Findings of Hawaii Environmental Assessment
The US Navy conducted an independent environmental assessment of OPT’s systems, for installation in Hawaii. This resulted in a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). Key findings are summarized below:
Oceanographic Conditions
–No impacts on oceanographic conditions
Entanglement
–Minimal risk of entanglement during installation
–No risk of entanglement once the submarine power cable is rock-bolted to the seafloor.
Entrapment
–Minimal potential for entrapment of marine mammals or sea turtles.
Marine Biological Resources
–Avoids areas of rich biological diversity and high percentages of coral coverage.
–No impact on Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (HAPC)
–Not likely to adversely affect threatened and endangered species
–Unlikely that any impact will occur to marine mammals protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)
–Beneficial Impact on the potential growth of benthic organisms such as corals on the subsea cables and anchor.
Shoreline Conditions
–Minimal impacts would occur on shoreline conditions.
–No alteration to currents or wave directions.
–No adverse effects on shoreline erosion or change in sand deposition patterns.
Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR)
–Minor and Temporary impact from EMR on marine organisms in the vicinity of the transformer and cables.
Electrical Leakage
–Mild discomfort for marine organisms and divers could occur in the unlikely event that damage to the cable causes an electrical fault.
Heat Release
–No impacts to marine life from potential heat release.
Noise
–Localized, intermittent and short duration noise during installation.
–Acoustic output similar to that of ship traffic during continuous operation.
–Unlikely that noise from system installation or operation would have adverse effects on humpback whales, dolphins, and green sea turtles.
Terrestrial Biological Resources
–No impact on Federally listed threatened or endangered terrestrial species.
Land and Marine Resource Use Compatibility
–No incompatibilities on land use are anticipated
Cultural Resources
–No effect on historic properties even though the land based segment of system is sited within the Mokapu Burial Area.
Infrastructure.
–No adverse impacts to existing infrastructure.
Public Safety
–No impacts on public safety within the 500-yd (457-m) buffer zone.
–Potential impacts to public safety outside the 500-yd (457-m) buffer zone
–However, these will be mitigated by providing appropriate markings on the buoys, implementing a plan to respond to system failures, and implementing communication procedures to increase public awareness.
Visual Resources
–Minimal impacts on scenic views.
–Only the Navigational aids extend 30 ft (9 m) above sea level.
–Only safety lights on the navigational aids would be visible in the distance at night.
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