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significant environmental impact. This belief was based on results of studies 

 conducted in other Outer Continental Shelf areas. Furthermore, we believed 

 that results from a scientifically sound study of this type, funded by 

 government, would be more acceptable in the eyes of the public than a similar 

 study funded by Industry. 



In the spring of 1981 the Working Group submitted a proposed program to the 

 Biological Task Force. The Task Force approved the proposed program and 

 recommended it to the Department of the Interior. Interior elected to fund 

 the program for a minimum of three years and engaged Battel le New England, 

 Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, U. S. Geological Survey, Science 

 Applications Inc., and Taxon Inc. as contractors to conduct the study. As an 

 added precaution. Interior organized a Georges Bank Program Scientific Review 

 Board to act as an advisory group to the project and review the results. 



The Georges Bank Monitoring Program is unique in that it is the only broad 

 area study of this type initiated prior to oil and gas development. Other 

 studies in undeveloped areas have been relatively short term with assessments 

 limited to the well site area. Intensive studies covering large areas have been 

 conducted, however, these took place in areas already exposed to years of oil 

 and gas activity. 



The Georges Bank program includes intensive sampling and analysis of benthic 

 communities and bottom sediments. Collections of six replicate biology samples 

 and three replicate chemistry samples at each of the 46 stations are being made 

 on a seasonal basis. Twenty-nine stations are positioned in a tight radial 

 array around one well site at a water depth of 80 meters. A second group of 

 three stations are near another well site in 145 meters of water. These two 

 sets of stations are located near well sites to detect possible near field 

 impacts. The remaining stations cover a broad expanse of the Bank and nearby 

 potential depositional areas in order to assess possible area wide impacts. 



The program was initiated in July, 1981 before exploratory drilling began 

 on Georges Bank. Over the next fourteen months eight wells were drilled. At 

 this time, results covering the first year of monitoring have been published. So 

 far, the only changes in bulk sediment chemistry that have been observed are low 

 level increases in barium content near the well sites. The barium is in the 

 form of insoluble, effectively inert barium sulfate and results from drilling 

 discharges containing barite. More importantly, no biological impacts have been 

 detected at any station which could be attributed to drilling activities. These 

 findings are consistent with and substantiate earlier site specific studies 

 conducted in other high energy environments. 



In summary, I believe that both the Task Force and Interior have acted in a 

 responsible manner. The monitoring program is well designed, well managed, 

 scientifically valid, and cost effective. It is being carried out by some of 

 the best scientists on the East Coast and they are doing an exceptional job. 



The program can be of great value to both Policymakers and Industry. Many 

 of the findings have application outside the North Atlantic and can serve as an 

 aid for anticipating effects in many other undeveloped areas of the Outer 

 Continental Shelf by those responsible for preparing lease sale stipulations 

 and discharge permit conditions. 



