i 

Table of Contents 

COVER SHEET AND ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................ i 

THE COOK INLET MULTIPLE SALE EIS - WHAT IT INCLUDES AND HOW IT IS STRUCTURED ......................... iii 

ABBREVIATIONS, ACRONYMS, AND SYMBOLS................................................................................................... viii 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: COOK INLET MULTIPLE SALE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT 

FOR LEASE SALES 191 AND 199 ................................................................................................................. ES-1 

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND.......................................................................................................... ES-1 

SCOPING......................................................................................................................................................... ES-1 

HYPOTHETICAL DEVELOPMENT SCENARIO FOR EACH SALE ............................................................... ES-2 

ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF THE PROPOSED ACTION (ALTERNATIVE I) FOR LEASE SALES 

191 AND 199.................................................................................................................................................... ES-3 

Effects from Routine Permitted Activities............................................................................................... ES-3 

Effects in the Unlikely Event of a Large Oil Spill or Natural Gas Release.............................................. ES-4 

Cumulative Effects................................................................................................................................. ES-5 

EFFECTS OF ALTERNATIVES II THROUGH IV ............................................................................................ ES-6 

MITIGATING MEASURES............................................................................................................................... ES-7 

I. PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND OF THE PROPOSED ACTIONS ................................................................... I-1 

I.A. PURPOSE, NEED, AND DESCRIPTION.................................................................................................. I-1 

I.B. LIST OF LEGAL MANDATES .................................................................................................................. I-3 

I.C. RESULTS OF THE SCOPING PROCESS................................................................................................ I-4 

I.C.1. Major Issues Considered in This EIS .......................................................................................... I-4 

I.C.1.a. Issued Detailed in This EIS ....................................................................................... I-4 

I.C.1.b. Issues Raised During Scoping That Were Considered But Did Not Warrant 

Further Detailed Analysis in This EIS ........................................................................ I-6 

I.C.2. Alternatives Suggested During the Scoping Process .................................................................. I-8 

I.C.2.a. Alternative I – Proposed Action ................................................................................. I-8 

I.C.2.b. Alternative II – No Sale.............................................................................................. I-8 

I.C.2.c. Alternative III – Lower Kenai Peninsula Deferral ....................................................... I-8 

I.C.2.d. Alternative IV – Barren Islands Deferral .................................................................... I-9 
ii 

I.C.3. Mitigating Measures .................................................................................................................... I-9 

I.C.3.a. Mitigating Measures Suggested During the Scoping Process ................................... I-9 

I.C.3.b. Mitigating Measures Not Considered in This EIS .................................................... I-10 

I.D. INDIAN TRUST RESOURCES................................................................................................................ I-10 

I.E. EXECUTIVE ORDER 12898 ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ................................................................... I-10 

I.F. THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ACT PROCESS FOR LEASE SALES 191 AND 

199I-16................................................................................................................................................... I-10 

I.F.1. Lease Sale 191 Process ........................................................................................................... I-12 

I.F.2. Processes for Subsequent Lease Sale 199 .............................................................................. I-13 

I.G. STREAMLINING STATEMENT .............................................................................................................. I-13 

II. ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING THE PROPOSED ACTION............................................................................... II-1 

II.A. APPROACH TO ANALYSIS AND OIL AND GAS RESOURCE POTENTIAL ........................................ II-1 

II.A.1. Approach to Analysis.................................................................................................................. II-1 

II.A.2. Oil and Gas Resource Potential ................................................................................................. II-1 

II.B. ALTERNATIVE I – PROPOSED ACTION FOR LEASE SALES 191 AND 199....................................... II-3 

II.B.1. Two-Sale Structure..................................................................................................................... II-3 

II.B.2. Timing of Activities ..................................................................................................................... II-3 

II.B.3. Activities Associated with Exploration and Production ............................................................... II-4 

II.B.3.a. Activities Associated with Exploration Drilling........................................................... II-4 

II.B.3.b. Activities Associated with Development and Production .......................................... II-5 

II.B.4. Summary of Effects by Sale ....................................................................................................... II-6

II.C. ALTERNATIVE II – NO LEASE SALE..................................................................................................... II-8 

II.D. ALTERNATIVE III – LOWER KENAI PENINSULA DEFERRAL ............................................................. II-8 

II.E. ALTERNATIVE IV – BARREN ISLANDS DEFERRAL............................................................................ II-9 

II.F. MITIGATING MEASURES ..................................................................................................................... II-10 

II.F.1. Standard Stipulations ............................................................................................................... II-10 

II.F.1.a. Stipulation No. 1 – Protection of Fisheries.............................................................. II-10 

II.F.1.b. Stipulation No. 2 – Protection of Biological Resources........................................... II-12 

II.F.1.c. Stipulation No. 3 – Orientation Programs ............................................................... II-12 

II.F.1.d. Stipulation No. 4 – Transportation of Hydrocarbons ............................................... II-13 

II.F.2. Standard Information to Lessees.............................................................................................. II-14 

II.F.2.a. ITL No. 1. Bird and Marine Mammal Protection..................................................... II-14 

II.F.2.b. ITL No. 2. Information on Endangered and Threatened Species ........................... II-15 

II.F.2.c. ITL No. 3. Sensitive Areas to be Considered in the Oil-Spill-Response Plans ....... II-16 

II.F.2.d. ITL No. 4. Information on Coastal Zone Management............................................ II-17 

II.F.2.e. ITL No. 5. Information on Oil-Spill-Response Preparedness .................................. II-17 

III.F.2.f. ITL No. 6. Drilling Fluids and Cuttings Discharge during Post-Lease Activities ...... II-17 

III. DESCRIPTION OF THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT ..................................................................................... III-1 
iii 

III.A. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS ........................................................................................................... III-1 

III.A.1. Quaternary Geology .................................................................................................................. III-1 

III.A.1.a. Regional Geology.................................................................................................... III-1 

III.A.1.b. Offshore Geology .................................................................................................... III-3 

III.A.2. Climate and Meteorology........................................................................................................... III-7 

III.A.2.a. Air Temperature....................................................................................................... III-7 

III.A.2.b. Precipitation............................................................................................................. III-7 

III.A.2.c. Winds ...................................................................................................................... III-8 

III.A.3. Oceanography........................................................................................................................... III-9 

III.A.3.a. Lower Cook Inlet.................................................................................................... III-10 

III.A.3.b. Shelikof Strait ........................................................................................................ III-11 

III.A.4. Water Quality........................................................................................................................... III-12 

III.A.4.a. Sources ................................................................................................................. III-12 

III.A.4.b. Constituents of the Marine Environment................................................................ III-22 

III.A.4.c Summary .............................................................................................................. III-32 

III.A.5. Air Quality................................................................................................................................ III-32 

III.B. BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES.......................................................................................................................... III-33 

III.B.1. Lower Trophic-Level Organisms.............................................................................................. III-33 

III.B.1.a. Planktonic Habitats................................................................................................ III-33 

III.B.1.b. Benthic and Intertidal Habitats............................................................................... III-35

III.B.2. Fisheries Resources................................................................................................................ III-36 

III.B.2.a. Pelagic Fishes ....................................................................................................... III-37 

III.B.2.b. Groundfish............................................................................................................. III-44 

III.B.3. Essential Fish Habitat.............................................................................................................. III-46 

III.B.3.a. Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act ........................................ III-46 

III.B.3.b. Essential Fish Habitat............................................................................................ III-46 

III.B.4. Endangered and Threatened Species..................................................................................... III-48 

III.B.4.a. Introduction............................................................................................................ III-48 

III.B.4.b. Marine Mammals................................................................................................... III-50 

III.B.4.c. Birds .................................................................................................................... III-116 

III.B.5. Marine and Coastal Birds ...................................................................................................... III-136 

III.B.5.a. Seasonal Distribution........................................................................................... III-137 

III.B.5.b. Food Sources-Trophic Relationships................................................................... III-139 

III.B.5.c. Migration.............................................................................................................. III-139 

III.B.5.d. Coastal Birds of Prey........................................................................................... III-139 

III.B.6. Nonendangered Marine Mammals ........................................................................................ III-140 

III.B.6.a. Pinnipeds............................................................................................................. III-140 

III.B.6.b. Southcentral Alaska Sea Otters........................................................................... III-142 

III.B.6.c. Nonendangered Cetaceans................................................................................. III-143 

