Micro-Siting Process
Initial determinations of proposed candidate mooring sites for the Endurance Array (West Coast) and Pioneer Array (East Coast) were based on science and operational requirements for each array. The proposed placement or “micro-siting” of the moorings is being coordinated with input from the public and marine user stakeholders. The micro-siting process provides stakeholders with the opportunity to participate in the site selection process for final mooring placement. NSF is coordinating a series of public meetings to receive micro-siting input for the Endurance and Pioneer Array moorings.
Upcoming meetings as well as summary reports from past meetings are listed below.
Revised Pioneer Array Micro-siting Plan
The National Science Foundation (NSF) will continue to accept comments through the end of 2011 on the revised Pioneer Array micro-siting plan. Please submit written comments to the NSF using this form.
The initial public comment period closed on May 27, 2011. The NSF held a public meeting on June 7, 2011, to report out on the written comments submitted. The following documents posted below were presented during that meeting.
- Update: New Date for Pioneer Array At-Sea Test 2
- Revised Pioneer Array Description
- Comment Form
- Revised Pioneer Diagram Latitude/Longitude and Approximate Depths of Mooring Sites
- Revised Pioneer Table Latitude/Longitude and Approximate Depths of Mooring Sites
- Pioneer Array Micro-siting and Related Activity Frequently Asked Questions – Updated June 17, 2011
Final Site-Specific Environmental Assessment
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Ocean Sciences in the Directorate for Geosciences has issued the Final Site-Specific Environmental Assessment (SSEA) for the OOI. The Final SSEA was prepared to assess the potential impacts on the human and natural environment associated with proposed site-specific requirements in the installation and operation and maintenance of the OOI that were previously assessed in a 2008 Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) and a 2009 Supplemental Environmental Report (SER). The scope of the environmental impact analysis of the SSEA is tiered from the previously prepared PEA, associated Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), and SER. It focuses only on those activities and the associated potential impacts, including cumulative impacts, resulting from the site-specific installation and operation of OOI assets that were not previously assessed in the PEA and SER.
- Final Site-Specific Environmental Assessment (January 2011)
- Final SSEA Appendices:
- A – Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) for NSF-funded OOI (June 2008)
- B – Supplemental Environmental Report (SER) for the OOI (April 2009)
- C – Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) – OOI Programmatic EA (February 2009)
- D – Agency and Public Correspondence/Coordination
- E – Public Hearings on the Draft SSEA
- F – Responses to Public Comments on the Draft SSEA
- G – Micro-Siting Meetings
- H – Agency Correspondence Regarding Compliance under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), and Magnuson-Stevenson Fishery Conservation And Management Act (MSA)
- I – Socioeconomic Impact Analysis Report (SIAR) for Proposed Pioneer Array
- Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)/Decision Document (January 2011)
Past Meetings
- June 14, 2011, Presentation to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Meeting, Port Jefferson, NY
- June 7, 2011, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett Bay Campus, Coastal Institute
- November 22, 2010, Newport, OR, Hatfield Marine Science Center
- November 17, 2010, Westport, WA, Westport Maritime Museum
- November 15, 2010, Narragansett, RI, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett Bay Campus, Coastal Institute – Hazard Room A/B
- October 5, 2010, University of Rhode Island, Narragansett Bay Campus, Coastal Institute
