ESSENTIAL FISH HABITAT ASSESSMENT
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
General Permit No. GEG460000
Offshore Oil and Gas Activities
Outer Continental Shelf
Federal Waters of the Gulf of Mexico
June 7, 2023
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
^ S ^ ^ Region 4
• Water Protection Division
^ 7^ 61 Forsyth Street SW
— 2- Atlanta Georgia 30303
% PR0,^°
-------
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction and Federal Coordination 3
2.0 Proposed Action 3
3.0 Proposed Proj ect 4
4.0 Proposed Action Area 5
5.0 Assessment and Ecological Notes on the EFH Fisheries and Species 5
5.1 EFH Overview 5
5.2 Shrimp Fishery 7
5.3 Red Drum Fishery 8
5.4 Reef Fish 9
5.5 Coastal Migratory Pelagic Fishery 11
5.6 Spiny Lobster Fishery 12
5.7 Coral and Coral Reefs 13
5.8 Highly Migratory Species 13
6.0 Assessment of EFH and HAPC in the Gulf 13
6.1 Water Column EFH 14
6.2 Benthic EFH 14
6.2.1 Vegetated Bottoms 15
6.2.2 Unconsolidated Sediments 15
6.2.3 Live Bottoms 15
6.2.4 West Florida Shelf 16
7.0 Federal Action Agency Determination and Mitigation 17
References 20
Appendix A - reserved 21
Appendix B - reserved 21
EFH Assessment
Offshore Oil and Gas GP
Page 2 of 21
-------
1.0 Inli-odiK'lion iiiul I'edoi'iil (oordinnlion
The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) sets forth a mandate for NOAA's
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), regional fishery management councils (FMC), and other federal
agencies to identify and protect important marine fish habitat. The essential fish habitat (EFH) provisions of
the MSA support one of the nation's overall marine resource management goals of maintaining sustainable
fisheries. Essential to achieving this goal is the maintenance of suitable marine fishery habitat quality and
quantity. The FMCs, with assistance from NMFS, have delineated EFH for federally managed species. Federal
action agencies which fund, permit, or carry out activities that may adversely affect EFH are required to consult
with NMFS regarding the potential impacts of their actions on EFH and respond in writing to NMFS or FMC
with any recommendations.
The MSA, administered by the NMFS and regional FMCs, requires collaboration to stop or reverse the
continued loss of fish habitats. Congress mandated the identification of habitats essential to managed species
and measures to conserve and enhance this habitat. Under the MSA, Congress directs NMFS and the eight
regional FMCs, under the authority of the Secretary of Commerce, to describe and identify EFH in Fishery
Management Plans (FMPs); minimize, to the extent practicable, the adverse impacts on EFH; and identify
other actions to encourage the conservation and enhancement of EFH.
This EFH assessment was prepared by the EPA to consider the potential effects that the proposed actions may
have on EFH under the jurisdiction of the NMFS as required by 50 CFR § 600.920(e)(1). The EPA has
determined that the level of detail provided in this EFH assessment is commensurate with the complexity and
magnitude of the potential adverse effects of the proposed action as allowed by 50 CFR 600.920(e)(2) and
meets the information requirements that all EFH assessments must include according to 50 CFR §
600.920(e)(3). The EPA is providing this EFH assessment for consideration by the NMFS in compliance with
the MSA Section 305(b)(2).
The EPA has conducted a comprehensive analysis of all applicable environmental requirements under the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA); however, a consolidated cooperation process under NEPA is not
being used to satisfy the EFH assessment requirements as described in 50 CFR § 600.920(e)(1).1 The NMFS
is a cooperating agency for the NEPA analysis and has provided scientific expertise related to the NEPA
analysis for the proposed action including information about: site selection, Endangered Species Act (ESA)
listed species, and marine mammal protection. While some information related to the EFH Assessment is
within the coordinated NEPA evaluation developed by multiple federal agencies, this EFH Assessment is being
provided as a stand-alone document to comply with the consultation process under the MSA.
2.0 Proposed Action
The Regional Administrator of EPA Region 4 is proposing to reissue a National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) general permit for its jurisdictional area in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)
of the Gulf of Mexico (General Permit No. GEG460000) for discharges in the Offshore Subcategory of the
Oil and Gas Extraction Point Source Category (40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 435, subpart A).
The existing general permit was signed on December 21, 2017, and became effective January 20, 2018, and
will expire on January 19, 2023. It authorizes discharges from exploration, development, and production
facilities located in and discharging to all Federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico seaward of the outer
boundary of the territorial seas.
1 50 CFR § 600.920(e)(1) states that "Federal agencies may incorporate an EFH Assessment into documents prepared for other purposes
such as Endangered Species Act (ESA) Biological Assessments pursuant to 50 CFR part 402 or National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
documents and public notices pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1500."
EFH Assessment
Offshore Oil and Gas
Page 3 of 21
-------
3.0 Project Description
As proposed, the NPDES general permit includes best practicable control technology currently available
(BPT), best conventional pollutant control technology (BCT), and best available technology economically
achievable (BAT) limitations for existing sources and new source performance standards (NSPS) limitations
for new sources as promulgated in the effluent guidelines for the offshore subcategory at 58 FR 12454 and
amended at 66 Federal Register (FR) 6850 (March 4, 1993 and January 22, 2001, respectively).
Background Information Concerning General Permits
Section 301(a) of the Clean Water Act (CWA or the Act), U.S.C. 1311(a), provides that the discharge of
pollutants is unlawful except in accordance with the terms of an NPDES permit. CWA section 402, 33
U.S.C. 1342, authorizes EPA to issue NPDES permits allowing discharges on condition they will meet
certain requirements, including CWA sections 301, 304, and 401, 33 U.S.C. 1311, 1314, and 1341.
EPA may issue NPDES permits to operators of individual facilities or general permits to a class of similar
dischargers within a discreet geographical area. Issuance of general permits is not controlled by the
procedural rules EPA uses for individual permits but is instead subject to section 4 of the Administrative
Procedure Act (APA), 5 U.S.C. 553, as supplemented by EPA regulations, e.g., 40 CFR 124.58. EPA must,
however, comply with the substantive requirements of the CWA without regard to whether it is issuing an
individual or general NPDES permit.
At the time of issuance for the previous NPDES general permit, a 2017 final Environmental Assessment
(EA) was published. Prior to that EA, a 2009 Supplemental EIS was published in support of the NPDES
general permit that included an authorization to discharge drill cuttings wetted with synthetic drilling fluids.
A 1998 Final EIS in support of the 1998 general permit concluded that because of the abundance and
sensitivity of the biological resources present from 200 meters of depth and shallower and potential
secondary impacts, individual permits for these areas which incorporate permit stipulations on a case-by-case
review would be more protective of the numerous biological communities present in the 200-meter water
depths or shallower, and help ensure compliance with Section 403(c) of the CWA. This strategy required
current, or proposed, oil and gas operations shoreward of the 200-meter water depth to seek individual
existing source or new source permits, as appropriate.
