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CZM PERMIT APPLICATION MAJOR LAND & WATER AT&T OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS INC No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 Estate Peterborg Northside, St. Thomas, VI 00801 MAGEN’S BAY, ST. THOMAS USVI TRANS-CARIBBEAN FIBER SYSTEM CABLE LANDING PROJECT Submitted by: TRANS AMERICAS FIBER US, LLC 175 Distant Island Dr. Beaufort, South Carolina 29907 December 20, 2023 CZM PERMIT APPLICATION MAGEN’S BAY, ST. THOMAS USVI TRANS-CARIBBEAN FIBER SYSTEM CABLE LANDING PROJECT Applicant: TRANS AMERICAS FIBER US, LLC December 20, 2023 TABLE OF CONTENTS: 1. INTRODUCTION 2. APPLICATION FORMS 3. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS 4. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT REPORT 5. EGS & BENTHIC SURVEY REPORTS 6. ROUTE AND APPROACH MAPS 7. REQUIRED MAPS (ZONING, PARCEL, FIRM, ETC.) 8. QUALIFICATIONS & BACKGROUND 1. INTRODUCTION Magen’s Bay, St. Thomas USVI Trans-Caribbean Fiber System Cable Landing Project This project seeks to install an armored telecommunication fiber optics cable at Magen’s Bay, St. Thomas USVI as part of a major Trans-Caribbean Fiber System venture to improve capacity and connectivity between the continental United States of America and the Caribbean. Of an approximate 4,393-kilometer cable system delineated across numerous segments, the primary branch of this cable system, spanning 2,166 kilometers, will connect between Vero Beach, FL and Butler Bay, St. Croix. The primary Florida-to-St. Croix, TCFS trunk segment will have five (5) branching unit (BU) segments, one of which will make landfall at Magen's Bay, St. Thomas, USVI. This branch will begin 93.5 kilometers from the St. Croix landing site, extend to the Magen’s Bay landing site over a route that spans 23 kilometers. The cable will be surfaced laid and enter a landing manhole installed at the shoreline transition point at Magen’s Bay and connect via existing underground conduit to the AT&T of the Virgin Islands distribution building located at No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 Estate Peterborg, Northside St. Thomas, VI 00801. Cable design and type were developed in the planning stages based on engineering considerations identified during the route planning process. The landings were selected to optimize the approach to existing infrastructure, minimize interference with existing cables, and use existing infrastructure where available to install new cable, minimizing environmental impact and maximizing the protection and projected life of the cables. An important component of the route planning process is the minimization of impacts to the marine environment within the Waters of the USVI, particularly coral reefs and other benthic habitat. Deepwater marine route segment surveys were conducted along the cable route to the approach and entry into the USVI Waters, in conjunction with concurrent benthic habitat surveys of the shallow and medium-depth waters from the edge of USVI Waters to shoreline transition points. The submarine fiber optic cable is proposed to be laid on the seafloor coming from the west from deep water at a north/south cable intersection 0.75 nautical miles west of the USVI Waters territorial boundary. The cable runs east passing approximately one nautical mile north of Cricket Rock onward to a point approximately 0.7 nautical miles north of Outer Brass. From there, it continues east to a point roughly one nautical mile northeast of Outer Brass where it runs south- southeast into the shallow waters of Magen’s Bay. There are no existing bores at the proposed Magen’s Bay landing site. The St. Thomas landing will require cable to be surface pinned and then ploughed to the land side of the Mean High Tide Line (MHTL). A manhole will be installed at the shoreline where it will be used to transition the cable to existing conduit buried in established easements. The proposed fiber optic cable will be winched through existing conduit running through a property easement to a manhole located on the subject property of AT&T of the Virgin Islands and connected to existing infrastructure at this location. The cable will be anchored and/or pinned to the seafloor. Where new infrastructure is needed, disruption of the shoreline and shallow water seafloor will be minimized by using the seafloor features that effectively function as a natural corridor for the cable route (e.g. optimizing use of flat sea bed, avoiding slopes, side-slopes and hard bottom areas where possible) as well as employing minimally impacting installation methods. Benthic surveys of this area were conducted November 18-20, 2022 to identify and quantify the CZM PERMIT APPLICATION MAGEN’S BAY, ST. THOMAS USVI TRANS-CARIBBEAN FIBER SYSTEM CABLE LANDING PROJECT Applicant: TRANS AMERICAS FIBER US, LLC December 20, 2023 presence/absence of specific marine habitats, to include but not be limited to coral reef structures (both mesophotic and shallow-water), seagrasses, hardbottom, and fisheries habitat that may be impacted by the installation of the cable. Particular attention was paid to areas near land that may have connected or associated hard-bottom habitats that could support these deep reefs and the proposed route was videotaped using a drop camera, ROV and/or diver held camera. Randomly selected sections on and near the proposed route were sampled with a drop camera to look for any possible significant benthic habitat. The benthic community was a uniform fine sand/silt for the entire route except for a short stretch of approximately 0.5km east of the north end of Outer Brass Island in 70-foot-deep water and approximately 0.08 km near the shore landing site within Magen’s Bay. In the ROV video footage from the same area an existing cable is plainly visible with no observed disturbance of benthic habitats as with other existing cables found elsewhere, some on the reef and some well off the bottom. No evidence of habitat degradation was observed. The reef documented at approximately 200’ to 300’ from shore is a mixed bottom with various habitats and benthic life, including hard corals of various species so attention will be paid as to not disturb this area during installation. Based on the proposed route, no observable long-term impact of existing cable infrastructure on top of various types of seafloor, and the method of installation of the proposed cable, this project is anticipated to have minimal impact during temporary construction activities as well as long-term presence and operation, while providing a significant benefit to the island of St. Thomas. CZM PERMIT APPLICATION MAGEN’S BAY, ST. THOMAS USVI TRANS-CARIBBEAN FIBER SYSTEM CABLE LANDING PROJECT Applicant: TRANS AMERICAS FIBER US, LLC December 20, 2023 APPLICATION FORMS CZM PERMIT APPLICATION MAGEN’S BAY, ST. THOMAS USVI TRANS-CARIBBEAN FIBER SYSTEM CABLE LANDING PROJECT Applicant: TRANS AMERICAS FIBER US, LLC December 20, 2023 12/27/23 12/27/23 SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CZM PERMIT APPLICATION MAGEN’S BAY, ST. THOMAS USVI TRANS-CARIBBEAN FIBER SYSTEM CABLE LANDING PROJECT Applicant: TRANS AMERICAS FIBER US, LLC December 20, 2023 TRENGENZA A. ROACH,ESQ. LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TAX NUMBER: 1-01301012600 ADDRESS: l,2,3,4,5&6 PITTRBORG Property ID Legal Description 101301010500 PETERSBORG 10-2-10 GT. NORTHSIDE 101301010700 PETERBORG 10-2-9 GREAT NORTHSIDE QTR 101301010900 10-2-8 PETERBORG GREAT NORTHSIDE QUARTER 101301011100 PETERBORG 10-2-7 GR NORTHSIDE 101301012300 PETERBORG 10-2-5 GREAT NORTHSIDE QTR 101301012400 PETERBORG 10-2-4 No.12 GREAT NORTHSIDE QTR . 101301012500 PETERBORG 10-2-6 GT.NORTHSIDE QTR. 101301012800 10-2-3 ESTATE PETERBORG GR NORTHSIDE QTR PETERBORG 10-2-19 101301013100 No.12 GREAT NORTHSIDE QTR 101301015200 10-3-6 PETERBORG GREAT NORTHSIDE QUARTER 101301015400 PETERBORG 10-3-8 GT. NORTHSIDE 101301017700 PETERBORG 10-3-9 GT. NORTHSIDE 101301017800 PETERBORG 10-20&10-A-24 GT. NORTHSIDE 101301018000 PETERBORG 10-22 GT. NORTHSIDE 101301019900 PETERBORG 10-3-5 GREAT NORTHSIDE QTR 101301021200 PETERBORG 7-6&10-21 GT. NORTHSIDE 101301021400 PETERBORG 10-19,10A-23&7-5 GT. NORTHSIDE 101303010300 PETERBORG 10-2-20 GT. NORTHSIDE 101303010400 PETERBORG 10-2-18 GREAT NORTHSIDE QTR 101303010500 10-2-17 PETERBORG NO 12 GREAT NORTHSIDE QTR THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS OFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OFFICE OF THE TAX ASSESSOR 150' RADIUS FOR PARCEL NO. 1,2,3,4,5&6 Owner Address CLIFF HANGER LLC 1365 Turtle Creek Ln BLAIR JAMES LAMPERT 6501 Red Hook Plz CASAGRANDE, DIRK R 40 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE THE LOUIS R & GLORIA S GREWAY REVOCABLE TRUST 5386 Dunraven Cir ROSENBERG, MARK&JAYNE PO Box 192830 L. L. HOLDING, LLC P O BOX 4998 Mark and Javne Carol Roser.bero Revocable Trust 11 Shad Rd W ADOLPHUS, ELENA and RENEL SMITH PO BOX 303948 PLAYA VISTA PROP!=FfflES U.C 8168 Crown Bav Marina ---- WOOTTON COlT/.GE THLIST 2067 Annette CRT CLIFFSIDE BUILDERS I.LC 6501 Red Hook Plz -·----·- SBA TOWERS USVI INC 8051 Conoress Ave ----·---· · C. V. FERREYRA LLC PO BOX 304993 HICKSTED, PATRICIA M. & RICHARD L .. TRUSTEES 18124 Wedoe Pkwv WOOTTON, KENNETH /Trustee) 5100 South Service Rd FRANK A & JULIA R ODLUM LIV TR PO Box 12138 ST.JOSEPH,LLC 180 W Main St SMITH, DAVON ind VANIOUA GUMBScSMITH PO Box 303623 ANDERSON)! AWNA / n
1620 N Ocean Blvd BATT, CARil I n I\ /\ I II/ ' rT ROICSURVEYOR 117 Devlin Rd NUMBER 1105 KING STREET, CHRISTIANSTED •ST.CROIX, VIRGIN ISLANDS 00820 CHRISTIANSTED - TEL 340.773.6459 • FAX 340.773.4052 • FREDERIKSTED - TEL 340.772.3115 • FAX 340. 772.9325 NO. 5049 KONGENS GADE• ST. THOMAS, VIRGIN ISLANDS 00802 • TEL 340.776.8505 • FAX 340.776.4612 Citv Oakland St Thomas ARLINGTON Golden San Juan ST THOMAS Pound RidQe St Thomas St Thomas BURLINGTON St Thomas Boca Raton St Thomas Reno BURLINGTON St Thomas Clinton St Thomas Pomoano Beach Groton COMMISSIONER OF INSURANCE CHAIRMAN, V.I. BANKING BOARD DATE 5/23/2022 Stata Zlo Code MictiiQan 48363 U.S.Viroin Islands 8021373 Massactiusetts 2474 I Colorado 80403 Puerta Rice 00919 U.S.Virain Islands 00801 New York 10576 U.S.llirqin Islands 00803 \ U.S.Viroin Islands 00802 Ontario L7M 3W1 U.S.Virain Islands 00802 Florida 33487 U.S.Viroin Islands 00803 Nevada 89511 Ontario L7L6A5 U.S.Virgin Islands 00801 Connecticut 6413 U.S.Virain Islands 00803 Florida 33062 I New York 13073 I ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT REPORT CZM PERMIT APPLICATION MAGEN’S BAY, ST. THOMAS USVI TRANS-CARIBBEAN FIBER SYSTEM CABLE LANDING PROJECT Applicant: TRANS AMERICAS FIBER US, LLC December 20, 2023 MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. Project: Magen’s Bay, St. Thomas USVI Trans-Caribbean Fiber System Cable Landing Project December 2023 Prepared by: Tysam Tech, LLC MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 Table of Contents 1.00 NAME AND ADDRESS OF APPLICANT ........................................................................................................................................ 4 2.00 LOCATION OF PROJECT ............................................................................................................................................................. 5 2.01 Location and Agency Review Map ................................................................................................................................. 5 2.02 Vicinity Map ....................................................................................................................................................................... 7 3.00 ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................................................................. 9 4.00 STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES SOUGHT BY THE PROPOSED PROJECT ....................................................................................... 11 5.00 DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT ...................................................................................................................................................... 11 5.01 Summary of Proposed Activity/Proposed Dates of Construction ...................................................................................... 11 5.02 Exhibits and Drawings ........................................................................................................................................................ 16 5.03 Project Workplan ............................................................................................................................................................... 16 6.00 ECOLOGICAL SETTING AND PROBABLE PROJECT IMPACT ON THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT ............................................... 18 6.01 Climate & Weather ............................................................................................................................................................ 18 6.02 Landform Geology, Soils and Historic Land use ................................................................................................................. 25 6.03 Drainage, Flooding and Erosion Control ............................................................................................................................ 30 6.04 Fresh Water Resources ...................................................................................................................................................... 31 6.05 Oceanography .................................................................................................................................................................... 32 6.06 Marine Resources and Habitat Assessment ....................................................................................................................... 37 6.07 Terrestrial Resources ......................................................................................................................................................... 44 6.08 Wetlands ............................................................................................................................................................................ 47 6.09 Rare and Endangered Species ............................................................................................................................................ 47 6.10 Air Quality .......................................................................................................................................................................... 49 7.00 IMPACT OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT ON THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT ................................................................................ 50 7.01 Land and Water Use Plans ................................................................................................................................................. 50 7.02 Visual Impacts .................................................................................................................................................................... 50 7.03 Impacts on Public Services and Utilities ............................................................................................................................. 50 7.04 Social Impacts .................................................................................................................................................................... 51 7.05 Economic Impacts .............................................................................................................................................................. 51 7.06 Impacts on Historical and Archeological Resources ........................................................................................................... 52 7.07 Recreational Use ................................................................................................................................................................ 52 7.08 Waste Disposal ................................................................................................................................................................... 52 7.09 Accidental Spills ................................................................................................................................................................. 52 7.10 Potential Adverse Effects which cannot be Avoided .......................................................................................................... 52 8.00 MITIGATION PLANS ................................................................................................................................................................. 53 9.00 ALTERNATIVES TO PROPOSED ACTION ................................................................................................................................... 54 10.00 RELATIONSHIPP BETWEEN SHORT & LONG TERM USES OF MAN’S ENVIRONMENT ............................................................ 54 11.00 REFERENCES .......................................................................................................................................................................... 55 MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 Table of Figures FIGURE 2.01.1 – LOCATION AND AGENCY REVIEW MAP (USGS QUADRANGLE MAP, CENTRAL ST. THOMAS, VI, 1955, 1987 ED.) ....... 5 FIGURE 2.01.2 – LOCATION AND AGENCY REVIEW MAP (USGS QUADRANGLE MAP, CHARLOTTE AMALIE, VI, 2013) ......................... 6 FIGURE 2.02.1 – VICINITY MAP (GOOGLE EARTH, 2023).......................................................................................................... 7 FIGURE 2.02.2 – VICINITY MAP (MAPGEO, AERIAL 2020) ........................................................................................................ 8 FIGURE 5.01.1 – NOAA CHART OVERLAY ON GOOGLE EARTH IMAGE SHOWING PROPOSED CABLE ROUTE AND THE NUMEROUS EXISTING CABLES IDENTIFIED BY OSCILLATING RED LINES. ............................................................................................................... 13 FIGURE 5.03.1 – TYPICAL CROSS-SECTION OF DOUBLE ARMORED TELECOMMUNICATION LINE ....................................................... 17 TABLE 5.03.1 – SUMMARY CABLE ROUTE INFORMATION......................................................................................................... 17 FIGURE 6.01.1 –WIND DIRECTION AND SPEED FREQUENCY, CENTRAL CARIBBEAN, JANUARY - JUNE. (IRF, 1977) ............................. 18 FIGURE 6.01.2 –WIND DIRECTION AND SPEED FREQUENCY, CENTRAL CARIBBEAN, JULY - DECEMBER. (IRF, 1977) ........................... 19 FIGURE 6.01.3 – HISTORIC TRACKS OF HURRICANES AND TROPICAL STORMS FOR ST. THOMAS (NOAA) .......................................... 21 TABLE 6.01.1 –AVERAGE TEMPERATURES AT CYRIL E. KING AIRPORT (NOAA) ........................................................................... 22 TABLE 6.01.2 – AVERAGE WIND SPEED – CHARLOTTE AMALIE, ST. THOMAS (NOAA) ................................................................. 23 TABLE 6.01.3 – PEAK WIND GUST – CHARLOTTE AMALIE, ST. THOMAS (NOAA) ........................................................................ 23 TABLE 6.01.4 – AVERAGE SEA TEMPERATURES – CHARLOTTE AMALIE, ST. THOMAS (NOAA) ........................................................ 24 FIGURE 6.02.1 – BATHYMETRY OF USVI BASINS AND PLATEAUS (VAN EEPOEL, ET AL, 197.) .......................................................... 26 FIGURE 6.02.2 – GENERALIZED SURFICIAL GEOLOGY IN ST. THOMAS, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS (VEVE & TAGGART, 1996) ....................... 27 FIGURE 6.02.3 –GEOLOGICAL FORMATIONS IN THE VICINITY OF PROJECT SITE (RENKEN R., 2002) ................................................... 27 FIGURE 6.02.4 – SOIL TYPES IN PROJECT VICINITY (NRCS SOIL SURVEY) ..................................................................................... 28 FIGURE 6.02.5 – 1970 HISTORICAL PHOTO, MAGEN’S BAY, SOURCE: USGS. ............................................................................ 29 FIGURE 6.02.6 –FEMA EARTHQUAKE HAZARD MAP, PUERTO RICO (FEMA EARTHQUAKE HAZARD MAPS) ..................................... 30 FIGURE 6.03.1 – SECTION OF FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP (FIRM) PANEL 0011G, 11 OF 94. 2018 ........................................... 31 FIGURE 6.05.1 – MAJOR CURRENTS, NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN (LAMOURIE, 2021) .................................................................... 33 FIGURE 6.05.2 – GENERAL CURRENT PATTERNS ON THE ISLAND PLATFORMS (DAMMANN, 1969) ................................................... 34 TABLE 6.05.1 – OBSERVED WATER LEVELS AT CHARLOTTE AMALIE, ST. THOMAS (NOAA) ........................................................... 35 TABLE 6.05.2 – OBSERVED WIND AT LIME TREE BAY, ST. CROIX (NOAA) .................................................................................. 36 FIGURE 6.06.1 –ST. THOMAS AND ST. JOHN MPAS AND APCS(NOAA, OCTOBER 2014) ............................................................ 37 FIGURE 6.06.2 –MAGEN’S BAY APC (NOAA, 2006) ............................................................................................................ 38 FIGURE 6.06.3 – ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITY INDEX MAP WITH ENLARGED PORTION OF PROJECT SITE (OUTLINED IN RED), VI-1, ST. CROIX, USVI (NOAA) .............................................................................................................................................. 39 FIGURE 6.06.4 – BENTHIC HABITAT IN PROJECT VICINITY, TILE #9 (NOAA) ................................................................................ 40 FIGURE 6.06.5 – SITES SURVEYED SOUTH OF THE PROPOSED CABLE ROUTE THAT ARE CLOSER TO LAND TO EVALUATE PRESENCE OF MESOPHOTIC CORAL REEF. ......................................................................................................................................... 41 FIGURE 6.06.6 – LOCATION OF REEF BETWEEN GPS POINTS 24 AND 25 THAT IS EAST OF OUTER BRASS ISLAND) ............................... 42 FIGURE 6.06.7 – PROPOSED CABLE ROUTE AS IT PASSES CLOSEST TO PICARA POINT ..................................................................... 42 FIGURE 6.06.8 – NOAA CHART SHOWING MAGEN’S BAY SHORELINE WITH PROPOSED CABLE LANDING AND CABLE ROUTE ALONG ........ 43 GPS POINTS .................................................................................................................................................................... 43 FIGURE 6.06.9 – FRAME GRAB OF VIDEO FROM ROV AT AREA BETWEEN GPS 24 AND GPS 25 SHOWING EXISTING CABLE. .................. 43 FIGURE 6.06.10 – TYPICAL GORGONIAN SKELETON IN 170’ DEEP WATER (FRAME GRAB FROM VIDEO CAMERA) .................................. 43 FIGURE 7.10.1 – MAIN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH SUBMARINE CABLES (IXSUREVEY, 2010) ............................ 53 MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 1.00 NAME AND ADDRESS OF APPLICANT Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. Mailing Address: 2100 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Suite 1172 Coral Gables, Florida 33134 Physical Address: 2100 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Suite 1172 Coral Gables, Florida 33134 MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 2.00 LOCATION OF PROJECT The project is located at the following physical address: Magen’s Bay Cable Station No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 Estate Peterborg, Northside St. Thomas, VI 00801 The Landing Site Permitting for the Trans-Caribbean Fiber System, Magen’s Bay, St. Thomas project is located in northern St. Thomas, on the north coast of Magen’s Bay. The landing site is positioned 18°22'19.7"N 64°55'42.5"W, while the cable station is located at 18°22'26.0"N 64°55'40.4"W. Sections 2.01 and 2.02 include Location and Agency Review Maps and Vicinity Maps, respectively. 2.01 Location and Agency Review Map Figure 2.01.1 – Location and Agency Review Map (USGS Quadrangle Map, Central St. Thomas, VI, 1955, 1987 ed.) Project Location MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 Figure 2.01.2 – Location and Agency Review Map (USGS Quadrangle Map, Charlotte Amalie, VI, 2013) Project Location MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 2.02 Vicinity Map Figure 2.02.1 – Vicinity Map (Google Earth, 2023) Project Location MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 Figure 2.02.2 – Vicinity Map (MapGeo, Aerial 2020) MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 3.00 ABSTRACT This project seeks to install an armored telecommunication fiber optics cable at Magen’s Bay, St. Thomas USVI as part of a major Trans-Caribbean Fiber System venture to improve capacity and connectivity between the continental United States of America and the Caribbean. Of an approximate 4,393-kilometer cable system delineated across numerous segments, the primary branch of this cable system, spanning 2,166 kilometers, will connect between Vero Beach, FL and Butler Bay, St. Croix. The primary Florida-to- St. Croix, TCFS trunk segment will have five (5) branching unit (BU) segments, one of which will make landfall at Magen's Bay, St. Thomas, USVI. This branch will begin 93.5 kilometers from the St. Croix landing site, extend to the Magen’s Bay landing site over a route that spans 23 kilometers. The cable will be surfaced laid and enter a landing manhole installed at the shoreline transition point at Magen’s Bay and connect via existing underground conduit to the AT&T of the Virgin Islands distribution building located at No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 Estate Peterborg, Northside St. Thomas, VI 00801. Cable design and type were developed in the planning stages based on engineering considerations identified during the route planning process. The landings were selected to optimize the approach to existing infrastructure, minimize interference with existing cables, and use existing infrastructure where available to install new cable, minimizing environmental impact and maximizing the protection and projected life of the cables. An important component of the route planning process is the minimization of impacts to the marine environment within the Waters of the USVI, particularly coral reefs and other benthic habitat. Deepwater marine route segment surveys were conducted along the cable route to the approach and entry into the USVI Waters, in conjunction with concurrent benthic habitat surveys of the shallow and medium-depth waters from the edge of USVI Waters to shoreline transition points. The submarine fiber optic cable is proposed to be laid on the seafloor coming from the west from deep water at a north/south cable intersection 0.75 nautical miles west of the USVI Waters territorial boundary. The cable runs east passing approximately one nautical mile north of Cricket Rock onward to a point approximately 0.7 nautical miles north of Outer Brass. From there, it continues east to a point roughly one nautical mile northeast of Outer Brass where it runs south-southeast into the shallow waters of Magen’s Bay. There are no existing bores at the proposed Magen’s Bay landing site. The St. Thomas landing will require cable to be surface pinned and then ploughed to the land side of the Mean High Tide Line (MHTL). A manhole will be installed at the shoreline where it will be used to transition the cable to existing conduit buried in established easements. The proposed fiber optic cable will be winched through existing conduit running through a property easement to a manhole located on the subject property of AT&T of the Virgin Islands and connected to existing infrastructure at this location. The cable will be anchored and/or pinned to the seafloor. Where new infrastructure is needed, disruption of the shoreline and shallow water seafloor will be minimized by using the seafloor features that effectively function as a natural corridor for the cable route (e.g. optimizing use of flat seabed, avoiding slopes, side-slopes and hard bottom areas where possible) as well as employing minimally impacting installation methods. MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 Benthic surveys of this area were conducted November 18-20, 2022 as well as November 6, 2023 to identify and quantify the presence/absence of specific marine habitats, to include but not be limited to coral reef structures (both mesophotic and shallow-water), seagrasses, hardbottom, and fisheries habitat that may be impacted by the installation of the cable. Particular attention was paid to areas near land that may have connected or associated hard-bottom habitats that could support these deep reefs and the proposed route was videotaped using a drop camera, ROV and/or diver held camera. Randomly selected sections on and near the proposed route were sampled with a drop camera to look for any possible significant benthic habitat. The benthic community was a uniform fine sand/silt for the entire route except for a short stretch of approximately 0.5km east of the north end of Outer Brass Island in 70-foot-deep water and approximately 0.08 km near the shore landing site within Magen’s Bay. In the ROV video footage from the same area an existing cable is plainly visible with no observed disturbance of benthic habitats as with other existing cables found elsewhere, some on the reef and some well off the bottom. No evidence of habitat degradation was observed. The reef documented at approximately 200’ to 300’ from shore is a mixed bottom with various habitats and benthic life, including hard corals of various species so attention will be paid as to not disturb this area during installation. Based on the proposed route, no observable long-term impact of existing cable infrastructure on top of various types of seafloor, and the method of installation of the proposed cable, this project is anticipated to have minimal impact during temporary construction activities as well as long-term presence and operation, while providing a significant benefit to the island of St. Thomas. Anticipated start date of this project is May 2024. Project Assurances • Employees’ and the public’s health and safety are protected with the best available systems and technologies. • Environmental impact is considered at all times. • No significant negative impact to environment. • Air quality is protected. • Stormwater quality is protected. • Nearshore water quality is protected. MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 4.00 STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES SOUGHT BY THE PROPOSED PROJECT The objectives of this proposed project are to improve connectivity, reliability, and accessibility of telecommunications and network services in St. Thomas, USVI. The cable route and design were developed in the planning stages based on engineering considerations identified during the route planning process. Landings were selected to optimize the approach to existing infrastructure, to minimize interference with existing cables, and use existing infrastructure where available to install the new cable, thereby minimizing environmental impact. 5.00 DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT 5.01 Summary of Proposed Activity/Proposed Dates of Construction a. Purpose of Project The purpose of the project is to increase telecommunication strength, reliability, bandwidth and help minimize the risk of communications disruption by providing cable route diversity and alternative bandwidth access to existing cables in the Atlantic-Caribbean region. b. Presence and Location of any Critical Area(s) and Possible Trouble Spots The terrestrial portion of the project is in the narrow portion of land to the north of Magen’s Bay, in Estate Peterborg. This is a residential area designated R-1 (Low Density) and has approximately 50-65% development of lots. The entire area has thick vegetation separating the properties, with the majority of vegetation being brush, with minimal grassy areas. An existing AT&T distribution building on the property houses all the necessary infrastructure to connect the proposed cable to active network systems on the island. Slope is between 20 and 60 percent with elevation varying from 280 feet above sea level at the building manholes to the landing site at sea level. Existing conduit in the easement running from the building down to the proposed landing site will be used to route the new cable from the shoreline. A manhole connection terminal will be installed at the shoreline, in order to anchor the endpoint of the submarine cable as it is routed below ground up past the MHTL. Magen’s Bay and its surrounding area have been classified as particularly sensitive relating to marine resources and habitats, having been classified as an Area of Particular Concern (APC) as well as a Marine Protected Area (MPA) since 1993 and in subsequent evaluations as recently as the 2020-2025 United States Virgin Islands’ Coral Reef Management Priorities, having been ranked within the top 10 areas most suitable for protection and management intervention for its coral reefs. Magen’s Bay has also been previously classified as an Area of Particular Concern (APC) due to it being listed on NOAA’s National Marine Protected Areas. The Magen’s Bay APC is located on the north central side of the island of St. Thomas. This APC is bound by Tropaco Point in the west, the entire Peterborg peninsula in the east, and has a seaward boundary that extends directly north to the shelf edge or three- nautical mile territorial limit (whichever is closer). Valuable resources within this area include primary archaeological sites, several types of forest, fish nursery habitats, and 8 endangered species (U.S. Marine Managed Areas Inventory (2006a), NOAA’s National Marine Protected Areas Center). MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 The Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) Map indicates presence of fish, octopus, gastropods (i.e., conch), lobster, dolphin and whale in nearshore as well as shelf waters closer to Outer Brass Island and the proposed cable route. Of the whale species, the humpback whale is considered federally endangered and breeding grounds are indicated to be near these waters around the months of November to May. The map also indicates that the inner Magen’s Bay beach to be an area for turtle nesting, particularly in January and December, and a breeding ground for a variety of marine and terrestrial species including crab, waterfowl, wading birds, seabirds, and shorebirds. Of the bird species, three are considered endangered: the Caribbean Coot (Fulica caribaea), ruddy duck (Oxyura jamaicensis), and white-cheeked pintail (Anas bahamensis) all of which breeds and nests year-round. In addition, two plant species considered endangered: the Manilkara bidentata and the Tillandsia lineatispica, were noted on the ESI near the vicinity of the project area. A review of Endangered Species in the area, using the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) Tool, indicates there are three endangered species within the proposed project area and four that are considered threatened. The two federal endangered sea turtle species that are known to swim in the offshore waters are the Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) along with the threatened species Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas), Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta), and the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea). The Virgin Islands Tree Boa (Chilabothrus granti) is also an endangered species of reptile in the area. In addition, the West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus) has also been found in the offshore waters and are a threatened species. Benthic surveys of the proposed cable route were conducted November 18-20, 2022 to identify and quantify the presence/absence of marine habitats, to include but not be limited to coral reef structures (both mesophotic and shallow-water), seagrasses, hardbottom, and fisheries habitat that may be impacted by the installation of the cable. Particular attention was paid to areas near land that may have connected or associated hard-bottom habitats that could support these deep reefs. The benthic community was a uniform fine sand/silt for the entire route except for a short stretch of approximately 0.5km east of the north end of Outer Brass Island in 70-foot-deep water and approximately 0.08 km near the shore landing site within Magen’s Bay. Those sections are noted in the attached Overview Map of the proposed cable route. In the 70-foot-deep reef discovered, an existing cable is plainly visible with no observed disturbance of benthic habitats as with other existing cables found elsewhere, some on the reef and some well off the bottom. No evidence of habitat degradation was observed anywhere near existing cables. The reef documented at approximately 200’ to 300’ from shore is a mixed bottom with various habitats and benthic life, including hard corals of various species so attention must be paid as to not disturb this area during installation. MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 Figure 5.01.1 – NOAA chart overlay on Google Earth Image showing proposed cable route and the numerous existing cables identified by oscillating red lines. c. Proposed Method of Construction A specialized transmission cable vessel will lay cable through the majority of the deep-water segments of the full TCFS route, with the assistance of sonar, GPS, and ROVs. As it enters the 3 nm boundary of USVI Waters, the cable placement will transition to small vessel, placing and floating the cable into place with the use of ROVs and eventually divers. The proposed fiber cable will be laid until it reaches the available existing AT&T landing site, where it will be installed under the surface to a shoreline manhole transition structure, with diver assist and small vessel monitoring. The proposed fiber optic cable will be winched through existing conduit running through a property easement to a manhole located on the subject property of AT&T of the Virgin Islands and connected to existing infrastructure at this location. The cable will be anchored and/or pinned to the seafloor where hardbottom exists, estimated to be approximately 2.4% of the entire route in USVI Waters. d. Provisions to Limit Site Disturbance As the project involves work in and adjacent to the water line, site disturbance will be minimized and carefully performed, where required. In order to limit site disturbance, the proposed work timeline will be the minimum time required to perform each task to avoid unnecessary disturbance to surrounding areas. The project will stay almost exclusively within the footprint of existing infrastructure. MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 On the landside of the installation activities, no earth change, digging, vegetation or structure removal is required. In-water work will require no directional drilling, but some digging, ploughing and installation of cable underground to a shoreline manhole will be required. Use of turbidity curtains and simple trenching methods will ensure minimal site disturbance both in water and at the shoreline. Any disturbance to the seafloor due to placement activities will be monitored at all times and a Water Quality Plan will be implemented during any in-water activities. After each stage of site disturbance, stabilization and scour protection will be implemented immediately. Where stabilization, pinning or anchoring of the cable is required, these activities will be done by divers and in a manner that minimizes potential sediment or sand plumes in the water. e. Erosion and Sedimentation Control Methods to be Implemented The following Best Management Practices (BMPs) will be implemented on the site to control runoff and protect natural resources: Turbidity Curtain – Due to the work performed within the waterbody, a turbidity curtain will be used to minimize sedimentation during project implementation. These curtains are flexible, impermeable barriers which are weighted at the bottom to ensure that sediment does not travel underneath and are supported at the top through a flotation system. The design of these BMPs will follow the minimum standards of the VI Environmental Protection Handbook (2002). f. Schedule for Construction Activities and Implementation of Sediment Control Measures Approach and installation of the cable is anticipated to begin by September 2023 and be completed by September 2024. An important component of the route planning process is the minimization of impacts to the environment, particularly coral reefs. The submarine fiber optic cable is proposed to be laid on the seafloor coming from the west from deep water at a north/south cable intersection 0.75 nautical miles west of the USVI Waters territorial boundary. The cable runs east passing approximately one nautical mile north of Cricket Rock onward to a point approximately 0.7 nautical miles north of Outer Brass. From there, it continues east to a point roughly one nautical mile northeast of Outer Brass where it runs south-southeast into the shallow waters of Magen’s Bay. The route was mapped by 55 GPS points starting at the intersection with the north/south cable (GPS point 1) and ending on land with GPS Point 55. There are no existing bores at the proposed Magen’s Bay landing site. The St. Thomas landing will require cable to be surface pinned and then ploughed to the land side of the Mean High Tide Line (MHTL). A MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 manhole will be installed at the shoreline where it will be used to transition the cable to existing conduit buried in established easements. Where new infrastructure is needed, disruption of the shoreline and shallow water seafloor will be minimized by using the seafloor features that effectively function as a natural corridor for the cable route (e.g. optimizing use of flat sea bed, avoiding slopes, side-slopes and hard bottom areas where possible) as well as employing minimally impacting installation methods. Turbidity curtains will be installed around cable landing activity as it approaches shallow water and the shoreline. As placement of cable will be done with the aid of divers in shallow water, adjustment to the turbidity curtains will be made as needed through constant