Comprehensive synthesis of impacts to marine mammals from oil and gas activities on the Alaska outer continental shelf, 2000–2020

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) must comply with numerous environmental statutes, regulations, and executive orders to carry out its mission including but not limited to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), and Endangered Species Act (ESA). Compliance with these statutes requires evaluating and disclosing potential effects of oil and gas activities on marine mammals. The purpose of this study is to provide an enhanced understanding of the potential direct, indirect, and cumulative effects of oil and gas resource development on marine mammals in the U.S. Arctic, defined as the Alaskan Beaufort and Chukchi seas, and Cook Inlet within the context of other human activities and natural factors in these areas for the period 2000–2020. To that end, a synthesis report was produced to document more than 20 years of available literature, reports, and information into concise statements that reflect the findings of representative literature on this topic in order for BOEM analysts to prepare future analyses. A retrospective summary of mitigation and monitoring measures that have been implemented between 2000 and 2020 to avoid or minimize adverse impacts to marine mammals is included and, to the extent practical, an evaluation of the efficacy of these measures. Finally, this meta-analysis also reveals specific information needs related to the impacts of oil and gas activities on marine mammals in the U.S. Arctic and Cook Inlet.

USD: $239,973

2020-08-03 → 2022-07-01