The 2017 EA reviewed available data and studies on discharges from offshore oil and gas facilities
within the EPA Region 4 jurisdictional area and discussed the potential short- and long-term impacts for
these discharges on benthic communities. In particular, the 2017 EA included additional information
regarding the environmental impacts from the 2010 Deep Horizon oil spill, which occurred offshore in
Mississippi Canyon lease block 252. The 2017 EA concluded that the spill, did not cause adverse
environmental harm to habitats in water depths greater than 200 meters in the Gulf of Mexico within the
EPA Region 4 jurisdictional area. The EPA has determined that the information in the 2017 EA is
reflective of current conditions in the offshore aquatic environment. As such, based on a review of
relevant environmental data and information, the EPA Region 4 has determined that the appropriate
level of NEPA analysis for the permit reissuance is a "categorical exclusion." A "categorical exclusion"
under the NEPA means a category of actions which do not individually or cumulatively have a
significant effect on the human environment and which have been found to have no such effect in
procedures adopted by a Federal agency in implementation of these regulations (Sec. 1507.3) and for
which, therefore, neither an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement is
required (ref. 40 C.F.R. 1508.1(d).
Description of Activities, Facilities and Discharges Subject to the Proposed Draft Permit
EFH Assessment
Offshore Oil and Gas
Page 4 of 21
-------
The Oil and Gas Extraction Point Source Category (40 CFR part 435 - subpart A) includes facilities engaged
in field exploration, development and well production and well treatment. Exploration facilities are fixed or
mobile structures engaged in the drilling of wells to determine the nature of potential hydrocarbon reservoirs.
A development facility is any fixed or mobile structure engaged in the drilling and completion of productive
wells, which may occur prior to, or simultaneously with production operations. Production facilities are fixed
or mobile structures engaged in well completion or used for active recovery of hydrocarbons from producing
formations.
The proposed general permit will authorize the following discharges to occur in water depths seaward of the
200 meter water depth: drilling muds; drill cuttings; produced water; well treatment fluids; workover fluids;
completion fluids; deck drainage, sanitary wastes; domestic wastes, desalinization unit discharges, blowout
preventer fluid; fire control system test water; non-contact cooling water; uncontaminated ballast water;
uncontaminated bilge water; excess cement slurry; and mud, cuttings and cement at the seafloor. The
proposed permits will authorize discharges from facilities engaged in field exploration, development and
well production and well treatment, for offshore operations for both existing and new sources occurring
seaward of the 200-meter water depth.
4.0 Proposed Action Ami
The proposed draft NPDES permit covers existing and new source facilities in the Eastern Planning Area
with operations located on Federal leases occurring in water depths seaward of 200 meters, occurring
offshore the coasts of Alabama and Florida. The western boundary of the coverage area is demarcated by
Mobile and Visoca Knoll lease blocks located seaward of the outer boundary of the territorial seas from the
coasts of Mississippi and Alabama in the Central Planning Area (CPA). The eastern boundary of the
coverage area is demarcated by the Vernon Basin leases north of the 26o parallel and in water depths seaward
of 200 meters. This permit does not cover areas included under Congressional or Presidential moratorium for
oil and gas activities in Federal waters.
5.0 Assessment ;ind l.colo»k;il Notes on the KM I l-'isheries
-------
The seasonal and year-round locations of designated EFH for the managed fisheries are depicted on figures
available on the NMFS' Galveston webpage. NMFS selected 27 species from seven existing Fisheries
Management Units (FMUs). Table 1 lists the 26 species (plus various coral reef fish assemblages) which are
known to reside in Gulf waters and which are managed under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation
and Management Act (MSFCMA). The listed species are considered ecologically significant to their
respective FMU, and their collective habitat types occur throughout marine and estuarine waters in the Gulf.
Table 1. Summary of Essential Fish Habitat Species within the Central and Eastern Gulf of Mexico
Species
Life Stage
Ecotype
EFH
Brown shrimp
Greatest abundance from Apalachicola Bay to
Mexico
Eggs
Larvae
Adults
<110 m, demersal
<110 m, planktonic
<110 m, silt sand, muddy sand
White shrimp
Greatest abundance from Suwannee River to
Mexico
Eggs
Larvae
Adults
<40 m, demersal
<40 m, planktonic
<33 m, silt, soft d
Pink shrimp
Greatest abundance in FL
Eggs
Larvae
Adults
<65 m, demersal
<65 m, planktonic
<65 m, sand/shell substrate
Royal Red Shrimp
Greatest abundance in terrigenous silt and silty
sand and calcareous mud
adults
250-500 m
Red drum
Greatest abundance from FL through TX
Eggs
Larvae
Postlarvae/j uvenile
Adults
Planktonic
Planktonic
SAV, estuarine mud bottoms,
Marsh/water interface
Gulf of Mexico & estuarine mud
Bottoms, oyster reef
Red grouper
Greatest abundance in eastern Gulf of Mexico
(W. FL shelf)
Eggs
Juvenile
Adults
Planktonic, 25-50 meters
Hard bottoms, SAV, reefs
Reefs, ledges, outcrops
Black grouper
Greatest abundance in eastern Gulf of Mexico
Juvenile
Adults
FL estuaries & Gulf of Mexico
Rocky coral reefs to 150 m
Gag grouper
Greatest abundance in eastern Gulf of Mexico
Eggs
Juvenile
Adults
Planktonic
SAV & oyster beds in coastal
lagoons and estuaries
Hard bottom, reefs, coral; 10-
100 m
Scamp
Greatest abundance in eastern Gulf of Mexico
Juvenile
Adults
Hard bottoms, reefs; 12-33 m
Hard bottoms; 12-189 m
Red snapper
Greatest abundance from FLto TX
Larvae
Postlarvae/j uvenile
Adults
Structure, sand/mud; 17-183 m
Structure, sand/mud; 17-183 m
Reefs, rock outcrop, gravel; 7-
146 m
Vermilion snapper
Greatest abundance from FL through TX
Juvenile
Reefs, hard bottom, 20-200 m
Gray snapper
Greatest abundance in eastern Gulf of Mexico
Larvae
Adults
Planktonic
SAV, mangrove, sand, mud
Yellowtail snapper
Greatest abundance in astern Gulf of Mexico
Juvenile
Adults
SAV, mangrove, sand, mud
Reefs
EFH Assessment
Offshore Oil and Gas
Page 6 of 21
-------
Lane snapper
Greatest abundance in FL & TXs
Juvenile
Adults
SAV, mangrove, sand, mud
Reefs, sand, 4-132 m
Greater ambeijack
Greatest abundance from FL through TX
Juvenile
Adults
Floating plans (Sargassum)
debris, oil rigs, irregular bottom
features
Tilefish
Greatest abundance from Florida through Texas
Juvenile
Adults
Burrows
Rough bottom, 250-350 m
Gray triggerfish
Greatest abundance in FL & LA/TX shelves
Eggs
Larvae
Postlarvae/j uvenile
Adults
Sand
Floating plans, debris
Floating plans, debris
Reefs>10 m
King mackerel
Greatest abundance from FL through TX
Juvenile
Adults
Pelagic
Pelagic
Spanish mackerel
Greatest abundance from FL through TX
Larvae
Juvenile
Adults
<50 m isobath
Offshore, beach, estuaries
Pelagic
Cobia
Greatest abundance from FL through TX
Eggs
Larvae
Postlarvae/j uvenile
Adults
Pelagic
Estuarine & shelf
Coastal & shelf
Coastal & shelf
Dolphin
Greatest abundance from FL through TX
Larvae
Postlarvae/j uvenile
Adults
Epipelagic
Epipelagic
Epipelagic
Bluefish
Greatest abundance from FL through TX
Postlarvae/j uvenile
Adults
Beaches, estuaries, inlets
Gulf and estuaries, pelagic
Little tunny
Greatest abundance from FL through TX
Postlarvae/j uvenile
Adults
Coastal & shelf, pelagic
Coastal & shelf, pelagic
Stone crab
Greatest abundance in estuaries from FL to TX
Larvae
Juvenile
Adults
Planktonic, moderate-high salinity
Shell, SAV
Shell, SAV, coral
Spiny lobster
Greatest abundance in eastern Gulf of Mexico
Larvae
Juvenile
Adults
Algae, SAV
Sponge, coral
Hard bottoms, crevices
Coral
Flower Gardens
FL Middle Grounds
All stages
Source: National Marine Fisheries Service (2000, October). Essential Fish Habitat: A marine fish habitat
conservation mandate for federal agencies. St. Petersburg, FL.