III.B.7. Terrestrial Mammals.............................................................................................................. III-145 
iv 

III.B.7.a. River Otters ......................................................................................................... III-146 

III.B.7.b. Brown Bears........................................................................................................ III-146 

III.B.7.c. Sitka Black-Tailed Deer ....................................................................................... III-146 

III.C. SOCIAL SYSTEMS ...................................................................................................................................... III-147 

III.C.1. Economy ............................................................................................................................... III-147 

III.C.1.a. Revenues ............................................................................................................ III-147 

III.C.1.b. Employment and Personal Income...................................................................... III-148 

III.C.1.c. Components of the Kenai Peninsula Borough’s Economy .................................. III-149 

III.C.2. Commercial Fisheries............................................................................................................ III-149 

III.C.2.a. The Shellfish Fishery........................................................................................... III-150 

III.C.2.b. The Herring Fishery............................................................................................. III-151 

III.C.2.c. The Salmon Fishery ............................................................................................ III-153 

III.C.2.d. The Groundfish Fishery ....................................................................................... III-154

III.C.2.e. Fishermen’s Contingency Fund........................................................................... III-155 

III.C.2.f. Individual Fishing Quota System ......................................................................... III-155 

III.C.3. Subsistence-Harvest Patterns............................................................................................... III-157 

III.C.3.a. Characteristics of Harvest Patterns ..................................................................... III-157 

III.C.3.b. Definition of Subsistence ..................................................................................... III-158 

III.C.3.c. The Cultural Importance of Subsistence.............................................................. III-158 

III.C.3.d. Regional Traditional Knowledge on Subsistence................................................. III-159 

III.C.3.e. Community Subsistence-Harvest Patterns .......................................................... III-177 

III.C.3.f Annual Cycle of Harvest Activities ....................................................................... III-180 

III.C.4. Sociocultural Systems ........................................................................................................... III-181 

III.C.4.a. Characteristics of the Population......................................................................... III-181 

III.C.4.b. Social Characteristics of the Communities .......................................................... III-183 

III.C.4.c. Institutional Organization of the Communities ..................................................... III-186 

III.C.5. Recreation, Tourism, and Visual Resources ......................................................................... III-187 

III.C.6. Sport Fisheries ...................................................................................................................... III-188 

III.C.7. Environmental Justice ........................................................................................................... III-189 

III.C.8. Archaeological and Cultural Resources ................................................................................ III-190 

III.C.8.a Onshore Archaeological Resources .................................................................... III-191 

III.C.8.b. Offshore Archaeological Resources .................................................................... III-194 

III.C.9. National and State Parks and Other Special Areas............................................................... III-198

III.C.9.a. National Resources ............................................................................................. III-198 

III.C.9.b. State Resources.................................................................................................. III-203 

III.C.9.c. Kenai Peninsula Borough Area That Merits Special Attention: The Port 

Graham/Nanwalek Area ...................................................................................... III-205 

III.C.10. Coastal Zone Management ................................................................................................... III-205 

III.D. OIL AND GAS INFRASTRUCTURE ............................................................................................................ III-206 

III.D.1. Pipelines and Production and Processing Facilities .............................................................. III-206 
v 

III.D.2. Air Support Infrastructure ...................................................................................................... III-207 

III.D.3. Surface Transportation.......................................................................................................... III-207 

III.D.4. Marine Transportation ........................................................................................................... III-208 

IV. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES.............................................................................................................IV-1 

IV.A. BASIC ASSUMPTIONS FOR EFFECTS ANALYSIS .............................................................................IV-1 

IV.A.1. Significance Thresholds ............................................................................................................IV-1 

IV.A.2. Basic Assumptions for Effects Assessment by Alternative........................................................IV-3 

IV.A.3. Disturbances .............................................................................................................................IV-5 

IV.A.3.a. Industrial Activities...................................................................................................IV-5 

IV.A.3.b. Noise .......................................................................................................................IV-6 

IV.A.3.c. Habitat Alteration.....................................................................................................IV-6 

IV.A.3.d. Discharges to the Marine Environment....................................................................IV-6 

IV.A.3.e. Discharges to the Air ...............................................................................................IV-6 

IV.A.4. Oil Spills ....................................................................................................................................IV-6 

IV.A.4.a. Large Oil Spills ........................................................................................................IV-7 

IV.A.4.b. Small Spills..............................................................................................................IV-8 

IV.A.4.c. Locations of Oil-Spill Analyses ................................................................................IV-8 

IV.A.5. Spill Prevention and Response .................................................................................................IV-9 

IV.A.5.a. Oil Spill Response Plans .........................................................................................IV-9

IV.A.5.b. Agency Involvement and Reporting.........................................................................IV-9 

IV.A.5.c. Spill Cleanup .........................................................................................................IV-10 

IV.A.6. Accidental Gas Releases from OCS Production Facilities ......................................................IV-10 

IV.A.6.a. Accidental Gas Release During Exploration..........................................................IV-11 

IV.A.6.b. Accidental Gas Release During Development and Production..............................IV-11 

IV.A.6.c. Large Gas Release................................................................................................IV-11 

IV.A.6.d. Location of Accidental Gas Release Analysis .......................................................IV-11 

IV.B. ANALYSIS OF EFFECTS OF COOK INLET OIL AND GAS DEVELOPMENT....................................IV-12 

IV.B.1. Alternative I – Proposed Action ...............................................................................................IV-12 

IV.B.1.a. Effects of Lease Sale 191 on Water Quality ..........................................................IV-12 

IV.B.1.b. Effects of Lease Sale 191 on Air Quality ...............................................................IV-28 

IV.B.1.c. Effects of Lease Sale 191 on Lower Trophic-Level Organisms .............................IV-36 

IV.B.1.d. Effects of Lease Sale 191 on Fisheries Resources ...............................................IV-41 

IV.B.1.e. Effects of Lease Sale 191 on Essential Fish Habitat .............................................IV-46 

IV.B.1.f. Effects of Lease Sale 191 on Endangered and Threatened Species ....................IV-61 

IV.B.1.g. Effects of Lease Sale 191 on Marine and Coastal Birds........................................IV-98 

IV.B.1.h. Effects of Lease Sale 191 on Nonendangered Marine Mammals........................IV-104 

IV.B.1.i. Effects of Lease Sale 191 on Terrestrial Mammals .............................................IV-116 

IV.B.1.j. Effects of Lease Sale 191 on the Economy.........................................................IV-122 
vi 

IV.B.1.k. Effects of Lease Sale 191 on Commercial Fisheries ...........................................IV-125 

IV.B.1.l. Effects of Lease Sale 191 on Subsistence-Harvest Patterns ..............................IV-131 

IV.B.1.m. Effects of Lease Sale 191 on Sociocultural Systems...........................................IV-138 

IV. B.1.n. Effects of Lease Sale 191 on Recreation, Tourism, and Visual Resources.........IV-141 

IV.B.1.o. Effects of Lease Sale 191 on Sportfishing...........................................................IV-146 

IV.B.1.p. Effects of Lease Sale 191 on Environmental Justice...........................................IV-149 

IV.B.1.q. Effects of Lease Sale 191 on Archaeological Resources ....................................IV-172 

IV.B.1.r. Effects of Lease Sale 191 on National and State Parks and Other Special 

Areas ...................................................................................................................IV-174 

IV.B.1.s. Effects of Lease Sale 191 on Coastal Zone Management...................................IV-176 

IV.B.2. Alternative II – No Action.......................................................................................................IV-186 

IV.B.2.a. The Most Important Substitutes for Lost Production............................................IV-186 

IV.B.2.b. Environmental Impacts from the Most Important Substitutes ..............................IV-187 

IV.B.2.c. Regional Effects of the No Action Alternative ......................................................IV-188 

IV.B.3. Alternative III—Lower Kenai Peninsula Deferral....................................................................IV-189 

IV.B.3.a. Resources for Which There Will Be a Difference in Effects Between 

Alternative III and Alternative I.............................................................................IV-190 

IV.B.3.b. Resources for Which There Will Be No Essential Difference in Effects 

Between Alternative III and Alternative I..............................................................IV-192 

IV.B.3.c. Difference in Effects of Alternative III on Sale 199 Activities Compared to 

Sale 191 Activities, If Any ....................................................................................IV-197 

IV.B.4. Alternative IV—Barren Islands Deferral.................................................................................IV-197 

