Port of Anchorage Marine Terminal Development Project Underwater Noise Survey Test Pile Driving Program Anchorage AK

To prevent and minimize adverse impacts to marine mammals and to ensure compliance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Permit Number POA-2003-502-N (August 10, 2007), the Port of Anchorage and Department of Transportation Maritime Administration was required to conduct underwater noise surveys. These surveys measured and evaluated construction noise levels incidental to a test pile driving program conducted at the Port of Anchorage facilities in October 2007. The test program included testing of 26 steel H-piles and two sheet piles. These piles were installed using both vibratory and impact hammers. An underwater noise survey was conducted October 16-8, 2007. This survey measured and evaluated noise levels associated with the pile driving and other Port activities. The survey consisted of measuring underwater sounds of:

• impact and vibratory driving of steel H-piles
• vibratory driving of one sheet pile
• ambient conditions and noise levels generated by dredging operations
• the pile driving barge
• a tugboat pulling the barge