communication between in-water crew and boat/shoreline observers. g. Maintenance of Sediment and Siltation Control Measures Turbidity curtains will be inspected daily during in-water work, with additional monitoring of performance during storms or inclement weather events. Any visible plume of sediment in water passing beyond the curtain from the project area will constitute inadequate performance of the curtain and require cessation of work until the faulty portion of the curtain can be modified, adjusted, or repaired to correct the inadequacy. The site will be kept clear of litter, debris and materials such as paper, wood, concrete, etc. to prevent trash or construction material entering the water. h. Method of Stormwater Management No changes to topography, slope, land cover or use is proposed for this project, and no earth change is proposed for the shore-side portion of this project. As a result, there are no anticipated controls needed for stormwater control or pollution prevention. i. Maintenance Schedule for Stormwater Facilities No stormwater facilities existing at the site will be modified or obstructed, and no new stormwater structures or facilities are proposed for this project. j. Maintenance of Sediment and Siltation Control Measures No changes to topography, slope, land cover or use is proposed for this project, and no earth change is proposed for the shore-side portion of this project. As a result, there are no anticipated controls needed for stormwater control or pollution prevention and no anticipated maintenance requirements. MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 5.02 Exhibits and Drawings 5.02.01 Lot Layout (See Attached: Engineer/Surveyor drawings) 5.02.02 Position of Structures (See Attached: Engineer/Surveyor drawings) 5.02.03 Other Required Drawings (See Attached: Engineer/Surveyor drawings) 5.02.04 Required Maps (See Attached: Official Zoning Map, Parcel Map, FIRM) 5.03 Project Workplan This project seeks to install an armored telecommunication fiber optics cable at Magen’s Bay, St. Thomas USVI as part of a major Trans-Caribbean Fiber System venture to improve capacity and connectivity between the continental United States of America and the Caribbean. Of an approximate 4,393-kilometer cable system delineated across numerous segments, the primary branch of this cable system, spanning 2,166 kilometers, will connect between Vero Beach, FL and Butler Bay, St. Croix. The primary Florida-to- St. Croix, TCFS trunk segment will have five (5) branching unit (BU) segments, one of which will make landfall at Magen's Bay, St. Thomas, USVI. This branch will begin 93.5 kilometers from the St. Croix landing site, extend to the Magen’s Bay landing site over a route that spans 23 kilometers. The cable will be surfaced laid and enter a landing manhole installed at the shoreline transition point at Magen’s Bay and connect via existing underground conduit to the AT&T of the Virgin Islands distribution building located at No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 Estate Peterborg, Northside St. Thomas, VI 00801. The submarine fiber optic cable is proposed to be laid on the seafloor coming from the west from deep water at a north/south cable intersection 0.75 nautical miles west of the USVI Waters territorial boundary. The cable runs east passing approximately one nautical mile north of Cricket Rock onward to a point approximately 0.7 nautical miles north of Outer Brass. From there, it continues east to a point roughly one nautical mile northeast of Outer Brass where it runs south-southeast into the shallow waters of Magen’s Bay. As the depth gets shallower, the cable placement will transition to small vessel, placing and floating the cable into place with the use of ROVs and eventually divers guiding placement. The cable for the entire branch to St. Thomas will be comprised of Double Armor (DA) cable. There are no existing bores at the proposed Magen’s Bay landing site. The St. Thomas landing will require cable to be surface pinned and then ploughed to the land side of the Mean High Tide Line (MHTL). A manhole will be installed at the shoreline where it will be used to transition the cable to existing conduit buried in established easements. The proposed fiber optic cable will be winched through existing conduit running through a property easement to a manhole located on the subject property of AT&T of the Virgin Islands and connected to existing infrastructure at this location. The cable will be anchored and/or pinned to the seafloor. MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 Figure 5.03.1 – Typical Cross-Section of Double Armored Telecommunication line Table 5.03.1 below provides a summary of the cable route information, including key Location Route Points/Locations, GPS markers, cable depths/distances between those markers and cable type. Table 6, 7, 8 and 9 show the cable distance between events. Table 5.03.1 – Summary Cable Route Information Pos Event Latitude (North) Longitude (West) Bearing Distance (km) Slack Cable Distance (km) Cable Cable Totals Approx No. °T Between Cumulative % Between Cumulative Type By Type Depth Positions Total Positions Total (km) (m) 1 BU 4 St. Thomas 18 ° 25.894 ' N 65 ° 08.486 ' W 0.000 0.000 0.000 51 266.70 ° 1.466 1.00 1.481 DA 2 AC001 18 ° 25.848 ' N 65 ° 07.655 ' W 1.466 1.481 52 258.48 ° 1.194 1.00 1.206 DA 3 AC002 18 ° 25.718 ' N 65 ° 06.990 ' W 2.660 2.687 51 244.19 ° 0.709 1.00 0.716 DA 4 AC003 18 ° 25.551 ' N 65 ° 06.628 ' W 3.369 3.403 52 236.18 ° 1.271 1.00 1.284 DA 5 AC004 18 ° 25.168 ' N 65 ° 06.028 ' W 4.640 4.686 52 255.70 ° 0.469 1.00 0.473 DA 6 AC005 18 ° 25.105 ' N 65 ° 05.770 ' W 5.109 5.160 53 275.70 ° 0.518 1.00 0.523 DA 7 AC006 18 ° 25.133 ' N 65 ° 05.477 ' W 5.627 5.683 53 288.13 ° 0.620 1.00 0.626 DA 8 AC007 18 ° 25.237 ' N 65 ° 05.143 ' W 6.247 6.309 53 298.95 ° 1.754 1.00 1.771 DA 9 AC008 18 ° 25.698 ' N 65 ° 04.271 ' W 8.001 8.081 55 286.16 ° 0.601 1.00 0.607 DA 10 AC009 18 ° 25.788 ' N 65 ° 03.944 ' W 8.601 8.687 55 268.70 ° 0.565 1.00 0.570 DA 11 AC010 18 ° 25.781 ' N 65 ° 03.623 ' W 9.166 9.258 55 261.33 ° 7.426 1.00 7.500 DA 12 AC011 18 ° 25.175 ' N 64 ° 59.454 ' W 16.592 16.758 55 248.88 ° 0.650 1.00 0.657 DA 13 AC012 18 ° 25.048 ' N 64 ° 59.109 ' W 17.242 17.415 54 235.69 ° 0.588 1.00 0.594 DA 14 AC013 18 ° 24.868 ' N 64 ° 58.833 ' W 17.831 18.009 54 224.22 ° 1.831 1.00 1.849 DA 15 AC014 18 ° 24.157 ' N 64 ° 58.108 ' W 19.662 19.858 20 210.39 ° 3.325 1.00 3.358 DA 16 Approximate BMH, St. Thomas 18 ° 22.602 ' N 64 ° 57.153 ' W 22.987 23.216 23.216 -4 MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 6.00 ECOLOGICAL SETTING AND PROBABLE PROJECT IMPACT ON THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT 6.01 Climate & Weather Prevailing Winds The Virgin Islands lie in the "Easterlies" or "Trade Winds" that traverse the southern part of the "Bermuda High" pressure area. The predominant winds are usually from the east- northeast and east (IRF, 1977). These trade winds vary seasonally and are broadly divided into 4 seasonal modes: 1) December to February; 2) March to May; 3) June to August; and 4) September to November. Below are the characteristics of these modes as taken from Marine Environments of the Virgin Islands Technical Supplement No. 1 (IRF, 1977), and based on U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office data. Figure 6.01.1 –Wind Direction and Speed Frequency, Central Caribbean, January - June. (IRF, 1977) MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 Figure 6.01.2 –Wind Direction and Speed Frequency, Central Caribbean, July - December. (IRF, 1977) December – February During the winter, the trade winds reach a maximum and blow with great regularity from the east- northeast. Wind speeds range from 11 to 21 knots about 60% of the time in January. This is a period when the Bermuda High is intensified with only nominal compensation pressure changes in the Equatorial Trough. The trade winds during this period are interrupted by “Northerners” or “Christmas Winds,” which blow more than twenty knots from a northerly direction in gusts from one to three days. Such outbreaks average about thirty each year. They are created by strengthening of high-pressure cells over the North American continent, which, in turn, allow weak cold fronts to move southeastward over the entire Caribbean region. These storms are accompanied by intermittent rains, clouds and low visibility. MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 March – May During the spring, the trade winds are reduced in speed and blow mainly from the east. Winds exceed 20 knots only 13% of the time in April. The change in speed and direction is the result of a decrease of the Equatorial Trough. June – August Trade winds reach a secondary maximum during this period and blow predominantly from the east to east-southeast. Speeds exceed twenty knots 23% of the time during July. The trend for increasing winds results from the strengthening of the Bermuda High and a concurrent lowering of the pressure in the Equatorial Trough. Trade winds during this period are interrupted by occasional hurricanes. September – November During the fall, winds blow mainly from the east or southeast and speeds reach an annual minimum. Only 7% of the winds exceed 20 knots in October. The low speeds result from a decrease in the Equatorial Trough. During this period, especially during late August through mid-October, the normal trade wind regime is often broken down by easterly waves, tropical storms and hurricanes. Storms and Hurricanes There are numerous storm events each year, from squalls and thunderstorms to hurricanes. Standard rain events occur most frequently during the summer, lasting only a few hours and causing no pronounced change in the trade winds. A tropical cyclone whose winds exceed 74 miles per hour is termed a hurricane in the northern hemisphere and can range in strength from causing little to no damage, to destroying. These hurricanes occur most frequently between August and mid-October with their peak activity occurring in September. Figure 6.01.3 depicts NOAA data on historic Hurricanes and Tropical Storms in the vicinity of St. Thomas. MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 Figure 6.01.3 – Historic Tracks of Hurricanes and Tropical Storms for St. Thomas (NOAA) Climate The climate of St. Thomas, as well as that of the entire territory, is characterized by generally fair, tropical weather with usually consistent wind speed and direction. Temperature swings are narrow, both seasonally and diurnally. The closest weather station to the facility that provides Monthly Climate Normals is Charlotte Amalie AP, Meteorological Station ID: VQW00011640 (a NOAA COOP Station). Climate data from this station is found below in Table 6.01.1. MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 Table 6.01.1 –Average Temperatures at Cyril E. King Airport (NOAA) The nearest NOAA National Ocean Service Weather Station is located in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, Station CHAV3 – 9751639. Climate data from this station is found in the tables below. Table 6.01.2 depicts the average wind speed (in knots) during each calendar month while Table 6.01.3 illustrates the peak wind gust (in knots) for each calendar month at the above-referenced weather station. MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 Table 6.01.2 – Average Wind Speed – Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas (NOAA) Table 6.01.3 – Peak Wind Gust – Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas (NOAA) MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 Table 6.01.4 – Average Sea Temperatures – Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas (NOAA) The average annual rainfall on St. Thomas is about 40 inches, ranging from about 30 inches in the east to more than 50 inches in the mountains of the northwest. Average annual temperature is a moderate 79°F, with an average low in winter of 76°F and an average high in summer of 84°F; temperatures are 2 to 3 degrees lower at altitudes of 800 to 1,000 feet. Occasionally, maximum daily temperatures will exceed 90°F and minimum temperatures will be less than 70°F. Prevailing wind direction is from the east or northeast. Rain generally occurs in brief, intense showers of less than a few tenths of an inch. Rains exceeding one inch in 48 hours occur about 7 or 8 times a year in the central part of the island; they are slightly more frequent in the mountains of the northwest and less frequent in the eastern part. February and March are the driest months and September is the wettest. Nearly half the average annual rain falls from August through November. Large storms can occur in any month although more likely during July to November, the hurricane season. (Jordan, 1975). Impact of Wind, Climate and Weather on the Proposed Project The applicant has carefully analyzed both climate and weather. The proposed cable system has been designed to have structural stability to withstand wave stresses and current forces through the depth of placement and anchoring mechanisms to be incorporated at hardbottom in shallow water. No impact MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 from climate or weather is anticipated for the proposed project, neither from routine events nor extreme weather events such as hurricanes while the cable is laid on the seafloor. 6.02 Landform Geology, Soils and Historic Land use Geology of St. Thomas St. Thomas, along with St. John, make up the northern most islands of the U.S. Virgin Islands, lying 40 miles north of St. Croix and separated from it by an ocean trench 3,600 meters deep. It lies about 80 miles East of San Juan, Puerto Rico. St. Thomas is the second largest island in the USVI, with a total area of 20, 480 acres (32 square miles). The island is approximately 13 miles long, east to west and is about 4 miles at the widest. St. Thomas, along with St. John and Water Island are part of the Puerto Rican geographical bank (the Greater Antilles), while St. Croix is geographically located in the Lesser Antilles and lies completely within the Caribbean Sea The Virgin Islands are near the northeastern corner of the present Caribbean Plate, a relatively small trapezoidal-shaped plate which is moving eastward relative to the North and South American continents carried on the American Plate. The arc of the Lesser Antilles is an active volcanic arc above a subduction zone in which Atlantic oceanic crust of the American Plate is carried downward under the Caribbean Plate. The Caribbean Plate is sliding past North and South American plates along east-west trending northern and southern boundaries. The western boundary is a subduction zone in which the Cocos Plate is being driven northeastward and down under the edge of the Caribbean Plate west of Central America (Rogers, 1988). The land surface of St. Thomas is almost entirely sloping and extends seaward from a central ridge, that is 800 to 1 ,200 feet above mean sea level and runs the length of the island. The slopes, which commonly exceed 35 degrees, are dissected by numerous stream channels of steep gradient. The general appearance of St. Thomas is a panorama of steep interstream spurs and rounded peaks (Jordan and Cosner, 1973). Flat land in St. Thomas is confined to the Charlotte Amalie area and a few small alluvial-filled embayments. The only variation in the general topography is in the upper valley of Turpentine Run in eastern St. Thomas. This valley has rolling hills in a basin surrounded by steep slopes and sharp ridges. Streamflow on St. Thomas is generally intermittent, however, Bonnes Resolution Gut, on the north side of the island and Turpentine Run Gut, on the southeast, have perennial reaches. (Jordan, 1973; WATER USE MAP) The geology of St. Thomas is similar to that of St. John. The oldest rocks exposed on St. Thomas consist of keratophyres, spilites, and radiolarites, collectively called the Water Island Formation (Henry 1994). These weakly metamorphosed, uplifted, folded and faulted rocks were derived from volcanic and other narrow- trench sediments originally deposited by turbidity currents on the deep ocean floor about 70 to 80 million years ago (Adey 1977). Carbonate rock is found only rarely on St. Thomas and St. John and is composed primarily of the Outer Brass Limestone deposited during a lull in volcanic activity in the Turonian and Santonian Age (Donnelly, 1959). MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 Figure 6.02.1 – Bathymetry of USVI basins and plateaus (Van Eepoel, et al, 197.) Two large basins, the Virgin Islands Basin and the St. Croix Basin, separates St. Croix from the other Virgin Islands. Within the distance between St. Croix and St. Thomas (about 40 nautical miles), hydrographic charts show that the ascent from the sea floor north of St. Croix is as much as 70 degrees. Frasetto and Northrop (1957) indicate that this northern topographic slope extends downward to the Virgin Islands Basin at a gradient up to 43 degrees. There is an ascent of 13,656 feet within a horizontal distance of 25,800 feet, terminating with the steep north coast in the vicinity of Hams Bluff. Meyerhoff (1927) suggested that this block faulting took place during the late Pliocene or early Pleistocene, prior to which St. Croix was physically attached to the northern Virgin Islands. The insular shelf south of St. Thomas and St. John has an average width of about 14 km. From the rocky shoreline of the islands, the bottom slopes seaward at an initial rate of about 16 m/km to depths of 25 or 30 meters, then assumes a more gradual slope to about 45 meters at which depth the central and outer platform is essentially level. In the western part of the area, the shelf edge lies at about 45 meters below which the slope increases sharply to about 275 m/km. In the eastern part of the area, the slope change occurs at about 55 meters, except where a well-developed, drowned reef with crests as shallow as 20-30 meters marks the shelf edge. The shelf can be divided into two parts on the basis of topography and shallow structure. West of a north-south line drawn through the vicinity of Charlotte Amalie, the shelf profile is smooth and no strong topographic trends are apparent. On the other hand, shelf profiles to the east are more rugged and very strong topographic trends are developed along northeast-southwest lines (Garrison, 1971) MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 Figure 6.02.2 – Generalized surficial geology in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (Veve & Taggart, 1996) Figure 6.02.3 –Geological formations in the vicinity of project site (Renken R., 2002) MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 Geology The landing site is positioned 18°22'19.7"N 64°55'42.5"W, while the cable station is located at 18°22'26.0"N 64°55'40.4"W, both on the north coast of Magen’s Bay. The Custom Soil Survey by the National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) identifies the soil type for the landing site as Beaches, stone (BtB) and at the cable station as extremely stony Annaberg-Maho Bay complex with of 20 to 40 percent slopes (AmE) and 40 to 60 percent slopes (AmF). On the opposite side of the landing site there is Southgate-Rock outcrop complex (SrF). Annaberg-Maho complex are well drained, moderately permeable soils and extremely stony. These soils are generally found on summits and side slopes of volcanic hills and mountains. Slopes range from 12 to 90 percent. Elevation at the project site varies from 0 to 280 feet above sea level. Figure 6.02.4 – Soil types in project vicinity (NRCS Soil Survey) Cable Station Landing Site MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 Historic Use The land has been used as a communications hub for AT&T since the mid-nineties, when telecommunication cables were installed along with conduit to the shoreline to route the cables below ground. The building structure and driveways have been built on the property since at least 1970, per satellite photos published by USGS. Figure 6.02.5 – 1970 Historical Photo, Magen’s Bay, Source: USGS. Seismic Activity The Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands region is located at the northeastern corner of the Caribbean plate where motions are complex. The westward-moving North American plate is being driven under the Antilles Arc where volcanism is active. On the north side of the plate corner, the North American plate slides past the Caribbean but irregularities in the plate boundaries cause stresses that result in a complicated under thrusting of plate fragments. The interaction of plates causes the volcanism of the Antilles Arc on the Cable Station MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 eastern boundary of the Caribbean plate and creates major stresses all along the northern boundary (Nealon & Dillon, 2001). Since the 1867 Virgin Islands Tsunami cause by a magnitude 7.5 earthquake in the Anegada trough (USC Tsunami Research Center), there has been continuous low intensity activity all below 6.0 Richter. Over the last several years, numerous minor tremors have been felt on the island. This increased activity is associated with the volcanic eruptions that have been occurring to the southeast on the island of Montserrat. Figure 6.02.6 –FEMA Earthquake Hazard Map, Puerto Rico (FEMA Earthquake Hazard Maps) Impact of Geology on Proposed Project The applicant has carefully considered landform, geology, soils and historic land use. The project has been designed to be consistent with these conditions, and as the proposed project plans to utilize existing infrastructure and conduct little to no earth movement, to minimize impact on the surrounding area and geology. 6.03 Drainage, Flooding and Erosion Control a. Impacts of Terrestrial and Shoreline Erosion This project will not alter impervious surfaces to the site, or change topography or contours for the site. There will be no impacts to terrestrial and shoreline erosion as the cable will be routed underground to the shoreline and tie into a manhole structure and existing conduit already buried. The proposed development will not alter the existing drainage patterns of the site. If required, standard sediment and erosion control devices and BMPs will be implemented when performing any site work and will be maintained throughout the life of the project. MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 b. Relationship of the Project to the Coastal Flood Plain Review of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) for U.S. Virgin Islands Index indicate that part of the project area is within flood zones rated Zone X and Zone VE. See below in Figure 6.02.6 which is a portion of FIRM Panel 0011G, increased in size for clarity, depicting site location (red box) relative to flood zones. Project location rated Zone X has been determined to be outside the 0.2% annual chance floodplain. Zone VE is known as a coastal flood zone with velocity hazard (wave action) and a base flood (100-year flood) elevation of 12 feet. Figure 6.03.1 – Section of Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Panel 0011G, 11 of 94. 2018 6.04 Fresh Water Resources St. Thomas, USVI is limited in the number of freshwater resources to a few wells located around the island and mostly intermittent and ephemeral streams and ponds which dry up during periods of limited rainfall. Some perennial streams and freshwater ponds/basins do exist, but not as a reliable source of freshwater. The majority of potable water is either captured by rooftops or from wells and stored in cisterns or is desalinated seawater. The project is not located or will affect any freshwater source in the area and will have no negative impact on the availability of freshwater resources. MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 6.05 Oceanography a. Seabed Alteration Laying cables can potentially lead to seabed disturbance, damage, displacement, or disturbance of flora and fauna, increased turbidity, as well as alteration and remobilization of contaminants from sediments. These effects are primarily restricted to the installation, repair and/or removal phase and are generally temporary. In addition, their spatial extent is limited to the cable corridor which can be up to 10 m width if the cable has been ploughed into the seabed; (OSPAR 2009). Some mobile benthic species (for example, crabs) are able to avoid most disturbance whereas sessile (bivalves, tubeworms etc.) and sensitive species (such as slower growing or fragile species) will be more impacted. (OSPAR 12/22/1, Annex 14) Benthic surveys of the proposed cable route were conducted November 18-20, 2022 to identify and quantify the presence/absence of marine habitats, to include but not be limited to coral reef structures (both mesophotic and shallow-water), seagrasses, hardbottom, and fisheries habitat that may be impacted by the installation of the cable. Particular attention was paid to areas near land that may have connected or associated hard-bottom habitats that could support these deep reefs. The benthic community was a uniform fine sand/silt for the entire route except for a short stretch of approximately 0.5km east of the north end of Outer Brass Island in 70-foot-deep water and approximately 0.08 km near the shore landing site within Magen’s Bay. Those sections are noted in the attached Overview Map of the proposed cable route. In the 70-foot-deep reef discovered, an existing cable is plainly visible with no observed disturbance of benthic habitats as with other existing cables found elsewhere, some on the reef and some well off the bottom. No evidence of habitat degradation was observed anywhere near existing cables. The reef documented at approximately 200’ to 300’ from shore is a mixed bottom with various habitats and benthic life, including hard corals of various species so attention must be paid as to not disturb this area during installation. b. Tides and Currents The Caribbean current is a powerful surface oceanic current passing west through the Caribbean Sea, then north through the Yucatan Channel, then east out to the Straits of Florida to form the Florida Current and join the Gulf Stream (See Figure 6.05.1). These surface currents are driven by the North Equatorial Current. The warm Caribbean Current, derived from the junction of the North Equatorial Current and the Guiana Current, flows at an average rate of 38 to 43 cm (15 to 17 inches) per second and transports about 27.5 million cubic meters (~1 billion cubic feet) of water per second (Britannica, 2007). MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 Figure 6.05.1 – Major currents, North Atlantic Ocean (LaMourie, 2021) These currents change very little from season to season with the currents coming more from the south during the summer months (Figure 6.05.2). As the figure illustrates, there is usually a westerly current observed between St. Croix Island and St. Thomas Island (NOAA – BookletChart). MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 Figure 6.05.2 – General current patterns on the island platforms (Dammann, 1969) Because of different exposures to open ocean water on one side and modified circulation of Caribbean water on the other, the north and south coasts of St. Thomas and St. John experience different tidal activities. On the north, tides are similar to the north coast of Puerto Rico, being semidiurnal (two cycles of high and low water per 24 hours). The time of tide stages in the Virgin Islands are earlier than in Puerto Rico, however. On the south coasts of St Thomas, tides typically exhibit two (bi-modal) ‘peaks’ during the diurnal period (24-hour day), with the second (lesser) ‘peak’ having relatively small ebbs and flows. The mean tides range from 0.8 feet to 1.0 feet and the spring tidal ranges reach up to 1.3 feet (IRF 1977). In the Virgin Islands, tidal ranges and tidal currents, except in some inshore localities, are not significant. The small islands, lacking complex shoreline physiography, do not restrict changes in water level. The sea flows around the islands relatively unimpeded, resulting in tidal fluctuations of only a few inches to a foot. MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 Furthermore, the steep slopes of the islands rising out of the water means that the intertidal zone, the part of the shoreline regularly covered and uncovered by the tides, is very narrow. Therefore, there are no large areas of tidal flats uncovered at low tides as in other places in the world, especially along continental coastal zones. One of the consequences of this small tidal action is that water exchange in bays due to tidal action is usually very small. For example, it is estimated that 24 to 40 tidal cycles alone would be necessary to exchange all the water in the main part of St. Thomas harbor. Fortunately, waves, swells and oceanic currents are generally successful at flushing most bays. However, these forces are considerably reduced by the time they reach the heads of deep embayments. As a result, circulation may be poor in the inner reaches of some larger embayments. The innermost portions of the mangrove lagoon on St. Thomas, Salt River of St. Croix and Coral Bay of St. John are examples of this. To a lesser extent, similar conditions have been observed at the head of Vessup Bay (Redhook), St. Thomas and Cruz Bay, St. John, and most likely occur in other similar locations (IRF, 1977). The closest NOAA tidal station is located in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, VI and is Station ID: 9751639. The NOAA tidal station is located at Latitude: 18° 20.1' N and Longitude: 64° 55.2' W. The mean range is 0.7 ft. and the diurnal range is 0.79 ft. Tidal data from the station is shown below in Table 6.05.1. Table 6.05.1 – Observed Water Levels at Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas (NOAA) c. Wave and Wind Impacts The deep-water wave regime of offshore waters is driven by the northeast trade winds most of the year. On the average, wave heights of one to three feet approach from the east 42 percent of the time throughout the year. For short periods, 0.6 percent of the time, these easterly waves reach 12 feet. In addition to the normal easterly swell that affects the windward coasts of the islands, there are two seasonal modes of wave approach that affect leeward coasts: a southeasterly chop and swell and a northern swell. The southeasterly swell with waves one to twelve feet high becomes significant in late summer and fall when the trade winds blow from the east or when tropical storms and hurricanes pass the islands at a distance to the south. The east-southeasterly wind and wave regime is associated with the doldrum belt located over the interior of Venezuela and with an intensive high-pressure area over Bermuda. By contrast, during winter when the doldrum belt is located farther south along the equator and the Bermuda High is weak, a long length and long period northern swell develops. Although the swell offshore is only one to five feet high and occurs only four percent of the time, it is significant because it gains heights of ten to twelve feet nearshore. MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 Waves tend to straighten the north coast of St. Croix by erosion of headlands and deposition of sand in the bays. Straightening along the north coast of St. Thomas and St. John is opposed by the variations in resistance to erosion of different rock types. For example, the projecting points on the north side of Magen’s Bay, St. Thomas, at Mary's Point, St. John and of Thatch and Grass Cays owe their origin to the Tutu rock formation which is more resistant than the Brass limestone. Commonly, on the north coasts, waves approach the shore from two principal directions. Short period waves and chop approach from the east and northeast, and, at the same time, long period swells approach from the north. However, in the winter, from November through March, the northern swells are larger than in summer, and they are refracted and redirected more around points and islands. Around islands like Dutchcap Cay, St. Thomas and Buck Island, St. Croix, the two wave types produce very complicated patterns of crossing sea and swell which can be observed on aerial photographs. Along coasts fronted by partly submerged reefs, waves play a significant role in circulating back reef water. As demonstrated in Christiansted harbor, the mass transport of waves breaking over Long Reef drives a harbor-wide circulation that flushes most of the harbor water through the entrance in about fourteen hours. Consequently, the response of waves to reefs and nearshore bathymetry is significant in reducing pollution and improving water quality. (IRF, 1977) Figure 6.05.5 below shows current wind speed data from the Charlotte Amalie NOAA tidal station referenced in Section 6.05.b. Table 6.05.2 – Observed Wind at Lime Tree Bay, St. Croix (NOAA) d. Marine Water Quality The water surrounding the site is classified as Class B as specified in the Amended V.I. Water Quality Standards of 12VIRR186. Class B waters have a designated use of propagation of desirable species of wildlife and aquatic life and primarily contact recreation such as swimming, fishing, etc. Water quality criteria include dissolved oxygen not less than 5.5 mg/l, exception if cause is natural forces. The pH must not vary by more than 0.1 pH unit from ambient, and at no time may the pH be less than 7.0 or greater than 8.3. Bacteria (enterococci) cannot exceed 30 CFU/100ml (30-day geometric mean), turbidity readings cannot exceed 3 NTUs, and clarity may not exceed a level where a Secchi disc cannot be visible at a minimum depth of one meter. VI DPNR performs routine water quality measurements at select locations. The subject waterbody has four associated Water Quality Monitoring Stations as noted below: MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 Waterbody Location Sample Station Number VI-STT-10 Magen’s Bay STT-15, STT-15A, STT-15B Magen’s Bay, VI672756 Magen’s Bay According to VI DPNR’s 2020 Integrated Report (IR), which entails CWA Section 305(b) water status report and the CWA 303(d) list, the VI-STT-10 waterbody, Magen’s Bay, is established as a local conservation area but has been indicated as being impaired for Enterococcus and Turbidity reported for 6 years within a 10- year period. An impairment of pH was reported in this waterbody in 2010, 2012, and 2014 but has now been resolved with no exceedances since 2016 however, no reason for the water quality status recovery was specified. 6.06 Marine Resources and Habitat Assessment Overview & Research Magen’s Bay and its surrounding areas have been classified as particularly sensitive relating to marine resources and habitats, having been classified as an Area of Particular Concern (APC) as well as a Marine Protected Area (MPA) since 1993 and in subsequent evaluations as recently as the 2020-2025 United States Virgin Islands’ Coral Reef Management Priorities, having been ranked within the top 10 areas most suitable for protection and management intervention for its coral reefs. Figure 6.06.1 –St. Thomas and St. John MPAs and APCs(NOAA, October 2014) MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 Magen’s Bay has also been previously classified as an Area of Particular Concern (APC) due to it being listed on NOAA’s National Marine Protected Areas. The Magen’s Bay APC is located on the north central side of the island of St. Thomas. This APC is bound by Tropaco Point in the west, the entire Peterborg peninsula in the east, and has a seaward boundary that extends directly north to the shelf edge or three- nautical mile territorial limit (whichever is closer). Valuable resources within this area include primary archaeological sites, several types of forest, fish nursery habitats, and 8 endangered species (U.S. Marine Managed Areas Inventory (2006a), NOAA’s National Marine Protected Areas Center). Figure 6.06.2 –Magen’s Bay APC (NOAA, 2006) The Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) Map (Figure 6.06.3) indicates presence of fish, octopus, gastropods (i.e., conch), lobster, dolphin and whale in nearshore as well as shelf waters closer to Outer Brass Island and the proposed cable route. Of the whale species, the humpback whale is considered federally endangered and breeding grounds are indicated to be near these waters around the months of November to May. The map and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) website tool also indicates that the inner Magen’s Bay beach to be an area for turtle nesting, particularly in January and December, and a breeding ground for a variety of marine and terrestrial species including crab, waterfowl, wading birds, seabirds, and shorebirds. Of the bird species, three are considered endangered: the Caribbean Coot (Fulica caribaea), ruddy duck (Oxyura jamaicensis), and white-cheeked pintail (Anas bahamensis) all of which breeds and nests year-round. In addition, two plant species considered endangered: the Manilkara bidentata and the Tillandsia lineatispica, were noted on the ESI near the MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 vicinity of the project area. ESI shoreline habitats in the project area are a mix of exposed rocky cliffs and solid man-made structures with smaller areas of fine to medium-grained sand beaches and exposed wave- cut platforms in bedrock. Figure 6.06.3 – Environmental Sensitivity Index Map with enlarged portion of project site (outlined in red), VI-1, St. Croix, USVI (NOAA) A review of the 2002 NOAA Benthic Habitat Maps (Figure 6.06.4 below) shows significant diversity of benthic habitats in this region of St. Thomas. Directly at the shoreline of the landing point is classified as macroalgae/patchy/50-90% for less than 200 meters. This is followed by approximately 250 meters of reef/linear reef. Further north of the project location, the habitat transitions to reef/colonized bedrock and reef/colonized pavement also followed by reef/linear reef. Zones include bank/shelf (within the microalgae and reef/colonized habitats) and forereef (within the reef/linear reef habitat) and at the furthest distance from shore. MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 Figure 6.06.4 – Benthic Habitat in project vicinity, Tile #9 (NOAA) Field Surveys Benthic surveys of the proposed cable route were conducted November 18-20, 2022, with subsequent follow up surveys the following year on November 6, 2023, to identify and quantify the presence/absence of marine habitats, to include but not be limited to coral reef structures (both mesophotic and shallow water), seagrasses, hardbottom, and fisheries habitat that may be impacted by the installation of the cable. Particular attention was paid to areas near land that may have connected or associated hard- bottom habitats that could support these deep reefs. 2022/11/18 -11/20 – STT Observations and Notes The benthic community was a uniform fine sand/silt for the entire route except for a short stretch of approximately 0.5km east of the north end of Outer Brass Island in 70-foot-deep water and approximately 0.08 km near the shore landing site within Magen’s Bay. Those sections are noted in the attached Overview Map of the proposed cable route. Of particular concern for the proposed cable route was the possibility of encountering deep water Mesophotic Coral Reefs. These little studied reefs are found elsewhere in St. Thomas, with some habitats MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 studied under cyclic evaluations such as the NCRMP and TCRMP programs. Areas near land that may have connected or associated hard-bottom habitats that could support these deep reefs were evaluated, but none were found (See Figure 6.06.5). Figure 6.06.5 – Sites surveyed south of the proposed cable route that are closer to land to evaluate presence of mesophotic coral reef. Video and still photos were collected from a mid-point on the 70-foot-deep reef discovered between GPS 24 and GPS 25 (Figure 6.06.6). Two 25 meter long transects, one running north and the other south, were laid from this center point via SCUBA with Nikon W300 and GoPro Hero 4 cameras. An existing cable is plainly visible with no observed disturbance of benthic habitats as with other existing cables found elsewhere, some on the reef and some well off the bottom. No evidence of habitat degradation was observed anywhere near existing cables. MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 Figure 6.06.6 – Location of reef between GPS Points 24 and 25 that is east of Outer Brass Island) Figure 6.06.7 – Proposed Cable Route as it passes closest to Picara Point From GPS point #55 on shore, a survey was made with a measuring tape laid along the bottom (and in view in the videos) out 100+ meters from shore to GPS 50 (See Figure 6.06.8). As with other existing cables found elsewhere, the existing cables are plainly visible here, some on the reef and some well off the bottom. No evidence of habitat degradation was observed. The reef documented at approximately 200’ to 300’ from shore is a mixed bottom with various habitats and benthic life, including hard corals of various species. MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 Figure 6.06.8 – NOAA Chart showing Magen’s Bay Shoreline with proposed cable landing and cable route along GPS points To document the 14.5 mile proposed route, 5 ¾ hours of video footage was captured using a professional Outland UWC-325/P Color Camera which featured very low light sensitivity (.001 lux) using a 3.6mm f1.4 lens measuring 1.62" x 5" with a depth rating of 2000 m and 750 lines horizontal resolution. 