Environmental Commitment
Neptune LNG LLC (Neptune) is committed to protecting the environment during all construction activities and port operations. This commitment began during the initial planning stages of the Deepwater Port License Application and has been enhanced throughout the port development. Neptune’s commitment to minimize impacts to marine mammals, sea turtles, sea birds, fisheries, and benthic communities (bottom dwelling organisms) began by first understanding the environment, then by designing and installing the port with methods and equipment that cause the least amount of environmental disturbance. This has been performed as described below.
Prior to the development of the Neptune port, ocean studies – including video surveys of the sea bottom and sediment sampling across the entire pipeline route and terminal area – were performed to characterize and document the marine life in the project area. The video surveys were used to visually characterize the types of communities present on the sea bottom and the abundance of aquatic life, including lobsters, scallops, bottom dwelling fish, and other invertebrates such as sea anemones, among others. The sampling was used to characterize types of bottom habitats (muds, sands, hard bottom) and the microscopic creatures living in the sediments. Marine specialists evaluated this information to determine the density of aquatic life before construction so that impacts could be evaluated through post-construction monitoring.
Upon completion of the ocean surveys, Neptune used the information to refine the port design. For example, the sediment characterization was used to fine-tune the placement of the terminal anchoring system to an area with the least impact (softbottom areas) and to allow the use of suction piles instead of driven piles, which are noisier to install and more disturbing to marine mammals.
Finally, Neptune will implement vessel restrictions, including:
- Speed restrictions to avoid striking marine mammals and sea turtles;
- Downward lighting to minimize light attracting sea birds at night; and
- Vessel shutdowns in the event of a marine mammal sighting.
During construction, two marine mammal observers (MMOs) are on duty on each construction vessel 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to visually monitor for the presence of marine mammals and sea turtles. At night, the MMOs use infrared scanning devices to monitor for the presence of marine mammals and sea turtles in the construction area. In addition to visual observations, Neptune has installed a series of acoustic buoys in the construction area that automatically monitor for the presence of the endangered North Atlantic right whale. If a right whale is detected, the MMOs are notified immediately, and vessels will be placed on heightened alert.
As stated above, Neptune is committed to protecting the environment and is taking all available measures to avoid unnecessary impacts to marine life.