JULY 29, 2016--Recently, OR&R’s Scientific Support Coordinator Adam Davis participated in the U. S. Coast Guard’s effort to address potential pollution threats from several abandoned and derelict vessels located throughout the coastal zone in Florida Panhandle, east of the heavily developed beach destinations of Destin and Panama City that some refer to as the Forgotten Coast.

While the scientific support that NOAA provides often involves analysis of resources at risk and the potential fate and effects of oil or chemicals released into the environment this Coast Guard request involved a discussion and subsequent evaluation of potential wildlife impacts to nesting osprey who had taken up residency on one of the vessels. As a federal agency, the Coast Guard must adhere to federal statutes such as the Endangered Species Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. These statutes essentially require the federal action agency to consider what effect their actions might have on protected species such as osprey.

From May 17 to July 22, Adam Davis participated in many aspects of this project, including several aerial overflights of the coast from Panama City to St. Marks and numerous boat trips throughout the Apalachicola Bay watershed to identify and assess the status of a number of abandoned vessels.
Ultimately, the project spanned over 230 miles of coastline and resulted in the removal of several hundred gallons of fuel and other hazardous materials from six abandoned vessels and one shoreline facility. Most of the fuel was removed from vessels located in highly sensitive and valuable habitat such as those located along the Jackson and Brother’s Rivers. Portions of both of these rivers are located within the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, and are designated critical habitat for Gulf Sturgeon, a federally threatened species.

For further information, please contact Adam.Davis@noaa.gov.

Go back to OR&R Weekly Report.