1. Environmental Compliance for U.S.-funded QPE Uncertainty Participants
Kauai Planning Meeting, January 2009
Cheryl Schroeder
Marine Acoustics, Inc.

2. Why is Environmental Compliance Necessary?
Applicable U.S. Federal Legislation
Executive Order (Env. Effects Abroad)
Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)
Endangered Species Act (ESA)―marine mammals, sea turtles, fish, and etc.
Executive Order 13089―Coral reef protection
Applicable Navy Instructions
OPNAVINST C

3. ONR Environmental Compliance Process
Collect applicable sound-producing (oceanographic and acoustic) source and experiment info from scientists
Assess non-acoustic effects
Conduct analysis of proposed transmissions from active acoustic sources and estimate takes of marine mammals resulting from experiment
Once level of risk is assessed, brief ONR, and discuss revisions to experiment to reduce risk, if necessary
Prepare environmental impact report documenting relevant aspects of experiment and experimental impacts on protected species
Review by ONR PM and legal team
Final revisions to environmental document; ONR signatory authority
Experiment takes place

4. What data/information do we need about the experiment from the Chief Scientist?
When will the experiment take place, duration, & why then?
Where will experiment take place & why site was selected?
What will you be doing (basic description)?
What active sources will be used and how will they be used (towed/fixed, frequencies, transmission sequences, ping lengths, etc.)?
What vessel(s) will you be using?

5. Active Acoustic Source Info Needed from Oceo and Acoustic PIs:
If oceo instrumentunaltered (COTS)?
Type(s) of source(s) & manufacturer/model
Location(s) of source(s) ―fixed or mobile; water depth deployed, tow speed
Source level
Frequency, bandwidth, and beam pattern
Type of signals
Transmission sequences (pulse length and interval; duty cycle)
Purpose of data collection
Day and/or night operation

6. Impact Assessment
Examples of Ways Potential Effects (“Risk”) Resulting From the Experiment Can be Reduced Before the Experiment Can Take Place:
Modify experiment by:
Changing time of year or location
Reducing number of acoustic transmissions, source level, duration of signal, or “off” intervals between transmissions

7. Environmental Compliance Success:
Timeline: Get us your experiment information as soon as possible.
Currently*, we must receive data/info a MINIMUM of 3 months before the experiment is to take place.
Make us immediately aware of any changes/alterations to the experiment
Be as clear and accurate as possible when giving info
* with current acoustic thresholds, signature authority, ONR review cycles

8. Environmental Compliance Success:
Timeline: 3 months prior to experiment
QPE Uncertainty 2009 = May 2009
We need experimental and acoustic info in beginning of
February 2009

9. Questions?