Volume 2
`Exhibit E Environmental Report
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`Rosario Strait Tidal Energy Project
`San Juan Islands, Washington
`FERC Project No. 15368
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`Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
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`Orcas Power & Light Cooperative (OPALCO)
`183 Mount Baker Road
`Eastsound, Washington 98245
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`26 March 2025
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`Page Intentionally Left Blank
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`DLA Rosario Strait Tidal Energy Project – Volume 2 – FERC Project No. 15368
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`TABLE OF CONTENTS
`Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 1
`1.
`1.1
`Application .................................................................................................................................... 1
`1.1.1
`Purpose of Action ................................................................................................................. 1
`1.2
`Geographic Region ....................................................................................................................... 2
`1.3
`Statutory and Regulatory Requirements .................................................................................... 3
`1.3.1
`Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) ................................................................. 5
`1.3.2
`U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) ............................................................................... 7
`1.3.3
`U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) ..................................................................................................... 8
`1.3.4
`Tribal Nations ....................................................................................................................... 8
`1.3.5 Washington State Department of Ecology .......................................................................... 9
`1.3.6 Washington Department of Natural Resources .............................................................. 10
`1.3.7 Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife .................................................................. 10
`1.3.8
`San Juan County ............................................................................................................... 10
`1.4
`Stakeholder Engagement ......................................................................................................... 11
`1.4.1
`Community Engagement .................................................................................................. 11
`1.4.2
`Community and Stakeholder Groups ............................................................................... 11
`1.4.3
`Engagement Goals ............................................................................................................ 11
`1.4.4
`Levels of Engagement ...................................................................................................... 11
`1.4.5
`Engagement Activities ...................................................................................................... 12
`1.4.6
`Regulatory Engagement ................................................................................................... 13
`2. Proposed Action and Alternatives .................................................................................................. 14
`2.1
`Description of Action ................................................................................................................. 14
`2.2
`Project Location ........................................................................................................................ 14
`2.2.1
`Rosario Strait ..................................................................................................................... 14
`2.2.2
`Proposed Project Area ...................................................................................................... 14
`2.3
`Infrastructure ............................................................................................................................. 19
`2.3.1
`Proposed Infrastructure .................................................................................................... 19
`2.3.2
`Existing Infrastructure ....................................................................................................... 28
`2.4
`Project Installation .................................................................................................................... 28
`2.4.1
`Anchor Installation ............................................................................................................ 29
`2.4.2 Mooring Line Installation .................................................................................................. 29
`2.4.3
`New Subsea Cable Installation ........................................................................................ 29
`2.4.4
`Orbital O2-X Installation .................................................................................................... 30
`2.4.5
`Project Operation .............................................................................................................. 30
`2.4.6
`Project Maintenance ......................................................................................................... 30
`2.4.7
`Project Removal ................................................................................................................ 32
`2.5
`Alternatives to the Action .......................................................................................................... 32
`2.5.1
`No-action Alternative ......................................................................................................... 32
`2.5.2
`Alternatives Considered but Eliminated .......................................................................... 33
`3. Affected Environment ..................................................................................................................... 34
`3.1
`Geology and Soils ...................................................................................................................... 34
`3.1.1
`Geologic Hazards .............................................................................................................. 40
`3.2 Water Resources ....................................................................................................................... 43
