**Offshore Environmental**

**Studies Program**

**Fiscal Year (FY) 2004 -- 2006**

**Studies Development Plan**

**Pacific OCS Region**

**U.S. Department of the Interior**

**Minerals Management Service**

**Pacific OCS Region**

**Camarillo, CA 2003**

**TABLE OF CONTENTS**

[**SECTION 1.0 Programmatic Overview**
1](#section-1.0-programmatic-overview)

[**1.1** Introduction to the Region 1](#introduction-to-the-region)

[**1.2** Map of Planning Area 3](#map-of-planning-area)

> [1.3.2 Prelease 4](#prelease)
>
> [1.3.3 Postlease 4](#postlease)

[**1.4** Identification of Information Needs
5](#identification-of-information-needs)

> [**1.4.1** Supporting existing oil and gas production activities.
> 5](#supporting-existing-oil-and-gas-production-activities.)
>
> [**1.4.2** Understanding environmental impacts of decommissioning
> Pacific OCS facilities
> 6](#understanding-environmental-impacts-of-decommissioning-pacific-ocs-facilities)

[**SECTION 2.0 Proposed Study Profiles**
11](#section-2.0-proposed-study-profiles)

[**2.1** Introduction 11](#introduction)

[**2.2** Profiles of Regional Studies Proposed for the FY 2004 NSL
12](#profiles-of-regional-studies-proposed-for-the-fy-2004-nsl)

> [**Table A** PROPOSED STUDIES and RANKINGS for FY 2004
> 12](#__RefHeading___Toc36894883)

[MARINE Monitoring of Rocky Intertidal Sites Adjacent to OCS Oil and Gas
Platforms in Southern California
13](#title-marine-monitoring-of-rocky-intertidal-sites-adjacent-to-ocs-oil-and-gas-platforms-in-southern-california)

[Decommissioning Studies Initiative
15](#title-decommissioning-studies-initiative)

> [Decommissioning Studies Initiative\--Tasks Identified For Fy 2004
> 17](#decommissioning-studies-initiative--tasks-identified-for-fy-2004)

[The Relationship of Inner-Shelf Surface Currents to the Large-Scale
Characteristic Flow Patterns of the Santa Barbara Channel
19](#title-the-relationship-of-inner-shelf-surface-currents-to-the-large-scale-characteristic-flow-patterns-of-the-santa-barbara-channel)

[MINT (MMS Intertidal Team) Inhouse Study
21](#title-mint-mms-intertidal-team-inhouse-study)

[High-Resolution Multibeam Seafloor Mapping and Bottom Characterization
of the Santa Barbara Channel and Off Point Conception and Long Beach, CA
23](#title-high-resolution-multibeam-seafloor-mapping-and-bottom-characterization-of-the-santa-barbara-channel-and-off-point-conception-and-long-beach-ca)

[**SECTION 3.0 Topical Areas for Years 2005 and 2006**
25](#section-3.0-topical-areas-for-years-2005-and-2006)

[**3.1** Shell Mounds 25](#shell-mounds)

[**3.2** Marine Mammals\--Protected Species
25](#marine-mammals--protected-species)

> [**3.2.1** Active Marine Mammal Sonar 25](#active-marine-mammal-sonar)
>
> [**3.2.2** Impact Assessment Modeling.
> 26](#impact-assessment-modeling.)
>
> [**3.2.3** Temporary Threshold Shift 26](#temporary-threshold-shift)

[**3.3** Coastal Marine Instititute 26](#coastal-marine-instititute)

[**SECTION 4.0 Literature Cited** 27](#section-4.0-literature-cited)

# SECTION 1.0 Programmatic Overview {#section-1.0-programmatic-overview .Style-1}

# 1.1 Introduction to the Region {#introduction-to-the-region .Style-2}

The Environmental Studies Program in the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf
(OCS) Region started in 1974. The Program has evolved with changes in
the geographic areas of concern and study, in the emphasis of
disciplines highlighted for research, and in the emphasis of oil and gas
activities from prelease activities to post lease activities. In
particular, this annual plan reflects the great uncertainty of new oil
and gas activity in the region by reducing the number of new studies
proposed and focusing on ongoing operations and future decommissioning
activities. This plan complements and reinforces the Environmental
Studies National Strategic Plan.

Existing production and development activities and development of known
resources on 43 existing producing leases in Southern California will
continue for many years. Decommissioning plans for some of the older
facilities could be received by the Region within the next 5 years.
Future exploration and development activities, however, on the 36
undeveloped leases are highly controversial and uncertain. The projected
OCS activities section of this report more fully discusses the
activities we anticipate on existing leases.

This document presents a strategy for the Pacific Outer Continental
Shelf (OCS) Region. It does not apply to the entire Pacific OCS Region,
which stretches from the United States-Mexico border to the border with
Canada and includes Hawaii, but rather to the Southern California
Planning Area (see map inset, figure 1). This plan focuses on the
information needed primarily for existing oil and gas production
activities and future oil and gas facility decommissioning for the
Southern California Planning Area, especially the Santa Barbara Channel
and the Santa Maria Basin.

The identified information is considered important and relevant to
decision making. We consider this information important and appropriate
to propose because it fulfills the following criteria:

 The study provides significant new or additional information beyond
what is already known;

 The identified study is within the financial scope and time frames of
the Program;

 The information provides insight into significant processes critical
for understanding both natural and anthropogenic changes;

 The issue can be studied within science\'s present abilities or
understanding of experimental methods to gain the information.

The studies funded by the Pacific OCS Region emphasize two themes and
reflect the great uncertainty of new oil and gas activity in the region:

1.  Learning more about the potential environmental effects of existing
    oil and gas production activities. These are focused in the three
    areas where production occurs: Santa Barbara Channel, Santa Maria
    Basin, San Pedro Shelf. This includes monitoring (long-range
    programs of regular measurements) of certain aspects of the
    intertidal environment adjacent to ongoing oil and gas operations,
    and fostering partnerships with other Federal, State, and local
    government agencies involved in monitoring research.

2.  Gaining more information on what environmental effects may result
    from the partial or complete removal of oil and gas platforms and
    other offshore facilities currently in place,

Changes in future OCS oil and gas activities may dictate changes in the
strategy. Findings from current or future research may also change the
strategy and cause other avenues of research to be incorporated.

If you have any questions regarding this Pacific OCS Region
Environmental Studies Plan, please contact Dr. Fred Piltz, Pacific OCS
Region at (805) 389-7850 or Mary Elaine Dunaway at (805) 389-7848. You
can also view the Minerals Management Service and Pacific OCS Region
home pages at ***[http://www.mms.gov](http://www.mms.gov/)*** for
additional information.

# 1.2 Map of Planning Area {#map-of-planning-area .Style-2}

![](media/image1.jpeg){width="7.220138888888889in"
height="6.843055555555556in"}

**1.3 Projected OCS Activities**

# 1.3.2 Prelease {#prelease .Style-3}

> We anticipate no lease sales for this planning area under the MMS
> Comprehensive Leasing Program for 2002 -- 2007 nor are any projected
> for the future.

