Introduction

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., (NEPA), USCG has prepared the Final EIS to identify and assess the potential impacts associated with possible changes to USCG operations in the areas of responsibility (AORs) for USCG District 11, California (D11) and District 13, Oregon and Washington (D13). 

The analysis presented in the Final EIS assists in the process of deciding the appropriate methods that the USCG should use to improve the protection and conservation of marine protected species (MPS) and marine protected areas (MPAs) while continuing to perform the USCG’s missions within USCG Districts 11 and 13.  The analysis focuses on the environmental impacts of routine USCG vessel and aircraft operations on MPS and MPAs when engaged in the following missions and activities: law enforcement, national security, search and rescue, aids to navigation, and oil pollution and vessel grounding response.  The Proposed Action would serve to enhance the USCG’s fulfillment of its marine resource protection mission, without compromising its ability to perform other missions. 

Project Description
The events of September 11, 2001, significantly changed the nation’s homeland security posture and increased its national security and maritime safety demands. USCG responses to these demands have increased the number and changed the characteristics of vessels and aircraft operating in the USCG’s Pacific Area. These changes, combined with marine mammal potential strike incident reports have highlighted the need to analyze the environmental impacts of specified Pacific Area Operations and to review USCG guidance pertaining to conservation and recovery of protected marine species and marine protected areas.

The Final EIS examines potential environmental consequences associated with current operating procedures and reasonable alternatives to those procedures. It analyzes whether implementation of new actions or modifications to existing vessel and aircraft procedures designed to avoid and/or minimize harmful interactions with protected marine species or adverse impacts to marine protected areas are warranted. The Proposed Action would serve to enhance the USCG’s fulfillment of its marine resource protection mission, without compromising its ability to perform other missions.

Proposed Action
The EIS has been prepared by the USCG in accordance with NEPA. The Proposed Action would continue current USCG missions while applying specified enhanced procedures to protect sensitive marine species and sensitive marine areas.

  • The EIS evaluates potential environmental impacts of specified USCG vessel and aircraft operations on the marine environment (coastal and maritime) in the waters of USCG District 11 (California) and District 13 (Oregon and Washington), with particular focus paid to impacts on marine protected species and marine protected areas
  • The EIS indentifies which, if any, alternative measures or guidance should be implemented to support the USCG mission to conserve marine protected species and marine protected areas.

Alternatives
NEPA requires agencies to consider reasonable alternatives to a proposed action.  The alternatives analysis is the heart of an EIS and presents the environmental impacts of a Proposed Action and its alternatives in comparative form.  The Final EIS considers the following six alternatives:

  • Alternative 1:  No Action.  The USCG would continue existing operations without augmentation or modification, and would continue to conserve marine protected species and marine protected areas by balancing the current level of effort with other mission responsibilities and operational tempo. 
  • Alternative 2:  Improve local operating procedures, revise speed and approach guidance, enhance law enforcement operations.
  • Alternative 3:  Enhance marine protected species and marine protected areas awareness training for USCG personnel.
  • Alternative 4:  Implement a Web-based whale reporting program.
  • Alternative 5:  Strengthen partnerships to facilitate marine protected species and marine protected area public outreach programs.
  • Alternative 6:  Environmentally Preferred Alternative.  Combination of select components of Alternatives 1, 2, 3, and 5.