83 minutes of video footage was captured using a Deep Trekker Revolution ROV. The most common benthic feature other than sand were a few gorgonian skeletons and approximately 20 were observed. Figure 6.06.9 – Frame grab of video from ROV at area between GPS 24 and GPS 25 showing existing cable. Figure 6.06.10 – Typical gorgonian skeleton in 170’ deep water (frame grab from video camera) MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 2022/11/06 – STT Observations and Notes Substantial bleaching was observed on almost all hard coral species although some color was visible. It cannot be confirmed visually if it is late bleaching or early recovery. Bleaching was occurring in soft corals as well. The last time bleaching was this pervasive was in 2005 (see graphs on page 3). At the NPS coral monitoring sites around VI National Park in St. John, bleaching combined with the coral disease white plague caused over a 60% decline in coral cover (Ref: Miller, J., et al. "Coral disease following massive bleaching in 2005 causes 60% decline in coral cover on reefs in the US Virgin Islands." Coral Reefs 28 (2009) 925-937). The coral disease white plague has not been a large problem lately, but Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) has been extremely virulent and prevalent throughout Florida and the Caribbean causing extensive coral mortality. It is impossible to predict the impact of this SCTLD- environment now combined with bleaching, but it is likely there will be a decline in coral cover from these on-going events. This loss would be unrelated to the cable laying at this time. A new baseline benthic survey should be done during or immediately after the cable laying so that the post-bleaching live coral coverage can be documented as a baseline. GPS 24- GPS 25 site StarƟng at 18.402279 N, -64.953460 W Benthic cover estimated as follows: Hard Coral: 4% Octocorals: 2% Macroalgae: 10% Crustose coralline algae: 1% Sand: 2% Sponges: 1% Turf algae: 80% TOTAL: 100% Shortly aŌer documenƟng the immediate area in the middle this hardbotom area, the divers located and followed an exisƟng cable and documented the numerous hard and soŌ corals and sponges growing directly “ON” the cable. It is our judgement that the corals are scatered enough that the new cable could be laid in the scatered sand channels or through this benthic community without causing damage to exisƟng corals or habitat. This would be best accomplished if the cable laying was guided by divers during the placement and laying of the cable. A new baseline benthic survey should be made during or immediately aŌer the cable lay so that the post-bleaching live coral coverage can be documented as a baseline. MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 Cable Landing Site in Magen’s Bay The inspecƟon began at the point where exisƟng cables begin their sharp turn to the north at GPS 50. Benthos is 100% silty mud. Most cables observed (3-4) were suspended above the benthos at this point. Proceeding towards shore, shallower and upslope, the cables came in contact with a hardbotom community, primarily turf algae, and rose rapidly up to 20’ depth. At that 20’ depth, the “shoulder of the slope” was between 20’ - 12’ where numerous large patch reefs were observed among a scatered coral and rock community. The three (3) Orbicella listed species (O. annularis, O. franksi, O. faveolata) were found here. Orbicella annularis colonies were abundant and large. The divers swam approximately north and south, parallel to the shoulder of the hardbotom, observing 7-9 exisƟng cables laying among and oŌen over the vibrant coral and fish community. There was evidence of storm damage with some coral colonies toppled, and shore debris (plasƟc beach chair). Other land-based polluƟon (botles, cans, unidenƟfiable plasƟc) was also observed. The overall impression is that the exisƟng cables were laid without regard to the reef community, much of which was composed of coral species listed on the US Endangered Species List (genus Orbicella). Future cables would need to be guided through this reef community to avoid contact with exisƟng corals. In 10 – 12’ depth, the hard botom changed into a sand a seagrass community. The area is dominated by the invasive seagrass (Halodule stipulacea). (Ref: Willete, Demian A., Julien Chalifour, AO Dolfi Debrot, M. Sabine Engel, Jeff Miller, Hazel A. Oxenford, Frederick T. Short, Sascha CC Steiner, and Fabien Védie. "ConƟnued expansion of the trans-AtlanƟc invasive marine angiosperm Halophila sƟpulacea in the Eastern Caribbean." Aquatic botany 112 (2014): 98-102.) The brown macroalgae (Dictyota spp.) was mixed among the invasive seagrass. This algae genus was not observed in 2022 in this area. Occasionally, naƟve turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum) was observed. A Green Sea turtle (also on the ESA species list – Chelonia mydas) was also observed during this dive. Laying a new cable through this community would cause minimal disrupƟon if placed by divers. MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 6.07 Terrestrial Resources The project does not intend to conduct any major construction, earth change, grading or digging for this project within the property or easement to shore. A manhole transition structure will be constructed at the shoreline to connect the submarine cable underground to the existing conduit with existing cables. An existing conduit will be used to winch the cable through the easement and to the telecommunications building. A review of the landside area of this project, which includes the shoreline transition, the public road and shoulders, and the project property itself was conducted to assess potential terrestrial resources that may be affected by the project. All terrestrial areas that will be within the project boundaries are already developed, or will not be touched, with the exception of the shoreline manhole. Adjacent to the property, and within the property itself are several acres of brushland. However, these areas will not be removed or trimmed in the course of installing the cable. No observed wildlife or plant species were observed in the project area. The ESI Map and IPaC assessment tool note potential nesting beaches for endangered and threatened species of sea turtles along the inner-most beachline of the bay. While the shoreline transition point is outside this area, it will require evaluation for signs of nesting before construction commences. Particularly near the coast, it is necessary to consider temporal changes to habitat and wildlife patterns since many areas are habitats of species at certain times of the year that react sensitively to disturbances. These include resting grounds during bird migration, wintering and molting areas, feeding and coastal breeding habitats, and migration of sea turtles and sea mammals (OSPAR 12/22/1, Annex 14). 6.08 Wetlands The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers defines wetlands as "those areas that are periodically inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support and under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, bogs, marshes and similar areas." (Environmental Laboratory, 1987). There are no terrestrial wetlands within or near the project area. 6.09 Rare and Endangered Species The known rare and endangered species identified within the project area are noted in Section 6.06. The ESI map indicated variety of marine and terrestrial species including crab, waterfowl, wading birds, seabirds, and shorebirds. Of the bird species, three are considered endangered by the state including the Caribbean Coot (Fulica caribaea), ruddy duck (Oxyura jamaicensis), and white-cheeked pintail (Anas bahamensis) all of which breeds and nests all year round. Furthermore, there are indicators of fish, octopus, gastropod (i.e., conch), lobster, and dolphin and whale present in nearshore and shelf waters, such as closer to Outer Brass Island near the cable route. Of the MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 whale species, the humpback whale is considered federally endangered, breeding near these waters around the months of November to May. In addition, two plant species considered endangered, the Manilkara bidentata and the Tillandsia lineatispica, were noted on the ESI near the vicinity of the project area. Both the ESI map and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) website tool indicates that the hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), the leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), and the Olive Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) have been spotted swimming in the waters of Magen’s Bay directly adjacent to the project area and further out. These species are listed as endangered and/or threatened on both the state and federal lists. The IPaC webtool indicates that the West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus), a threatened species, has been found in the waters near the project site and the Virgin Islands Tree Boa (Chilabothrus granti) as an endangered species of reptile in the area. In-water work will require a Water Quality Monitoring Plan that includes mitigation for sea turtles that may also be impacted by vessels and cable placement during construction. During construction of the project in order to minimize and abate impacts to the listed turtle species, NMFS’s construction conditions will be followed. To avoid and minimize injury or death to marine mammals and sea turtles, the following NMFS measures from the Vessel Strike Avoidance Measures and Reporting for Mariners will be implemented by all vessels associated with the project construction. All divers, captains and workers assisting during the in-water installation portions will be trained on the following: 1. Vessel operators and crews should maintain a vigilant watch for marine mammals and sea turtles to avoid striking sighted protected species. 2. When whales are sighted, maintain a distance of 100 yards or greater between the whale and the vessel. 3. When sea turtles or small cetaceans are sighted, attempt to maintain a distance of 50 yards or greater between the animal and the vessel whenever possible. 4. When small cetaceans are sighted while a vessel is underway (e.g., bow-riding), attempt to remain parallel to the animal’s course. Avoid excessive speed or abrupt changes in direction until the cetacean has left the area. 5. Reduce vessel speed to 10 knots or less when mother/calf pairs, groups, or large assemblages of cetaceans are observed near an underway vessel, when safety permits. A single cetacean at the surface may indicate the presence of submerged animals in the vicinity; therefore, prudent precautionary measures should always be exercised. The vessel should attempt to route around the animals, maintaining a minimum distance of 100 yards whenever possible. 6. Whales may surface in unpredictable locations or approach slowly moving vessels. When an animal is sighted in the vessel’s path or in close proximity to a moving vessel and when safety permits, reduce speed and shift the engine to neutral. Do not engage the engines until the animals are clear of the area. MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 There may be a requirement for pinning or anchoring the cable in hardbottom areas, though it is anticipated these sections will comprise a very small percentage of the total cable path, less than 2.4%. Sound in water moves four times faster than in air, and attenuation (sound dissipation) is much lower in water than air. Esonification of the marine environment can have a negative impact on sea turtles, marine mammals and fish. To minimize noise impacts to these species a vibratory hammer will be used to drive pins or anchors wherever possible. Vibratory hammers are recommended by NOAA as they have a lower acoustic impact. 6.10 Air Quality No effects to air quality are anticipated as a result of the proposed project. There is no anticipated earth movement, and the use of vessels or heavy equipment in near-shore waters will be minimal. MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 7.00 IMPACT OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT ON THE HUMAN ENVIRONMENT 7.01 Land and Water Use Plans The project will be connecting to existing infrastructure, following a similar approach and pathway as existing telecommunication cables. It will enter through the same transition point, installed into a new manhole structure, and be winched through an existing conduit to an existing building. No visual changes, expansion of the property or business, or change to land cover/use is anticipated, and no changes to any future land or water use plans is anticipated. 7.02 Visual Impacts The project location is currently an AT&T telecommunications station, and the proposed project will connect an additional cable to existing underground conduit through the construction of a shoreline manhole structure. This structure will have little to no effect on the current aesthetics as this structure will be nearly flush with the surface and be minimally sized for simple access. 7.03 Impacts on Public Services and Utilities a. Water As noted in Part 6.04, the project will not use nor affect significant amounts of water, either from public supply or otherwise. No municipal water sources exist in this area, and the project will have no negative impact on the availability of public water. b. Sewage Treatment and Disposal There are no public sewage utilities in the area. The project will not affect the amount of sewage generated in the area. No expansion of the business or structures is anticipated, and the additional cable installation is not anticipated to change the staffing needs or expectations in the building. c. Solid Waste Disposal Domestic solid waste will be managed with onsite waste bins. It will be trucked out by a licensed waste hauler as necessary and disposed of in accordance with local and federal solid waste requirements. d. Roads, Traffic, and Parking During the proposed work, an insignificant number of additional vehicles will use the main road leading to the project site, Peterborg Road as part of construction. This will only be routine traffic to and from the work site. During project implementation, vehicles will be parked in the private lot on the subject MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 property, owned by AT&T of the Virgin Islands, Inc., where the project is located, and is not anticipated to change. e. Electricity There are no proposed electrical systems required for the cable line installation. All existing electrical needs for system capability are already provided at the site. f. Schools There are no anticipated adverse effects on the local educational system during project implementation. Ultimately, there will be no effect to the schools in the long term. A positive long-term affect will be better communication technology and infrastructure for all residents, including school-age children to be better connected to the world outside of St. Croix, USVI. g. Fire and Police Protection Any nighttime work will provide adequate lighting for worker safety. In the case there is an emergency, the Omar Brown Sr. Fire Station and the Virgin Islands Police Department are located less than four miles from the project site. There are several parking spots on-site for emergency vehicles, if needed. There are no anticipated long-term burdens or increase in fire or police services. The facility is fenced and gated, and under 24-hour security, and will not change post-construction. h. Public Health The project will not have any adverse effect on public health, nor increase the use of public health facilities. 7.04 Social Impacts This project has the potential to achieve a greater flow of information through public services and utilities that rely on higher telecommunication reliability thus benefiting the social lives of their consumers. Overall, it helps with the development of a regional sense of community through greater equality of information sharing across geographical regions and across groups in society. 7.05 Economic Impacts The most notable effect is the increase in productivity and capacity. This is due to the level of individuals and organizations generated by advances in communications, connectivity and efficient access to information. Increased telecommunications in the region can create substantial amounts of consumer surplus and generate new employment opportunities particularly in remote areas as it enables a large number of workers to work from home (i.e. telecommuting) and thus reduces the challenges that come MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 with distances. For existing businesses, more transmission for data and voice call can result in an improvement of business performance as well as create opportunities for expansion. 7.06 Impacts on Historical and Archeological Resources The project boundaries will be restricted to only areas that have already been evaluated and found to contain no notable archaeological resources or findings, and therefore is not expected to have any negative impact on Historical or Archaeological resources of the USVI. Should any suspected or known resources or artifacts be discovered during the development of the site, the developers will immediately notify the State Historical Preservation Offices to evaluate the findings. 7.07 Recreational Use The project itself will not inhibit nor promote recreational activities in the vicinity of the project. The Environmental Sensitivity Index Map provided in Section 6.06 (Figure 6.06.1) indicates recreational fishing is a popular activity in the vicinity of the proposed project. Placement of cable on the surface of the seafloor may leave potential for impacts from fish pots, boat anchors or other impacts caused by fishing or boating activities. However, existing cables have run through this area for years and the potential impacts are low and not anticipated to hinder the recreational use of the area. 7.08 Waste Disposal Any and all construction debris will be collected in appropriate roll-off containers to be transported and disposed of by a licensed waste-hauler, in accordance with solid waste requirements. Any unused or contaminated chemicals or materials will be disposed of in accordance with waste handing regulations. 7.09 Accidental Spills Spills are not anticipated for this project. Any vessels used to guide and place cable in shallow water will be monitored for any potential spills of oil or fuel. Lubrication or chemicals will not be used for this project as an existing bore will function as the route for the cable, and drilling is not required. 7.10 Potential Adverse Effects which cannot be Avoided The laying of cables, both telecommunication, power, or other utility types, can cause temporary damage, displacement, disturbance or stress to the seabed and marine flora/fauna, increased turbidity, and potentially release contaminants and cause alteration of sediments (Figure 7.10.1). Seabed disturbance that may impact benthic organisms can be controlled through the use of turbidity curtains and careful and methodical cable placement, but even with a high level of care, sediment plumes within the project area are expected and cannot be eliminated. Underwater noise is most relevant for marine mammals, though may affect fish and benthic habitat. While use of low impact equipment to minimize noise will be essential, elimination of all noise or impact from MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 sound is unavoidable. Care to ensure all sensitive wildlife is outside the project impact area will be employed to ensure a minimization of negative impact. The cable is anticipated to self-bury over time but will still be visible in areas with hard substrate. The visual impact will be minimal to both recreational users and marine habitat but will not be eliminated as the proposed approach is to not bury the cable. Figure 7.10.1 – Main Environmental Impacts Associated with Submarine Cables (IXSUREVEY, 2010) These effects are mainly restricted to the installation, repair works and/or removal phase and are generally temporary. In addition, their spatial extent is limited to the cable corridor. Some mobile benthos can avoid disturbance, but smaller benthic communities may be impacted in the short-term. The duration, spatial extent and level of suspended sediment associated with route clearance and cable installation in this project are unlikely to cause such problems with turbidity and water clarity (IXSURVEY, 2010). Nevertheless, turbidity levels will be minimized during cable lay operations by minimizing the duration and extent of physical seabed disturbance with the use of turbidity curtains and an efficient work schedule. At the landing location there will be a small amount of construction work and environmental impact associated with the cable installation and construction of the onshore facilities. Much of this impact will be typical of general construction activity, resulting in short term waste generation and nuisance impacts (Noise, air quality, etc). (IXSURVEY, 2010). 8.00 MITIGATION PLANS There is no anticipated loss or damage to sea life, benthic or otherwise, and no mitigation plans are needed for this project and operation. MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 9.00 ALTERNATIVES TO PROPOSED ACTION The telecommunications needs of St. Thomas, the USVI and the world are expanding and increasing due to increased number of and reliance on services that require high-speed internet. The current telecommunication bandwidth is currently limited and in a do-nothing scenario will soon be a limiting factor in productivity of the St. Thomas community. As computer use increases, both in the population as well as percentage of individual use, reliability and stability of the network will start to decrease, and network speeds will reduce. Assuming that no other cable was installed, in this scenario the region would continue to be constrained by the lack of telecommunications capacity. The demand for capacity would continue to grow along with the overall economic growth (IXSSYSTEM, 2010) Another alternative is to use wireless ways to increase bandwidth and the telecommunication system on the island, such as satellite or microwave tower transmissions. However, the use of fiber optic networks has a number of advantages over satellite and microwave transmissions. Radio has largely been phased out due to restricted bandwidth and poor data transmission while modern fiber optic networks transmit high volumes of voice and data traffic with higher security and reliability and at lower cost than satellite systems. Cable also has a more dependable installation and repair record. Bandwidth demand, particularly as a result of internet activity far exceeds satellite capacity (Hogan and Hartson, 1999). An alternative to the placement of the existing cable is to install in another location that has little to no benthic life on the seafloor, and little to no critical areas for protection of environmental resources or recreational uses. However, that would require the installation of new bores, or construction of some form of shoreline transition structure, as well as all new shoreline infrastructure and buildings to house the land hub that would connect to the existing telecommunications system. The massive increase in construction and/or drilling and digging requirements will far outweigh the small and temporary impact to marine life found in the project area and cable path proposed. Lastly, burying the cable along the entire route as opposed to surface placement was considered. This would require, however, more seafloor disturbance, first by ROV in deeper waters, and then by divers assisted by equipment to dig, cut or bore a trench to bury the cable along the intended path. This would increase suspension of sediments and construction time significantly, for a small benefit of having the cable buried. With careful placement of the cable, and pinning or anchoring where necessary, there is no anticipated impact in the long-term of having an exposed cable. 10.00 RELATIONSHIPP BETWEEN SHORT & LONG TERM USES OF MAN’S ENVIRONMENT The cable is designed, and path planned to have the least amount of impact to marine life, environmental resources and recreational uses. Most of the impacts will be temporary and short term during the placement and installation of the cable and pinning or anchoring for long term use. Once in place, the cable will require minimal to no maintenance, and have no effect on existing or future marine or terrestrial habitats in the project area. As a result of this project, St. Thomas will have a significant improvement to the existing telecommunication capabilities with minimal impact to existing natural, cultural or functional resources of the island. MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 11.00 REFERENCES USGS – topoView map generator - https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/topoview/viewer Government of the US Virgin Islands, Geospatial Information Systems Division, MapGeo: Property - US Virgin Islands - MapGeo U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Information for Planning and Consultation IPaC tool: https://ipac.ecosphere.fws.gov/location/ZY4XOKZ3MJFCLL6ZTCT5GJXXHU/resources University of the Virgin Islands Cooperative Extension Service. VI Environmental Protection Handbook. 2002 Island Resources Foundation (IRF). 1977. Marine environments of the Virgin Islands. Technical Supplement No.1 1976. Prepared for the Virgin Islands Planning Office. NOAA Historical Hurricane Tracks https://coast.noaa.gov/hurricanes NOAA USVI Active COOP Stations, 1991-2020 Normals for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands ArcGIS - 1991- 2020 Normals for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands NOAA – National Data Buoy Center, Station CHAV3-9751639 NDBC - Station CHAV3 Recent Data (noaa.gov) Jordan, D.G. 1975. A Survey of the Water Resources of St. Croix, Virgin Islands. Caribbean District Open-File Report. US Dept. of the Interior. Van Eepoel, R.P., W. Owen, and A.E. Dammann, 1971. Notes on Some Oceanographic Marine Factors in the U.S. Virg.in Islands. Caribbean Research Institute. St. Thomas, USVI. Rogers, Caroline. 1988. Marine and Terrestrial Ecosystems of the VI National Park & Biosphere Reserve US Dept. of the Interior, Island Resources Foundation Biosphere Reserve Report No. 29. Meyerhoff, H.A. 1927. The Physiography of the Virgin Islands, Culebra, and Vieques. New York Acad. Sci., Scientific Survey of Porto Rico and the Virgin Islands, vol. 4 (pt. 2): 145-219 Whetten, J.T., 1966, The geology of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, GSA Memoir 98:177-239. Whetten, J.T. 1974, Field Guide to the Geology of St. Croix, in Multer, H.G., and Gerhard, L.C., eds., Guidebook to the geology and ecology of some marine and terrestrial environments, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, West Indies Laboratory Special Publication 5, p. 129-144 Adey, W.H., 1977, Shallow Water Holocene bioherms of the Caribbean Sea and West Indies, Proc. Third Int. Coral Reef Symp. 2: xxi-xxiv Frassetto, Roberto, and John Northrop 1957. Virgin Islands bathymetric survey. Deep-sea Res., Vol. 5: 138-146. Veve T., Taggart B. 1996. Atlas of Ground-water Resources in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. U.S. Geological Survey, Water-Resources Investigations Report 94-4198 Renken R., et al. 2002. Geology and Hydrogeology of the Caribbean Islands Aquifer System of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1419 MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 USDA, Soil Survey of the United States Virgin Islands, 1994: Soil Survey of the United States Virgin Islands (usda.gov) Nealon & Dillon, 2001 Earthquakes and Tsunamis in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands USGS Fact Sheet FS– 141–00, April 2001 University of Southern California, Tsunami Research Center: The 1867 Virgin Island Tsunami | Tsunami Research Center FEMA Earthquake Hazard Maps: https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/risk- management/earthquake/hazard-maps FEMA Flood Map Service Center: https://msc.fema.gov/portal/home NOAA – BookletChart: Virgin Islands – Virgin Gorda to St. Thomas and St. Croix, NOAA Chart 25641. 25641_BookletChart.pdf (noaa.gov) Dammann, A.E., 1969. Study of the fisheries potential of the Virgin Islands. Special Report. Contribution No. 1. Virgin Islands Ecological Research Station. Caribb. Res. Insl., Contrib. No. I. p. 197. Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia, 2007. Caribbean Current. Encyclopedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/place/Caribbean-Current. LaMourie, Matthew, 2021. Atlantic Ocean. Encyclopedia Britannica NOAA – Tides & Currents, Station ID:9751639, Station Home Page - NOAA Tides & Currents USVI Department of Planning and Natural Resources. 2019. Amended Rules and Regulations for Water Quality Management Program, Water Quality Standards CVIRR 12-007-000, Subchapter 186 NOAA – Environmental Sensitivity Index Maps, Office of Response and Restoration, Hazardous Materials Response Division, July 2000 NOAA – Benthic Habitat Atlas of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment, Biogeography Team. 2002. Environmental Laboratory, 1987. Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual. Wetlands Research Program Technical Report Y-87-1 T. B. Smith, et. al.“Benthic structure and cryptic mortality in a Caribbean mesophotic coral reef bank system, the Hind Bank Marine Conservation District, U.S. Virgin Islands” in Coral Reefs (2010) 29:289– 308 DOI 10.1007/s00338-009-0575-8 David K.Weinstein, Tyler B. Smith, James S. Klaus. “Mesophotic bioerosion: Variability and structural impact on U.S. Virgin Island deep reefs” in Geomorphology 222 (2014) 14–24). Pittman, S.J., L. Bauer, S.D. Hile, C.F.G. Jeffrey, E. Davenport and C. Caldow. 2014. Marine protected Areas of the U.S. Virgin Islands: Ecological Performance Report. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS NCCOS 187. Silver Spring, MD. 89 pp. IXSURVEY. Environment and Social Impacts Assessment Study (ESIAS) Seychelles. https://www.eib.org/attachments/pipeline/20080549_esia1_en.pdf 01/27/2010 MAJOR WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Environmental Assessment Report Applicant: Trans Americas Fiber (TAF) U.S., LLC. December 2023 OSPAR 12/22/1, Annex 14. Guidelines on Best Environmental Practice (BEP) in Cable Laying and Operation. https://d-nb.info/1193584221/34 Island Resources Foundation (IRF). 1977. Marine environments of the Virgin Islands. Technical Supplement No.1 1976. Prepared for the Virgin Islands Planning Office. Foord, E.E and Alminas, H.V. Geochemistry, Mineralogy, and Geochronology of the USVI. 1994 Garrison, et.al. Geology of the Insular Shelf South of St. Thomas and St. John National Cooperative Soil Survey. (2004). https://soilseries.sc.egov.usda.gov/OSD_Docs/A/ANNABERG.html DPNR – USVI Integrated Water Quality Monitoring & Assessment Report. (2020).https://dpnr.vi.gov/wp- content/uploads/2022/10/2020-USVI-Integrated-Report-FINAL.pdf US Fish and Wildlife. National Wetlands Inventory. National Wetlands Inventory (usgs.gov) EGS SURVEY REPORT CZM PERMIT APPLICATION MAGEN’S BAY, ST. THOMAS USVI TRANS-CARIBBEAN FIBER SYSTEM CABLE LANDING PROJECT Applicant: TRANS AMERICAS FIBER US, LLC December 20, 2023 Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT SURVEY REPORT FOR CABLE ROUTE DESIGN AND ENGINEERING FOR TRANS CARIBBEAN FIBER SUBMARINE CABLE SYSTEM (TCFS) SEGMENT BUSTT BU ST. THOMAS to BMH ST. THOMAS Rev Date Description Prepared by Checked by Approved by 0 18 May 2022 Preliminary Jacky Lee - Even Mak Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page i EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Submarine Cable System: Trans Caribbean Fiber System (TCFS) Segment: BUSTT Connection: BU St. Thomas to St. Thomas Cable length: 23.390km Client: LW Subsea Inc. Surveyed by: EGS Survey Pte. Ltd. Landfall survey date: NA Inshore survey date: 9th to 10th May 2022 Vessel: SL GR-2 (SL GR-2) Offshore Survey date: 8th to 11th May 2022 Vessel: RV Geo Resolution (RV GR) Cable crossing: 9 IS, 24 OOS, 0 P Pipeline crossing: 0 IS, 0 OOS,0 P Burial: 1.0m RPL: TCFS_BU-St.Thomas_2022-04- 06_CX_withBurial.xls The Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) configuration comprises a trunk linking Vero Beach, USA to St. Croix, USVI with branches connecting Panama, Colombia, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas (USVI) and Tortola (BVI). Its configuration comprises the following segments: Segment VBSTC: Vero Beach, USA to St. Croix, USVI Segment BUPUR: BU Puerto Rico to San Juan, Puerto Rico Segment BUTOR: BU Tortola to Tortola, BVI Segment BUSTT: BU St. Thomas to St. Thomas, USVI Segment BUPAN: BU Panama to Panama Segment BUCTG: BU Colombia to Cartagena, Columbia Segment BUBAQ: BU Colombia to Barranquilla, Columbia This report discusses the survey results achieved by RV Geo Resolution and Survey Launch GR-2 along TCFS Segment BUSTT. The total route length of the TCFS Segment BUSTT is 23.390km. The report comprises descriptive text and charts showing the bathymetry, geomorphology and shallow seabed geology along the route, together with appendices of supporting information. Breakdowns of the survey operations by RV Geo Resolution and Survey Launch GR-2 are presented below. Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page ii EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT Summary diagram of Segment BUSTT offshore and inshore survey operations by the RV GR and SL GR-2 The following table summarizes the operations performed by the landfall and inshore survey team and the offshore vessel RV Geo Resolution. Vessel/Landfall SSS SBP MBES MAG CPT GC GS DIVER TOPO SBES RV GR     - - - - -  SL GR-2     - - - - - - The pre and post survey route position lists (RPLs) are discussed in Section 3 of this report and are summarized below: Cable Type Survey Route 2022-04-06_CX Post Survey Route Change (km) Overall Route - 23.390 NA - Overall Cable - 23.390 NA - By Cable Type DA NA NA - SA NA NA - LWS NA NA - LW NA NA - Four days were worked by the survey team in offshore area by RV Geo Resolution and three days for inshore area. There were no reportable incidents during the surveys. Introductions for health and safety issues were given to all crew onboard within 24 hours of the survey operation for all survey crew. Safety drills were held regularly onboard the RV Geo Resolution. Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) meetings and pre job toolbox talks were held for the back deck operations. The following table summarizes the hazards and issues encountered during the survey: Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page iii EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT Hazards/Issues Yes No Comments Recommendations Easy access to landing site NA NA Obstacles along the land section of the route NA NA Can the beach sustain an Excavator NA NA Obstacles along the diver swim section of the route NA NA Presence of CORAL reef  None None Presence of seagrass  Possible numerous marine growth KP22.4-KP23.3 Necessary precaution should be taken Presence of ROCK on proposed route  ROCK KP23.3-KP23.4 ROCK with intermittent sediments KP9.58-KP9.60 KP9.63-KP9.68 KP18.4-KP18.9 KP19.1-KP19.5 Veneer of Sediment over ROCK KP18.9-KP19.1 KP21.0-KP21.1 No burial; adequate cable protection Presence of ROCK within target burial zone  None None Presence of HARDGROUND on proposed route  None None Presence of HARDGROUND within target burial zone  None None Presence of pockmarks and gas seepage  Depressions were locally observed KP0-KP12 Scattered depressions KP20.3-KP21.02 Plough/install with caution Presence of very soft sediments with low bearing capacity  None None Presence of sonar contacts within the survey corridor  Debris Patch KP0.30-KP0.33 Area with scattered debris KP11.3-18.4 Debris clearance and route deviation if necessary Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page iv EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT Hazards/Issues Yes No Comments Recommendations KP21.3-KP22.4 60 sonar contacts Presence of megaripples and sandwaves  Megaripples KP9.58-KP9.60 KP9.63-KP9.68 KP19.5-KP19.8 KP19.96-KP20.03 KP21.0-KP21.1 None Indication of slumping  None None Presence of in-service cables crossing  9 IS cables Seek crossing agreement and as-laid cable information from cable owners Presence of in-service pipelines crossing  None None Presence of out of service cables/pipelines crossing  24 OOS cables Caution should be taken during cable installation Indication of fishing activities (Trawl scars, FADs, etc...)  None None High level of shipping activity  None None The route traverses traffic separations schemes (TSS)  None None Presence of anchorage areas along the route  None None Presence of wrecks along the route  1 possible wreck at KP23.27 (63m south of the route) Avoid as far as possible Presence of dumping areas along the route  None None High level of military activity  None None The route traverses military exercise areas  None None The route traverses hydrocarbon concessions  None None The route traverses mineral/sand extraction/dredging  None None Risk of piracy  None None Presence of adverse currents  None None Occurrence of adverse weather (monsoon,  Tropical cyclone seasons occurs Pay attention to the weather forecast and Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page v EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT Hazards/Issues Yes No Comments Recommendations typhoon, hurricane, etc…) between June and November seasonal currents before operations Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page vi EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT REPORT LIMITATIONS EGS has carefully interpreted, quality controlled and cross checked the data presented in the report and charts. Even so, it should be noted that survey results are subjected to physical limitations imposed by the equipment and methods used and are also affected by individual interpretation. The accuracy of the survey data is based on the technical specifications and technical capabilities of the required/agreed survey systems. Survey equipment and software are kept up to date (where applicable), calibrated and maintained to manufacturer’s specifications. The survey data has been correlated, edited and assessed in order to produce graphic and digital models as close to reality as possible. The interpretation is carried out by experienced personnel with appropriate academic qualifications. All distances referenced in this report are based on the project geodetic projection and are not true distances on the earth’s surface. Contours and slopes are derived from the specified grid cell size of the processed Multi Beam Echo-Sounder (MBES) and Single Beam Echo-Sounder (SBES) bathymetry data. Processing parameters and sounding density are outlined in the technical specifications of the project. Seabed morphological analysis based on Side Scan Sonar (SSS) images and MBES data gives a complementary presentation for localised terrain features. Due to equipment and operational constraints, such as the footprint size effect, sounding density limitation and safe altitude requirement of towed systems etc., the resolution degrades with increasing water depths and some small seabed features may not be fully resolved. Geotechnical information used to derive sedimentology and stratigraphy can only be obtained at specific sample/in-situ test (Cone Penetration Test) locations. The lateral correlation and interpretation are carefully and appropriately performed by experienced geoscientists. However, there remains a risk that some sub bottom layers will remain undetected. Magnetometer data are very sensitive to environmental conditions. When background noise is high in very shallow water environment or the tow sensor is too high from the seabed in irregular terrain, the data resolution may not be sufficient to identify small anomalies associated with some types of cable. Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page vii EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT CONTENTS DVD EXECUTIVE SUMMARY REPORT LIMITATIONS ABBREVIATIONS .................................................................................................................................... XI DEFINITIONS ........................................................................................................................................ XV 1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 1-1 1.1 Description ...................................................................................................................... 1-1 1.2 Purpose ........................................................................................................................... 1-2 2 SURVEY PROCEDURES ...................................................................................................... 2-1 2.1 General ............................................................................................................................ 2-1 2.2 Project Survey Parameters ............................................................................................... 2-1 2.2.1 Geodetic Parameters ........................................................................................................ 2-1 2.2.2 Vertical Datum ................................................................................................................. 2-2 2.2.2.1 Bathymetric data reduction .............................................................................................. 2-3 2.3 Summary of Survey Design ............................................................................................... 2-3 2.3.1 Change of Scope of Work ................................................................................................. 2-4 2.4 Summary of Operations ................................................................................................... 2-4 2.4.1 Offshore Survey by the RV Geo Resolution and inshore survey (St. Thomas landfall) by Survey Launch GR-2 .......................................................................................................... 2-5 3 RPL VERSIONS AND DEVIATIONS FROM THE SURVEY ROUTE ............................................. 3-1 4 SURVEY RESULTS .............................................................................................................. 4-1 4.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 4-1 4.2 Offshore Shallow Water Survey ........................................................................................ 4-1 4.2.1 Samples ........................................................................................................................... 4-1 4.2.2 CPT .................................................................................................................................. 4-1 4.2.3 Sonar Contacts ................................................................................................................. 4-2 4.2.4 Magnetometer Contacts................................................................................................... 4-2 4.2.5 Route Description ............................................................................................................ 