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Mr. John Johnson <br />April 20, 2015 <br />Page Two <br />While the final PEIS and ROD establishes a framework for further environmental review <br />of specific actions and identifies mitigation requirements that focus on avoiding injury <br />and impact to marine animals, discussions in both the PEIS and NOAA's NMFS <br />Endangered Species Act Section 7 Consultation Biological Opinion (BO) for the mid - <br />and south Atlantic indicate that data and information concerning the effects of activities <br />to be conducted under the PEIS are either severely limited or absent. <br />Without the data necessary to definitively determine effects to these resources, Florida <br />recommends delaying permitting until data/information that is currently not available can <br />be collected and effects assessed using this new information. Florida would appreciate <br />the opportunity to work with BOEM, NMFS, USFWS and others to help develop a <br />prioritized list of data gaps and the studies necessary to address them. Should BOEM, <br />however, decide to proceed with G&G permitting in the mid -or south Atlantic, we <br />recommend that permits require studies identified by federal and state agencies be <br />conducted during the activity to assist in filling data gaps. Again, Florida stands ready to <br />work with all relevant agencies in determining which studies are most critical and would <br />provide the most useful information. <br />We look forward to working with you on this issue. Should you have questions, please <br />contact Debby Tucker, Environmental Administrator of the Department of Environmental <br />Protection's OCS Program, at Debby.Tucker@dep.state.fl.us or 850-245-2181. <br />Sincerely, <br />Cak <br />gatti <br />Carla Gaskin Mautz <br />Deputy Chief of Staff <br />cc: Donna S. Wieting, NOAA <br />Brian Cameron, BOEM <br />Jennifer Fitzwater, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) <br />Lisa Gregg, FWC <br />u-iru dep state .11 us <br />