`3.2.1 Waves ................................................................................................................................ 44
`3.2.2
`Tides and Currents ............................................................................................................ 45
`3.2.3
`Bathymetry ........................................................................................................................ 53
`3.2.4 Water Quality ..................................................................................................................... 55
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`DLA Rosario Strait Tidal Energy Project – Volume 2 – FERC Project No. 15368
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`Climate and Weather ................................................................................................................ 57
`3.3
`3.3.1
`Geography and Climate .................................................................................................... 57
`3.3.2 Weather ............................................................................................................................. 57
`3.4
`Fish and Aquatic Resources ..................................................................................................... 58
`3.4.1
`Federally Listed Aquatic Species ..................................................................................... 58
`3.4.2
`Essential Fish Habitat ....................................................................................................... 69
`3.4.3
`Acoustic Environment ....................................................................................................... 77
`3.5 Wildlife and Botanical Resources ............................................................................................ 80
`3.5.1 Marine Mammals .............................................................................................................. 81
`3.5.2
`Avian Species .................................................................................................................... 91
`3.5.3 Washington State Priority Habitats and Species ............................................................ 98
`3.5.4
`Invasive Species ................................................................................................................ 99
`3.5.5
`Insects................................................................................................................................ 99
`3.5.6
`Terrestrial Resources ...................................................................................................... 100
`3.5.7
`Acoustic Environment ..................................................................................................... 100
`3.6
`Aesthetic Resources ............................................................................................................... 100
`3.6.1
`Visual Aesthetics ............................................................................................................. 100
`3.6.2
`Acoustic Aesthetics ......................................................................................................... 104
`3.6.3
`Light Aesthetics ............................................................................................................... 104
`3.7
`Federally Listed Species and Habitats .................................................................................. 106
`3.8
`Recreation, Land Use, and Ocean Use .................................................................................. 109
`3.8.1
`Recreation ....................................................................................................................... 109
`3.8.2
`Fisheries .......................................................................................................................... 111
`3.8.3
`Vessel Traffic ................................................................................................................... 115
`3.8.4 Marine Protected Areas .................................................................................................. 119
`3.8.1
`Restricted Areas .............................................................................................................. 124
`3.9
`Air Quality ................................................................................................................................. 124
`3.10
`Tribal and Cultural Resources ............................................................................................ 124
`3.10.1 Tribal Resources ............................................................................................................. 124
`3.10.2 Cultural Resources .......................................................................................................... 126
`4. Natural Resources Environmental Analysis ................................................................................. 131
`4.1
`Potential Project Effects on Natural Resources .................................................................... 131
`4.1.1
`Entanglement .................................................................................................................. 132
`4.1.2
`Collision ........................................................................................................................... 134
`4.1.3
`Entrainment ..................................................................................................................... 140
`4.1.4
`Noise Disturbance ........................................................................................................... 141
`4.1.5
`Displacement .................................................................................................................. 148
`4.1.6
`Habitat Alteration ............................................................................................................ 150
`4.1.7
`Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Exposure .......................................................................... 156
`4.1.8
`Artificial Light ................................................................................................................... 157
`4.1.9
`Changes in Oceanographic Systems ............................................................................. 160
`4.2
`Geology and Soils .................................................................................................................... 162
`4.3
`Species and Habitats Effects Analysis ................................................................................... 162