# 1.3.3 Postlease {#postlease .Style-3}

> The Southern California Planning area contains
>
> 79 active oil and gas leases
>
> 600 million barrels of oil in proved reserves on existing leases
>
> Up to one billion barrels in unproved reserves on existing leases
>
> There are 43 producing leases in the Southern California Planning Area
> with 23 oil and gas platforms in Federal waters. These leases
> currently produce 90,000 barrels of oil per day and 200 million cubic
> feet of natural gas per day. The presence of the oil industry in the
> Southern California Planning Area is projected to diminish over the
> next decade or so, although present oil and gas production levels
> could be sustained during much of that same period.
>
> There are 36 undeveloped leases in the Southern California Planning
> Area. The future of these leases is uncertain. These leases are
> currently under directed suspensions by order of the Federal Court,
> preventing any activities. If these leases are developed in the
> future, oil reservoirs in some units can be developed from existing
> platforms with extended-reach drilling technology. Extended-reach
> drilling from a platform can be used to significantly enlarge the area
> from which a given platform produces oil. Therefore, improvements in
> extended‑reach drilling technology can reduce the number of platforms
> that would be needed to produce the projected volume of oil.
>
> Decommissioning activities will become an increasingly important part
> of this Region's activities in the future. Within the next 5 years,
> decommissioning plans could be received for several existing OCS
> platforms in Federal waters offshore California. Decommissioning
> activities related to associated onshore facilities and offshore
> pipelines are also expected to increase.
>
> Studies proposed are needed to support existing operations and future
> decommissioning activities in the Pacific OCS Region. Several of the
> studies proposed will synthesize state-of-the-art information for
> regional analysts in an era of reduced staff and budgets. Studies
> identified highlight critical information gaps and are geared to allow
> MMS analysts to effectively permit and regulate the oil and gas
> industry in ongoing production and decommissioning projects.

# 1.4 Identification of Information Needs {#identification-of-information-needs .Style-2}

The main areas of information needs fall into the following categories:

# 1.4.1 Supporting existing oil and gas production activities.  {#supporting-existing-oil-and-gas-production-activities. .Style-3}

> [Biological Monitoring]{.underline}
>
> In support of ongoing production, there is a continued need to monitor
> the shoreline plant and animal populations proximal to producing
> facilities. Intertidal biology requires continued study so that
> potential or real effects from oil and gas operations (including oil
> spills) are not erroneously confused with broader regional changes in
> marine nearshore and coastal ecosystems. Due to overall cutbacks in
> the studies program, the scope of the monitoring has been reduced for
> the next 3 years. This reduction will support only the ongoing
> biannual monitoring, not the comprehensive monitoring nor BLM Baseline
> site revisits. MMS initiated MARINE (the Multi-Agency Rocky Intertidal
> Network), which works to standardize and publish data collected by
> multiple entities. This research effort fosters continued partnerships
> with other Federal, State, and local government agencies and
> educational institutions involved in monitoring research.
>
> MMS also conducts research at these sites through the inhouse MMS
> Intertidal team (MINT). MINT biologists collect data at 20 of 24
> MMS-funded sites and initiate several related research projects.
> Current projects being addressed by the team include: 1) obtaining
> permanent markers at the sites, 2) placing the BLM Baseline Littler
> and Woodward-Clyde data on GIS, 3) coordinating aerial photographic
> overflights of MARINE sites with the California Department of Fish and
> Game, 4) organizing annual Taxonomic Workshops for MARINE field
> scientists, and 5) publishing the MINT Mussel Recovery Study data.
> Through MINT, MMS also ensures that biologists are Hazwoper trained
> and can respond with data and sample collection efforts in the event
> of an oil spill.
>
> [Physical Oceanography]{.underline}
>
> Oceanographic equipment (current meter moorings and support of the
> National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) meteorological buoys) will be removed
> in 2004. While the uncertainty about new or increased production led
> to the elimination of the intensive physical oceanographic measurement
> program, there continue to be critical gaps in our knowledge of
> surface currents in the nearshore zone. This information is needed to
> improve modeling of oil spills from producing facilities and to
> support understanding of a broad range of affected biological
> communities in the nearshore areas.

# 1.4.2 Understanding environmental impacts of decommissioning Pacific OCS facilities {#understanding-environmental-impacts-of-decommissioning-pacific-ocs-facilities .Style-3}

