Constance Gee has raised the alarm concerning marine mammal deaths that appear to be linked to high-resolution geophysical mapping in preparation for the pile-driving of the Vineyard and Southfork wind projects off the coast of Massachusetts. The mapping process involves high frequency acoustic pulse generation that is not even such an intense noise source as pile driving. We need to know from the wind companies, specifically Revolution, that the pile driving itself will be done with both noise abatement systems and “soft start” driving in order to give sea life a chance to swim out of range. This level of care is mandated in the Ocean SAMP laws that are included in the Coastal Resource Management Program (CRMP) of Rhode Island. Briefly, the relevant provisions are under section 11.10.5(C)2(d) parts (4) and (5) which state that the developer must “conduct proposed activities in a manner that:

(4) Does not cause undue harm or damage to natural resources (including human and wildlife)…

(5) Uses the best available and safest technology”.

There is no question in my mind that this legislation forces offshore wind enterprises to use noise abatement systems to reduce the very large acoustic disturbance of pile driving. There are available systems that reduce sound power across the full frequency range by more than a factor of 10 (10dB). Furthermore it is possible to use multiple such systems to give higher sound reduction. Crucially, a “soft start-up” is routinely used in Europe, where the first blows are at low energy, so as to give marine creatures time to swim out of range.

Can each of these companies tell us exactly the noise abatement means they are planning to use? And, for our re-assurance, which State agencies will be on-site monitoring this activity?

Dr. Malcolm McGeoch

Little Compton