Biological Opinion on the Construction and Operation of the Liberty Oil Production Island
January 31, 2002
British Petroleum Exploration, Alaska, proposes to develop and produce oil and gas from the Liberty oil field and has applied to the Minerals Management Service for approval of the Liberty Development and Production Plan.
NOAA Fisheries' biological opinion on the Minerals Management Service’s (MMS) proposed approval of a development and production plan for the construction and operation of the Liberty project in the U.S. Beaufort Sea off Alaska’s north coast, and its effects on the endangered bowhead whale, Balaena mysticetus, in accordance with section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended [16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.]. Formal section 7 consultation with the MMS was initiated on March 2, 2001.
British Petroleum Exploration, Alaska (BPXA), proposes to develop and produce oil and gas from the Liberty oil field. BPXA has applied to the MMS for approval of the Liberty Development and Production Plan. This biological opinion incorporates much of the information presented within the biological evaluation prepared by MMS. It also contains pertinent research on the bowhead whale and matters related to oil development. Traditional knowledge and the observations of Inupiat hunters are presented. This knowledge contributes, along with western science, to a more complete understanding of these issues. A reasonable assessment of potential effects can only be made by considering both these systems of knowledge.
Action Agencies: Department of the Interior and Minerals Management Service
NMFS Consultation Number: F/AKR/2001/00889