Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, Procurement Operations Branch, MS2500, 381 Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia 22070-4817

B -- COLLECTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL DATA WITHIN SAND RESOURCE AREAS OFFSHORE NORTH CAROLINA AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS OF SAND REMOVAL FOR COASTAL AND BEACH RESTORATION SOL 1435-01-97-RP-30843 POC Jane M. Carlson, Contracting Officer, (703) 787-1364 E-MAIL: Contracting Officer's E-Mail, Jane.Carlson@mms.gov. The Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, has jurisdiction over all mineral resources on the Federal Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), a zone which extends from three miles seaward of the coastal State boundaries out two hundred miles. Until recently, only oil and gas resources were harvested from within this area. However, the potential for exploitation of sand resources located on the OCS as a source of material for beach and barrier islands restoration has grown rapidly in the last several years as similar resources in State waters are being depleted or polluted. Several OCS areas are also being examined as possible sources of aggregate for construction purposes. Resources in U.S. Federal Waters may also be environmentally preferable, due to concerns over changes in resident physical oceanographic conditions as large quantities of material are extracted from areas within the existing wave base. This has generated a need for technical information and environmental studies to ensure that offshore minerals are developed in a safe and environmentally sound manner. The MMS's Office of International Activities and Marine Minerals (INTERMAR) has been developing and procuring contracts to provide needed environmental information in regards to environmental management of these resources. The main purposes of this proposed study is to address environmental questions raised by the potential for dredging sand from the inner continental shelf offshore the State of North Carolina for the purposes of beach nourishment. The North Carolina Geological Survey (NCGS) has identified two zones of high-quality clean sand deposits in Federal waters, offshore North Carolina. Significant components of this study are: (1) visiting and discussing any field work with the North Carolina Geological Survey within the potential borrow areas and obtaining any data or information that might be used during the conduct of this project; (2) searching the available literature base for additional relevant field data or information; and (3) designing and carrying out an oceanographic field program to address the following elements: (a) assessment of the baseline benthic ecological conditions in and around the two proposed sand borrow areas that will be identified in the Request for Proposal(RFP); (b) evaluation of the benthic infauna resident in the potential borrow areas and assessment of the potential effects of offshore dredging activity on these organisms, including an analysis of the potential rate and success of recolonization following cessation of dredging activities; (c) development of a schedule of best and worst times for dredging offshore North Carolina as regards transitory, pelagic species; (d) evaluation as to the potential modifications to waves that cross within the study area due to offshore dredging within the potential sand borrow areas; and (e) evaluation of the impacts of dredging in Federal waters offshore North Carolina and consequent beach nourishment in terms of the potential alteration in sediment transport patterns, sedimentary environments, and impacts to local shoreline processes. The RFP, which will be issued on or about 15 days following publication of this notice will contain specific instructions regarding proposal preparation, due dates, etc.; dates specified in the RFP will override any conflicting contained herein. A copy of this RFP may be requested by facsimile (703) 787-1009, or by mail to the above address. Requests or questions by telephone are strongly discouraged. Questions may be sent by facsimile at the above facsimile number or Emailed to the address below. (0154)

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