Delmarva Power and Pepco understand that there will be questions about the measures taken to protect the environment during construction of this new line and are taking a comprehensive approach to planning. Before construction begins, environmental studies in the Bay, wetlands and other sensitive areas will be completed.
Below are just some of the field studies performed.
In August 2010, ESS Group, Inc. (ESS) conducted benthic macroinvertebrate studies along the proposed submarine cable route through the Chesapeake Bay and Choptank River to catalog the bottom dwelling organisms living along the route. Macroinvertebrates are animals that can be seen with the naked eye and lack a back bone. Benthic macroinvertebrates refer to organisms such as worms, crayfish, mussels, or the larval stage of many insects that reside on or in sediment on the bottom of a waterbody. For more information on the studies.
Of particular importance in the Chesapeake Bay and Choptank River are the blue crab and eastern oyster, which are important recreational and commercial resources. Both species are found year-round in the project area. Shellfish surveys were conducted along the route in the Bay and River. For more information on the studies.
A patent tong is used for sampling potential hard bottom areas of the Chesapeake Bay and Choptank River
Samples are deposited on a tray and sorted to document bottom conditions, shell deposits, and quantity of live oysters and spat
Delmarva Power and Pepco have conducted extensive reviews of historical documents, field investigations, and agency consultations to identify potential cultural and historic resources in the project area within the water. The waterbodies studied included the Potomac River, Patuxent River, Chesapeake Bay, and Nanticoke River. For more information on the studies.