struction of these pillars can take from 9 to 15 months. At this point 

 the fabricator is likely to tow the concrete structure to even deeper 

 water (100 fathoms) to give it a submergence test prior to installation 

 [?6]. 



Community Effects 



A fabrication yard has the following characteristics of particular 

 interest to the community: (1) potential for high employment and community 

 growth; (2) potential for high investment and a broader tax base; (3) 

 large parcel of land involved; (4) high service requirements and (5) 

 extensive commerce in raw materials. 



Employment : The construction of a platform-fabrication yard will 

 require approximately 500 laborers; up to 1,200 people will be hired to 

 construct platforms. Employment will vary greatly depending upon the 

 number of platforms and jackets under construction at any time. As many 

 as 90 percent of these workers will be local residents. The presence of 

 a major new industry will attract unemployed individuals who will also 

 compete for jobs. Most jobs are for fabricators and welders who can be 

 trained locally if necessary skills are not available. Activities in 

 adjacent and nearby communities to support these workers and their 

 dependents--home construction, increased commercial activity, and demands 

 on public services--are a potential source of disturbance to fish and 

 wildlife resources and habitats. 



Induced Effects : Analysis of a fabrication yard proposal illustrates 

 the potential scale of effects. Requirements of the proposed Brown and 

 Root fabricating yard in Northampton County (Chesapeake Bay eastern 

 shore) in the State of Virginia indicated the following estimated effects: 

 1,670 new residents; 125,000 square feet of new commercial space; increased 

 demand for domestic water supplies of 850,000 gallons a day; increased 

 sewage load of 600,000 gallons a day; increased student enrollment of 

 1,100; and increased solid waste disposal of 15,000 tons per day [39]. 

 In more rural environments, where these facilities are likely to locate 

 because of the large parcel of shorefront land required, disruptions of 

 this magnitude on services are substantial. 



Effects on Living Resources 



A platform-fabrication yard has the following characteristics of 

 particular concern to fish and wildlife: (1) waterfront location; (2) 

 large use of coastal land area; (3) possibility of wetlands filling; (4) 

 dredging of shipping channels and spoil disposal; and (5) possibly dry 

 dock (graving dock). 



Location : A platform-fabrication yard must have a waterfront 

 location. While this location need is common to other industries, the 



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