Identifying Information Needs and Research Priorities for the North Aleutian Basin of Alaska Birds Working Group Summary Findings John Krummel and the Working Group North Aleutian Basin Information Status and Research Planning Meeting Minerals Management Service Anchorage, Alaska November 28—December 1, 2006

2 Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Steller’s Eiders and Other Water Birds in the Near-Shore Environments of NAB Project Area (1) Need: Spatial and temporal information on Steller’s eider and other bird species of management concern is inadequate to predict and assess potential impacts of O&G exploration and development in the NAB planning area. Background: The project area includes critical habitat for the Steller’s eider (the entire listed population is present during major portions of the year), staging and molting area for many shorebirds and waterfowl of global and regional conservation concern, entire populations of Pacific Brant, Emperor and Cackling Geese during portions of the year, distribution and abundance data are dated and seasonally biased, inadequate for evaluation of vulnerability to both acute and chronic impacts of O&G activities. Timing: Immediate, Objective: Quantify abundance and distribution of waterfowl and shorebirds throughout the annual cycle within bays and lagoons, and other near-shore habitats between Izembek and Goodnews Bay Methods: Aerial surveys, ground-based shorebird surveys, telemetry, statistically valid approaches Time and Cost: 5 years, $2.94M

3 Spatial and Temporal Distributions of Birds at Sea (2) Need: Lack of seasonal at-sea distribution and abundance information on short-tail albatross and other seabirds (over 60 species) makes it impossible to adequately complete impact analyses as required by NEPA or to complete Section 7 consultations Background: Most data were collected in the 1970’s-80’s, since the 1980s, many seabird species have declined, and changes have occurred in ocean ecosystems, few at-sea data during winter months, need to coordinate with fisheries and oceanographic surveys Timing: start in 2007, complete in 2010 Objective: Quantify spatial and seasonal distribution, implement collaborative studies of prey availability by working with concurrent studies of invertebrate, zooplankton and forage fish availability Methods: Develop DQO and statistical design parameters, ship transects, telemetry, other Time and Cost: $850K per year for 4 years

4 Seabird Colony Census and Diet Studies in the NAB and Southern Alaska Peninsula (3) Need: Inadequate spatial and temporal information on populations to evaluate impacts of leasing and potential development Background: Approximately 44 seabird colonies and nearly a million nesting birds of 26 species, colony census data is years old, and current breeding population sizes are not known. Since last data collection, there have been major changes in the marine ecosystem, birds protected by law and treaty Timing: Phase 1 ( ), Phase 2 ( ) Objective: Collect statistically valid census data for use in developing resources at risk to development Methods: Protocols outlined in AMNWR and USFWS manuals, integrated into the Seabird Colony Database (housed with USFWS-MBM), link with the seabird diet database (being developed by USFWS/AMNWR in Anchorage, AK) Time and Cost: $350K per year, , $125K final year

5 Aerial Remote Sensing of Distribution and Abundance of Eelgrass in the NAB Planning Area (4) Need: Eelgrass resources are critically important in the estuarine and near-shore systems of the NAB, important forage for steller eiders, brant, nursery for juvenile marine and anadromous fish, vital to nutrient input and cycling of the NAB, potentially at-risk to oil and gas development Background: No data on baseline eelgrass distribution and status in the NAB planning area Timing: Complete survey and classification by 2010,ongoing monitoring if O&G projects implemented Objective: Map distribution and abundance of eel grass within the NAB planning area, design a long-term eel grass monitoring plan for the planning area Methods: Review existing imagery, evaluate sources of imagery (i.e. satellite, low level photography, ground survey), design survey methods, implement the survey, analyze data, monitor Time and Cost: 2 year study, $400K

6 Estuarine System Studies (Focus on Birds) – Izembek and Port Moller Lagoons (4) Need: Birds are an important component in the estuarine systems of the NAB. Understanding the structure and function of these systems, represented by Izembek and Port Moller Lagoons, will enable MMS to understand and predict the potential long-term effects of oil and gas developments. Background: Izembek and Nelson Lagoons and the Port Moller complex are among the most important estuarine systems in North America and are globally important (Ramsar convention designation). No effort to date to use an interdisciplinary approach to understand these systems of which birds are an integral element. Timing: Immediate start not needed, but initial design started prior to 2009 Objective: Develop systems model that links to chemistry, climate, oceanography, benthic, vegetative (i.e. mapping of eel grass distribution), fish, marine mammal parameters; bird component includes: habitat use and abundance (seasonal, spatial, temporal patterns of movement), forage requirements, stressors, forage quantity and quality Methods: Design model, collect data, refine model and data collection Time and Cost: $250K/year for 3 years (model development and implementation, does not include all data requirements)

7 Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Bird Movements (6) Need: To identify high-use areas for Steller’s eiders, Short-tailed Albatross and other species of special concern because of declining population trends (mechanisms poorly understood) and global importance given their vulnerabilities to increased potential for collisions with oil and gas infrastructure. Background: Birds in the pelagic environment are attracted to light sources and thousands are killed annually in collisions with vessels. As exploration and operations activities proceed in the planning area there will be significant increase in the amount of light and consequently the potential for increased bird strikes. Timing: Immediate ( ) Objective: Develop a model to assess the potential for bird strikes by identifying the timing, patterns of movement, species composition, and numbers of birds transiting within the lease area and correlate these movements with weather and other environmental variables. Facilitate analysis of survey data by identifying movements and turn over rates within the lease area. Methods: Mark a sample of birds within the proposed lease sale area (multi-species) using telemetry (in combination with offshore radar and visual studies) Time and Cost: 5 years, $500K/year