Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Road,Mail Stop 285, Menlo Park, CA 94025-3591

B -- MARINE-MAMMAL OBSERVERS SOL 0-7440-4067 DUE 051600 POC Ann Margrave (650)329-4132 E-MAIL: amargrave@ugsg.gov, amargrave@usgs.gov. The U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology Division, Menlo Park, California, has a requirement to procure, on a sole source basis, from Casacadia Research, 218-1/2 W. Fourth Ave., Olympia, WA 98501, marine-mammal observers to participate on a 21-23 day research cruise, including per diem, planned for the mid-May to mid-July 2000 timeframe. Cascadia Research possesses the unique and essential qualifications required by the USGS Coastal and Marine Geology Division. Cascadia Research is the only group prepared to provide biologists meeting the requirements of the permits from National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the California Coastal Commission (CCC). The observers in order to qualify must be biologists familiar with the particular mammal species of the area in which we work. Be able to use equipment to identify them (including night-vision instruments) and determine their distance from the vessel, and let USGS scientists know when the animals are within the prescribed safety zone. Observers are to report on the effect of minisparker and deep-towed Huntec seismic-reflection sound sources on marine mammals, and to direct efforts to mitigate potential harm to marine mammals by these accoustic systems. Duplication and distribution of the report is required. The cruise is planned jointly by the Coastal and Marine Groundwater Systems and the Southern California Coastal and Continental Borderland Seismic Hazards (SCCCBSH) projects within the Coastal and Marine Geology (CMG) Team. Major goals of these projects are (1 to map the structural features that act as pathways for the saltwater that is intruding into coastal fresh-water aquifers and (2 to map accurately the offshore faults and the extensions of onshore faults, from Santa Barbara to San Diego, and to determine the recurrence of movements along these faults. These goals cannot be realized without the use of seismic-reflection systems such as those mentioned above. Since the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) was amended by Congress, it has been illegal to harass marine mammals without a permit from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The USGS's planned use of a minisparker sound source and the Huntec seismic-reflection systems in State and Federal Waters (to approximately 30 miles offshore) is considered by NMFS to be potentially harassing to marine mammals if they were to venture too close. Observers are needed onboard the survey ship to monitor in compliance with permit requirements. Posted 05/02/00 (W-SN450486). (0123)

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