Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Grid 16. Site-Specific Evaluation of BP Exploration and Production, Inc.'s Intitial Development Operations Coordination Document N-7469. Thunder Horse Project, Mississippi Canyon Block 777 Unit (Blocks 775, 776, 777, 778, 819, 820, 821, and 822)

摘要

The Minerals Management Service (MMS) developed a comprehensive strategy for postlease National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance in deepwater areas (water depths greater than 1,312 ft or 400 m) of the Central and Western Planning Areas of the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). The MMSs strategy led to the development of a biologically-based grid system to ensure broad and systematic analysis of the GOM's deepwater region. The grid system divided the Gulf into 17 areas or 'grids' of biological similarity. Under this strategy, the MMS will prepare a programmatic environmental assessment (PEA) to address proposed development activities within each of the 17 grids. The PEA will also address categorical exclusion criterion C.(10)(1) (from 516 DM 6 Appendix 10). This criterion requires the MMS to prepare an environmental assessment for 'areas of ... relatively untested deep water or remote areas.' A Grid PEA will be comprehensive in terms of the impact-producing factors and environmental and socioeconomic resources described and analyzed. The PEA will also include a sitespecific evaluation on a development proposal within the grid's boundaries. Once a PEA for a grid has been completed, it will serve as a reference document to implement the 'tiering' (40 CFR 1502.20) concept detailed in NEPAs implementing regulations. Future environmental evaluations may reference appropriate sections from the PEA to reduce reiteration of issues and effects previously addressed in the 'grid' document. This will allow the subsequent environmental analyses for individual plans within the grid to focus on specific issues and effects related to the proposals. This PEA characterizes the environment of Grid 16 and also examines the effects that may result from the site-specific activities proposed in BPs Initial Unit Development Operations Coordination Document (DOCD) for the Thunder Horse project (N-7469). To the extent possible, the PEA will also evaluate other potential activities proposed or known within Grid 16. Figure 1 shows the relationship of Grid 16 to the Gulfs coastline and to the other 16 grids. The Mississippi Canyon Block 777 Unit is highlighted. Figure 2 depicts the protraction diagrams and blocks that are contained in Grid 16.