Underwater Detonations at the Silver Strand Training Complex: Effects on Marine Mammals

The Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet is preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) for activities at the Silver Strand Training Complex (SSTC). Training often involves the use of small explosives for various purposes, such as to disable underwater mines or defend ports. Explosions release...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mitchell, Glenn H, Brookens, Tiffini J, Jordan, Stephen A
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
AQUATIC ANIMALS
Biology
DOLPHINS(MAMMALS)
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS
HARASSMENT THRESHOLD
MARINE MAMMAL DENSITY ESTIMATES
Military Forces and Organizations
MULTILAYERED
NAVAL TRAINING
OCEAN BOTTOM
POWER LEVELS
REFLECTION
REFRACTION
SEALS(MAMMALS)
SECONDARY WAVES
SHEAR WAVE EFFECTS
TEMPORARY THRESHOLD SHIFT
THRESHOLDS(PHYSIOLOGY)
UNDERSEA WARFARE
UNDERWATER DETONATION TRAINING
ZONE OF EXPOSURE
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Summary:The Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet is preparing an environmental impact statement (EIS) for activities at the Silver Strand Training Complex (SSTC). Training often involves the use of small explosives for various purposes, such as to disable underwater mines or defend ports. Explosions release very brief, intense sound energy with spectral characteristics spanning a wide band of frequencies. As a part of the SSTC EIS development, a quantitative analysis of sound impacts on marine mammals was performed to facilitate preparation of a Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) Letter of Authorization for SSTC training activities. That analysis, described in this report, provides a conservative estimate of exposures of marine mammals impacted by the underwater detonations, which are a required component for training combat forces under realistic conditions.