4-2 4.3 Landfall and Inshore Survey at Puerto Rico ....................................................................... 4-7 4.3.1 Samples ........................................................................................................................... 4-7 4.3.2 Sonar Contacts ................................................................................................................. 4-7 4.3.3 Magnetometer Contacts................................................................................................... 4-7 4.3.4 Route Description ............................................................................................................ 4-8 4.3.5 Diver Survey ................................................................................................................... 4-12 4.3.6 Topographic Survey......................................................................................................... 4-12 5 BURIAL ASSESSMENT SURVEY (BAS) ................................................................................. 5-1 6 HAZARD AND OBSRUCTIONS ............................................................................................ 6-1 6.1 Cable and Pipeline Crossings ............................................................................................ 6-1 6.2 Maritime Boundaries and Special Areas ............................................................................ 6-5 6.3 Fishing Activities .............................................................................................................. 6-5 Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page viii EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT 6.4 Shipping .......................................................................................................................... 6-5 6.5 Anchorages ...................................................................................................................... 6-5 6.6 Piracy .............................................................................................................................. 6-5 6.7 Dumping Grounds ............................................................................................................ 6-5 6.8 Wrecks ............................................................................................................................ 6-5 6.9 Dredging .......................................................................................................................... 6-6 6.10 Hydrocarbon Exploitation ................................................................................................. 6-6 6.11 Military Activity ............................................................................................................... 6-6 7 OCEANOGRAPHIC AND METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS .............................................. 7-1 7.1 Sea Temperatures ............................................................................................................ 7-1 7.2 Currents ........................................................................................................................... 7-1 7.3 Sea State, Swell and Wind Direction ................................................................................. 7-3 7.4 Meteorological Observations ........................................................................................... 7-5 8 ENVIRONMENT CONSIDERATIONS .................................................................................... 8-7 9 SAFETY ............................................................................................................................ 9-8 10 ENGINEERING CONSIDERATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................ 10-1 TABLES Table 1: Geodetic parameters for St. Thomas landfall survey ................................................................ 2-1 Table 2: Geodetic parameters for the survey and charting for TFCS ...................................................... 2-1 Table 3: Numerical data for checking transformation computation ....................................................... 2-2 Table 4: Harmonic constants of the tide stations used for TCFS Segment BUSTT .................................... 2-3 Table 5: Summary of grid cell sizes for bathymetric data presentation for TCFS Segment BUSTT ............ 2-3 Table 6: Summary of survey design for TCFS survey of Segment BUSTT ................................................. 2-4 Table 7: Sampling interval for TCFS Segment BUSTT ............................................................................. 2-4 Table 8: Summary table of offshore survey operations by RV GR and inshore survey operations by SL GR-2 .................................................................................................................................... 2-5 Table 9: Summary of contacts and samples in offshore shallow water survey ....................................... 4-1 Table 10: Summary of contacts and samples of St. Thomas landfall ...................................................... 4-7 Table 11: Cable crossing list ................................................................................................................. 6-4 Table 12: Marine boundaries and special areas .................................................................................... 6-5 Table 13: Summary of bottom temperatures at SVP locations .............................................................. 7-1 FIGURES Figure 1: Overview of TCFS submarine cable system ............................................................................. 1-1 Figure 2: Sun-illuminated MBES data example between KP0 and KP3 ................................................... 4-3 Figure 3: Sun-illuminated MBES data example between KP3 and KP16 ................................................. 4-4 Figure 4: Sun-illuminated MBES data example between KP15 and KP21 ............................................... 4-4 Figure 5: Rectified SSS data example of showing rocky areas at KP9.7 .................................................. 4-5 Figure 6: Rectified SSS data example of showing rocky area at KP18.7 .................................................. 4-5 Figure 7: SBP data example of survey CL between KP18.2 and KP19.3 ................................................... 4-6 Figure 8: Rectified SSS data example showing sonar contacts at KP6.0 .................................................. 4-6 Figure 9: Magnetometer data example showing magnetic contact at KP16.9 ........................................ 4-7 Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page ix EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT Figure 10: Sun-illuminated MBES data example between KP19.5 and KP23.4 ........................................ 4-9 Figure 11: Sun-illuminated MBES data example between KP22.4 and KP23.4 ........................................ 4-9 Figure 12: Rectified SSS data example showing sonar contact at KP21.0 ............................................. 4-10 Figure 13: Rectified SSS data example showing possible CORAL area at KP22.6 ................................... 4-10 Figure 14: Rectified SSS data example showing IS/OOS cables at KP23.3 ............................................. 4-11 Figure 15: Magnetometer data example showing magnetic contact at KP23.3 .................................... 4-11 Figure 16: Major currents in North Atlantic Ocean ............................................................................... 7-2 Figure 17: Antilles Current ................................................................................................................... 7-3 Figure 18: Rose diagram presenting wind direction during offshore operations for Segment BUSTT survey period by the RV GR .................................................................................................. 7-4 Figure 19: Graph showing the occurrence of observed wave heights during offshore operations for Segment BUSTT survey period by the RV GR ......................................................................... 7-4 Figure 20: Histogram of observed wind speeds during offshore operations for Segment BUSTT survey period by the RV GR ............................................................................................................. 7-5 Figure 21: Graph showing atmospheric pressure during offshore operations for Segment BUSTT survey period by the RV GR .................................................................................................. 7-6 Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page x EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT APPENDICES Appendix Appendix Contents Book A1 Pre Survey RPL - A2 Post Survey RPL - B1 Descriptive Terms and Definitions - B2 RV Geo Resolution Sample Summary and Logs {empty} - B3 St. Thomas Landfall Sample Summary and Logs {empty} - C CPT Summary and Logs {empty} - D Sonar Contact Summary Table - E Magnetometer Contact Summary Table - F St. Thomas Landfall Report - G Marine Activity Logs {empty} - H1 RV Geo Resolution Observed Velocity, Temperature Data and Summary Tables - H2 SL GR-2 Observed Velocity, Temperature Data and Summary Tables - DRAWINGS North-Up Charts Scale Chart Numbers Start KP End KP Book Branching Unit Chart 1:50000 TCFS_BUSTT_BU001 0.00 2.38 - Shallow Water Chart 1:10000 TCFS_BUSTT_NU001 0.00 4.82 - Shallow Water Chart 1: 10000 TCFS_BUSTT_NU002 3.81 13.65 - Shallow Water Chart 1: 10000 TCFS_BUSTT_NU003 12.42 22.46 - Inshore Chart 1:5000 TCFS_BUSTT_NU004 19.69 23.39 - Land Topographic Chart 1:1000 TCFS_BUSTT_NU005 22.89 23.39 - Strip Charts Scale Chart Numbers Start KP End KP Book Strip Chart 1:10000 TCFS_BUSTT_SC001 0.00 23.39 - Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page xi EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT ABBREVIATIONS Abbreviation Meaning ABxx As-Built AC Alter Course AF As-Found (cable) AP Articulated Pipe AL Alignment ALxx As-Laid ASL Archipelagic Sea Lanes BAS Burial Assessment Survey BJ Joint Box BJT Technical Joint Box BMH Beach ManHole BP Beach Probe BS Beach Sample BU-xxx Branching Unit CA Cable Allowance (Beach/Final Splice) CB Concession Block CC Cable Corridor CD Chart Datum C.M. Central Meridian cm Centimeter CPT Cone Penetration Testing CR Client Representative CRE Cable Route Estimate CRS Cable Route Study CT Comment CX Cable Crossing CZ Contiguous Zone DA Double Armor DB Database Position DD MM.mmm Degrees minutes. decimal minutes DE Duct End DGPS Differential Global Positioning System DP Diver Probe DPR Daily Progress Report DS Diver Sample DS Duct Start DTM Digital Terrain Model DTS Desk Top Study EA Earth Plate EEZ Exclusive Economic Zone EOB End of Burial EZ Economic Zone FAD Fishing Aggregation Device FS Final Splice FZ Fishing Zone GC Gravity Core Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page xii EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT Abbreviation Meaning GcGPS Globally Corrected Global Positioning System GPS Global Positioning System GS Grab Sample HDD Horizontal Directionally Drilled HOP Hand Over Point hPa hectoPascal HSE Health and Safety Executive HWM High Water Mark ID Identification name/number IFSR Infield Selected Route IS In-Service (cable) IS Initial Splice kHz kiloHertz KM Kapal Motor km kilometer kPa kiloPascal KP Kilometer Point LAT Lowest Astronomical Tide Lat Latitude LC Land Cable Long Longitude LP Landing Point LW Lightweight LWM Low Water Mark LWP Lightweight Protected m Meter MAG Magnetometer MB Maritime Boundary MBES Multibeam Echo Sounder MC Magnetic Contact MCB Mineral Concession Block MCPT Miniature Cone Penetrometer System MDA Medium Double Armor ML Mean Level MPa MegaPascal MSL Mean Sea Level MV Motor Vessel NA Not Applicable nmh No measurable height NU North Up OCB Oil Concession Block OOS Out of Service (cable) OV Overview Chart PC Planning Chart PEP Project Execution Plan PLB Post Lay Burial PLDN Plow Down PLGR Pre-Lay Grapnel Run Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page xiii EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT Abbreviation Meaning PLI Post-Lay Inspection PLIB Post-Lay Inspection and Burial PLN Planned (cable) PLUP Plow Up PL-xxx Post Load POL Point on Line POW Plan of Work PSR-xxx Post Survey Route PWC Plow with Caution PX Pipeline Crossing REH Route Engineering Handbook RPL Route Position List R-xxx Repeater ROV Remotely Operated Vehicle RTCM Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services RTK Real Time Kinematics RV Research Vessel S xx Segment xx SA Single Armor SAL Single Armor Light SBES Single Beam Echo Sounder SBP Sub-bottom Profiler SC Slack Change SC Sonar Contact SCB Sand Concession Block SDMP Seabed Data Management Package SEI Seismic Contact SEQ-xxx Shape Equalizer SJ-YYY-xxx Ship Joint SLD Straight Line Diagram SOB Start of burial SOW Scope of Work SRxx Survey Route SSE Separate Shore End SSS Side Scan Sonar ST Seabed Temperature SVP Sound Velocity Profile TEQ-xxx Tilt Equalizer TM Transverse Mercator Projection TR Transition TS Terminal Station TS Territorial Sea TSS Traffic Separation Scheme TW Territorial Waters UCS Unconfined Compressive Strength USBL Ultra Short Baseline UTM Universal Transverse Mercator WD Water Depth Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page xiv EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT Abbreviation Meaning WGS84 World Geodetic System 1984 XBT Expendable Bathythermograph Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page xv EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT DEFINITIONS Terminology Definition Customer LW Subsea Inc. Survey contractor EGS Survey Pte. Ltd. Acoustic penetration The ability of acoustic waves to travel through the subsurface. Acoustic reflector A subsurface that causes the velocity of seismic waves to change. Beach landing areas The area immediately surrounding the Beach Manhole location extending down to the LWM Landing Point (Shoreline). This is also referred to as the onshore area. Bedding/layering A stratified or layered feature associated with sedimentary rocks and/or loose sediments. Bedform Any oscillatory topographic deviation from a flat seabed produced by fluid movement including wave and current activity, generally in a sandy domain. Bedrock The solid rock lying beneath superficial material such as gravels or soils. Boulder A separated rock mass larger than a cobble, having a diameter greater than 200mm. It is rounded in form or shaped by abrasion. Burial Area All segments. From shore to 500m WD where burial is possible, except the route off Vero Beach and Puerto Rico. No burial off Vero Beach and Puerto Rico. Carbonate A mineral type containing the carbonate radical (CO3). Chart Datum A level so low that the tide will not frequently fall below it. British Hydrographic Office interprets it as the approximate level of Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT). Clay A complex mineral assemblage with particle size <0.002mm. Coarse sediment Sediment composed of mainly sand and gravel. Cobble Detrital sediment with particle size between 63mm and 200mm diameter. Cohesive sediment Sediments, typically clay and/or silt that resist separation due to the nature of bonds between fine-grained particles. Concretion Lumps or nodules found in loose sediment, rounded or irregular in shape, usually harder than the surrounding medium. Continental shelf A gently sloping, shallow-water platform extending from the coast to a point where there begins a comparatively sharp descent down the continental slope to the Abyssal floor. Coral reef Hard material composed predominantly of corals and calcareous algae. Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page xvi EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT Terminology Definition Corestone Rounded boulder, occurring individually or in piles at the ground surface, or in exposed sections. It results from an initial phase of subsurface chemical weathering, of a joint-bounded block, followed or accompanied by surface erosion that exposes the corestone. Debris Sonar contacts attributed to human activity. Generally angular and distant from areas of rock outcrop and high energy environments. Deep water areas Water depths greater than 1,000m. Diagenesis Process by which chemical and physical properties of soils change. Escarpment A high continuous cliff or long, steep slope situated between a lower, more gently inclined surface and a higher surface. Fine sediment Sediment composed mainly of silt and clay. FAD A fish-aggregating device comprising a sinker/weight with lines and attached buoys, possibly palm fronds designed to attract fish. Gas seepage Escape of fluids (gas) from the seabed. Gravel An unconsolidated accumulation consisting of particles larger than sand (diameter 2mm - 63mm). Hardened seafloor (Hardpan/Hardground) Loose sediment covering the seafloor partially affected by diagenetic processes that produce a hard surface (with variable geotechnical properties). Inshore Water Areas Nominally those areas shallower than 15m or shallower than the safe working limit of the primary survey vessel. Induration Process where soft sediment becomes hard rock LAT This is the lowest level to which sea level can be predicted to fall under normal meteorological conditions and under any combination of astronomical conditions. LAT is not an extreme level, as meteorological conditions can cause a lower level: the level under these conditions is known as a storm surge or negative surge. Loose sediment Not cemented sediment, either cohesive or not. Megaripples Undulations produced by fluid movement (waves and currents) over sediments, generally with wavelength of 0.5m to 25m. Offshore water areas Water depths from 15m or the safe working limit of the primary survey vessel to maximum water depths. Overlaps 500m between Shallow Water and Deep Water Surveys and also between Inshore Water and Shallow Water surveys Plateau A comparatively flat-topped seafloor elevation, usually rising at least 200m above its surroundings. Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page xvii EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT Terminology Definition Pockmark Shallow seabed depression typically several ten meters across and a few meters deep. Generally formed in soft fine-grained seabed sediments by the escape of fluids (gas and/or liquids) into the water column. Quartz Crystalline silica, SiO2, the principal mineral in unconsolidated sand and gravel. Ridge A long narrow raised portion of the seafloor, relatively to its surroundings. Ripples Undulations (wavelength < 0.5m) produced by fluid movement (waves and currents) over sediments. Rock outcrop Rock that is exposed at the seafloor. Sand A detrital particle larger than a silt grain and smaller than a gravel, having a diameter in the range of 0.063mm to 2mm. Sand Concession Sand Extraction License Sandwaves Undulations produced by fluid movement (waves and currents) over sediments, generally with wavelength > 25m. Silt A detrital particle, finer than very fine sand and coarser than clay, in the range of 0.002mm to 0.063mm. Shallow water areas Water depths from 15m to the end of burial. Slumping area The slipping or sliding down of a mass of sediment relatively soon after its deposition in a sub-aqueous slope. Subcropping Where a rock/basement lies within the project and area specific target burial depth. Target burial depth 1.0m Veneer Superficial sediment too thin to be resolved with the seismic profiling system and may show as high reflectivity in side scan sonar data in the cases of soft/loose sediments over rock or hardground. The thickness is typically up to 50cm and could be significantly less than that in favorable surveying situations. Resolution of veneer depends on seismic profiler’s dominant signal frequency, seabed nature, and weather conditions during the survey. Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 1-1 EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Description The Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) configuration comprises a trunk linking Vero Beach, USA to St. Croix, USVI with branches connecting Panama, Colombia, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas (USVI) and Tortola (BVI). Its configuration comprises the following segments: Segment VBSTC: Vero Beach, USA to St. Croix, USVI Segment BUPUR: BU Puerto Rico to San Juan, Puerto Rico Segment BUTOR: BU Tortola to Tortola, BVI Segment BUSTT: BU St. Thomas to St. Thomas, USVI Segment BUPAN: BU Panama to Panama Segment BUCTG: BU Colombia to Cartagena, Columbia Segment BUBAQ: BU Colombia to Barranquilla, Columbia An overview of the TCFS submarine cable system is presented in Figure 1. Figure 1: Overview of TCFS submarine cable system Segment BUSTT Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 1-2 EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT 1.2 Purpose EGS was contracted by LW Subsea Inc. to supply topographic, hydrographic, geophysical and geotechnical survey services to provide data to enable LW Subsea Inc.to carry out engineering, construction and subsequent maintenance of the TCFS project. The primary objective of the cable route survey activities was to identify hazards and thereby allow LW Subsea Inc. to engineer a secure, technically and economically viable route for the system. This enables exact cable lengths, cable design and installation parameters to be defined to minimize problems over the designated service life of the system. Return to Contents List Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 2-1 EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT 2 SURVEY PROCEDURES 2.1 General The TCFS Segment BUSTT survey comprised an investigation of the bathymetry, seabed features and shallow geology and a subsequent geotechnical sampling program along the survey route. Topographic surveys were executed at the landfall sites. 2.2 Project Survey Parameters 2.2.1 Geodetic Parameters To minimize the scale factor associated with Mercator projection, the St. Thomas landfall survey operations were conducted using Universal Traverse Mercator Zone 20N with the parameters below: Datum Parameters Datum WGS-84 Spheroid WGS-84 Semi-Major Axis (a) (meters) 6 378 137.000 Inverse Flattening (1/f) 298.257 223 563 Projection Parameters Grid Projection UTM (Zone 20N) Latitude of Origin of Projection 0° (Equator) Longitude of Origin of Projection 63° W False Easting (meters) 500 000 False Northing (meters) 0 Scale Factor along Central Meridian 0.9996 Table 1: Geodetic parameters for St. Thomas landfall survey To accord with project specifications, all charts and reports are presented in Mercator projection with the geodetic parameters are summarized in Table 2 below. Datum Parameters Datum WGS-84 Spheroid WGS-84 Semi-Major Axis (a) (meters) 6 378 137.000 Inverse Flattening (1/f) 298.257 223 563 Projection Parameters Grid Projection Mercator Latitude of Origin of Projection 0° N (Equator) Longitude of Origin of Projection 73° W False Easting (meters) 1 000 000 False Northing (meters) 6 000 000 Standard Parallel 21° N Scale Factor along Standard Parallel 1.000000 at Standard Parallel Table 2: Geodetic parameters for the offshore survey and charting To ensure the geographic transformation parameters were applied accurately, the numerical data was checked against the ones shown (if applicable) in Table 3. Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 2-2 EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT Name Input/Output WGS84 Geographical Input/Output Mercator Grid Vero Beach, Florida, USA (Approx. BMH) Latitude: 1° 23.1870’N Longitude: 104° 00.0160’E Northing: 1 144 130.934 m Easting: 5 465 087.114 m Scale factor: 0.94033422 Miramar, Puerto Rico (BMH) Latitude: 1° 23.1870’N Longitude: 104° 00.0160’E Northing: 1 144 130.934 m Easting: 5 465 087.114 m Scale factor: 0.94033422 Tortola, British Virgin Islands (Approx. BMH) Latitude: 1° 23.1870’N Longitude: 104° 00.0160’E Northing: 1 144 130.934 m Easting: 5 465 087.114 m Scale factor: 0.94033422 Magens Bay, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands (Cable Landing) Latitude: 1° 23.1870’N Longitude: 104° 00.0160’E Northing: 1 144 130.934 m Easting: 5 465 087.114 m Scale factor: 0.94033422 Bulter Bay, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands (BMH) Latitude: 1° 23.1870’N Longitude: 104° 00.0160’E Northing: 1 144 130.934 m Easting: 5 465 087.114 m Scale factor: 0.94033422 Barranquilla, Colombia (BMH) Latitude: 1° 23.1870’N Longitude: 104° 00.0160’E Northing: 1 144 130.934 m Easting: 5 465 087.114 m Scale factor: 0.94033422 Cartagena, Colombia (BMH) Latitude: 1° 23.1870’N Longitude: 104° 00.0160’E Northing: 1 144 130.934 m Easting: 5 465 087.114 m Scale factor: 0.94033422 Panama (BMH) Latitude: 1° 23.1870’N Longitude: 104° 00.0160’E Northing: 1 144 130.934 m Easting: 5 465 087.114 m Scale factor: 0.94033422 Origin at Standard parallel Latitude: 21° N Longitude: 73° W Northing 3 219 676.157 m Easting: 6 000 000.000 m Scale factor: 1.0000 Note: Positions are referred from the source listed as below. Miramar (BMH), Magens Bay (Cable Landing) & Bulter Bay (BMH) are taken from TCFS Landing Coordinates.pptx Vero Beach (Approxx BMH) is taken from TCFS_Vero Beac-St.Croix_West_2021-12-02.xls based on TCFS- Routes_2021-12-02.shp Tortola (Approxx BMH) is taken from TCFS_Tortola Branch_2021-12-02.xls based on TCFS-Routes_2021-12- 02.shp Panama (BMH) is taken from Panama Landing Coordinates email dated 22-Dec-2021 Barranquilla (BMH) Cartagena (BMH) are taken from approx. existing cable point in the area Table 3: Numerical data for checking transformation computation 2.2.2 Vertical Datum The vertical datum for this project is Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT). Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 2-3 EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT 2.2.2.1 Bathymetric data reduction Shallow water bathymetry was reduced to Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT) using the datum relationship and tide predictions calculated from the tide stations of Anegada, Tortola, Saint Thomas (Charlotte Amalie), Saint Thomas (Benner Bay) and Culebra. The particulars of the Tide Stations are shown in Table 4, as published in the Admiralty Tide Tables, Volume 2, 2022. Harmonic Constants Port Lat (N) Lon (W) Z0 (m) M2 (°) (m) S2 (°) (m) K1 (°) (m) O1 (°) (m) Anegada (2460) 18°44’ 64°23’ 0.28 245 0.08 291 0.01 179 0.06 140 0.03 Tortola (2461) 18°26’ 64°37’ 0.44 266 0.06 312 0.01 164 0.07 157 0.05 Saint Thomas (Charlotte Amalie) (2462) 18°20’ 64°55’ 0.12 269 0.04 253 0.01 171 0.08 167 0.06 Saint Thomas (Benner Bay) (2462A) 18°19’ 64°52’ 0.13 272 0.04 259 0.01 168 0.08 167 0.06 Culebra (2464) 18°18’ 65°17’ 0.12 256 0.09 277 0.01 167 0.08 165 0.06 Table 4: Harmonic constants of the tide stations used for TCFS Segment BUSTT In order to produce contours and bathymetry statistics (i.e. slope angles), the following grid cell sizes were used: Area Depth Range (m) Cell Size (m) Shallow Water 0-60 2 Table 5: Summary of grid cell sizes for bathymetric data presentation for TCFS Segment BUSTT 2.3 Summary of Survey Design The survey plans were based on the survey Route Position Lists (RPLs) provided by LW Subsea Inc. The pre-survey RPLs are presented in Appendix A1 of this report. The following criteria were agreed between LW Subsea Inc. and EGS representatives before the start of the survey. Water Depth (LAT) Survey Corridor Width Survey Line Spacing No. of Survey Lines SSS Range Nominal Vessel Speed 50m behind BMH to 0m 250m NA NA NA NA 0m to ~3m 10m NA NA NA NA 3m to 15m 500m 50m 9 75m 3-4 knots 15m to 20m 500m 75m 7 100m 3-4 knots 20m to 50m 500m 100m 5 125m 3-4 knots 50m to 500m 500m 125m 3 150m 4-5 knots 500m to 1,000m 500m 150m 3 200m 4-5 knots Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 2-4 EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT Water Depth (LAT) Survey Corridor Width Survey Line Spacing No. of Survey Lines SSS Range Nominal Vessel Speed WD >1,000m 3x WD or 10km max. NA 1 NA Full survey speed BU WD <200m 1km x 1km TBC TBC TBC TBC BU WD 200m to 500m 2km x 2km TBC TBC TBC TBC BU WD 500m to 1,000m 4km x 4km TBC TBC TBC TBC BU >1000m 5x WD TBC TBC TBC TBC Table 6: Summary of survey design for TCFS survey of Segment BUSTT Sample/Data Type Interval (km) Grab Sample 0.5 Gravity Core* 10 CPT ** 10 Table 7: Sampling interval for TCFS Segment BUSTT Note:* If there are two (2) unsuccessful gravity core attempts with no recovery then one (1) grab sample will be acquired. A successful core requires the collection of at least 1.0m of material. ** If the CPT fails or refuses to penetrate to 1.0m, a second attempt is required. 2.3.1 Change of Scope of Work In the commencement of the survey operations, projection execution plan (PEP), R34722_TCFS_PEP_Rev2.doc, was followed. For the BU survey, the following survey design line plan has been agreed: Water Depth (LAT) Survey Corridor Width Survey Line Spacing No. of Survey Lines SSS Range Nominal Vessel Speed BU <200m 1km x 1km 100m 9 125m 3-4 knots These changes were discussed and deemed acceptable to the on-site Client Representatives. 2.4 Summary of Operations EGS performed the TCFS Segment BUSTT survey by the RV Geo Resolution and the Survey Launch GR-2. The inshore and offshore survey was conducted from 8th to 11th May 2022. The full daily progress reports (DPRs) are presented as Appendix A of this vessel-specific operational report, presented in Volume O. The sections below summarize the completed work. Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 2-5 EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT 2.4.1 Offshore Survey by the RV Geo Resolution and inshore survey (St. Thomas landfall) by Survey Launch GR-2 The following table is taken from the survey DPRs gives the breakdown of offshore and inshore survey operations performed by the RV Geo Resolution and Survey Launch GR-2. Description Total Hours Total Percent Survey Operations 62:19 100.0% Sum Totals 62:19 100.0% Table 8: Summary table of offshore survey operations by RV GR and inshore survey operations by SL GR-2 Return to Contents List Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 3-1 EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT 3 RPL VERSIONS AND DEVIATIONS FROM THE SURVEY ROUTE The survey RPL, TCFS_BU-St.Thomas_2022-04-06_CX_withBurial.xls, was used to define the survey corridor for the start of Segment BUSTT survey operations by RV GR and SL GR-2. The survey RPL is presented in Appendix A1 of this report. The survey RPL was also used to the determination of KPs, offsets and points on line within this report. Return to Contents List Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 4-1 EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT 4 SURVEY RESULTS 4.1 Introduction The following narrative summarizes the topography, bathymetry, seafloor morphology and shallow seabed geology along the route. Examples of the survey records are provided to show distinctive features. The British Standards BS 5930:2015 and International Standards ISO 14688-2:2004 are referenced to describe sediment samples and strength classification. A summary of the descriptive terms and definitions used is provided as Appendix B1 of this report. For the purposes of reporting, the survey results have been described according to the areas surveyed: 1. Offshore shallow water survey from BU St. Thomas at 18°25.757'N, 65°7.334'W (KP0.0) in 51.5m WD to inshore/offshore HOP at 18°23.588'N, 64°56.794'W (KP20.0) in 31.2m WD 2. Inshore and St. Thomas landfall surveys from inshore/offshore HOP at 18°23.588'N, 64°56.794'W (KP20.0) in 31.2m WD to RPL BMH St. Thomas at 18°22.320'N, 64°55.700'W (KP23.4) 4.2 Offshore Shallow Water Survey From BU St. Thomas at 18°25.757'N, 65°7.334'W (KP0.0) in 51.5m WD to inshore/offshore HOP at 18°23.588'N, 64°56.794'W (KP20.0) in 31.2m WD The following table summarizes the operations performed within this survey area. SSS contacts MAG contacts GC GS CPT 34 47 - - - Table 9: Summary of contacts and samples in offshore shallow water survey 4.2.1 Samples A nominal spacing of 10km was used as basis for establishing the seabed geotechnical programs. Locations were selected to ground truth the seabed to assist with the primary interpretation of the geophysical survey. These locations also factored route engineering concerns whenever possible. No sampling was performed as the relevant permit was not obtained during the survey period. 4.2.2 CPT A nominal spacing of 10km was used as basis for establishing the seabed geotechnical programs. Locations were selected to ground truth the seabed to assist with the primary interpretation of the geophysical survey. These locations also factored route engineering concerns whenever possible. No CPT was performed as the relevant permit was not obtained during the survey period. Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 4-2 EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT 4.2.3 Sonar Contacts Sonar contacts were identified as any anomalous target on the seabed that was not confidently attributed to a natural phenomenon. An interpretation was assigned to the target with the detail of that description being a function of how well the target was resolved and the characteristics observed. A total of thirty four sonar contacts were identified within the survey area. All of them were identified as debris. The sonar contact summary is presented in Appendix D. 4.2.4 Magnetometer Contacts Magnetic contacts were identified as any metallic objects detected by the magnetometer which was deployed close to the seabed during the in-service pipeline/cable crossing survey. An interpretation was assigned to the target with the detail of the magnetic anomaly dimension and the origin whenever possible. A total of forty seven magnetic contacts were detected within the survey area during the magnetometer survey. Thirty of them are related to the IS and OOS cables, sixteen from the unknown origin and the remaining one as debris. The magnetic contact summary is presented in Appendix E. 4.2.5 Route Description The BU box of BU St. Thomas was located on a very gentle seabed characterized with loose to dense silty SAND (Figure 2). Scattered sonar contacts identified as debris were mapped within the BU box. A debris patch was mapped in the eastern part of the box as a magnetic anomaly (TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC001) was also identified in place. The BU St. Thomas is located at 18°25.757'N, 65°7.334'W (KP0.0) in 51.5m WD. The route first heads to east for about 5km and alters course slightly to an east southeast direction. At around KP17, the route turns to the south southeast and heads towards the St. Thomas landing site. The seabed is generally very gentle except the two rocky areas in the vicinity of KP9.7 and KP18.6 where moderate to very steep slopes were observed (Figure 3 and Figure 4). In the first 18km of the survey corridor, the seabed is predominantly characterized with loose to dense silty SAND. A rocky area was mapped in the northern part of the corridor around KP9.6 (Figure 5). Sonar contacts and scattered debris were observed more frequently when the route gets closer to St. Thomas Island. Occasional depressions were mapped within the corridor. For the last 2km, rocky areas were dominant as a rocky step of 20m high grows across the corridor (Figure 4, Figure 6 and Figure 7). Apart from the rocky area, loose to dense SAND is present with intermittent veneer cover of loose gravelly SAND and megaripples (wavelength: <2m, height: <0.5m). With this section, thirty four sonar contacts were identified, all of them were marked as debris (Figure 8). Forty seven magnetic contacts were mapped and thirty of them are related to the IS and OOS cables (Figure 9), sixteen from the unknown origin and the remaining one as debris. Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 4-3 EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT There are sixteen cable crossings in this section including three IS cables (AMERICAS 1 seg N, TAINO-CARIB and COLUMBUS 2 seg B) and ten OOS cables (St. Thomas-San Juan, US-Venezuela No2), St.Thomas-Dominican Republic, Florida-St.Thomas No2, Florida-St. Thomas No3, COLUMBUS 2 seg B, Florida-St.Thomas No1, COLUMBUS 2 Seg C1, AMERICAS 1 seg S1, BRUS, St.Thomas-St.Maarten-Curacao). The alignments of three IS cables and three OOS cables were identified by the magnetometer survey and one of them was also observed in the side scan sonar data. Details of the cable crossings are present in Section 6.1. In this section, the route runs inside the United States Territorial Sea and it crosses United States 3nm line. Details of the maritime boundaries and special areas are present in Section 6.2. Figure 2: Sun-illuminated MBES data example between KP0 and KP3 NB: 1km between KP flags, vertical exaggeration x3 N Survey Route Depth (m) BU St. Thomas Seg VBSTC 220510 RPL Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 4-4 EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT Figure 3: Sun-illuminated MBES data example between KP3 and KP16 NB: 1km between KP flags, vertical exaggeration x3 Figure 4: Sun-illuminated MBES data example between KP15 and KP21 NB: 1km between KP flags, vertical exaggeration x3 N Survey Route Depth (m) ROCK N Survey Route ROCK Depth (m) ROCK ROCK with intermittent veneer of sediments Inshore/offshore HOP Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 4-5 EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT Figure 5: Rectified SSS data example of showing rocky areas at KP9.7 Figure 6: Rectified SSS data example of showing rocky area at KP18.7 Loose to dense silty SAND 50m Low to high relief ROCK with intermittent veneer of loose gravelly SAND 50m Low to high relief ROCK with intermittent loose to dense gravelly silty SAND Megaripples (wavelength: <2m, height: <1m) Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 4-6 EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT Figure 7: SBP data example of survey CL between KP18.2 and KP19.3 Figure 8: Rectified SSS data example showing sonar contacts at KP6.0 50m TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC007 2x<1xnmh Debris ROCK 8m @1600m/s 200m NW SE KP18.2 KP19.3 Loose to dense silty SAND Veneer of loose gravelly SAND Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 4-7 EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT Figure 9: Magnetometer data example showing magnetic contact at KP16.9 4.3 Landfall and Inshore Survey at Puerto Rico Inshore/offshore HOP at 18°23.588'N, 64°56.794'W (KP20.0) in 31.2m WD to RPL BMH at 18°22.320'N, 64°55.700'W (KP23.4) The following table summarizes the operations performed within this survey area. SSS contacts MAG contacts BP DS DP GS 26 29 - - - - Table 10: Summary of contacts and samples of St. Thomas landfall 4.3.1 Samples A nominal spacing of 500m and 25m were used as a basis for establishing the grab sampling and diver sampling programs respectively. No sampling was performed as the sampling permit was not obtained during the survey period. 4.3.2 Sonar Contacts Twenty six sonar contacts were identified within the inshore survey area. All of them are identified as debris except two as linear object and the other one as possible wreck. The sonar contacts summary is presented in Appendix D. 4.3.3 Magnetometer Contacts Magnetic contacts were identified as any metallic objects detected by the magnetometer which was deployed close to the seabed during the in-service pipeline/cable crossing survey. An interpretation was assigned to the target with the detail of the magnetic anomaly dimension and the origin whenever possible. nT TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC032 37.9nT IS cable COLUMBUS 2 seg B Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 4-8 EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT Twenty nine magnetic contacts were detected within the inshore survey area. Twenty of them corresponded to the database positions of the existing cables and nine are from unknown origin. The magnetic contacts summary is presented in Appendix E. 4.3.4 Route Description From the inshore/offshore HOP at 18°23.588'N, 64°56.794'W (KP20.0) in 31.2m WD to the inshore geophysical survey limit at 18°22.318'N, 64°55.703'W (KP23.4) The route first heads southeast and then curves gradually towards northeast until the landing site (Figure 10 and Figure 11). The seabed is generally very gentle in the middle of the survey corridor and very steep slopes were observed mainly on the both sides of the corridor where rocky areas were mapped. The seabed is mainly characterized with loose to dense SAND with intermittent veneer of loose sandy GRAVEL. Rocky areas were mapped along the coast of St. Thomas Island, which is on the eastern side of the survey corridor (Figure 11). Another rocky area was mapped in the vicinity of KP21 which spreads across the survey corridor (Figure 12). The remaining rocky areas are mainly scattered around the sides of the corridor with some isolated BOULDERS. Areas with possible marine growth were mapped in the between KP22.0 and KP23.3 where the corridor gets to the inner part of the bay area (Figure 13). In addition, scattered depressions (diameter: <2.5m, height: <0.5m) and megaripples (wavelength: <2m, height: <0.5m) were mainly observed between KP20 and KP21 (Figure 12). Twenty six sonar contacts were identified within the inshore survey area. Twenty three of them were regarded as debris, two as linear object and one as possible wreck (Figure 12 and Figure 14). The two linear objects could be possibly attributed to OOS cables as several OOS cables were present according to the database. The possible wreck is located close to the landing site at 18°22.250'N, 64°55.754'W (KP23.3) in 17.0m WD, which is about 63m south to the proposed route. Twenty nine magnetic contacts were detected within the inshore survey area (Figure 15). Twenty of them corresponded to the database positions of the existing cables and nine of them are from unknown origin. There are four cable alignments have been identified in the side scan sonar and magnetometer data. However, as ten cables are in close proximity to each other according to database position (Figure 11), thus only one as-found cable (OOS Florida-St.Thomas No2) was being differentiated from others. Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 4-9 EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT Figure 10: Sun-illuminated MBES data example between KP19.5 and KP23.4 NB: 0.5km between KP flags, vertical exaggeration x3 Figure 11: Sun-illuminated MBES data example between KP22.4 and KP23.4 NB: 0.1km between KP flags, vertical exaggeration x3 N Depth (m) ROCK Inshore/offshore HOP BMH Survey Route ROCK Slope of 35° Slope of 32° ROCK N BMH Survey Route ROCK along the coast Slope of 35° Slope of 45° Depth (m) Ten IS/OOS cables ROCK ROCK Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 4-10 EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT Figure 12: Rectified SSS data example showing sonar contact at KP21.0 Figure 13: Rectified SSS data example showing possible CORAL area at KP22.6 ~20m TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC004 228x<0.5xnmh Linear object Low to medium relief ROCK Veneer of loose very sandy GRAVEL with megaripples (wavelength: <2m, height: <0.5m) ~20m Possible low to high relief CORAL/ROCK Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 4-11 EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT Figure 14: Rectified SSS data example showing IS/OOS cables at KP23.3 Figure 15: Magnetometer data example showing magnetic contact at KP23.3 ~20m TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC026 3.5x1.5x0.5 Possible wreck IS/OOS cables TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC026 178.1nT IS and OOS cables nT Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 4-12 EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT 4.3.5 Diver Survey The diver survey will be carried out at a later stage. 4.3.6 Topographic Survey The topographic survey will be carried out at a later stage. Return to Contents List Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 5-1 EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT 5 BURIAL ASSESSMENT SURVEY (BAS) Due to the absence of the permit, EGS did not perform the Burial Assessment Survey (BAS) with gravity cores and CPTs. LW Subsea Inc. is responsible for the burial assessment and cable engineering. The target burial depth is specified as 1.0m below seabed in water depths shallower than 500m. Return to Contents List Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 6-1 EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT 6 HAZARD AND OBSRUCTIONS 6.1 Cable and Pipeline Crossings There are thirty three cable crossings including nine IS cable crossings and twenty four OOS cable crossings in Segment BUSTT. These crossing positions are based on the EGS database locations with the addition of the as-found positions confirmed by the magnetometer survey. There are seven as-found IS and OOS cable alignments crossing the proposed route. The following table summarizes the cable crossings of TCFS Segment BUSTT. Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 6-2 EGS Job Number R034221 TCFS Segment BUSTT Crossing Status KP Chart number Latitude Longitude WD (m) Cable armor Crossed cable armor Crossing angle (°) Distance to system repeater (km) Distance to existing repeater (km) St.Thomas-San Juan (telegraph) OOS 2.165 BU001, NU001 18° 25.788' N 65° 6.105' W 52.7 NA Telegraph 66 NA NA US-Venezuela No2 OOS 2.853 NU001 18° 25.797' N 65° 5.714' W 53.3 NA NA 39 NA NA US Venezuela No2 (as-found) OOS 2.661 NU001 18° 25.795' N 65° 5.823' W 53.1 NA NA 42 NA NA St.Thomas-Dominican Republic OOS 14.359 NU003 18° 25.112' N 64° 59.242' W 54.1 NA NA 24 NA NA St.Thomas-Dominican Republic OOS 15.228 NU003 18° 24.874' N 64° 58.818' W 52.5 NA NA 19 NA NA US-Venezuela No2 OOS 15.786 NU003 18° 24.795' N 64° 58.517' W 51.8 NA NA 66 NA NA AMERiCAS 1 seg N IS 15.837 NU003 18° 24.796' N 64° 58.487' W 51.7 NA NA 59 NA NA AMERICAS 1 seg N (as-found) IS 15.846 NU003 18° 24.796' N 64° 58.483' W 51.7 NA NA 64 NA NA TAINO-CARIB IS 15.897 NU003 18° 24.796' N 64° 58.454' W 51.6 NA NA 60 NA NA Florida-St.Thomas No2 OOS 16.218 NU003 18° 24.797' N 64° 58.271' W 51.1 NA NA 62 NA NA Florida-St.Thomas No3 OOS 16.695 NU003 18° 24.799' N 64° 58.001' W 50.1 NA NA 62 NA NA As-found OOS Florida- St.Thomas No3 OOS 16.696 NU003 18° 24.800' N 64° 58.000' W 50.1 NA NA 79 NA NA COLUMBUS 2 seg B IS 16.946 NU003 18° 24.801' N 64° 57.858' W 49.6 NA NA 84 NA NA COLUMBUS 2 seg B (as-found) IS 16.957 NU003 18° 24.801' N 64° 57.852' W 49.5 NA NA 83 NA NA Florida-St.Thomas No1 OOS 17.176 NU003 18° 24.802' N 64° 57.728' W 49.2 NA NA 83 NA NA Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 6-3 EGS Job Number R034221 TCFS Segment BUSTT Crossing Status KP Chart number Latitude Longitude WD (m) Cable armor Crossed cable armor Crossing angle (°) Distance to system repeater (km) Distance to existing repeater (km) COLUMBUS 2 Seg C1 OOS 17.434 NU003 18° 24.732' N 64° 57.601' W 47.9 NA NA 59 NA NA AMERICAS 1 seg S1 OOS 18.477 NU003 18° 24.265' N 64° 57.278' W 35.3 NA NA 52 NA NA Possible AMERICAS 1 seg S1 (as-found) OOS 18.649 NU003 18° 24.182' N 64° 57.233' W 24.0 NA NA 33 NA NA BRUS OOS 19.008 NU003 18° 24.009' N 64° 57.139' W 32.3 NA NA 33 NA NA TAINO-CARIB IS 19.560 NU003 18° 23.767' N 64° 56.958' W 32.1 NA NA 72 NA NA TAINO-CARIB (as-found) IS 19.550 NU003 18° 23.772' N 64° 56.962' W 32.1 NA NA 73 NA NA St.Thomas-St.Maarten- Curacao OOS 19.859 NU003, NU004 18° 23.645' N 64° 56.847' W 31.0 NA NA 39 NA NA St.Thomas-Venezuela No1 OOS 20.397 NU003, NU004 18° 23.394' N 64° 56.700' W 29.7 NA NA 80 NA NA St.Thomas-St.Maarten- Curacao OOS 21.281 NU003, NU004 18° 22.928' N 64° 56.595' W 24.0 NA NA 49 NA NA St.Thomas-Venezuela No1 OOS 21.970 NU003, NU004 18° 22.628' N 64° 56.368' W 18.5 NA NA 11 NA NA Florida-St.Thomas No2 OOS 22.844 NU004 18° 22.330' N 64° 55.989' W 17.6 NA NA 41 NA NA Florida-St.Thomas No1 OOS 22.846 NU004 18° 22.330' N 64° 55.988' W 17.6 NA NA 49 NA NA BRUS OOS 22.974 NU004, NU005 18° 22.304' N 64° 55.921' W 16.9 NA NA 20 NA NA AMERICAS 1 seg S1 OOS 23.228 NU004, NU005 18° 22.283' N 64° 55.780' W 16.4 NA NA 32 NA NA AMERICAS 1 seg N IS 23.228 NU004, NU005 18° 22.283' N 64° 55.780' W 16.4 NA NA 32 NA NA Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 6-4 EGS Job Number R034221 TCFS Segment BUSTT Crossing Status KP Chart number Latitude Longitude WD (m) Cable armor Crossed cable armor Crossing angle (°) Distance to system repeater (km) Distance to existing repeater (km) IS/OOS cable (as-found) IS/OOS 23.255 NU004, NU005 18° 22.284' N 64° 55.764' W 15.6 NA NA 28 NA NA Panam seg SA C1 IS 23.256 NU004, NU005 18° 22.284' N 64° 55.764' W 15.6 NA NA 33 NA NA COLUMBUS 2 Seg C1 OOS 23.261 NU004, NU005 18° 22.284' N 64° 55.761' W 15.4 NA NA 40 NA NA US-Venezuela No2 OOS 23.261 NU004, NU005 18° 22.284' N 64° 55.761' W 15.4 NA NA 28 NA NA TAINO-CARIB IS 23.280 NU004, NU005 18° 22.285' N 64° 55.750' W 14.5 NA NA 25 NA NA COLUMBUS 2 seg B IS 23.282 NU004, NU005 18° 22.285' N 64° 55.749' W 14.4 NA NA 50 NA NA TAINO-CARIB IS 23.292 NU004, NU005 18° 22.288' N 64° 55.745' W 13.3 NA NA 8 NA NA US-Venezuela No2 OOS 23.338 NU004, NU005 18° 22.303' N 64° 55.724' W 4.7 NA NA 12 NA NA Florida-St.Thomas No3 OOS 23.339 NU004, NU005 18° 22.303' N 64° 55.723' W NA NA NA 25 NA NA US-Venezuela No2 OOS 23.370 NU004, NU005 18° 22.313' N 64° 55.709' W NA NA NA 39 NA NA Table 11: Cable crossing list Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 6-5 EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT 6.2 Maritime Boundaries and Special Areas The following table lists the maritime boundaries and special areas crossed by the route. Event Name Chart No. KP Latitude Longitude Cross US 3nm Line BU001, NU001 1.399 18° 25.777' N 65° 6.540' W Table 12: Marine boundaries and special areas 6.3 Fishing Activities No fishing activities were observed during the survey period. 6.4 Shipping No shipping activities were observed during the offshore survey period, however, low shipping activities with leisure boats around the inshore area were observed during the inshore survey period. 6.5 Anchorages No anchorage areas were charted within the survey area. 6.6 Piracy There was no piracy incident reported during the survey operations for TCFS Segment BUSTT. The International Maritime Bureau (IMB) of the International Chamber of Commerce has established a Piracy Reporting Center (PRC) in Kuala Lumpur. The contact details of the IMB PRC are given below: ICC IMB (Asia Regional Office) PO Box 12559 50782 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Tel: +60 3 2078 5763 Fax +60 3 2078 5769 E-mail: imbkl@icc-ccs.org / piracy@icc-ccs.org Tel. +60 3 2031 0014 (24-hour Anti-Piracy HELPLINE) 6.7 Dumping Grounds The proposed route of Segment BUSTT did not pass through any dumping grounds. 6.8 Wrecks A possible wreck was identified close to the landing site at 18°22.250'N, 64°55.754'W (KP23.3) in 17.0m WD, which is about 63m south to the proposed route (Figure 14). Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 6-6 EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT 6.9 Dredging No dredging activities were observed during the survey period and there were no charted dredging areas. 6.10 Hydrocarbon Exploitation The route did not cross any hydrocarbon exploitation areas within the survey area. 6.11 Military Activity The proposed route of Segment BUSTT did not pass through any military exercise areas, and no military activity was observed during survey operations. Return to Contents List Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 7-1 EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT 7 OCEANOGRAPHIC AND METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS Regular environmental and meteorological observations were recorded in the ship’s log during the survey. These observations include temperature, sea state, atmospheric pressure, and wind (direction and strength). 7.1 Sea Temperatures Profiles of the water temperature and the associated speed of sound were collected at regular intervals during the survey. This information is required primarily for the USBL and MBES systems, although information on seabed temperatures is also an important consideration when engineering submarine cable system. Profiles are generally collected at the start and end of each survey block, approximately one per day with extra profiles in areas where variable speed of sound is encountered. Profiles are collected using Valeport Midas CTD on the RV GR. The Valeport CTDs profiler system measures the water temperature, water conductivity, and water pressure (depth) continuously, logging the measurements in internal memory. Measurements are recorded throughout the water column as the equipment is lowered to close to the seabed and also as the system is being recovered back to the surface. The speed of sound in water is calculated automatically using the Chen & Millero formula in the software. Then the surface sound velocity is compared with mini sound velocity equipment which is installed on the ship hull. These observations are presented in Appendix H of this report. The temperatures recorded at the maximum depths reached at each location are tabulated below. SVP number Chart number Latitude Longitude Max. depth reached (m) KP RPL Offset Temp. at lowest depth measured (°C) TCFS-BUSTT- GR-SV001 BU001, NU001 18° 25.902' N 65° 8.238' W 32.5 -1.585 1590m W 26.8 TCFS-BUSTT- GR-SV002 NU003 18° 23.782' N 64° 57.301' W 49 19.231 438m SW 26.7 TCFS-BUSTT- STT-SV001 NU003 18° 23.872' N 64° 57.286' W 31.8 19.114 340m SW 26.7 Table 13: Summary of bottom temperatures at SVP locations Note: Generally, the deepest reading is close to the seabed, but this is not always the case. The tabulated temperature values were recorded at the stated depth - not necessarily the actual seabed at that location. 7.2 Currents The study of Currents along the proposed system is presented in the Desktop Study for this project in detail. Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 7-2 EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT Figure 16: Major currents in North Atlantic Ocean Source: (https://www.britannica.com/place/Atlantic-Ocean/Hydrology#/media/1/41191/157706) The major current along the proposed route is Antilles Current. The Antilles Current (Figure 17) flows northwesterly by passing through the island chain separating the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea. It divides at the Turks and Caicos Islands, with most of the flow directed northwestward to join the Florida Current past the outer Bahamas. Its waters are concentrated into a strong jet about 80-100 km wide. A lesser, more erratic tongue of the current turns west above Puerto Rico and passes north of the Greater Antilles, sending offshoots southwest through Mona and Windward Passages. There does appear to be a significantly variable current flow in this portion of the Antilles Current. The Antilles flow does not contribute in a major way to inter-basin exchange and it is not a continuous flow along the Bahamas and Antilles island chain. The Antilles Current appeared more as an eddy field along the Bahamas-Antilles arc rather than as a continuous jet. Survey area Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 7-3 EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT Figure 17: Antilles Current Source: (https://oceancurrents.rsmas.miami.edu/atlantic/antilles.html) Impact during the survey: No impact was noticed during the survey operations Possible impact for cable installation and maintenance: The surface and mid-water currents can affect cable-laying operations. Bottom currents can cause abrasion to a cable laid over obstacles and hence having a free-span. In areas with strong currents, the cable may end up being laid well away from the track of the cable-laying vessel because of the current action. 7.3 Sea State, Swell and Wind Direction The RV GR conducted the offshore survey between BU St. Thomas and St. Thomas from 8th to 11th May 2022. The wind direction and wave height were also recorded in the DPRs. Observations are summarized in the figures below. Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 7-4 EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT Figure 18: Rose diagram presenting wind direction during offshore operations for Segment BUSTT survey period by the RV GR Figure 19: Graph showing the occurrence of observed wave heights during offshore operations for Segment BUSTT survey period by the RV GR Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 7-5 EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT Impact during the survey: No weather downtime was recorded during the survey period. Possible impact for cable installation and maintenance: According to the DTS, tropical cyclone seasons are from June to November. Pay attention to weather forecast before and during the operations. 7.4 Meteorological Observations The wind speed and atmospheric pressure were also recorded in the DPRs. Observations are summarized in the figures below. Figure 20: Histogram of observed wind speeds during offshore operations for Segment BUSTT survey period by the RV GR Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 7-6 EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT Figure 21: Graph showing atmospheric pressure during offshore operations for Segment BUSTT survey period by the RV GR During the survey of the TCFS Segment BUSTT by the RV GR, the wind direction was mainly from the southeast with strengths of 4 to 5 on the Beaufort scale. The observed wave height was mostly between 1m and 3m. The air pressure ranged from 1021 to 1024 hPa. Return to Contents List Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 8-7 EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT 8 ENVIRONMENT CONSIDERATIONS No reportable environmental concerns were noted in the landfall area except the presence of possible marine growth. Consultation with the local authority should be sought prior to cable installation regarding the possible environmental concerns. No environmental consideration was observed during the reroute survey of TCFS Segment BUSTT by the RV GR. Return to Contents List Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 9-8 EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT 9 SAFETY Four survey days were conducted for the offshore and inshore survey by the crew onboard the RV Geo Resolution with Survey Launch GR-2. There were no reportable incidents during these survey periods. Introductions for health and safety issues were given to all crew onboard within 24 hours of sailing from the port for the survey operations. Safety meetings were held regularly on a weekly basis on the offshore survey vessels. This was to ensure that all ship and survey crew were familiar with the safety measures in case of emergencies. A vessel hazard identification card system was operated for reporting any hazard observed. In view of the current Covid-19 pandemic situation, the body temperatures of all personnel onboard were taken twice a day to ensure all personnel health and precaution measures against the pandemic. In addition, face masks were provided onboard and it was compulsory for all personnel to wear masks in public spaces and during public operations. Return to Contents List Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System (TCFS) Survey Report Page 10-1 EGS Job Number R034721 TCFS Segment BUSTT 10 ENGINEERING CONSIDERATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS This report provides the findings of the hydrographic and geophysical surveys undertaken for TCFS Segment BUSTT The findings in this report are supplementary to the Cable Route Desktop Study and should be read in conjunction with that report. In the shallow water area, proper cable armor should be utilized at the rocky areas. Route deviation shall be considered to bypass the rocky areas, sonar contacts whenever possible. Megaripples and depressions were observed within the survey corridor in some of the sections. Moderate to very steep slopes were mainly observed in the rocky area and the area where the route approaching the landing site. The route crosses nine IS cables and twenty four OOS cables in this segment. And the landing site is congested with five IS cables and five OOS cables. A summary table of hazards and issues encountered during the survey together with recommendations is presented at the beginning of this report in the Executive Summary section. Return to Contents List St.Thomas-San Juan (OOS TEL) US-Venezuela No2 MAC 1 seg 2 US_3nm_Line US_3nm_Line Loose to dense silty SAND cs 5/<1 2/<1 4/<1 4/<1 4/<1 cs TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC096 3x1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC097 3x1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC098 3x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC099 2x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC100 3x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC101 3x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC102 3x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC103 5x1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC104 3x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC105 3x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC106 2x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC107 2x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC108 1.5x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC109 3x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC110 2x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC111 1.5x1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC112 2x1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC113 1.5x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC114 1.5x1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC115 1.5x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC116 8.5x3.5xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC117 2x2x<1 Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC118 1.5x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-GC027 TCFS-VBSTC-GR-GC027a TCFS-VBSTC-GR-GS027 GRAVEL patches Loose to dense silty SAND cs 3/<1 2/<1 1/<1 1/<1 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC002 1.9 Unknown Debris patch TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC001 1.8 Possible debris vcs TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC001 3x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC002 4x3xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC003 2x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC004 3x1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC005 3x<1xnmh Debris Loose to dense silty SAND cs N S 0 180 270 W 230 240 260 250 220 210 190 200 310 280 290 300 320 330 350 340 90 E 130 140 170 160 150 120 100 110 50 40 10 20 30 80 70 60 VBSTC_RPL_2022-05-10 VBSTC_RPL_2022-05-10 TCFS-VBSTC-GR-GC027 Penetration: 0.00m Recovery: 0.00m 0.00m Seabed kPa kg/cm2 Description No recovery TCFS-VBSTC-GR-GC027a Penetration: 0.00m Recovery: 0.00m 0.00m Seabed kPa kg/cm2 Description No recovery TCFS-VBSTC-GR-GS027 0.00m Seabed kPa kg/cm2 Description Trace amount of loose, light brown, slightly gravelly, very silty SAND. GRAVEL fraction comprises 100% sub-angular dead CORAL fragments up to 15mm in diameter VBSTC St. Thomas BUTOR BUSTT VBSTC USVI FLORIDA CUBA JAMAICA HAITI BAHAMAS COLOMBIA VENEZUELA PANAMA BUPAN BUBAQ BUCTG BUPUR BUTOR BUSTT KEY MAP Current chart File name: Project name Document title This document may only be used for the purpose for which it was commissioned and in accordance with the terms of engagement for that commission. Unauthorised use of this document in any form whatsoever is undertaken entirely at the user's risk. Contractor Scale Route based upon: EGS JOB NO.: SR007121 / R034721 TCFS_BUSTT_BU001 Customer Target burial depth: Descriptive terms and definitions: GENERAL NOTES The criteria used for interpretations and descriptions are presented in survey reports Morphology and stratigraphy Surface positioning system Survey vessel Underwater positioning system Bathymetry Magnetometer survey Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System Marine Route Survey Rev Date Prepared by Approved by Checked by Survey date: May 2022 0 May 2022 Jan Li Jacky Lee Chris Welsh TCFS_BU-St.Thomas_2022-04-06_CX_withBurial.xls Preliminary CHART COMMENT Inshore Shallow and Deep Water 1m burial up to 500m water depth GEODETIC PARAMETERS Projection : Mercator False Easting : 6 000 000 False Northing : 1 000 000 Inverse Flattening (1/f) : 298.257 223 563 Semi-major Axis (a) (m) : 6 378 137.000 Ellipsoid : WGS84 Datum : WGS84 Map Projection Parameters Datum Parameters Longitude of Origin : 73° W Latitude of Origin : 0° (Equator) Standard Parallel : 21° N Scale Factor along Standard Parallel : 1 EARTH SCIENCES & SURVEYING CARTOGRAPHIC SYMBOLS BATHYMETRY Submerged wreck / Exposed wreck / Obstruction / Well / Platform / Explosives dumping ground and symbol or line feature in grey, plotted from desk top study (as-found in magenta). (for general symbols and abbreviations refer to British Admiralty Chart) Post survey route with kilometre post and reverse kilometre post Telecommunications cable position, In-service/Out of service/Planned (as-found in magenta) Pipeline position, In-service/Out of service/Planned (as-found in magenta) Power cable position, In-service/Out of service/Planned (as-found in magenta) Bathymetric contours in metres. Contour interval may be reduced to aid in clarity. Downslope gradient in degrees (°) as measured over the shortest significant distance Approximate limit of swath bathymetry coverage (shown only in areas of flat seabed) Rock Boulder field with predominant sediment classification CORAL Gas seepage area with predominant sediment classification vcs hs SEABED FEATURES Sediments Very coarse sediment (COBBLES and BOULDERS) Subcropping ROCK with predominant sediment classification (sediment thickness < target burial depth) Fine sediment (predominantly CLAY/SILT) Coarse sediment (SAND and GRAVEL) HARDGROUND (very dense/very stiff/consolidated sediments; sediment thickness < target burial depth) ROCK outcrop (with veneer of sediments) cor fs/cs/vcs fs/cs/vcs fs cs fs/cs/vcs r Sediment or feature boundary Inferred sediment or feature boundary Approximate limit of side scan sonar coverage Restricted zones and special areas Concession block Maritime boundaries 6° Seabed scar (trawl or anchor) Isopach contours shown at 1m interval with labels every 1m BP001 DP001 BS001 DS001 Beach probe (BP); Beach sample (BS) location with reference number Diver probe (DP); Diver sample (DS) location with reference number Chart matchline Coastline (from Admiralty charts) Beach manhole / Alter course / Branching Unit Adjacent route Point on line / Cable crossing / Pipeline crossing Isolated sonar contact with reference number (length x width x height in metres where measurable; nmh = no measurable height) Linear sonar contact, dashed where partially buried Unidentified magnetic anomaly with reference number and amplitude (in nano-Tesla) Cable/Pipeline position, as determined by magnetometer, with reference number and amplitude (in nano-Tesla) SC001 5x5x1 MC001 5.0 MC002 5.0 Located wreck with reference no. (length x width x height in metres where measurable) SC001 20x10x7 50x0.5x1 Pipeline contact determined by seismic profiling system with reference number and description (level at the top of pipeline is stated in metres, +/- equivalent to above or below ambient seabed) SEI001 -2.5 Small ROCK outcrop with height in metres if discernible Seabed depression or pockmark with diameter (d) and depth (D) in metres, where discernible Fault with depth below seafloor (Hachures on footwall) CP001 Orientation of sediment ribbon General orientation of sandwave crest (Hachures on lee side where observable, with wavelength and height in metres) Orientation of megaripple crest (Hachures on lee side where observable, with wavelength and height in metres) 0.5 GC001 d/D Gravity core (GC); Grab sample (GS) location with reference number MiniCPT (CP) location with reference number Orientation of current lineation -25 LW Subsea Octopus F185+ GPS, Veripos LD6 DGPS, QinSy Navigation System Reson Seabat 7150-F MBES, Kongsberg Simrad EA400 SBES Geometrics G-882 Marine Magnetometer Kongsberg HiPAP 501P USBL System EdgeTech 4200 SSS, EdgeTech DSS-2000 combined towfish, GeoAcoustics 4x4 Array Pinger RV Geo Resolution SHEET INDEX Applanix POS MV, Veripos LD900 DGNSS, Qinsy Navigation System EdgeTech 4200 SSS, GeoAcoustics 2x1 Array Pinger Norbit iWBMS System Geometrics G-882 Marine Magnetometer - Survey Launch GR-2 In Shallow Water Survey charts: Bathymetry data has been reduced to Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT) using predictions from the Admiralty Tide Tables - South West Atlantic Ocean and South America, Volume 2, 2022. Standard Ports: 2460 Anegada, 2461 Tortola, 2462 Saint Thomas (Charlotte Amalie), 2462A Saint Thomas (Benner Bay), 2464 Culebra In Landfall and Inshore Survey charts: Bathymetry data has been reduced to Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT) using predictions from the Admiralty Tide Tables - South West Atlantic Ocean and South America, Volume 2, 2022. Standard Ports: 2462 Saint Thomas (Charlotte Amalie) In Deep Water Survey chart : No tidal reduction was applied to soundings deeper than 1000m VERTICAL DATUM Cable and Pipeline Crossings · OOS St.Thomas-San Juan (telegraph) Hazards and Obstructions A debris patch was charted in the middle part of the chart. GRAVEL patches were identified in the southern part of the BU Box. Scattered depressions were mapped throughout the survey area. Twenty-eight (28) sonar contacts were identified throughout the chart. Two (2) magnetic contacts were mapped in the middle part of the chart and the east of the middle part of the chart where one is possibly related to the debris patch and the other one is unknown. The route runs in United States Territorial Sea and crosses US 3nm Line. SEGMENT BU ST. THOMAS TO ST. THOMAS BRANCHING UNIT CHART CHART NO. 001 OF 001 ( KP 0.00 - KP 2.38 ) TRUE SCALE 1 : 5080.59 (At mid-latitude of chart) 0 100 200 300 400 500 NATURAL SCALE 1 : 5,000 at 21°N m Panam seg SA_C1 St.Thomas-Dominican Republic St.Thomas-San Juan (OOS TEL) St.Thomas-San Juan (OOS TEL) US-Venezuela No2 AMERICAS 2 seg A MAC 1 seg 2 MAC 1 seg 2 UNITED STATES - TS UNITED STATES - TS US_3nm_Line US_3nm_Line TAINO-CARIB 24° 16° 9° 16° 15° 19° 10° 15° 14° 15° 12° 15° 10° 8° 11° 10° 16° 14° 13° 11° 10° 8° 10° 12° cs r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r cs Veneer of loose sandy GRAVEL over dense SAND cs Loose to dense silty SAND cs Loose to dense very silty SAND over ROCK Low relief ROCK Low to high relief ROCK with intermittent veneer of loose sandy GRAVEL hs r Low to high relief ROCK Veneer of loose very gravelly SAND over medium dense to dense silty SAND cs cs cs cs cs cs cs Loose to dense silty SAND with intermittent veneer of very gravelly SAND Low relief ROCK cs cs cs GRAVEL patches 5/<1 2/<1 4/<1 4/<1 r 7/<1 cs cs cs hs hs hs hs r r r r r r r r r r r r r Loose to dense silty SAND with scattered low to high relief ROCK r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r Veneer of loose sandy GRAVEL over ROCK Veneer of loose sandy GRAVEL over ROCK r Veneer of loose sandy GRAVEL over ROCK r cs Veneer of loose sandy GRAVEL over dense SAND Veneer of loose sandy GRAVEL over ROCK r r r hs hs Low to high relief ROCK Veneer of loose sandy GRAVEL over ROCK r r Veneer of loose sandy GRAVEL over dense SAND cs hs hs hs Low to high relief ROCK hs hs hs r Low to high relief ROCK Low to high relief ROCK r r Veneer of loose sandy GRAVEL over ROCK r Veneer of loose sandy GRAVEL over ROCK r Veneer of dense SAND over ROCK cs 4/<1 cs Loose to dense silty SAND High relief ROCK r TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC096 3x1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC097 3x1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC098 3x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC099 2x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC100 3x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC101 3x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC102 3x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC103 5x1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC104 3x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC105 3x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC106 2x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC107 2x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC108 1.5x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC109 3x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC110 2x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC111 1.5x1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC112 2x1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC113 1.5x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC114 1.5x1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC115 1.5x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC116 8.5x3.5xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC117 2x2x<1 Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC118 1.5x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC119 3x1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC120 3x1.5xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-SC121 2x1xnmh Debris TCFS-VBSTC-GR-GC027 TCFS-VBSTC-GR-GC027a TCFS-VBSTC-GR-GS027 TCFS-VBSTC-GR-GS026 TCFS-VBSTC-GR-GC026a TCFS-VBSTC-GR-GC026 TCFS-VBSTC-GR-CP004 GRAVEL patches cs Veneer of loose very gravelly SAND over dense silty SAND cs Loose to dense silty SAND cs GRAVEL patches Loose to dense silty SAND cs High relief ROCK r Low to high relief ROCK Low to high relief ROCK Low to high relief ROCK Low to high relief ROCK r 3/<1 2/<1 1/<1 1/<1 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC002 1.9 Unknown Debris patch TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC001 1.8 Possible debris vcs TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC001 3x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC002 4x3xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC003 2x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC004 3x1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC005 3x<1xnmh Debris As-found OOS cable US-Venezuela No2 by MAG TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC003 9.8 OOS cable US-Venezuela No2 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC004 2.2 OOS cable US-Venezuela No2 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC005 5.2 OOS cable US-Venezuela No2 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC006 5.9 OOS cable US-Venezuela No2 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC007 10 OOS cable US-Venezuela No2 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC008 4.8 Unknown Loose to dense silty SAND cs Dense to very dense SAND Veneer of loose sandy GRAVEL over dense to very dense SAND Dense to very dense SAND Dense to very dense SAND Dense to very dense SAND Dense to very dense SAND Veneer of loose sandy GRAVEL over dense to very dense SAND N S 0 180 270 W 230 240 260 250 220 210 190 200 310 280 290 300 320 330 350 340 90 E 130 140 170 160 150 120 100 110 50 40 10 20 30 80 70 60 VBSTC_RPL_2022-05-10 VBSTC_RPL_2022-05-10 TCFS-VBSTC-GR-GC027 Penetration: 0.00m Recovery: 0.00m 0.00m Seabed kPa kg/cm2 Description No recovery TCFS-VBSTC-GR-GC027a Penetration: 0.00m Recovery: 0.00m 0.00m Seabed kPa kg/cm2 Description No recovery TCFS-VBSTC-GR-GS027 0.00m Seabed kPa kg/cm2 Description Trace amount of loose, light brown, slightly gravelly, very silty SAND. GRAVEL fraction comprises 100% sub-angular dead CORAL fragments up to 15mm in diameter TCFS-VBSTC-GR-GS026 0.00m Seabed kPa kg/cm2 Description Loose, light brown, very silty SAND TCFS-VBSTC-GR-GC026a Penetration: 0.00m Recovery: 0.00m 0.00m Seabed kPa kg/cm2 Description No recovery TCFS-VBSTC-GR-GC026 Penetration: 0.00m Recovery: 0.00m 0.00m Seabed kPa kg/cm2 Description No recovery TCFS-VBSTC-GR-CP004 Penetration: 3.00m Description Loose to dense SAND Interbedded medium to high strength CLAY and medium dense to dense silty SAND II-IV III-IV 0.00m 0.50m 1.00m 1.50m 2.00m 2.50m 3.00m 0 10 20 T.R. (MPa) 0 50 100 R.D. (%) -1.0 0 1.0 P.P. (MPa) 0 4 8 F.R. (%) 0 80 160 U.S.S. (kPa) Tip resistance Friction ratio Relative density Shear strength Pore pressure VBSTC St. Thomas BUTOR BUSTT VBSTC USVI FLORIDA CUBA JAMAICA HAITI BAHAMAS COLOMBIA VENEZUELA PANAMA BUPAN BUBAQ BUCTG BUPUR BUTOR BUSTT KEY MAP Current chart File name: Project name Document title This document may only be used for the purpose for which it was commissioned and in accordance with the terms of engagement for that commission. Unauthorised use of this document in any form whatsoever is undertaken entirely at the user's risk. Contractor Scale Route based upon: EGS JOB NO.: SR007121 / R034721 TCFS_BUSTT_NU001 Customer Target burial depth: Descriptive terms and definitions: GENERAL NOTES The criteria used for interpretations and descriptions are presented in survey reports Morphology and stratigraphy Surface positioning system Survey vessel Underwater positioning system Bathymetry Magnetometer survey Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System Marine Route Survey Rev Date Prepared by Approved by Checked by Survey date: May 2022 0 May 2022 Jan Li Jacky Lee Chris Welsh TCFS_BU-St.Thomas_2022-04-06_CX_withBurial.xls Preliminary CHART COMMENT Inshore Shallow and Deep Water 1m burial up to 500m water depth GEODETIC PARAMETERS Projection : Mercator False Easting : 6 000 000 False Northing : 1 000 000 Inverse Flattening (1/f) : 298.257 223 563 Semi-major Axis (a) (m) : 6 378 137.000 Ellipsoid : WGS84 Datum : WGS84 Map Projection Parameters Datum Parameters Longitude of Origin : 73° W Latitude of Origin : 0° (Equator) Standard Parallel : 21° N Scale Factor along Standard Parallel : 1 EARTH SCIENCES & SURVEYING CARTOGRAPHIC SYMBOLS BATHYMETRY Submerged wreck / Exposed wreck / Obstruction / Well / Platform / Explosives dumping ground and symbol or line feature in grey, plotted from desk top study (as-found in magenta). (for general symbols and abbreviations refer to British Admiralty Chart) Post survey route with kilometre post and reverse kilometre post Telecommunications cable position, In-service/Out of service/Planned (as-found in magenta) Pipeline position, In-service/Out of service/Planned (as-found in magenta) Power cable position, In-service/Out of service/Planned (as-found in magenta) Bathymetric contours in metres. Contour interval may be reduced to aid in clarity. Downslope gradient in degrees (°) as measured over the shortest significant distance Approximate limit of swath bathymetry coverage (shown only in areas of flat seabed) Rock Boulder field with predominant sediment classification CORAL Gas seepage area with predominant sediment classification vcs hs SEABED FEATURES Sediments Very coarse sediment (COBBLES and BOULDERS) Subcropping ROCK with predominant sediment classification (sediment thickness < target burial depth) Fine sediment (predominantly CLAY/SILT) Coarse sediment (SAND and GRAVEL) HARDGROUND (very dense/very stiff/consolidated sediments; sediment thickness < target burial depth) ROCK outcrop (with veneer of sediments) cor fs/cs/vcs fs/cs/vcs fs cs fs/cs/vcs r Sediment or feature boundary Inferred sediment or feature boundary Approximate limit of side scan sonar coverage Restricted zones and special areas Concession block Maritime boundaries 6° Seabed scar (trawl or anchor) Isopach contours shown at 1m interval with labels every 1m BP001 DP001 BS001 DS001 Beach probe (BP); Beach sample (BS) location with reference number Diver probe (DP); Diver sample (DS) location with reference number Chart matchline Coastline (from Admiralty charts) Beach manhole / Alter course / Branching Unit Adjacent route Point on line / Cable crossing / Pipeline crossing Isolated sonar contact with reference number (length x width x height in metres where measurable; nmh = no measurable height) Linear sonar contact, dashed where partially buried Unidentified magnetic anomaly with reference number and amplitude (in nano-Tesla) Cable/Pipeline position, as determined by magnetometer, with reference number and amplitude (in nano-Tesla) SC001 5x5x1 MC001 5.0 MC002 5.0 Located wreck with reference no. (length x width x height in metres where measurable) SC001 20x10x7 50x0.5x1 Pipeline contact determined by seismic profiling system with reference number and description (level at the top of pipeline is stated in metres, +/- equivalent to above or below ambient seabed) SEI001 -2.5 Small ROCK outcrop with height in metres if discernible Seabed depression or pockmark with diameter (d) and depth (D) in metres, where discernible Fault with depth below seafloor (Hachures on footwall) CP001 Orientation of sediment ribbon General orientation of sandwave crest (Hachures on lee side where observable, with wavelength and height in metres) Orientation of megaripple crest (Hachures on lee side where observable, with wavelength and height in metres) 0.5 GC001 d/D Gravity core (GC); Grab sample (GS) location with reference number MiniCPT (CP) location with reference number Orientation of current lineation -25 LW Subsea Octopus F185+ GPS, Veripos LD6 DGPS, QinSy Navigation System Reson Seabat 7150-F MBES, Kongsberg Simrad EA400 SBES Geometrics G-882 Marine Magnetometer Kongsberg HiPAP 501P USBL System EdgeTech 4200 SSS, EdgeTech DSS-2000 combined towfish, GeoAcoustics 4x4 Array Pinger RV Geo Resolution SHEET INDEX Applanix POS MV, Veripos LD900 DGNSS, Qinsy Navigation System EdgeTech 4200 SSS, GeoAcoustics 2x1 Array Pinger Norbit iWBMS System Geometrics G-882 Marine Magnetometer - Survey Launch GR-2 In Shallow Water Survey charts: Bathymetry data has been reduced to Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT) using predictions from the Admiralty Tide Tables - South West Atlantic Ocean and South America, Volume 2, 2022. Standard Ports: 2460 Anegada, 2461 Tortola, 2462 Saint Thomas (Charlotte Amalie), 2462A Saint Thomas (Benner Bay), 2464 Culebra In Landfall and Inshore Survey charts: Bathymetry data has been reduced to Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT) using predictions from the Admiralty Tide Tables - South West Atlantic Ocean and South America, Volume 2, 2022. Standard Ports: 2462 Saint Thomas (Charlotte Amalie) In Deep Water Survey chart : No tidal reduction was applied to soundings deeper than 1000m VERTICAL DATUM Cable and Pipeline Crossings · OOS St.Thomas-San Juan (telegraph) · OOS US-Venezuela No2 (as-found) Hazards and Obstructions HARDGROUND and subcropping areas were mapped in the northern part of the chart. Rocky areas were charted in the northern and southern part of the chart. A debris patch was charted in the middle part of the chart. GRAVEL patches were mapped in the south of center and the southern part of the chart. Scattered depressions were mapped throughout the survey area. Thirty-one (31) sonar contacts were identified throughout the chart. Five (5) magnetic contacts related to OOS cables were charted in the eastern part of the chart. Other three (3) magnetic contacts were mapped in the middle, the east of the middle part and the eastern part of the chart which one of them was related to the debris patch and the other two were unknown. The route runs in United States Territorial Sea and crosses US 3nm Line. SEGMENT BU ST. THOMAS TO ST. THOMAS NORTH UP CHART CHART NO. 001 OF 005 ( KP 0.00 - KP 4.82 ) TRUE SCALE 1 : 10161.04 (At mid-latitude of chart) 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 NATURAL SCALE 1 : 10,000 at 21°N km Panam seg SA_C1 Thomas-Dominican Republic St.Thomas-Dominican Republic US-Venezuela No2 US-Venezuela No2 TAINO-CARIB Florida-St.Thomas No2 AMERICAS 1 seg N Panam seg SA_C1 US_3nm_Line US_3nm_Line 23° 27° 24° Low to high relief ROCK with intermittent loose to dense gravelly silty SAND and megaripples (wavelength: <2m, height: <1m) Loose to dense silty SAND with scattered debris (general size: 3x1xnmh) (Only prominent ones were marked as sonar contacts) 2/<1 1/<1 2/<1 2/<1 1/<1 1/<1 4/<1 5/<1 2/<1 1/<1 2/<1 cs TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC009 4.5 Unknown 2/<1 Loose to dense silty SAND cs r TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC006 1.5x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC007 2x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC008 2x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC010 2x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC011 2x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC012 3x1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC013 2x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC014 2x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC015 