IV.B.4.a. Resources for Which There Will Be a Difference in Effects Between 

Alternative IV and Alternative I ............................................................................IV-198 

IV.B.4.b. Resources for Which There Will Be No Difference in Effects Between 

Alternative IV and Alternative I ............................................................................IV-200 

IV.B.4.c. Difference in Effects of Alternative IV on Sale 199 Activities Compared to 

Sale 191 Activities, If Any ....................................................................................IV-205 

IV.C. UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE EFFECTS...............................................................................................IV-205 

IV.C.1. Air Quality..............................................................................................................................IV-205 

IV.C.2. Fisheries Resources..............................................................................................................IV-205 

IV.C.3. Essential Fish Habitat............................................................................................................IV-205 

IV.C.4. Endangered and Threatened Species...................................................................................IV-206 

IV.C.5. Terrestrial Mammals..............................................................................................................IV-206 

IV.C.6. Marine and Coastal Birds ......................................................................................................IV-206 

IV.C.7. Subsistence-Harvest Activities ..............................................................................................IV-207 

IV.C.8. Sociocultural Systems ...........................................................................................................IV-207 

IV.C.9. Recreation, Tourism, and Visual Resources .........................................................................IV-207 

IV.C.10. Archaeological and Cultural Resources ................................................................................IV-207 

IV.C.11. Environmental Justice ...........................................................................................................IV-208 

IV.C.12. Resources for Which Effects Could Be Avoided....................................................................IV-208
vii 

IV.D. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LOCAL SHORT-TERM USES AND MAINTENANCE AND 

ENHANCEMENT OF LONG-TERM PRODUCTIVITY.........................................................................IV-208 

IV.D.1. Water Quality.........................................................................................................................IV-209 

IV.D.2. Air Quality..............................................................................................................................IV-209 

IV.D.3. Lower Trophic-Level Organisms............................................................................................IV-209 

IV.D.4. Fisheries Resources..............................................................................................................IV-209 

IV.D.5. Essential Fish Habitat............................................................................................................IV-209 

IV.D.6. Endangered and Threatened Species...................................................................................IV-209 

IV.D.7. Marine and Coastal Birds ......................................................................................................IV-210 

IV.D.8. Nonendangered Marine Mammals ........................................................................................IV-210 

IV.D.9. Terrestrial Mammals..............................................................................................................IV-210 

IV.D.10. Economy ...............................................................................................................................IV-210 

IV.D.11. Commercial Fisheries............................................................................................................IV-211 

IV.D.12. Subsistence-Harvest Patterns...............................................................................................IV-211 

IV.D.13. Sociocultural Systems ...........................................................................................................IV-211 

IV.D.14. Recreation, Tourism, and Visual Resources .........................................................................IV-211 

IV.D.15. Sport Fisheries ......................................................................................................................IV-211 

IV.D.16. Environmental Justice ...........................................................................................................IV-212 

IV.D.17. Archaeological and Cultural Resources ................................................................................IV-212 

IV.D.18. National and State Parks and Other Special Areas...............................................................IV-212 

IV.D.19. Coastal Zone Management ...................................................................................................IV-212 

IV.E. IRREVERSIBLE AND IRRETRIEVABLE COMMITMENT OF RESOURCES ....................................IV-212 

IV.E.1. Oil and Gas Resources .........................................................................................................IV-212 

IV.E.2. Economy ...............................................................................................................................IV-212 

IV.E.3. Archaeological and Cultural Resources ................................................................................IV-213 

IV.E.4. Endangered and Threatened Species...................................................................................IV-213 

IV.E.5. Marine and Coastal Birds ......................................................................................................IV-213 

IV.E.6. Nonendangered Marine Mammals ........................................................................................IV-214 

IV.E.7. Terrestrial Mammals..............................................................................................................IV-214 

IV.E.8. Other Resources ...................................................................................................................IV-214 

IV.F. LOW-PROBABILITY, VERY LARGE OIL SPILL................................................................................IV-214 

IV.F.1. Introduction............................................................................................................................IV-214 

IV.F.2. Effects to Resources from a 120,000-Barrel Blowout Oil Spill...............................................IV-215 

IV.F.2.a. Blowout Assumptions ..........................................................................................IV-215 

IV.F.2.b. Behavior of Spills in Open Water.........................................................................IV-215 

IV.F.2.c. Behavior of a Spill in Broken Ice..........................................................................IV-216 

IV.F.2.d. The Chance of an Oil Spill Contacting Resources of Concern ............................IV-216 

IV.F.3. Analysis of Impacts to Each Resource from a 120,000-Barrel Blowout Oil Spill....................IV-217 

IV.F.3.a. Water Quality.......................................................................................................IV-217 

IV.F.3.b. Air Quality............................................................................................................IV-218 
viii 

IV.F.3.c. Lower Trophic-Level Organisms..........................................................................IV-219 

IV.F.3.d. Fisheries Resources............................................................................................IV-219

IV.F.3.e. Essential Fish Habitat..........................................................................................IV-220 

IV.F.3.f. Endangered and Threatened Species .................................................................IV-221 

IV.F.3.g. Marine and Coastal Birds ....................................................................................IV-234 

IV.F.3.h. Nonendangered Marine Mammals ......................................................................IV-235 

IV.F.3.i Terrestrial Mammals............................................................................................IV-236 

IV.F.3.j. Economy .............................................................................................................IV-237 

IV.F.3.k Commercial Fisheries..........................................................................................IV-238 

IV.F.3.l. Subsistence-Harvest Patterns .............................................................................IV-239 

IV.F.3.m. Sociocultural Systems .........................................................................................IV-241 

IV.F.3.n. Recreation, Tourism, and Visual Resources .......................................................IV-242 

IV.F.3.o. Sport Fisheries ....................................................................................................IV-243 

IV.F.3.p. Environmental Justice .........................................................................................IV-244 

IV.F.3.q. Archaeological and Cultural Resources...............................................................IV-246 

IV.F.3.r. National and State Parks and Special Areas.......................................................IV-247 

IV.F.3.s. Coastal Zone Management .................................................................................IV-247 

V. ANALYSIS OF CUMULATIVE EFFECTS BY RESOURCE ...............................................................................V-1 

V.A. INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL CONCLUSIONS................................................................................V-1 

V.A.1. Introduction.................................................................................................................................V-1 

V.A.2. Structure of the Analysis ............................................................................................................V-2 

V.A.3. Guiding Principles of the Analysis ..............................................................................................V-2 

V.A.4. Scope of the Analysis.................................................................................................................V-4 

V.A.5. Significance................................................................................................................................V-4 

V.A.6. General Conclusions ..................................................................................................................V-4 

V.A.7. Other Information about Cumulative Effects...............................................................................V-5 

V.B. ACTIVITIES WE CONSIDERED IN THIS CUMULATIVE-EFFECTS ANALYSIS....................................V-6 

V.B.1. Past Projects Considered in the Cumulative Analysis ................................................................V-8 

V.B.2. Present Development/Production (Within the Next Few Years) .................................................V-9 

V.B.3. Reasonably Foreseeable Future Development and Production (Within the Next 15-20 

Years).......................................................................................................................................V-10 

V.B.4. Speculative Development (After 20 Years)...............................................................................V-11 

V.B.5. Oil Production in Cook Inlet......................................................................................................V-11 

V.B.5.a. Production through 2000 ........................................................................................V-11 

V.B.5.b. Resource Estimates We Used for This Cumulative-Effects Analysis......................V-12 

V.B.6. State Lease Sales We Considered in this Cumulative-Effects Analysis ...................................V-12 

V.B.7. Federal Lease Sales We Considered in this Cumulative-Effects Analysis ...............................V-12 

V.B.8. Infrastructure and Transportation .............................................................................................V-13 

V.B.8.a. Tanker Traffic and Routes ......................................................................................V-13 
ix 

V.B.8.b. Natural Gas Projects ..............................................................................................V-13

V.B.8.c. Pipeline Transport ..................................................................................................V-14 

V.C. ANALYSIS OF CUMULATIVE EFFECTS BY RESOURCE...................................................................V-15 

V.C.1. Assumptions Used in the Analysis ...........................................................................................V-15 

V.C.1.a. Summary and Significance of Past Spill Events in Cook Inlet ................................V-15 

