biological assessment of bahia icacos in support of the u.s. navy's

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Biological Assessment of Bahia Icacos in Support of the U.S. Navy’s Munitions Removal Program on the Island of Vieques, Puerto Rico

Presented by Tunch Orsoy/CH2M HILL

Co Author: Daniel Hood/NAVFAC Atlantic

Restore America’s Estuaries

6th National Conference on Coastal and Estuarine Habitat Restoration October 20 - 25, 2012

Tampa, Florida

Vieques Overview

Island-municipality of Puerto Rico Approximately 7 miles southeast of Puerto

Rico and 20 miles southwest of St. Thomas Approximately 20 miles long, 4.5 miles wide,

and 33,088 acres (51 square miles) Used by Navy’s Atlantic Fleet for training

from 1964 to 2003

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Bahia Icacos Overview

Located along northeastern coast of Vieques in former Live Impact Area (LIA)

It’s beautiful – but not safe! MEC exists in the water and on the adjacent

land Public access is restricted but largely ignored During holidays, up to 100 recreational boats

may be anchored within the bay at a time

Proposed Action

Construct a waterway barrier system to restrict access of Bahia Icacos by large recreational boats

Barrier system would serve as an interim measure to: ► Reduce public exposure to explosives that may exist underwater

and in surrounding terrestrial areas ► Facilitate MEC investigations and remediation in the area

Project Phases: ► Planning and preliminary design ► Endangered Species Act (ESA) Section 7 consultation ► Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) consultation ► Final design, construction, and operation

Barrier System Overview

Install floating barriers across the 3 channels used by boaters (East, West, and South channels)

Install 3 mariner warning buoys to provide early warning to boaters about the hazards of the waterway barriers and submerged shallow reefs beyond the buoys

Install 6 reef marker buoys to provide early warning to boaters about the hazards of the submerged shallow reefs adjacent to the waterway barriers

Waterway Barriers • ArmorfloatTM waterway

barrier • Each module is 120 inches

long, 16 inches in diameter, and weighs 100 pounds

• Adjustable draft between 3 and 8 inches

• West barrier – 423 feet long • East barrier – 536 feet long • South barrier – 205 feet long

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Anchors

Barriers and mariner warning buoys ► 3 or 4-ton concrete bulk anchors ► 2 anchors on each end of barrier; East barrier also

includes 2 anchors at mid-length ► 1 anchor for each mariner warning buoy ► Secondary anchors may be attached to bulk anchors

(Disc, Manta Ray, or Helical ) Reef marker buoys

► Core anchors (installed into bare rock or coral rubble) ► 1 anchor for each reef marker buoy

ESA Section 7 Consultation

NOAA (NMFS) Protected Resources Division (PRD) Biological Assessment (BA)

► Staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) – Threatened ► Elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata) – Threatened ► Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) – Threatened (in Vieques) ► Hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) – Endangered ► Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) – Endangered

Field Investigation for BA ► Work plan approved by NOAA ► Scientific divers (CSA International) ► Munitions divers (USA Environmental) ► NOAA participation

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BA Field Investigation

Determination of anchor locations for waterway barriers, mariner warning buoys, and reef marker buoys

Sand-depth measurements to determine anchors types Mapping of benthic habitats GPS surveys of listed coral species and benthic habitat

boundaries Surveys of fish, benthic macroinvertebrates, sea turtles,

macroalgae, coral, and seagrasses Underwater video of the marine environment

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Anchor Locations

Total of 22 anchor points and 5 alternate anchor points identified and GPS surveyed

Preliminary locations identified in 2009 adjusted based on potential for environmental impacts and functional suitability

Anchor points identified in collaboration with NOAA No live or dead coral within 3-meter radius of barrier

or mariner warning buoy anchors No Acropora coral within 3-meter radius of reef

marker buoy anchors

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Waterway Barrier System Component

Anchor Location

Anchor Point Habitat

Water Depth Sediment Depth

Latitude (N)

Longitude (W)

(ft) (m) (ft) (m)

Waterway Barrier (WBA)

E E1

Seagrass

15 4.6 >9 >2.7 18°08'49.7" 65°18'03.3"

E2 16 4.9 >9 >2.7 18°08'49.6" 65°18'03.0"

G G1 19 5.8 >9 >2.7 18°08'52.6" 65°18'02.7"

G2 19 5.8 >9 >2.7 18°08'52.6" 65°18'02.3"

F F1 Sand 12 3.7 >9 >2.7 18°08'54.8" 65°18'01.8"

F2 Seagrass 11 3.4 >9 >2.7 18°08'54.9" 65°18'02.0"

Reef Marker Buoy (RMB)

E Bare Reef 9 2.7 <1 <0.3 18°08'48.9" 65°18'03.1"

F Coral Rubble 12 3.7 <1 <0.3 18°08'55.1" 65°18'01.1"

Mariner Warning Buoy (MWB) 3 Sand 27 8.2 5.8 1.8 18°08'53.3" 65°17'44.7"

Water Depths, Sediment Depths, and Geographical Coordinates for the Final Proposed Anchor Point Locations under the Primary Option for the East Channel

