Description: This data shows the location of publicly owned treatment facilities and other facilities that discharge significantly to coastal surface waters at or near the contiguous U.S. Atlantic coast. This data originated from the <a href=https://www.epa.gov/npdes target="_blank">EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)</a> <a href=https://www.epa.gov/frs target="_blank">Facility Registry Service (FRS)</a> data. The data was filtered to include primarily publicly owned wastewater treatment plans (POTW) and other facilties with major permits, as well as removing duplicate facilities with multiple permits. Facility locations were updated to more accurately represent the facility center. Additionally missing facilities were added where identified thorugh local research. Where possible, facilities were linked to outfall pipes and outfall discharge points (as separate features) using the provided key field.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: NOAA Office for Coastal Management, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Description: This data shows the location of outfall discharge points from publicly owned treatment facilities and other facilities that discharge significantly to coastal surface waters at or near the contiguous U.S. Atlantic coast. This data originated from the <a href=https://echo.epa.gov/ target="_blank">EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO)</a> <a href=https://echo.epa.gov/tools/data-downloads/icis-npdes-download-summary target="_blank">Integrated Compliance Information System National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (ICIS-NPDES)</a> data. The data was filtered to include primarily outfall discharge points for publicly owned wastewater treatment plans (POTW) and other facilties with major permits. Additionally, the data was updated to represent the actual water discharge point(s) for each facility, where they could be identified either from permit information or seen from aerial imagery. All outfall discharge points are linked to their facility (as separate features) using the provided key field.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: NOAA Office for Coastal Management, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Description: This data shows the location of outfall discharge pipelines from publicly owned treatment facilities and other facilities that discharge significantly to coastal surface waters at or near the contiguous U.S. Atlantic coast. This data originated from <a href=https://encdirect.noaa.gov/ target="_blank">NOAA Office of Coast Survey – Electronic Navigation Charts (ENC)</a> data. Pipelines related to these types of facilities were filtered from the ENC data. The location of the discharge pipeline was updated where possible based on permit or other data. Additional discharge pipelines were included where identified from other resources. All outfall discharge pipelines are linked to their facility (as separate features) using the provided key field.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: NOAA Office for Coastal Management, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, NOAA Office of Coast Survey
Name: Tentative Permits to Conduct a Two-Phased Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement Research Study
Display Field:
Type: Group Layer
Geometry Type: null
Description: In June and July 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invited public comment on its tentative determination to issue two research permits pursuant to the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI).
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These research permits would authorize the transportation and disposition of an alkaline solution into ocean waters during a two-phased research study offshore of Massachusetts as part of WHOI’s LOC-NESS Project. The proposed research is designed to study a potential climate change mitigation technique referred to as ocean alkalinity enhancement. This technique is intended to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it for long periods of time in the ocean. More information about ocean alkalinity enhancement and other proposed marine carbon dioxide removal techniques can be found on the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/ocean-dumping/marine-carbon-dioxide-removal-and-solar-radiation-management-permitting" target="_blank">EPA’s Marine Carbon Dioxide Permitting website</a>.
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WHOI has proposed a two-phased study. Phase 1 would be conducted south of Martha’s Vineyard (approximately 9.5 miles south of the nearest shoreline in Nomans Land Island, Massachusetts). Phase 2 would be conducted within the Wilkinson Basin (approximately 38 miles northeast from the nearest shoreline in Cape Cod, Massachusetts).
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In August 2024, the WHOI research team announced that Phase 1 would be shifted from fall 2024 to the summer of 2025 because the fully-equipped research vessel WHOI planned to use was no longer available. More detailed information about this decision can be found on the <a href="https://www.whoi.edu/press-room/news-release/woods-hole-oceanographic-institution-announces-shift-of-ocean-alkalinity-enhancement-field-trials-to-summer-2025/" target="_blank">WHOI website</a>.
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The EPA is currently reviewing the LOC-NESS project’s permit for this phase of research and the subsequent phase and WHOI continues to work closely with the Agency as part of that process. To access additional information about either of the proposed activities, visit the Federal Rulemaking Portal and search for Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2023-0591 (Phase 1) and Docket No. EPA-HQ-OW-2024-0189 (Phase 2). The public comment deadline was July 11, 2024. View the Portal's <a href="https://www.northeastoceandata.org/mcdr-research-permits/" target="_blank">mCDR Research Permits page</a> for more information.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Description: In June and July 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invited public comment on its tentative determination to issue two research permits pursuant to the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI).