> The likelihood of decommissioning a few POCS offshore facilities
> before the end of the decade is higher than was thought even a year
> ago. Decommissioning plans for some of the older facilities could be
> received by the Region within the next 5 years. The long lead time
> needed to address environmental issues related to decommissioning
> deepwater oil and gas platforms will require that decommissioning
> studies be started in 2004 and 2005.
>
> To address this critical need and to leverage funding, we are
> proposing a **Decommissioning Studies Initiative**. This long-term
> funding initiative will provide a mechanism for MMS to address study
> needs through joint funding with industry. This initiative will be
> carried out in close cooperation with the IDWG (Interagency
> Decommissioning Working Group). This group of Federal, State and local
> agencies are reviewing offshore and onshore decommissioning
> activities, and will be involved in future reviews of Federal OCS
> decommissioning projects. MMS proposes that a team of scientists from
> represented IDWG agencies be identified as the Quality Review Board
> (QRB) for this initiative.
>
> Through this initiative, a set amount per year would be funded by MMS
> and additional funding obtained by industry sources or other agencies.
> Individual task orders would be proposed by MMS in consultation with
> the IDWG and industry, and the research would be managed by MMS.
>
> MMS management of studies is strongly supported by the IDWG and by
> industry. The agencies on the IDWG have indicated that they are
> confident in the unbiased, quality science-based studies managed by
> MMS. MMS has met with the California Artificial Reef Enhancement
> (CARE), a private organization promoting Rigs to Reef Program off
> California and jointly funded by the oil and gas industry and
> sportfishing industry, and they are prepared to jointly fund studies
> with MMS in FY 2004.
>
> This Decommissioning Studies Initiative mechanism will allow MMS to be
> responsive to the ongoing need of MMS and the IDWG in answering key
> questions about the environmental impacts of decommissioning. Many of
> the Pacific OCS platforms are twice and three times as large as
> platforms that have been decommissioned worldwide to date and are
> located in water depths exceeding 400 feet; beyond the depth of
> previously decommissioned platforms. The impacts of these
> decommissioning operations are not well understood and sparsely
> studied.
>
> MMS will work with industry and agencies to develop future studies for
> decommissioning. An IDWG workshop is planned for Fall 2003 to identify
> research needs (in addition to the studies discussed below) and to
> discuss joint funding and other cooperative efforts. Below is a
> discussion of the topics MMS believes are the most critical in
> assessing impacts from removal of facilities in the Pacific OCS
> Region. Several of these are proposed as new tasks in FY 2004 (see
> study profile).
>
> [Shell Mounds]{.underline}
>
> The size, composition and biology of the shell mounds that accumulate
> under OCS facilities continues to generate concern about potential
> contaminants and the role the mounds play in local and regional
> benthic ecology. The shell mounds found under recently decommissioned
> California State platforms have undergone study by the State, and
> several issues have emerged. It is not known whether the platforms can
> be removed without causing serious environmental impacts of if it is
> detrimental to the environment to remove the shell mounds. Issues
> include: 1) possible release of chemicals from the drilling mud
> discharges into the environment and subsequent uptake by the
> biological community, and 2) significant reduction of important
> fisheries and other invertebrate communities that populate the mounds
> or depend upon them for food. More information about the size and
> composition of shell mounds and the dependent biological communities
> under OCS facilities is needed to address these issues so that proper
> environmental mitigation and alternatives can be proposed. MMS
> currently is funding an effort to map many of the OCS shell mounds and
> has done pilot studies to evaluate methods to survey the dependent
> biological communities. The next step is to conduct pilot surveys of
> the biological communities under platforms where extensive mounds have
> been located. The Pacific OCS Region has identified the need for
> chemical studies of the shell mounds; this need is put forward as a
> potential topic for research in 2005/2006.
>
> [Rockfish]{.underline}
>
> Considerable effort has been expended to assess the remaining stocks
> of regional rockfish populations, a significant commercial and
> recreational fishery in southern California, and to determine their
> density and diversity at platforms. This basic information is being
> synthesized now and is expected to be released later this year. Based
> on our preliminary review of this synthesis data, several strategic
> biological issues remain in the Pacific OCS platform reefing debate.
> First, it is very important to define the ecological performance and
> role that platforms off California may play in the rebuilding and
> recovery of regional rockfish populations. Evaluation of the
> performance of rockfish populations at platforms compared to those at
> natural reefs is being addressed in a new start for 2003 which will
> assess reproductive potential, growth rates, and mortality rates of
> several key rockfish species. The second issue is to determine what
> regional rockfish recruitment might have been, and might be in the
> future, if the platforms were not, and are not, present. The third
> issue relates to rockfish movement patterns and fidelity to offshore
> platforms. It is suspected that many of the species have strong site
> fidelity but empirical evidence is needed for the species found at the
> platform sites. Remaining issues relate to a determination of how
> important platforms are as a source for local fish stocks, or whether
> they act as sinks that attract and support isolated stocks but do not
> produce offspring that populate the regional natural reefs. Older
> platforms may be the structures that will be decommissioned first, but
> they are not among those that have been surveyed for the abundance and
> species composition of rockfishes. In future years, our focus may need
> to include a basic survey of the fish assemblages at these older
> structures. 
>
> [Fish Assemblages at OCS Platforms Nearing
> Decommissioning]{.underline}
>
> Several platforms in Federal waters offshore California are nearing
> the end of their useful life cycles and may be removed in the next few
> years.  This has already happened in state waters.  Researchers have
> completed collecting data on fish assemblages around a small number of
> platforms.  It is clear from these studies that platforms off
> California may play a vital role in the recovery of regionally
> depleted fishery populations.  Recent meetings with industry have
> identified the platforms which will likely be the first structures
> decommissioned on the Pacific OCS.  These older structures are not
> among those that have been surveyed for the abundance and species
> composition of fishes.  In future years, our focus may need to include
> a basic survey of the fish assemblages at these older structures. 
> Such a survey could be expanded to include an examination of the biota
> associated with the platform's shell mounds.  This research would
> address some of the scientific questions focusing on the platforms
> most likely to be removed in the near future.  The Pacific Region
> requires these data and information in order to make informed
> decisions about potential use of platforms in the future on a
> case-by-case basis.
>
> [Update Biological Information]{.underline}
>
> The focus of the Environmental Studies Program in the Pacific OCS
> Region has been in the Santa Barbara Channel and Santa Maria Basin.
> The basic biological information off the San Pedro Shelf, where four
> OCS facilities are sited, is dated (what was collected dates to the
> late 1970's) and may not provide an adequate foundation to conduct
> environmental reviews of ongoing DPP revisions nor provide an adequate
> foundation for revising industry requirements to collect data for
> decommissioning. Recent side scan sonar data collected by the USGS in
> State and Federal waters indicates that biological communities that
> were previously unknown may be present in the general vicinity of the
> platforms. This study will fill a regional data gap; operators would
> be required to conduct individual site specific biological surveys for
> specific future DPP revisions or decommissioning projects as needed.
>
> [Impacts of Current and New Technologies]{.underline}
>
> Pacific OCS facilities are some of the deepest and heaviest permanent
> structures in the world. The industry is still trying to develop new
> methods to allow their safe removal. Even the relatively shallow-water
> platforms of the Pacific OCS would be considered deepwater facilities
> elsewhere in the U.S. and the world. The environmental impacts of the
> new technologies are not understood or known. A summary of knowledge
> of what has been done to date with comparable facilities worldwide is
> needed, specifically to identify the environmental impacts, mitigation
> strategies and their individual successes and failures. This
> information will help the Pacific OCS Region analyze the potential
> impacts of new deepwater removal techniques and guide developing
> strategies and updating regulations for decommissioning over the next
> few years.
>
> [Marine Mammals]{.underline}
>
> Of interest to MMS in the Gulf of Mexico and Pacific OCS Region is
> refining our ability in the field to reduce the potential of noise
> impacts to marine mammals. Several models have been put forward to
> better address potential impacts and to improve mitigation. One large
> difference between the Pacific and Gulf of Mexico Regions is that in
> the Pacific Region, pinniped populations, in addition to cetaceans,
> could be affected by decommissioning activities. By coordinating
> efforts, it is expected that both regions can reduce costs but still
> obtain the information needed for their individual regions. Because
> some of the models are still under development and require
> groundtruthing, specific studies are proposed as topics for 2005/2006.

#   {#section .Style-1 .unnumbered}

# SECTION 2.0 Proposed Study Profiles {#section-2.0-proposed-study-profiles .Style-1}

# 2.1 Introduction {#introduction .Style-2}

There are few new studies proposed for the Pacific OCS Region in this
annual plan; but many studies already in progress will continue to
produce reports into 2004 and 2005. These may be consulted in the
following:

Profiles of on-going studies can be viewed on the Internet at the MMS
agency web site
[http://www.mms.gov/eppd/sciences/esp/profiles/index.htm.](http://www.mms.gov/eppd/sciences/esp/profiles/index.htm)

Older studies reports may be viewed at
<http://www.gomr.mms.gov/homepg/espis/espisfront.asp>

The Pacific OCS Region's web site,
<http://www.mms.gov/omm/pacific/index.htm> ; contains descriptions of
major elements of the regional study program and links to additional
sites.

# 2.2 Profiles of Regional Studies Proposed for the FY 2004 NSL {#profiles-of-regional-studies-proposed-for-the-fy-2004-nsl .Style-1}

Table A lists proposed studies and their rankings for FY 2004. Following
the table are profiles of the proposed studies.

[]{#__RefHeading___Toc36894883 .anchor}**Table A. PROPOSED STUDIES and
RANKINGS for FY 2004**