5.2 Shrimp Fishery
The brown, white and pink shrimp yields in the Gulf are highly dependent upon the abundance and health of
estuarine marshes and seagrass beds. The prey species (food source) for these shrimp depend on similar
vegetated coastal marshes and seagrass beds.
Brown Shrimp
Brown shrimp are generally more abundant in the central and western Gulf and found in the estuaries and
offshore waters to depths of 120 m. Postlarve and juveniles typically occur within estuaries while adults occur
outside of bay areas. In estuaries, brown shrimp postlarve and juveniles are associated with shallow vegetated
habitats, but also are found over silty sand and non-vegetated mud bottoms. In Florida, adult areas are primarily
EFH Assessment
Offshore Oil and Gas
Page 7 of 21
-------
seaward of Tampa Bay, and associated with silt, muddy sand, and sandy substrates.
Spawning area: Florida waters to edge of continental shelf; year round
Nursery area: Tampa Bay
White Shrimp
White shrimp are offshore and estuarine dwellers and are pelagic or demersal depending on their life stage.
The eggs are demersal and larval stages are planktonic, and both occur in nearshore marine waters. Adult white
shrimp are demersal and generally inhabit nearshore Gulf waters in depths less than 33 m on soft mud or silty
bottoms. In Florida, white shrimp are not common east or south of Apalachee Bay and are not expected to be
impacted by the discharges.
Spawning area: off Mississippi and Alabama; March to October
Nursery area: Mississippi Sound
Pink Shrimp
Juvenile pink shrimp inhabit most estuaries in the Gulf but are most abundant in Florida. Juveniles are
commonly found in estuarine areas with seagrass. Postlarve, juvenile, and subadults may prefer coarse
sand/shell/mud mixtures. Adults inhabit offshore marine waters, with the highest concentration in depths of
10 to 48 m. According to the NMFS species distribution map, pink shrimp use Tampa Bay from the larval
stage until the species matures to the late juvenile stage.
Spawning area: Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida offshore; year round
Nursery area: major nursery areas in Tampa Bay and Florida west coast state waters; summer and
fall in the northern Gulf
Royal Red Shrimp
Royal red shrimp are most abundant in the northeastern Gulf in water depths between 270 and 550 m. Little is
known about the larvae. Distribution maps were not available by the NMFS for the royal red shrimp due to the
limited knowledge and information available for the species. The permitted discharges will take place at or
near the surface, thus there should be no impact on the primary EFH.
Spawning area: unknown
Nursery area: unknown
5.3 Red Drum Fishery
Red Drum
In the Gulf, red drum occur in a variety of habitats, ranging from depths of about 43 m offshore to very shallow
estuarine waters. They commonly occur in all the Gulf s estuaries where they are associated with a variety of
substrate types including sand, mud, and oyster reefs. Estuaries are important to red drum for both habitat
requirements and for dependence on prey species which include shrimp, blue crab, striped mullet and pinfish.
The GMFMC considers all estuaries to be EFH for the red drum. Schools of large red drum are common in the
deep Gulf waters with spawning occurring in deeper water near the mouths of bays and inlets, and on the Gulf
side of the barrier islands. The Tampa Bay EFH estuarine map shows red drum juveniles to be abundant or
highly abundant in the fall and winter and common in the spring and summer.
Spawning area: Gulfwide from nearshore to just outside state waters, fall and winter
Nursery area: major bays and estuaries including Mobile Bay and Tampa Bay, year round
EFH Assessment
Offshore Oil and Gas
Page 8 of 21
-------
5.4 Reef Fish
Many species of snapper and grouper (mutton, dog, lane, gray and yellowtail snapper- and red, gag and
yellowfin groupers) occupy inshore areas during juvenile stages where they feed on estuarine-dependent prey.
As these species mature they generally move to offshore waters and change their feeding habits. However, reef
fish species still depend on estuarine species for prey.
Red Grouper
The red grouper is demersal and occurs throughout the Gulf at depths from 3 to about 200 m, preferring 30 to
130-m depths. Juveniles are associated with inshore hard bottom habitat, and grass beds, rock formations,
while shallow reefs are preferred for nursery areas. Species distribution maps show that spawning for the red
grouper occurs throughout much of the Gulf waters off Florida, including the Florida Middle Grounds. Nursery
areas occur within and around the selected site.
Spawning area: Florida continental shelf, well offshore, extending from south of Apalachicola Bay all
the way to west of the Florida Keys; April to May
Nursery area: extensively throughout the continental shelf off Florida and along the northern Gulf, year
round
Black Grouper
The black grouper occurs in the eastern half of the Gulf. The species is demersal and is found from shore to
depths of 170 m. Adults occur over wrecks and rocky coral reefs. Juveniles travel into estuaries occasionally.