V.C.1.b. Differences in Cumulative Effects from Lease Sale 191 Activities Compared 

to Lease Sale 199...................................................................................................V-16 

V.C.5.c. Oil Spills and the Incremental Contribution of the Proposed Action in the 

Cumulative Analysis ...............................................................................................V-16 

V.C.5.d. Reduction of Crude Oil Tankering from Valdez and Other Transportation 

Assumptions...........................................................................................................V-17 

V.C.2 Analysis of Cumulative Effects by Alternative...........................................................................V-18 

V.C.3. Supporting Information .............................................................................................................V-18 

V.C.4. Significant Cumulative Effects for All Resources......................................................................V-19 

V.C.5. Summary of Cumulative Effects by Resource ..........................................................................V-19 

V.C.5.a. Water Quality..........................................................................................................V-19 

V.C.5.b. Air Quality...............................................................................................................V-24 

V.C.5.c. Lower Trophic-Level Organisms.............................................................................V-27 

V.C.5.d. Fisheries Resources...............................................................................................V-28

V.C.5.e. Essential Fish Habitat.............................................................................................V-30 

V.C.5.f. Endangered and Threatened Species ....................................................................V-38 

V.C.5.g. Marine and Coastal Birds .......................................................................................V-60 

V.C.5.h. Nonendangered Marine Mammals .........................................................................V-64 

V.C.5.i. Terrestrial Mammals...............................................................................................V-67

V.C.5.j. Economy ................................................................................................................V-70 

V.C.5.k. Commercial Fisheries.............................................................................................V-73 

V.C.5.l. Subsistence-Harvest Patterns ................................................................................V-74 

V.C.5.m. Sociocultural Systems ............................................................................................V-84 

V.C.5.n. Recreation, Tourism, and Visual Resources ..........................................................V-86 

V.C.5.o. Sport Fisheries .......................................................................................................V-89 

V.C.5.p. Environmental Justice ............................................................................................V-92 

V.C.5.q. Archaeological Resources......................................................................................V-94 

V.C.5.r. National and State Parks and Other Special Areas................................................V-94 

V.C.5.s. Coastal Zone Management ....................................................................................V-96 

VI. CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION .........................................................................................................VI-1 

VI.A. DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROPOSALS................................................................................................VI-1 

VI.B. DEVELOPMENT OF THE EIS ................................................................................................................VI-1 

VI.C. CONTACTS FOR REVIEW OF THE EIS ................................................................................................VI-2 

VI.D. CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS AND SUPPORTING-STAFF MEMBERS...................................................VI-6 
x 

TABLES, FIGURES, MAPS 

LIST OF TABLES 

Section I Tables 

Table Title 

Number 

I.A-1 Blocks Offered and Deferred, Opportunity Index, and Lost Opportunity for 

 Lease Sales 191 and 199 Alternatives 

Section II Tables 

II.B-1 Exploration and Production Activities for Cook Inlet Lease Sales 191 and 199 

II.B-2 Impact Summary for Lease Sales 191 and 199 

Section III Tables 

III.A-1 Summary of Data for Streams and Rivers Flowing into Cook Inlet 

III.A-2 Metal Concentrations in Sedimentary, Volcanic, and Plutonic Rocks Surrounding Cook Inlet in 

Suspended Sediment from the Susitna-Knik-Matanuska River System and in Average 

Continental Crust 

III.A-3 Estimates of Natural and Anthropogenic Inputs of Metals to Cook Inlet 

III.A-4 Summary of Published Data on Trace Metals (Percent for Parts per Million Dry Weight) in 

Suspended Particulate Matter from Cook Inlet and Shelikof Strait 

III.A-5 Municipal Wastewater Discharges into Cook Inlet 

III.A-6 Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility Port Woronzof Wastewater Treatment Facility 

Effluent Monitoring Data November 1992 through October 1993 

III.A-7 Fishery Harvests and Wastes in Cook Inlet 

III.A-8 Oil and Gas Production Facilities – Cook Inlet Region 

III.A-9 Chemical Analyses of Produced Water Samples: The Cook Inlet Discharge Monitoring Study 

III.A-10 Chemical Analyses of Produced Water Samples: Source Samples from Shelikof Strait 

Sediment Quality Study and Produced Water Sample from the Trading Bay Production Facility 

Outfall 

III.A-11 Estimates of Oil and Grease, Biological Oxygen Demand, and Zinc in Cook Inlet PetroleumProduction Discharges 

III.A-12 Drilling Muds and Cuttings – MMS Estimates 

III.A-13 Estimates of Drilling Muds and Cuttings Discharged into Cook Inlet 

III.A-14 Selected Effluent Characteristics: Tesoro Refinery and Union Chemical for 1 Year 

III.A-15 Estimates of Selected River and Point-Source Discharges into Cook Inlet for 1 Year 

III.A-16 Selected Summary of the Average and Range of Low-Molecular-Weight Aliphatic Hydrocarbon 

Concentrations Measured in Various Alaskan Marine Environments 

III.A-17 Summary of Published Data on Petroleum, Combustion, and Biogenic Contaminant Trends in 

Cook Inlet Area Marine Sediments 

III.A-18 Summary of Cook Inlet Bioassays – 1993 

III.A-19 Summary of Published Data on Trace Metals in Marine Sediments from Cook Inlet and 

Shelikof Strait: Earlier Studies 

III.A-20 Summary of Published Data on Trace Metals in Marine Sediments from Cook Inlet and 

Shelikof Strait: Shelikof Strait Sediment Quality Study 

III.A-21 Summary of Metal Concentrations in Mussel Tissues 

III.A-22 Ambient Air Quality Standards Relevant to the Cook Inlet Program Area 

III.B-1 Commercial Fish Species and Bycatch Species Identified as Essential Fish Habitat by the 

North Pacific Fisheries Management Council in the Gulf of Alaska 

III.B-2 Endangered, Threatened and Candidate Species in Cook Inlet 

III.B-3 Estimated Abundances of Belugas by Year and Location in Cook Inlet 

III.B-4 Reported Sightings of Right Whales in the Eastern North Pacific East and South of the 

Aleutian Islands and North of Latitude 50° N. 

III.B-5 Major Steller Sea Lion Rookery Sites 

III.B-6 Major Steller Sea Lion Haulout Sites in Alaska 
xi 

III.B-7 Counts of Adult and Juvenile (Nonpup) Steller Sea Lions at Rookery and Haulout Sites by 

Region 

III.B-8 Common Marine and Coastal Birds That are Resident or Migrant in the Cook Inlet/Gulf of 

Alaska 

III.B-9 Seasonal Bird Densities in Lower Cook Inlet 

III.B-10 Counts of Steller’s Eiders Observed During Boat Surveys in Kachemak Bay – 1999-2001 

III.B-11 Counts of Sea Otters in the Aleutian Islands 

III.B-12 Counts or Estimates of Sea Otters in the Southwest Alaska Stock 

III.B-13 Numbers of Sea Otters Reported Taken and/or Tagged in the Range of the Southcentral 

Alaska Stock (North Side of Cook Inlet West to the End of the Aleutian Islands) 

III.B-14 Numbers of Sea Otters Reported Taken and/or Tagged in the Range of the Southcentral 

Alaska Stock (South Side of Cook Inlet around the Kenai Peninsula to Prince William Sound 

and South to Yakutat) 

III.C-1 Wage and Salary Employment by Industry – 1990-1998, Kenai Peninsula Borough 

III.C-2 Oil and Gas Industry Employment by Industry – 1990-2000, Kenai Peninsula Borough 

III.C-3 Kenai-Soldotna Employment by Industry – 1990-1998 

III.C-4 Homer Employment by Industry – 1990-1998 

III.C-5 Tyonek Subsistence Salmon Harvest 

III.C-6 Communities, Households, and Subsistence Inventories 

III.C-7 Community Characteristics of Subsistence Harvests 

III.C-8 Resource Percent of Total Subsistence Harvest 

III.C-9 Population by Community and Place 

III.C-10 Community Types by Demographic, Economic, and Sociocultural Characteristics 

III.C-11 Ethnic Composition of the Population 2000 Count and Percentage of Total Count by 