+----+-----+------------------------+---------------------------+-----+
| ** | **T | > **Title**            | **Needs Addressed**       | **  |
| Pa | opi |                        |                           | Ran |
| ge | c** |                        |                           | k** |
| ** |     |                        |                           |     |
+----+-----+------------------------+---------------------------+-----+
| 13 | BIO | [MARINE Monitoring of  | Study will continue       | 1   |
|    |     | Rocky Intertidal Sites | monitoring of 24 of 70    |     |
|    |     | Adjacent to Oil and    | established MARINE rocky  |     |
|    |     | Gas Platforms In the   | intertidal sites and      |     |
|    |     | Southern California    | publish peer-reviewed     |     |
|    |     | Bight\                 | papers. Information       |     |
|    |     | ]{.underline}          | generated provides basis  |     |
|    |     |                        | for evaluating potential  |     |
|    |     |                        | impacts to the shoreline  |     |
|    |     |                        | from OCS operations.      |     |
+----+-----+------------------------+---------------------------+-----+
| 15 | MU  | [Decommissioning       | Information will be used  | 2   |
|    | LTI | Studies                | to predict the impact of  |     |
|    |     | I                      | decommissioning Pacific   |     |
|    |     | nitiative]{.underline} | OCS platforms on the      |     |
|    |     |                        | environment.              |     |
|    |     | Benthic Invertebrate   |                           |     |
|    |     | Communities of Shell   |                           |     |
|    |     | Mounds                 |                           |     |
|    |     |                        |                           |     |
|    |     | Fate of Juvenile       |                           |     |
|    |     | Rockfishes             |                           |     |
|    |     |                        |                           |     |
|    |     | Summary of Knowledge   |                           |     |
|    |     | of World-Wide          |                           |     |
|    |     | Decommissioning        |                           |     |
|    |     | Projects               |                           |     |
|    |     |                        |                           |     |
|    |     | San Pedro Shelf        |                           |     |
|    |     | Biological Communities |                           |     |
|    |     |                        |                           |     |
|    |     | Platform Fish          |                           |     |
|    |     | Residence Time         |                           |     |
+----+-----+------------------------+---------------------------+-----+
| 19 | PO  | [The Relationship of   | Drifter study provides    | 3   |
|    |     | Inner-Shelf Surface    | data needed to link near  |     |
|    |     | Currents to the        | shore currents with known |     |
|    |     | Large-Scale            | patterns in the Channel   |     |
|    |     | Characteristic Flow    | for greatly improved      |     |
|    |     | Patterns of the Santa  | modeling of active oil    |     |
|    |     | Barbara                | spills from OCS           |     |
|    |     | Channel]{.underline}   | facilities.               |     |
+----+-----+------------------------+---------------------------+-----+
| 21 | BIO | [MINT (MMS Intertidal) | Study funds inhouse       | 4   |
|    |     | Inhouse                | biologists conducting     |     |
|    |     | Study]{.underline}     | research at rocky         |     |
|    |     |                        | intertidal sites.         |     |
|    |     |                        | Information will be used  |     |
|    |     |                        | to assess impacts to the  |     |
|    |     |                        | intertidal from ongoing   |     |
|    |     |                        | oil and gas operations.   |     |
+----+-----+------------------------+---------------------------+-----+
| 23 | PO  | [High-Resolution       | Study maps sea floor      | 5   |
|    |     | Multibeam Seafloor     | areas adjacent to future  |     |
|    |     | Mapping and Bottom     | decommissioning sites     |     |
|    |     | Characterization of    |                           |     |
|    |     | the Santa Barbara      |                           |     |
|    |     | Channel and Off Point  |                           |     |
|    |     | Conception and Long    |                           |     |
|    |     | Beach, CA]{.underline} |                           |     |
+----+-----+------------------------+---------------------------+-----+
| PO |     |                        |                           |     |
| =  |     |                        |                           |     |
| Ph |     |                        |                           |     |
| ys |     |                        |                           |     |
| ic |     |                        |                           |     |
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| Oc |     |                        |                           |     |
| ea |     |                        |                           |     |
| no |     |                        |                           |     |
| gr |     |                        |                           |     |
| ap |     |                        |                           |     |
| hy |     |                        |                           |     |
| FE |     |                        |                           |     |
| =  |     |                        |                           |     |
| Fa |     |                        |                           |     |
| te |     |                        |                           |     |
| &  |     |                        |                           |     |
| Ef |     |                        |                           |     |
| fe |     |                        |                           |     |
| ct |     |                        |                           |     |
| B  |     |                        |                           |     |
| IO |     |                        |                           |     |
| =  |     |                        |                           |     |
| B  |     |                        |                           |     |
| io |     |                        |                           |     |
| lo |     |                        |                           |     |
| gy |     |                        |                           |     |
|    |     |                        |                           |     |
| PS |     |                        |                           |     |
| =  |     |                        |                           |     |
| P  |     |                        |                           |     |
| ro |     |                        |                           |     |
| te |     |                        |                           |     |
| ct |     |                        |                           |     |
| ed |     |                        |                           |     |
| S  |     |                        |                           |     |
| pe |     |                        |                           |     |
| ci |     |                        |                           |     |
| es |     |                        |                           |     |
| SE |     |                        |                           |     |
| =  |     |                        |                           |     |
| So |     |                        |                           |     |
| ci |     |                        |                           |     |
| al |     |                        |                           |     |
| &  |     |                        |                           |     |
| Ec |     |                        |                           |     |
| on |     |                        |                           |     |
| om |     |                        |                           |     |
| ic |     |                        |                           |     |
| OT |     |                        |                           |     |
| =  |     |                        |                           |     |
| O  |     |                        |                           |     |
| th |     |                        |                           |     |
| er |     |                        |                           |     |
|    |     |                        |                           |     |
| M  |     |                        |                           |     |
| UL |     |                        |                           |     |
| TI |     |                        |                           |     |
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+----+-----+------------------------+---------------------------+-----+

**ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES PROGRAM: Studies Development Plan FY 2004-2006**

**Region:** Pacific OCS Region

**Planning Area(s):** Southern California

####### Title: MARINE Monitoring of Rocky Intertidal Sites Adjacent to OCS Oil and Gas Platforms in Southern California  {#title-marine-monitoring-of-rocky-intertidal-sites-adjacent-to-ocs-oil-and-gas-platforms-in-southern-california .Profile}

**Cost Range:** (in thousands) \$750-990 **Period of Performance:** FY
2004-2006

**Description:**

[Background]{.underline} Biannual monitoring of 70 established rocky
intertidal sites by MARINE and its partners now extends from Washington
to Baja California. MMS initiated monitoring in Santa Barbara County in
1991; MMS actively funds monitoring of 24 sites along the mainland
adjacent to OCS platforms. Through MMS's involvement in MARINE, the
sampling protocol has been standardized across the west coast making it
the largest long-term monitoring program on the west coast. Data has
been collected at MMS sites since 1991; data on the adjacent Channel
Islands has been collected since the early 1980's. Three panels of
scientists advise MARINE on a voluntary basis funded by their individual
institutions. A Steering Panel makes recommendations on the scope of the
research and ensures data collected meets management objectives; a
Science Panel peer-reviews the questions being asked and technical
issues related to the data collected; a Database Panel provides
expertise on database development. Several accomplishments were made
over the past two years:

-   All 70 sites were monitored biannually.

-   50 sites were monitored using the comprehensive protocol in the same
    calendar year so that broad characterizations outside the
    established plots can be made.

-   A subset of BLM Baseline sites were revisited and monitored using
    the Littler protocols on both the mainland and island sites.

-   A common database has been developed and will be completed by Summer
    03.

-   Standardized protocols for scoring data and for optional species
    monitoring have been adopted.

-   Voucher collections have been initiated for placement in California
    and at the Smithsonian.

-   A UCLA post-doc is being hired to assist the MARINE Science Panel in
    jointly publishing a series of peer-reviewed papers analyzing the
    broad dataset.

-   The MMS-hosted MARINE website is currently being updated. Photos of
    the species monitored, publications; thumbnails of the trends of
    each species monitored, and a manual documenting standardized
    protocols for sampling and scoring data, site maps and other
    information will also be available on the website.