Species distribution maps for the black grouper indicate that the range of the species occurs within the Gulf,
outside of state waters.
Spawning area: throughout eastern Gulf to 170-m depth, spring and summer
Nursery area: probably the same as the red grouper
Gag Grouper
The gag grouper is demersal and is most common in the eastern Gulf, especially the west Florida shelf. Post
larvae and pelagic juveniles move through inlets, coastal lagoons and high salinity estuaries in April-May
where they settle into grass flats and oyster beds. Late juveniles move offshore in the fall. Adults prefer hard
bottom areas, offshore reefs and wrecks, coral and live bottom. The species EFH distribution maps indicate
presence throughout the Gulf including estuarine areas.
Spawning area: spawning areas are not specified on EFH maps
Nursery area: pelagic waters until post larvae or juvenile
Scamp
Scamp are demersal and widely distributed in the shelf areas of the Gulf, especially off Florida. Juveniles
prefer inshore hard bottoms and reefs in depths of 13 to 36 m. Adults prefer high relief hard bottom areas. The
species EFH distribution maps indicate presence throughout the Gulf including estuarine areas. Presence in
these areas is based only on records for adults.
Spawning area: spawning area not specified in the EFH maps
Nursery area: nurseries not specified in the EFH maps
Red Snapper
Red snapper is demersal and found over sandy and rocky bottoms, around reefs, and underwater objects in
depths to 218 m. Juveniles are associated with structures, objects or small burrows, or barren sand and mud
EFH Assessment
Offshore Oil and Gas
Page 9 of 21
-------
bottoms in shelf waters ranging from 20 to 200 m. Adults favor deeper water in the northern gulf preferring
submarine gullies and depressions, and over coral reefs, rock outcroppings, and gravel bottoms. Spawning
occurs in offshore waters over fine sand bottoms away from reefs. Gulf distribution map show red snapper
nursery areas within the estuarine waters of the Mississippi Sound, and Tampa Bay offshore of state waters
Spawning area: spawning occurs throughout the Gulf, June to October
Nursery area: extensive throughout the Gulf, year-round, including Mississippi Sound and Tampa Bay
Vermillion Snapper
Vermillion snapper are found over reefs and rocky bottom from depths of 2 to 220 m in the shelf areas of the
Gulf spawning occurs in offshore areas, with juveniles occupying the same areas as the adults.
Spawning area: EFH maps not available, not specified in literature reviewed
Nursery area: EFH maps not available, not specified in literature reviewed
Gray Snapper
The gray snapper generally occurs in the shelf waters of the Gulf and is particularly abundant in south and
southwest Florida. Gray snapper occurs in almost all the Gulfs estuaries but are most common in Florida.
Adults are demersal and mid-water dwellers, occurring in marine, estuarine, and riverine habitats. They are
found among mangroves, sandy grass beds, and coral reefs, and over sandy muddy bottoms. Spawning occurs
offshore, with post larvae moving into estuarine habitat over dense beads of Halodule and Syringodium
grasses. Juveniles are marine, estuarine, and riverine found in most types of habitats. They appear to most
prefer Thalassia grass flats, marl bottoms, seagrass meadows and mangrove roots. Species distribution maps
indicate that nursery areas exist within estuarine areas including the Mississippi Sound and Tampa Bay. Major
adult areas are encountered from the Mississippi Sound across Gulf waters to west of Tampa Bay, where year-
round adult areas occur within Florida state waters and into the southern half of Tampa Bay.
Spawning area: spawning areas probably exist in the Gulf off many of the nursery areas, but have not
been positively identified
Nursery area: found in coastal waters throughout the Gulf, including Mississippi Sound and Tampa
Bay
Yellowtail Snapper
Juvenile yellowtail snapper are found in nearshore nursery areas over vegetated sandy substrate and in muddy
shallow bays. Thalassia beds and mangrove roots are preferred habitat of the gray snapper. Late Juvenile and
adults prefer shallow reef areas. According to the Gulf distribution map, this species has nursery areas within
the 3 League Line and Tampa Bay. Spawning and adult areas occur in Gulf waters outside of the 3 League
Line through the Florida Middle Ground and southern Apalachicola areas. EFH is not designated in the state
waters of Mississippi or Alabama.
Spawning area: west and north of Tampa Bay; spring and summer
Nursery area: throughout the western and southern coast of Florida, including Tampa Bay
Lane Snappers
The snappers seem to prefer mangrove roots and grassy estuarine areas as well as sandy and muddy bottoms.
Juveniles favor grass flats, reefs and soft bottom areas, to offshore depths of 33 m. Adults occur offshore at
sand bottoms, natural channels, banks, and manmade reef and structures. Gulf distribution maps indicate that
the lane snapper use shallow coastal waters including the Mississippi Sound and Tampa Bay and areas outside
of state waters as nursery areas.
Spawning area: throughout the adult areas, summer
EFH Assessment
Offshore Oil and Gas
Page 10 of 21
-------
nursery areas: shallow coastal areas throughout the Gulf including Mississippi Sound and Tampa Bay.
Greater Amber jack
Greater amberjack seems to prefer habitats that are marine but not estuarine. Based on the Gulf distribution
maps, greater amberjack occur outside the barrier islands across Gulf waters, and usually over reefs, wrecks
and around buoys. Spawning and nursery areas are similar.
Spawning area: throughout the adult areas in most of the Gulf; year round
Nursery area: throughout the adult areas; year round
Lesser Amberjack
Juvenile lesser ambeijack are found offshore in the late summer and fall in the northern Gulf, along with
smaller juveniles, in areas associated with sargassum. Adults and spawning areas are found offshore year-
round in the northern gulf where they are associated with oil and gas rigs and irregular bottom. The Gulf
distribution map shows the range of the species throughout much of the Gulf and into the Atlantic coastline.
Spawning area: in adult areas, offshore, in the northern Gulf; year-round
Nursery area: probably similar to adult areas year-round; EFH map not available
Tilefish
Tilefish occur throughout the continental shelf in the Gulf, usually at depths from 50-200 m.
Spawning area: throughout the adult area from March to September
Nursery area: throughout the adult area; year round
Triggerfish
Larval and juvenile gray triggerfish are associated with grass beds, Sargassum and mangrove estuaries. Adults
seem to prefer offshore waters associated with reefs. A general species distribution map was not available,
however a map showing catches per hour by trolling methods within the Gulf was available from the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).2 This map indicated that there is a record of occupancy
for gray triggerfish in state waters of Mississippi/Alabama and Florida.
Spawning area: EFH map not available; assumed to be adult preferred areas offshore
Nursery area: EFH map not available; assumed to be estuarine areas throughout the Gulf
5.5 Coastal Migratory Pelagic Fishery
Collectively, these species are commonly distributed from the estuaries throughout the marine waters of the
entire Gulf. However, estuaries are very important, since they contain the major prey base for these species.
