Determination of Acoustic Effects on Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles for the Atlantic Fleet Training and Testing Environmental Impact Statement/Overseas Environmental Impact Statement

Abstract : The United States Navy is required to assess potential effects of Navy-generated anthropogenic sound in the water in order to comply with federal environmental laws and regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act, Executive Order 12114, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Endangered Species Act. The acoustic effects assessment for Phase II of the Tactical Training Theater Assessment and Planning Program uses quantitative analysis methodology to estimate acoustic exposures on designated marine fauna, which include marine mammals and sea turtles. This report describes the process used to determine the number of modeled acoustic exposures for marine mammals and sea turtles as a result of the Navy's training and testing in the Atlantic Fleet Training and Testing Study Area.