<br/>
<br/>
These research permits would authorize the transportation and disposition of an alkaline solution into ocean waters during a two-phased research study offshore of Massachusetts as part of WHOI’s LOC-NESS Project. The proposed research is designed to study a potential climate change mitigation technique referred to as ocean alkalinity enhancement. This technique is intended to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it for long periods of time in the ocean. More information about ocean alkalinity enhancement and other proposed marine carbon dioxide removal techniques can be found on the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/ocean-dumping/marine-carbon-dioxide-removal-and-solar-radiation-management-permitting" target="_blank">EPA’s Marine Carbon Dioxide Permitting website</a>.
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WHOI has proposed a two-phased study. Phase 1 would be conducted south of Martha’s Vineyard (approximately 9.5 miles south of the nearest shoreline in Nomans Land Island, Massachusetts). Phase 2 would be conducted within the Wilkinson Basin (approximately 38 miles northeast from the nearest shoreline in Cape Cod, Massachusetts).
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In August 2024, the WHOI research team announced that Phase 1 would be shifted from fall 2024 to the summer of 2025 because the fully-equipped research vessel WHOI planned to use was no longer available. More detailed information about this decision can be found on the <a href="https://www.whoi.edu/press-room/news-release/woods-hole-oceanographic-institution-announces-shift-of-ocean-alkalinity-enhancement-field-trials-to-summer-2025/" target="_blank">WHOI website</a>.
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The EPA is currently reviewing the LOC-NESS project’s permit for this phase of research and the subsequent phase and WHOI continues to work closely with the Agency as part of that process. To access additional information about either of the proposed activities, visit the Federal Rulemaking Portal and search for Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2023-0591 (Phase 1) and Docket No. EPA-HQ-OW-2024-0189 (Phase 2). The public comment deadline was July 11, 2024. View the Portal's <a href="https://www.northeastoceandata.org/mcdr-research-permits/" target="_blank">mCDR Research Permits page</a> for more information.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Description: In June and July 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invited public comment on its tentative determination to issue two research permits pursuant to the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI).
<br/>
<br/>
These research permits would authorize the transportation and disposition of an alkaline solution into ocean waters during a two-phased research study offshore of Massachusetts as part of WHOI’s LOC-NESS Project. The proposed research is designed to study a potential climate change mitigation technique referred to as ocean alkalinity enhancement. This technique is intended to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it for long periods of time in the ocean. More information about ocean alkalinity enhancement and other proposed marine carbon dioxide removal techniques can be found on the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/ocean-dumping/marine-carbon-dioxide-removal-and-solar-radiation-management-permitting" target="_blank">EPA’s Marine Carbon Dioxide Permitting website</a>.
<br/>
<br/>
WHOI has proposed a two-phased study. Phase 1 would be conducted south of Martha’s Vineyard (approximately 9.5 miles south of the nearest shoreline in Nomans Land Island, Massachusetts). Phase 2 would be conducted within the Wilkinson Basin (approximately 38 miles northeast from the nearest shoreline in Cape Cod, Massachusetts).
<br/>
<br/>
In August 2024, the WHOI research team announced that Phase 1 would be shifted from fall 2024 to the summer of 2025 because the fully-equipped research vessel WHOI planned to use was no longer available. More detailed information about this decision can be found on the <a href="https://www.whoi.edu/press-room/news-release/woods-hole-oceanographic-institution-announces-shift-of-ocean-alkalinity-enhancement-field-trials-to-summer-2025/" target="_blank">WHOI website</a>.
