Contact: Scott Smullen FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(301) 713-2370 5/10/95
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is seeking comment on an application and proposed authorization for Lockheed Environmental Systems and Technologies Co. of Las Vegas, Nev., to potentially disturb a small number of harbor seals located on the rocks and beaches near Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., due to noise created by two satellite launches proposed there during the next year.
Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, Lockheed applied for a permit to incidentally disturb a small number of about 500 harbor seals that may be resting on the rocks and beaches along the coastline south and southwest of Vandenberg AFB, and possibly on the northern Channel Islands. Launch noise is expected to occur over coastal habitats near the launch center at South Vandenberg AFB, and a low-level sonic boom may be heard on the Channel Islands. The noise will have no effect on marine mammals in the water.
Past monitoring studies of launches at the Vandenberg AFB site show that launch sounds may cause large numbers of seals to move suddenly from the shoreline to the water, resulting in a negligible, short-term harassment. However, observations indicate that launch noise rarely causes the mass movement to take place in a þpanicþ and no mortality has been observed. According to the studies, visual stimuli such as humans and low- flying aircraft are much more likely to elicit this movement response.
As a part of the proposed authorization, NOAAþs National Marine Fisheries Service proposes to ask Lockheed whenever possible to avoid launches during the harbor seal pupping season of February through May, preferably launch after June 30 and prior to Dec. 1, and preferably conduct night launches when harbor seals are on the beaches in any numbers at South Vandenberg AFB. Additionally, the fisheries service has proposed requiring Lockheed to monitor the effects of the launches and submit a report of the findings.
The Pacific harbor seal, which ranges from Baja California to the eastern Aleutian Islands, is the only marine mammal expected to be on the beaches in any numbers at South Vandenberg AFB and therefore the only species that may be affected by the two launches. The Pacific harbor seal is not an endangered species and more than 25,000 are currently found in California waters.
Comments will be received through June 9, and should be addressed to Chief, Marine Mammal Division, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Copies of the application may be obtained by writing the same address.