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

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