Composite Training Unit Exercises and Joint Task ... - Govsupport.us

COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Chapter 6Table 6.3-2. Major Range EventsOperationsMajor Range EventsMITT/IAC IICOMPTUEXJTFEXSurging OperationESGINT/EFEXJTFEX CERTEX EFEXAreaSCIRCSCIRC, PMSRAll SOCAL& PMSRSCISHOBASHOBA6.4 MARINE FISH CUMULATIVE IMPACTSCOMPTUEX/JTFEX activities would result in an insignificant contribution in the overall health andviability of commercial, recreational, and other fish stocks. Although underwater detonations could havean affect on individual fish, these activities would occur infrequently and in sandy bottom areas. Theywould not occur in kelp forest areas or rocky bottom habitat. Therefore, the incremental impacts of theNo Action Alternative and Proposed Action would be localized and temporary and would not have anysignificant contribution to the cumulative effects on marine fish or their habitat when added to other past,present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions.6.5 MARINE MAMMAL CUMULATIVE IMPACTSThe analysis of potential effects of mid-frequency active sonar from COMPTUEX/JTFEX training eventsdetermined there is a potential for incidental Level B harassment of marine mammals as well as a limitedpotential for Level A harassment of beaked whale species and common dolphins.It is possible that harassment in any form may cause a stress response (Fair and Becker, 2000). Cetaceanscan exhibit some of the same stress symptoms as found in terrestrial mammals (Curry, 1999).Disturbance from ship traffic, noise from ships, aircraft, and/or exposure to biotoxins and anthropogeniccontaminants may stress animals, weakening their immune systems, making them more vulnerable toparasites and diseases that normally would not be fatal. It is possible that the temporary harassmentincidents associated with COMPTUEX/JTFEX activities would result in a minimal incrementalcontribution to cumulative impacts on marine mammals. The Protective Measures identified in Chapter 5would be implemented for COMPTUEX/JTFEX in order to minimize any potential adverse effects tomarine mammals. Impacts from the No Action Alternative and Proposed Action are not likely to affectthe species or stock through effects on annual rates of recruitment or survival. Therefore, the incrementalimpacts of the No Action Alternative and Proposed Action would not have any significant contribution tothe cumulative effects on marine mammals when added to other past, present, and reasonably foreseeablefuture actions.February 2007 6-6