FERC ISSUES LICENSE TO ADMIRALTY INLET PILOT TIDAL TURBINE PROJECT
This is incredibly unfortunate, especially when you consider by the PUD's own estimate, these tidal turbines will emit 180dBs of sound in critical habitat of a dozen endangered species, including southern resident orcas. 180dBs -- and the established pain threshold for orcas is 135dBs. ~S.
---ORDER ISSUING PILOT PROJECT LICENSE--(Issued March 20, 2014)---Below are dates and names of the organizations and tribes who submitted comments which are public record with FERC.April 23, 2012, the Commission issued a public notice that was published in the Federal Register accepting the application, indicating the application was ready for environmental analysis, and soliciting motions to intervene and protests, comments, terms and conditions, recommendations and prescriptions.Comments from:1.The Washington State Department of Ecology (Washington Ecology)2. Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (Washington Fish and Wildlife)3. Washington State Department of Natural Resources (Washington Natural Resources)4. United States Department of Interior (Interior)5. National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)6. The Tulalip Tribes of Washington7. Whidbey Environmental Action Network8. Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe9. PC Landing Corp. (PC Landing)10. Swinomish Indian Tribal Community11. Orca Conservancy12. Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)13. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps)14. GCI Communication Corporation15. Point No Point Treaty Council (Treaty Council)16. U.S. Navy17. Naval Facilities Engineering CommandOn January 15, 2013, Commission staff issued a draft Environmental Assessment (EA), analyzing the potential environmental impacts of the proposed project and alternatives to it.Comments from:1. Washington Fish and Wildlife2. North American Submarine Cable Association3. Snohomish PUD4. Whidbey Environmental Action Network5. PC Landing6. Suquamish Tribe7. Washington Natural Resources8. Treaty Council9. National Park Service10. Tulalip Tribes11. Washington State Ferries12. Orca Conservancy13. United States Environmental Protection Agency14. Congressmen Ed Whitfield15. Greg Walden16. Pacific Whale Watch AssociationOn August 9, 2013, Commission staff issued a final EA.Comments from:1. The Pacific Whale Watch Association,2. Orca Conservancy3. PC Landinghttp://www.ferc.gov/whats-new/comm-meet/2014/032014/H-1.pdf