Community 

III.C-12 Selected Characteristics of the Population 

III.C-13 Community Description – Cook Inlet Area, Alaska 

III.C-14 Scenic Areas Identified in Kenai Peninsula Borough Coastal Plan 

III.C-15 Blocks Having Potential for Prehistoric and Historic Resources 

III.C-16 Cook Inlet Shipwrecks 

III.C-17 Lake Clark National Park and Preserve Incidental Business Permits 

III.C-18 Katmai National Park and Preserve Incidental Business Permits (Commercial Operators) as of 

12/03/01 

III.C-19 Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Commercial Vendors – 1997-2001 

III.C-20 Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Use Summary 

III.C-21 Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge Commercial Vendors – 1997-2001 

III.C-22 Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Use Summary 

III.C-23 Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Commercial Vendors – 1997-2001 

III.C-24 Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Use Summary 

III.C-25 Alaska Peninsula and Becharof National Wildlife Refuges Commercial Vendors – 1999-2001 

III.C-26 Becharof National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Use Summary 

III.C-27 Alaska Peninsula National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Use Summary 

III.C-28 State of Alaska Recreation and Tourism Near the Proposed Cook Inlet Sale Area 

III.C-29 Nutritional Contribution of Annual Wild Food Harvests to Kenai Peninsula Borough 

III.C-30 Nutritional Contribution of Annual Wild Food Harvests to Kodiak Island Borough 

III.C-31 Nutritional Contribution of Annual Wild Food Harvests to Southern Alaska Peninsula 

Communities 

Section IV Tables 

IV.A-1 Large, Small, and Very Large Spill Sizes We Assume for Analysis in This EIS by Section 

IV.B-1 Types of Regulated Pollutants 

IV.B-2 Estimates of Exploration Well Drilling Discharges, Additives, and Usage Rates in Alaska OCS 

Waters 

IV.B-3 Produced Water Monitoring Requirements 

IV.B-4 Estimates of Natural and Permitted Anthropogenic Inputs of Metals to Cook Inlet in Tonnes Per 

Year 

IV.B-5 Summary of Petroleum Production Adverse Impacts to Essential Fish Habitat 

IV.B-6 Essential Species Habitat in Cook Inlet by Subanalysis Area 
xii 

IV.B-7 Annual Percentage Risk to Essential Fish Habitat on Cook Inlet Beaches and in Intertidal 

Areas if an Oil Spill Occurs 

IV.B-8 Percentage Risk in Summer to Essential Fish Habitat on Cook Inlet Beaches and in Intertidal 

Areas if an Oil Spill Occurs 

IV.B-9 Percentage Risk in Winter to Essential Fish Habitat on Cook Inlet Beaches and in Intertidal 

Areas if an Oil Spill Occurs 

IV.B-10 Maximum Annual Percentage Risk to Essential Fish Habitat in Cook Inlet Estuarine and 

Marine Areas if an Oil Spill Occurs – By Spill Location 

IV.B-11 Maximum Annual Percentage Risk to Essential Fish Habitat in Cook Inlet Marine Areas if an 

Oil Spill Occurs in Winter – By Spill Location 

IV.B-12 Maximum Annual Percentage Risk to Essential Fish Habitat in Cook Inlet Marine Areas if an 

Oil Spill Occurs in Summer – By Spill Location 

IV.B-13 Percentage Risk after 30 Days to Essential Fish Habitat on Cook Inlet Marine Waters if an Oil 

Spill Occurs 

IV.B-14 Percentage Risk after 10 Days to Essential Fish Habitat on Cook Inlet Marine Waters if an Oil 

Spill Occurs 

IV.B-15 Percentage Risk after 3 Days to Essential Fish Habitat on Cook Inlet Marine Waters if an Oil 

Spill Occurs 

IV.B-16 Alternatives Comparison for Maximum Annual Risk to Estuary and Marine Essential Fish 

Habitat after 30 Days if an Oil Spill Occurs – Lower Cook Inlet 

IV.B-17 Alternative Comparisons for Maximum Winter Risk to Estuary and Marine Essential Fish 

Habitat after 30 days if an Oil Spill Occurs – Lower Cook Inlet 

IV.B-18 Alternative Comparisons for Maximum Summer Risk to Estuary and Marine Essential Fish 

Habitat after 30 days if an Oil Spill Occurs – Lower Cook Inlet 

IV.B-19 Employment and Personal Income Effects of Alternative 1 

IV.B-20 Population Forecast for the Kenai Peninsula Borough 

IV.B-21 Commercial Fishing Income, Cook Inlet Region, 1991 through 2001 

IV.F-1 State of Alaska, Department of Environmental Conservation Response Standards (18AAC 75) 

for Cook Inlet Platforms 

IV.F-2 Discharge Conditions for a Well Blowout to Open Water or Broken Ice 

IV.F-3 General Mass Balance of Oil from a 120,000-Barrel Open Water Winter or Summer Spill 

IV.F-4 Areas of Discontinuous and Thick Slicks from a 120,000-Barrel Open Water Spill 

IV.F-5 Length of Coastline a 120,000-Barrel Spill Might Contact Without Oil-Spill Response 

IV.F-6 General Mass of Oil from a 120,000-Barrel Broken Ice or Winter Spill 

IV.F-7 Conditional Probabilities That an Oil Spill Starting at Launch Area 2 Will Contact Certain ERA’s 

IV.F-8 Conditional Probabilities That an Oil Spill Starting at Launch Area 2 Will Contact Certain Land 

Segments 

Section V Tables 

V-1 Cook Inlet Basin Oil and Gas Discoveries by Operator 

V-2 Cook Inlet Basin Oil and Gas Discoveries Production and Reserve Information 

V-3 Past Exploration Activities in Lower Cook Inlet and Shelikof Strait 

V-4 Past and Present Operational Gas Pipelines in Cook Inlet and Cook Inlet Basin 

V-5 Past and Present Operational Oil and Liquid Petroleum Pipelines in Cook Inlet and Cook Inlet 

Basin 

V-6 Trans-Alaska Pipeline System and Future Natural Gas Projects 

V-7 Future Cook Inlet Lease Sales 

V-8 Past Oil and Gas Production: July 1957 to December 2001 for Cook Inlet Basin, Alaska 

V-9 Summary of Reserve and Resource Estimates We Use for Analytical Purposes in the 

Cumulative Analysis 

V-10 Detailed Reserve and Resource Estimates We Use for Analytical Purposes in the Cumulative 

Analysis 

V-11 Past Major Projects Considered in the Cumulative Effects Assessment 

V-12 Present Major Projects Considered in the Cumulative Effects Assessment 

V-13 Reasonably Foreseeable Future – Major Projects Considered in Cumulative Effects 

Assessment 

V-14 Summary of Cumulative Effects by Resource Category 

V-15 Cumulative Oil Spill Occurrence Estimates Greater Than or Equal to 1,000 Barrels Resulting 

from Oil Development over the Assumed 15-20 Year Production Life of the Cook Inlet Lease 

Sale 191 
xiii 

V-16 Cumulative Employment and Personal Income Effects for Major Projects in the Reasonably 

Foreseeable Future 

LIST OF FIGURES 

Figure Title 

Number 

Section I Figures 

I.A-1 Proposed Cook Inlet Sales 

Section III Figures 

III.A-1 Maximum Temperature, Minimum Temperature, Precipitation, Snowfall, and Snow Depth for 

Anchorage, Alaska – April 1, 1952 - December 31, 2001 

III.A-2 Maximum Temperature, Minimum Temperature, Precipitation, Snowfall, and Snow Depth for 

Kenai, Alaska –August 1, 1983 - December 31, 2000 

III.A-3 Maximum Temperature, Minimum Temperature, Precipitation, Snowfall, and Snow Depth for 

Kodiak, Alaska – January 1, 1973 - December 31, 2001 

III.A-4 Maximum Temperature, Minimum Temperature, Precipitation, Snowfall, and Snow Depth for 

Homer, Alaska – October 1, 1977 - December 31, 2001 

III.A-5 Schematic of Mean Spring-Summer Surface Circulation in Lower Cook Inlet/Shelikof Strait 

Region 

III.A-6 Mean Diurnal Range, Maximum and Minimum Diurnal, and Maximum and Minimum Tide for 

Representative Tidal Stations in the Cook Inlet/Shelikof Strait Region 

III.A-7 Mean Ice Concentration and Stage of Development for Cook Inlet for December 1-15 

III.A-8 Mean Ice Concentration and Stage of Development for Cook Inlet for December 16-31 

III.A-9 Mean Ice Concentration and Stage of Development for Cook Inlet for January 1-15 

