Work on the San Francisco Bay Bridge in 2000 triggered interest by resource agencies (primarily NOAA Fisheries and USFWS) on the

Transkript

1 Jim Andrews, Caltrans David Buehler, ICF Jones & Stokes James Reyff, Illingworth & Rodkin

2 Work on the San Francisco Bay Bridge in 2000 triggered interest by resource agencies (primarily NOAA Fisheries and USFWS) on the issue of pile driving noise impacts on fish protected by ESA This led to substantial costs to Caltrans associated with project delays Good information on the effects of pile driving on fish was lacking

3 Caltrans led an effort understand the issue, to develop impact criteria, i and to arrange agreements with the resource agencies Caltrans formed the Fisheries Hydroacoustic Working Group (FHWG) to develop impact criteria and a multiagency agreement Caltrans funded (and continues to fund) substantial Caltrans funded (and continues to fund) substantial research into this issue including funding support for current research being conducted by Dr. Arthur Popper at the University of Maryland.

4 In June 2008 the Agreement in Principal for Interim Criteria for Injury to Fish from Pile Driving Activities was signed Impact criteria for fish: 206 db-peak 187 db-sel accumulated 183 db-sel accumulated for fish less than 2 g

5 Caltrans retained ICF Jones & Stokes and Illingworth & Rodkin to develop a technical guidance manual for Caltrans engineers and environmental planners. The guidance manual was posted on the Caltrans website March 5, coustics.htm

6 The purpose is to provide Caltrans engineers, The purpose is to provide Caltrans engineers, biologists, and consultants with guidance related to the environmental permitting of inwater pile driving projects.

7 Fundamentals of hydroacoustics; Fish hearing and hydroacoustic impacts on fish; Environmental documentation and permit applications required for pile driving projects; Assessment of potential impacts on fish and their habitat from sound generated from pile driving; Measures to avoid or minimize pile driving impacts; and Methods to assess impacts, mitigation, and compensation for pile driving impacts on fish.

8 key information on the generation, propagation, and measurement of underwater sound from pile driving. key terminology and metrics used to describe and measure underwater sound (db, peak, RMS, SEL, etc.) Measurement of underwater sound discussion of methods used to attenuate underwater pile driving discussion of methods used to attenuate underwater pile driving sound (bubble curtains, dewatered coffer dams, isolation casings, pre-drilling).

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12 discusses the types of impacts that could potentially occur to fish (or their habitat) from the sound generated during pile driving. describes how effects might vary depending on: the location, species presence, physiological attributes of species, species life history and behavior, timing of activities, and other environmental conditions (e.g., channel morphology, depth of water, and tidal conditions)

13 provides guidance in preparation of environmental documentation and permit applications for projects involving pile driving. explains what documentation, permits, or consultations will be required for projects with pile driving based on the design and location of the project. description of how to comply with the ESA, CESA, and EFH provisions of the MSFCMA

14 Applicable Laws, Avoidance and Minimization Measures, Best Management Practices, Performance Standards, and Detailed Impact Assessment Methodology

15 Development of alternative criterion for vibratory pile driving Dr. Mardi Hastings Laboratory research being conducted at the University of Maryland using pile driving signals in a controlled tank environment Modification of impact criteria based on new research

16 Summarizes Underwater Sound Levels for Pile Driving Activities Measured from 2000 through 2005 Data collected at 25 different project sites Includes major bridge construction projects San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Replacement New Benicia-Martinez Bridge Richmond-San Rafael Bridge Seismic Upgrade Humboldt Bay Bridges

17 Documents available underwater pile driving sound levels Provide data for biological assessments Provide data for construction/design decisions

18 Different piles Different hammers Diesel impact Hydraulic impact Drop Vibratory Different conditions Bubble curtain systems Cofferdams On land near water

19 Summary of unattenuated sound levels by ypile type Detailed summary of measurements by pile type and project Chapter summarizing the description of these measurements (attenuated and unattenuated) and providing a description of the signal types recorded References to reports that include detailed information

20 Non-research methods to measure construction noise Hydrophone and equipment selection Data analysis Quality control Reporting

21 Hydrophones Signal conditioning Signal processing Recording Descriptors

22 Setups and locations/positions Calibration Observations/log books Live data readings Recordings Safety

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