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Benthic Habitat Characterization Data

Scientific Name Common Name Waterway Barrier Anchor Location Channel

Mariner Warning Buoy

Reef Marker Buoy

A B C D E F G Alt. E Alt. G West South East 1 East 2 1 2 3 A C1 C2 D E F Alt. E Soft Coral

Briareum asbestinum Corky sea finger R R R R R R R R Erythropodium caribaeorum

Encrusting gorgonian R R R

Eunicea spp. Knobby sea rod R R R R R R R R R

Gorgonia spp. Common sea fan R R R R R R R R R R R

Muricea spp. Spiny sea fan R R R R R R

Plexaura spp. Black sea rod R R R R R R R R

Pseudoplexaura spp. Porous sea rods R R X, R R R R R R R R R

Pseudopterogorgia spp. Sea plume R R R R R R R R R R Sea Grass

Halodule beaudettei Shoal grass X X X X X X X X X

Syringodium filiforme Manatee grass X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

Thalassia testudinum Turtle grass X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Algae

Amphiroa tribulus Flat twig alga R R

Avrainvillea sp. Blade alga X X X X X

Caulerpa prolifera Oval-blade alga X

Caulerpa sertulariodes Green feather alga X

Dictyota spp. Y-branched algae R R R R R R R R R R R R

Halimeda spp. R R X X, R R R R R X X X X X, R R R R

Padina jamaicensis White scroll alga R R X

Penicillus dumetosus Bristle ball brush X X

Penicillus pyriformis Flat-top bristle brush X X X X X X

Peyssonnelia sp. Burgundy crust algae R R R R R R R R

Porolithon pachydermum Crustose coralline R R R R

Udotea cyathiformis Mermaid's tea cup X

Udotea sp. Mermaid's fans X X X X X Invertebrates

Aplysina fulva Scattered pore rope sponge

R

Arbacia punctulata Common arbacia urchin R R

Cinachyra spp. Orange ball sponge R R R R R

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New Colony #

Site Name Depth

(ft)

Maximum Diameter

(cm)

Live Tissue Rank (%)

Easting (ft)

Northing (ft)

Latitude (N)

Longitude (W)

Time Date Picture Notes

29 WBA-D A. cervicornis 6 33 4 1046514.1 771336.9 18°08.8316' 65°18.5369' 13:46:34 8/15/2011







36 WBA-D A. palmata <5 60 2 1046542.3 771431.2 18°08.8471' 65°18.5319' 12:44:38 8/15/2011

37 WBA-D A. palmata <5 160 2 1046560.9 771430.8 18°08.8470' 65°18.5287' 12:46:05 8/15/2011 6211, 6215,

6223 Target for 5 colonies in vicinity of #2

37b WBA-D A. palmata <5 20 4 1046560.9 771430.8 18°08.8470' 65°18.5287' 12:46:05 8/15/2011 6211 to 6223

37c WBA-D A. palmata <5 40 4 1046560.9 771430.8 18°08.8470' 65°18.5287' 12:46:05 8/15/2011 6211 to 6223

37d WBA-D A. palmata <5 10 4 1046561.5 771430.3 18°08.8470' 65°18.5286' 12:51:50 8/15/2011 6211 to 6223

37e WBA-D A. palmata <5 10 4 1046561.5 771430.3 18°08.8470' 65°18.5286' 12:51:50 8/15/2011 6211 to 6223

38 WBA-D A. palmata <5 85 3 1046561.5 771430.3 18°08.8470' 65°18.5286' 12:51:50 8/15/2011 6211 to 6223 Target for 4 colonies in vicinity of #3

38b WBA-D A. palmata <5 30 1 1046561.5 771430.3 18°08.8470' 65°18.5286' 12:51:50 8/15/2011 6211 to 6223

39 WBA-F A. palmata <5 210 4 1049484.6 771890.2 18°08.9200' 65°18.0229' 8:41:17 8/19/2011 354, 386

40 WBA-F A. palmata 7 40 4 1049471.2 771860.4 18°08.9151' 65°18.0253' 8:45:36 8/19/2011 357, 358

41 WBA-F A. palmata 8 25 4 1049479.7 771851.9 18°08.9136' 65°18.0238' 8:47:02 8/19/2011 359

42 WBA-F A. cervicornis <3 4 1049289.7 771890.5 18°08.9202' 65°18.0566' 9:57:36 8/19/2011 Target for colonies 27 to 30

43 WBA-F A. cervicornis <3 30 4 1049289.7 771890.5 18°08.9202' 65°18.0566' 9:57:36 8/19/2011




47 WBA-F A. cervicornis 2 35 2 1049480.4 771878.2 18°08.9180' 65°18.0236' 10:04:48 8/19/2011 Target for colonies 32 and 33

48 WBA-F A. cervicornis 6 50 1 1049480.4 771878.2 18°08.9180' 65°18.0236' 10:04:48 8/19/2011

49 East Bay A. prolifera 2 37 4 1051443.1 771138.3 18°08.7937' 65°17.6852' 13:33:36 8/25/2011 Approximately a dozen colonies within small area swum, all healthy

50 East Bay A. palmata 4 1050178.4 770846.4 18°08.7468' 65°17.9041' 14:13:55 8/25/2011

Acropora Survey Data

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Scientific Name Common Name Waterway Barrier Anchor Location Channel

Mariner Warning Buoy

Reef Marker Buoy Total

A B C D E F G Alt. E Alt. G

West South East 1 East 2 1 2 3 A C1 C2 D E F Alt. E

Dasyatidae Dasyatis americanus Southern stingray 1 1 1 3

Muranenidae Gymnothorax moringa Spotted moray 1 1

Holocentridae Holocentrus adscensionis

Squirrelfish 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 7

Holocentrus rufus Longspine squirrelfish

1 1 1 3

Myripristis jacobus Blackbar soldierfish

1 1 1 3

Plectrypops retrospinis

Cardinal soldierfish

1 1

Synodontidae Synodus intermedius Sand diver 1 1 1 3

Aulostomidae Aulostomus maculatus

Atlantic trumpetfish

1 1 1 3

Scorpaenidae Pterois volitans Red lionfish 1 1 2

Serranidae Hypoplectrus puella Barred hamlet 1 1 1 1 4 Hypoplectrus unicolor Butter hamlet 1 1 Epinephelus guttatus Red hind 1 1 2 Serranus tigrinus Harlequin bass 1 1 1 1 1 5 Serranus tortugarum Chalk bass 1 1 2 Serranus tabacarius Tobaccofish 1 1

Mullidae Pseudupeneus maculatus

Spotted goatfish 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 8

Mulloidichthys martinicus

Yellow goatfish 1 1 1 3

Lutjanidae

Ocyurus chrysurus Yellowtail snapper

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 11

Lutjanus apodus Schoolmaster snapper

1 1 1 1 4

Lutjanus analis Mutton sanpper 1 1 2 Lutjanus griseus Gray snapper 1 1

Fish Community Composition Data

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Habitat Type Number of Features

Area Percent

(ft2) (acres)

Reef and Hard Bottom

Low-Relief Hard Bottom 1,031 1,610,840.43 36.98 12.18%

Patch Reef 164 106,737.52 2.45 0.81%

Coral Reef 19 2,647,096.67 60.77 20.02%

Subtotal 1,214 4,364,674.62 100.2 33.01%

Unconsolidated Sediment

Bare Sand 306 3,444,940.99 78.33 26.05%

Vegetated Sand (Seagrass) 105 5,413,252.13 124.27 40.94%

Subtotal 411 8,858,193.12 202.6 66.99%

Total 1,625 13,222,867.74 266.8 100%

Benthic Habitat Summary

ESA Section 7 Effects Analysis

Assessed direct, indirect, and cumulative effects Effects during system installation Effects during system operation Impact avoidance and minimization measures May affect but not likely to adversely affect NOAA issued Biological Opinion

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EFH Consultation

NOAA (NMFS) Habitat Conservation Division (HCD) Minor amounts of seagrass displaced by bulk

anchors Net benefits analysis Increase public safety Passive mitigation for recreational boat anchoring

impacts on seagrass Allows impacted areas to recover, prevents future

impacts, and potentially increases seagrass cover in bay

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Barrier Construction and Operation

Construction ►Final design and construction work plan ►Coordination with NOAA ►Construction start – early 2013

Operation ►Monitoring and maintenance

• Routine events • Post-storm events • Sea-turtle nesting season events

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Vieques Underwater MEC Investigation and Remediation Program

Island-wide program Multiple projects/multiple phases Programmatic BA

► Broad assessment of anticipated activities and general locations

► Ongoing coordination with NOAA and USFWS Subsequent work plans

► Address specific activities/specific locations ► Specific approaches and impact avoidance measures ► Review and approval by NOAA and USFWS

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Anticipated Activities

0 to 120 feet depth Underwater visual inspections Underwater Digital Geophysical Mapping (DGM) surveys Removal/remediation of MEC Habitat-specific work approaches and impact avoidance

measures ► Surface and subsurface MEC ► Sand, seagrass, and hardbottom habitats ► Removal, in-place containment (encapsulation), and other

methods ► Mitigation

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Assessment of Species and Habitat

Effects on corals, sea turtles, marine mammals Effects on benthic habitats 2009 NOAA benthic habitat map

► Minimum mapping unit (MMU) – 1,000 m2

► Detailed classification scheme and spatially comprehensive ► 116 km2 SAV (2/3 seagrass) ► 72 km2 reef/hardbottom ► 4 km2 mangroves

Available studies ► NOAA (Bauer et. al). 2008. An Ecological Characterization of the Marine

Resources of Vieques, Puerto Rico. Part I: Historical Data Synthesis ► NOAA (Bauer and Kendall). 2010. An Ecological Characterization of the Marine

Resources of Vieques, Puerto. Part II: Field Studies of Habitats, Nutrients, Contaminants, Fish, and Benthic Communities

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Questions / Comments

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biological assessment of bahia icacos in support of the u.s. navy's

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