USCGC HEALY Geophysical Survey

The National Science Foundation is making available a draft environmental assessment for the proposed marine geophysical survey to be conducted by the USCG icebreaker HEALY. Plans call for the HEALY to transit the Arctic Ocean from northern Alaska to Svalbard during the period 5 August to 30 September 2005. Scientific research, particularly sediment coring, will be conducted en route. While marine mammals will be encountered, they will not be taken and such encounters are expected to constitute only “Level B Harassment”. 70 Fed. Reg. 18431 (HK Law).