III.A-10 Mean Ice Concentration and Stage of Development for Cook Inlet for January 16-31 

III.A-11 Mean Ice Concentration and Stage of Development for Cook Inlet for February 1-15 

III.A-12 Mean Ice Concentration and Stage of Development for Cook Inlet for February 16-28/29 

III.A-13 Mean Ice Concentration and Stage of Development for Cook Inlet for March 1-15 

III.A-14 Mean Ice Concentration and Stage of Development for Cook Inlet for March 16-31 

III.B-1 Phytoplankton in Cook Inlet 

III.B-2 Areas Used by Cook Inlet Beluga Whales in June, July, and August Based on 1993-1999 

Aerial Surveys 

III.B-3 Counts of Adult and Juvenile Steller Sea Lions in the Western Population (by Region) from the 

late 1970’s to 2000 

III.B-4 Sightings of Steller’s Eiders Observed During Opportunistic Overflights – January 1997 and 

March 2001 

III.B-5 Sightings of Steller’s Eiders Observed During Opportunistic Overflights – March 2000 and 

February 2001 

III.B-6 Known Nest Sites and At-Sea Distribution of Kittlitz’s Murrelets in Alaska 

III.B-7 Prey and Predators of Early Life History Stages of Pollock in Shelikof Strait 

 Region 

III.B-8 Steller’s Eider Critical Habitat 

III.C-1 Commercial Fisheries Management Regions 

III.C-2 Cook Inlet Area Districts 

III.C-3 Commercial Fishing Seasons in Alaska – Prince William Sound/Copper River Cook Inlet 

III.C-4 Commercial Fishing Seasons in Alaska – Chignik, Alaska Peninsula 

III.C-5 Commercial Fishing Season in Alaska – Kodiak 

III.C-6 Lower Cook Inlet Salmon and Herring Management Area 

III.C-7 Upper Cook Inlet Commercial Fisheries Subdistrict Fishing Boundaries 

III.C-8 Southwestern Alaska Showing the Kodiak Management Area and Its Relationship to 

Surrounding Management Areas 

III.C-9 Tyonek Annual Round of Harvest Activities 

III.C-10 Nanwalek and Port Graham Annual Round of Harvest Activities 

III.C-11 Akhiok Annual Round of Harvest Activities, 1982-1983 

III.C-12 Karluk Annual Round of Harvest Activities, 1982-1983 
xiv 

III.C-13 Larsen Bay Annual Round of Harvest Activities, 1982-1983 

III.C-14 Old Harbor Annual Round of Harvest Activities, 1982-1983 

III.C-15 Ouzinkie Annual Round of Harvest Activities, 1982-1983 

III.C-16 Port Lions Annual Round of Harvest Activities, 1982-1983 

III.C-17 Chignik Annual Round of Harvest Activities 

III.C-18 Composite Resource Harvest Area for Tyonek 

III.C-19 Tyonek Fishing Sites 

III.C-20 Resource Harvest Areas for Nanwalek and Port Graham 

III.C-21 Akhiok, Larsen Bay, and Port Lions Resource Harvest Areas, 1983 

III.C-22 Karluk, Old Harbor, and Ouzinkie Resource Harvest Areas, 1983 

III.C-23 Chignik and Chignik Lagoon Resource Harvest Areas, 1962-1983 

III.C-24 Chignik Lake, Ivanof Bay, and Perryville Resource Harvest Areas, 1962-1983 

III.C-25 Bathymetry and Physiographic Zones 

III.C-26 Area Boroughs, Cities, and U.S. Census Places 

III.C-27 Number of Households for Subsistence Salmon, Tyonek Fishery, 1980-1999 

III.C-28 Wild Food Harvest in Five Kenai Peninsula Borough Communities 

III.C-29 Number of Households for Subsistence Salmon – Port Graham Fishery, 1981-1999 

III.C-30 Wild Food Harvest in Six Kenai Peninsula Borough Communities 

III.C-31 Wild Food Harvest in Seven Kodiak Island Borough Communities 

IV.A-1 Weathering Calculations for a 1,500-Barrel Platform and a 4,600-Barrel Pipeline Spill for 

Summer and Winter Open Water and Winter Broken Ice 

IV.A-2 Visual Resource Impact Area 

IV.B-1 Percent Minority Population, 2000 

IV.B-2 Median Household Income, Kenai Peninsula, 2000 

V.B-1 Declining Trends of Large Discoveries in the Cook Inlet Basin 

V.B-2 General Tanker Route and Ports of Entry 

V.B-3 Potential Valdez to Far East Tanker Routes 

MAPS 

Map Title 

Number 

Map 1 Archaeology Blocks and Bathymetry of Lower Cook Inlet 

Map 2 Tide Rips Mapped from Radar Imagery 

Map 3 Cook Inlet Fish Habitat Areas for Analysis of Essential Fish Habitat in Cook Inlet 

Map 4 Groundfish – Essential Fish Habitat in Cook Inlet 

Map 5 Herring – Essential Fish Habitat in Cook Inlet 

Map 6 Forage Fish – Essential Fish Habitat in Cook Inlet 

Map 7 Rockfish and Sculpin – Essential Fish Habitat in Cook Inlet 

Map 8 Halibut – Essential Fish Habitat in Cook Inlet 

Map 9 Flounders – Essential Fish Habitat in Cook Inlet 

Map 10 Scallops and Perch – Essential Fish Habitat in Cook Inlet 

Map 11 Sightings of Endangered Humpback Whales between 1980 and 1997 in Areas Near the 

Proposed OCS Cook Inlet Program Area 

Map 12 Sightings of Blue, Fin, Sei, and Sperm Whales Between 1980 and 1997 in Areas Near the 

Proposed Cook Inlet Lease Sales 191 and 199 Area 

Map 13 Critical Habitat Area for the Western Population of Steller Sea Lions in the Eastern Bering Sea 

and Gulf of Alaska 

Map 14 Distribution and Abundance of Sea Otters in the Kodiak Archipelago and Coastal Regions of 

the South Side of the Alaska Peninsula in the Summer of 2001 

Map 15 Sightings of Short-Tailed Albatross between 1990-2001 Reported to U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service 

Map 16 Marine Mammal Concentrations and Haulouts in the Cook Inlet Planning Area 

Map 17 Primary Coastal Brown Bear Habitats in the Cook Inlet Planning Area 

Map 18 Cook Inlet Oil and Gas Pipelines 

Map 19 Cook Inlet Leasing Activity, Platforms, and Marine Transportation 
xv 

APPENDICES 

APPENDIX A: OIL-SPILL-RISK ANALYSIS 

APPENDIX A1: THE INFORMATION, MODELS, AND ASSUMPTIONS WE USE IN THIS EIS TO 

ANALYZE THE EFFECTS OF OIL SPILLS....................................................................................A-1 

A ESTIMATES OF THE SOURCE, TYPE, AND SIZE OF OIL SPILLS ......................................................A-1 

A.1. Source and Spill-Size Assumptions............................................................................................A-1 

B. BEHAVIOR AND FATE OF CRUIDE OILS..............................................................................................A-4 

B.1. Assumptions about Oil Weathering ............................................................................................A-5 

B.2. Modeling Simulations of Oil Weathering.....................................................................................A-5 

C. ESTIMATES OF WHERE AN OFFSHORE OIL SPILL MAY GO ............................................................A-6 

C.1. Inputs to the Oil-Spill-Trajectory Model ......................................................................................A-6 

C.2. Oil-Spill-Trajectory Model Assumptions......................................................................................A-8 

C.3. Oil-Spill-Trajectory Simulation ....................................................................................................A-9 

C.4. Results of the Oil-Spill-Trajectory Model ..................................................................................A-10 

D. OIL-SPILL-RISK ANALYSIS .................................................................................................................A-11 

D.1. Chance of a Large Spill Occurring............................................................................................A-11 

D.2. Chance of a Spill Contacting ....................................................................................................A-11 

E. SMALL OIL SPILLS...............................................................................................................................A-12 

F. BIBLIOGRAPHY ....................................................................................................................................A-12 

APPENDIX A2: SUPPORTING TABLES FOR THE OIL-SPILL-RISK ANALYSIS 

APPENDIX B: PETROLEUM GEOLOGY, RESOURCE ESTIMATES, AND EXPLORATION AND 

DEVELOPMENT SCENARIOS .......................................................................................................B-1

