TY - RPRT
TI - South Fork Wind Farm COP Appendix Q: Avian and Bat Risk Assessment
AU - Stantec Consulting
AB - The South Fork Wind Farm (SFWF), as proposed by Deepwater Wind South Fork LLC (DWSF), will consist of the design, construction, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning of an up to 15 wind turbine generators (WTGs) on the Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), as well as both the offshore and onshore components of an electrical energy export cable (South Fork Export Cable; SFEC) that will interconnect with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) transmission system on Long Island, New York. SFWF and SFEC are collectively referred to as the “Project”. The purpose of this risk assessment is to 1) evaluate the potential for, and level of, risk to birds and bats that may result from construction, operation, and decommissioning of the SFWF and SFEC; 2) identify species most at risk of impact, with particular consideration for species listed as threatened or endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) and New York State listed species; 3) identify periods—seasonal and daily—when species are most at risk; and 4) to identify the Project’s avoidance and minimization measures to minimize risks, as possible. Federally or state-listed species that are of special interest in this risk assessment include the federally listed roseate tern (Sterna dougallii), rufa red knot (Calidris canutus rufa), piping plover (Charadrius melodus), and northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis), as well as the statelisted least tern (Sternula antillarum) and common tern (Sterna hirundo). Note that essentially all birds discussed in this risk assessment are afforded protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA; 50 CFR 10.13). This risk assessment will inform the Project’s Construction and Operations Plan (COP), which will be reviewed by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). BOEM recognizes that there are impact producing factors (IPF) associated with the construction, operation, and decommissioning of offshore renewable energy projects. At the SFWF and SFEC, these IPF include visible structures, lighting, sediment suspension and deposition, seafloor and land disturbance, discharges and releases, trash and debris, noise, and traffic that may result in effects to birds and bats during construction, operation, and maintenance, and decommissioning of the Project. Activities associated with construction and decommissioning are very similar and the impacts for these two project phases are considered together.There are also both direct and indirect effects potentially associated with each phase of the Project, at both the SFWF and SFEC. Direct effects may result from habitat loss and/or habitat modification during construction, disturbances from vessels, noise during construction and maintenance activities, and collision risk during construction and operation. Indirect effects may include the displacement or attraction to visible structures, barrier effects representing increased energy expenditure while traveling around or avoiding visible structures, mortality or injury associated with potential releases or discharges of petroleum-based fluids or other contaminants, and mortality or injury from accidental disposal of trash or debris.  There are key factors that contribute to potential bird and bat risk, including abundance and seasonal use, behaviors, flight heights, changes in foraging habitat, increased perching/roosting habitat, weather/visibility, and effects of lighting. These key factors were summarized for both birds and bats for the assessment of risk and are the driving elements behind the measures that DWSF has incorporated into the Project’s plan to avoid and minimize impacts.   
DA - 2018/06//
PY - 2018
SP - 224
PB - Stantec Consulting
UR - https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/volume-ii-appendices
LA - English
KW - Wind Energy
KW - Fixed Offshore Wind
KW - Bats
KW - Birds
KW - Seabirds
ER -