`4.3.1
`Federally Listed Species Effects Analysis ...................................................................... 163
`4.3.2
`Critical Habitat Effects Analysis ...................................................................................... 169
`4.3.3 Marine Mammal Species Effects Analysis ..................................................................... 175
`4.3.4
`Essential Fish Habitat Effects Analysis .......................................................................... 178
`4.3.5
`Avian Species Effects Analysis ....................................................................................... 184
`4.3.6 Washington PHS Effects Analysis .................................................................................. 186
`4.3.7
`Invasive Species Effects Analysis................................................................................... 187
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`DLA Rosario Strait Tidal Energy Project – Volume 2 – FERC Project No. 15368
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`Air Quality ................................................................................................................................. 187
`4.4
`Terrestrial Resources .............................................................................................................. 188
`4.5
`5. Human Environmental Analysis ................................................................................................... 189
`5.1
`Recreation, Land Use, and Ocean Use .................................................................................. 189
`5.1.1
`Recreation ....................................................................................................................... 189
`5.1.2
`Fisheries .......................................................................................................................... 189
`5.1.3
`Vessel Traffic ................................................................................................................... 189
`5.1.4 Marine Protected Areas .................................................................................................. 189
`5.2
`Aesthetic Resources ............................................................................................................... 190
`5.2.1
`Visual Aesthetic ............................................................................................................... 190
`5.2.2
`Acoustic Aesthetic ........................................................................................................... 191
`5.2.3
`Light Aesthetic ................................................................................................................. 191
`5.3
`Tribal and Cultural Resources ................................................................................................ 192
`5.3.1
`Tribal Resources ............................................................................................................. 192
`5.3.2
`Cultural Resources .......................................................................................................... 193
`6. Developmental Economic Analysis .............................................................................................. 194
`7. Cumulative Impacts ...................................................................................................................... 195
`7.1
`Definition ................................................................................................................................. 195
`7.2
`Assessment of Cumulative Impacts by Resource ................................................................. 199
`7.2.1
`Geology and Soils ............................................................................................................ 199
`7.2.2 Water Resources ............................................................................................................. 200
`7.2.3
`Species and Habitats ...................................................................................................... 200
`7.2.4
`Air Quality ......................................................................................................................... 202
`7.2.5 Marine Protected Areas .................................................................................................. 202
`7.2.6
`Terrestrial Resources ...................................................................................................... 203
`7.2.7
`Recreation, Land Use, and Ocean Use .......................................................................... 204
`7.2.8
`Tribal and Cultural Resources ........................................................................................ 205
`7.2.9
`Aesthetic Environment .................................................................................................... 206
`7.2.10 Economic Impact ............................................................................................................. 207
`8. Summary of Effects ...................................................................................................................... 208
`8.1
`Unavoidable Negative Effects ................................................................................................ 208
`8.2
`Positive Effects ........................................................................................................................ 208
`9. Conclusions and Recommendations ........................................................................................... 209
`9.1
`Fish and Wildlife Recommendations ..................................................................................... 209
`9.2
`Consistency and Comprehensive Plans ................................................................................. 209
`9.2.1
`Federal Plans ................................................................................................................... 209
`9.2.2
`State Plans ...................................................................................................................... 210
`Literature Cited ......................................................................................................................... 211
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`10.
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`DLA Rosario Strait Tidal Energy Project – Volume 2 – FERC Project No. 15368
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`LIST OF FIGURES
`Figures Page