A. PETROLEUM GEOLOGY OF COOK INLET ...........................................................................................B-1 

A.1. Regional Setting.........................................................................................................................B-1 

A.2. Exploration History .....................................................................................................................B-1 

A.3. Oil and Gas Potential .................................................................................................................B-2 

B. OIL AND GAS RESOURCE ASSESSMENT ...........................................................................................B-3 

B.1. Geologic Assessment.................................................................................................................B-4 

B.2. Economic Assessment ...............................................................................................................B-4 

C. EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT SCENARIOS.............................................................................B-5 

C.1. Cook Inlet Scenario ....................................................................................................................B-6 

C.1.a. Estimates of Muds and Cuttings ......................................................................................B-7 

C.1.b. Changes in Development Potential Due to the Deferral Options .....................................B-8 

SUPPORTING TABLES FOR APPENDIX B 

APPENDIX C: ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT, SECTION 7, CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION 

APPENDIX D: ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT, CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION 
xvi 

APPENDIX E: APPLICABLE FEDERAL LAWS, REGULATORY RESPONSIBILITIES, AND EXECUTIVE 

ORDERS .........................................................................................................................................E-1 

A. FEDERAL LAWS AND REGULATORY RESPONSIBILITIES ................................................................E-1 

A.1. The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act ......................................................................................E-1 

A.2. The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act ...............................................................E-2 

A.3. The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the Council on Environmental 

Quality ........................................................................................................................................E-3 

A.4. The Clean Air Act of 1970 and the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990.....................................E-4 

A.5. The Federal Water Pollution Control Act and Clean Water Act ..................................................E-5 

A.6. The Coastal Zone Management Act and the Coastal Zone Reauthorization 

Amendments ..............................................................................................................................E-6 

A.7. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act ...................................................................................E-7 

A.8. The Marine Mammal Protection Act ...........................................................................................E-7 

A.9. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act.....................................................................................................E-9 

A.10. The International Convention of the Prevention of Pollution from Ships and Marine 

Plastics Pollution Research and Control Act ..............................................................................E-9 

A.11. The Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act...........................................................E-10 

A.12. The National Fishing Enhancement Act ...................................................................................E-10 

A.13. The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act......................................E-10 

A.14. The Endangered Species Act...................................................................................................E-11 

A.15. The National Historic Preservation Act.....................................................................................E-12 

A.16. The Oil Pollution Act.................................................................................................................E-13 

A.17. The Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act...............................................................................E-14 

A.18. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act........................................................................E-14 

A.19. The Ports and Waterways Safety Act.......................................................................................E-14 

A.20. The Merchant Marine Act of 1920 (Jones Act) .........................................................................E-15 

A.21. The Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act .................................................................E-15 

A.22. The Arctic Research and Policy Act .........................................................................................E-16 

B. EXECUTIVE ORDERS...........................................................................................................................E-16 

B.1. Executive Order 13212 – Actions to Expedite Energy-Related Projects (May 18, 2001) .........E-16 

B.2. Executive Order 12898 – Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority 

Populations and Low-Income Populations (February 11, 1994)...............................................E-16 

B.3. Executive Order 13175 – Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal 

Governments (November 6, 2000) ...........................................................................................E-17 

B.4. Executive Order 13007 – Indian Sacred Sites (May 24, 1996).................................................E-18 

B.5. Executive Order 12114 – Environmental Effects Abroad (January 1979) ................................E-18 

B.6. Executive Order 13158 – Marine Protected Areas (May 26, 2000) ..........................................E-19 

B.7. Executive Order 13112 – Invasive Species (February 3, 1999) ...............................................E-20 

C. MITIGATION MEASURES .....................................................................................................................E-22 

C.1. Lease Term Stipulations...........................................................................................................E-22 

C.2. Special Stipulations ..................................................................................................................E-22 
xvii 

APPENDIX F: SCOPING REPORT: OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF, ALASKA REGION, COOK INLET, 

OIL AND GAS LEASE SALES 191 AND 199 FOR YEARS 2004 AND 2006 – 

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT....................................................................................... 1 

INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................................... 1 

BACKGROUND..................................................................................................................................................... 1 

SCOPING PROCESS ............................................................................................................................................ 2 

SUMMARY OF SCOPING COMMENTS................................................................................................................ 2 

Infrastructure ............................................................................................................................................... 2 

Air Quality.................................................................................................................................................... 3 

Archeological, Historical, and Cultural Resources ....................................................................................... 3 

Catastrophic Incidents ................................................................................................................................. 3 

Land Use ..................................................................................................................................................... 3 

Tri-Borough Agreement ............................................................................................................................... 3 

Commercial and Recreational Fishing......................................................................................................... 3 

Socioeconomics .......................................................................................................................................... 4 

Subsistence ................................................................................................................................................. 4 

Wildlife and Aquatic Habitat......................................................................................................................... 4 

Visual Impacts ............................................................................................................................................. 5 

Water Quality............................................................................................................................................... 5 

Past Impacts................................................................................................................................................ 5 

Other Actions with Implications for the Lease Sale...................................................................................... 5 

INCORPORATION OF SCOPING INFORMATION INTO THE EIS....................................................................... 5 

Stipulations .................................................................................................................................................. 6 

Information to Lessee (ITL’s) Clause .......................................................................................................... 6 

FURTHER PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT ..................................................................................................................... 6 

ATTACHMENT TO SCOPING REPORT: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING COOK INLET EIS 

SCOPING .......................................................................................................................................................... 1 

HYDROCARBON RESOURCE LEVELS AND EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT SCENARIOS.................1 

ISSUES TO BE EVALUATED IN SECTION I.D. OF THE EIS ONLY.................................................................... 2 

APPENDIX G: BACKGROUND INFORMATION AND ANALYSIS OF POTENTIAL EFFECTS ON 

KITTLITZ’S MURRELETS.............................................................................................................. G-1 

A. SUMMARY AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION ......................................................................................... G-1 

B. CURRENT AND PAST PROTECTIVE STATUS..................................................................................... G-2 

C. POPULATION STRUCTURE.................................................................................................................. G-2 

D. HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS, MOVEMENTS, DISTRIBUTION, AND ABUNDANCE............................... G-2 

E. POPULATION TRENDS ......................................................................................................................... G-4 

F. REPRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................... G-4 

G. FORAGING ECOLOGY .......................................................................................................................... G-5 

H. MORTALITY RATES AND CAUSES...................................................................................................... G-6 
xviii 

H.1. Other Identified Factors of Conservation Concern Including Human-Related Mortality............. G-6 

H.1.a. Oil Spills ............................................................................................................................ G-6 

H.1.b. Take in Fisheries ............................................................................................................... G-7 

H.1.c. Decreases in Stocks of Prey.............................................................................................. G-7 

H.1.d. Global Warming................................................................................................................. G-7 

H.1.e. Disturbance ....................................................................................................................... G-7 

H.1.f. Collisions............................................................................................................................ G-8 

I. POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF PROPOSED ACTION ON KITTLITZ’S MURRELET .................................. G-8 

I.1. Noise and other Disturbances ................................................................................................... G-8 

I.2. Collisions .................................................................................................................................. G-9 

I.3. Effects of Oil Spills on Kittlitz’s Murrelet .................................................................................... G-9 

TABLES IN THE APPENDICES 

Table Title 

Number 

Appendix A Tables 

A.1-1 Properties of Cook Inlet Crude Oil 

A.1-2 Properties of Drift River Crude Oil 

A.1-3 Fate and Behavior of a Hypothetical Open-Water, 1,500-Barrel Oil Spill from a Lower Cook 

Inlet Platform 

A.1-4 Fate and Behavior of a Hypothetical Broken-Ice, 1-500 Barrel Oil Spill from a Lower Cook Inlet 

Platform 

A.1-5 Fate and Behavior of a Hypothetical Open-Water, 4,600-Barrel Oil Spill from a Lower Cook 

Inlet Platform 

A.1-6 Fate and Behavior of a Hypothetical Broken-Ice, 4,600-Barrel Oil Spill from a Lower Cook Inlet 

Platform 

A.1-7 Environmental Resource Area Identification Numbers, Names, and Spill-Vulnerable Months 

A.1-8 Land Segment ID and Geographic Place Names within the Land Segment 

A.1-9 Assumptions about How Launch Areas are Serviced by Pipelines for the Oil Spill Trajectory 