King Mackerel
King mackerel are found throughout the Gulf and seldom venture into brackish waters. Juveniles occasionally
use estuaries but are not estuarine dependent, and nursery areas occur in marine environments. According to
the species distribution map, adult areas are also used for nurseries and spawning (May to November). These
areas occur outside of the Mississippi Sound, across state waters, throughout the Gulf and into Tampa Bay.
Spawning area: throughout the Gulf, estuaries and coastal waters in adult areas; May to November
Nursery area: adult areas; year-round, marine waters, estuaries used occasionally
Spanish Mackerel
2 The map is available at: http://cMstensenmac.nos.noaa.gov/Gulf-efli/gtrigger.gif
EFH Assessment
Offshore Oil and Gas
Page 11 of 21
-------
Adult Spanish mackerel tolerate brackish to oceanic waters and often inhabit estuaries. Estuarine and coastal
waters also offer year-round nursery habitat. Juveniles appear to prefer marine salinities and sandy bottoms.
Adults and spawning areas typically occur in offshore areas. According to the species distribution map, EFH
for adult and nursery areas occurs throughout the selected site. Spawning areas occur in Gulf waters off the
coast of Florida.
Spawning area: waters off the coast on the western (Summer and Fall) and eastern Gulf (Spring and
Summer)
Nursery area: coastal waters throughout the Gulf
Cobia
Cobia only occasionally inhabit estuaries. Spawning occurs in nearshore areas and larvae are found in estuarine
and offshore waters. Nursery areas are the same as the adult areas which include coastal areas, bays and river
mouths. The range of cobia extends throughout the Gulf nearshore areas, with the summer adult areas and
year-round nursery areas from the Mississippi Sound into Gulf waters and to the adult area (spring, summer,
and fall) and year-round nursery area that extends from just inside Gulf water, halfway into Tampa Bay.
Spawning area: occurs throughout the adult areas except in bays and estuaries in the northern Gulf,
Spring and Summer
Nursery area: coastal areas, bays and river mouths
Dolphin (Mahi-Mahi)
Dolphin are primarily an oceanic species, but occasionally enter coastal waters with high enough salinity. They
are common in coastal waters of the northern Gulf mainly during the summer months. It is an epipelagic species
known for aggregating underneath or near floating objects, especially Sargassum. Spawning occurs throughout
the adult areas of the open Gulf year-round, with peaks in early spring and fall. Larvae are usually found over
depths of greater than 50 m and are most abundant at depths over 180 m. Adults occur over depths up to 1,800
m, but are most common in waters at 40 to 200 m in depth. Nursery areas are year-round in oceanic and coastal
waters where salinity is high.
Spawning: throughout the adult areas in open waters of the Gulf; year-round
Nursery area: throughout the adult areas in open waters of the Gulf; year-round
Bluefish
Bluefish can be found in Gulf estuaries but are more common in estuaries and waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
Spawning grounds are located on the outer half of the continental shelf Nursery areas occur inshore along
beaches and in estuaries, inlets and rivers. Gulf distribution maps were not available for this species and
therefore EFH could not be identified, but may be assumed to include nursery areas within the Mississippi
Sound and Tampa Bay.
Spawning area: not specified in literature reviewed, EFH map not available
Nursery area: not specified in literature reviewed; EFH map not available, but probably exists within
the Mississippi Sound and Tampa Bay
5.6 Spiny Lobster Fishery
The principal habitat for the spiny lobster is offshore reefs and seagrass. Spiny lobsters spawn in offshore
waters along the deeper reef fringes. Adults are known to inhabit bays, lagoons, estuaries, and shallow banks.
According to the species distribution map, spiny lobsters use the lower half of Tampa Bay for nursery areas.
According to the GMFMC, Tampa Bay seems to be the upper limit for spiny lobster abundance due to the
higher salinities found south of the Bay. The Tampa Bay-specific distribution map indicates that spiny lobster
EFH Assessment
Offshore Oil and Gas
Page 12 of 21
-------
in the Bay are rare. However, the Gulf distribution maps indicate that Tampa Bay is used as an adult area year-
round, and as a nursery area.
Spawning area: throughout the adult area, particularly north and south of Tampa Bay; March to July
Nursery area: lower half of Tampa Bay used as nursery; year-round
5.7 Coral and Coral Reefs
The three primary areas in the Gulf where hermatypic corals are concentrated are the East and West Flower
Garden Banks, the Florida Middle Grounds, and the extreme southwestern tip of the Florida Reef Tract, the
Tortugas Ecological Reserve HAPC and the Pulley Ridge HAPC. A number of other identified areas along the
west Florida Shelf, i.e., Long Mound, Many Mounds, North Reed Site, and the West Florida Wall are all on
the west Florida shelf in depths of 200-1000 m and contain deep water (low light) coral communities. Results
from recent research expeditions indicate that the west Florida shelf may have more deep-water coral coverage
than other areas in the Gulf.
5.8 Highly Migratory Species
In addition to the managed fish species described in the previous section, another group of fish with highly
migratory habits have also been examined. This group includes billfish (blue marlin, white marlin and sailfish),
swordfish, tunas (yellow fin, bluefin and skipjack), and of sharks (black tip, bull, dusky, silky, mako, Atlantic
sharpnose, tiger and longfin mako). Most are found beyond the 50, 100 and 200 m contours.
().0 Assessment of KM I and 11A PC" in (lie (¦ nil'
Table 2 shows the categories of Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) and Habitat Areas of Particular Concern
(HAPC) for managed species which were identified in the Fishery Management Plan Amendments of the
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and which may occur in marine waters of the Gulf. These
habitats require special consideration to promote their viability and sustainability.
Table 2. Essential fish habitat and habitat areas of particular concern in open ocean environments of
the Gulf of Mexico identified in Fishery Plan Amendments of the Gulf of Mexico and presence in area
affected by the proposed draft General Permit.
Essential Fish Habitat
Presence
Water column
Yes
Vegetated bottoms
Yes
Non-vegetated bottoms
Yes
Live bottoms
Yes
Coral reefs
No; solitary specimens may exist within affected area
Artificial reefs
Yes
Geologic features
Yes
Continental shelf features
Yes
Mississippi/Alabama shelf
Yes
West Florida shelf
Yes
Habitat Areas of Particular Concern
Presence
FL Middle Grounds
No
located 50 nautical miles (nmi) east of affected area
FL Keys National Marine Sanctuary
No
located greater than 150 nmi south of the affected area
FL Bay
No
located greater than 150 nmi south of the affected area
Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
No
located greater than 300 nmi west of the affected area
Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve
No
located greater than 100 nmi northeast of affected area
Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
No
located greater than 100 nmi southeast of affected area
Weeks Bay National Estuarine Reserve
No
located greater than 20 nmi northwest of affected area
EFH Assessment
Offshore Oil and Gas
Page 13 of 21
-------
Grand Bay, MS
No: located greater than 30 nmi northwest of affected area
Dry To ring us
No: located greater than 150 nmi south of affected area
Pulley Ridge
No: located greater than 50 nmi east of affected area
Madison-Swanson Marine Reserve
No: located greater than 50 nmi east of affected area
A number of the habitat categories presented in Table 2 are not present in the area affected by the proposed
draft General Permit. Impacts on habitats present or potentially present are discussed in the following
paragraphs. Descriptions of the habitats were mostly excerpted from the "Generic Amendment for Addressing
Essential Fish Habitat Requirements in the following Fishery Management Plans of the Gulf of Mexico."
