**REPORT TITLE**: Identification and Assessment of Impacts Associated
with the Construction and

Operation of Submarine Pipelines on the Mid‑Atlantic Outer Continental
Shelf.  Final Report.

**STUDY TITLE**: Study of Environmental Impacts of Utilizing Pipeline
Corridors in the Mid‑Atlantic

OCS.

CONTRACT NUMBER(S): BLM: CT2‑25; MMS: 14‑12‑0001‑29195.

SPONSORING OCS REGION: Atlantic.

APPLICABLE PLANNING AREA(S): Mid‑Atlantic.

FISCAL YEAR(S) OF PROJECT FUNDING: 1982.

COMPLETION DATE OF REPORT: September 1983.

COST(S): FY 1982: \$150,000; CUMULATIVE PROJECT COST: \$150,000.

PROJECT MANAGER(S): J. Brosius.

AFFILIATION: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Center for
Coastal and Environmental Studies.

ADDRESS: Rutgers University, Busch Campus, New Brunswick, New Jersey
08903.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR(S)\*: J. Brosius, N. Psuty, C. Talbot.

KEY WORDS: Mid‑Atlantic; New York; North Carolina; Chesapeake Bay;
Delaware Bay; New York Bay; commercial fishing; pipeline; impacts;
shellfish; canyon; endangered species; geophysical.

ACCESS NUMBER: 29195

**BACKGROUND**: Oil and gas activity has been taking place along the
Mid‑Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) since 1976.  Although results
of oil and gas exploration are inconclusive to date, a real potential
exists for oil and gas production from the Mid‑Atlantic OCS.  Pipelines
are considered one of the most likely transportation modes for the
movement of petroleum resources from offshore to landbase facilities. 
Submarine pipeline development has the potential for affecting resources
and uses of the Mid‑Atlantic OCS.  To ensure proper pipeline development
and environmental safety, the Minerals Managements Service (MMS)
initiated environmental and impact assessments related to pipeline
construction in the Mid‑Atlantic OCS.

**OBJECTIVES**: (1) To characterize the physical, biological, and
cultural/economic systems in the Mid‑Atlantic OCS; (2) To review
pipeline operation and impacts in other areas; and (3) To evaluate
potential impacts and mitigation.

**DESCRIPTION**: This study is a compilation and synthesis of existing
information.

The study area is comprised of the Hatteras‑Cape Cod Shelf and a small
area of the Florida‑Hatteras Shelf.  Information concerning the geology,
socioeconomics, and biology of the Mid‑Atlantic OCS extending from Long
Island, New York to just south of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina is
considered as they relate to pipeline construction and potential
impacts.  Pipeline operation and impact information is gathered from
areas other than the Mid‑Atlantic OCS.  This environmental assessment
should serve as a source document for preparation of submarine pipeline
development in the Mid‑Atlantic OCS.  A comprehensive list of references
is presented to assist in similar investigations.

**SIGNIFICANT CONCLUSIONS**: Relatively few exclusionary or high impact
areas exist in the study area, although mitigation measures and
processes to minimize impacts are necessary to prevent detrimental
effects to adjacent areas.  Certain dumpsites, a marine sanctuary, areas
of surf clam harvesting, and canyons and canyon heads should be avoided
when considering pipeline development and operation.  Safe development
and operation is dependent on route selection that can physically
support the structure and minimize biological as well as
cultural/economic impacts.  The Mid‑Atlantic OCS appears suitable for
pipeline development when considering the geophysical characteristics of
the area.  Biological impacts may result from pipeline development and
operation, however, impact severity can not be determined because of the
numerous variables involved.

**STUDY RESULTS**: The Mid‑Atlantic OCS is flat with a seaward dip of
about 1 to 2 degrees.  Deposition and degradation processes have left a
surficial sand sheet (average thickness 5 to 7 m) over a layer of clay. 
Numerous submarine canyons occur in the study area.  Canyon walls may be
nearly vertical, however, slopes of about 30 are more common.  These
canyons are also areas of sediment slumping and sliding.  Shallow faults
are relatively uncommon but deep faults are common in the study area. 
Sand ridges are common shelf features, being most prominent off New
Jersey and Long Island, New York.  Incised river channels dominate the
shelf, with many smaller channels distributed throughout the study area.

Man‑made features are present throughout the Mid‑Atlantic OCS.  Traffic
Separation Schemes and Precautionary Areas are located at Chesapeake
Bay, Delaware Bay, and New York Bay.  Active dumpsites are also
present.  Four Trans‑Atlantic submarine cables are located in the study
area.  Nearly a thousand shipwrecks are mapped within the study area.

The Mid‑Atlantic OCS supports numerous commercial fish and shellfish
fisheries.  Fisheries can account for \$30,000,000 annually.  Surf clam,
ocean quahog, sea scallop, lobster, and deep‑sea red crab comprise
almost the entire shellfish catch.  Nineteen species of fish comprise
the majority of the commerical catch.  Recreational fishing occurs year
round in the study area.  Most commercial and recreational fishing
occurs inshore, however, offshore areas (e.g., canyons and shipwrecks)
are utilized.

The Mid‑Atlantic OCS fish fauna is highly variable as many species are
transient to the area.  Fish movements and distributions vary with life
cycle stages.  The study area, particularly the inner shelf, is
important for spawning and as nurseries for many commercial and
recreational species.

The Mid‑Atlantic OCS has perhaps the largest commercial shellfish beds
in the United States.  Surf clams inhabit the surf zone to a water depth
of about 46 m.  The surf clam is sedentary and subject to over
exploitation; the annual surf clam yield is about 40 million pounds per
year.  Ocean quahogs are distributed throughout the study area, however
commercial quantities are located at depths of 25 to 60 m.  The sea
scallop is found primarily on the outer shelf at depths of 40 to 100 m.

A variety of corals occur on the shelf edge and in submarine canyons. 
Both scleractinians (hard corals) and alcyonarians (soft corals) are
present in the study area.  Many hard‑substrate restricted coral species
of the Mid‑Atlantic OCS may be present only in canyons.

Submarine canyons are ecologically unique and biologically important. 
Canyons are areas of faunal aggregation that support a unique assemblage
of benthic fauna.  Circulation patterns associated with submarine
canyons account for a large nutrient input which supports a variety of
trophic levels.

Nine endangered or threatened species (five cetaceans and four turtles)
occur in the Mid‑Atlantic OCS area.

Geophysical features that could represent impediments to pipeline
development consist of sediment movement, seismic activity and faulting,
and irregular seafloor topography.  Potential cultural/economic impacts
may be related to anchor damage, fishing activities, submarine cables,
military use, and shipwrecks.  Biological disturbances are expected to
occur during both development and operation of the pipeline.

**STUDY PRODUCT(S)**: Brosius, J. E., C. W. Talbot, and N. P. Psuty. 
1983.  Identification and Assessment of Impacts Associated with the
Construction and Operation of Submarine Pipelines on the Mid‑Atlantic
Outer Continental Shelf.  Final Report.  A final report by the Center
for Coastal and Environmental Studies, Rutgers, The State University of
New Jersey for the U.S. Department of the Interior, Minerals Management
Service Atlantic OCS Office, Vienna, VA.  NTIS No. PB84187863.  Contract
No. 14‑12‑0001‑29195.  159 pp.

\*P.I.\'s affiliation may be different than that listed for Project
Manager(s).