underwater Tracking Range to more effectively implement these new testing activities.
The
proposed extended area for the Quinault Underwater Tracking Range is
approximately 40 times the current size. The justification for range extension
is to have more maneuvering room and access to deeper water and a surf zone
(intertidal area). The average usage of the Quinault Range is a few operations per
year that are typically less than 15 days each. While the Navy is not proposing
an increase in the number of operations, overall usage could shift toward more
intertidal testing, relative to offshore testing.
The
next step to secure approval of the proposed expansion is to publish an EIS
regarding potential impacts of range extension on areas encompassed by and
surrounding the Northwest Complex. A
draft of the EIS will be released in early 2005, followed by a public hearing
and comment period. A final decision on
the proposed extension will be made in spring 2006.
At least 29 species of marine mammals including whales, dolphins, porpoises, and seals are known to use the Sanctuary. Salmon, steelhead, halibut, rockfish, and cod are also found in the Sanctuary. Deep-sea corals and sponges have recently been discovered in the OCNMS. Other seafloor organisms include crabs, eels, and many invertebrates. The OCA is concerned that Naval testing involving bottom retrieval vehicles and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) will disturb and damage the fragile marine ecosystem that the OCNMS is meant to protect. An increase in the area in which naval activities will occur raises the following specific concerns.
Intertidal Disturbance: Increased activity and noise in the
intertidal zone raises concern for birds and mammals that may become stressed
and change behaviors when disturbed by human activities. Birds may abandon
nests and/or disturb eggs and marine mammals may be scared away from haul-out
areas used for rest and social interaction.
Seafloor Disturbance: Expansion of naval testing activities may
lead to additional disturbance of or damage to seafloor habitats and wildlife
in the OCNMS by cables, anchors, targets, torpedoes, and/or UUVs. Although any one test may not damage a large
area of the seafloor, the effects of repeated testing over many years could
have a significant impact on Sanctuary resources.
Acoustic Effects on Marine Mammals: Scientists have raised concerns about the
effects on marine mammals of sounds associated with Naval activities. Sonar, as well as normal ship sounds, can
disrupt communication, feeding, and social behaviors of marine mammals.
Water Quality Degradation: Naval activities may result in intentional or
accidental discharges of pollutants and garbage in Sanctuary waters. Initial discharges, as well as pollutant
mobilization associated with clean-up activities, could affect marine organisms
in the Sanctuary.
Interference with Tribal Access and Rights: Naval activities on Quinault Reservation
beaches and in tribal usual and accustomed areas could interfere with tribal
fishing activities and disrupt ceremonial harvesting of intertidal resources by
tribal members.
Restrictions on Marine Research: Extension of the Quinault Range in the OCNMS
could interfere with or restrict the ability of the Sanctuary and affiliated
research scientists to conduct research.
Such research is essential for a better understanding of threats to
Sanctuary resources and effective management of the OCNMS.
Recommendations
· Alternatives to the Proposed
Extension: The Navy needs to identify and fully explore
alternatives to extension of the Quinault Underwater Tracking Range. Other sites, beyond the OCNMS borders, need
to be fully assessed to determine if Navy testing needs can be met without
disrupting sensitive marine environments in the Sanctuary.
· EIS Content: The EIS for the proposed test range extension
should fully examine all potential intertidal, seafloor, acoustic, and water
quality impacts on the OCNMS. The Navy
should provide detailed guidelines for all proposed Naval activities in the
test range to assure that Sanctuary resources will not be damaged.
· Consultation with the
Quinault Nation: The Navy should consult with
the Quinault Nation on all aspects of test range extension that will affect
tribal fishing and ceremonial harvesting.
If the test range extension to Quinault beaches is approved, the Navy
should publish locations and times for intertidal testing activities to assure
that interference with tribal fishing and ceremonial harvesting activities will
be minimized.
· Research: The OCA supports an ecosystem approach to marine
conservation based on sound science. The Navy needs to provide assurances to
the OCNMS that Naval testing activities will not result in the disruption or
denial of access for important marine research.
Suggested Reading
Preliminary Report of the US Commission on Ocean
Policy – Governor’s Draft. April 2004. US Commission on Ocean Policy. www.oceancommission.gov.
Notice to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement. Federal Register: Sept. 11, 2003 (Volume 68, #176)[Notices][Page 53599-53600]: http://wais.access.gpo.gov
Information on Northwest Range Complex Extension EIS/OEIS:
http://www-keyport.kpt.nuwc.navy.mil/EIS_Documents.htm
Marine
Mammal Commission – Sound Program: http://www.mmc.gov/sound/