Field Verification of Geotechnical Exclusion Zone. If the Lessee wishes to modify the existing exclusion zone, the Lessee must submit the results of field verification to verify the exclusion zone for the specific geotechnical exploration equipment being used. If no applicable data are available, the Lessee must conduct field verification of the exclusion zone for the specific geotechnical exploration equipment being used. As part of such field verification, the Lessee must take acoustic measurements at a minimum of two reference locations and in a manner that is sufficient to establish the following: source level (Peak, SEL, and RMS sound levels at 1 meter), pattern of spreading loss, and the sound exposure distance for ear injury for each marine mammal hearing group, sea turtles, and fish. The distance to the 166, 160, and 150 dB RMS behavioral thresholds must also be reported. The first location must be at a distance of 200 m from the sound source and the second location must be as close to the sound source as technically feasible. The Lessee must take these sound measurements at the reference locations at two depths (i.e., a depth at mid-water and a depth at approximately 1 meter above the seafloor). The Lessee must use the results to establish a new exclusion zone, which may be greater than or less than the 200 meter (656 ft) default exclusion zone.
Field Verification of Geotechnical Exclusion Zone. If the Lessee wishes to modify the existing exclusion zone, the Lessee must submit the results of field verification to verify the exclusion zone for the specific Geotechnical Exploration equipment operating below 200 kHz. If no applicable data are available, the Lessee must conduct field verification of the exclusion zone for the specific Geotechnical Exploration equipment being used. As part of such field verification, the Lessee must take acoustic measurements at a minimum of two reference locations and in a manner that is sufficient to establish the following: source level (Peak, SEL, and RMS sound levels at 1 meter), pattern of spreading loss, and the sound exposure distance for ear injury for each marine mammal hearing group, sea turtles, and fish. The distance to the 166, 160, and 150 dB RMS behavioral thresholds must also be reported, as described in Section 5.5.