-   Several papers have been published and presented at technical
    conferences

In addition to funding by each of the sponsors to continue monitoring at
each MARINE site, additional joint funding for MARINE includes
\$2-300,000 in FY 04/05 from the National Park Service for preparing
complete inventories of southern California species. Historic voucher
specimens and current vouchers will be examined and revisions made to
update. Continued partial funding of MMS-funded technicians by PISCO
working at UC Santa Cruz and shared funding of transportation costs by
PISCO provide direct funding at MMS-funded sites. New Regional Water
Quality Control Board funding to support collection and tissue analysis
of mussels at paired MARINE sites along the Central coast is estimated
at \$40,000/year for 5 years. Other MARINE partners continue to support
ongoing monitoring of the remaining 46 sites.

[Objectives]{.underline} This study will provide for the continued
monitoring of the 24 rocky intertidal sites on the mainland shore
immediately adjacent to OCS facilities. Continued support for a post-doc
for an additional year to continue peer-review publication of the large
MARINE dataset and overall coordination of MARINE is included.
Information generated provides the basis for evaluating impacts to the
shoreline from OCS activities including accidental oil spills.

[Methods]{.underline} Sites are monitored biannually by teams of field
biologists, including the MMS MINT team. Barnacles, mussels, seastars,
black abalone, surfgrass, limpets, turf weed, rock weed and other algae
are either photographed in fixed plots in the field, or measured and
counted in irregular, circular or band plots. The sampling protocols are
standardized across MARINE and are used by all MARINE field teams. Data
is placed in a common database and is reviewed and published by the
Science Panel.

[Importance to MMS]{.underline} This information allows MMS to directly
assess impacts to the coastline from OCS operations. It also fosters
continued partnerships with local, State and Federal government agencies
involved in monitoring research and the data is actively used by many
entities for planning shoreline projects, marine protected areas, and
reserves. It helps fulfill MMS's mandate to monitor the marine and
coastal environment adjacent to OCS operations as described in the OCS
Lands Act.

**Products:** Website updated trends of species across Southern and
Central California, peer-reviewed publications on significant regional
trends, reports for local, State and Federal decision makers on the
health of the shoreline. Decision makers across the State are very
interested in MARINE data in the establishment and monitoring of
multiple marine protected areas and reserves.

**Date Information Required:** Information will used immediately to
assess impacts from a spill from OCS facilities if and when a spill
occurs. Information is being used by multiple agencies to make decisions
about marine protected areas, reserves, planning and permitting
activities along the coast.

**Revised date:** 02/03

**ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES PROGRAM: Studies Development Plan FY 2004-2006**

**Region:** Pacific OCS Region

**Planning Area(s):** Southern California

####### Title: Decommissioning Studies Initiative {#title-decommissioning-studies-initiative .Profile}

**Cost Range:** (in thousands) \$700-800 (MMS portion) **Period of
Performance:** FY 2004-2006

**Description:**

[Background]{.underline} The focus of this Initiative is the study of
potential environmental impacts due to decommissioning OCS facilities
off California, many of which are in exceptional water depths. The
Pacific Region faces a variety of environmental information needs
related to decommissioning and possible creation of artificial reefs
from oil and gas platforms. These needs fall within a range of research
topics such that an umbrella study modeled on the Coastal Marine
Institutes is appropriate to provide a single source to seek leverage
funds from industry and other agencies. This program provides for joint
funding for decommissioning studies while maintaining MMS management of
the science. While we have obtained initial support from industry for
this joint industry/MMS venture, a workshop scheduled later in FY 03
will outline future research of common interest and detail matching
commitments from industry and other agencies.

[Objectives]{.underline} The purpose of the Initiative is to provide the
MMS with high-quality focused studies of key questions regarding the
effects of decommissioning facilities in the OCS offshore California.
Specific information needs will be procured as Task Orders under this
Initiative. Tasks identified for the first 2 years of funds under the
Initiative include (abbreviated titles)**:** Benthic Invertebrate
Communities of Shell Mounds; Fate of Juvenile Rockfishes; Summary of
Knowledge of World-wide Decommissioning Projects; San Pedro Shelf
Biological Communities; and Platform Fish Residence Time.

[Methods]{.underline} A wide range of methods will be used in these
investigations depending upon the particular task. In some cases such as
the summary of knowledge of world-wide decommissioning projects, methods
involve literature searches and contacts with operators specializing in
offshore oil removal. Tasks related to understanding benthic resources
and the relationship of rockfishes to oil and gas platforms will use
well accepted methods of acoustic fish tagging, Remotely Operated
Vehicle (ROV) surveys, and analyses of fish otoliths.

[Importance to MMS]{.underline} The program serves MMS's mission in
several ways. It provides MMS with the mechanism to accomplish tasks
under the MMS in the Offshore Minerals Management -- Strategic
Initiative No. 9: Develop and Implement a Plan for Decommissioning
Pacific OCS Facilities. The program allows flexibility to study
unanticipated issues as they arise in meetings with other agencies and
industry. The modest funding level and leveraging with industry and
other agencies allows MMS to sponsor needed research that might not be
possible otherwise. Of major importance to MMS and other agencies is the
fact that MMS will be managing the studies to ensure that the science is
of the highest quality. Finally, MMS is the lead agency with regard to
analyzing industry proposals to decommission oil and gas platforms. A
solid understanding of the technology now in use and that which may be
used in the future for deep-water structures is required to analyze
future decommissioning projects. A solid understanding of the potential
environmental impacts from these technologies is needed to prepare sound
environmental analysis documents.

[Products]{.underline} Products include peer-reviewed articles, detailed
reports, photos and videotape data.

**Date Information Required**: The Pacific Region is engaging in
discussions now about decommissioning with affected local, State and
Federal entities. These discussions will benefit directly from
information gained by this study and will allow MMS to proceed with
writing requirements, regulations and conduct initial review over the
next 2 years, and with preparing environmental assessments of draft
project proposals expected by 2007.

**Revised date:** 03/03

# DECOMMISSIONING STUDIES INITIATIVE\--TASKS IDENTIFIED FOR FY 2004  {#decommissioning-studies-initiative--tasks-identified-for-fy-2004 .Style-5}

***TASK 1: Benthic Invertebrate Communities on Shell Mounds Surrounding
Oil and Gas Platforms in the Santa Barbara Channel and Santa Maria
Basin***

[Objectives:]{.underline} The objectives are: (1) Document the
assemblages of large invertebrates on shell mounds associated with
deep-water platforms; (2) Investigate bathymetric and spatial patterns
of abundance in the most common species and taxa; (3) Compare species
assemblages among platforms; (4) Investigate the relationship between
the abundance of various invertebrates and those of the more common
fishes to determine if significant and previously undetected
associations exist; (5) Compare the density and adult size of seastar
populations on the mounds with information on populations from natural
reefs and soft bottom habitats in the southern California bight; and (6)
Using the available feeding and reproductive ecology of the species,
hypothesize trophic and recruitment relationships.

