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COMMERCE BUSINESS DAILY ISSUE OF OCTOBER 10,1996 PSA#1698MINERALS MANAGEMENT SERVICE, PROCUREMENT & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT DIV, 381
ELDEN STREET MAIL STOP 2500, HERNDON, VA 20170-4817 B -- ENVIRONMENTAL SURVEY OF IDENTIFIED SAND RESOURCE SITES OFFSHORE:
ALABAMA SOL CBD&&&96100002 1435-01-97-RP-30840 DUE 120296 POC Contract
Specialist, Jane M. Carlson, 703-787-1364 The Minerals Management
Service of the Department of Interior has jurisdiction over all mineral
resources on the Federal Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), a zone which
extends from three miles seaward of the coastal State boundaries out
toto hundred miles. Until recently only oil and gas resources were
harvested from within this area. However, the potential for
exploitation of sand resources located on the OCS as a source of
material for beach and barrier islands restoration has grown rapidly in
the last several years as similar resources in State waters are being
depleted or polluted. Several OCS areas are also being examined as
possible sources of aggregate for construction purposes. Resources in
U.S. Federal waters may also be environmentally preferable, due to
concerns over changes in resident physical oceanographic conditions as
large quantities of material are extracted from areas within the
existing wave base. This has generated a need for technical information
and environmental studies to ensure that offshore minerals are
developed in a safe and environmentally sound manner. The MMS's Office
of International Activities and Marine Minerals (INTERMAR) has been
developing and procuring contracts to provide needed environmental
information in regards to environmental management of these resources.
The main purpose of this proposed study is to address environmental
questions raised by the potential for dredging sand from the inner
continental shelf offshore the State of Alabama for the purposes of
beach nourishment. The Alabama Geological Survey has identified five
potential areas in federal waters as being sites suitable as borrow
areas for beach nourishment. Significant components of this study are:
(1) visiting and discussing the field work conducted by the Geological
Survey of Alabama within the five potential borrow areas and obtaining
any data or information that might be used during the conduct of this
project; (2) searching the available literature base for additional
relevant field data or information; and (3) designing and carrying out
an oceanographic field program to address the following elements: (a)
assessment of the baseline benthic ecological conditions in and around
the five proposed sand borrow areas that will identified in the Request
for Proposal; (b) evaluation of the benthic infauna resident in the
five potential borrow sites and assessment of the potential effects of
offshore dredging activity on these organisms, including an anaysis of
the potential rate and success of recolonization following cessation of
dredging activities; (c) development of a schedule of best and worst
times for offshore dredging as regards transitory, pelagic species; (d)
evaluation as to the potential modifications to waves that cross within
the study area due to offshore dredging within the five proposed sand
borrow areas; and (e) evaluation of the impacts of offshore dredging
and consequent beach nourishment in terms of the potential alteration
in sediment transport patterns, sedimentary environments, and impacts
to local shoreline processes. The RFP, which we hope to issue
approximately 15 days following publication of this notice, will
contain specific instructions regarding proposal preparation, due
dates, etc.; dates specified in the RFP will override any conflicting
dates contained herein. A copy of the RFP may be requested by facsimile
(703) 787-1009, or by mail to the above address. Please include the
name of your organization, a point of contact, address, phone and fax
numbers with your request. Telephonic requests will not be
accepted.(0282) Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0011 19961009\B-0003.SOL)
B - Special Studies and Analyses - Not R&D Index Page
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