`Figure 1. Vicinity Map .................................................................................................................................. 3
`Figure 2. Proposed Project Location ........................................................................................................ 16
`Figure 3. Proposed Project Components ................................................................................................. 17
`Figure 4. Proposed Project Boundary in Rosario Strait .......................................................................... 18
`Figure 5. Orbital O2-X in Operation Mode (in meters) ............................................................................ 20
`Figure 6. Orbital O2-X in Transport Mode (in meters) ............................................................................. 21
`Figure 7. Main Internal Systems of Orbital O2-X ..................................................................................... 21
`Figure 8. Orbital O2 Deployment in Orkney Islands, Scotland ............................................................... 21
`Figure 9. Single-Point Mooring Location on Orbital O2-X Hull ................................................................ 22
`Figure 10. Mooring System and Pivot Radius ......................................................................................... 22
`Figure 11. Mooring Lines at Slack Tide (above view) ............................................................................. 23
`Figure 12. Mooring Lines at Slack Tide (side view) ................................................................................ 23
`Figure 13. Mooring Lines at Rated Power ............................................................................................... 24
`Figure 14. Anchor Basket with Ballast .................................................................................................... 25
`Figure 15. Example of a Rock Bolt Anchor .............................................................................................. 25
`Figure 16. Umbilical Sweep Area During Slack Tide (side view) ............................................................ 27
`Figure 17. Umbilical Sweep Area During Slack Tide (above view) ......................................................... 27
`Figure 18. Umbilical During Peak Tide (side view) .................................................................................. 28
`Figure 19. Puget Lowland Location in the Fore-arc Basin, Cascadia Subduction Zone ....................... 35
`Figure 20. Rock Types in the Puget Lowland .......................................................................................... 36
`Figure 21. Landforms and Feeder Bluffs on Blakely Island ................................................................... 37
`Figure 22. Shoreline Drift Cells on Blakely Island ................................................................................... 38
`Figure 23. Slope Stability and Topography on Blakely Island ................................................................ 39
`Figure 24. Earthquake Hazard Potential in Washington State .............................................................. 40
`Figure 25. Faults and Earthquakes in Washington State ...................................................................... 41
`Figure 26. Maximum Modeled Tsunami Wave Amplitude Distribution for the San Juan Islands ........ 42
`Figure 27. Maximum Modeled Tsunami Wave Current Distribution ..................................................... 42
`Figure 28. Volcanic Hazard Areas for Washington State including Lava, Rock Falls, and Lahar Zones
` ................................................................................................................................................................... 43
`Figure 29. Side View of the Stationary Platforms Including Watch Circles and ADCP Beam Cones ... 44
`Figure 30. Time Series of Surface Wave Height (Hs, [m]) and Peak Period (Tp, [s]) Measured from
`STBM .......................................................................................................................................................... 44
`Figure 31. Joint Histogram of Surface Wave Heights (HS) and Peak Periods (Tp) Measured from the
`STBM .......................................................................................................................................................... 45
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`DLA Rosario Strait Tidal Energy Project – Volume 2 – FERC Project No. 15368
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`Figure 32. Tidal Current Velocity (m/s) Maps for Rosario Strait ............................................................ 46
`Figure 33. Power Density Profile for Rosario Strait ................................................................................ 47
`Figure 34. Time Series of Water Depth (Upper Left, [ft]) and Current Speed (Lower Left, Uhub [ft/s]),
`and Current Speeds Versus Tidal Stage (ft; Right) ................................................................................. 48
`Figure 35. Water Surface Elevation Data in Rosario Strait Relative to MHW ....................................... 49
`Figure 36. Water Surface Elevation Data in Rosario Strait Relative to MHHW ..................................... 49
`Figure 37. Water Surface Elevation Data in Rosario Strait Relative to MLW ........................................ 50
`Figure 38. Water Surface Elevation Data in Rosario Strait Relative to MLLW ...................................... 50
`Figure 39. SS Profile of Horizontal Current Speed .................................................................................. 52
`Figure 40. Components of currents measured by the Signature 500s on the Stablemoor ................ 52
`Figure 41. Surface Winds over the Strait of Juan de Fuca in Winter and Summer .............................. 53
`Figure 42. Bathymetric Rendering of the Survey Area off Blakley Island .............................................. 54
`Figure 43. Bathymetric Profile Along Preferred Route (New Subsea Cable Landing to Turbine Area) 54
`Figure 44. MBE Data Collected in and Along the Proposed Subsea Cable Route ................................ 55
`Figure 45. Temperature at the Project Area (October 2024 through January 2025) .......................... 56
`Figure 46. Temperature Versus Salinity Measured on APL-UW’s STBM ............................................... 56
`Figure 47. Mean Annual Precipitation in Washington from 1991 – 2020 ........................................... 58