***TASK 2: Assessing the Fate of Juvenile Rockfishes at an Offshore
Platform and Natural Reef in the Santa Barbara Channel, California***

[Objectives]{.underline} This study has several objectives designed to
determine the importance of a platform as a nursery ground by estimating
the proportion of young rockfishes that, if a platform did not exist,
would survive to settle out at a natural reef. These objectives are: (1)
Characterize the larval and early juvenile fish assemblages during
rockfish recruitment at a platform and at a natural reef site(s) in the
Santa Barbara Channel; (2) Evaluate the degree to which the pattern of
surface circulation identified by ongoing CODAR studies can account for
temporal and spatial variation in recruitment to both sites; (3) Using
CODAR data identify the direction and distance of pathways from the
platform to natural reefs during rockfish recruitment; and (4) Determine
what percent of rockfish larvae would likely die before reaching the
natural reefs, if the rockfish did not encounter and settle at the
platform

***TASK 3: Summary of Knowledge of World-wide Decommissioning Projects:
Environmental Issues, Mitigation Applied and Success of Mitigation in
Alleviating Impacts***

[Objectives]{.underline} This study will: 1) Provide detailed
information on the environmental issues identified during removal of
both shallow and deepwater platforms world-wide; 2) Document mitigation
used and the effectiveness of the mitigation in alleviating identified
impacts through detailed case-studies of several identified
decommissioning projects; and 3) Relate these to the environment
offshore California

***TASK 4: Regional Survey of Biological Communities on the San Pedro
Shelf***

[Objectives]{.underline} The objective of the study is to update the
basic biological information in the San Pedro Shelf area.
Characterization of benthic communities, fishes, marine mammals and
seabirds, and sediment chemistry are included in the study.

***TASK 5: Residence Time at Offshore Petroleum Platforms by
Characteristic Fish Species***

[Objectives]{.underline} Rockfish will be captured tagged and monitored
using acoustic tags and monitoring equipment to determine their
residence time and site fidelity. The objectives of this study are to:
(1) Capture and implant acoustic transmitters in a sufficient number of
rockfish surrogate species at two platforms in the Santa Barbara
Channel; (2) Strategically place four acoustic monitors whose detection
areas overlap around the platforms; (3) Retrieve, download, and service
acoustic monitors on a quarterly basis; and (4) Determine the residence
time, site fidelity, and movement patterns of the implanted fish.

**ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES PROGRAM: ANNUAL STUDIES PLAN FY 2004-2005**

**Region:** Pacific OCS Region

**Planning Area(s):** Southern California

####### Title: The Relationship of Inner-Shelf Surface Currents to the Large-Scale Characteristic Flow Patterns of the Santa Barbara Channel {#title-the-relationship-of-inner-shelf-surface-currents-to-the-large-scale-characteristic-flow-patterns-of-the-santa-barbara-channel .Profile}

**Cost Range** (in thousands): \$225-275 **Period of Performance:** FY
2004 -- 2005

**Description:**

[Background]{.underline} The MMS has entered into a series of
Cooperative Agreements (CA) with the Scripps Institution of
Oceanography, University of California (1991 to 2004) to study the
oceanic circulation in the Santa Barbara Channel (SBC) and Santa Maria
Basin (SMB). This work was done in response to recommendations by the
National Research Council (NRC, 1989 and 1990), through initial guidance
by several workshops conducted in 1990 and seven Quality Review Board
meetings held during the conduct of the overall study. A combined
fieldwork-observation analysis and numerical modeling effort supported
by these CAs has led to tremendous advances in our understanding of the
regional basin-scale circulation in this area of active leases. Seeking
an understanding of the circulation inshore of the 100 m isobath
(approximately 2 km offshore) is not an objective under the present CA.
Under the present CA, all modeling work will end in September 2003 and
all analysis of field observations in 2005.

[Objectives]{.underline} To determine the characteristic patterns of
circulation over the northern SBC inner-shelf ( [\<]{.underline} 2 km
offshore), how they relate to the SBC basin-scale patterns reported by
Winant et al. (2002), and to determine what are the dominant forcing
mechanisms?

[Methods]{.underline} A Lagrangian drifter study is proposed to map
surface currents over the inner-shelf of the northern SBC. Drifters
follow the movement of "tagged" water parcels, and thus give the
combined spatial and temporal evolution of the flow field. Drifters are
a much more economical solution to sampling than deploying numerous
current-measuring moorings over the inner-shelf. The recently developed
Lagrangian "Microstar" drifter is proposed for the observational phase
of the project. The Microstar is a drifting buoy that obtains its
position with the Global Positioning System (GPS) system and transmits
data to shore in near real-time via a digital, data-only, terrestrial
cellular messaging system. The drifter is named for its ability to
resolve small time and space scales and its tri-star drogue design. The
GPS tracking system allows the small-scale fluctuations that are typical
of near-shore flow fields (10's of minutes, 10's of meters) to be
properly resolved. (More traditional Argos tracked drifters, as used in
the SBC-SMB CCS, have spatial errors of up to a kilometer and update
their position only a few times each day.) Tests show the Microstar
drifter follows water to within 0.1% of the wind speed, or within 2 cm
s^-1^ for 20 m s^-1^ winds, similar to the SBC-SMB CCS drifters. The
spatial accuracy, high frequency sampling rate, and near real-time
cellular communications system allows drifter position to always be
known within \~10 m. Drifters can thus be retrieved with great ease, and
subsequently re-deployed. This "catch-and-release" scheme provides an
extremely cost effective way of performing drifter studies as the
instruments are no longer considered "expendable". This new drifter data
will be combined with current and wind data from the presently operating
SBC-SMB monitoring program and the SBC-SMB CCS drifter data set to
determine, through analysis, how the inshore characteristic flow regimes
relate to the previously established basin scale flow regimes, and their
dominant forcing mechanisms. Deployment of the drifters is planned to
coincide with the final year of the Scripps instrumentation deployment.

[Importance to MMS]{.underline} Presently, the MMS lacks understanding
of the surface current patterns in the important near-shore area of the
SBC concerning movement of spilled oil: the northern SBC inner shelf
(shelf area [\<]{.underline} 2km offshore). The information provided by
this study will allow the calculation of MMS OSRA and NOAA GNOME oil
spill trajectory based on actual wind and current data (rather than
wind-based estimates) in this area of complex oceanographic processes
and highly sensitive natural resources. The resultant greater accuracy
in oil spill trajectories is required for decision making concerning
offshore oil production projects in the SBC. This information will also
be used to make more informed and scientifically defensible assessments
used in the preparation of the required NEPA documents: environmental
impact statements, environmental assessments, and records of decisions.
This study also fosters continued partnerships with EPA and SCCWRP's
Bight '03 monitoring as this effort will allow the ability to track
pollutant runoff into the Southern California Marine System. The study
is strongly endorsed by Bight '03 scientists.

[Products]{.underline} Papers describing the surface circulation in the
northern SBC inner shelf in terms of the previously described objectives
will be submitted to peer-review journals, and statistical surface
current maps will be constructed for use in MMS oil spill risk
assessment efforts.

**Date Information Required:** The data collection phase of this study
must begin in early FY 2004 (October 2003) in order to obtain
measurements simultaneous with those taken during the final year of the
SBC-SMB Monitoring Program. This information will be used in FY 2006 MMS
environmental documents supporting decisions concerning production and
decommissioning projects.

**Revised Date**: 03/03

**ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES PROGRAM: Studies Development Plan FY 2004-2006**

**Region:** Pacific OCS Region

**Planning Area(s):** Southern California

####### Title: MINT (MMS Intertidal Team) Inhouse Study  {#title-mint-mms-intertidal-team-inhouse-study .Profile}

**Cost Range:** (in thousands) \$150 **Period of Performance:** FY
2004-2008

**Description:**

[Background]{.underline} The MMS Intertidal team assists the MARINE
effort at MMS funded sites by collecting data at 20 of 24 sites,
providing expertise in the development of sampling protocols, and in
special projects at MMS-funded sites which compliment the MARINE effort.
Since the motile invertebrate protocol was adopted by MARINE, field
effort by MINT team members are essential to completion of the sampling
at the sites. MINT also conducts independent research and conducted a
mussel recovery study at four northern California sites for a decade.
MINT also serves as a response arm for the MMS oil spill effort. MINT
biologists are trained and prepared to respond in the field during an
event to document resources prior to oiling and to provide ground
assistance to response efforts on the shoreline.

