SURTASS LFA

Client:
Naval Sea Systems Command
Program Executive Officer
Littoral and Mine Warfare Detachment San Diego (PMS-485)
4301 Pacific Highway
San Diego, CA 92110-3127

Project:
Environmental Impact Statement and Overseas Environmental Impact Statement for Operational Deployment of the Surveillance Towed Array Sensor System Low Frequency Active (SURTASS LFA) Sonar, and supplemental EIS (for second 5 year rule).

Dates:
1998 to 2010

Objective:
The Navy’s SURTASS LFA sonar environmental impact statement (EIS) comprehensively analyzes the potential impact of the deployment of the system throughout the world’s oceans. MAI coordinated the EIS team, composed of more than thirty dedicated professionals of varied scientific expertise, from marine biologists proficient in the biology of fish, sea turtles, dolphins and whales, to bioacousticians who provide state-of-the-art analyses and three-dimensional model calculations for risk continuum assessments and risk estimates, and regulatory specialists with knowledge of major federal and state environmental laws.

Core Competencies Required:
The execution of this effort required an in-depth knowledge of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. It also demanded a broad scope of scientific expertise into the potential effects of Naval operations— specifically sonar transmissions on the marine environment. MAI’s renowned scientists, practiced engineers, and experienced military professionals used a unique set of analytical modeling and analysis tools to assess these impacts. Acoustic propagation models such as the Parabolic Equation (PE) model and a wide array of environmental acoustic databases were used to create realistic projections of the SURTASS LFA sound field, providing a four-dimensional (position & time) presentation of sound pressure fields.

Additionally, MAI developed the Acoustic Integration Model© (AIM), to estimate animal sound exposure (this model has been endorsed by peer review of both the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Acoustic Criteria Workshop and the SURTASS LFA Sonar Scientific Working Group). Use of AIM allowed scientists to model marine animals’ distribution in space and diving behavior and estimate sound exposures.

Specific competencies include:

• Preparation and processing of NEPA and Executive Order 12114 documents;
• Marine biology with special emphasis on marine mammals and bioacoustics;
• Potential effects of acoustic sources on marine environment;
• Physical oceanography;
• Endangered Species Act (ESA)/Biological Assessments;
• Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) permitting;
• Federal Coastal Zone Consistency Determinations under Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA);
• Military operations and training; and
• Planning and execution of scientific research and testing.
  

Approach:
The scope of the work addressed the environmental planning for compliance requirements under NEPA, ESA, MMPA, Executive Order 12114, OPNAVINST 5090.1B, CZMA, National Marine Sanctuaries Act, Magnuson-Steven Fisheries Conservation and Management Act, and state, regional and local laws and regulations.

Specific approach included:

• Providing management, coordination, and execution of environmental compliance requirements with the appropriate federal and state agencies;
• Drafting the notice of intent (NOI) to prepare the SURTASS LFA sonar EIS;  
• Coordinating and moderating public scoping meetings and providing briefings on proposed action;
• Collecting and archiving all NEPA scoping comments received on the SURTASS LFA sonar EIS;
• Drafting letter for the Navy (action agency) requesting that federal regulatory agencies (National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and Marine Mammal Commission (MMC)) act as cooperating agencies in the preparation of the EIS;
• Completing acoustic and biological modeling to determine the sound propagation field, distribution and abundance of marine species, and estimation of potential effects of operating the sound source on marine mammals;
• Preparing initial Draft EIS;
• Coordinating internal reviews, editing, and distribution of the Draft EIS including filing through the Navy and US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA);
• Drafting the Navy’s Letter of Authorization (LOA) application as per the MMPA;
• Drafting the Navy’s letter to NMFS initiating Section 7 consultation under the ESA;
• Drafting SURTASS LFA sonar Biological Assessment under ESA for initiation of formal consultation with NMFS;
• Coordinating with 23 coastal states and 5 territories for consistency with each state’s/territory’s coastal zone management program, including application development and coordination of submittal to appropriate state agencies as required;
• Serving as the collecting and archiving facility for all comments received on the Draft EIS;
• Coordinating and participating in public hearings and outreach meetings on the proposed action held during the comment period on the DEIS;
• Collating and drafting responses to comments received on the DEIS and during public hearings and outreach meetings;
• Preparation of preliminary Final EIS;
• Coordinating responses to comments, internal review, editing, and distribution of the Final EIS including filing through the Navy and USEPA;
• Drafting the Record of Decision (ROD) for the Navy and coordinating its approval process through the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Environment (the decision-maker) and the announcement in the Federal Register; and
• Providing technical review and coordination for the Navy’s review of NMFS’s Biological Opinion and Incidental Take Statement.
  

Results:
MAI’s professional expertise in environmental planning and in-depth understanding of this complex regulatory process culminated in the successful completion of all regulatory requirements, and Letters of Authorization (LOA) for Chief of Naval Operations to operationally deploy this critically important underwater surveillance system. This is evidenced by professional and timely completion of the regulatory processes:

• Issuance of the ROD by the decision maker on 16 Jul 2002;
• Publication of the Final Rule under the MMPA for the Taking of Marine Mammals Incidental to Operating SURTASS LFA on 1 Jul 2002;
• Issuance of the LOA 16 Aug 2002;
• Completing Formal ESA Section 7 consultation with NMFS and the issuance of their Biological Opinion on 30 May 2002; and
• Issuance of the Incidental Take Statement (ITS) by NMFS under the ESA on 16 Aug 2002.
  

MAI Contact:
Clayton H. Spikes, John F. Mayer
703.465.8404