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Scope and Methodology of Marine Resource Studies for the Cape Wind Energy Project

Environmental Science Services, Inc. 888 Worcester Street, Suite 240 Wellesley, Massachusetts 02482 781-431-0500; fax 781-431-7434. Scope and Methodology of Marine Resource Studies for the Cape Wind Energy Project. with support from: Battelle 397 Washington St. Duxbury, MA 02332

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Scope and Methodology of Marine Resource Studies for the Cape Wind Energy Project

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  1. Environmental Science Services, Inc. 888 Worcester Street, Suite 240 Wellesley, Massachusetts 02482 781-431-0500; fax 781-431-7434 Scope and Methodology of Marine Resource Studies for the Cape Wind Energy Project with support from: Battelle 397 Washington St. Duxbury, MA 02332 781-952-0571; fax 781-952-5369

  2. Marine Resources • Benthic Resources • Finfish Resources and Habitat (including EFH) • Commercial Fisheries • Recreational Fisheries • Protected Marine Species • Whales • Turtles • Other Marine Mammals

  3. Benthic Studies • Literature review performed • Field sampling conducted in 2001 and 2002 • Developed field sampling protocol in consultation with USACE and EPA • Field studies designed to address whether the benthic community differs with respect to: • The 3 alternative sites • Water depth • Sediment types • Sand waves • 2001 and 2002 (Horseshoe Shoal only)

  4. Benthic Grab Locations and Sediment Types

  5. Van Veen Grab Sampler

  6. Finfish Resources and Habitat Studies Sources of Information: • Extensive literature review • MA DMF Research Trawl Data from Nantucket Sound (including 3 Alternative Sites) • Spring and fall trawl surveys • Evaluated data collected from 1990–2001 • Results and trends will be analyzed by year, season, species composition, site, species abundance • Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) resources

  7. Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Grids

  8. Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Grids 1 2 4 3

  9. EFH in Nantucket Sound Alternative Sites 1, 2, and 3

  10. EFH Assessment will include: • Description of the Affected Environment of Nantucket Sound (Physical and Biological) • Life History Characteristics of EFH Species • Likelihood of Occurrence Analysis • Analysis of Effects (Direct, Indirect, Cumulative) • Construction • Operation • Maintenance • Decommissioning • Management Alternatives for the Proposed Action

  11. Commercial Fisheries NMFS Commercial Fishery Data • Commercial landings data - 1990 – 2001 • 1990-1993: “Weigh-Out” Data (Voluntary) • 1994-2001: Vessel Trip Report Data (Mandatory) • Nantucket Sound in statistical area 538 /sub area 075 • 1990-1993 data reported for Area 538 • 1994-2001 data reported for Sub Area 075 • Results/trends will be analyzed by: • year – pounds/species • species – gear type

  12. NMFS Statistical Areas – Southern New England

  13. NMFS Statistical Areas – RI, Cape Cod and Islands

  14. Commercial Fisheries MA DMF Commercial Fishery Data • Commercial landings data: 1990-2000 • MA DMF Statistical Reporting Area 10 • MA DMF reports commercial data by fishery • gillnet – striped bass – lobster • fish weir – fish pot – shellfish • Results/trends will be analyzed by: • year – season • species – pounds/species

  15. MA DMF Statistical Reporting Areas

  16. Recreational Fisheries NMFS Recreational Data • Recreational data from 1990-2001 for Dukes, Barnstable, and Nantucket counties • Data reported in 2-month intervals (waves): • W1: Jan/Feb – W3: May/June – W5: Sept/Oct • W2: Mar/Apr – W4: July/Aug – W6: Nov/Dec • Data evaluated: • fishing effort by mode – no. of fish reported • fishing effort by hrs fished – no. of fish observed • type of gear – sps. of fish observed

  17. Recreational Fisheries Recreational Intercept Survey • Purpose: Collect data on recreational fishing effort and abundance of recreational fish species in Nantucket Sound area and in 3 alternative sites. • Developed protocol in consultation with NMFS; used methods/approach in NMFS Survey (MRFSS) • Telephone survey • Targeted charter boat/party boat captains onCape Cod, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard

  18. Protected Marine Species • End/Thr Sea Turtles: • Kemp’s ridley • Leatherback • Loggerhead Endangered Whales: • Right whale • Humpback whale • Fin whale • Seals (per MEPA request): • Harbor Seal • Gray Seal (state special concern species)

  19. Marine Biological Assessment will include: • Protected Species Regulations • Description of the Affected Environment of Nantucket Sound (Physical and Biological) • Analysis of Population Status/Trends, Food/Feeding Behaviors, Seasonal Distribution, and Known Mortality Factors/Threats for Listed Species • Analysis of Effects (Direct, Indirect, Cumulative) • Construction • Operation • Maintenance • Decommissioning • Management Alternatives for the Proposed Action

  20. Contact Information Susan M. Herz Environmental Science Services, Inc. 888 Worcester Street, Suite 240 Wellesley, Massachusetts 02482 (781) 489-1132 – phone (781) 431-7434 – fax sherz@essgroup.com - email

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