Over the next five years the MINT team plans to direct their efforts to
two main areas: archival activities and ongoing monitoring at MMS-funded
sites. Archival efforts include several separate projects. MINT is
interested in ensuring that the long-term sites are archived properly.
MINT plans to conduct several pilot efforts in cooperation with other
MARINE partners to determine the most appropriate method to document the
sites on a regional basis. Traditional aerial photos from helicopters,
fixed wing aircraft, new technologies such as blimp and balloon
photography will be investigated. MINT plans to complete the placement
of permanent markers at the sites through the BLM Geodetic Survey and
place the data on GIS layers. MINT also plans to oversee archiving of
the BLM Littler data (maps and video) as well as placement of this
important information on a GIS layer for use by multiple agencies in
planning marine protected areas along the California shoreline. As in
the previous two years, MINT plans to host annual Taxonomic Workshops to
ensure that the multiple MARINE field teams remain trained on the
identification of species and have opportunities to discuss problematic
identifications.

[Objectives]{.underline} To monitor the health of rocky intertidal
resources adjacent to active OCS production facilities.

[Methods]{.underline} Biologists photograph permanent photoplots of
mussels, barnacles, anemones, and algal species such as
[Silvetia]{.underline} and [Endocladia]{.underline}. Black abalone are
counted and measured in irregular plots, seastars are counted and
measured in plots or band transects; percent cover of surfgrass is
estimated using line transects, and owl limpets are measured and counted
in circular plots. Motile invertebrates are counted and measured in each
photoplot. Panoramic photos of the sites are taken from identified
reference bolts.

[Importance to MMS]{.underline} The OCS Lands Act requires that MMS
monitor the coastline adjacent to ongoing oil and gas operations so that
MMS can properly assess the effect of operations on coastline resources.
Since Pacific OCS platforms are located very close to the coastline,
activities from OCS facilities can directly affect shoreline resources.
The data collected by MINT assists spill response decision makers by
providing information about resources in the area and by providing the
ability to analyze the data in context with the natural environment.
Ongoing interaction of the MINT team biologists with academics, local,
State and Federal agency biologists has proved invaluable. It enhances
MMS's credibility as a scientific agency. Some of the most far reaching
benefits of the effort may be the enhanced relationships and synergism
amongst sampling agencies.

[Products]{.underline} Joint reports with the University of California
are produced every three years. GIS layers of archived data from maps,
permanent coordinates and photos will be made available either on the
public MARINE website or on the password protected MARINE site to MARINE
partners. Voucher collections will likely be housed both at the
Smithsonian and U.C. Berkeley.

**Data Information Required:** This is an ongoing effort and the
decisions affected by this study occur as long as production occurs on
Pacific OCS facilities.

**Revised Date**: 03/03

**ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES PROGRAM: ANNUAL STUDIES PLAN FY 2002-2004**

**Region:** Pacific OCS Region

**Planning Area:** Southern California

**Type:** USGS BRD

####### Title: High-Resolution Multibeam Seafloor Mapping and Bottom Characterization of the Santa Barbara Channel and Off Point Conception and Long Beach, CA {#title-high-resolution-multibeam-seafloor-mapping-and-bottom-characterization-of-the-santa-barbara-channel-and-off-point-conception-and-long-beach-ca .Profile}

**Cost Range** (in thousands): \$200- \$300 **Period of Performance:**
FY 2004 -- 2005

**Description:**

[Bachground.]{.underline} A major question in the decommissioning and
platform reefing debate deals with the issues of how important a
platform may be in supplying both hard substrate and fish habitat. A new
study funded by MMS POCSR to be entitled "Ecological Performance of OCS
Platforms as Fish Habitat off California" will begin sometime in FY 2003
and should help to answer the questions concerning fishes. In 2001, a
pilot study was conducted to put in perspective the relative importance
of a single platform in supplying hard substrate to its immediate
environment. The study (Love, et al., in-press) determined that Platform
Hidalgo, north of Point Conception, is of major importance to the local
reef system and to the population of reef fishes. It was estimated from
blueprints that Platform Hidalgo supplied 22,950 m^2^ of structure. This
compared to 26,714 m^2^ of natural reef. Thus Hidalgo comprised about
46% of the hard surface in its local area (within 2 miles of the
platform). Its important to note that Platform Hidalgo, likely, has the
most natural reefs in its vicinity of any platform offshore California.
That would make it of relatively less importance as reef habitat than
would a platform that has no reefs nearby. Water depths and locations
for the Pacific OCS platforms range from less than 100 to deeper than
1,000 ft and several hundred miles apart along the coast of California.
As each POCS platform is different and hard bottom locations are
scattered or unknown in the region, the area surrounding each platform
should be examined.

The purpose of this study is to determine the location and amount of
hard substrate within the Santa Barbara Channel, near some platforms off
Point Conception, and near platforms off Long Beach, CA. The MMS will
use the information in any environmental assessment done for future
platform decommissioning. MMS scientists will also use this information
to analyze cumulative impacts of decommissioning platforms to the local
and regional fish populations and fisheries.

[Objectives:]{.underline} The objectives of this study are: 1) to
provide a habitat interpretative map that discriminates and computes the
area of various habitats (mud, cobble, and boulder fields, etc.) and
shows the dimensions of the mussel mounds surrounding offshore platforms
on the Pacific OCS; (2) to provide a document that scientists can use to
estimate the contribution of hard substrate from offshore platforms to
the region.

[Methods:]{.underline} Multibeam imagining was used to conduct the pilot
study and should be used in this effort. Multibeam imaging produces
accurate maps of depth and habitat-type. The high-resolution sea bottom
mapping will be conducted on a 25-day cruise. Data collection will be
accomplished with a multibeam system using equipment such as a Kongsberg
Simrad EM1002 multibeam echo sounder (MBES). This is the only
high-resolution MBES that simultaneously records both a calibrated
acoustic backscatter and the water depth. The acoustic backscatter data
helps predict the type of sediments found at the seafloor by
extrapolating ground truth sediment information obtained with core and
grab samples. This will allow for maps to be produced that show sediment
information superimposed on the bathymetry. The USGS will supervise the
data collection aboard the ship and will perform all data processing.

[Importance to MMS:]{.underline} MMS studies indicate that platforms do
create habitat for several species of rockfish. The Department of
Commerce in January 2000 declared the West Coast rockfish fishery a
disaster with extremely small populations remaining. The Pacific Fishery
Management Council began to severely restrict fishing for these species
in 2002. Also in 2002, one rockfish species know to inhabit POCSR
platforms in large numbers was a candidate for listing as threatened
under the Endangered Species Act. The removal of a platform, such as
Hidalgo, that provides 46% or more of the available local habitat for
rockfish would potentially impact this fishery on a regional scale. This
study will support the MMS in the environmental analysis of
decommissioning projects and in the decision-making process.

[Products]{.underline} A draft and final report along with maps and
digitized GIS maps of the sea floor.

