Lawmaker seeks to change MMPA

Acoustic surveys seeking oil and gas deposits beneath sea-beds are being called the “least intrusive way” to explore for those natural resources, according to an industry report from the International Associate of Geophysical Contractors. Environmental advocates see it as a “blunt force weapon” that injures and kills marine mammals. U.S. Rep. Mike John (R-La.) has stepped into the fray siding with industry to amend the 45-year-old Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), and make it easier to obtain government permits for seismic surveys in federal waters, including the Gulf of Mexico. The Bossier City Republican’s proposal, called the Streamlining Environment Approvals Act of 2017, is pending in the U.S. House with seven co-sponsors, including all of Louisiana representative except Cedric Richmond (D-New Orleans). Johnson is a member of the Natural Resources Committee and its subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans. The Marine Mammal Protection Act generally forbids one to "hunt, harass, capture or kill" marine mammals. There are exceptions for "incidental take," which is the unintentional but foreseeable effect of certain activities such as military sonar and training, oil and gas work, and geophysical surveys for energy and science projects. The environment groups Oceans and the Center for Biological Diversity have long decried seismic blasting. The OCBD cites a new environmental impact statement from the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management that says seismic surveys for O&G in the Gulf of Mexico will injure as many as 31.9 million marine mammals - including 80 percent of sperm whales. (Source: NOLA.com 09/09/17)