Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Adverse impacts due to noise could occur if the site is located near a sensitive
area, such as a park, wilderness, or other protected area. The primary impacts from
noise would be localized disturbances to wildlife, recreationists, and residents.
Hazardous Materials and Waste Management
Hazardous material associated with installation of hydrokinetic energy devices and
construction of associated support components would include fuels, lubricants, and
hydraulic fluids contained in the hydrokinetic energy devices or used in ships and
construction equipment. Impacts from accidental spills, accidental fuel releases, and
releases of solid debris are expected to be minor if appropriate management prac-
tices are followed. Garbage and sanitary waste generated onboard the vessels and
barges would be returned to shore for disposal. Solid and industrial waste would be
generated during onshore construction activities. The solid wastes would likely be
nonhazardous and consist mostly of containers, packaging materials, and waste from
equipment assembly and construction crews. Industrial wastes would include minor
amounts of fuels, spent vehicle and equipment fluids (lubricating oils, hydraulic flu-
ids, battery electrolytes, glycol coolants), and spent solvents. These materials would
be transported offsite for disposal, but impacts could result if the wastes were not
properly handled and were released to the environment. No impacts are expected
from proper handling of all wastes.
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Typical activities during the hydrokinetic energy facility operational phase include
operation of the hydrokinetic energy devices, power generation, and associated
maintenance activities that would require operations from a vessel or barge when
components are being maintained, repaired, or replaced.
Air Quality
There are no direct air emissions from the operation of hydrokinetic energy facili-
ties. Air emissions result from the operation of maintenance ship engines and on-
ship equipment such as cranes, generators, and air compressors. Onshore vehicular
traffic will continue to produce small amounts of fugitive dust and tailpipe emissions
during maintenance activities. These emissions would not likely exceed air quality
standards and impacts on air quality would be minor.
Cultural Resources
The operation and maintenance of offshore facilities would have no direct impact
on cultural resources unless previously undisturbed areas are disturbed. Potential
indirect impacts associated with the operation and maintenance of onshore facilities
would be limited to unauthorized collection of artifacts made possible by access
roads if they make remote lands accessible to the public. Visual impacts resulting
from the presence of a large wave, tidal turbine, river in-stream energy facility, or
barrage facility and transmission lines could affect some cultural resources, such as
sacred landscapes or historic trails.
