RIMPAC 2014 Harbor Phase Environmental Considerations For Aircrews

1. RIMPAC 2014 Harbor PhaseEnvironmental ConsiderationsFor Aircrews CDR Shane Cooper CCTF JAG Ms. Julie Rivers U.S. Pacific Fleet Environmental 7 July 2014

2. Bottom Line Up Front • U.S. forces must comply with environmental measures. • Non-U.S. forces are requested to comply with environmental measures within U.S. territory and territorial seas (12nm) to the extent these measures do not conflict with SOFAs. • Non-U.S. forces are encouraged to comply with environmental measures outside U.S. territorial seas if it is reasonable and practicable to do so, and to the extent they do not impair training, operations, or operational capabilities.

3. Mitigation Compliance • The U.S. Navy’s compliance with the required mitigation measures is critically important to future training in the Hawaii & SOCAL Range Complexes. Commanding officers of U.S. units must ensure 100% compliance with the range complex mitigation requirements. • U.S. participants must use PMAP (ver. 2.0.1.1) • Additional measures or overly conservative application of mitigation measures are not authorized as they may further degrade training realism and negatively impact warfighting capability.

4. Changes from RIMPAC 2012 • US has new environmental permits = minor changes to our mitigation measures • US Navy’s Protective Measures Assessment Protocol (PMAP) was updated, and is quoted in the Environmental Letter of Instruction (Appendix 3 to Annex L) • Marine Species Awareness Training (MSAT) was updated • During SINKEX, two Lookouts will be used. One Lookout will be positioned in an aircraft and one on a surface vessel. • No tsunami debris reporting requirements

5. RIMPAC Exercise Instructions • Annex L – Environmental Protection • Hawaii Environmental Protection Guidance • Summary of Discharge Restrictions • Environmental Letter of Instruction for RIMPAC • Marine Species Awareness Training (MSAT) • Marine Mammal Incident Pre-Planned Responses • Annex R – Reports, Data Collection & Analysis • Marine Mammal Incident Reports • Daily Marine Mammal Sighting Reports • TF Marine Mammal After Action reports

6. Protected Marine Species in Hawaii • There are 28 species of marine mammals present in Hawaii, including whales, dolphins and seals. • All marine mammals are protected. Large whales (except for sperm whales) are migratory and likely not in the area during summer – be on lookout for small whales, dolphins, seals. • There are several species of sea turtles also present, all of which are listed as threatened or endangered. • Operators should be aware of the possible presence of marine species and take appropriate action.

7. Marine Species Awareness Training • US Personnel training: • All surface ship Lookouts as well as Commanding Officers, Executive Officers and officers standing watches on the bridge must view the recently updated Marine Species Awareness Training (MSAT) annually • MPRA & ASW/MIW Helo aircrews must also complete MSAT annually • Copies of MSAT video are available up front

8. Marine Species Mitigation • US mitigation measures are based on the visual detection of marine species • Lookout (1 required) on aircraft will, to the maximum extent practicable and consistent with safety requirements, detect the presence of boats and biological resources, and observe mitigation zones. • Passive acoustic operators will also monitor and report marine mammal vocalizations and alert Lookouts • All sightings should be reported immediately to alert forces in the vicinity and your ACU, which include it their daily sighting report to CTF. • If you have to mitigate (e.g. shutdown/not drop where you want) please report this as it helps Navy show we are in compliance with the required mitigation.

9. Kaula Island monk seals • To be coordinated with FACSFAC. • Only non-explosive munitions, not to exceed 500 lb. Bombs and strafing exercises restricted to first 1000 ftof SE tip of island. • Follow marine mammal procedures provided by FACSFAC to mitigate for monk seals and other mm • Hawaiian monk seals are endangered and frequently use the ledges of Kaula to rest (see photos) • There may be up to 15 animals on the island at one time and their coloration can make them particularly difficult to see on land.

10. Kaula Island monk seals (continued)

11. AircraftSonar • Visual observation shall commence 10 min. before the first deployment of active dipping sonar • Do not dip or drop any buoy within 200 yards of a marine mammal • Cease pinging if a marine mammal closes within 200 yards of dipper/buoy • Pinging may re-commence if: • Animal is observed exiting the mitigation zone, or • Animal is thought to have exited the zone based on course, speed and relative motion,or • 10 min. since last sighting, or • Dipper has repositioned more than 400 yards from last sighting (n/a for buoys)

