FINAL Environmental Assessment for Maritime Environmental Data Sampling System

DHS S&T prepared this Environmental Assessment to evaluate the potential impacts to the human and natural environment resulting from S&T’s proposal to deploy and operate a submerged cable and includes potential recovery, abandonment in place or continued operations in the waters of the Strait of Georgia and Semiahmoo Bay, Washington, near the Northern border with Canada. 

The purpose of the project is to test the sensor technology to increase maritime domain awareness that may be applicable to rest of United States. The project is needed to assess the capability and performance of the cable sensor system. This Draft Environmental Assessment was made available for a 30-day public review and comment period which concluded on June 8, 2024. DHS received comments on the Draft EA. A complete list of comments received, and DHS’s responses is included in Appendix C of the Final EA. After thorough review and consideration, DHS issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and concluded the NEPA review for this action. The Final EA and signed FONSI are available for download.

This action is consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act and Homeland Security procedures for NEPA implementation (DHS Directive 023-01 Rev 01 and Instruction 023-001 Rev. 01).