Analysis and Ranking of the Acoustic Disturbance Potential of ...

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Report No. 6945 BBN Systems and Technologies Corporation 5.1 .4 Norton Sound Gold dredging operations and any required winter icebreaking activities are expected to be the major noise sources in this region. Barge, supply vessel, and airport traffic in the Nome and Unalakleet areas are secondary sources during open water conditions. Specific observations for the Nome and northwestern Norton Sound area follow. 1) Nome and northwestern Norton Sound: A large mining vessel, the BIMA, has been dredging for placer gold several miles offshore of Nome in northwestern Norton Sound during ice-free months since spring 1986 (i .e. , the second season of dredging was completed during fall 1987). This is a potential source of strong underwater sound. The dredge-vessel, managed by Inspiration Gold, Inc., is operated by about by 24 personnel and measures about 525 ft long, 140 ft wide and 112 ft high. The gold-recovery system includes a large suction system bringing large quantities of bottom materials aboard for sorting and screening (and possibly crushing). Screened and sorted waste materials are dumped overboard. Several small boats'and barges visit the vessel to change crews and resupply the operation on a near-daily basis. Noise-levels produced by this specific dredging operation ( i. e., lifting and dumping back bottom materials) are unknown, but some other marine dredges are known to be strong sources of noise (Greene 1985, 1987a; Section 3.3). However, concentrations of marine mammals rarely frequent the general area of the dredging operation in Norton Sound during ice-free months. Specific source information is included in Table 5.1. 5.1.5 St. Matthew Hall Any offshore icebreaking operations would be the major noise source in this region. Barge traffic to Bethel and offshore trawler operations are secondary sources. Source information is included in Table 5.1. 5.1.6 North Aleutian Basin Commercial fishing operations are the major noise contributor in this area. While the source level of individual fishing vessels is considerably lower than that of the icebreakers that occasionally operate in the more northern areas, the distributed acoustic output of a large fishing fleet results in an insonified area larger than that around a single, more powerful source. Seismic exploration and potential subsequent drilling operations in this area will also provide major noise contributions. Sporadic natural seismic noise is generated along the southern boundary of this area by events along the Aleutian subduction zone. Occasional events may produce levels higher than man-made noise contributions for short durations. -Zone of influence estimates for this area are included in Section 5.3. Specific observations for this region are given in the following discussion. 1) Cape Peirce: Single-engine floatplanes (e.g., Cessna 185's) and, less frequently, small amphibious aircraft (e.g., twin-engine Widgeons), land and take off near the beach about two to three times month (D. Herter, pers. comm.). The aircraft taxi to the beach to unload and pick up U. S. Fish and
Report No. 6945 BBN Systems and Technologies Corporation Wildlife Service personnel and deliver supplies to a nearby cabin used during annual studies in the Cape Newenham National Wildlife Refuge. One or two other aircraft also occasionally visit the area during summer months (D. Herter, pers. comm.). 2) Kvichak Bay and Nushagak Bays, Bristol Bay: Upper Bristol Bay supports a world-class salmon fishery and large herring-roe fishery annually. In the order of 1,000 diesel-engine (and some gasoline-engine) fishing vessels supported by many high-powered tenders (e.g., powered by twin outboards in the 100-200 hp class), outboard-powered skiffs and single-engine floatplanes serving as spotter aircraft (e .g., Cessna 180ts, 185's, 206's ; Piper Super Cubs -- sometimes over 100 aircraft) operate out of Naknek, Dillingham, Togiak, Egegik and Pilot Point every summer. As many as 500 fishing vessels and associated tenders and aircraft often stage out of Naknek in upper Kvichak Bay, and a few hundred more operate out of Dillingham in Nushagak Bay. Several canneries are also located around the shores of the bays, including a few near the Snake River area. Also, many set-net fishing sites attended by small all-terrain vehicles (eig., "three-wheelerst') and skiffs are located around the shores of upper Bristol Bay, including in Kvichak and Nushagak bays. In addition to fish-spotting aircraft operating offshore, many other aircraft fly along the coast and over portions of upper Bristol Bay every day. Air taxi operators regularly fly at low levels during trips to surrounding villages, canneries and fish camps. Also, larger aircraft, including multi-engine transports hauling fish and cargo, and commerial passenger aircraft, fly in and out of King Salmon and Dillingham. Several military aircraft also operate out of King Salmon, including a few U. S. Air Force F-15 fighters. 3) Ugashik Bay: Ugashik Bay in Bristol Bay supports a relatively large population of harbor seals annually (in the order of several hundred animals and probably larger) (R. Gill pers. comm.). The seals reside in the bay along with many diesel-powered commercial fishing boats and outboard-powered tenders delivering catches to a fish processor and seeking shelter from stormy weather. A variety of noises emanate from the processor, including noises from large compressors. Small outboard powered skiffs from Pilot Point also operate throughout the bay. Some subsistence hunting of seals and shooting from fishing vessels probably also occurs. - 4) Nelson Lagoon: A large fish processor vessel is stationed offshore of the entrance to the lagoon for most of the summer during fishing seasons, and many fishing boats deliver catches to it nearly every day (R. Gill, pers. comm.). During these deliveries, the fishing boats, including outboardpowered skiffs and tenders, motor through the channel near hauled out seals. Information on specific sources is included in Table 5.1. 5.1.7 St. George Basin Ship traffic through Unimak Pass is the dominant noise source in this area. The traffic is most dense near the pass with several large vessels
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FIG. 3.2 NOISE SPECTRA IN SHALLOW W
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Adapted From K.H. Jacob (1986) Cali
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FIG. 3.8 ESTIMATED OVERALL SOUND LE
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FIG. D. 1 HUMAN VOCALIZATION AND AU
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FIG. D. 3 ESTIMATED HEARING CHARACT
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