Analysis 

A.1-10 Estimated Percent Chance of One or More Platform, Pipeline, and Total Platform and Pipeline 

Spills for Alternatives for Lease Sales 191 and 199 

A.1-11 Overall Small Spill Size Characteristics on the Outer Continental Shelf 

A.1-12 Assumed Number and Size of Small Spills 

A.2-1 Annual Conditional Probabilities (Expressed as Percent Chance) That an Oil Spill Starting at a 

Particular Location Will Contact a Certain Environmental Resource Area within 3 Days 

A.2-2 Annual Conditional Probabilities (Expressed as Percent Chance) That an Oil Spill Starting at a 

Particular Location Will Contact a Certain Environmental Resource Area within 10 Days 

A.2-3 Annual Conditional Probabilities (Expressed as Percent Chance) That an Oil Spill Starting at a 

Particular Location Will Contact a Certain Environmental Resource Area within 30 Days 

A.2-4 Annual Conditional Probabilities (Expressed as Percent Chance) That an Oil Spill Starting at a 

Particular Location Will Contact a Certain Land Segment within 3 Days 

A.2-5 Annual Conditional Probabilities (Expressed as Percent Chance) That an Oil Spill Starting at a 

Particular Location Will Contact a Certain Land Segment within 10 Days 

A.2-6 Annual Conditional Probabilities (Expressed as Percent Chance) That an Oil Spill Starting at a 

Particular Location Will Contact a Certain Land Segment within 30 Days 
xix 

A.2-7 Annual Conditional Probabilities (Expressed as Percent Chance) That an Oil Spill Starting at a 

Particular Location Will Contact a Certain Boundary Segment within 3 Days 

A.2-8 Annual Conditional Probabilities (Expressed as Percent Chance) That an Oil Spill Starting at a 

Particular Location Will Contact a Certain Boundary Segment within 10 Days 

A.2-9 Annual Conditional Probabilities (Expressed as Percent Chance) That an Oil Spill Starting at a 

Particular Location Will Contact a Certain Boundary Segment within 30 Days 

A.2-10 Summer Conditional Probabilities (Expressed as Percent Chance) That an Oil Spill Starting at 

a Particular Location Will Contact a Certain Environmental Resource Area within 3 Days 

A.2-11 Summer Conditional Probabilities (Expressed as Percent Chance) That an Oil Spill Starting at 

a Particular Location Will Contact a Certain Environmental Resource Area within 10 Days 

A.2-12 Summer Conditional Probabilities (Expressed as Percent Chance) That an Oil Spill Starting at 

a Particular Location Will Contact a Certain Environmental Resource Area within 30 Days 

A.2-13 Summer Conditional Probabilities (Expressed as Percent Chance) That an Oil Spill Starting at 

a Particular Location Will Contact a Certain Land Segment within 3 Days 

A.2-14 Summer Conditional Probabilities (Expressed as Percent Chance) That an Oil Spill Starting at 

a Particular Location Will Contact a Certain Land Segment within 10 Days 

A.2-15 Summer Conditional Probabilities (Expressed as Percent Chance) That an Oil Spill Starting at 

a Particular Location Will Contact a Certain Land Segment within 30 Days 

A.2-16 Summer Conditional Probabilities (Expressed as Percent Chance) That an Oil Spill Starting at 

a Particular Location Will Contact a Certain Boundary Segment within 3 Days 

A.2-17 Summer Conditional Probabilities (Expressed as Percent Chance) That an Oil Spill Starting at 

a Particular Location Will Contact a Certain Boundary Segment within 10 Days 

A.2-18 Summer Conditional Probabilities (Expressed as Percent Chance) That an Oil Spill Starting at 

a Particular Location Will Contact a Certain Boundary Segment within 30 Days 

A.2-19 Winter Conditional Probabilities (Expressed as Percent Chance) That an Oil Spill Starting at a 

Particular Location Will Contact a Certain Environmental Resource Area within 3 Days 

A.2-20 Winter Conditional Probabilities (Expressed as Percent Chance) That an Oil Spill Starting at a 

Particular Location Will Contact a Certain Environmental Resource Area within 10 Days 

A.2-21 Winter Conditional Probabilities (Expressed as Percent Chance) That an Oil Spill Starting at a 

Particular Location Will Contact a Certain Environmental Resource Area within 30 Days 

A.2-22 Winter Conditional Probabilities (Expressed as Percent Chance) That an Oil Spill Starting at a 

Particular Location Will Contact a Certain Land Segment within 3 Days 

A.2-23 Winter Conditional Probabilities (Expressed as Percent Chance) That an Oil Spill Starting at a 

Particular Location Will Contact a Certain Land Segment within 10 Days 

A.2-24 Winter Conditional Probabilities (Expressed as Percent Chance) That an Oil Spill Starting at a 

Particular Location Will Contact a Certain Land Segment within 30 Days 

A.2-25 Winter Conditional Probabilities (Expressed as Percent Chance) That an Oil Spill Starting at a 

Particular Location Will Contact a Certain Boundary Segment within 3 Days 

A.2-26 Winter Conditional Probabilities (Expressed as Percent Chance) That an Oil Spill Starting at a 

Particular Location Will Contact a Certain Boundary Segment within 10 Days 

A.2-27 Winter Conditional Probabilities (Expressed as Percent Chance) That an Oil Spill Starting at a 

Particular Location Will Contact a Certain Boundary Segment within 30 Days 

A.2-28 Annual Conditional Probabilities (Expressed as Percent Chance) That an Oil Spill Starting at a 

Particular Location Will Contact a Certain Group of Land Segment within 3 Days 

A.2-29 Annual Conditional Probabilities (Expressed as Percent Chance) That an Oil Spill Starting at a 

Particular Location Will Contact a Certain Group Land Segment within 10 Days 

A.2-30 Annual Conditional Probabilities (Expressed as Percent Chance) That an Oil Spill Starting at a 

Particular Location Will Contact a Certain Group Land Segment within 30 Days 

A.2-31 Annual Combined Probabilities (Expressed as Percent Chance) That an Oil Spill Starting at a 

Particular Location Will Occur and Contact Certain Environmental Resource Areas within 3, 

10, or 30 Days 

A.2-32 Annual Combined Probabilities (Expressed as Percent Chance) That an Oil Spill Starting at a 

Particular Location Will Occur and Contact Certain Land Segment within 3, 10, or 30 Days 

A.2-33 Annual Combined Probabilities (Expressed as Percent Chance) That an Oil Spill Starting at a 

Particular Location Will Occur and Contact Certain Boundary Segment within 3, 10, or 30 Days 

Appendix B Tables 

B-1 Oil and Gas Resources in the Cook Inlet Planning Area 

B-2 Exploration and Development Scenarios for Cook Inlet Lease Sales 191 and 199 

B-3 Summary of Exploration and Development Activities for Lease Sales 191 and 199 
xx 

B-4 Drilling Wastes Associated with Cook Inlet Lease Sales 191 and 199 

FIGURES IN THE APPENDICES 

Appendix B Figures 

B-1 Cook Inlet Regional Setting 

B-2 Oil and Gas Fields in Cook Inlet 

B-3 Generalized Stratigraphic Column for Lower Cook Inlet 

B-4 Geologic Cross-Sections of Upper Cook Inlet, Lower Cook Inlet, and Shelikof Strait 

B-5 Lower Cook Inlet Tertiary Plays 

B-6 Lower Cook Inlet Mesozoic Structural Play 

B-7 Lower Cook Inlet Mesozoic Stratigraphy Play 

B-8 Lower Cook Inlet OCS Planning Area Aggregation of All Plays as of Year 2000 

B-9 Economically Recoverable Oil Resources in Lower Cook Inlet OCS Planning Area 

B-10 Economically Recoverable Gas Resources in Lower Cook Inlet OCS Planning Area 

B-11 Cook Inlet OCS Production 

APPENDIX A MAPS 

A-1 Study Area Enclosed by the Boundary Segments Used in the Oil-Spill-Trajectory Analysis 

A-2 Environmental Resource Areas 

A-3 Land Segments Used in the Oil-Spill-Trajectory Analysis 

A-4 Hypothetical Pipelines and Spill Areas 

BIBLIOGRAPHY............................................................................................................................................................ i 

INDEX ......................................................................................................................................................................... i