Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
The movement and deposition of sediment during construction activities on the
seafloor could kill benthic organisms, a source of food for fish. Effects to fish could
potentially occur if spawning or nursery grounds are disturbed during construction
or if resuspended sediments cause smothering of habitat. The area of seafloor distur-
bance from anchoring systems relative to the surface area occupied would be small.
Marine mammals, sea turtles, fish, and seabirds could be exposed to discharges or
accidental fuel releases from construction vessels and to accidentally released solid
debris. Such spills would be small and quickly diluted and would not be expected to
measurably affect marine mammal or fish populations.
Onshore impacts from construction could affect terrestrial vegetation and wild-
life, but the overall impact is anticipated to be minimal because permanent onshore
facilities are expected to be small. Wildlife would be most affected by habitat
reduction within the project site, access roads, and transmission line rights-of-way.
Wildlife within surrounding habitats might also be affected if the construction activ-
ity (and associated noise) disturbs normal behaviors, such as feeding and reproduc-
tion. Impacts on wildlife are expected to be minor.
Turtles nest along the south Atlantic and Gulf coastlines. Nests containing eggs
and emerging hatchlings could be affected by construction activities onshore.
Lighting from the construction areas could disorient the hatchlings and increase
their exposure to predators. The minimal amount of onsite construction would limit
the impact to no more than a few nests.
River In-Stream Facilities
The potential effects of the placement of river in-stream energy devices and associ-
ated construction on fish may include behavioral responses such as avoidance and
deflections in travel direction. Noise and vibrations generated during the various
construction activities, especially placement of supporting structures and instal-
lation of submarine transmission lines, could disturb the normal behavior. Those
displaced because of avoidance behaviors during construction are likely to return
within relatively short periods following cessation of construction activities.
The movement and deposition of sediment during construction activities on the
riverbed could kill benthic organisms, a source of food for fish. Effects to fish could
potentially occur if spawning or nursery grounds are disturbed during construction or
if resuspended sediments cause smothering of habitat. The area of riverbed disturbance
would be very small relative to the availability of similar habitat in surrounding areas.
Terrestrial wildlife would be most affected by habitat reduction within the project
site, access roads, and transmission line rights-of-way. Wildlife within surrounding
habitats might also be affected if the construction activity (and associated noise)
disturbs normal behaviors, such as feeding and reproduction. Impacts on wildlife
are expected to be minor.
Barrage Facilities
Dam construction at a barrage facility would not increase the amount of wetted area
inundated within the embayment, but it would alter the period of time that water is
held in the embayment and could alter the aquatic environment of the embayment.
These alterations could lead to habitat loss for terrestrial wildlife and bird species