2x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC016 3x1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC017 3x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC018 2x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC019 2x1.5xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC020 2x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC021 2x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC022 4x1.5xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC023 3x1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC024 5x5xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC025 3x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC009 4x1xnmh Debris N S 0 180 270 W 230 240 260 250 220 210 190 200 310 280 290 300 320 330 350 340 90 E 130 140 170 160 150 120 100 110 50 40 10 20 30 80 70 60 VBSTC St. Thomas BUTOR BUSTT VBSTC USVI FLORIDA CUBA JAMAICA HAITI BAHAMAS COLOMBIA VENEZUELA PANAMA BUPAN BUBAQ BUCTG BUPUR BUTOR BUSTT KEY MAP Current chart File name: Project name Document title This document may only be used for the purpose for which it was commissioned and in accordance with the terms of engagement for that commission. Unauthorised use of this document in any form whatsoever is undertaken entirely at the user's risk. Contractor Scale Route based upon: EGS JOB NO.: SR007121 / R034721 TCFS_BUSTT_NU002 Customer Target burial depth: Descriptive terms and definitions: GENERAL NOTES The criteria used for interpretations and descriptions are presented in survey reports Morphology and stratigraphy Surface positioning system Survey vessel Underwater positioning system Bathymetry Magnetometer survey Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System Marine Route Survey Rev Date Prepared by Approved by Checked by Survey date: May 2022 0 May 2022 Jan Li Jacky Lee Chris Welsh TCFS_BU-St.Thomas_2022-04-06_CX_withBurial.xls Preliminary CHART COMMENT Inshore Shallow and Deep Water 1m burial up to 500m water depth GEODETIC PARAMETERS Projection : Mercator False Easting : 6 000 000 False Northing : 1 000 000 Inverse Flattening (1/f) : 298.257 223 563 Semi-major Axis (a) (m) : 6 378 137.000 Ellipsoid : WGS84 Datum : WGS84 Map Projection Parameters Datum Parameters Longitude of Origin : 73° W Latitude of Origin : 0° (Equator) Standard Parallel : 21° N Scale Factor along Standard Parallel : 1 EARTH SCIENCES & SURVEYING CARTOGRAPHIC SYMBOLS BATHYMETRY Submerged wreck / Exposed wreck / Obstruction / Well / Platform / Explosives dumping ground and symbol or line feature in grey, plotted from desk top study (as-found in magenta). (for general symbols and abbreviations refer to British Admiralty Chart) Post survey route with kilometre post and reverse kilometre post Telecommunications cable position, In-service/Out of service/Planned (as-found in magenta) Pipeline position, In-service/Out of service/Planned (as-found in magenta) Power cable position, In-service/Out of service/Planned (as-found in magenta) Bathymetric contours in metres. Contour interval may be reduced to aid in clarity. Downslope gradient in degrees (°) as measured over the shortest significant distance Approximate limit of swath bathymetry coverage (shown only in areas of flat seabed) Rock Boulder field with predominant sediment classification CORAL Gas seepage area with predominant sediment classification vcs hs SEABED FEATURES Sediments Very coarse sediment (COBBLES and BOULDERS) Subcropping ROCK with predominant sediment classification (sediment thickness < target burial depth) Fine sediment (predominantly CLAY/SILT) Coarse sediment (SAND and GRAVEL) HARDGROUND (very dense/very stiff/consolidated sediments; sediment thickness < target burial depth) ROCK outcrop (with veneer of sediments) cor fs/cs/vcs fs/cs/vcs fs cs fs/cs/vcs r Sediment or feature boundary Inferred sediment or feature boundary Approximate limit of side scan sonar coverage Restricted zones and special areas Concession block Maritime boundaries 6° Seabed scar (trawl or anchor) Isopach contours shown at 1m interval with labels every 1m BP001 DP001 BS001 DS001 Beach probe (BP); Beach sample (BS) location with reference number Diver probe (DP); Diver sample (DS) location with reference number Chart matchline Coastline (from Admiralty charts) Beach manhole / Alter course / Branching Unit Adjacent route Point on line / Cable crossing / Pipeline crossing Isolated sonar contact with reference number (length x width x height in metres where measurable; nmh = no measurable height) Linear sonar contact, dashed where partially buried Unidentified magnetic anomaly with reference number and amplitude (in nano-Tesla) Cable/Pipeline position, as determined by magnetometer, with reference number and amplitude (in nano-Tesla) SC001 5x5x1 MC001 5.0 MC002 5.0 Located wreck with reference no. (length x width x height in metres where measurable) SC001 20x10x7 50x0.5x1 Pipeline contact determined by seismic profiling system with reference number and description (level at the top of pipeline is stated in metres, +/- equivalent to above or below ambient seabed) SEI001 -2.5 Small ROCK outcrop with height in metres if discernible Seabed depression or pockmark with diameter (d) and depth (D) in metres, where discernible Fault with depth below seafloor (Hachures on footwall) CP001 Orientation of sediment ribbon General orientation of sandwave crest (Hachures on lee side where observable, with wavelength and height in metres) Orientation of megaripple crest (Hachures on lee side where observable, with wavelength and height in metres) 0.5 GC001 d/D Gravity core (GC); Grab sample (GS) location with reference number MiniCPT (CP) location with reference number Orientation of current lineation -25 LW Subsea Octopus F185+ GPS, Veripos LD6 DGPS, QinSy Navigation System Reson Seabat 7150-F MBES, Kongsberg Simrad EA400 SBES Geometrics G-882 Marine Magnetometer Kongsberg HiPAP 501P USBL System EdgeTech 4200 SSS, EdgeTech DSS-2000 combined towfish, GeoAcoustics 4x4 Array Pinger RV Geo Resolution SHEET INDEX Applanix POS MV, Veripos LD900 DGNSS, Qinsy Navigation System EdgeTech 4200 SSS, GeoAcoustics 2x1 Array Pinger Norbit iWBMS System Geometrics G-882 Marine Magnetometer - Survey Launch GR-2 In Shallow Water Survey charts: Bathymetry data has been reduced to Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT) using predictions from the Admiralty Tide Tables - South West Atlantic Ocean and South America, Volume 2, 2022. Standard Ports: 2460 Anegada, 2461 Tortola, 2462 Saint Thomas (Charlotte Amalie), 2462A Saint Thomas (Benner Bay), 2464 Culebra In Landfall and Inshore Survey charts: Bathymetry data has been reduced to Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT) using predictions from the Admiralty Tide Tables - South West Atlantic Ocean and South America, Volume 2, 2022. Standard Ports: 2462 Saint Thomas (Charlotte Amalie) In Deep Water Survey chart : No tidal reduction was applied to soundings deeper than 1000m VERTICAL DATUM Cable and Pipeline Crossings The following cable runs within the survey corridor: · OOS St.Thomas-Dominican Republic · OOS US-Venezuela No2 Hazards and Obstructions Rocky areas with very steep slope were charted in the east of the middle part of the chart. Scattered depressions were mapped throughout the survey area. Megaripples (wavelength: <2m, height: <1m) were charted in the east of the middle part of the chart. Twenty (20) sonar contacts were identified throughout the chart. Area with scattered debris (general size: 3m x 1m x nmh) was mapped in the eastern part of the chart. One (1) unknown magnetic contact was mapped in the west of the middle part of the chart. The route runs inside United States Territorial Sea. SEGMENT BU ST. THOMAS TO ST. THOMAS NORTH UP CHART CHART NO. 002 OF 005 ( KP 3.81 - KP 13.65 ) TRUE SCALE 1 : 10161.31 (At mid-latitude of chart) 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 NATURAL SCALE 1 : 10,000 at 21°N km St.Thomas-Venezuela No1 TAINO-CARIB St.Thomas-St.Maarten-Curacao BRUS AMERICAS 1 seg S1 (OOS) Florida-St.Thomas No1 COLUMBUS 2 Seg C1 (OOS) COLUMBUS 2 seg B Florida-St.Thomas No3 Florida-St.Thomas No2 TAINO-CARIB US-Venezuela No2 AMERICAS 1 seg N St.Thomas-Dominican Republic Panam seg SA_C1 US_3nm_Line 42° 44° 32° 32° 33° 28° 27° 23° 21° 29° 13° 13° 33° 24° 19° 19° 24° 25° 29° 24° 7° 10° 11° 12° 10° Loose to dense silty SAND with scattered debris (general size: 3x1xnmh) (Only prominent ones were marked as sonar contacts) As-found OOS cable Florida-St.Thomas No3 MAG As-found IS cable TAINO-CARIB by MAG Low relief ROCK Low to high relief ROCK with intermittent veneer of loose gravelly SAND Veneer of loose gravelly SAND with megaripples (wavelength: <2m, height: <0.5m) over medium dense to dense SAND GRAVEL patches As-found IS cable AMERICAS 1 seg N by MAG cs r cs cs cs TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC010 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC011 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC012 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC013 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC014 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC015 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC016 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC017 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC018 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC019 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC020 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC021 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC022 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC023 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC024 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC025 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC026 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC027 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC028 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC029 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC030 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC031 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC032 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC033 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC034 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC035 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC036 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC037 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC038 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC040 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC041 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC042 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC043 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC044 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC045 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC046 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC047 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC039 cs cs cs cs cs cs cs cs cs GRAVEL patches r cs cs cs Loose gravelly SAND over dense SAND cs r Veneer to 1m of loose gravelly SAND over ROCK r Low to high relief ROCK with intermittent veneer of loose gravelly SAND r r r Loose to dense SAND with intermittent veneer of loose very gravelly SAND Loose to dense SAND with intermittent veneer of loose very gravelly SAND cs cs Veneer of loose gravelly SAND with megaripples (wavelength: <2m, height: <0.5m) over medium dense to dense SAND TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC019 2x1.5xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC020 2x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC021 2x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC022 4x1.5xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC023 3x1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC024 5x5xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC025 3x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC026 3x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC027 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC028 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC029 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC030 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC031 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC032 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC033 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC034 cs Veneer of loose very sandy GRAVEL over medium dense to dense SAND Loose to dense SAND with numerous debris (general size: 3x2xnmh) Low relief ROCK Low relief ROCK Loose very sandy GRAVEL with megaripples (wavelength: <2m, height: <0.5m) over medium dense to dense SAND High relief ROCK Loose SAND over ROCK r r r r r r r r r r r r r cs cs cs cs cs cs cs r r cs cs cs cs cs cs Loose very sandy GRAVEL over medium dense to dense SAND cs cs r cs r r cs Medium to high relief ROCK High relief ROCK r r r Veneer of loose sandy GRAVEL over ROCK Low to medium relief ROCK Loose to dense SAND Veneer of loose SAND over ROCK Veneer of loose very sandy GRAVEL with megaripples (wavelength: <2m, height: <0.5m) over ROCK Veneer of loose very sandy GRAVEL over ROCK Veneer of loose very sandy GRAVEL over medium dense to dense SAND cs cs Veneer of loose very sandy GRAVEL over medium dense to dense SAND cs cs Loose to dense SAND with numerous debris (general size: 3x2xnmh) cs Loose to dense SAND cs 0.5 <0.5 cs cs r Low relief ROCK 0.5 0.7 <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 0.5 cs <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 As-found possible OOS cable BRUS by SSS r Veneer of loose very sandy GRAVEL with megaripples (wavelength: <2m, height: <0.5m) over ROCK TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC001 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC002 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC003 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC005 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC006 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC007 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC008 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC009 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC010 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC011 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC012 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC013 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC014 1.1/<0.5 1/<0.5 1.2/<0.5 cs cs Loose to dense SAND cs Loose to dense SAND with intermittent veneer of loose very gravelly SAND 1/<0.5 1/<0.5 1.3/<0.5 1.2/<0.5 nmh nmh cs Loose gravelly SAND over ROCK cs GRAVEL patch Loose very sandy GRAVEL with megaripples (wavelength: <2m, height: <0.5m) over medium dense to dense SAND Loose very sandy GRAVEL over medium dense to dense SAND Loose very sandy GRAVEL with megaripples (wavelength: <2m, height: <0.5m) over medium dense to dense SAND Low relief ROCK Veneer of loose sandy GRAVEL over ROCK Veneer of loose gravelly SAND over medium dense to dense SAND cs As-found IS cable COLUMBUS 2 seg B by MAG cs 2/<0.5 Loose to dense SAND with scattered depressions (diameter: <2.5m, depth: <0.5m) As-found possible OOS cable AMERICAS 1 seg S1 by MAG and SSS TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC004 Loose to dense SAND with possible scattered marine growth N S 0 180 270 W 230 240 260 250 220 210 190 200 310 280 290 300 320 330 350 340 90 E 130 140 170 160 150 120 100 110 50 40 10 20 30 80 70 60 ContactNumber Amplitude Description TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC010 5 Unknown TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC011 17.1 Unknown TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC012 11.8 Unknown TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC013 72.9 Unknown TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC014 35.9 Unknown TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC015 45.6 Unknown TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC016 43.2 Possible OOS cable US-Venezuela No2 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC017 33.1 IS cable AMERICAS 1 seg N and OOS cable US-Venezuela No2 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC018 26.4 IS cable AMERICAS 1 seg N TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC019 9.8 IS cable TAINO-CARIB and OOS cable US-Venezuela No2 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC020 11.6 IS cable AMERICAS 1 seg N TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC021 15.3 IS cable AMERICAS 1 seg N TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC022 5.3 IS cable TAINO-CARIB TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC023 1.7 Unknown TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC024 12.6 Unknown TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC025 8.1 Unknown TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC026 1.3 Unknown TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC027 10.7 OOS cable Florida-St. Thomas No3 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC028 16.2 OOS cable Florida-St. Thomas No3 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC029 4.4 OOS cable Florida-St. Thomas No3 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC030 4.3 OOS cable Florida-St. Thomas No3 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC031 14.3 IS cable COLUMBUS 2 seg B TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC032 37.9 IS cable COLUMBUS 2 seg B TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC033 30.9 IS cable COLUMBUS 2 seg B TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC034 28.5 IS cable COLUMBUS 2 seg B TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC035 97.9 IS cable COLUMBUS 2 seg B TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC036 52 Unknown TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC037 16.5 OOS cable COLUMBUS 2 Seg C1 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC038 33.6 OOS cable COLUMBUS 2 Seg C1 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC039 53.2 Possible OOS cable AMERICAS 1 seg S1 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC040 24.7 IS cable TAINO-CARIB TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC041 28.3 IS cable TAINO-CARIB TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC042 13.4 IS cable TAINO-CARIB TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC043 30.9 IS cable TAINO-CARIB TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC044 10.3 IS cable TAINO-CARIB TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC045 22.8 OOS St.Thomas-St.Maarten-Curacao TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC046 17 Unknown TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC047 50.3 Unknown ContactNumber Dimensions Description TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC027 2x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC028 2x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC029 4x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC030 2x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC031 3x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC032 3x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC033 2x<1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-GR-SC034 1.5x1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC001 1.6x1.2xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC002 3x1.7xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC003 2.3x1.1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC004 228x<0.5xnmh Linear object TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC005 2.7x1.5x<0.5 Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC006 1.6x1.5x<0.5 Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC007 1.5x1.2x<0.5 Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC008 1.3x0.6xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC009 1.7x1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC010 1.8x1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC011 1.4x1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC012 1.4x0.8x<0.5 Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC013 1.5x0.7x<0.5 Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC014 2.5x2.5x0.6 Debris VBSTC St. Thomas BUTOR BUSTT VBSTC USVI FLORIDA CUBA JAMAICA HAITI BAHAMAS COLOMBIA VENEZUELA PANAMA BUPAN BUBAQ BUCTG BUPUR BUTOR BUSTT KEY MAP Current chart File name: Project name Document title This document may only be used for the purpose for which it was commissioned and in accordance with the terms of engagement for that commission. Unauthorised use of this document in any form whatsoever is undertaken entirely at the user's risk. Contractor Scale Route based upon: EGS JOB NO.: SR007121 / R034721 TCFS_BUSTT_NU003 Customer Target burial depth: Descriptive terms and definitions: GENERAL NOTES The criteria used for interpretations and descriptions are presented in survey reports Morphology and stratigraphy Surface positioning system Survey vessel Underwater positioning system Bathymetry Magnetometer survey Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System Marine Route Survey Rev Date Prepared by Approved by Checked by Survey date: May 2022 0 May 2022 Jan Li Jacky Lee Chris Welsh TCFS_BU-St.Thomas_2022-04-06_CX_withBurial.xls Preliminary CHART COMMENT Inshore Shallow and Deep Water 1m burial up to 500m water depth GEODETIC PARAMETERS Projection : Mercator False Easting : 6 000 000 False Northing : 1 000 000 Inverse Flattening (1/f) : 298.257 223 563 Semi-major Axis (a) (m) : 6 378 137.000 Ellipsoid : WGS84 Datum : WGS84 Map Projection Parameters Datum Parameters Longitude of Origin : 73° W Latitude of Origin : 0° (Equator) Standard Parallel : 21° N Scale Factor along Standard Parallel : 1 EARTH SCIENCES & SURVEYING CARTOGRAPHIC SYMBOLS BATHYMETRY Submerged wreck / Exposed wreck / Obstruction / Well / Platform / Explosives dumping ground and symbol or line feature in grey, plotted from desk top study (as-found in magenta). (for general symbols and abbreviations refer to British Admiralty Chart) Post survey route with kilometre post and reverse kilometre post Telecommunications cable position, In-service/Out of service/Planned (as-found in magenta) Pipeline position, In-service/Out of service/Planned (as-found in magenta) Power cable position, In-service/Out of service/Planned (as-found in magenta) Bathymetric contours in metres. Contour interval may be reduced to aid in clarity. Downslope gradient in degrees (°) as measured over the shortest significant distance Approximate limit of swath bathymetry coverage (shown only in areas of flat seabed) Rock Boulder field with predominant sediment classification CORAL Gas seepage area with predominant sediment classification vcs hs SEABED FEATURES Sediments Very coarse sediment (COBBLES and BOULDERS) Subcropping ROCK with predominant sediment classification (sediment thickness < target burial depth) Fine sediment (predominantly CLAY/SILT) Coarse sediment (SAND and GRAVEL) HARDGROUND (very dense/very stiff/consolidated sediments; sediment thickness < target burial depth) ROCK outcrop (with veneer of sediments) cor fs/cs/vcs fs/cs/vcs fs cs fs/cs/vcs r Sediment or feature boundary Inferred sediment or feature boundary Approximate limit of side scan sonar coverage Restricted zones and special areas Concession block Maritime boundaries 6° Seabed scar (trawl or anchor) Isopach contours shown at 1m interval with labels every 1m BP001 DP001 BS001 DS001 Beach probe (BP); Beach sample (BS) location with reference number Diver probe (DP); Diver sample (DS) location with reference number Chart matchline Coastline (from Admiralty charts) Beach manhole / Alter course / Branching Unit Adjacent route Point on line / Cable crossing / Pipeline crossing Isolated sonar contact with reference number (length x width x height in metres where measurable; nmh = no measurable height) Linear sonar contact, dashed where partially buried Unidentified magnetic anomaly with reference number and amplitude (in nano-Tesla) Cable/Pipeline position, as determined by magnetometer, with reference number and amplitude (in nano-Tesla) SC001 5x5x1 MC001 5.0 MC002 5.0 Located wreck with reference no. (length x width x height in metres where measurable) SC001 20x10x7 50x0.5x1 Pipeline contact determined by seismic profiling system with reference number and description (level at the top of pipeline is stated in metres, +/- equivalent to above or below ambient seabed) SEI001 -2.5 Small ROCK outcrop with height in metres if discernible Seabed depression or pockmark with diameter (d) and depth (D) in metres, where discernible Fault with depth below seafloor (Hachures on footwall) CP001 Orientation of sediment ribbon General orientation of sandwave crest (Hachures on lee side where observable, with wavelength and height in metres) Orientation of megaripple crest (Hachures on lee side where observable, with wavelength and height in metres) 0.5 GC001 d/D Gravity core (GC); Grab sample (GS) location with reference number MiniCPT (CP) location with reference number Orientation of current lineation -25 LW Subsea Octopus F185+ GPS, Veripos LD6 DGPS, QinSy Navigation System Reson Seabat 7150-F MBES, Kongsberg Simrad EA400 SBES Geometrics G-882 Marine Magnetometer Kongsberg HiPAP 501P USBL System EdgeTech 4200 SSS, EdgeTech DSS-2000 combined towfish, GeoAcoustics 4x4 Array Pinger RV Geo Resolution SHEET INDEX Applanix POS MV, Veripos LD900 DGNSS, Qinsy Navigation System EdgeTech 4200 SSS, GeoAcoustics 2x1 Array Pinger Norbit iWBMS System Geometrics G-882 Marine Magnetometer - Survey Launch GR-2 In Shallow Water Survey charts: Bathymetry data has been reduced to Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT) using predictions from the Admiralty Tide Tables - South West Atlantic Ocean and South America, Volume 2, 2022. Standard Ports: 2460 Anegada, 2461 Tortola, 2462 Saint Thomas (Charlotte Amalie), 2462A Saint Thomas (Benner Bay), 2464 Culebra In Landfall and Inshore Survey charts: Bathymetry data has been reduced to Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT) using predictions from the Admiralty Tide Tables - South West Atlantic Ocean and South America, Volume 2, 2022. Standard Ports: 2462 Saint Thomas (Charlotte Amalie) In Deep Water Survey chart : No tidal reduction was applied to soundings deeper than 1000m VERTICAL DATUM Cable and Pipeline Crossings · OOS St.Thomas-Dominican Republic · OOS US-Venezuela No2 · IS AMERICAS 1 seg N (as-found) · IS TAINO-CARIB (as-found) · OOS Florida-St. Thomas No2 · OOS Florida-St. Thomas No3 (as-found) · IS COLUMBUS 2 seg B (as-found) · OOS Florida-St. Thomas No1 · OOS COLUMBUS 2 Seg C1 · OOS AMERICAS 1 seg S1 · OOS BRUS · OOS St. Thomas-St. Maarten-Curacao · OOS St. Thomas-Venezuela No1 Hazards and Obstructions Rocky and subcropping areas with moderate to very steep slope were mapped in the south of center and the southeastern part of the chart. Area with GRAVEL patches were mapped in the west of the middle part of the chart. Megaripples (wavelength: <2m, height: <0.5m) were identified in the southeast of the middle part and the southeastern part of the chart. Area with scattered depressions (diameter: <2.5m, depth: <0.5m) were mapped in the southeastern of middle part of the chart. Thirty (30) sonar contacts were charted throughout the survey area where one of the contacts was identified as linear object. Area with scattered debris (general size: 3m x 1m x nmh) was mapped in the northwestern part of the chart. Areas with numerous debris (general size: 3m x 2m x nmh) were charted in the southeast of the middle part and the southeastern part of the chart. Thirty-eight (38) magnetic contacts were charted throughout the chart where twenty-five (25) of the contacts were related to IS & OOS cables and thirteen (13) of the contacts were unknown. The route runs inside United States Territorial Sea. SEGMENT BU ST. THOMAS TO ST. THOMAS NORTH UP CHART CHART NO. 003 OF 005 ( KP 12.42 - KP 22.46 ) TRUE SCALE 1 : 10162.28 (At mid-latitude of chart) 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 NATURAL SCALE 1 : 10,000 at 21°N km St.Thomas-Venezuela No1 St. Thomas USVI St.Thomas-St.Maarten-Curacao BRUS Florida-St.Thomas No1 US-Venezuela No2 Florida-St.Thomas No2 St.Thomas-Dominican Republic Florida-St.Thomas No3 TAINO-CARIB TAINO-CARIB Panam seg SA_C1 COLUMBUS 2 Seg C1 (OOS) AMERICAS 1 seg N AMERICAS 1 seg S1 (OOS) COLUMBUS 2 seg B Danger line 45° 42° 44° 32° 32° 33° 35° 28° 27° 23° 21° 29° 13° 13° As-found IS cable TAINO-CARIB by MAG Veneer of loose gravelly SAND with megaripples (wavelength: <2m, height: <0.5m) over medium dense to dense SAND cs TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC044 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC046 TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC047 cs Loose to dense SAND with intermittent veneer of loose very gravelly SAND cs cs cs Veneer of loose very sandy GRAVEL over medium dense to dense SAND Loose to dense SAND with numerous debris (general size: 3x2xnmh) Low relief ROCK Low relief ROCK Loose very sandy GRAVEL with megaripples (wavelength: <2m, height: <0.5m) over medium dense to dense SAND High relief ROCK Low to high relief ROCK Loose SAND over ROCK r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r r cs cs cs cs cs cs cs r r cs cs cs cs cs cs Loose very sandy GRAVEL over medium dense to dense SAND cs cs r r r cs cs Medium to high relief ROCK Low relief ROCK cs Low relief ROCK cs cs High relief ROCK r r r Veneer of loose sandy GRAVEL over ROCK Low to medium relief ROCK Loose to dense SAND Veneer of loose SAND over ROCK Veneer of loose very sandy GRAVEL with megaripples (wavelength: <2m, height: <0.5m) over ROCK Veneer of loose very sandy GRAVEL over ROCK Veneer of loose very sandy GRAVEL over medium dense to dense SAND Loose to dense SAND with scattered debris (general size: 3x1xnmh) (only prominent ones were marked as sonar contacts) <0.5 cs cs Veneer of loose very sandy GRAVEL over medium dense to dense SAND cs cs Loose to dense SAND with numerous debris (general size: 3x2xnmh) cs Loose to dense SAND cs <0.5 <0.5 0.5 <0.5 cs cs nmh r Low relief ROCK 0.5 0.7 <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 0.5 cs <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 <0.5 As-found possible OOS cable BRUS by SSS r Veneer of loose very sandy GRAVEL with megaripples (wavelength: <2m, height: <0.5m) over ROCK TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC001 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC002 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC003 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC004 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC005 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC006 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC007 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC008 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC009 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC010 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC011 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC012 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC013 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC014 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC016 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC017 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC018 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC019 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC020 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC021 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC022 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC023 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC024 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC025 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC026 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC027 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC028 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC029 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC015 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC001 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC002 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC003 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC005 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC006 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC007 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC008 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC009 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC010 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC011 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC012 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC013 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC014 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC015 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC016 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC017 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC018 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC019 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC020 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC021 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC022 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC023 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC024 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC025 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC026 1.1/<0.5 1/<0.5 1.2/<0.5 cs Loose to dense SAND cs Loose to dense SAND with intermittent veneer of loose very gravelly SAND 1/<0.5 1/<0.5 1.3/<0.5 nmh nmh cs cs Medium to high relief ROCK Loose very sandy GRAVEL with megaripples (wavelength: <2m, height: <0.5m) over medium dense to dense SAND Loose very sandy GRAVEL over medium dense to dense SAND Loose very sandy GRAVEL with megaripples (wavelength: <2m, height: <0.5m) over medium dense to dense SAND Low relief ROCK Veneer of loose sandy GRAVEL over ROCK Loose to dense SAND Veneer of loose gravelly SAND with megaripples (wavelength: <2m, height: <0.5m) over medium dense to dense SAND cs As-found possible OOS cable BRUS by SSS Veneer of loose very sandy GRAVEL over medium dense to dense SAND Low to high relief ROCK r TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC004 Loose to dense SAND with possible numerous marine growth Loose to dense SAND with possible scattered marine growth Loose to dense SAND with scattered depressions (diameter: <2.5m, depth: <0.5m) 2/<0.5 As-found possible IS and OOS cables by MAG and SSS As-found OOS cable Florida-St.Thomas No2 by MAG and SSS Loose to dense SAND with intermittent veneer of loose sandy GRAVEL and possible numerous marine growth N S 0 180 270 W 230 240 260 250 220 210 190 200 310 280 290 300 320 330 350 340 90 E 130 140 170 160 150 120 100 110 50 40 10 20 30 80 70 60 ContactNumber Amplitude Description TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC044 10.3 IS cable TAINO-CARIB TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC046 17 Unknown TCFS-BUSTT-GR-MC047 50.3 Unknown TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC001 6 OOS cable Florida-St.Thomas No3 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC002 25.1 OOS cable Florida-St.Thomas No3 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC003 39.7 OOS cable Florida-St.Thomas No3 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC004 30.6 OOS cable Florida-St.Thomas No3 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC005 42.5 Unknown TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC006 7.2 Unknown TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC007 21.9 IS and OOS cables TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC008 37.4 IS and OOS cables TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC009 50.7 IS and OOS cables TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC010 61.5 Unknown TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC011 8.4 Possible OOS cable Florida-St.Thomas No3 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC012 5.2 OOS cable US-Venezuela No2 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC013 10.7 IS and OOS cables TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC014 15 IS and OOS cables TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC015 3.5 Unknown TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC016 44.1 Possible OOS cable Florida-St.Thomas No3 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC017 61.8 OOS cable US-Venezuela No2 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC018 38.7 IS and OOS cables TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC019 27.1 IS and OOS cables TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC020 34.9 Unknown TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC021 10.9 Unknown TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC022 13.1 Unknown TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC023 10.6 Unknown TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC024 71.3 IS and OOS cables TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC025 53.2 Possible OOS cable Florida-St.Thomas No2 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC026 178.1 IS and OOS cables TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC027 109 IS and OOS cables TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC028 28.5 OOS cable Florida-St.Thomas No2 TCFS-BUSTT-STT-MC029 34.5 Unknown ContactNumber Dimensions Description TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC001 1.6x1.2xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC002 3x1.7xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC003 2.3x1.1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC004 228x<0.5xnmh Linear object TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC005 2.7x1.5x<0.5 Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC006 1.6x1.5x<0.5 Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC007 1.5x1.2x<0.5 Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC008 1.3x0.6xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC009 1.7x1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC010 1.8x1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC011 1.4x1xnmh Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC012 1.4x0.8x<0.5 Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC013 1.5x0.7x<0.5 Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC014 2.5x2.5x0.6 Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC015 3x3x<0.5 Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC016 3.5x1x0.5 Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC017 2x1x<0.5 Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC018 2x1.5x<0.5 Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC019 3x0.5x0.5 Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC020 45x<1xnmh Linear object TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC021 1x1x0.6 Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC022 2x1.5x<0.5 Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC023 3x1x0.5 Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC024 1.5x1x<0.5 Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC025 2.5x1.5x0.5 Debris TCFS-BUSTT-STT-SC026 3.5x1.5x0.5 Possible Wreck VBSTC St. Thomas BUTOR BUSTT VBSTC USVI FLORIDA CUBA JAMAICA HAITI BAHAMAS COLOMBIA VENEZUELA PANAMA BUPAN BUBAQ BUCTG BUPUR BUTOR BUSTT KEY MAP Current chart File name: Project name Document title This document may only be used for the purpose for which it was commissioned and in accordance with the terms of engagement for that commission. Unauthorised use of this document in any form whatsoever is undertaken entirely at the user's risk. Contractor Scale Route based upon: EGS JOB NO.: SR007121 / R034721 TCFS_BUSTT_NU004 Customer Target burial depth: Descriptive terms and definitions: GENERAL NOTES The criteria used for interpretations and descriptions are presented in survey reports Morphology and stratigraphy Surface positioning system Survey vessel Underwater positioning system Bathymetry Magnetometer survey Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System Marine Route Survey Rev Date Prepared by Approved by Checked by Survey date: May 2022 0 May 2022 Jan Li Jacky Lee Chris Welsh TCFS_BU-St.Thomas_2022-04-06_CX_withBurial.xls Preliminary CHART COMMENT Inshore Shallow and Deep Water 1m burial up to 500m water depth GEODETIC PARAMETERS Projection : Mercator False Easting : 6 000 000 False Northing : 1 000 000 Inverse Flattening (1/f) : 298.257 223 563 Semi-major Axis (a) (m) : 6 378 137.000 Ellipsoid : WGS84 Datum : WGS84 Map Projection Parameters Datum Parameters Longitude of Origin : 73° W Latitude of Origin : 0° (Equator) Standard Parallel : 21° N Scale Factor along Standard Parallel : 1 EARTH SCIENCES & SURVEYING CARTOGRAPHIC SYMBOLS BATHYMETRY Submerged wreck / Exposed wreck / Obstruction / Well / Platform / Explosives dumping ground and symbol or line feature in grey, plotted from desk top study (as-found in magenta). (for general symbols and abbreviations refer to British Admiralty Chart) Post survey route with kilometre post and reverse kilometre post Telecommunications cable position, In-service/Out of service/Planned (as-found in magenta) Pipeline position, In-service/Out of service/Planned (as-found in magenta) Power cable position, In-service/Out of service/Planned (as-found in magenta) Bathymetric contours in metres. Contour interval may be reduced to aid in clarity. Downslope gradient in degrees (°) as measured over the shortest significant distance Approximate limit of swath bathymetry coverage (shown only in areas of flat seabed) Rock Boulder field with predominant sediment classification CORAL Gas seepage area with predominant sediment classification vcs hs SEABED FEATURES Sediments Very coarse sediment (COBBLES and BOULDERS) Subcropping ROCK with predominant sediment classification (sediment thickness < target burial depth) Fine sediment (predominantly CLAY/SILT) Coarse sediment (SAND and GRAVEL) HARDGROUND (very dense/very stiff/consolidated sediments; sediment thickness < target burial depth) ROCK outcrop (with veneer of sediments) cor fs/cs/vcs fs/cs/vcs fs cs fs/cs/vcs r Sediment or feature boundary Inferred sediment or feature boundary Approximate limit of side scan sonar coverage Restricted zones and special areas Concession block Maritime boundaries 6° Seabed scar (trawl or anchor) Isopach contours shown at 1m interval with labels every 1m BP001 DP001 BS001 DS001 Beach probe (BP); Beach sample (BS) location with reference number Diver probe (DP); Diver sample (DS) location with reference number Chart matchline Coastline (from Admiralty charts) Beach manhole / Alter course / Branching Unit Adjacent route Point on line / Cable crossing / Pipeline crossing Isolated sonar contact with reference number (length x width x height in metres where measurable; nmh = no measurable height) Linear sonar contact, dashed where partially buried Unidentified magnetic anomaly with reference number and amplitude (in nano-Tesla) Cable/Pipeline position, as determined by magnetometer, with reference number and amplitude (in nano-Tesla) SC001 5x5x1 MC001 5.0 MC002 5.0 Located wreck with reference no. (length x width x height in metres where measurable) SC001 20x10x7 50x0.5x1 Pipeline contact determined by seismic profiling system with reference number and description (level at the top of pipeline is stated in metres, +/- equivalent to above or below ambient seabed) SEI001 -2.5 Small ROCK outcrop with height in metres if discernible Seabed depression or pockmark with diameter (d) and depth (D) in metres, where discernible Fault with depth below seafloor (Hachures on footwall) CP001 Orientation of sediment ribbon General orientation of sandwave crest (Hachures on lee side where observable, with wavelength and height in metres) Orientation of megaripple crest (Hachures on lee side where observable, with wavelength and height in metres) 0.5 GC001 d/D Gravity core (GC); Grab sample (GS) location with reference number MiniCPT (CP) location with reference number Orientation of current lineation -25 LW Subsea Octopus F185+ GPS, Veripos LD6 DGPS, QinSy Navigation System Reson Seabat 7150-F MBES, Kongsberg Simrad EA400 SBES Geometrics G-882 Marine Magnetometer Kongsberg HiPAP 501P USBL System EdgeTech 4200 SSS, EdgeTech DSS-2000 combined towfish, GeoAcoustics 4x4 Array Pinger RV Geo Resolution SHEET INDEX Applanix POS MV, Veripos LD900 DGNSS, Qinsy Navigation System EdgeTech 4200 SSS, GeoAcoustics 2x1 Array Pinger Norbit iWBMS System Geometrics G-882 Marine Magnetometer - Survey Launch GR-2 In Shallow Water Survey charts: Bathymetry data has been reduced to Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT) using predictions from the Admiralty Tide Tables - South West Atlantic Ocean and South America, Volume 2, 2022. Standard Ports: 2460 Anegada, 2461 Tortola, 2462 Saint Thomas (Charlotte Amalie), 2462A Saint Thomas (Benner Bay), 2464 Culebra In Landfall and Inshore Survey charts: Bathymetry data has been reduced to Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT) using predictions from the Admiralty Tide Tables - South West Atlantic Ocean and South America, Volume 2, 2022. Standard Ports: 2462 Saint Thomas (Charlotte Amalie) In Deep Water Survey chart : No tidal reduction was applied to soundings deeper than 1000m VERTICAL DATUM Cable and Pipeline Crossings · IS TAINO-CARIB (as-found) · OOS St.Thomas-St. Maarten-Curacao · OOS St.Thomas-Venezuela No1 · OOS Florida-St. Thomas No2 (as-found) · OOS Florida-St. Thomas No1 · OOS BRUS (as-found) · OOS AMERICAS 1 seg S1 · IS AMERICAS 1 seg N · OOS Florida-St. Thomas No3 · IS Panam seg SA_C1 · OOS COLUMBUS 2 Seg C1 · OOS US-Venezuela No2 · IS COLUMBUS 2 seg B · IS AMERICAS 1 seg N · OOS AMERICAS 1 seg S1 The following cable runs within the survey corridor: · OOS St. homas-Dominican Republic Hazards and Obstructions Rocky and subcropping areas with moderate to very steep slopes were mapped in the north of the middle part, the middle and the southeastern part of the chart. Megaripples (wavelength: <2m, height: <0.5m) were identified in the northern part, the west of the middle part of the chart. Area with scattered depressions (diameter: <2.5m, depth: <0.5m) were mapped in the northwestern of the chart. Twenty-six (26) sonar contacts were charted throughout the survey area where two (2) of the contacts were identified as linear object and one (1) of the contacts as a possible wreck. Area with scattered debris was mapped in the middle part of the chart. Area with numerous debris was identified in the northern of the middle and the middle part of the chart. Thirty-two (32) magnetic contacts were charted where twenty-one (21) of the contacts are related to IS & OOS cables and eleven (11) of the contacts are unknown. The route runs inside United States Territorial Sea. SEGMENT BU ST. THOMAS TO ST. THOMAS NORTH UP CHART CHART NO. 004 OF 005 ( KP 19.69 - KP 23.39 ) TRUE SCALE 1 : 5082.09 (At mid-latitude of chart) 0 100 200 300 400 500 NATURAL SCALE 1 : 5,000 at 21°N m VBSTC St. Thomas BUTOR BUSTT VBSTC USVI FLORIDA CUBA JAMAICA HAITI BAHAMAS COLOMBIA VENEZUELA PANAMA BUPAN BUBAQ BUCTG BUPUR BUTOR BUSTT Medium dense very gravelly SAND Loose to dense silty SAND Loose to dense silty SAND Loose to dense silty SAND Loose to dense silty SAND Loose to dense silty SAND Debris patch Interbedded sediments Interbedded sediments Interbedded sediments Interbedded sediments Veneer of loose gravelly silty SAND Loose to dense silty SAND Medium dense very gravelly SAND Medium dense very gravelly SAND Medium dense very gravelly SAND Medium dense very gravelly SAND Dense to very dense SAND 180 170 160 150 140 130 120 110 100 90 80 70 60 50 0 20 30 40 10 -10 -20 -30 -40 50 40 30 20 0 90 80 70 60 100 150 140 130 120 110 180 170 160 10 -10 -20 -30 -40 ROCK ROCK Loose to dense silty SAND Loose to dense silty SAND Loose to dense silty SAND Loose to dense silty SAND HARDGROUND Medium dense very gravelly SAND Medium dense very gravelly SAND Medium dense very gravelly SAND Veneer of loose gravelly SAND Intermittent veneer of loose gravelly SAND ROCK Dense to very dense SAND HARDGROUND HARDGROUND 16° 15° 180 170 160 150 140 130 120 110 100 90 80 70 60 50 0 20 30 40 10 -10 -20 -30 -40 50 40 30 20 0 90 80 70 60 100 150 140 130 120 110 180 170 160 10 -10 -20 -30 -40 Loose to dense silty SAND Veneer of loose gravelly SAND Veneer of loose very sandy GRAVEL ROCK Loose to dense SAND Veneer of loose very sandy GRAVEL Veneer of loose SAND Loose to dense SAND Veneer of loose very sandy GRAVEL Loose to dense SAND Loose to dense SAND Loose to dense SAND Intermittent veneer of loose sandy GRAVEL ROCK Loose to dense SAND ROCK ROCK ROCK ROCK Dense SAND ROCK 17° 180 170 160 150 140 130 120 110 100 90 80 70 60 50 0 20 30 40 10 -10 -20 -30 -40 50 40 30 20 0 90 80 70 60 100 150 140 130 120 110 180 170 160 10 -10 -20 -30 -40 KEY MAP Current chart File name: Project name Document title This document may only be used for the purpose for which it was commissioned and in accordance with the terms of engagement for that commission. Unauthorised use of this document in any form whatsoever is undertaken entirely at the user's risk. Contractor Scale Route based upon: EGS JOB NO.: SR007121 / R034721 TCFS_BUSTT_SC001 Customer Target burial depth: Descriptive terms and definitions: GENERAL NOTES The criteria used for interpretations and descriptions are presented in survey reports Morphology and stratigraphy Surface positioning system Survey vessel Underwater positioning system Bathymetry Magnetometer survey Trans Caribbean Fiber Submarine Cable System Marine Route Survey Rev Date Prepared by Approved by Checked by Survey date: May 2022 0 May 2022 Jan Li Jacky Lee Chris Welsh TCFS_BU-St.Thomas_2022-04-06_CX_withBurial.xls Preliminary Inshore Shallow and Deep Water 1m burial up to 500m water depth GEODETIC PARAMETERS Projection : Mercator False Easting : 6 000 000 False Northing : 1 000 000 Inverse Flattening (1/f) : 298.257 223 563 Semi-major Axis (a) (m) : 6 378 137.000 Ellipsoid : WGS84 Datum : WGS84 Map Projection Parameters Datum Parameters Longitude of Origin : 73° W Latitude of Origin : 0° (Equator) Standard Parallel : 21° N Scale Factor along Standard Parallel : 1 EARTH SCIENCES & SURVEYING LW Subsea Octopus F185+ GPS, Veripos LD6 DGPS, QinSy Navigation System Reson Seabat 7150-F MBES, Kongsberg Simrad EA400 SBES Geometrics G-882 Marine Magnetometer Kongsberg HiPAP 501P USBL System EdgeTech 4200 SSS, EdgeTech DSS-2000 combined towfish, GeoAcoustics 4x4 Array Pinger RV Geo Resolution SHEET INDEX Applanix POS MV, Veripos LD900 DGNSS, Qinsy Navigation System EdgeTech 4200 SSS, GeoAcoustics 2x1 Array Pinger Norbit iWBMS System Geometrics G-882 Marine Magnetometer - Survey Launch GR-2 In Shallow Water Survey charts: Bathymetry data has been reduced to Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT) using predictions from the Admiralty Tide Tables - South West Atlantic Ocean and South America, Volume 2, 2022. Standard Ports: 2460 Anegada, 2461 Tortola, 2462 Saint Thomas (Charlotte Amalie), 2462A Saint Thomas (Benner Bay), 2464 Culebra In Landfall and Inshore Survey charts: Bathymetry data has been reduced to Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT) using predictions from the Admiralty Tide Tables - South West Atlantic Ocean and South America, Volume 2, 2022. Standard Ports: 2462 Saint Thomas (Charlotte Amalie) In Deep Water Survey chart : No tidal reduction was applied to soundings deeper than 1000m VERTICAL DATUM SEABED PROFILE AND GEOLOGICAL INFORMATION PANEL SEABED PROFILE AND GEOLOGICAL INFORMATION PANEL SEABED PROFILE AND GEOLOGICAL INFORMATION PANEL VERTICAL SCALE = 1:1000 VERTICAL EXAGGERATION = x10 DEPTH IN METRES BELOW LAT VERTICAL SCALE = 1:1000 VERTICAL EXAGGERATION = x10 DEPTH IN METRES BELOW LAT VERTICAL SCALE = 1:1000 VERTICAL EXAGGERATION = x10 DEPTH IN METRES BELOW LAT HORIZONTAL SCALE = 1:10,000 HORIZONTAL SCALE = 1:10,000 HORIZONTAL SCALE = 1:10,000 SHALLOW GEOLOGY PROFILE Seabed profile Major reflectors 10° Seabed features boundary Cable / Pipeline crossing Seafloor slope angle values in degrees CP001 GC001 MiniCPT (CP) location with reference number Seabed sample location with reference number 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 NATURAL SCALE 1 : 10,000 at 21° N km SEGMENT BU ST. THOMAS TO ST. THOMAS STRIP CHART CHART NO. 001 OF 001 ( KP 0.00 - KP 23.39 ) BENTHIC SURVEY REPORT CZM PERMIT APPLICATION MAGEN’S BAY, ST. THOMAS USVI TRANS-CARIBBEAN FIBER SYSTEM CABLE LANDING PROJECT Applicant: TRANS AMERICAS FIBER US, LLC December 20, 2023 BENTHIC SURVEY REPORT AT&T OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS INC No. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6 Estate Peterborg, Northside St. Thomas, USVI MAGEN’S BAY, ST. THOMAS USVI TRANS- CARIBBEAN FIBER SYSTEM CABLE LANDING PROJECT Submitted by: VIDEO SEVEN SEAS LTD. TYSAM TECH LLC 283 La Grande Princess Christiansted, US Virgin Islands 9139 Castle Coakley, Bay 7, Ste. 1 Christiansted, US Virgin Islands +1 340-725-5499 +1 340-244-8211 2022/11/18 -11/20 – STT Observations and Notes The proposed submarine cable lay in St. Thomas enters the 3 nautical mile (3.5 statute miles) USVI territorial waters boundary at GPS point #2. It comes from a north/south cable intersection 0.75 nautical miles to the west of there at GPS point #1. The cable runs east passing approximately one nautical mile north of Cricket Rock onward to a point approximately 0.7 nautical miles north of Outer Brass then continues east to a point roughly one nautical mile northeast of Outer Brass where it runs generally south and southeast into Magen’s Bay. The route is mapped by 55 GPS points starting at the intersection with the north/south cable (GPS point 1) and ending on land with GPS Point 55. (Figure 1 below). Figure 1: NOAA chart overlay on Google Earth Image showing proposed cable route and the numerous existing cables identified by oscillating red lines. The proposed route was videotaped using a drop camera, ROV and/or diver held cameras. After inspecting and videotaping the 6.8 nautical miles from GPS 23 to GPS 5 and finding no significant habitats and a uniform silt/sand bottom, the section between GPS 1 to a point approximately 500 feet west of GPS 5 was randomly sampled with a drop camera at various sections on and near the proposed route to look for any possible significant benthic habitat. The benthic community was a uniform fine sand/silt for the entire route from GPS 1 to GPS 23 (approximately 10 nautical miles) and a uniform depth that varied only from a maximum of 178’ near GPS 4 to 130’ at GPS 23. Of particular concern for the proposed cable route was the possibility of encountering deep water Mesophotic Reefs. These little studied reefs are found elsewhere in St. Thomas (see T. B. Smith, et. al. “Benthic structure and cryptic mortality in a Caribbean mesophotic coral reef bank system, the Hind Bank Marine Conservation District, U.S. Virgin Islands” in Coral Reefs (2010) 29:289–308 DOI 10.1007/s00338- 009-0575-8 and David K.Weinstein, Tyler B. Smith, James S. Klaus in “Mesophotic bioerosion: Variability and structural impact on U.S. Virgin Island deep reefs” in Geomorphology 222 (2014) 14–24). Therefore, particular attention was paid to areas near land that might have connected or associated hard-bottom habitats that could support these deep reefs. None were found (see figure 3). Video and still photos were collected from a mid-point on the 70 foot deep reef discovered between GPS 24 and GPS 25 (Figure 2). Two 25 meter long transects, one running north and the other south, were laid from this center point via SCUBA with Nikon W300 and GoPro Hero 4 cameras. In the ROV video footage from the same area an existing cable is plainly visible with no observed disturbance of benthic habitats. Figure 2: Location of reef between GPS Points 24 and 25 that is east of Outer Brass Island From GPS point #55 on shore, a survey was made with a measuring tape laid along the bottom (and in view in the videos) out 100+ meters from shore to GPS 50. As with other existing cables found elsewhere, the existing cables are plainly visible here, some on the reef and some well off the bottom. No evidence of habitat degradation was observed. The reef documented at approximately 200’ to 300’ from shore is a mixed bottom with various habitats and benthic life, including hard corals of various species. To document the 14.5 mile proposed route, 5 ¾ hours of video footage was captured using a professional Outland UWC-325/P Color Camera which featured very low light sensitivity (.001 lux) using a 3.6mm f1.4 lens measuring 1.62" x 5" with a depth rating of 2000 m and 750 lines horizontal resolution. 83 minutes of video footage was captured using a Deep Trekker Revolution ROV. Figure 3: Sites surveyed south of the proposed cable route that are closer to land. Figure 4: Proposed Cable Route as it passes closest to Picara Point (see Figure 2 also) Figure 5: NOAA Chart showing Magen’s Bay Shoreline with proposed cable landing and cable route along GPS points Frame grab of video from ROV at area between GPS 24 and GPS 25 showing existing cable The most common benthic feature other than sand were a few gorgonian skeletons and approximately 20 were observed. Typical gorgonian skeleton in 170’ deep water (frame grab from video camera). 2023/11/06 – STT Observations and Notes Substantial bleaching was observed on almost all hard coral species although some color was visible. It cannot be confirmed visually if it is late bleaching or early recovery. Bleaching was occurring in soft corals as well. The last time bleaching was this pervasive was in 2005 (see graphs on page 3). At the NPS coral monitoring sites around VI National Park in St. John, bleaching combined with the coral disease white plague caused over a 60% decline in coral cover (Ref: Miller, J., et al. "Coral disease following massive bleaching in 2005 causes 60% decline in coral cover on reefs in the US Virgin Islands." Coral Reefs 28 (2009) 925-937). The coral disease white plague has not been a large problem lately, but Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) has been extremely virulent and prevalent throughout Florida and the Caribbean causing extensive coral mortality. It is impossible to predict the impact of this SCTLD- environment now combined with bleaching, but it is likely there will be a decline in coral cover from these on-going events. This loss would be unrelated to the cable laying at this time. A new baseline benthic survey should be done during or immediately after the cable laying so that the post-bleaching live coral coverage can be documented as a baseline. GPS 24- GPS 25 site StarƟng at 18.402279 N, -64.953460 W Benthic cover estimated as follows: Hard Coral: 4% Octocorals: 2% Macroalgae: 10% Crustose coralline algae: 1% Sand: 2% Sponges: 1% Turf algae: 80% TOTAL: 100% Shortly aŌer documenƟng the immediate area in the middle this hardbotom area, the divers located and followed an exisƟng cable and documented the numerous hard and soŌ corals and sponges growing directly “ON” the cable. It is our judgement that the corals are scatered enough that the new cable could be laid in the scatered sand channels or through this benthic community without causing damage to exisƟng corals or habitat. This would be best accomplished if the cable laying was guided by divers during the placement and laying of the cable. A new baseline benthic survey should be made during or immediately aŌer the cable lay so that the post-bleaching live coral coverage can be documented as a baseline. Cable Landing Site in Magen’s Bay The inspecƟon began at the point where exisƟng cables begin their sharp turn to the north at GPS 50. Benthos is 100% silty mud. Most cables observed (3-4) were suspended above the benthos at this point. Proceeding towards shore, shallower and upslope, the cables came in contact with a hardbotom community, primarily turf algae, and rose rapidly up to 20’ depth. At that 20’ depth, the “shoulder of the slope” was between 20’ - 12’ where numerous large patch reefs were observed among a scatered coral and rock community. The three (3) Orbicella listed species (O. annularis, O. franksi, O. faveolata) were found here. Orbicella annularis colonies were abundant and large. The divers swam approximately north and south, parallel to the shoulder of the hardbotom, observing 7-9 exisƟng cables laying among and oŌen over the vibrant coral and fish community. There was evidence of storm damage with some coral colonies toppled, and shore debris (plasƟc beach chair). Other land-based polluƟon (botles, cans, unidenƟfiable plasƟc) was also observed. The overall impression is that the exisƟng cables were laid without regard to the reef community, much of which was composed of coral species listed on the US Endangered Species List (genus Orbicella). Future cables would need to be guided through this reef community to avoid contact with exisƟng corals. In 10 – 12’ depth, the hard botom changed into a sand a seagrass community. The area is dominated by the invasive seagrass (Halodule stipulacea). (Ref: Willete, Demian A., Julien Chalifour, AO Dolfi Debrot, M. Sabine Engel, Jeff Miller, Hazel A. Oxenford, Frederick T. Short, Sascha CC Steiner, and Fabien Védie. "ConƟnued expansion of the trans-AtlanƟc invasive marine angiosperm Halophila sƟpulacea in the Eastern Caribbean." Aquatic botany 112 (2014): 98-102.) The brown macroalgae (Dictyota spp.) was mixed among the invasive seagrass. This algae genus was not observed in 2022 in this area. Occasionally, naƟve turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum) was observed. A Green sea turtle (also on the ESA species list – Chelonia mydas) was also observed during this dive. Laying a new cable through this community would cause minimal disrupƟon if placed by divers. Species lists for Coral, Fish, Inverts, Seagrass (and others) at Cable Crossing shoreline to first major cable turn, Magen’s Bay, St. Thomas November 2023 Survey VISUAL OBSERVATION CORAL Code Genus species common name category DLAB Diploria labyrinthiformis Grooved brain coral Coral FFRA Favia fragum Golfball coral Coral MALC Millepora alcicornis Fire coral Coral MCAV Montastraea cavernosa Great star coral Coral MDEC Madracis decactis Ten-ray star coral Coral OANN Orbicella nnularis Common star coral Coral OFAV Orbicella faveolata Mountainous star coral Coral OFRA Orbicella franksi Boulder star coral Coral PAST Porites astreoides Mustard hill coral Coral PPOR Porites porites Finger coral Coral PSTR Pseudodiploria strigosa Symmetrical brain coral Coral SINT Stephanocoenia intersepta Blushing star coral Coral SSID Siderastrea siderea Massive starlet coral Coral UAGA Undaria agaricites Lettuce coral Coral Yellow indicates species observed in the 2022 video analysis. VISUAL OBSERVATION SEAGRASS MACROALGAE Code Genus species common name category HSTI Halophila stipulacea invasive seagrass Seagrass TTES Thalassia testudinum turtle grass Seagrass DICT Dicyota common macroalgae Macroalgae Green Chelonia mydas Green Sea turtle Turtle Yellow indicates species observed in the 2022 video analysis. VISUAL OBSERVATION INVERTS Code Genus species common name category SCUC VARIOUS SEA CUCUMBERS Inverts SPO VARIOUS SPONGES Inverts WORM TUBE WORMS Inverts Yellow indicates species observed in the 2022 video analysis. VISUAL OBSERVATION FISH Code Genus species common name category ABSA Abudefduf saxatilis sergeant major Fish ACBA Acanthurus bahianus ocean surgeonfish Fish ACCH Acanthurus chirurgus doctorfish Fish ACCO Acanthurus coeruleus blue tang Fish CARU Caranx ruber bar jack Fish CHCA Chaetodon capistratus foureye butterflyfish Fish EPCR Epinephelus cruentatus graysby Fish EPGU Epinephelus guttatus red hind Fish EPMO Epinephelus morio red grouper Fish HABI Halichoeres bivittatus slippery dick Fish HAFL Haemulon flavolineatum french grunt Fish HAGA Halichoeres garnoti yellowhead wrasse Fish HAMA Halichoeres maculipinna clown wrasse Fish HAPL Haemulon plumieri white grunt Fish HORU Holocentrus rufus squirrelfish Fish HYAB Hypoplectrus aberrans yellowbelly hamlet Fish HYPU Hypoplectrus puella barred hamlet Fish HYUN Hypoplectrus unicolor hamlet Fish LATR Lactophrys triqueter smooth trunkfish Fish LUSY Lutjanus synagris lane snapper Fish OCCH Ocyurus chrysurus yellowtail snapper Fish PSMA Pseudupeneus maculatus spotted goatfish Fish SCIS Scarus iseri striped parrotfish Fish SPAU Sparisoma aurofrenatum redband parrotfish Fish SPVI Sparisoma viride stoplight parrotfish Fish STDI Stegastes diencaeus longfin damselfish Fish STLE Stegastes leucostictus beaugregory Fish STPA Stegastes partitus bicolor damselfish Fish STPL Stegastes planifrons threespot damselfish Fish THBI Thalassoma bifasciatum bluehead wrasse Fish Species lists for Coral, Fish, Inverts, Seagrass (and others) at GPS 24-25 Center, Outer Brass, St. Thomas November 2023 Survey VISUAL OBSERVATION CORAL Code Genus species common name category CORJU Coral juvenile Juvenile coral Coral DLAB Diploria labyrinthiformis Grooved brain coral Coral GO Gorgonians Various octocorals Coral HCUC Helioseris cucullata Sunray lettuce coral Coral MALC Millepora alcicornis Fire coral Coral MCAV Montastraea cavernosa Great star coral Coral MDEC Madracis decactis Ten-ray star coral Coral OFRA Orbicella franksi Boulder star coral Coral PFUR Porites furcata Branched finger coral Coral PAST Porites astreoides mustard hill coral Coral PPOR Porites porites Finger coral Coral PSTR Pseudodiploria strigosa Symmetrical brain coral Coral SINT Stephanocoenia intersepta Blushing star coral Coral SSID Siderastrea siderea Massive starlet coral Coral UAGA Undaria agaricites Lettuce coral Coral Yellow indicates species observed in the 2022 video analysis. VISUAL OBSERVATION INVERTS Code Genus species common name category XMUT Xestospongia muta barrel sponge Invert SPO various sponges Invert WORMS various worms Invert ZOOX Palythoa caribaeorum white encrusting zooxanthid Invert Yellow indicates species observed in the 2022 video analysis. VISUAL OBSERVATION FISH Code Genus species common name category ACBA Acanthurus bahianus ocean surgeonfish Fish ACCH Acanthurus chirurgus doctorfish Fish CARO Canthigaster rostrata sharpnose puffer Fish CHCA Chaetodon capistratus foureye butterflyfish Fish CHCY Chromis cyanea blue chromis Fish CHSE Chaetodon sedentarius reef butterflyfish Fish CLPA Clepticus parrai creole wrasse Fish DEMA Decapterus macarellus mackerel scad Fish EPCR Epinephelus cruentatus graysby Fish EPFU Epinephelus fulvus coney Fish EPGU Epinephelus guttatus red hind Fish HAFL Haemulon flavolineatum french grunt Fish HAGA Halichoeres garnoti yellowhead wrasse Fish HAMA Halichoeres maculipinna clown wrasse Fish HAPL Haemulon plumieri white grunt Fish HORU Holocentrus rufus squirrelfish Fish HOTR Holacanthus tricolor rock beauty Fish OCCH Ocyurus chrysurus yellowtail snapper Fish SCIS Scarus iseri striped parrotfish Fish SCTA Scarus taeniopterus princess parrotfish Fish SETA Serranus tabacarius tobaccofish Fish SPAU Sparisoma aurofrenatum redband parrotfish Fish SPVI Sparisoma viride stoplight parrotfish Fish STPA Stegastes partitus bicolor damselfish Fish THBI Thalassoma bifasciatum bluehead wrasse Fish Yellow indicates species observed in video analysis. ROUTE AND APPROACH MAPS CZM PERMIT APPLICATION MAGEN’S BAY, ST. THOMAS USVI TRANS-CARIBBEAN FIBER SYSTEM CABLE LANDING PROJECT Applicant: TRANS AMERICAS FIBER US, LLC December 20, 2023 TRANS-CARIBBEAN FIBER SYSTEM (TCFS) USVI CABLE LANDING PROJECT Magen’s Bay, St. Thomas Landing Point Butler Bay, St. Croix Landing Point TRANS-CARIBBEAN FIBER SYSTEM (TCFS) LANDING PROJECT MAGEN’S BAY, ST. THOMAS, USVI LANDING LOCATION L O C A T I O N M A P PROJECT MAP GOOGLE EARTH MAPS LOCATION MAP GOOGLE EARTH MAPS CARIBBEAN SEA ATLANTIC OCEAN Magen’s Bay Cable Station No. 1 Peterborg Estate St. Thomas, VI 00801 18-22.43N, 64-55.67W Headwall Cable Landing 18-22.32N, 64-55.70W Station Manholes Land Conduit (Easement) 9139 CASTLE COAKLEY BAY 7, SUITE 1 CHRISTIANSTED, VI 00820 BY DATE DESIGNED DRAWN CHECKED REVISED PROJECT NO. SCALE: AS NOTED STAMP PROJECT: SHEET USVI D-2 ST. THOMAS MAGEN’S BAY B. KEULARTS B. KEULARTS 20210923-03 NOTES TELECOMMUNICATIONS CABLE LANDING PROJECT CABLE ROUTE WGS 1984 World Mercator (Calculated) SCALE 1:35000 at Lat. 18°25.29’ GCS WGS 1984 Bathymetry Overlay Satellite Base Image Esri Community Maps Contributors US Virgin Islands GIS Division, Esri, HERE, Garmin, Foursquare, SafeGraph, GeoTechnologies, Inc, METI/NASA, USGS, NPS, US Census Bureau 12/18/2023 12/18/2023 Nautical Miles Meters 1.2 1.6 0.4 0.8 2,550 3,400 850 1,700 0 0 EXISTING CABLES USVI TERRITORIAL WATERS LIMIT PROPOSED TCFS CABLE ROUTE CORAL REEF LOCATION D-5 1 D-4 1 9139 CASTLE COAKLEY BAY 7, SUITE 1 CHRISTIANSTED, VI 00820 BY DATE DESIGNED DRAWN CHECKED REVISED PROJECT NO. SCALE: AS NOTED STAMP PROJECT: SHEET USVI D-3 ST. THOMAS MAGEN’S BAY B. KEULARTS B. KEULARTS 20210923-03 NOTES TELECOMMUNICATIONS CABLE LANDING PROJECT CABLE ROUTE WGS 1984 World Mercator (Calculated) SCALE 1:35000 at Lat. 18°25.29’ GCS WGS 1984 Bathymetry Overlay Satellite Base Image Esri Community Maps Contributors US Virgin Islands GIS Division, Esri, HERE, Garmin, Foursquare, SafeGraph, GeoTechnologies, Inc, METI/NASA, USGS, NPS, US Census Bureau 12/18/2023 12/18/2023 Nautical Miles Meters 0.6 0.8 0.2 0.4 1,275 1,700 425 850 0 0 100M LEG (110M FROM SHORE) 120M LEG (180M FROM SHORE) 255M LEG (230M FROM SHORE) EXISTING BEACH MANHOLE TELECOMMUNICATION BLDG & MANHOLE PROPOSED SHORE-SIDE MANHOLE LOCATION KEY MARKER POINTS FOR NEW CABLE ROUTE EXISTING CABLES PROPOSED TCFS CABLE ROUTE EXISTING SHORE-SIDE CONDUIT CORAL REEF LOCATION 9139 CASTLE COAKLEY BAY 7, SUITE 1 CHRISTIANSTED, VI 00820 BY DATE DESIGNED DRAWN CHECKED REVISED PROJECT NO. SCALE: AS NOTED STAMP PROJECT: SHEET USVI D-4 B. KEULARTS B. KEULARTS 20210923-03 NOTES TELECOMMUNICATIONS CABLE LANDING PROJECT WGS 1984 World Mercator (Calculated) SCALE 1:35000 at Lat. 18°25.29’ GCS WGS 1984 Bathymetry Overlay Satellite Base Image Esri Community Maps Contributors US Virgin Islands GIS Division, Esri, HERE, Garmin, Foursquare, SafeGraph, GeoTechnologies, Inc, METI/NASA, USGS, NPS, US Census Bureau ST. THOMAS MAGEN’S BAY CABLE ROUTE FROM GPS SURVEY AREA POINTS 46 - 55 12/18/2023 12/18/2023 Meters 159 212 53 106 0 SANDY BOTTOM MODERATE SEAGRASS DENSITY, MINIMAL ALGAE, MOSTLY SANDY BOTTOM MODERATE SEAGRASS DENSITY EXISTING CABLES, CORAL WITH SOME HARDBOTTOM MODERATE SEAGRASS DENSITY, SOME CORAL MINIMAL CORAL DENSITY MINIMAL CORAL DENSITY MODERATE SEAGRASS DENSITY, SOME ALGAE & DEBRIS MOSTLY SANDY BOTTOM, SHORE-SIDE MANHOLE LOCATION MARKER POINTS FOR NEW CABLE ROUTE EXISTING CABLES PROPOSED TCFS CABLE ROUTE EXISTING SHORE-SIDE CONDUIT EXISTING BEACH MANHOLE TELECOMMUNICATION BLDG & MANHOLE 9139 CASTLE COAKLEY BAY 7, SUITE 1 CHRISTIANSTED, VI 00820 BY DATE DESIGNED DRAWN CHECKED REVISED PROJECT NO. SCALE: AS NOTED STAMP PROJECT: SHEET USVI D-5 ST. THOMAS MAGEN’S BAY B. KEULARTS B. KEULARTS 20210923-03 NOTES TELECOMMUNICATIONS CABLE LANDING PROJECT CABLE ROUTE WGS 1984 World Mercator (Calculated) SCALE 1:35000 at Lat. 18°25.29’ GCS WGS 1984 Bathymetry Overlay Satellite Base Image Esri Community Maps Contributors US Virgin Islands GIS Division, Esri, HERE, Garmin, Foursquare, SafeGraph, GeoTechnologies, Inc, METI/NASA, USGS, NPS, US Census Bureau FROM GPS SURVEY AREA POINTS 24 - 25 12/18/2023 12/18/2023 Meters 318 424 106 212 0 EXISTING CABLES PROPOSED TCFS CABLE ROUTE CORAL AND HARDBOTTOM CORAL AND HARDBOTTOM, EXISTING CABLE CORAL AND HARDBOTTOM CORAL AND HARDBOTTOM, EXISTING CABLE CORAL AND HARDBOTTOM EXISTING CABLE, CORAL AND HARDBOTTOM CORAL AND HARDBOTTOM CORAL AND HARDBOTTOM REQUIRED MAPS (ZONING, PARCEL, FIRM, ETC.) CZM PERMIT APPLICATION MAGEN’S BAY, ST. THOMAS USVI TRANS-CARIBBEAN FIBER SYSTEM CABLE LANDING PROJECT Applicant: TRANS AMERICAS FIBER US, LLC December 20, 2023 Soil Map—Virgin Islands of the United States (Magen's Bay St. Thomas, VI 00801) Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey National Cooperative Soil Survey 2/6/2023 2032330 2032390 2032450 2032510 2032570 2032630 2032690 2032750 2032810 2032870 2032330 2032390 2032450 2032510 2032570 2032630 2032690 2032750 2032810 2032870 296090 296150 296210 296270 296330 296390 296450 296090 296150 296210 296270 296330 296390 296450 18° 22' 33'' N 64° 55' 48'' W 18° 22' 33'' N 64° 55' 34'' W 18° 22' 16'' N 64° 55' 48'' W 18° 22' 16'' N 64° 55' 34'' W N Map projection: Web Mercator Corner coordinates: WGS84 Edge tics: UTM Zone 20N WGS84 0 100 200 400 600 Feet 0 35 70 140 210 Meters Map Scale: 1:2,670 if printed on A portrait (8.5" x 11") sheet. Soil Map may not be valid at this scale. MAP LEGEND MAP INFORMATION Area of Interest (AOI) Area of Interest (AOI) Soils Soil Map Unit Polygons Soil Map Unit Lines Soil Map Unit Points Special Point Features Blowout Borrow Pit Clay Spot Closed Depression Gravel Pit Gravelly Spot Landfill Lava Flow Marsh or swamp Mine or Quarry Miscellaneous Water Perennial Water Rock Outcrop Saline Spot Sandy Spot Severely Eroded Spot Sinkhole Slide or Slip Sodic Spot Spoil Area Stony Spot Very Stony Spot Wet Spot Other Special Line Features Water Features Streams and Canals Transportation Rails Interstate Highways US Routes Major Roads Local Roads Background Aerial Photography The soil surveys that comprise your AOI were mapped at 1:12,000. Warning: Soil Map may not be valid at this scale. Enlargement of maps beyond the scale of mapping can cause misunderstanding of the detail of mapping and accuracy of soil line placement. The maps do not show the small areas of contrasting soils that could have been shown at a more detailed scale. Please rely on the bar scale on each map sheet for map measurements. Source of Map: Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey URL: Coordinate System: Web Mercator (EPSG:3857) Maps from the Web Soil Survey are based on the Web Mercator projection, which preserves direction and shape but distorts distance and area. A projection that preserves area, such as the Albers equal-area conic projection, should be used if more accurate calculations of distance or area are required. This product is generated from the USDA-NRCS certified data as of the version date(s) listed below. Soil Survey Area: Virgin Islands of the United States Survey Area Data: Version 4, Sep 12, 2022 Soil map units are labeled (as space allows) for map scales 1:50,000 or larger. Date(s) aerial images were photographed: Jan 14, 2014—May 27, 2020 The orthophoto or other base map on which the soil lines were compiled and digitized probably differs from the background imagery displayed on these maps. As a result, some minor shifting of map unit boundaries may be evident. Soil Map—Virgin Islands of the United States (Magen's Bay St. Thomas, VI 00801) Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey National Cooperative Soil Survey 2/6/2023 Map Unit Legend Map Unit Symbol Map Unit Name Acres in AOI Percent of AOI AmE Annaberg-Maho Bay complex, 20 to 40 percent slopes, extremely stony 1.4 10.2% AmF Annaberg-Maho Bay complex, 40 to 60 percent slopes, extremely stony 7.5 52.8% BtB Beaches, stony 0.8 5.6% SrF Southgate-Rock outcrop complex, 40 to 60 percent slopes 1.6 11.4% Totals for Area of Interest 14.2 100.0% Soil Map—Virgin Islands of the United States Magen's Bay St. Thomas, VI 00801 Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey National Cooperative Soil Survey 2/6/2023 T 471 ANT' CTAN F . LOCA v iNS E *vE *AE t N 1A-/L45+/7: . AN unDi S22wV A5:EL 90 ARES - ETATE. FETLRE.1RG N42'4i 5 "5L V - 3E AN.TILLPS IAND DEVEL0PMENT INC. ESTATE RTHSO QUARrER 7HOMAS EDA TRUr copy L N stba SURYEYRS d6S -A 89-91-T63 bae oC , LCESt 1 0 - 2 , E- Magens Bas dgens Bay Beach aN VMJ. Vssva LEEWARD Picara Point PASSA GE 00 Lovenlund Bay MAGENS BAY Reseau 200 - ETTBay 400 Lerkenlund Bay 400 200 ERKENAY OAs oA LoVENLUN 400 MagenS HMdayspHT 48 200 200 GANAAM QUALIFICATIONS AND BACKGROUND CZM PERMIT APPLICATION MAGEN’S BAY, ST. THOMAS USVI TRANS-CARIBBEAN FIBER SYSTEM CABLE LANDING PROJECT Applicant: TRANS AMERICAS FIBER US, LLC December 20, 2023 dƌŝŶŝƚLJ 'ƌĂŶŐĞƌ %HQMDPLQ.HXODUWV WƌŽũĞĐƚ ŶŐŝŶĞĞƌ // dƌŝŶŝƚLJ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ ' ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ Ő ƌ Summary With an education and degree in Chemical Engineering, Benjamin has 15 years of experience in the environmental engineering field covering major environmental disciplines and branches, such as Air, Water, Solid Waste and Coastal Zone management and has expertise in both technical and regulatory (federal and local) aspects of environmental engineering. Having worked in both public and private sector, as both field reconnaissance engineer, technical reviewer, project leads, program manager, and support staff, provides a very flexible skill-set as typically required in the Virgin Islands territory. Relevant Experience Tysam Tech, LLC St. Croix, USVI Environmental Engineer II December 2019-Present Provides project and environmental site review as well as permit development and Environmental Assessment Review (EAR) development. Knowledge of both federal and local environmental regulation under CWA and CAA, used to advise clients and construct management plans for projects as well as day to day industrial and commercial operations. Storm water BMP design and hydrology & hydraulics report development, to address Low Impact Development (LID) requirements. Inspection of active sites, including construction, industrial and commercial to ensure operations are in line with environmental regulations. Project tasks performed include historic record review, site map creation and background environmental condition report development. Major Projects: x Limetree Bay Facility Emergency Response Plan Development x Limetree Bay Facility Flare Exceedance monitoring, data review and reporting analysis x Limetree Bay Facility Heaters and Process Boilers Energy Assessment analysis x Diageo USVI Permit development for four (4) air pollution emitting units brought online in 2020 x Coastal Zone Management of $20M upgrades to the Virgin Island’s racetracks (2), including Emergency CZM and Rezoning Process, H&H Study Review & Site Inspections x Coastal Zone Management of $10M upgrades to the Virgin Island’s Roads & Bridges through VIP/DPW VI ST ER STX(003): Storm Damage Repair to Roadways, Culverts, Embankments, Bridges, and Other Roadway Features on St. Croix, USVI x Development of Concrete Batch Plant: EAR development and package submittal for flood, air storm water and building permits and site inspections. x Updates to USVI refinery and terminal Integrated Contingency Plan: revisions and updates to regulations relating to RCRA, CERCLA, AST, HAZMAT, SPCC. Virgin Islands Dept. of Planning & Natural Resources St. Croix, USVI Environmental Program Manager October 2015-December 2019 Worked as Environmental Program Manager for all Water Pollution Control and Clean Water Act Programs, managing day to day program activities, grant management and renewal, work plan commitment reporting and development, SOP and policy development, Environmental Assessment Report review and project permit issuance, water quality sampling, as well as data collection and management. Supportive roles include permit writing, Storm Water TPDES inspections and reporting, field water sampling, regulation and code review and promulgation. hd/KEΘdZ/E/E' x ͘ ^͘ ŚĞŵŝĐĂů ŶŐŝŶĞĞƌŝŶŐ͕  >ĞŝŐŚhŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƚLJ x ^ƵŵŵĞƌŚĞŵŝĐĂů ŶŐŝŶĞĞƌŝŶŐ dĞĐŚŶŝĐĂůůĞĐƚŝǀĞƐ WƌŽŐƌĂŵ hŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƚLJŽĨ ŽƌƚƵŵƵŶĚ Dortumund, Germany Zd/&/d/KE^ x EW^WĞƌŵŝƚtƌŝƚĞƌ͛ Ɛ dƌĂŝŶŝŶŐĞƌƚŝĨŝĞĚ x EW^^ƚŽƌŵǁĂƚĞƌWĞƌŵŝƚ tƌŝƚĞƌĂŶĚ/ŶƐƉĞĐƚŽƌ ĞƌƚŝĨŝĞĚ x ,^ĂŵƉůĞƌ͛ ƐdƌĂŝŶŝŶŐ ĞƌƚŝĨŝĞĚ x tKWWZͬ ,DddƌĂŝŶŝŶŐ ĞƌƚŝĨŝĞĚͲdžƉŝƌĞĚ x ŝǀĞŵĂƐƚĞƌĞƌƚŝĨŝĞĚ x WĞƌƚŝĨŝĞĚ^ĐŝĞŶƚŝĨŝĐ ŝǀĞƌ ^</>>^ x ŽŵƉƵƚĞƌ͗ ƌĐsŝĞǁ'/^ ZWƌŽŐƌĂŵŵŝŶŐ ĞŶƚůLJŝǀŝů^ƚŽƌŵ ^ƚŽƌŵtĂƚĞƌDĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ DŽĚĞů;^tDDͿ tŝŶdZͲϱϱ,LJĚƌŽůŽŐLJ ŽƌĞů DŝĐƌŽƐŽĨƚKĨĨŝĐĞ x >ĂďŽƌĂƚŽƌLJ͗ 'ĞŶĞƌĂů ůĂďŽƌĂƚŽƌLJƐŬŝůůƐ͕  ĨĂŵŝůŝĂƌŝƚLJǁŝƚŚĂůů ĐŽŵŵŽŶůĂďŽƌĂƚŽƌLJ ĂƉƉĂƌĂƚƵƐĂŶĚŵŽƌĞ ĐŽŵƉůŝĐĂƚĞĚƚŽŽů ĨƵŶĐƚŝŽŶƐ;ŝ͘ Ğ͘ ƌĞĂĚŝŶŐƉ,͕  ƚŝƚƌĂƚŝŽŶ͕ ĐĞŶƚƌŝĨƵŐŝŶŐ͕ ĞƚĐ͘ Ϳ͕ ĨĂŵŝůŝĂƌŝƚLJǁŝƚŚĐĂůŝďƌĂƚŝŽŶ ĂŶĚŽƚŚĞƌYͬ YŵĞƚŚŽĚƐ ĨŽƌĐŽŵŵŽŶŝŶĚƵƐƚƌLJ ƚĞƐƚŝŶŐ͘  8 dƌŝŶŝƚLJ 'ƌĂŶŐĞƌ %HQMDPLQ.HXODUWV WƌŽũĞĐƚ ŶŐŝŶĞĞƌ // dƌŝŶŝƚLJ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ ' ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ Ő ƌ Major Projects: x Veteran’s Drive (Route 30) Major Road Improvements Project, St. Thomas, USVI: EAR, CWA401/404 assessment Review, H&H study and Storm Water design review, site compliance inspections. x Turpentine Run (Route 32) Bridge Approaches Project St. Thomas, USVI: EAR, CWA 401/404 assessment Review, H&H study and Storm Water design review, site compliance inspections. x Henry E. Rohlsen Airport Apron Rehab Project, St. Croix, USVI: H&H study and Storm Water design review, and site compliance and installation inspections. x Water and Power Authority Major 24” Water Line Upgrade Project, St. Croix USVI: H&H study and Storm Water design review, site compliance and installation inspections. x Louise E. Brown Phase 1-3 VIHA Housing Projects, S t. Croix USVI: H&H study and Storm Water design review, site compliance and installation inspections. Virgin Islands Dept. of Planning & Natural Resources St. Croix, USVI Environmental Engineer October 2005-October 2015 Worked as Environmental Engineer with Water Pollution Control Program focusing on writing TPDES Permits, developing TPDES regulations, TPDES Permit evaluation and sampling inspections, developing TPDES Permit Writing SOPs, building GIS data related to the TPDES Program, survey and hydrology report assessment and inspection, Environmental Assessment Report review and development, EPA/DEP diving projects or investigations, and providing general engineering advice to other programs and divisions. 9 dƌŝŶŝƚLJ'ƌĂŶŐĞƌ   7ULQLW\$XVWULH ŝƌĞĐƚŽƌŽĨŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚĂů^ĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ










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;dĞĂŵǁĂƌĚĨŽƌ ĐŽŶƚƌŝďƵƚŝŶŐƚŽƚŚĞ ŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚĂů͕ ,ĞĂůƚŚ͕ ĂŶĚ ^ĂĨĞƚLJdĞĂŵŽŶů ƌĞŐƵůĂƚŽƌLJͬ ĐŽƌƉŽƌĂƚĞ ƌĞĐŽƌĚƐ ĂƵĚŝƚ ǁŝƚŚŶŽŵĂũŽƌ ĨŝŶĚŝŶŐƐͿ 10 dƌŝŶŝƚLJ'ƌĂŶŐĞƌ -HZHO&&XPEHUEDWFK&RUQZDOO WƌŽũĞĐƚŶŐŝŶĞĞƌ/ dƌŝŶŝƚLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ Ă ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ Ő ƌ Summary Trained in Environmental Engineering and Public Administration to focus on engineering sustainable communities by improving the environment and the quality of life for others through land, water, air, waste and energy systems R&D and technologies. Relevant Experience Tysam Tech, St. Croix, USVI Environmental Engineer I 2022-Present Providing Tysam Tech Clients with Project Management, Compliance Assistance and Consulting, Project Design support, and other tasks to ensure compliance and/or progress in development project. Primary Duties: ‡ Assist in providing project and environmental site review as well as permit development and Environmental Assessment Review (EAR) development. ‡ Review and understand federal and local environmental regulation under CWA and CAA, used to advise clients and construct management plans for projects as well as day to day industrial and commercial operations. ‡ Assist in inspection of active sites, including construction, industrial and commercial to ensure operations are in line with environmental regulations. ‡ Assist in project tasks to include historic record review, site map creation and background environmental condition report development. University of South Florida Civil and Environmental Engineering Department Tampa, FL Environmental Consultant 2021-Present ‡ Work in collaboration with research group on NSF funded project called the Blue Green Action Platform (BlueGAP) which aims to create an interactive platform that links upstream and downstream communities with each other, and to resources and tools that improve how they manage nutrient pollution and ultimately improve public health and livelihoods. ‡ Develop a human-centered design prototype focusing on 3 diverse watersheds, Salt River Bay, Tampa Bay, and Mississippi River. ‡ Meet with various stakeholders along the watershed to understand how things are managed, what are needs etc. when it comes to nutrients. ‡ Participate in a structured program curriculum to focus on watersheds and histories of land tenure and land use, nitrogen pollution and health impacts, data collection and monitoring, using and visualizing data, current and better farming practices, improving soil health and reducing nitrogen runoff, and economic, social, and ecological benefits to improved nitrogen management practices. American Society of Civil Engineers St. Croix, VI Infrastructure Initiatives Fellow 2021-2022 ‡ Research and assess publicly available data to draft various ASCE state report card chapters ‡ Coordinate research and writing support for ASCE members ‡ Develop a thorough working knowledge of ASCE infrastructure report card tone, content, and measurable outcomes. ‡ Technically review and provide feedback on ASCE state report card chapters University of the Virgin Islands, College of Science & Mathematics St. Croix, VI Part Time Faculty Professor – Introduction to Chemistry Lab 2017-2021 ‡ Teach students to be proficient in the following chemistry techniques in laboratory. hd/KE ΘdZ/E/E' x DĂƐƚĞƌƐŝŶWƵďůŝĐ ĚŵŝŶŝƐƚƌĂƚŝŽŶ͕  hŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƚLJŽĨƚŚĞ sŝƌŐŝŶ/ƐůĂŶĚƐ ;ϮϬϮϬͿ x ͘ ^͘ ŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚĂů ŶŐŝŶĞĞƌŝŶŐ͕  hŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƚLJŽĨ &ůŽƌŝĚĂ ;ϮϬϭϲͿ x ͘ ^͘ ƉƉůŝĞĚ DĂƚŚĞŵĂƚŝĐƐ͕  hŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƚLJŽĨƚŚĞ sŝƌŐŝŶ/ƐůĂŶĚƐ ;ϮϬϭϲͿ x ͘ ^͘ WŚLJƐŝĐƐ͕  hŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƚLJŽĨƚŚĞ sŝƌŐŝŶ/ƐůĂŶĚƐ ;ϮϬϭϲͿ Zd/&/d/KE^ x DĞƚŚŽĚϵĞƌƚŝĨŝĞĚ KďƐĞƌǀĞƌ;ϮϬϮϮͿ <z^</>>^ x DŝĐƌŽƐŽĨƚKĨĨŝĐĞ^ƵŝƚĞ x ,ĂnjĂƌĚŽƵƐtĂƐƚĞ ^ƚŽƌĂŐĞĂŶĚ DĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ x >ĂďŽƌĂƚŽƌLJDĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ tZ^ x ϭƐƚWůĂĐĞWŽƐƚĞƌ WƌĞƐĞŶƚĂƚŝŽŶtŝŶŶĞƌĨŽƌ ZhdĂŵƉĂ /ŶƚĞƌĚŝƐĐŝƉůŝŶĂƌLJ ŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚĂůZĞƐĞĂƌĐŚ ^LJŵƉŽƐŝƵŵŝŶdĂŵƉĂ͕ &>͕  ;ϮϬϭϱͿ x ϮŶĚWůĂĐĞWŽƐƚĞƌ WƌĞƐĞŶƚĂƚŝŽŶtŝŶŶĞƌĂƚ ^KWWDĐEĂŝƌͬ ^^^ ^ĐŚŽůĂƌƐZĞƐĞĂƌĐŚ ŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞŝŶƚůĂŶƚĂ͕  '͕ ;ϮϬϭϰͿ x ϮŶĚWůĂĐĞWŽƐƚĞƌ WƌĞƐĞŶƚĂƚŝŽŶtŝŶŶĞƌĂƚ hs/͛ Ɛ^ƉƌŝŶŐ^ĐŝĞŶĐĞ ^LJŵƉŽƐŝƵŵ͕ ^ƚ͘ ƌŽŝdž͕  h^s/͕ ;ϮϬϭϮͿ 16 dƌŝŶŝƚLJ'ƌĂŶŐĞƌ -HZHO&&XPEHUEDWFK&RUQZDOO WƌŽũĞĐƚŶŐŝŶĞĞƌ/ dƌŝŶŝƚLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ Ă ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ Ő ƌ ‡ Investigate the uses and the limits of the various types of (I) laboratory balances and (II) volumetric glassware. ‡ Learn how to use hydrometer to obtain specific density. ‡ Learn gravimetric methods in analyses. ‡ Learn volumetric methods in analyses. ‡ Learn different analyses used to test water quality in drinking water. ‡ Observe the relationship between pressure and volume using Boyle’s Law. ‡ Learn how rates are affected by concentration. ‡ Write permits for Title V, minor source, and synthetic minor facilities. University of the Virgin Islands College of Science & Mathematics / Campus Operations St. Croix, VI Laboratory Manager / Compliance Specialist 2016-2021 ‡ Manages the day-to-day activities of the CSM labs including maintaining science labs by organizing, cleaning and preparing laboratory experiments. ‡ Ensures safe laboratory conditions including safe and secure handling and storage of supplies and equipment, recommends, implements and maintains safety standards to comply with federal and local hazardous materials, health and safety, hazardous waste regulations and other applicable regulations. ‡ Initiates purchase requisitions and prepares cost estimates and justifications for purchases. ‡ Manages storage of and maintains an inventory of chemicals and equipment to include installation, calibration, preventative maintenance and repairs. ‡ Assists students in the use of lab equipment and facilities. ‡ Manages storage and disposal of waste streams (hazardous waste, medical waste, used oil, fluorescent lamps, and e-devices). ‡ Monitors Safe Drinking Water Act testing and analysis reports and manages local VIWMA and DPNR permits. University of South Florida, Department of Anthropology Tampa, FL Research Assistant 2016 ‡ Participated in an Ethnographic Overview and Assessment of Virgin Islands National Park Hassel Island for the National Park Service Virgin Islands National Park and Virgin Islands ‡ Coral Reef National Monument under a Cooperative Agreement with the South Florida/Caribbean Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) and the University of South Florida under the direction of Dr. Antoinette T. Jackson. ‡ Collected ethnographic and ethnohistorical/archival data pertaining to the park and surrounding communities with a specific emphasis on Hassel Island and associated people and communities on St Thomas and St. John Islands. University of Florida, College of Engineering Gainesville, FL Engineers Without Borders Bolivia International 2014-2016 Team Member & Design Team Leader ‡ Improved the quality of life in the community of Aripalca, Bolivia by providing clean reliable water supply for crop irrigation to improve and sustain their agricultural practices. ‡ Organized with a team of 20 engineering students and mentors to design, fundraise and implement a gabion wall to protect a failing section of an irrigation system in Aripalca, Bolivia. ‡ Managed project budget of $14,000, in-country logistics, project partner communication and fundraising efforts. ‡ Successfully implemented project with community support over 11 construction days in country during May 2015. d/s/d^ x ^ƚ͘ ƌŽŝdž,ŝŬŝŶŐ ƐƐŽĐŝĂƚŝŽŶ;ϮϬϭϴʹ WƌĞƐĞŶƚͿ x ^ƚ͘ ƌŽŝdž ŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚĂů ƐƐŽĐŝĂƚŝŽŶ͕ ŽĂƌĚ ŽĨŝƌĞĐƚŽƌƐ ^ĞĐƌĞƚĂƌLJ;ϮϬϭϴʹ ϮϬϭϵͿΘdƌĞĂƐƵƌĞƌ ;ϮϬϭϳͲϮϬϭϴͿ x ZŽƚĂƌLJůƵďŽĨ^ƚ͘  ƌŽŝdždƌĞĂƐƵƌĞƌ ;ϮϬϮϬͲWƌĞƐĞŶƚͿ WƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƚ͕ ;ϮϬϭϵͲ ϮϬϮϬͿΘsŝĐĞ WƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƚ͕ ;ϮϬϭϴͲ ϮϬϭϵͿ x DĞŵďĞƌŽĨ EĂƚŝŽŶĂů^ŽĐŝĞƚLJŽĨ ůĂĐŬŶŐŝŶĞĞƌƐ ;E^Ϳ͕ hŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƚLJ ŽĨ&ůŽƌŝĚĂ͕ ;ϮϬϭϰʹ ϮϬϭϲͿ x ŵĞƌŝĐĂŶ ƐƐŽĐŝĂƚŝŽŶŽĨ ůĂĐŬƐŝŶŶĞƌŐLJ ;ͿhŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƚLJ ŽĨ&ůŽƌŝĚĂŚĂƉƚĞƌ dƌĞĂƐƵƌĞƌ;ϮϬϭϰʹ ϮϬϭϱͿ x DĞŵďĞƌŽĨ EĂƚŝŽŶĂů^ŽĐŝĞƚLJŽĨ ůĂĐŬŶŐŝŶĞĞƌƐ ;E^Ϳ͕ hŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƚLJ ŽĨƚŚĞsŝƌŐŝŶ/ƐůĂŶĚƐ ;ϮϬϭϯͿ x DĞŵďĞƌŽĨ DĂƚŚĞŵĂƚŝĐĂů ƐƐŽĐŝĂƚŝŽŶŽĨ ŵĞƌŝĐĂ͕ hŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƚLJ ŽĨƚŚĞsŝƌŐŝŶ/ƐůĂŶĚƐ ;ϮϬϭϯͿ x DĞŵďĞƌŽĨ DĂƚĞƌŝĂůƐ^ĐŝĞŶĐĞ ZĞƐĞĂƌĐŚ^ŽĐŝĞƚLJ͕  hŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƚLJŽĨƚŚĞ sŝƌŐŝŶ/ƐůĂŶĚƐ;ϮϬϭϮ ʹϮϬϭϯͿ x ŵĞƌŐŝŶŐ ĂƌŝďďĞĂŶ ^ĐŝĞŶƚŝƐƚƐ,hͲhW ^ĐŚŽůĂƌ͕ hŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƚLJ ŽĨƚŚĞsŝƌŐŝŶ /ƐůĂŶĚƐ͕ ;ϮϬϭϭʹ ϮϬϭϯͿ x DĞŵďĞƌŽĨ EĂƚƵƌĞ͛ Ɛ ŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚĂůZŽůĞ DŽĚĞůƐ͕ ^ƚ͘ ƌŽŝdž ĞŶƚƌĂů,ŝŐŚ ^ĐŚŽŽů͕ ϮϬϬϵʹ ϮϬϭϬ 17 dƌŝŶŝƚLJ'ƌĂŶŐĞƌ -HZHO&&XPEHUEDWFK&RUQZDOO WƌŽũĞĐƚŶŐŝŶĞĞƌ/ dƌŝŶŝƚLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ Ă ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ Ő ƌ University of Florida, College of Engineering Gainesville, FL Research Assistant 2014-2016 ‡ Assisted Dr. David Mazyck and doctoral student Regina Rodriguez to focus on formulating and characterizing specific surface functional groups of physically and chemically treated activated carbons to investigate these modifications in terms of their effects on mercury removal in wastewater. ‡ Conducted experiments on activated carbon for surface area, pore volume, elemental composition, ash content, pH, yield, and pore size distribution characterization. ‡ Presented work at the 20th Annual SAEOPP McNair/SSS Scholars Research Conference in Atlanta, GA and University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) McNair Research Conference in Baltimore, MA. ‡ This research was supported by the Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Program. University of South Florida, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department Tampa, FL Research Assistant 2015 ‡ Participated in the Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Tampa Interdisciplinary Environmental Research (TIER) Program. ‡ Assisted Dr. Qiong Zhang and doctoral student Eunyoung Lee to understand the anaerobic co- digestion kinetics of microalgae and waste activated sludge (WAS) for energy conversions and recovery that can be used for combined heat and power purposes. ‡ Conducted kinetic experiments of algae-WAS co-digestion to test chemical oxygen demand (COD), volatile solids (VS), total solids (TS), volatile suspended solids (VSS), total suspended solids (TSS), pH, alkalinity, total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) concentrations, volatile fatty acids (VFA) removal, and biogas/methane yield. ‡ Presented work at USF Research Symposium in Tampa, FL, the National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Symposium in Arlington, VA and the National Society of Black Engineers 42nd National Conference in Boston, MA. ‡ This research was funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) (Grant number 1156905) University of the Virgin Islands, College of Science and Mathematics St. Thomas, VI Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY Research Assistant 2012-2013 ‡ Participated in the Visiting Faculty Program (VFP) at the Center for Functional Nanomaterials. ‡ Assisted Dr. Kevin Yager and Dr. Wayne Archibald to identify optimal growth and transfer conditions that minimized the number of atomic scale defects and grain boundaries in graphene sheets to better understand how it can be used in nano-scale electronic devices. ‡ Synthesized monolayer, bilayer, and multilayer graphene grown by chemical vapor deposition on copper substrates. ‡ Presented work at BNL Research Symposium and UVI’s Spring, Summer, and Fall Science Symposiums in St. Thomas and St. Croix, USVI. ‡ Participated at the Materials Science Research (MRS) Conference in Boston, MA. ‡ This research was supported and funded by the Department of Energy (DOE), NSF (Grant Number 1238839) and UVI Emerging Caribbean Scientists (ECS) Program. University of the Virgin Islands, College of Science and Mathematics St. Croix, VI Research Assistant 2011-2012 ‡ Participated in the Emerging Caribbean Scientist Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE). 18 dƌŝŶŝƚLJ'ƌĂŶŐĞƌ -HZHO&&XPEHUEDWFK&RUQZDOO WƌŽũĞĐƚŶŐŝŶĞĞƌ/ dƌŝŶŝƚLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJLJ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌ 'ƌĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ ĂŶ Ă ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ ŐĞ Ő ƌ ‡ Assisted Dr. Bernard F. Castillo to better understand terrestrial/aquatic carbon and nutrient influxes to implement land management practices and produce methods to protect marine ecosystems. ‡ Quantified particulate organic material and erosion rates from natural and anthropogenic sources in small subtropical watersheds in the east end of St. Croix. ‡ Presented work at UVI Summer and Fall Research Symposiums in St. Thomas and St. Croix, USVI and Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference in STEM in Atlanta, GA. ‡ Acknowledged in article publication “Quantification and modeling of foot trail surface erosion in a dry sub-tropical setting” by Carlos E. Ramos-Scharrón, Kynoch Reale-Munroe, and Scott C. Atkinson. ‡ This research was funded by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) through the Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI) at UVI (Project Number 2010VI170B) and NSF (Grant Number HRD-0506096) 19 Henry E. Tonnemacher, Environmental Biologist (1974), continuously licensed to do business by the Government of the Virgin Islands (via yearly renewals) since 1983; Marine consulting and contracting specializing in Benthic Surveys, Environmental Assessments and Monitoring, Scientific Research, Coral Reef Reconstruction & Restoration; USCG licensed 100 ton Master (Captain) with sailing addendum continuously since 1978; Certified as a: NAUI SCUBA diver in 1969, PADI Research Diving Instructor in 1977, NAUI Cave Diver in 1983, TDI NITROX Diver in 2003 and TDI Prism Topaz Closed Circuit Rebreather (CCR) Diver in 2017, contact Henry via Cell # 340-725-5499 or email to go7seas@gmail.com One project selected from each year and completed for various clients 1987–2021, listed below as: YEAR – Project Title, brief project description – project location (client) 2021 – Coral Relocation Consultant and Diving Vessel Captain, removal, relocation and monitoring of over 250 coral colonies from the National Park Service Christiansted Bulkhead to permanent reef locations or staging areas – Christiansted Harbor, St. Croix, USVI (Tetra Tech, Inc., 5 year contract 2020-2025) 2020 – Permit Approval Plans for the US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE), the USVI Coastal Zone Management (CZM) & the USVI Dept. of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) including a new Project Coral Relocation Plan, update the 2018 aquatic habitat surveys (see 2018 below) at seven Aids to Navigation (ATON), for US Coast Guard (USCG) Project No. 4070992 to demolish & replace channel lights 7, 9, 10, 11, 13 & Daybeacon 16 in Christiansted Harbor and Coakley Bay Light 1, submit reports and plans to Environmental Science Associates (ESA) – St. Croix, USVI (ESA for Appledore Marine Engineering, LLC contracted by the USCG) 2019 – Recovery and Maintenance of the National Park Service (NPS) Acoustic Receiver Equipment, Captain the NPS R/V “Osprey” for live boat diving operations with NPS SCUBA divers to assist with the recovery, maintenance and replacement of the equipment which recorded the location of the many acoustically tagged marine animals such as sharks, fish, lobster, conch, etc. (see also 2008), Buck Island Reef National Monument out to the tip of Lang Bank, St. Croix (NPS) 2018 – New Biological Surveys Surrounding Seven US Coast Guard (USCG) Aids to Navigation (ATONs), Consultant and Vessel Captain to update the 2012 Seven Seas Ltd. Submerged Marine Resource Proposals Report for USCG PROJECT NO. 4070992 prior to the proposed demolition & replacement of seven USCG channel markers – Christiansted Harbor & Coakley Bay, St. Croix, USVI (Tetra Tech Inc.) 2017-19 – Captain of the 63’ Catamaran “Jolly Mon”, the USCG Licensed Master (captain) of this 49 passenger sailing vessel (originally named "Tsje Tsja" designed and built in St. Maarten), full/half day charters and sunset sails from Frederiksted, St. Croix with activities that included snorkeling, paddle boarding, etc., safely secured/undamaged during hurricanes Irma and Maria - St. Croix, USVI and Puerto Rico (Lyric Sails) 2016 – Habitat Surveys of the South Shore Industrial Complex – Designed, collected and submitted surveys of the seafloor coral, seagrass and sediments including the current environmental conditions to characterize over 4,600 acres of submerged land - HOVENSA Oil Refinery Harbor and the former Alcoa Aluminum Plant Harbor (Industrial Economics Inc. for the Environmental Response Trust for Hovensa and the USVI DPNR) 2015 – Pilot Port Sampling Project, Document the size, weight, species, number and method of fish and lobster catches of fishers at various landings over a three month period – St. Thomas & St. Croix, USVI (MER Consultants, DPNR, Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program and the NOVA Southeast Fisheries Science Center) 2014 – Commercial Diving and Vessel Captaining Projects, Serving as the vessel captain, diving supervisor and/or commercial diver (complying with OSHA and USCG Commercial Diving Regulations) doing underwater inspections for certifications by Lloyds of London, ABS, DNV, USCG etc. and/or repairs of oil tankers, interisland ferries, barges and other various large vessels, also doing scientific research, coral reef surveys etc. – Numerous Caribbean Islands (Cruzan Maritime Services, LLC and The National Park Service) 2013 – Water Quality Monitoring, One full year of extensive field water quality data collection using a YSI multi-probe sonde and other equipment to determine the best location of an intake for a marine laboratory seawater system at the proposed Salt River Bay Marine Research and Education Center (MREC) - St. Croix, USVI (CoastWorks for University of North Carolina, Wilmington and DOI & the US NPS) 2012 – Aquatic Habitat Surveys of the South Shore Industrial Complex, Collect sediment samples and perform biological surveys to support the environmental damage claims made by the Government of the Virgin Islands against HOVENSA and Lockheed Martin, et al. –, St. Croix, USVI (Law Offices of John K. Dema, P.C.) 2011 – Commercial Fish Trap Catch Surveys, Newly built fish traps were baited, set and collected at 638 locations by various commercial fishers to produce a large data base of fish catches to help set annual catch limits for various commercial fish species – St. Croix, USVI (NOAA, National Marine Fishery Service, SE & Fisheries Science Center) 2010 – Aquatic Habitat Surveys and Installation of the St. Croix East End Marine Park (EEMP) Boundary Marker Buoys, locate and document benthic habitats to eliminate environmental impacts, assemble and install at the designated sites the USCG approved buoys and anchoring systems - St. Croix, USVI (The Nature Conservancy and the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources) 2009 - Reef Reconstruction & Restoration, oil tanker and vessel groundings caused extensive coral reef damage at two locations, served as environmental consultant, commercial diver and vessel captain - Buccaneer Reef and Long Point Reef, St. Croix, USVI (Vessel Owners & Insurers via Jimenez, Graffam & Lausell, Attorneys at Law, and Polaris Applied Sciences) 2008 – Shark Acoustic Tagging, Surgically implanting electronic transmitters in sharks to record their location and movements in and around the monument, served as vessel captain, implant assistant and consultant - Buck Island Reef National Monument, St. Croix (National Park Service) 2007 - Aquatic Habitat Surveys & Mitigation Proposals, environmental biologist, diver and vessel captain to produce a complete species list and benthic map of habitats adjacent to 400 meters of shoreline for the proposed Amalago Bay Marina and Resort development - Estate William & Punch, Frederiksted, St., Croix, V.I. (Island Resources Foundation for McComb Engineering & the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation) 2006 – Five Years of Sampling the Sahara Dust Air Masses from Air and Seawater to Document their Microbes and Contaminants, Collecting seawater samples in vials and collect dust samples by vacuuming air through fine filters for laboratory analysis – East End, St. Croix, V.I. (Texas A&M University and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 2005 - Elkhorn Coral Study of Bleaching, Disease and Population Densities, long term photographic and data collection, vessel captain and scientific diver - Buck Island Reef National Monument, St. Croix (Dept. of the Interior / National Park Service) 2004 - Marine Habitat Surveys, Benthic surveys off shore of two proposed beachfront resort and community developments to produce baseline habitat maps of all flora and fauna to species level - Frenchman's Bay and Nazareth Bay, St. Thomas (Dr. Dennis Hubbard, Oberlin College, for McComb Engineering) 2003 - Water Quality Monitoring for the Wetlands and Riparian Areas Inventory, Extensive data collection using Hydrolab multi- probe sondes and water bottle sample collections for laboratory analysis - St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix, USVI (Island Resources Foundation for the V.I. Dept. of Planning and Natural Resources) 2002 – Marine Benthic Habitat Surveys at an Industrial Ocean Outfall (6th year), baseline surveys to species level of all marine life for possible impacts of effluent from manufacturing facilities - Freeport, Grand Bahama (V.I. Marine Advisors for Ramboll/Environ) 2001 - Environmental Monitoring During New Dock Construction, environmental biologist and vessel captain to record water quality data using a Hydrolab multi-probe sonde, collect water samples for laboratory analysis - HOVIC Oil Refinery, St. Croix, V.I. (Hess Oil Virgin Islands Corporation) 2000 - Marine Benthic Habitat Surveys for a Proposed Subsea Fiber-optic Cable Network, vessel captain, environmental biologist & scientific diver for baseline benthic surveys to determine possible environmental impacts of submarine cable installation - U.S. Virgin Islands (V.I. Marine Advisors for Innovative Communications Corp.) 1999 – Coral Reef Surveys of Easter Island (Isla de Pascua), follow-up visual, video and photographic surveys documenting the coral reefs and their inhabitants to determine potential impacts of increased Island tourism - Isla de Pascua, Chile (The Science Museum of Long Island, The Explorer's Club, the U. S. National Park Service) 1998 - Marine Life Surveys of Borneo's Offshore Islands, photographing the coral reefs and their associated fish and other species to promote SCUBA diving tourism around the islands of Sipadan, Mabul, Kapalai and other islands - Sabah, Malaysia (Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board) 1997 – Marine Benthic Habitat Surveys and Monitoring of an AT&T Submarine Cable Lay, scientific diver and vessel captain to document the environmental damage caused by the spilled bentonite drilling mud during a directed subterranean drilling project, – Frederiksted, St. Croix (VI Marine Advisors, USVI Government) 1996 - Underwater Coring and Drilling Studies, scientific diver and 40’ vessel captain to investigate and document potential offshore sand mining areas for concrete production using a vibra-core system to collect sediment core samples - Anguilla, BWI and St. Croix, VI (VI Marine Advisors for the British Overseas Development Office and NOAA) 1995 - Aquatic Habitat Surveys, Mapping and Water Quality Monitoring of Cenotes (underwater caves), baseline surveys to determine potential impacts of tourism development in these unique and fragile marine and fresh water environments - Cozumel, Mexico (Island Caves Research Center for the Mexican Government) 1994 - Construction of an Artificial Reef for Beach Restoration, restore to historical conditions the sandy beach and it's adjacent coral reef via the placement of one hundred 8,000 lb. rocks to replace the natural coral reef destroyed by previous dredging operations - Sugar Bay, St. Thomas, USVI (VI Marine Advisors for Lennar Partners, Inc.) 1993 - Marine Life Surveys of the Remote Coral Reefs of the Sulu Sea, photo-document various and unusual oceanic and benthic marine life reported to be at some of the most remote and least visited islands and reefs of the Sulu Sea - Philippines (7 Seas Ltd.) 1991 & 1992 - Benthic Habitat Surveys and Environmental Monitoring (see also 1988), Baseline and regular benthic surveys including water quality analysis to assess potential dredging impacts before and during the new Schooner Channel dredging project - St. Croix, USVI (V.I. Port Authority) 1990 - Post Hurricane Marine Habitat Surveys, video documentation of environmental damage caused by hurricane Hugo to the south shore sewage treatment plant offshore outfall pipe and to the Buck Island Reef National Monument south forereef, St. Croix, USVI (V.I. Dept. of Public Works and The National Park Service) 1989 - Marine Habitat Surveys and Environmental Monitoring (see also 1987), photographic data collection and laboratory water quality analysis to determine possible pre-construction impacts and environmental monitoring during construction of a new docking facility - Gordon A. Finch Molasses Pier, St. Croix, USVI (Island Resources Foundation) 1988 - Marine Archaeological Survey of Christiansted Harbor, baseline benthic survey using side scan sonar to locate potential cultural resources (shipwrecks, etc.) prior to the schooner channel dredging project - St. Croix, USVI (Island Resources Foundation) 1987 - Marine Archaeological Survey of Limetree Bay (see also 1988) prior to new dock construction (see 1989) - St. Croix (Island Resources Foundation) 1978-89 - Owner and Captain of the 40’ trimaran “Romany Road”, sailing, SCUBA diving and video production charters in the US and British Virgin Islands (Self Employed). Employment Experience and Education: 1986 – Present: Seven Seas Ltd., Essentially a change of business name from "Diving Unlimited" to “Seven Seas Ltd.” to reflect the broader range of locations and services offered. 1983-86: Diving Unlimited, Founder/Owner/Operator, Commercial and Scientific diving services, vessel captaining services. 1981-83: West Indies Laboratory (WIL) of Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU), Instructor for the college credited semester long course "Advanced Diving for Scientific Studies", NAUI & PADI SCUBA Instructor and NAUI SCUBA Instructor Course Director, Captain of the R/V “Sarima”, care and maintenance of all boats and SCUBA equipment (see also 1977-80 below). 1980-81: Cay Divers, Start-Up Consultant, Manager, Captain, NAUI and PADI SCUBA Instructor for a new full-service SCUBA diving shop and training facility at Hotel on the Cay on Protestant Cay, Christiansted Harbor; captain of the 40’ custom diving and snorkeling vessel “Cay Diver”, NPS certified Buck Island National Monument SCUBA diving and snorkeling tours. 1977-80: WIL of FDU (see also 1981-83 above), Facility Diving Supervisor, NOAA Hydrolab Underwater Habitat (NULS-1) Diving Coordinator, Air Saturation Diver (NOAA Aquanaut), Research Diving Instructor and Captain of various WIL & NOAA vessels, U.S. Dept. of Commerce Recompression Chamber Operator (1978). 1975-77: Underwater Research Center, Manager, Boat Captain and SCUBA Instructor of a complete marine center with a main shop and four additional staffed hotel outlets in St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles and St. Martin, French West Indies, Developer/Instructor for secondary school Oceanography Summer Course. 1974-75: Carriacou Marine School of the Canadian Junior College, Develop and teach semester and summer courses in Environmental Biology and Oceanography in Carriacou, Grenada, West Indies, Certified as a Grade 13 Instructor by the Canadian Ministry of Education. 1972-74: California State University, Sacramento (formerly Sacramento State College), full time student with summer jobs teaching Oceanography and Marine Biology (see 1971-73 below), graduated with a BA degree in Environmental Biology with Minors in Math and Chemistry. 1971-73: Summer Camp Afloat (aka the US Intercostal Marine Squadron) Teach Oceanography and Marine Biology Courses, guide SCUBA dives in 1973 at Palm Beach, Florida, in 1972 at West End, Grand Bahama, and in 1971 at Spanish Wells, Bahamas. P a g e 1 | 3 Henry E. Tonnemacher, Environmental Biologist (1974) – Founder, Owner and Operator of Video Seven Seas Ltd., marine consulting and contracting continuously licensed since 1986 and specializing in: Aquatic Habitat Surveys, Environmental Monitoring, Scientific Research and Coral Reef Reconstruction and Restoration; U.S.C.G. licensed 100-ton Master (Captain) for power and sailing vessels continuously since 1978; Certified as a: PADI Research Diving Instructor 1977, NAUI Cave Diver 1983, NAUI/PSI SCUBA Cylinder Inspector 1987, NAUI Instructor Trainer 1989, TDI NITROX Diver 2003 and TDI Prism Topaz Closed Circuit Rebreather (CCR) Diver 2017; Contact information: Cell # 340-725-5499, mail: 4031 Little Princess, Christiansted, VI 00820-4227, email: go7seas@gmail.com One Seven Seas Ltd. Project selected from each year 1987 to 2020 with information summarized by: Year Completed – Project Title, Brief Project Description – Project Location (Client) 2020 – Aquatic Habitat Surveys, Document the current environmental conditions at seven USCG aids to navigation (ATONs) being the Christiansted Harbor & Coakley Channel Navigation Lights for the US Army Corp of Engineer Permit, CZM & DPNR Permits and a Coral Relocation Plan, submit coral relocation/permitting plan reports to ESA – St. Croix, USVI (Environmental Science Associates (ESA) for Appledore Marine Engineering, LLC) 2019 –Acoustic Receiver Equipment Recovery and Maintenance, Captain of the NPS Research Vessel “Osprey” for live boat diving operations with certified National Park Service SCUBA divers, assist with: receiver equipment recovery, data downloads and maintenance of all associated research equipment – Buck Island Reef National Monument out to the tip of Lang Bank, St. Croix, USVI (US National Park Service, Southeast Region) 2018 – Aquatic Habitat Surveys, Consultant and Vessel Captain to update the 2012 Seven Seas Ltd. report titled A Marine Resource Survey Around 5 Channel Lights prepared for Appledore Marine Engineering, Inc. to document any endangered species and any remediation that may be required to demolish and replace of seven aids to navigation (ATONs) – Christiansted Harbor & Coakley Bay, St. Croix, USVI (Tetra Tech Inc. for the USGS) 2017 – Aquatic Habitat Surveys, Submit a report with video and photo documentation describing three different benthic communities to determine the best location for a large floating platform in 5’-6’ deep water, and including a path over the beach for an amphibious RIB, with the least environmental impact to receive permits from the US-ACoE, VI-DPNR and VI-CZM – Coakley Bay, St. Croix (CariTech Group, LLC) 2016 – Aquatic Habitat Surveys of the South Shore Industrial Complex – Designed & submitted a survey of the coral, seagrass and sediments assessing the current condition of the marine environment consisting of over 4,600 acres (Industrial Economics, Inc. for The Hovensa Environmental Response Trust on behalf of The Department of Planning and Natural Resources, Government of the United States Virgin Islands) 2015 – Pilot Port Sampling Project, Project Manager for the Staffing, Implementation and Oversight of the program on St. Croix and funds manager for St. Thomas to document the size, weight, species, number and method of capture for fish and lobster catches of fishers at various landing sites to help establish NOAA species catch limits – St. Thomas & St. Croix (MER Consultants for DPNR and NOAA’s Southeast Fisheries Science Center) 2014 – Commercial Diving and Vessel Captaining, Serving as a vessel captain, diving supervisor and/or commercial diver for numerous underwater projects including large ship inspections for ABS/Lloyds/DNV/Insurance certifications, repairs, propeller polishing and hull cleaning; various underwater scientific research projects – Numerous Caribbean Islands (Cruzan Maritime Services, LLC and The National Park Service) 2013 – Water Quality Study, A full year of extensive water quality field data collection using a YSI multi-probe sonde and other equipment to determine the best location for a seawater system intake for the proposed Salt River Bay Marine Research and Education Center (MREC) overlooking the Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve - St. Croix, USVI (CoastWorks for UNCW, DOI & NPS) 2012 – Aquatic Habitat Surveys, Collect sediment samples and perform biological surveys near the HOVENSA refinery to evaluate the exposure of natural resources to contaminants by collecting and chemically analyzing sediments and to observe potential impacts to biological communities. – St. Croix, USVI (Law Offices of John K. Dema, P.C. for Stratus Consulting, Inc. & Vicente & Associates Inc.) 2011 – Pilot Cooperative Fishery Independent Survey Project, 40 new fish traps were designed, constructed and baited identically to eliminate bias then set and collected at 638 locations by commercial fishers along with scientific staff to photograph and measure all catches to assist NOAA in setting annual catch limits for commercial fish species – St. Croix, USVI (MER Consultants, NOAA, NMFS-SE & Fisheries Science Center) 2010 – Aquatic Habitat Surveys and Installation of the STX EEMP Boundary Marker Buoys, Select and document benthic habitats to eliminate environmental impact then design, assemble and install the USCG approved buoys with their tackle, chain, line and moorings- East End Marine Park (EEMP), St. Croix, USVI (The Nature Conservancy and the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources) 2009 - Reef Reconstruction & Restoration After Ship Groundings, The 115m long Sichem Amethyst and a sport boat ran aground causing extensive reef damage which was mitigated by reattaching over 650 live coral colonies and fragments and stabilizing over 1,000 dislodged limestone fragments - Buccaneer Reef and Long Point Reef, St. Croix, USVI (Jimenez, Graffam & Lausell, Attorneys at Law, and Polaris Applied Sciences) 2008 – Shark Acoustic Tagging, Capturing and surgically implanting small acoustic tags into sharks body cavities to document their growth and track their movements in and around the Buck Island Reef National Monument - St. Croix, USVI (National Park Service) 2007 - Aquatic Habitat Surveys with Mitigation Proposals, Document the varied marine habitat locations and associated species data with videos and photos and report mitigation recommendations for the proposed Amalago Bay Marina and Resort development - Estate William & Punch, Frederiksted, St. Croix, USVI (Island Resources Foundation for McComb Engineering & the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation) Aquatic Habitat Surveys, Aquatic Habitat Surveys, Aquatic Habitat Surveys, Aquatic Habitat Surveys of the South Shore Industrial Complex – Aquatic Habitat Surveys, Aquatic Habitat Surveys Aquatic Habitat Surveys P a g e 2 | 3 2006 – Sampling of African/Sahara Dust Air Masses in Air and Seawater for Microbes and Contaminants, A five year project collecting sea water samples via a specially designed teflon based collector and obtaining dust samples from air by vacuuming known air volumes through filters; both of which were stabilized and sent off-island for laboratory analysis – East End, St. Croix, V.I. (Texas A&M University and the U.S. Geological Survey) 2005 - Elkhorn Coral Study of Bleaching, Disease and Population Densities, long term photo and data collection project done before, during and after the first A. palmata (elkhorn coral) bleaching event ever recorded - Buck Island Reef National Monument, St. Croix (National Park Service) 2004 - Aquatic Habitat Surveys, Benthic surveys off shore of two proposed beachfront resort and community developments to produce baseline habitat and species maps - Frenchman's Bay and Nazareth Bay, St. Thomas (Dr. Dennis Hubbard, Oberlin College, for McComb Engineering) 2003 - Water Quality Monitoring for the Wetlands and Riparian Areas Inventory, Extensive data collection and analysis using Hydrolab multi- probe sondes and water sample collections for laboratory analysis to assess the health of these endangered environments on the islands of St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas- U.S. Virgin Islands (Island Resources Foundation for the V.I. Dept. of Planning and Natural Resources) 2002 – Aquatic Habitat Surveys at an Ocean Outfall (6th year), Complete benthic surveys to species level to anticipate and document any possible impacts of process water effluent from manufacturing plants outfall pipe - Freeport, Grand Bahama (V.I. Marine Advisors for Ramboll Environ) 2001 - Environmental Monitoring During New Dock Construction, Collect data from a multi-probe sonde, secchi disc and water samples sent for laboratory analysis to prevent potential water quality degradation from piling driving, etc. - St. Croix, V.I. (Hess Oil Virgin Islands Corporation) 2000 - Aquatic Habitat Surveys for a Proposed Subsea Fiber-optic Cable Network, Benthic surveys to determine the possible impacts of seafloor cable laying operations from deep sea to land - U.S. Virgin Islands (V.I. Marine Advisors for Innovative Communications Corp.) 1999 – Aquatic Habitat Surveys of Easter Island, A follow-up visual, video and photographic survey documenting the island’s coral reefs and their inhabitants to determine the potential impacts of increased tourism and establish limits to visitor numbers - Easter Island (The Science Museum of Long Island / The Explorer's Club / U. S. National Park Service) 1998 - Aquatic Habitat Surveys of Some Malaysian Offshore Islands, Photograph local marine flora and fauna for the promotion of SCUBA diving around the islands of Sipadan, Mabul, Kapalai and others - Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia (Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board) 1997 – Aquatic Habitat Surveys and Monitoring of an AT&T Submarine Cable Lay, Document the associated environmental damage of spilled drilling mud and other impacts during a directed subterranean drilling project – Frederiksted, St. Croix (VI Marine Advisors / V.I. Government) 1996 - Underwater Coring and Drilling Studies, Investigate possible offshore mining areas for construction sand via analyzing core samples collected deep into the substrate- Anguilla and St. Croix (VI Marine Advisors for the British Overseas Development Office and NOAA) 1995 - Aquatic Habitat Surveys, Mapping and Water Quality Monitoring of Cenotes and Underwater Caves, Collect baseline data to determine the possible impacts of tourism development from increased human traffic and environmental alterations in these understudied, fragile and archeological significant aquatic environments - Cozumel, Mexico (Island Caves Research Center for the Government of Mexico) 1994 - Construction and Environmental Monitoring of a 100 Unit Offshore Artificial Reef with Associated Beach Restoration, Restore to original conditions the sandy beach after dredging damage to the adjacent coral reef - St. Thomas, USVI (VI Marine Advisors for Lennar Partners, Inc.) 1993 - Aquatic Habitat Surveys of the Remote Coral Reefs in the Sulu Sea, Photograph various previously undocumented oceanic and benthic marine life reported at uninhabited and/or remote islands and coral reefs - Sulu Sea, Philippines (7 Seas Ltd.) 1991-92 - Aquatic Habitat Surveys and Environmental Monitoring for the Schooner Channel Dredging Project, Baseline mapping and benthic habitat surveys of marine life including water quality analysis sediment deposition volume and rates to assess potential dredging impacts before and during the dredging project in Christiansted Harbor- St. Croix, USVI (V.I. Port Authority) 1990 - Aquatic Habitat Surveys Post Hugo, Video documentation of damage caused by hurricane Hugo to a treated sewage discharge pipe and its associated rock covering marine life habitats and to coral reef paralleling Buck Island’s southeast shore – STX South Shore Sewage Treatment Plant Offshore Outfall Pipe and the Buck Island Reef National Monument, St. Croix (V.I. Dept. of Public Works and The National Park Service) 1989 - Aquatic Habitat Surveys and Environmental Monitoring, Photographic and other field data collection including laboratory water quality analysis to determine possible construction impacts to marine life and its habitats, also the monitoring during construction of a new ship docking facility with extensive landfill areas - Gordon A. Finch Molasses Pier, St. Croix, USVI (Island Resources Foundation) 1988 - Marine Archaeological Survey of Christiansted Harbor, Aquatic habitat survey to document any cultural resources (shipwrecks, graves, etc.) that could be damaged or altered by the schooner channel dredging project – St. Croix, USVI (Island Resources Foundation) 1987 - Marine Archaeological Survey of Limetree Bay, Aquatic habitat survey to document any cultural resources (shipwrecks, graves, etc.) that could be damaged or altered by the construction of the Gordon A. Finch Molasses Pier - St. Croix, USVI (Island Resources Foundation) Aquatic Habitat Surveys, Aquatic Habitat Surveys Aquatic Habitat Surveys Aquatic Habitat Surveys Aquatic Habitat Surveys Aquatic Habitat Surveys Aquatic Habitat Surveys, Aquatic Habitat Surveys Aquatic Habitat Surveys Aquatic Habitat Surveys Aquatic Habitat Surveys P a g e 3 | 3 Work Experience and Education: 1986 – Present: Seven Seas Ltd., See top of page 1 1983 - 86: Diving Unlimited, Henry E. Tonnemacher Founder/Owner/Operator; commercial, scientific and sport diving services; underwater photo and video; sailing charters aboard the 40’ trimaran Romany Road. 1981 - 83: The West Indies Laboratory (WIL) of Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU), Instructor for the college credited semester long course Advanced Diving for Scientific Studies, NAUI & PADI SCUBA Instructor, NAUI SCUBA Instructor Trainer and Course Director (see additional duties listed in 1977-80). 1980 - 81: Cay Divers, Start-Up Consultant, Manager, Captain and NAUI/PADI SCUBA Instructor for a full- service dive shop and training facility at Hotel on the Cay on Protestant Cay, St. Croix; captain of the 40’ custom diving and snorkeling vessel “Cay Diver”, NPS licensed Buck Island National Monument SCUBA tours 1977 - 80: WIL of FDU (see also 1981-83 above), Diving Supervisor, NOAA Hydrolab Underwater Habitat (NULS-1) Diving Coordinator 1977-78, Air Saturation Diver (NOAA Aquanaut), Research Diving Instructor and Research Vessel Master (Captain), U.S. Dept. of Commerce Recompression Chamber Operator 1978. 1975 - 77: Underwater Research Center, Manager, Boat Captain and SCUBA Instructor of a complete marine center with a main shop and four additional staffed hotel outlets in St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles and St. Martin, French West Indies, Developer/Instructor for secondary school Oceanography Summer Course. 1974 - 75: Canadian Junior College Carriacou Marine School, Develop and teach semester/summer courses in Environmental Biology and Oceanography at Carriacou, Grenada, West Indies with an additional Literature School in Lausanne, Switzerland, Certified as a Grade 13 Instructor by the Canadian Ministry of Education. 1972 - 74: California State University, Sacramento (CSUS), Full time student in biological sciences, graduated with a BA degree in Environmental Biology with Minors in Math and Chemistry; marine biology and oceanography instructor for Summer Camp Afloat during summers of 1972 and 1973 (see 1971-73 below). 1971 - 73: Summer Camp Afloat (US Intercostal Marine Squadron) Oceanography, Marine Biology and U/W Photography Instructor for summer programs at: Palm Beach Shores, Florida (1973), West End, Grand Bahama Island (1972) and Spanish Wells, Bahamas (1971), assistant instructor for SCUBA and scientific/research diving. 1970 - 72: Sierra College, Rocklin, California, Full time student, graduated with an AA degree in Biology, teacher for the oceanography section of Dr. R. A. Underhill’s general biology course; curator, life support operator and technician of all marine aquaria including those in a 48 degree refrigerated walk-in room. 1970: Encina High School and the Sacramento Junior Museum and Science Center; With a $91,000 Federal Library Grant developed and then taught the first accredited semester long course in Oceanography for high school students in the United States; Oceanography instructor at the Mendocino, California coast for marine studies through the Sacramento Junior Museum and Science Center for grade 7-12 students.