6.1 Water Column EFH
The major operational discharges resulting from exploration, development and production activities, drilling
fluids and produced water, may have a minimum, short term effect on water column EFH.
Drilling Fluids: Federal water quality criteria are compared to effluent concentrations projected
for the edge of a 100-m mixing zone to determine the ability of drilling fluid discharges to achieve sufficient
mixing and occur at concentrations below criteria in the surrounding waters. The minimum number of
dilutions to achieve sufficient mixing for drilling fluids is projected to be 118 (the number of dilutions
required to meet the arsenic human health criterion). There appears to be a significant probability that the
criteria can be met by the edge of a 100-m mixing zone.
For comparison, the preferred option of a previous BOEM EIS for this development and production project
specifies a maximum 400 bbl/hr discharge rate; water depths for the proposed activity area range from
approximately 30 m to 150 m. For the generalized drilling fluid modeling approach that had been performed
for EPA Region 10, a 500 bbl/hr discharge in a water depth of 20 m resulted in a minimum projected dilution
of 1,035; even at a 1,000 bbl/hr discharge rate the available dilution is 655 at a water depth of 20 m and 731
at a water depth of 40 m. For a 1,000 bbl/hr discharge in a 70-m water depth, the dilutions achieved at 100
meters is 1,721, 10-fold greater than the amount required to meet the most stringent Federal water quality
criteria in the Gulf of Mexico.
The low toxicity of whole drilling fluids in addition to mud plume dilution of priority pollutants to levels
below Federal water quality criteria within a designated 100-m mixing zone is expected to ensure minimal
impacts to water column EFH.
Produced Water. Because hypersaline (salinities >150 ppt are not uncommon) produced waters are denser
than ambient seawater, they tend to sink rapidly removing itself from most of the water column. Saline
produced waters also dilute rapidly upon discharge to well-mixed marine waters. Dispersion modeling
studies of the fate of produced water differ in specific details but all predict a rapid initial dilution of
discharges by 30- to 100-fold within the first few tens of meters of the outfall, followed by a slower rate of
dilution at greater distances. The fate of produced water discharged in the Gulf of Mexico modeled under
typical Gulf of Mexico conditions showed that for a median produced water discharge rate of 115 m3/d (772
bbl/d), a 500-fold dilution was predicted at 10 m from the outfall and a 1,000-fold dilution was predicted at
100 m from the outfall. For a maximum discharge rate of 3,978 m3/d (25,000 bbl/d), a 50-fold dilution was
predicted at 100 m from the outfall.
The most abundant hydrocarbons of environmental concern in produced water are the light, one-ring
aromatic hydrocarbons. Because they are volatile, they can be expected to evaporate rapidly from the water
following produced water discharge. Studies (see Ocean Discharge Evaluation for the National Pollution
Discharge Elimination System General Permit for the Eastern Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf
USEPA, 2003) reported that the maximum concentration of benzene measured in seawater immediately
EFH Assessment
Offshore Oil and Gas
Page 14 of 21
-------
below the produced water discharge pipe at a production platform in the Buccaneer Field off Galveston,
Texas showed a nearly 150,000-fold dilution compared to the concentration of benzene in the produced
water effluent. Concentrations of total gaseous and volatile hydrocarbons, including benzene, toluene,
ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) aromatics decreased from 22,000 ug/1 in the effluent, to 65 ug/1 at the air-
water interface below the outfall, to less than 2 ug/1 in the surface water about 50 m away, indicating very
rapid evaporation and dilution of the volatile components of the produced water. Concentrations of volatile
liquid hydrocarbons discharged with produced water (600 bbl/d) at the Buccaneer Field were reduced on the
order of 10-4 to 10-5 within 50 m from the platform.
BTEX compounds are very volatile with half-lives in the water column of a few hours or days, depending on
water temperature and mixing conditions.
The rapid sinking and dilution of produced water should minimize effects to water column EFH. In addition,
the rapid volatilization of the light-weight aromatic hydrocarbons reduces the probability of impacts to water
column EFH.
6.2 Benthic EFH
6.2.1 Vegetated Bottoms and Non-Vegetated Bottoms
Seagrasses and macroalgae have long been recognized as important primary producers in marine habitats. Due
to the depths of the area affected by the proposed draft permit, seagrasses are unlikely to be present. The
distribution of benthic algae is ubiquitous throughout the Gulf from bays and estuaries out to depths of 200 m.
It is a significant source of food for fish and invertebrates. The wide gently sloping continental shelf,
particularly in the eastern Gulf, provides a vast area where benthic species of algae can become established
and drift along the bottom and continue to grow even when detached from the substrate. Benthic algae also
form large mats that drift along the bottom.
The Gulf of Mexico can be divided into two major sediment provinces, carbonate to the east of
DeSoto Canyon and southward along the Florida coast, and terrigenous to the west of DeSoto
Canyon past Louisiana to the Mexican border. Fine sediments are also strongly represented on the outer shelf
beyond the 80-m isobath. Surface sediments may affect shrimp and fish distributions directly in terms of
feeding and burrowing activities or indirectly through food availability, water column turbidity, and related
factors. The discharge is expected to be buoyant and the constituents in the wastewater are not expected to
come in contact with any non-vegetated bottoms.
6.2.2 Unconsolidated Sediments
Unconsolidated sediments provide habitat for a diverse invertebrate community consisting of several hundred
of burrowing species and well as benthic fish and macro-invertebrate communities living directly on the sea
floor. These habitats also provide foraging for fishes associated with nearby demersal habitat. Unconsolidated
seafloor habitat may affect shrimp and fish distributions directly in terms of feeding and burrowing activities
or indirectly through food availability, water column turbidity, and related factors. The small amounts of solid
waste deposition predicted from the proposed project should minimize any potential physical impacts to
unconsolidated seafloor habitat.