12. Aircraft explosives and impulsive sound

13. MFAS Marine Mammal Detection Flowchart Report sightings to other units Mammal Spotted Monitor, Log & Report Mammal <1000 yd? No Yes Observe appropriate standoff ranges Check for passive indications of close aboard marine mammals before going active Report unusual incidents iaw OPNAVINST 3100.6J MFAS On? 10 min of visual observation prior to first helo dip No Yes Mid-frequency Active Sonar Mitigation Zones: If Mammal closes to 1000 yards, then: - Ships’ sonar >229dB power down by 6dB If Mammal closes to 500 yards, then: - Ships’ sonar (>225dB) power down another 4dB (10dB total) If Mammal closes to 200 yards, then: - Hull-mounted & towed sonars shut down (unless BRE) - Helos shut down dipping sonar - Sonobuoys – passive only • Standoff Ranges: • 500 yards for all whales • 200 yards for all other marine mammals and sea turtles (just one course or speed change) • Exception: safety of ship and vessels restricted in ability to maneuver, BRE Bow-Riding Exemption (BRE) If the ship concludes that dolphins are deliberately closing in on the ship to ride the bow wave, ship may resume active transmission once animals are bow-riding Helos may resume MFAS after: - Animal is seen to leave the zone, or - Animal is thought to have left the zone due to relative motion, or - Animal is not detected for 10 min, or - Helo relocates more than 400 yards from location of last sighting Ships may resume or power up MFAS after: - Animal is seen to leave the zone, or - Animal is thought to have left the zone due to relative motion, or - Animal is not detected for 30 min, or - Ship transits >2000 yards from last sighting (>400 yards for towed sonars) Sonobuoys may resume MFAS after: - Animal is seen to leave the zone, or - Animal is not detected for 10 min

14. Marine Mammal Stand-offs Year round, when operating within 200 nm of the Hawaiian islands, it is illegal for any vessel to approach within 100 yd or any aircraft to operate within 1000 ft of a humpback whale 1,000 feet 200 yards 100 yards 500 yards US Navy stand off rules call for a 500 yd stand off between vessels and all whales, and a 200 yd stand off between vessels and all other marine mammals*

15. SINKEX • Aerial observation of the 2.5 nm mitigation zone shall begin 90 min. prior to first firing event • During SINKEX, two Lookouts will be used. One Lookout will be positioned in an aircraft and one on a surface vessel. • Ships will survey the mitigation zone continuously throughout the duration of the exercise • Mitigation zone shall be monitored for marine mammal vocalizations using passive ship’s sonar systems or sonobuoys that are already participating in the activity. • Results of visual/aerial surveillance and acoustic searches shall be reported to OCE • No weapons launches can commence until OCE declares the safety & mitigation zones free of MMs • If a MM or sea turtle is observed within the mitigation zone, firing shall cease until: • The animal is observed leaving the zone, or • The animal is thought to have left the zone based on relative motion, or • 30 min. since last sighting • After sinking, observe zone for 2hrs or until sunset Mitigation Zone 2½ nm

16. New MM Log

17. MM Incident Pre-Planned Responses • All commands should develop pre-planned responses (PPRs) to address actions and issues associated discovery of an Injured/dead marine mammal at-sea or ashore • Photographic documentation desired • Example OPREP-3 in Appendix 1 of Annex R

18. Reporting Requirements • Marine mammal sightings to ACU • ASW data collection messages (DCMs/PURPLEs) • Ref: Annex R • US units must submit daily Sonar Positional Reporting System (SPORTS) after using active sonar • Ref: Annex R • US units also have OPREP-3 Navy Blue • Whale strikes • Strandings: beached live or dead or floating marine mammals or other unusual events. • Ref: Tab B to Appendix 1 to Annex R (use the template) • CTF Marine Mammal After Action Report (AAR) • Ref: Appendix 4 to Annex R • C3F must provide CPF with a SINKEX AAR by AUG • Ref: Appendix 4 to Annex R

19. Points of Contact CDR Shane Cooper, CCTF JAG CMFP email: JAG@pwc.usa.gctf-cmfp.cmil.mil NIPR/SIPR: shane.cooper@navy(.smil).mil Telephone: (619) 884-3035 Julie Rivers, Pacific Fleet, N465JR NIPR/SIPR: julie.rivers@navy(.smil).mil 808-474-6391 Steve Loeffler, NMAWC N731MM NIPR/SIPR: steven.loeffler@navy(.smil).mil CFMCC Marine Mammal Action Desk CMFP email: Marine_mammal@pwc.usa.gctf-cmfp.cmil.mil Telephone: (808) xxx-xxxx (to be provided)

20. Conclusion Understand and comply with environmental requirements. Protection of marine species and prompt incident reporting are essential tasks for operators.