WA6 Alaska North-Slope Environmental Monitoring
Room 18A/B, Level 4
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Wednesday, 12 November 2003
Chair: Boehm, Paul ,
(371) The ANIMIDA Program: Introduction to a multi-year monitoring program in the nearshore Beaufort Sea.
Boehm, P1, Brown, J, 1 Battelle, Waltham, MA, USA
ABSTRACT- Offshore oil development and production activities have been initiated at Northstar Island and are proposed for the coming years at a modified Liberty prospect site in the nearshore Beaufort Sea. There is concern about the long-term effects of these developments, as well as, long-term effects of any development associated with future offshore lease sales and exploration activities. Historical chemical and physical data have been collected in the region over several decades. Nevertheless, the sensitivity of the region adjacent to Northstar and Liberty, and the highly variable and complex environmental conditions, make further monitoring necessary. In response to interagency reviews of related environmental impact statements (EISs) and development and production plans, the U.S. Department of Interior, Minerals Management Service (MMS) initiated the ANIMIDA Program as a long-term study for monitoring potential impacts of the Northstar and Liberty developments. ANIMIDA Phase I was started in June 1999 and included hydrocarbon and metals chemistry measurements in sediment and tissue samples, as well as acoustic measurements adjacent to the Northstar and Liberty sites. Phase II of the ANIMIDA Program was initiated in July 2000 and incorporates seven tasks including hydrocarbon and metal chemistry studies, suspended sediment studies, an assessment of subsistence whaling at Cross Island, biota contaminant assessment, and a study of the Boulder Patch area. An overview of the ANIMIDA Program status to date will be presented.
Key words: marine monitoring, Beaufort Sea, Northstar Development, Liberty Prospect