CHRONOLOGY
May 8, 2014: Submerged Cultural Resources Assessment, Liberty Development Project, Beaufort Shelf, Alaska. Report date February 2014. Results of an archaeological analysis of seafloor coring and seismic survey data in support of the BPXA Liberty Development, Beaufort Sea, Alaska, in April and July 2013. No cultural resources, of either historic or prehistoric origin, were identified in any of the coring materials or remote-sensing data.
May 21, 2013:Clarification of BOEM's expectations regarding archaeological analysis and reporting requirements as part of the BPXA 2013 Liberty Development ancillary activities. BOEM requests that the core data be examined and documented by a marine archaeologist, and a brief report of the findings be submitted to BOEM and the Alaska State Historical Preservation Office.
March 28, 2013: BOEM review of BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. 2013 Winter on-ice geotechnical and sea bottom investigation in support of the Liberty Development (April & May 2013). BOEM evaluated the ancillary activities notification under the process outlined in 30 CFR 550.209 and concludes that, subject to conditions, the ancillary activities described in the notice comply with the performance standards under 30 CFR550.202(a), (b), (d), and (e).
March 28, 2013: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) response to BOEM regarding Essential Fish Habitat Assessment (EFH) for BP Exploration (Alaska) Notice of Intent to conduct Winter on-ice geotechnical and sea bottom investigation in support of the Liberty Development (April & May 2013). NMFS concurs with BOEM’s determination that there would be no adverse effects to EFH for Pacific salmon; and offers no additional EFH Conservation Recommendations for the BP Exploration (Alaska) Winter on-ice geotechnical and sea bottom investigation in support of the Liberty Development (April & May 2013).
March 22, 2013: BOEM Letter to the National Marine Fisheries Service and supplemental Essential Fish Habitat Assessment (EFH) for BP Exploration (Alaska) Notice of Intent to conduct Winter on-ice geotechnical and sea bottom investigation in support of the Liberty Development (April & May 2013).
March 18, 2013: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Letter of Authorization for the incidental take of polar bears during activities associated with the BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc. 2013 Winter on-ice Geotechnical Investigation Work Plan in support of the Liberty Development. Issued: March 18, 2013; Expires: July 31, 2013.
Feb. 21, 2013: BP Exploration (Alaska) Notice of Intent to conduct 2013 Winter on-ice geotechnical and sea bottom investigation in support of the Liberty Development. The activities are scheduled to begin April 1 and conclude prior to breakup (May 2013); attached is the Project Description/Plan of Operations and 2 project area maps.
Feb. 06, 2013: BP request for Letter of Authorization from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the incidental take of polar bears and Pacific walrus while conducting activities during the 2013 Winter on-ice Geotechnical Investigation Project in Foggy Island Bay, Alaska.
Feb. 01, 2013: Polar Bear and Walrus Interaction Plan for BP Exploration (Alaska) Areas of Operation. Polar Bear and Walrus Interaction Plan for managing human-polar bear and walrus interaction within BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc.’s (BPXA’s) operating fields on the North Slope. BPXA’s Polar Bear and Walrus Interaction Plan is designed to minimize human/polar bear and walrus interactions, to ensure the safety of all personnel and mitigate any potential impacts to polar bear or walrus well-being or survival. Revision Date: February 1, 2013; Next Review Date: September27, 2014.