`Figure 48. Spatial Distribution of Yelloweye Rockfish Hotspot Areas (RHA) Around the San Juan
`Islands ....................................................................................................................................................... 61
`Figure 49. Eelgrass on the Blakely Island Shoreline .............................................................................. 72
`Figure 50. Kelp Beds on the Blakely Island Shoreline ........................................................................... 73
`Figure 51. Kelp Beds Surveyed by the Samish Indian Nation in 2023 ................................................. 74
`Figure 52. Distribution of Decidecade SPLs as a Function of Frequency, at Four Frequencies (20 Hz,
`100 Hz, 1 kHz, and 5 kHz) ....................................................................................................................... 77
`Figure 53. (a) Current Speed at 3 m (9.8 ft) Above Seabed; (b) Broadband SPLs (500 Hz to 20 kHz);
`(c) Broadband SPLs as a Function of Current Speed ............................................................................. 78
`Figure 54. Time Series Data for a Single Day (November 2, 2024) ...................................................... 79
`Figure 55. (Left) EPDFs and (Right) ECDFs for Broadband Noise at Low Current Speeds in Project
`Area ............................................................................................................................................................ 79
`Figure 56. (a) PSD Statistics and (b) Contour Plot of EPDFs of Pressure Spectral Densities .............. 80
`Figure 57. (a) Decidecade SPL Statistics and (b) a Contour Plot of EPDFs of Decidecade SPLs ........ 80
`Figure 58. SRKW Density Based on Effort-Corrected Data in the Salish Sea from 1976–2014 ........ 83
`Figure 59. C-POD Detections by Certainty Level and Click Event Type ................................................. 91
`Figure 60. Visual Aesthetics in the Project Area ................................................................................... 101
`Figure 61. Rosario Strait Looking South (with Blakely Island to the Right) ......................................... 102
`Figure 62. Proposed Orbital O2-X Location East of Blakely Island ...................................................... 102
`Figure 63. Black Rock Southeast of Blakely Island .............................................................................. 103
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`DLA Rosario Strait Tidal Energy Project – Volume 2 – FERC Project No. 15368
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`Figure 64. Ferry Passing South of Blakely Island (View from Southwest Side of Island) ................... 103
`Figure 65. Existing Artificial Light Impact in the Vicinity of the Proposed Project Area ...................... 105
`Figure 66. Designated Critical Habitat Areas ........................................................................................ 108
`Figure 67. Marine Recreation Opportunities in the Proposed Project Area ........................................ 110
`Figure 68. Vessel Traffic Near the Proposed Project Area ................................................................... 117
`Figure 69. Marine Cadastre AccessAIS Vessel Transit Counts 2023 .................................................. 118
`Figure 70. All Marine Protected Areas in Western Washington ........................................................... 122
`Figure 71. MPAs Near Blakely Island and the Proposed Project Area ................................................ 123
`Figure 72. Typical Orbital O2-X Subsea Cable Slack ............................................................................ 132
`Figure 73. Example of Vessel and Boat Installing Orbital Tidal Device ............................................... 134
`Figure 74. Example of Maintenance Personnel and Boat for Orbital Tidal Device ............................. 135
`Figure 75. Example of Maintenance Boat for Orbital Tidal Device ...................................................... 135
`Figure 76. Extent of Mooring Line Contact with Seabed ...................................................................... 152
`Figure 77. Slack Tide (Minimal Tension in Mooring Lines) .................................................................. 152
`Figure 78. Rated Power (Peak Tension in Line) .................................................................................... 153
`Figure 79. Orbital O2 with Wings Up during Orkney Islands, Scotland Deployment .......................... 190
`Figure 80. OPALCO Service Area ............................................................................................................ 198
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`LIST OF TABLES
`Tables Page
`Table 1. Major Statutory and Regulatory Requirements of the Project .................................................... 4
`Table 2. Proposed Levels of Engagement with Target Audience ........................................................... 11
`Table 3. Proposed Project Phase 1 Engagement Activities .................................................................... 12
`Table 4. Approximate Boundaries of the Proposed Project Area ........................................................... 15
`Table 5. Approximate Location of the Proposed Project Components .................................................. 15
`Table 6. Design Parameters of the Orbital O2-X ..................................................................................... 19
`Table 7. Estimated Project Schedule ....................................................................................................... 29
`Table 8. Frequency of Operational Maintenance Service Tasks ............................................................ 31
`Table 9. Summary of Project Removal Process ...................................................................................... 32
`Table 10. EFH Within the Proposed Project area .................................................................................... 70
`Table 11. Marine Mammals in the Salish Sea ........................................................................................ 81
`Table 12. Avian Species that May Be Present within the Proposed Project Area ................................. 92
`Table 13. Washington State PHS that may be in the Proposed Project Area ....................................... 99
`Table 14. Common Noise Sources and Typical Levels ......................................................................... 104
`Table 15. Federally Threatened an