Calypso LNG Deepwater Port - Public Meeting

[Uncle Buck]

I received this from the Billfish Foundation yesterday. I'm gonna try to attend to see what the reality of the project is. And see how fishing interests may be effected.
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Draft Environmental Impact Statement Released
Calypso LNG Deepwater Port - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed Calypso Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Deepwater Port off Fort Lauderdale has been released for public comment. The objective of this document is to:

1. To ensure that Federal agencies consider the potential environmental effects of the proposed project, and

2. To inform the public and to encourage and facilitate public involvement in Federal agency activities that affects the quality of the human environment.

We encourage you to be part of this important process which will address impacts on the recreational fishery off of Fort Lauderdale. To review the document online go to the Federal Docket Management Facility website (Regulations.gov). Clink on "Search for Dockets" at the top left of your screen and enter Docket ID 26009. Click USCG 2006-26009 and view documents by clicking the PDF icon under "Views". The DEIS document is broken up into sections and can be found beginning on pg. 4 titled "Calypso DEIS 11/5/07".


OPEN HOUSE & PUBLIC COMMENT MEETING
An informational open house and a public comment meeting are scheduled for November 28, 2007 at the Courtyard by Marriott, Fort Lauderdale North/Cypress Creek, 2440 W. Cypress Creek Road, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. All comments will be incorporated into the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This is the only public meeting schedule on the DEIS.

Please note that there is a 45-day comment period for the Draft EIS which ends on Monday, December 17, 2007. This is your opportunity to learn about the Calypso LNG Deep Water Port and raise any concerns.

[Uncle Buck]

It doesn't look like it will encroach into the normal swordfishing drift areas. BUT, the southern approach path for ships would be just inside the 50-line.

Proposed Location:


Area to Be Avoided: A 5,000ft Radius from the center of each Buoy. (1.64 x 4.11 nautical mile oval)


Underwater Structure:

[quack quack]

Being in the stream really wants to make me know the potential for eco impact if a spill happen.The coolant and the fact they use raw sea water to further cool it are my worries.

[Skip Smith]

Originally Posted by quack quack

Being in the stream really wants to make me know the potential for eco impact if a spill happen.The coolant and the fact they use raw sea water to further cool it are my worries.

I have attended every meeting. (questioning everything I can)
A "LNG spill" effects the ozone and should not effect the coast line. The cooling system is 40 feet below the surface and (according to a marine scientist) does not affect any larvae (fish eggs), as larvae contains oil which causes the larvae to float. The cooling problems are solved by the gulfstream being able to disapate the heated water very fast. Probably faster than any other ship they have operating.

My biggest concerns is the closure area the US Coast Gaurd will put around the shps. (the USCG has not yet released thier recommendation) LNG is only asking for 1000' but with the gulfstream and all the yacht & ship traffic, i am worried about the navigation problems that could occur.

I wasn't real happy that this is getting jammed down our throats. But when the Governor says he wants FPL to find new Energy and these guys suddenly appear, you know that we are in trouble.

[RiskTaker]

From my reviews so far, I still do not have a decisive opinion to Object/Stop this project; however, there does remain some more questions before I could agree.

DonK started up a more current thread which provides a petition to Gov. Charlie Crist, to reject the LNG project off of Port Everglades, entirely. Here is the link so you can jump to that thread quickly for reference. Calypso Project Certainly, the Governor has the authority to stop such a project but hopefully only for the right reasons.

I am certain that I do not agree with all of the reasons on that petition to reject such a proposal (Alternative 3 - No DWP installation). But certainly the hazard to navigation, in all its forms, the bleaching of the seawater along with a 13 degree F. temperature drop (a cooling of the seawater - Open loop solution) with potential impact to little sea creatures and the anchoring hardware scouring the sea bed, stand out as objections. Although I must say that an increased and diversified supply of Natural gas is strategically wise for Florida because we presently get 100% of Natural gas from GOM sources and Florida's energy needs are still increasing. (The Calypso LNG project could link in supplies from Africa, the Middle East as well as the GOM.)

As the time for final public feedback nears, perhaps it may be worthwhile to brush up on the details from information presently available. You can even answer the Questionaire for Suez Energy if you did not have the opportunity to participate at a Swordfish Club Meeting last year. Skip, perhaps this could be a refreshed primary meeting topic for a 2009 SFC meeting with discussion and direct participation from Suez Energy and the TBF (Ellen).

Question 9 of the questionaire: Would you like us to arrange a meeting between project participants and people from your fishery or organization?

Here are a few more links for easy access, but all of which can be found by picking around long enough from the Calypso website.
SUEZ Energy North America - SUEZ Energy North America

SUEZ Energy North America - Calypso Pipeline

http://www.suezenergyna.com/ourcompa...ec.Summary.pdf

If you want more reading than you can handle, try this link: Regulations.gov

If you have ventured that far, you may as well take a look at public submissions to the DEIA. One, articulated by Ellen Peel on behalf of the Billfish Foundation, is very informative and in lockstep with our Recreational fishing concerns. It provides excellent feedback in a relatively balanced way: a good eye opener for anyone just becoming acquainted with the subject matter.