**Date Information Required:** This information is needed for proper
analysis and decision-making for increased Pacific OCS oil and gas
decommissioning activities in the Santa Maria Basin, Santa Barbara
Channel, and off Long Beach, CA.

**Revised Date:** 03/03

# SECTION 3.0 Topical Areas for Years 2005 and 2006 {#section-3.0-topical-areas-for-years-2005-and-2006 .Style-1}

The Pacific Region has identified the following topical areas related to
decommissioning. Additional discussion with industry and the IDWG is
needed on many of the topics and a meeting/workshop is being planned for
fall 2003.

Areas identified below include several topics being addressed with
studies proposed in FY 2004, but additional areas remain which we expect
to pursue in FY 2005 and 2006.

# 3.1 Shell Mounds {#shell-mounds .Style-2}

Studies will be needed to assess the physical and chemical
characteristics of shell mounds. Studies of shell mounds left by
decommissioned platforms in State waters indicate the need to understand
the concentration of certain chemicals and their potential
bioavailability in order to assess potential impacts of shell mound
removal. The State studies are being completed; their reviews will help
design appropriate studies for Federal facilities. One focus would be on
looking at potential regional concentration levels and providing
sufficient information to design site-specific industry requirements.

# 3.2 Marine Mammals\--Protected Species {#marine-mammals--protected-species .Style-2}

Twenty-three (23) oil and gas structures currently exist on the Pacific
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Some of the OCS platforms are approaching
the end of their productive life, and the permit-application process for
decommissioning could begin during this decade. Within one year of lease
termination, the Minerals Management Service (MMS) requires that
structures be removed from the OCS and that they be severed at least 15
feet below the seafloor. On the Gulf of Mexico OCS, more than 5,000
structures have been removed; approximately 60 percent of these have
been removed using explosive techniques. It is expected that the removal
of Pacific OCS Region structures will likely also involve the use of
explosives.

The detonation of explosives underwater can result in the injury or
death of fish and marine protected species, such as marine mammals,
although potential damage can be mitigated. Consequently, MMS requires
the best available information regarding the potential impacts of the
explosive removal of offshore structures (EROS) on marine mammals. The
ability to predict potential effects on marine mammals from these
activities will assist MMS in meeting its regulatory obligations and in
making decisions to minimize the potential taking of marine mammals
while permitting the explosive removal of offshore structures. Several
topics have been suggested for EROS-related marine mammal studies that
might be proposed for funding in the Pacific Region in FY 2005 (and
beyond); these are described below.

# 3.2.1 Active Marine Mammal Sonar {#active-marine-mammal-sonar .Style-5}

> Currently, mitigation to protect marine mammals (and sea turtles) from
> potential injury during explosive removals involves the use of visual
> observations to determine whether animals are present in pre-defined
> exclusion zones around the structures. However, visual monitoring
> techniques are inherently limited by light and weather conditions, and
> animals more than a few meters beneath the surface are invisible, even
> from the air. Monitoring could be improved through the use of an
> active marine mammal sonar system that could detect marine mammals
> under all environmental conditions. Such a system is currently under
> development (Stein, 2003). A field study of active acoustic marine
> mammal sonar would focus on the marine mammal species likely to occur
> in the vicinity of potential Pacific OCS platform removals and test
> the system's usefulness as a monitoring tool.

# 3.2.2 Impact Assessment Modeling. {#impact-assessment-modeling. .Style-5}

> Another research approach would be to model the potential effects of
> the explosive removal of offshore structures on marine mammals in
> southern California waters. This is envisioned as a computer-based
> modeling study involving the integration of two models, a marine shock
> wave/sound propagation model and a marine mammal impact assessment
> model. Examples of such models are the marine shock wave/sound
> propagation model developed for MMS by Applied Research Associates,
> Inc. (Dzwilewski and Fenton, 2002), and the marine mammal
> impact-assessment Acoustic Integration Model (AIM) developed by Marine
> Acoustics, Inc. (Ellison and Frankel, 2003). Objectives of the study
> would be to incorporate the appropriate parameters (e.g.,
> distribution, behavior, diving) specific to California marine mammal
> species into the impact assessment model and apply the models using
> realistic explosive-removal scenarios to predict potential impacts to
> marine mammals (including mortality, injury, and permanent and
> temporary hearing loss).

# 3.2.3 Temporary Threshold Shift {#temporary-threshold-shift .Style-5}

> It is known that exposure to loud sound can cause a Temporary
> Threshold Shift (TTS), the short-term elevation of an animal's hearing
> threshold at particular frequencies. However, relatively little is
> known about TTS in marine mammals, particularly in response to
> impulsive sound such as that produced by underwater explosions. U.S.
> Navy researchers have recently begun studying TTS in small cetaceans
> using low-frequency sound sources (Finneran et al., 2000, 2002). A
> possible study topic relevant to EROS activities in the Pacific OCS
> Region would be a study of pinniped responses to extremely short,
> impulsive signals. Information on the levels of pulsed, low-frequency
> sound that induce TTS in pinnipeds would improve our understanding of
> the potential impacts of underwater explosions on marine mammals.
> This, in turn, could lead to improvements in the design of mitigation
> measures, particularly in the definition of species- or group-specific
> exclusion zones.

# 3.3 Coastal Marine Instititute {#coastal-marine-instititute .Style-2}

A further topic under consideration within the Pacific OCS Region is the
need to continue the Coastal Marine Institute initiative with the
University of California Santa Barbara at a reduced funding level and
narrowly focused on ongoing operations, decommissioning topics and the
intern program. The current cooperative agreement runs through FY 2004
(with some reports completing in 2005). This mechanism will be used to
fund projects with the University that cannot be funded through the
Decommissioning Studies Initiative.

# SECTION 4.0 Literature Cited {#section-4.0-literature-cited .Style-1}

Dzwilewski, P.T., and G. Fenton. 2002. Shock wave/sound propagation
modeling results for calculating marine protected species impact zones
during explosive removal of offshore structures. ARA Project 5604.
Prepared by Applied Research Associates, Inc., Littleton, CO, for
Minerals Management Service, New Orleans, LA. Under Contract 0302P057572
-- Ref \# 2-54000124. 29 pp. + app.

Ellison, W., and A. Frankel. 2003. The application of the Acoustic
Integration Model (AIM) to EROS and seismic issues in the Gulf of
Mexico. Presentation made at MMS Gulf of Mexico OCS Region 2003
Information Transfer Meeting, January 14-16, 2003, New Orleans, LA.

Finneran, J.J., C.E. Schlundt, D.A. Carder, J.A. Clark, J.A. Young, J.B.
Gaspin, and S.H. Ridgway. 2000. Auditory and behavioral responses of
bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and a beluga whale
(Delphinapterus leucas) to impulsive sounds resembling distant
signatures of underwater explosions. Journal of the Acoustical Society
of America 108(1):417-431.

Finneran, J.J., C.E. Schlundt, R. Dear, D.A. Carder, and S.H. Ridgway.
2002. Temporary shift in masked hearing thresholds in odontocetes after
exposure to single underwater impulses from a seismic watergun. Journal
of the Acoustical Society of America 111(6):2929-2940.

Stein, P.J. 2003. Active sonar detection of marine mammals. Presentation
made at MMS Gulf of Mexico OCS Region 2003 Information Transfer Meeting,
January 14-16, 2003, New Orleans, LA.