NOAA is developing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Pacific Ocean AquaFarms development of a commercial-scale finfish aquaculture facility. The facility would be located in federal waters off the coast of southern California. The proposed project requires federal permits and authorizations including applicable permits under Section 402 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbor Act. These permits and authorizations fall under the authority of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), respectively. The EPA and USACE are participating as cooperating agencies for the purposes of the EIS.
The Pacific Ocean AquaFarm’s proposed project would consist of construction, operation, and maintenance of an offshore marine finfish aquaculture facility composed of submersible net pens off the coast of Southern California. Initial production is projected to produce 2.2 million pounds (1,000 metric tons) annually growing up to 11 million pounds (5,000 metric tons) after environmental monitoring confirms that each successive scale of expansion has not resulted in any substantial environmental or space-use impacts. California yellowtail (Seriola dorsalis) would be the initial farmed species. The project would utilize established and tested net pen and mooring technologies that are able to withstand storm and rough sea conditions.
In accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the implementing regulations published by the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), the EIS will evaluate the environmental impacts of the proposed project and issuance of the respective permits. The EIS will consider a no-action alternative, two site alternatives, and a half scale alternative.
This talk will provide details about the proposed project, the EIS process to-date and opportunities for public engagement.