I. INTRODUCTION

This document constitutes the fifth in a series of coral monitoring reports required by the U.S. Corps of Engineers (USCOE) permit which was issued to IOTA Partners for the archeological excavation of the SANTA MARGARITA, a Spanish galleon which sank on Rota's fringing reef in 1601. Three monitoring reports were submitted for review during the 1999 work season, while this report constitutes the second report for the 2000 work season.

Special Condition 3 required the establishment of a monitoring plan to examine the health of adjacent corals at two permanent sites throughout the duration of the project. As previously discussed in the monitoring reports, four permanent coral reference sites were identified and marked with rebar: two sites were positioned up-current from the "project site area" (ie., sand pit) while two sites were situated down-current. These two sites were further delineated into shallow and deep water. Although, these four reference sites were still marked from the 1999 season, new rebar markers were installed to make them more visible to divers. Coral colonies at each reference site are photo-documented for use by the regulatory agencies in determining their general health. The purpose of this condition was to be able to identify early on, impacts to reference corals and thus provide the opportunity for specific data collection to determine whether the impacts were originating from project related activities. If further research correlates coral impacts to project activities, then additional mitigative measures would be developed and implemented.

This report will focus more on coral monitoring issues associated with USCOE permit conditions while the water quality aspect of this permit condition will be fully addressed by the Section 401 Water Quality Certification issued by the Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) on 5 February 1999. It should be noted that the DEQ requested a slight modification in the water sampling design on 16 June 2000. They requested that the ambient (ie., before dredging) water quality sampling station be relocated a minimum of 100-meters up-current from the excavation area. The present ambient sampling station is located at the excavation area and was the sampling site originally chosen by the DEQ. IOTA Partners supported the modification in a letter from Mr. Stephen Nutting (IOTA attorney) dated 27 June 2000 to the DEQ. Only the ambient sampling site was relocated the general sampling concept remains unchanged which involves obtaining an ambient water sample approximately 100 meters up-current of the excavation area (reference site) prior to excavation, while the compliance water sample is obtained four hours after excavation commences, approximately 100 feet downstream from the excavation area. If excavation activities exceed an 8-hour period on any given day, then a second water sample is obtained from the compliance site. The resulting turbidity measurements from the days water samples are then FAXed to the DEQ that evening. Water samples and turbidity readings are obtained on any day excavation occurs. The turbidometer and field personnel who obtain the water samples have all been previously approved by the DEQ. Compliance with the Section 401 WQC is assumed to cover the turbidity related requirements identified in the USCOE permit conditions.

II. ASSESSMENT OF REFERENCE CORALS

Photographs of live corals from the four reference sites were taken on 27-28 July 2000 and are shown t Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4. The following qualitative assessment is based on general visual observations.

A. UP-CURRENT SHALLOW:
Photographs of the corals at this reference site are shown in Figure 1. There appeared to be no substantial changes in coral health from the May 2000 monitoring report.

B. DOWN-CURRENT SHALLOW:
Photographs of the corals at this reference site are shown in Figure 2. There appeared to be no substantial changes in coral health from the May 2000 monitoring report.

C. UP-CURRENT DEEP:
Photographs of the corals at this reference site are shown in Figure 3. There appeared to be no substantial changes in coral health from the May 2000 monitoring report.

D. DOWN-CURRENT DEEP:
Photographs of the corals at this reference site are shown in Figure 4. Although no substantial changes in coral community health was observed in the vicinity of this reference site, one reference coral colony which appeared to be healthy in the May 2000 monitoring assessment did appear to be affected on 27 July 2000 (see Figure 4--top left photograph). This incident should not be considered alarming as the remaining reference corals, in addition to the corals in the vicinity appear healthy.

The affected portion of the colony encompasses approximately 6 inches' and presently supports algae growth (see red arrow on photograph). Given that a chronic point source sediment discharge originating from an excavation project would normally have broad, far reaching impacts on corals within the zone of influence, the numerous healthy corals of various species in the immediate vicinity of the affected coral indicates that excavation related activities are an unlikely cause. Additionally, the affected area is along the base and side of the hemispherical coral adjacent to the benthic algae Halimeda.

III. MITIGATION MEASURES IMPLEMENTED

SEDIMENT CONTROL:

Due to equipment failure during the time period from the May 2000 monitoring report, progress with the excavation has been slow. The silt control measures described in the previous monitoring report are still operational and appear to be adequately controlling any sediment plumes which are being generated.