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Chukchi Sea Environmental Studies Program

Chukchi Sea Environmental Studies Program. Environmental Studies Baseline Program Chukchi Sea, 2008. Caryn Rea Environmental Studies Lead ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc. January 23, 2009. Activity Goal

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Chukchi Sea Environmental Studies Program

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  1. Chukchi Sea Environmental Studies Program Environmental Studies Baseline Program Chukchi Sea, 2008 Caryn Rea Environmental Studies Lead ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc. January 23, 2009

  2. Activity Goal Obtain adequate environmental baseline data for NEPA documents in support of permitting approvals Add to the scientific knowledge base on the marine ecosystem of the Chukchi Sea Summary of Major Program Components

  3. Major Elements Two primary study areas Marine Mammal Surveys-J. Bruggeman/Canyon Creek Consulting Seabird Surveys-Dr. Bob Day/ABR Contaminants-Battelle/Exponent Includes old drillsites Physical Oceanography-Dr. T. Weingartner/UAF Biological Oceanography- Dr. Arny Blanchard/UAF; Dr. Russ Hopcroft/UAF Acoustics- Dr. Chris Clark/Cornell Local residents on Team Desired Outcome Provide data that can advance the state of scientific knowledge on baseline conditions in the Chukchi Sea Obtain permits to drill Offshore Environmental Studies Baseline Program 2008

  4. Chukchi Sea OCS Leases acquired February 2008 Field Work Conducted mid-July to mid-Oct Zero Safety Incidents Data Analysis Ongoing Reporting Complete 3Q, 2009 Planning underway for 2009 Program Program Status & Accomplishments

  5. Marine Mammal Observations Pacific Walrus Sightings > 900 Polar Bear Sightings - 8 Ribbon Seals – 5 Bearded Seals – 115 Bowhead Whales – 1 Gray Whales – 21 Killer Whales – 9 Seabird Observations Approx. 30 species recorded Murres abundant at beginning of survey (July) Crested Auklets abundant in late summer/fall YBLOs in late August/early Sept Eiders & LTDU nearshore late summer Thousands of STSW in September Ross’s gulls migration to the soutwest in October Preliminary Results from 2008 Data are not final and should only be used for general discussion purposes

  6. Seabird Surveys Mammal Surveys Physical Oceanography Biological Oceanography Acoustics Monitoring Contaminants (not confirmed) Coordinate with MMS COMIDA project to collect contaminants samples (sediment/biota) in a % of 2008 locations Proposed Future Program – Chukchi Sea

  7. Challenges • Ice cover • Remote location • Harsh weather conditions • No infrastructure support • No comprehensive Studies Plan for Chukchi Sea OCS

  8. Minerals Management Service COMIDA program National Marine Fisheries Service, AK Beluga Whale Committee, NSB, Kotz IRA Arctic Beluga Whale tagging Ice Seal tagging US Fish and Wildlife Service Chukchi Sea Polar Bear Studies Pacific Walrus Tagging Studies Collaboration Opportunities

  9. Continue with baseline studies program Engage with communities and involve locals to obtain traditional knowledge Engage with multi-stakeholder group to leverage resources Leverage funding and knowledge with others Summary

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