6.2.3 Live Bottoms and Artificial Reefs
Live bottoms are defined as those areas that contain biological assemblages consisting of such sessile
invertebrates as sea fans, sea whips, hydroids, anemones, ascidians, sponges, bryozoans, seagrasses, or corals
EFH Assessment
Offshore Oil and Gas
Page 15 of 21
-------
living upon and attached to naturally occurring hard or rocky formations with rough, broken, or smooth
topography favoring the accumulation of turtles and fishes. These communities are scattered across the
shallow waters of the west Florida Shelf and within restricted regions of the rest of the Gulf of Mexico. The
Florida Middle Ground is probably the best known and most biologically developed of these areas with
extensive inhabitation by hermatypic corals and related communities. This area is 160 km west-northwest of
Tampa and outside the project area. The faunal assemblages of the eastern Gulf are markedly different from
those of the rest of the Gulf. This difference is partially attributed to the calcareous sediments found east of
DeSoto Canyon as opposed to the terrigeneous muds and sands of the central and western Gulf and the
influence of the upwelling associated with the Loop Current.
Fishes associated with such live bottom habitats include the black sea bass, red grouper, white grunt, gray
snapper and black grouper. The discharge is expected to be buoyant and the constituents in the wastewater
are not expected to come in contact with the benthos.
Two types of artificial reefs exist in the Gulf of Mexico, those structures intentionally placed in the water to
serve as artificial reefs and those structures placed in the water to serve another purpose (oil and gas
production) but still providing artificial habitat. Artificial reefs have been used to enhance fishing success in
the Gulf of Mexico for many years. When the National Fishing Enhancement Act of 1984 was passed,
serious attention was given to artificial reefs as fishery habitat enhancements. Florida has more than 587 sites
permitted for artificial reefs on their west coast. Florida has several large general permit areas with one
permit for 28,500 ha (70,395 ac). The total area permitted for artificial reefs on the west coast of Florida is
153,400 ha (378,898 ac). Historic materials used on Florida artificial reef sites have been ships, concrete
rubble, oil platforms, reef modules, barges, tires, bridge spans, boxcars, car bodies, fiberglass boat molds,
buses, obsolete military tanks, and airplanes. These materials are in water depths of 2 to 117 m and provide
up to 27 m of relief at some sites. The reef sites off Florida vary in distance offshore, with some being near
the beach while the furthest is located 87 km (47 nmi) offshore. Due to the buoyancy of the wastewater
plume, it is not expected that wastewater will contact or impact these structures.
6.2.4 Geologic Features of the Continental Shelf and West Florida Shelf
The Gulf of Mexico continental shelf varies in width from about 280 km off southern Florida to about 200
km off east Texas and Louisiana. The shelf narrows to 110 km off southwest Texas. The shelf is widest in
southern Florida (300 km) and narrowest off the modern Mississippi River Delta (10 km). East of DeSoto
Canyon, the shelf is mainly dominated by a thick accumulation of southeasterly trending carbonate rocks and
evaporite sediments. This area has not been influenced by the massive terrigenous regime that has occurred
in other parts of the Gulf. The continental shelf (0 - 200 m) occupies about 35.2 percent of the surface area of
the Gulf, and provides habitats that vary widely from the deeper waters. The shelf and shelf edge of the Gulf
of Mexico are characterized by a variety of topographic features. The value of these topographic features as
habitat is important in several respects. Some of these features support hardbottom communities of high
biomass and high diversity and an abundance of plant and animal species. These features are unique in that
they are small, isolated, highly diverse areas within areas of much lower diversity. They support large
numbers of commercially and recreationally important fish species by providing either refuge or food.
Specific features in the project vicinity are discussed below in the discussion of the West Florida Shelf.
The west Florida shelf is composed mainly of carbonate sediments. These sediments are in the form of quartz-
shell sand (>50 percent quartz), shell-quartz sand (<50 percent quartz), shell sand, and algal sand. The bottom
consists of a flat limestone table with localized relief due to relict reef or erosional structures. The benthic
habitat types include low relief hardbottom, thick sand bottom, coralline algal nodules, coralline algal
pavement, and shell rubble. The west Florida shelf provides a large area of scattered hard substrates, some
emergent, but most covered by a thin veneer of sand, that allow the establishment of a tropical reef biota in a
marginally suitable environment. The only high relief features are a series of shelf edge prominences that are
EFH Assessment
Offshore Oil and Gas
Page 16 of 21
-------
themselves the remnants of extensive calcareous algal reef development prior to sea level rise and are now, in
most cases, too deep to support active coral communities.
Along the west Florida shelf are areas with substantial relief. In an area south of the Florida Middle Grounds,
in water depths of 46 to 63 m, is a ridge formed from limestone rock termed the Elbow, and it is about 5.4 km
at its widest and has a vertical relief of 6.5 to 14 m. South of Panama City are two notable areas with high
relief. The Madison Swanson Marine Reserve are in 66 to 112 m of water and have rock ledges with 6 to 8 m
of relief and are covered with coral and other invertebrate growth. The Mud Banks are formed by a ledge that
has a steep drop of 5 to 7 m. The ledge extends for approximately 11 to 13 km in 57 to 63 m of water. The "3
to 5s", a series of ledges located southwest of Panama City, occur in water depths of 31 to 42 m of water. The
ledges are parallel to the 36.5-m isobath and have relief of 5.5 to 9 m. The features listed above are part of a
larger area of shelf-edge reefs that extend along the 75-m isobath offshore of Panama City to just north of the
Tortugas which also includes the Twin Ridges, The Edges, Steamboat Lumps Marine Reserve (Koenig et. al:
2000). According to Koenig et. al, the northeastern portion of this area represents the dominant commercial
fishing grounds for gag and contains gag and scamp spawning aggregation sites. Two of the areas, Madison
Swanson and Steamboat Lumps, were designated as marine reserves on June 19, 2002 for a four-year period
to protect a portion of the gag spawning aggregations and to protect a portion of the offshore population of
male gag.
Another west Florida shelf region with notable coral communities is bounded by the waters of Tampa Bay on
the north and Sanibel Island on the south. The area consists of a variety of bottom types. Rocky bottom occurs
at the 18 m contour where sponges, alcyonarians, and the scleractinians Solenastrea hyades and Cladocora
arbuscula are especially prominent.
The Pulley Ridge HAPC is a 100+ km-long series of north-south trending, drowned, barrier islands
approximately 250 km west of Cape Sable, Florida. The ridge is a subtle feature about 5 km across with less
than 10 m of relief. The shallowest parts of the ridge are about 60 m deep. The southern portion of the ridge
hosts an unusual variety of zooxanthellate scleractinian corals, green, red and brown macro algae, and typically
shallow-water tropical fishes. The corals Agaricia sp. and Leptoceris cucullata are most abundant, and form
plates up to 50 cm in diameter and account for up to 60% live coral cover at some localities. Less common
species include: Montastrea cavernosa, Madracis formosa, M. decactis, Porities divaricata, and Oculina
tellena. Sponges, calcareous and fleshy algae, octocorals, and sediment occupy surfaces between the corals.
