Biological Opinion on the Issuance of Incidental Harassment Authorization to ExxonMobil Alaska LNG LLC for Alaska LNG Geophysical & Geotechnical Program in the Waters of Cook Inlet, 2015
August 13, 2015
This opinion considers the effects of the authorization of an IHA to take marine mammals by harassment under the MMPA. This pertains to conducting geophysical and geotechnical surveys in Cook Inlet, Alaska between August 14, 2015 and November 30, 2015.
The activities outlined in this analysis have the potential to take marine mammals by “Level B” harassment as a result of marine habitat disturbance and sound energy introduced to the marine environment.
The entire Cook Inlet 2015 geotechnical and geophysical program is expected to last about 12 weeks (84 days) during the 2015 open water season, after August 7, 2015. During most (63) of these days, the chirp and boomer sub-bottom profiler will produce the loudest sound levels and may be used throughout the action area; small (60 in3) airgun use will occur over about 7 days and only near the proposed marine terminal. Vibracoring will be conducted from a second vessel and will occur intermittently over approximately 14 days along the pipeline corridor centerline and in the marine terminal area.
Action Agencies: NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources, Permits and Conservation Division (NMFS PRl) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Alaska District
NMFS Consultation Number: AKR-2015-9474