U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEER PERMIT NUMBER 960100004
SPECIAL CONDITION 3
This document constitutes the sixth 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. Previous monitoring reports submitted include three for the 1999 work season (19 June, 23 July and 21 October) and two for the 2000 work season (29 May and 10 August). Due to chronic UW camera problems and rough seas experienced during 2001, this report includes both the 2001 and initial 2002 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.
The four reference sites are marked with rebar 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 permit 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 related 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. 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.
Photographs of live corals from the four reference sites were taken on 26 May 2001 and approximately one year later on 29 May 2002. Representative corals found at each reference site are shown in Photographs 1, 2, 3 and 4 for the 2001 season and in Photographs 5, 6, 7, and 8 for the 2002 season. Table I shows the time frame covered in the six monitoring reports that documented coral health at the four coral reference sites.
Additionally, a field visit was conducted on 27 July 2001 when a coral bleaching event was being experienced in Rota. Camera problems prevented photos, however some causal notes, based on general visual observations, were taken at each of the coral reference sites. The bleaching event did not appear to substantially affect the four coral reference sites. Observations are included in the following qualitative assessment.
Photographs of the corals at this reference site are shown in Photograph 1 (May 2001) and Photograph 5 (May 2002). There appears to be no substantial changes in coral health from the 9 August 2000 monitoring report.
Bleaching event notes: (Observations made 27 July 2001)
Red arrows on the photographs identify the specific corals discussed. Severe bleaching was noted for the small coral (Stylophora sp.) seen in Photograph I (bottom right) and Photograph 5 (bottom right). The larger coral (Acropora sp.) identified in Photograph I (upper left) and Photograph 5 (bottom right) showed slight bleaching over the tips of the entire coral.
Photographs of the corals at this reference site are shown in Photograph 2 (May 2001) and Photograph 6 (May 2002). There appears to be no substantial changes in coral health from the August 2000 monitoring report.
Bleaching event notes: (Observations made 27 July 2001)
Red arrows on the photographs identify the specific coral discussed. The brown encrusting coral (Porites sp. ?) shown in Photograph 2 (top left) and Photograph 6 (top left) was starting to show signs of bleaching.
C. UP-CURRENT DEEP:
Photographs of the corals at this reference site are shown in Photograph 3 (May 2001) and Photograph 7 (May 2002). There appears to be no substantial changes in coral health from the August 2000 monitoring report.
Bleaching event notes: (Observations made 27 July 2001)
Red arrows on the photographs identify the specific corals discussed. Slight bleaching was observed on the tips of various branching corals (Stylophora sp.) found 'in the immediate area of the rebar marker See Photograph middle) (left and top right) and Photograph 7 (top left and top.
Photographs of the corals at this reference site are shown in Photograph 4 (May 2001) and Photograph 8 (May 2002).There appears to be no substantial changes in coral health from the August 2000 monitoring report.
Bleaching event notes: (Observations made 27 July 2001)
Red arrows on the photographs identify the specific corals discussed. Slight bleaching was observed on the tips of various branching corals (Stylophora sp.) shown in Photograph 4 (top left, bottom middle and bottom right) and Photograph 8 (top middle and bottom right). Additionally, bleaching was observed in the encrusting coral (Favia sp.) shown in Photograph 4 (top middle) and Photograph 8 (bottom middle).
SEDIMENT PLUME CONTROL:
The sediment tent system developed during the initial years appears to have worked well. Because the tent used for the 2001 work season had shown substantial wear, new tent material was purchased prior to this season's work (2002) and installed the last week of May (2002) immediately prior to commencement of excavation.
The entrance of the sediment tent where the discharge end of the eductor is placed can be seen in Figures 9, 10 and 11 below. Stabilization of the eductor hoses can be seen in figures 11 and 12 along with the discharge.