Coralline algae appear to be producing as much or more sediment than corals, and coralline algal nodule and
cobble zones surround much of the ridge in deeper water (greater than 80 m). The fishes of Pulley ridge
comprise a mixture of shallow water and deep species with more than 60 species present.
7.0 I'odei'iil Action Agenev l)eleniiin:ilion ;iihI Mili<>;ilion
The implementing regulations of MSA define adverse effect as "any impact that reduces quality and/or
quantity of EFH. Adverse effects may include direct or indirect physical, chemical, or biological alterations
of the waters or substrate and loss of, or injury to, benthic organisms, prey species and their habitat, and
other ecosystem components, if such modifications reduce the quality and/or quantity of EFH. Adverse
effects to EFH may result from actions occurring within EFH or outside of EFH and may include site-
specific or habitat-wide impacts, including individual, cumulative, or synergistic consequences of actions"
(50 CFR 600.910(a)). Per 50 CFR 600.920(e)(3)), all EFH assessments must include the following
information: 1) a description of the proposed action; 2) an analysis of the effects, including cumulative
effects, of the proposed action on EFH, the managed species, and associated species, such as major prey
species, including affected life history stages; 3) the Federal agency's view regarding the effects of the action
on EFH; and 4) proposed mitigation, if applicable.
A description of the proposed action can be found on page 1 of this document. The low salinity of the treated
EFH Assessment
Offshore Oil and Gas
Page 17 of 21
-------
wastewater and the mode of discharge will result in a buoyant plume spread over the water surface. Any
potentially harmful physical characteristics and chemical constituents present at the time of discharge should
disperse rapidly as the plume undergoes physical dilution processes. Because the wastewater plume will
remain buoyant until all constituents are completely dispersed no mechanism for benthic exposure can be
hypothesized. Adverse impacts to any benthic or demersal EFH are, therefore, unlikely to occur as a result of
these discharges. The high degree temporal and spatial patchiness with regard to the distribution of plankton
assemblages in the water column and the relatively small volume of highly concentrated effluent present
within the disposal zone at any time should greatly limit plankton exposure to potentially harmful water
quality conditions.
As a result of the analyses presented above, EPA has determined that the minimal short-term impacts
associated with the discharge will not result in substantial adverse effects on EFH or managed species in any
life history stage, either immediate of cumulative, in the project area. A summary of EPA's findings are
presented in Table 3 below. Mitigation measures incorporated into the permit include:
1) The applicant is required to monitor the discharged treated wastewater to determine actual dilution rates
achieved. If actual dilution rates are insufficient to meet federal marine water quality criteria in accordance
with the Ocean Dumping Criteria (40 CFR Part 227), modifications to the discharge method will be made.
2) The applicant is required to monitor the ammonia concentrations in the treated wastewater and the toxicity
of the wastewater. If dilution rates are insufficient to satisfy the requirement of the Ocean Dumping Criteria
(40 CFR Part 227), modifications to the discharge method will be made.
EFH Assessment
Offshore Oil and Gas
Page 18 of 21
-------
Table 3: Summary of Potential Impacts to EFH and Geographically Defined HAPC
rcsence
Wl'sMIK'lll
• IMIII
Continental Shelf Fisheries
Coral Reefs and Artificial Reefs
Geologic Features
Live Bottoms
Non-vegetated Bottoms
Vegetated Bottoms
Water Column
West Florida Shelf
Mississippi/Alabama Shelf
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No Significant Impact
No Significant Impact
No Significant Impact
No Significant Impact
No Significant Impact
No Significant Impact
No Significant Impact
No Significant Impact
No Significant Impact
No exposure
No exposure
No exposure
No exposure
No exposure
No exposure
Water quality criteria met for all
constituents within mixing zone.
Impacts will be of short duration and
limited in scope
No exposure to benthic communities
Not present
Habitat Ares of Particular ( miiti'ii
Presence
Imi
4
pact Assessment
Dry Tortugas
No
No
Significant Impact
Avoided
Florida Bay
No
No
Significant Impact
Avoided
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
No
No
Significant Impact
Avoided
Florida Middle Grounds
No
No
Significant Impact
Avoided
Grand Bay, MS
No
No
Significant Impact
Avoided
Weeks Bay National Estuarine Reserve
No
No
Significant Impact
Avoided
Rookery Bay National Estuarine Reserve
No
No
Significant Impact
Avoided
Apalachicola National Estuarine Reserve
No
No
Significant Impact
Avoided
Flower Garden Banks National Marine
Sanctuary
No
No
Significant Impact
Avoided
EFH Assessment
Offshore Oil and Gas
Page 19 of 21
-------
Kofi* roil cos
Gulf Fishery Management Council. 1998. General Amendment for Addressing EFH Requirements in the
Fishery Management Plans of the Gulf.
Gulf Fishery Management Council. 2003. Reef Fish Amendment 21, Continuation of Madison-Swanson and
Steamboat Lumps Marine Reserves, to be Reviewed via Conference Call. News Release. April 8, 2003.
Gulf Fishery Management Council. 2005. General Amendment Number 3 for Addressing EFH Requirements
in the Fishery Management Plans of the Gulf.
Gulf Fishery Management Council. 2010. 5-Year Review of the Final Generic Amendment Number 3.
Addressing EFH Requirements, Habitat Areas of Particular Concern, and Adverse Effects of Fishing in the
Fishery Management Plans of the Gulf.
Koenig, CC, Coleman, CC, Grimes, CB, Fitzhugh, GR, Scanlon, KM, Gledhill, CT, Grace, M. 2000. Protection
of Fish Spawning Habitat for the Conservation of Warm-Temperate Reef-Fish Fisheries of Shelf-Edge Reefs
of Florida. Bulletin of Marine Science, 66(3): 593-616, 2000.
NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service). 2000. EFH: A Marine Fish Habitat Conservation Mandate for
Federal Agencies. St. Petersburg, FL.
NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service). 2009. Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) Review of the Fishery
Management Plan for Regulating Offshore Marine Aquaculture in the Gulf of Mexico.
NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service). 2015. EFH - Gulf. NOAA Southeast regional Office. Ver: 082015.
http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat_conservation/efh/guidance_docs/efh_gmfmc_ver082015.pdf
NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service). 2016. EFH concurrence for the eastern Gulf of Mexico Oil and
Gas General NPDES Permit.
U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Department of Interior. Federal Inventory Sites of the Eastern Gulf
Region. http://www.mpa.gov/mpaservices/atlas/Gulf/gome.thml.
EFH Assessment
Offshore Oil and Gas
Page 20 of 21
-------
Appendix A - resened
Appendix IJ- resened
EFH Assessment Page 21 of 21
Offshore Oil and Gas
------- |