<br/>
<br/>
The EPA is currently reviewing the LOC-NESS project’s permit for this phase of research and the subsequent phase and WHOI continues to work closely with the Agency as part of that process. To access additional information about either of the proposed activities, visit the Federal Rulemaking Portal and search for Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2023-0591 (Phase 1) and Docket No. EPA-HQ-OW-2024-0189 (Phase 2). The public comment deadline was July 11, 2024. View the Portal's <a href="https://www.northeastoceandata.org/mcdr-research-permits/" target="_blank">mCDR Research Permits page</a> for more information.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Color: [78, 78, 78, 255] Background Color: N/A Outline Color: N/A Vertical Alignment: baseline Horizontal Alignment: left Right to Left: false Angle: 0 XOffset: 0 YOffset: 0 Size: 8 Font Family: Arial Font Style: normal Font Weight: bold Font Decoration: none
Min. Scale: 4622324.0 Max. Scale: 0.0 Label Placement: esriServerPolygonPlacementAlwaysHorizontal Label Expression: "Phase 2 (2025)" Use Coded Values: true Symbol:
Color: [78, 78, 78, 255] Background Color: N/A Outline Color: N/A Vertical Alignment: baseline Horizontal Alignment: left Right to Left: false Angle: 0 XOffset: 0 YOffset: 0 Size: 8 Font Family: Arial Font Style: normal Font Weight: normal Font Decoration: none
Name: Tentative Permit for LOC-NESS Wilkinson Basin Study
Display Field: Shape_Length
Type: Feature Layer
Geometry Type: esriGeometryPolygon
Description: In January 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invited public comment on its tentative determination to issue a research permit pursuant to the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). This follows after the EPA received two complete permit applications from a researcher at WHOI in May 2024 for two sequential research activities, referred to as the LOC-NESS Phase 1 Martha’s Vineyard Study and LOC-NESS Phase 2 Wilkinson Basin Study, each involving the transportation and controlled release of 50% sodium hydroxide (an alkaline solution) mixed with a water tracer dye into surface waters seaward of the state waters of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The applicant designed the studies (1) to evaluate the effectiveness of the research team’s approach to monitor changes in ocean alkalinity and subsequent carbon dioxide uptake by the ocean resulting from the alkaline solution additions and (2) to collect scientific information to better understand any potential adverse impacts to human health, the marine environment and other uses of the ocean.
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<b>Current status:</b>
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<ul> <li>The applicant withdrew their application for an MPRSA research permit for the LOC-NESS Martha’s Vineyard Study, formerly referred to as “LOC-NESS Phase 1.”</li>
<li>The EPA is currently requesting comment, until 11:59pm EST February 14, 2025, on additional information and proposed updates to permit conditions for the LOC-NESS Wilkinson Basin Study.<a href='https://www.epa.gov/ocean-dumping/loc-ness-project-overview-and-permitting-status#comment' target='_blank'>Information on how to comment</a>.</li>
<li>This map layer shows some of the spatial information contained in the permit application for the LOC-NESS Wilkinson Basin Study.</li>
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<b>“Dispersal Area”</b>: This circle shows the anticipated dispersal area for the proposed ocean alkalinity enhancement research study. The dispersal will last approximately 4 hours, and a perimeter will be established to ensure that the experiment can be conducted safely. The dispersal activity is limited to the upper 30 feet of the water column. No interaction with the sea bed is planned or anticipated. At the end of the dispersal, the resulting patch of water will have a slightly elevated alkalinity of about 11% above typical values for the area. The pH will be slightly elevated by a few tenths of a unit above background values, while remaining lower than the pH 8.5 water quality criteria for aquatic life.
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<b>“Potential 7-day monitoring area”</b>: This circle shows where the resulting patch of water, with slightly elevated pH and alkalinity, might travel after the dispersal is complete. There are no anticipated restrictions on vessel activity in this area during the monitoring phase. The circle indicates where other mariners might encounter the monitoring research vessel. All monitoring activities are restricted to the upper part of the water column, and no bottom activity is planned or anticipated. The patch itself will be much smaller than the 7-day monitoring area, and it is predicted to move and dissipate with currents and tides away from the dispersal area, but will remain within this circle, during the 7-day monitoring period. The size of the circle is based on a series of ocean model simulations conducted by the research team. The model predicts that the patch will completely dissipate to less than 0.1% of its initial value, and well within natural variability, within this 7-day time frame.
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Visit EPA's <a href='https://www.epa.gov/ocean-dumping/loc-ness-project-overview-and-permitting-status' target='_blank'>LOC-NESS Project Overview and Permitting Status page</a> and <a href='https://locness.whoi.edu/' target='_blank'>WHOI's LOC-NESS website</a> for more information.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution