Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Environmental Justice
Site evaluation activities are limited and would not result in significant adverse
impacts in any resource area; therefore, environmental justice impacts are not
expected at this phase.
Acoustics (Noise)
Onshore and offshore drilling activities for all hydrokinetic energy facilities, if
required, would generate the most noise during this phase, but impacts would be
much lower than those that could occur during construction. Surveys using air-gun
arrays may generate low-frequency noise that may be detected by marine mammals,
sea turtles, and fish within the survey area. Other sea and river geophysical sur-
veys and installation of wave-measuring devices equipped with recording equipment
would generate some ship and boat noise.
Hazardous Materials and Waste Management
The only hazardous material associated with site evaluation activities would be the
fuel for boats, barges, and vehicles. Impacts from operational discharges, accidental
fuel releases, and accidentally released solid debris are expected to be small or non-
existent if appropriate management practices are followed.
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Typical activities during the wave or tidal turbine energy farm construction phase
include assembling hydrokinetic units on shore, transporting each device to its des-
ignated location offshore, anchoring it to the seabed, connecting each device electri-
cally to a central junction box, laying or burying submarine transmission and signal
cable, and construction of onshore substation and electrical transmission lines to
connect to the grid. Activities required for river in-stream facilities are essentially
the same but are conducted in a river rather than offshore. For a barrage facility,
a dam would be constructed across the inlet or estuary to contain the incoming
tidal flow and a powerhouse would be constructed to produce hydroelectric energy.
Onshore activities include ground clearing, grading, excavation, vehicular traffic,
and construction of facilities.
Air Quality
Offshore activities that generate emissions include ship, boat, and barge traffic
to and from the hydrokinetic energy facility site, installation of the hydrokinetic
energy devices and their associated anchoring devices, and the laying of under-
water cables. Air emissions result from the operation of ship engines and on-ship
equipment such as cranes, generators, and air compressors. In most cases, an air
quality permit would not be required for offshore facility construction. However,
in areas of non-attainment for any criteria pollutants, the states have authority to
regulate nearshore activities. Emissions generated during the construction phase
of land-based facilities (including docks, equipment storage, and assembly area)
include the following:
